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 Genesis	Ge	1	1	1	In the beginning God created heaven and earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	2	Now the earth was a formless void, there was darkness over the deep, with a divine wind sweeping over the waters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	3	God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	4	God saw that light was good, and God divided light from darkness.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	5	God called light 'day', and darkness he called 'night'. Evening came and morning came: the first day.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	6	God said, 'Let there be a vault through the middle of the waters to divide the waters in two.' And so it was.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	7	God made the vault, and it divided the waters under the vault from the waters above the vault.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	8	God called the vault 'heaven'. Evening came and morning came: the second day.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	9	God said, 'Let the waters under heaven come together into a single mass, and let dry land appear.' And so it was.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	10	God called the dry land 'earth' and the mass of waters 'seas', and God saw that it was good.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	11	God said, 'Let the earth produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants, and fruit trees on earth, bearing fruit with their seed inside, each corresponding to its own species.' And so it was.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	12	The earth produced vegetation: the various kinds of seed-bearing plants and the fruit trees with seed inside, each corresponding to its own species. God saw that it was good.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	13	Evening came and morning came: the third day.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	14	God said, 'Let there be lights in the vault of heaven to divide day from night, and let them indicate festivals, days and years.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	15	Let them be lights in the vault of heaven to shine on the earth.' And so it was.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	16	God made the two great lights: the greater light to govern the day, the smaller light to govern the night, and the stars.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	17	God set them in the vault of heaven to shine on the earth,
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	18	to govern the day and the night and to divide light from darkness. God saw that it was good.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	19	Evening came and morning came: the fourth day.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	20	God said, 'Let the waters be alive with a swarm of living creatures, and let birds wing their way above the earth across the vault of heaven.' And so it was.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	21	God created great sea-monsters and all the creatures that glide and teem in the waters in their own species, and winged birds in their own species. God saw that it was good.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	22	God blessed them, saying, 'Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters of the seas; and let the birds multiply on land.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	23	Evening came and morning came: the fifth day.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	24	God said, 'Let the earth produce every kind of living creature in its own species: cattle, creeping things and wild animals of all kinds.' And so it was.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	25	God made wild animals in their own species, and cattle in theirs, and every creature that crawls along the earth in its own species. God saw that it was good.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	26	God said, 'Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves, and let them be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle, all the wild animals and all the creatures that creep along the ground.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	27	God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	28	God blessed them, saying to them, 'Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven and all the living creatures that move on earth.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	29	God also said, 'Look, to you I give all the seed-bearing plants everywhere on the surface of the earth, and all the trees with seed-bearing fruit; this will be your food.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	30	And to all the wild animals, all the birds of heaven and all the living creatures that creep along the ground, I give all the foliage of the plants as their food.' And so it was.
 Genesis	Ge	1	1	31	God saw all he had made, and indeed it was very good. Evening came and morning came: the sixth day.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	1	Thus heaven and earth were completed with all their array.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	2	On the seventh day God had completed the work he had been doing. He rested on the seventh day after all the work he had been doing.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	3	God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on that day he rested after all his work of creating.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	4	Such was the story of heaven and earth as they were created. At the time when Yahweh God made earth and heaven
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	5	there was as yet no wild bush on the earth nor had any wild plant yet sprung up, for Yahweh God had not sent rain on the earth, nor was there any man to till the soil.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	6	Instead, water flowed out of the ground and watered all the surface of the soil.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	7	Yahweh God shaped man from the soil of the ground and blew the breath of life into his nostrils, and man became a living being.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	8	Yahweh God planted a garden in Eden, which is in the east, and there he put the man he had fashioned.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	9	From the soil, Yahweh God caused to grow every kind of tree, enticing to look at and good to eat, with the tree of life in the middle of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	10	A river flowed from Eden to water the garden, and from there it divided to make four streams.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	11	The first is named the Pishon, and this winds all through the land of Havilah where there is gold.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	12	The gold of this country is pure; bdellium and cornelian stone are found there.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	13	The second river is named the Gihon, and this winds all through the land of Cush.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	14	The third river is named the Tigris, and this flows to the east of Ashur. The fourth river is the Euphrates.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	15	Yahweh God took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden to cultivate and take care of it.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	16	Then Yahweh God gave the man this command, 'You are free to eat of all the trees in the garden.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	17	But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you are not to eat; for, the day you eat of that, you are doomed to die.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	18	Yahweh God said, 'It is not right that the man should be alone. I shall make him a helper.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	19	So from the soil Yahweh God fashioned all the wild animals and all the birds of heaven. These he brought to the man to see what he would call them; each one was to bear the name the man would give it.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	20	The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of heaven and all the wild animals. But no helper suitable for the man was found for him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	21	Then, Yahweh God made the man fall into a deep sleep. And, while he was asleep, he took one of his ribs and closed the flesh up again forthwith.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	22	Yahweh God fashioned the rib he had taken from the man into a woman, and brought her to the man.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	23	And the man said: This one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh! She is to be called Woman, because she was taken from Man.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	24	This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and they become one flesh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	2	25	Now, both of them were naked, the man and his wife, but they felt no shame before each other.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	1	Now, the snake was the most subtle of all the wild animals that Yahweh God had made. It asked the woman, 'Did God really say you were not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	2	The woman answered the snake, 'We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	3	But of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden God said, "You must not eat it, nor touch it, under pain of death." '
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	4	Then the snake said to the woman, 'No! You will not die!
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	5	God knows in fact that the day you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good from evil.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	6	The woman saw that the tree was good to eat and pleasing to the eye, and that it was enticing for the wisdom that it could give. So she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	7	Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realised that they were naked. So they sewed fig-leaves together to make themselves loin-cloths.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	8	The man and his wife heard the sound of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from Yahweh God among the trees of the garden.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	9	But Yahweh God called to the man. 'Where are you?' he asked.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	10	'I heard the sound of you in the garden,' he replied. 'I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	11	'Who told you that you were naked?' he asked. 'Have you been eating from the tree I forbade you to eat?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	12	The man replied, 'It was the woman you put with me; she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	13	Then Yahweh God said to the woman, 'Why did you do that?' The woman replied, 'The snake tempted me and I ate.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	14	Then Yahweh God said to the snake, 'Because you have done this, Accursed be you of all animals wild and tame! On your belly you will go and on dust you will feed as long as you live.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	15	I shall put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; it will bruise your head and you will strike its heel.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	16	To the woman he said: I shall give you intense pain in childbearing, you will give birth to your children in pain. Your yearning will be for your husband, and he will dominate you.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	17	To the man he said, 'Because you listened to the voice of your wife and ate from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat, Accursed be the soil because of you! Painfully will you get your food from it as long as you live.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	18	It will yield you brambles and thistles, as you eat the produce of the land.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	19	By the sweat of your face will you earn your food, until you return to the ground, as you were taken from it. For dust you are and to dust you shall return.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	20	The man named his wife 'Eve' because she was the mother of all those who live.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	21	Yahweh God made tunics of skins for the man and his wife and clothed them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	22	Then Yahweh God said, 'Now that the man has become like one of us in knowing good from evil, he must not be allowed to reach out his hand and pick from the tree of life too, and eat and live for ever!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	23	So Yahweh God expelled him from the garden of Eden, to till the soil from which he had been taken.
 Genesis	Ge	1	3	24	He banished the man, and in front of the garden of Eden he posted the great winged creatures and the fiery flashing sword, to guard the way to the tree of life.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	1	The man had intercourse with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. 'I have acquired a man with the help of Yahweh,' she said.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	2	She gave birth to a second child, Abel, the brother of Cain. Now Abel became a shepherd and kept flocks, while Cain tilled the soil.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	3	Time passed and Cain brought some of the produce of the soil as an offering for Yahweh,
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	4	while Abel for his part brought the first-born of his flock and some of their fat as well. Yahweh looked with favour on Abel and his offering.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	5	But he did not look with favour on Cain and his offering, and Cain was very angry and downcast.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	6	Yahweh asked Cain, 'Why are you angry and downcast?
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	7	If you are doing right, surely you ought to hold your head high! But if you are not doing right, Sin is crouching at the door hungry to get you. You can still master him.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	8	Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out'; and while they were in the open country, Cain set on his brother Abel and killed him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	9	Yahweh asked Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?' 'I do not know,' he replied. 'Am I my brother's guardian?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	10	'What have you done?' Yahweh asked. 'Listen! Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	11	Now be cursed and banned from the ground that has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood at your hands.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	12	When you till the ground it will no longer yield up its strength to you. A restless wanderer you will be on earth.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	13	Cain then said to Yahweh, 'My punishment is greater than I can bear.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	14	Look, today you drive me from the surface of the earth. I must hide from you, and be a restless wanderer on earth. Why, whoever comes across me will kill me!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	15	'Very well, then,' Yahweh replied, 'whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.' So Yahweh put a mark on Cain, so that no one coming across him would kill him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	16	Cain left Yahweh's presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	17	Cain had intercourse with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. He became the founder of a city and gave the city the name of his son Enoch.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	18	Enoch fathered Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael; Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	19	Lamech married two women: the name of the first was Adah and the name of the second was Zillah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	20	Adah gave birth to Jabal: he was the ancestor of tent-dwelling herdsmen.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	21	His brother's name was Jubal: he was the ancestor of all who play the harp and the pipe.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	22	As for Zillah, she gave birth to Tubal-Cain: he was the ancestor of all who work copper and iron. Tubal-Cain's sister was Naamah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	23	Lamech said to his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice, wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I killed a man for wounding me, a boy for striking me.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	24	Sevenfold vengeance for Cain, but seventy-sevenfold for Lamech.
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	25	Adam had intercourse with his wife, and she gave birth to a son whom she named Seth, 'because God has granted me other offspring', she said, 'in place of Abel, since Cain has killed him.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	4	26	A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. This man was the first to invoke the name Yahweh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	1	This is the roll of Adam's descendants: On the day that God created Adam he made him in the likeness of God.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	2	Male and female he created them. He blessed them and gave them the name Man, when they were created.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	3	When Adam was a hundred and thirty years old he fathered a son, in his likeness, after his image, and he called him Seth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	4	Adam lived for eight hundred years after the birth of Seth and he fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	5	In all, Adam lived for nine hundred and thirty years; then he died.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	6	When Seth was a hundred and five years old he fathered Enosh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	7	After the birth of Enosh, Seth lived for eight hundred and seven years, and he fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	8	In all, Seth lived for nine hundred and twelve years; then he died.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	9	When Enosh was ninety years old he fathered Kenan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	10	After the birth of Kenan, Enosh lived for eight hundred and fifteen years and he fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	11	In all, Enosh lived for nine hundred and five years; then he died.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	12	When Kenan was seventy years old he fathered Mahalalel.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	13	After the birth of Mahalalel, Kenan lived for eight hundred and forty years and he fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	14	In all, Kenan lived for nine hundred and ten years; then he died.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	15	When Mahalalel was sixty-five years old he fathered Jared.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	16	After the birth of Jared, Mahalalel lived for eight hundred and thirty years and he fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	17	In all, Mahalalel lived for eight hundred and ninety-five years; then he died.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	18	When Jared was a hundred and sixty-two years old he fathered Enoch.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	19	After the birth of Enoch, Jared lived for eight hundred years and he fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	20	In all, Jared lived for nine hundred and sixty-two years; then he died.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	21	When Enoch was sixty-five years old he fathered Methuselah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	22	Enoch walked with God. After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived for three hundred years and he fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	23	In all, Enoch lived for three hundred and sixty-five years.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	24	Enoch walked with God, then was no more, because God took him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	25	When Methuselah was a hundred and eighty-seven years old he fathered Lamech.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	26	After the birth of Lamech, Methuselah lived for seven hundred and eighty-two years and he fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	27	In all, Methuselah lived for nine hundred and sixty-nine years; then he died.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	28	When Lamech was a hundred and eighty-two years old he fathered a son.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	29	He gave him the name Noah because, he said, 'Here is one who will give us, in the midst of our toil and the labouring of our hands, a consolation out of the very soil that Yahweh cursed.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	30	After the birth of Noah, Lamech lived for five hundred and ninety-five years and fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	31	In all, Lamech lived for seven hundred and seventy-seven years; then he died.
 Genesis	Ge	1	5	32	When Noah was five hundred years old he fathered Shem, Ham and Japheth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	1	When people began being numerous on earth, and daughters had been born to them,
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	2	the sons of God, looking at the women, saw how beautiful they were and married as many of them as they chose.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	3	Yahweh said, 'My spirit cannot be indefinitely responsible for human beings, who are only flesh; let the time allowed each be a hundred and twenty years.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	4	The Nephilim were on earth in those days (and even afterwards) when the sons of God resorted to the women, and had children by them. These were the heroes of days gone by, men of renown.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	5	Yahweh saw that human wickedness was great on earth and that human hearts contrived nothing but wicked schemes all day long.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	6	Yahweh regretted having made human beings on earth and was grieved at heart.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	7	And Yahweh said, 'I shall rid the surface of the earth of the human beings whom I created -- human and animal, the creeping things and the birds of heaven -- for I regret having made them.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	8	But Noah won Yahweh's favour.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	9	This is the story of Noah: Noah was a good man, an upright man among his contemporaries, and he walked with God.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	10	Noah fathered three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	11	God saw that the earth was corrupt and full of lawlessness.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	12	God looked at the earth: it was corrupt, for corrupt were the ways of all living things on earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	13	God said to Noah, 'I have decided that the end has come for all living things, for the earth is full of lawlessness because of human beings. So I am now about to destroy them and the earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	14	Make yourself an ark out of resinous wood. Make it of reeds and caulk it with pitch inside and out.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	15	This is how to make it: the length of the ark is to be three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	16	Make a roof to the ark, building it up to a cubit higher. Put the entrance in the side of the ark, which is to be made with lower, second and third decks.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	17	'For my part I am going to send the flood, the waters, on earth, to destroy all living things having the breath of life under heaven; everything on earth is to perish.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	18	But with you I shall establish my covenant and you will go aboard the ark, yourself, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives along with you.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	19	From all living creatures, from all living things, you must take two of each kind aboard the ark, to save their lives with yours; they must be a male and a female.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	20	Of every species of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that creeps along the ground, two must go with you so that their lives may be saved.
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	21	For your part, provide yourself with eatables of all kinds, and lay in a store of them, to serve as food for yourself and them.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	6	22	Noah did this; exactly as God commanded him, he did.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	1	Yahweh said to Noah, 'Go aboard the ark, you and all your household, for you alone of your contemporaries do I see before me as an upright man.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	2	Of every clean animal you must take seven pairs, a male and its female; of the unclean animals you must take one pair, a male and its female
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	3	(and of the birds of heaven, seven pairs, a male and its female), to preserve their species throughout the earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	4	For in seven days' time I shall make it rain on earth for forty days and forty nights, and I shall wipe every creature I have made off the face of the earth.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	5	Noah did exactly as Yahweh commanded him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	6	Noah was six hundred years old when the flood came, the waters over the earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	7	Noah with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives boarded the ark to escape the waters of the flood.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	8	(Of the clean animals and the animals that are not clean, of the birds and all that creeps along the ground,
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	9	one pair boarded the ark with Noah, one male and one female, as God had commanded Noah.)
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	10	Seven days later the waters of the flood appeared on earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	11	In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, and on the seventeenth day of the month, that very day all the springs of the great deep burst through, and the sluices of heaven opened.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	12	And heavy rain fell on earth for forty days and forty nights.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	13	That very day Noah and his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth boarded the ark, with Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons,
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	14	and with them every species of wild animal, every species of cattle, every species of creeping things that creep along the ground, every species of bird, everything that flies, everything with wings.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	15	One pair of all that was alive and had the breath of life boarded the ark with Noah,
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	16	and those that went aboard were a male and female of all that was alive, as God had commanded him. Then Yahweh shut him in.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	17	The flood lasted forty days on earth. The waters swelled, lifting the ark until it floated off the ground.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	18	The waters rose, swelling higher above the ground, and the ark drifted away over the waters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	19	The waters rose higher and higher above the ground until all the highest mountains under the whole of heaven were submerged.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	20	The waters reached their peak fifteen cubits above the submerged mountains.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	21	And all living things that stirred on earth perished; birds, cattle, wild animals, all the creatures swarming over the earth, and all human beings.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	22	Everything with the least breath of life in its nostrils, everything on dry land, died.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	23	Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out, people, animals, creeping things and birds; they were wiped off the earth and only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.
 Genesis	Ge	1	7	24	The waters maintained their level on earth for a hundred and fifty days.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	1	But God had Noah in mind, and all the wild animals and all the cattle that were with him in the ark. God sent a wind across the earth and the waters began to subside.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	2	The springs of the deep and the sluices of heaven were stopped up and the heavy rain from heaven was held back.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	3	Little by little, the waters ebbed from the earth. After a hundred and fifty days the waters fell,
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	4	and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	5	The waters gradually fell until the tenth month when, on the first day of the tenth month, the mountain tops appeared.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	6	At the end of forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	7	and released a raven, which flew back and forth as it waited for the waters to dry up on earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	8	He then released a dove, to see whether the waters were receding from the surface of the earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	9	But the dove, finding nowhere to perch, returned to him in the ark, for there was water over the whole surface of the earth; putting out his hand he took hold of it and brought it back into the ark with him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	10	After waiting seven more days, he again released the dove from the ark.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	11	In the evening, the dove came back to him and there in its beak was a freshly-picked olive leaf! So Noah realised that the waters were receding from the earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	12	After waiting seven more days, he released the dove, and now it returned to him no more.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	13	It was in the six hundred and first year of Noah's life, in the first month and on the first of the month, that the waters began drying out on earth. Noah lifted back the hatch of the ark and looked out. The surface of the ground was dry!
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	14	In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	15	Then God said to Noah,
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	16	'Come out of the ark, you, your wife, your sons, and your sons' wives with you.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	17	Bring out all the animals with you, all living things, the birds, the cattle and all the creeping things that creep along the ground, for them to swarm on earth, for them to breed and multiply on earth.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	18	So Noah came out with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	19	And all the wild animals, all the cattle, all the birds and all the creeping things that creep along the ground, came out of the ark, one species after another.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	20	Then Noah built an altar to Yahweh and, choosing from all the clean animals and all the clean birds he presented burnt offerings on the altar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	21	Yahweh smelt the pleasing smell and said to himself, 'Never again will I curse the earth because of human beings, because their heart contrives evil from their infancy. Never again will I strike down every living thing as I have done.
 Genesis	Ge	1	8	22	As long as earth endures: seed-time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	1	God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, 'Breed, multiply and fill the earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	2	Be the terror and the dread of all the animals on land and all the birds of heaven, of everything that moves on land and all the fish of the sea; they are placed in your hands.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	3	Every living thing that moves will be yours to eat, no less than the foliage of the plants. I give you everything,
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	4	with this exception: you must not eat flesh with life, that is to say blood, in it.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	5	And I shall demand account of your life-blood, too. I shall demand it of every animal, and of man. Of man as regards his fellow-man, I shall demand account for human life.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	6	He who sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God was man created.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	7	Be fruitful then and multiply, teem over the earth and subdue it!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	8	God spoke as follows to Noah and his sons,
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	9	'I am now establishing my covenant with you and with your descendants to come,
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	10	and with every living creature that was with you: birds, cattle and every wild animal with you; everything that came out of the ark, every living thing on earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	11	And I shall maintain my covenant with you: that never again shall all living things be destroyed by the waters of a flood, nor shall there ever again be a flood to devastate the earth.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	12	'And this', God said, 'is the sign of the covenant which I now make between myself and you and every living creature with you for all ages to come:
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	13	I now set my bow in the clouds and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	14	When I gather the clouds over the earth and the bow appears in the clouds,
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	15	I shall recall the covenant between myself and you and every living creature, in a word all living things, and never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all living things.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	16	When the bow is in the clouds I shall see it and call to mind the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth, that is, all living things.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	17	'That', God told Noah, 'is the sign of the covenant I have established between myself and all living things on earth.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	18	The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth-Ham being the father of Canaan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	19	These three were Noah's sons, and from these the whole earth was peopled.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	20	Noah, a tiller of the soil, was the first to plant the vine.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	21	He drank some of the wine, and while he was drunk, he lay uncovered in his tent.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	22	Ham, father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	23	Shem and Japheth took a cloak and they both put it over their shoulders, and walking backwards, covered their father's nakedness; they kept their faces turned away, and they did not look at their father naked.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	24	When Noah awoke from his stupor he learned what his youngest son had done to him,
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	25	and said: Accursed be Canaan, he shall be his brothers' meanest slave.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	26	He added: Blessed be Yahweh, God of Shem, let Canaan be his slave!
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	27	May God make space for Japheth, may he live in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his slave!
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	28	After the flood Noah lived three hundred and fifty years.
 Genesis	Ge	1	9	29	In all, Noah's life lasted nine hundred and fifty years; then he died.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	1	These are the descendants of Noah's sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, to whom sons were born after the flood:
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	2	Japheth's sons: Gomer, Magog, the Medes, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, Tiras.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	3	Gomer's sons: Ashkenaz, Riphath, Togarmah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	4	Javan's sons: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittim, the Dananites.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	5	From these came the dispersal to the islands of the nations. These were Japheth's sons, in their respective countries, each with its own language, by clan and nation.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	6	Ham's sons: Cush, Mizraim, Put, Canaan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	7	Cush's sons: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, Sabteca. Raamah's sons: Sheba, Dedan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	8	Cush fathered Nimrod who was the first potentate on earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	9	He was a mighty hunter in the eyes of Yahweh, hence the saying, 'Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter in the eyes of Yahweh'.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	10	The mainstays of his empire were Babel, Erech and Accad, all of them in the land of Shinar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	11	From this country came Asshur, and he built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah,
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	12	and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (this being the capital).
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	13	Mizraim fathered the people of Lud, of Anam, Lehab, Naphtuh,
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	14	Pathros, Casluh and Caphtor, from which the Philistines came.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	15	Canaan fathered Sidon, his first-born, then Heth,
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	16	and the Jebusites, the Amorites, Girgashites,
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	17	Hivites, Arkites, Sinites,
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	18	Arvadites, Zemarites and Hamathites. Later, the Canaanite clans spread out.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	19	The Canaanite frontier stretched from Sidon all the way to Gerar near Gaza, and all the way to Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim near Lesha.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	20	These were Ham's sons, by clans and languages, by countries and nations.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	21	Shem too fathered sons, being ancestor of all the sons of Eber and Japheth's elder brother.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	22	Shem's sons: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	23	Aram's sons: Uz, Hul, Gether and Mash.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	24	Arpachshad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	25	To Eber were born two sons: the first was called Peleg, because it was in his time that the earth was divided, and his brother was called Joktan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	26	Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	27	Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	28	Obal, Abima-El, Sheba,
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	29	Ophir, Havilah, Jobab; all these were sons of Joktan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	30	They occupied a stretch of country from Mesha all the way to Sephar, the eastern mountain range.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	31	These were Shem's sons, by clans and languages, by countries and nations.
 Genesis	Ge	1	10	32	Such were the clans of Noah's descendants, listed by descent and nation. From them, other nations branched out on earth after the flood.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	1	The whole world spoke the same language, with the same vocabulary.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	2	Now, as people moved eastwards they found a valley in the land of Shinar where they settled.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	3	They said to one another, 'Come, let us make bricks and bake them in the fire.' For stone they used bricks, and for mortar they used bitumen.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	4	'Come,' they said, 'let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top reaching heaven. Let us make a name for ourselves, so that we do not get scattered all over the world.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	5	Now Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower that the people had built.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	6	'So they are all a single people with a single language!' said Yahweh. 'This is only the start of their undertakings! Now nothing they plan to do will be beyond them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	7	Come, let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they cannot understand one another.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	8	Yahweh scattered them thence all over the world, and they stopped building the city.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	9	That is why it was called Babel, since there Yahweh confused the language of the whole world, and from there Yahweh scattered them all over the world.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	10	These are Shem's descendants: When Shem was a hundred years old he fathered Arpachshad, two years after the flood.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	11	After the birth of Arpachshad, Shem lived five hundred years and fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	12	When Arpachshad was thirty-five years old he fathered Shelah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	13	After the birth of Shelah, Arpachshad lived four hundred and three years and fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	14	When Shelah was thirty years old he fathered Eber.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	15	After the birth of Eber, Shelah lived four hundred and three years and fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	16	When Eber was thirty-four years old he fathered Peleg.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	17	After the birth of Peleg, Eber lived four hundred and thirty years and fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	18	When Peleg was thirty years old he fathered Reu.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	19	After the birth of Reu, Peleg lived two hundred and nine years and fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	20	When Reu was thirty-two years old he fathered Serug.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	21	After the birth of Serug, Reu lived two hundred and seven years and fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	22	When Serug was thirty years old he fathered Nahor.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	23	After the birth of Nahor, Serug lived two hundred years and fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	24	When Nahor was twenty-nine years old he fathered Terah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	25	After the birth of Terah, Nahor lived a hundred and nineteen years and fathered sons and daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	26	When Terah was seventy years old he fathered Abram, Nahor and Haran.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	27	These are Terah's descendants: Terah fathered Abram, Nahor and Haran. Haran fathered Lot.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	28	Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in his native land, Ur of the Chaldaeans.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	29	Abram and Nahor both married: Abram's wife was called Sarai, Nahor's wife was called Milcah daughter of Haran, father of Milcah and Iscah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	30	Sarai was barren, having no child.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	31	Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law the wife of Abram, and made them leave Ur of the Chaldaeans to go to the land of Canaan. But on arrival in Haran they settled there.
 Genesis	Ge	1	11	32	Terah's life lasted two hundred and five years; then he died at Haran.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	1	Yahweh said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your kindred and your father's house for a country which I shall show you;
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	2	and I shall make you a great nation, I shall bless you and make your name famous; you are to be a blessing!
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	3	I shall bless those who bless you, and shall curse those who curse you, and all clans on earth will bless themselves by you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	4	So Abram went as Yahweh told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	5	Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had amassed and the people they had acquired in Haran. They set off for the land of Canaan, and arrived there.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	6	Abram passed through the country as far as the holy place at Shechem, the Oak of Moreh. The Canaanites were in the country at the time.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	7	Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, 'I shall give this country to your progeny.' And there, Abram built an altar to Yahweh who had appeared to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	8	From there he moved on to the mountainous district east of Bethel, where he pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to Yahweh and invoked the name of Yahweh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	9	Then Abram made his way stage by stage to the Negeb.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	10	There was a famine in the country, and Abram went down to Egypt to stay there for a time, since the famine in the country was severe.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	11	When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, 'Look, I know you are a beautiful woman.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	12	When the Egyptians see you they will say, "That is his wife," and they will kill me but leave you alive.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	13	Therefore please tell them you are my sister, so that they may treat me well because of you and spare my life out of regard for you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	14	When Abram arrived in Egypt the Egyptians did indeed see that the woman was very beautiful.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	15	When Pharaoh's officials saw her they sang her praises to Pharaoh and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's household.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	16	And Abram was very well treated because of her and received flocks, oxen, donkeys, men and women slaves, she-donkeys and camels.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	17	But Yahweh inflicted severe plagues on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram's wife Sarai.
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	18	So Pharaoh summoned Abram and said, 'What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me she was your wife?
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	19	Why did you say, "She is my sister," so that I took her to be my wife? Now, here is your wife. Take her and go!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	12	20	And Pharaoh gave his people orders about him; they sent him on his way with his wife and all his possessions.
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	1	From Egypt Abram returned to the Negeb with his wife and all he possessed, and Lot with him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	2	Abram was very rich in livestock, silver and gold.
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	3	By stages he went from the Negeb to Bethel, where he had first pitched his tent, between Bethel and Ai,
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	4	at the place where he had formerly erected the altar. There Abram invoked the name of Yahweh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	5	Lot, who was travelling with Abram, had flocks and cattle of his own, and tents too.
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	6	The land was not sufficient to accommodate them both at once, for they had too many possessions to be able to live together.
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	7	Dispute broke out between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and those of Lot. (The Canaanites and Perizzites were living in the country at the time.)
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	8	Accordingly Abram said to Lot, 'We do not want discord between us or between my herdsmen and yours, for we are kinsmen.
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	9	Is not the whole land open before you? Go in the opposite direction to me: if you take the left, I shall go right; if you take the right, I shall go left.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	10	Looking round, Lot saw all the Jordan plain, irrigated everywhere -- this was before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah-like the garden of Yahweh or the land of Egypt, as far as Zoar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	11	So Lot chose all the Jordan plain for himself and moved off eastwards. Thus they parted company:
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	12	Abram settled in the land of Canaan; Lot settled among the cities of the plain, pitching his tents on the outskirts of Sodom.
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	13	Now the people of Sodom were vicious and great sinners against Yahweh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	14	Yahweh said to Abram after Lot had parted company from him, 'Look all round from where you are, to north and south, to east and west,
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	15	for all the land within sight I shall give to you and your descendants for ever.
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	16	I shall make your descendants like the dust on the ground; when people succeed in counting the specks of dust on the ground, then they will be able to count your descendants too!
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	17	On your feet! Travel the length and breadth of the country, for I mean to give it to you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	13	18	So Abram moved his tent and went to settle at the Oak of Mamre, at Hebron, and there he built an altar to Yahweh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	1	When Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedor-Laomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of the Goiim,
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	2	made war on Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar),
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	3	all the latter joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (now the Salt Sea).
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	4	For twelve years they had been under the yoke of Chedor-Laomer, but in the thirteenth year they revolted.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	5	In the fourteenth year Chedor-Laomer arrived and the kings who had allied themselves with him. They defeated the Rephaim at Ashteroth-Carnaim, the Zuzim at Ham, the Emim in the Plain of Kiriathaim,
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	6	the Horites in the mountainous district of Seir near El-Paran, which is on the edge of the desert.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	7	Wheeling round, they came to the Spring of Judgement (that is, Kadesh); they conquered all the territory of the Amalekites and also the Amorites who lived in Hazazon-Tamar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	8	Then the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and engaged them in the Valley of Siddim:
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	9	Chedor-Laomer king of Elam, Tidal king of the Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar: four kings against five.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	10	Now there were many bitumen wells in the Valley of Siddim, and in their flight the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fell into them, while the rest fled into the hills.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	11	The conquerors seized all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and made off.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	12	They also took Lot (the nephew of Abram) and his possessions and made off; he had been living at Sodom.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	13	A survivor came to tell Abram, and Aner the Hebrew, who was living at the Oak of the Amorite Mamre, the brother of Eshcol; these were allies of Abram.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	14	When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he mustered his retainers born in his own household, numbering three hundred and eighteen, and gave chase as far as Dan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	15	He and his retainers deployed against them under cover of dark, defeated them and pursued them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	16	He recaptured all the goods as well as his kinsman Lot and his possessions, together with the women and people.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	17	When Abram returned from defeating Chedor-Laomer and the kings who had been on his side, the king of Sodom came to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the Valley of the King).
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	18	Melchizedek king of Salem brought bread and wine; he was a priest of God Most High.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	19	He pronounced this blessing: Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High for putting your enemies into your clutches.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	20	And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	21	The king of Sodom said to Abram, 'Give me the people and take the possessions for yourself.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	22	But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, 'I swear by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth:
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	23	not one thread, not one sandal strap, will I take of what is yours, for you to be able to say, "I made Abram rich."
 Genesis	Ge	1	14	24	For myself, nothing -- except what the troops have used up, and the share due to the men who came with me, Eshcol, Aner and Mamre; let them take their share.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	1	Some time later, the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram! I am your shield and shall give you a very great reward.
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	2	'Lord Yahweh,' Abram replied, 'what use are your gifts, as I am going on my way childless? . . .
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	3	Since you have given me no offspring,' Abram continued, 'a member of my household will be my heir.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	4	Then Yahweh's word came to him in reply, 'Such a one will not be your heir; no, your heir will be the issue of your own body.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	5	Then taking him outside, he said, 'Look up at the sky and count the stars if you can. Just so will your descendants be,' he told him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	6	Abram put his faith in Yahweh and this was reckoned to him as uprightness.
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	7	He then said to him, 'I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldaeans to give you this country as your possession.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	8	'Lord Yahweh,' Abram replied, 'how can I know that I shall possess it?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	9	He said to him, 'Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove and a young pigeon.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	10	He brought him all these, split the animals down the middle and placed each half opposite the other; but the birds he did not divide.
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	11	And whenever birds of prey swooped down on the carcases, Abram drove them off.
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	12	Now, as the sun was on the point of setting, a trance fell on Abram, and a deep dark dread descended on him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	13	Then Yahweh said to Abram, 'Know this for certain, that your descendants will be exiles in a land not their own, and be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years.
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	14	But I shall bring judgement on the nation that enslaves them and after this they will leave, with many possessions.
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	15	For your part, you will join your ancestors in peace; you will be buried at a happy old age.
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	16	In the fourth generation they will come back here, for until then the iniquity of the Amorites will not have reached its full extent.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	17	When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passing between the animals' pieces.
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	18	That day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram in these terms: 'To your descendants I give this country, from the River of Egypt to the Great River, the River Euphrates,
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	19	the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites,
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	20	the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim,
 Genesis	Ge	1	15	21	the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	1	Abram's wife Sarai had borne him no child, but she had an Egyptian slave-girl called Hagar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	2	So Sarai said to Abram, 'Listen, now! Since Yahweh has kept me from having children, go to my slave-girl. Perhaps I shall get children through her.' And Abram took Sarai's advice.
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	3	Thus, after Abram had lived in the land of Canaan for ten years, Sarai took Hagar her Egyptian slave-girl and gave her to Abram as his wife.
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	4	He went to Hagar and she conceived. And once she knew she had conceived, her mistress counted for nothing in her eyes.
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	5	Then Sarai said to Abram, 'This outrage done to me is your fault! It was I who put my slave-girl into your arms but, now she knows that she has conceived, I count for nothing in her eyes. Yahweh judge between me and you!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	6	'Very well,' Abram said to Sarai, 'your slave-girl is at your disposal. Treat her as you think fit.' Sarai accordingly treated her so badly that she ran away from her.
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	7	The angel of Yahweh found her by a spring in the desert, the spring on the road to Shur.
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	8	He said, 'Hagar, slave-girl of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?' 'I am running away from my mistress Sarai,' she replied.
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	9	The angel of Yahweh said to her, 'Go back to your mistress and submit to her.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	10	The angel of Yahweh further said to her, 'I shall make your descendants too numerous to be counted.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	11	Then the angel of Yahweh said to her: Now, you have conceived and will bear a son, and you shall name him Ishmael, for Yahweh has heard your cries of distress.
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	12	A wild donkey of a man he will be, his hand against every man, and every man's hand against him, living his life in defiance of all his kinsmen.
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	13	Hagar gave a name to Yahweh who had spoken to her, 'You are El Roi,' by which she meant, 'Did I not go on seeing here, after him who sees me?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	14	This is why the well is called the well of Lahai Roi; it is between Kadesh and Bered.
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	15	Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave his son borne by Hagar the name Ishmael.
 Genesis	Ge	1	16	16	Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	1	When Abram was ninety-nine years old Yahweh appeared to him and said, 'I am El Shaddai. Live in my presence, be perfect,
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	2	and I shall grant a covenant between myself and you, and make you very numerous.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	3	And Abram bowed to the ground. God spoke to him as follows,
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	4	'For my part, this is my covenant with you: you will become the father of many nations.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	5	And you are no longer to be called Abram; your name is to be Abraham, for I am making you father of many nations.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	6	I shall make you exceedingly fertile. I shall make you into nations, and your issue will be kings.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	7	And I shall maintain my covenant between myself and you, and your descendants after you, generation after generation, as a covenant in perpetuity, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	8	And to you and to your descendants after you, I shall give the country where you are now immigrants, the entire land of Canaan, to own in perpetuity. And I shall be their God.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	9	God further said to Abraham, 'You for your part must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you, generation after generation.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	10	This is my covenant which you must keep between myself and you, and your descendants after you: every one of your males must be circumcised.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	11	You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that will be the sign of the covenant between myself and you.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	12	As soon as he is eight days old, every one of your males, generation after generation, must be circumcised, including slaves born within the household or bought from a foreigner not of your descent.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	13	Whether born within the household or bought, they must be circumcised. My covenant must be marked in your flesh as a covenant in perpetuity.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	14	The uncircumcised male, whose foreskin has not been circumcised -- that person must be cut off from his people: he has broken my covenant.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	15	Furthermore God said to Abraham, 'As regards your wife Sarai, you must not call her Sarai, but Sarah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	16	I shall bless her and moreover give you a son by her. I shall bless her and she will become nations: kings of peoples will issue from her.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	17	Abraham bowed to the ground, and he laughed, thinking to himself, 'Is a child to be born to a man one hundred years old, and will Sarah have a child at the age of ninety?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	18	Abraham said to God, 'May Ishmael live in your presence! That will be enough!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	19	But God replied, 'Yes, your wife Sarah will bear you a son whom you must name Isaac. And I shall maintain my covenant with him, a covenant in perpetuity, to be his God and the God of his descendants after him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	20	For Ishmael too I grant you your request. I hereby bless him and will make him fruitful and exceedingly numerous. He will be the father of twelve princes, and I shall make him into a great nation.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	21	But my covenant I shall maintain with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear you at this time next year.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	22	When he had finished speaking to Abraham, God went up from him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	23	Then Abraham took his son Ishmael, all the slaves born in his household or whom he had bought, in short all the males among the people of Abraham's household, and circumcised their foreskins that same day, as God had said to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	24	Abraham was ninety-nine years old when his foreskin was circumcised.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	25	Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when his foreskin was circumcised.
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	26	Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised on the very same day,
 Genesis	Ge	1	17	27	and all the men of his household, those born in the household and those bought from foreigners, were circumcised with him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	1	Yahweh appeared to him at the Oak of Mamre while he was sitting by the entrance of the tent during the hottest part of the day.
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	2	He looked up, and there he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them, and bowed to the ground.
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	3	'My lord,' he said, 'if I find favour with you, please do not pass your servant by.
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	4	Let me have a little water brought, and you can wash your feet and have a rest under the tree.
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	5	Let me fetch a little bread and you can refresh yourselves before going further, now that you have come in your servant's direction.' They replied, 'Do as you say.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	6	Abraham hurried to the tent and said to Sarah, 'Quick, knead three measures of best flour and make loaves.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	7	Then, running to the herd, Abraham took a fine and tender calf and gave it to the servant, who hurried to prepare it.
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	8	Then taking curds, milk and the calf which had been prepared, he laid all before them, and they ate while he remained standing near them under the tree.
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	9	'Where is your wife Sarah?' they asked him. 'She is in the tent,' he replied.
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	10	Then his guest said, 'I shall come back to you next year, and then your wife Sarah will have a son.' Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent behind him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	11	Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well on in years, and Sarah had ceased to have her monthly periods.
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	12	So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, 'Now that I am past the age of childbearing, and my husband is an old man, is pleasure to come my way again?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	13	But Yahweh asked Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh and say, "Am I really going to have a child now that I am old?"
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	14	Nothing is impossible for Yahweh. I shall come back to you at the same time next year and Sarah will have a son.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	15	Sarah said, 'I did not laugh,' lying because she was afraid. But he replied, 'Oh yes, you did laugh.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	16	From there the men set out and arrived within sight of Sodom, with Abraham accompanying them to speed them on their way.
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	17	Now Yahweh had wondered, 'Shall I conceal from Abraham what I am going to do,
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	18	as Abraham will become a great and powerful nation and all nations on earth will bless themselves by him?
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	19	For I have singled him out to command his sons and his family after him to keep the way of Yahweh by doing what is upright and just, so that Yahweh can carry out for Abraham what he has promised him.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	20	Then Yahweh said, 'The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin is so grave,
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	21	that I shall go down and see whether or not their actions are at all as the outcry reaching me would suggest. Then I shall know.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	22	While the men left there and went to Sodom, Yahweh remained in Abraham's presence.
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	23	Abraham stepped forward and said, 'Will you really destroy the upright with the guilty?
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	24	Suppose there are fifty upright people in the city. Will you really destroy it? Will you not spare the place for the sake of the fifty upright in it?
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	25	Do not think of doing such a thing: to put the upright to death with the guilty, so that upright and guilty fare alike! Is the judge of the whole world not to act justly?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	26	Yahweh replied, 'If I find fifty upright people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place because of them.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	27	Abraham spoke up and said, 'It is presumptuous of me to speak to the Lord, I who am dust and ashes:
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	28	Suppose the fifty upright were five short? Would you destroy the whole city because of five?' 'No,' he replied, 'I shall not destroy it if I find forty-five there.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	29	Abraham persisted and said, 'Suppose there are forty to be found there?' 'I shall not do it,' he replied, 'for the sake of the forty.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	30	Abraham said, 'I hope the Lord will not be angry if I go on: Suppose there are only thirty to be found there?' 'I shall not do it,' he replied, 'if I find thirty there.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	31	He said, 'It is presumptuous of me to speak to the Lord: Suppose there are only twenty there?' 'I shall not destroy it,' he replied, 'for the sake of the twenty.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	32	He said, 'I trust my Lord will not be angry if I speak once more: perhaps there will only be ten.' 'I shall not destroy it,' he replied, 'for the sake of the ten.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	18	33	When he had finished talking to Abraham Yahweh went away, and Abraham returned home.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	1	When the two angels reached Sodom in the evening, Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom. As soon as Lot saw them, he stood up to greet them, and bowed to the ground.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	2	'My lords,' he said, 'please come down to your servant's house to stay the night and wash your feet. Then you can make an early start on your journey.' 'No,' they said, 'we shall spend the night in the square.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	3	But he pressed them so much that they went home with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking unleavened bread, and they had supper.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	4	They had not gone to bed when the house was surrounded by the townspeople, the men of Sodom both young and old, all the people without exception.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	5	Calling out to Lot they said, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Send them out to us so that we can have intercourse with them.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	6	Lot came out to them at the door and, having shut the door behind him,
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	7	said, 'Please, brothers, do not be wicked.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	8	Look, I have two daughters who are virgins. I am ready to send them out to you, for you to treat as you please, but do nothing to these men since they are now under the protection of my roof.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	9	But they retorted, 'Stand back! This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge. Now we shall treat you worse than them.' Then they forced Lot back and moved forward to break down the door.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	10	But the men reached out, pulled Lot back into the house with them, and shut the door.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	11	And they dazzled those who were at the door of the house, one and all, with a blinding light, so that they could not find the doorway.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	12	The men said to Lot, 'Have you anyone else here? Your sons, your daughters and all your people in the city, take them away,
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	13	for we are about to destroy this place, since the outcry to Yahweh against those in it has grown so loud that Yahweh has sent us to destroy it.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	14	So Lot went off and spoke to his future sons-in-law who were to marry his daughters. 'On your feet!' he said, 'Leave this place, for Yahweh is about to destroy the city.' But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	15	When dawn broke the angels urged Lot on, 'To your feet! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	16	And as he hesitated, the men seized his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters -- Yahweh being merciful to him -- and led him out and left him outside the city.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	17	When they had brought him outside, he was told, 'Flee for your life. Do not look behind you or stop anywhere on the plain. Flee to the hills or you will be swept away.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	18	'Oh no, my lord!' Lot said to them,
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	19	'You have already been very good to your servant and shown me even greater love by saving my life, but I cannot flee to the hills, or disaster will overtake me and I shall die.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	20	That town over there is near enough to flee to, and is small. Let me flee there-after all it is only a small place -- and so survive.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	21	He replied, 'I grant you this favour too, and will not overthrow the town you speak of.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	22	Hurry, flee to that one, for I cannot do anything until you reach it.' That is why the town is named Zoar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	23	The sun rose over the horizon just as Lot was entering Zoar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	24	Then Yahweh rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire of his own sending.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	25	He overthrew those cities and the whole plain, with all the people living in the cities and everything that grew there.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	26	But Lot's wife looked back, and was turned into a pillar of salt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	27	Next morning, Abraham hurried to the place where he had stood before Yahweh,
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	28	and looking towards Sodom and Gomorrah and the whole area of the plain, he saw the smoke rising from the ground like smoke from a furnace.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	29	Thus it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he did not forget Abraham and he rescued Lot from the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities where Lot was living.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	30	After leaving Zoar Lot settled in the hill country with his two daughters, for he dared not stay at Zoar. He lived in a cave, he and his two daughters.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	31	The elder said to the younger, 'Our father is an old man, and there is no one here to marry us in the normal way of the world.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	32	Come on, let us ply our father with wine and sleep with him. In this way we can preserve the race by our father.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	33	That night they made their father drunk, and the elder slept with her father though he was unaware of her coming to bed or of her leaving.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	34	The next day the elder said to the younger, 'Last night, I was the one who slept with our father. Let us make him drunk again tonight, and you go and sleep with him. In this way we can preserve the race by our father.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	35	They made their father drunk that night too, and the younger went and slept with him, though he was unaware of her coming to bed or of her leaving.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	36	Both Lot's daughters thus became pregnant by their father.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	37	The elder gave birth to a son whom she named Moab; and he is the ancestor of the Moabites of our own times.
 Genesis	Ge	1	19	38	The younger also gave birth to a son whom she named Ben-Ammi; and he is the ancestor of the Bene-Ammon of our own times.
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	1	Abraham left there for the region of the Negeb, and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While staying in Gerar,
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	2	Abraham said of his wife Sarah, 'She is my sister,' and Abimelech the king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	3	But God visited Abimelech in a dream one night. 'You are to die,' he told him, 'because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	4	Abimelech, however, had not gone near her; so he said, 'Lord, would you kill someone even if he is upright?
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	5	Did he not tell me himself, "She is my sister"? And she herself said, "He is my brother." I did this with a clear conscience and clean hands.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	6	'Yes, I know,' God replied in the dream, 'that you did this with a clear conscience and I myself prevented you from sinning against me. That was why I did not let you touch her.
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	7	Now send the man's wife back; for he is a prophet and can intercede on your behalf for your life. But understand that if you do not send her back, this means death for you and all yours.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	8	Early next morning, Abimelech summoned his full court and told them the whole story, at which the people were very much afraid.
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	9	Then summoning Abraham, Abimelech said to him, 'What have you done to us? What wrong have I done you, for you to bring such guilt on me and on my kingdom? You had no right to treat me like this.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	10	Abimelech then said to Abraham, 'What possessed you to do such a thing?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	11	'Because', Abraham replied, 'I thought there would be no fear of God here and that I should be killed for the sake of my wife.
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	12	Anyway, she really is my sister, my father's daughter though not my mother's, besides being my wife.
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	13	So when God made me wander far from my father's home I said to her, "There is an act of love you can do me: everywhere we go, say of me that I am your brother." '
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	14	Abimelech took sheep, cattle, men and women slaves, and presented them to Abraham, and gave him back his wife Sarah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	15	And Abimelech said, 'Look, my land is open to you. Settle wherever you please.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	16	To Sarah he said, 'Look, I am giving your brother a thousand pieces of silver. This will allay suspicions about you, as far as all the people round you are concerned; you have been completely vindicated.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	17	Abraham then interceded with God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave-girls, so that they could have children,
 Genesis	Ge	1	20	18	for Yahweh had made all the women of Abimelech's household barren on account of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	1	Yahweh treated Sarah as he had said, and did what he had promised her.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	2	Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time God had promised.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	3	Abraham named the son born to him Isaac, the son to whom Sarah had given birth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	4	Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	5	Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	6	Sarah said: God has given me cause to laugh! All who hear about this will laugh with me!
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	7	She added: Whoever would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children! Yet I have borne a son in his old age.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	8	The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham gave a great banquet on the day Isaac was weaned.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	9	Now Sarah watched the son that Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	10	'Drive away that slave-girl and her son,' she said to Abraham, 'this slave-girl's son is not to share the inheritance with my son Isaac.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	11	This greatly distressed Abraham, because the slave-girl's child too was his son,
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	12	but God said to him, 'Do not distress yourself on account of the boy and your slave-girl. Do whatever Sarah says, for Isaac is the one through whom your name will be carried on.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	13	But the slave-girl's son I shall also make into a great nation, for he too is your child.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	14	Early next morning, Abraham took some bread and a skin of water and, giving them to Hagar, put the child on her shoulder and sent her away. She wandered off into the desert of Beersheba.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	15	When the skin of water was finished she abandoned the child under a bush.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	16	Then she went and sat down at a distance, about a bowshot away, thinking, 'I cannot bear to see the child die.' Sitting at a distance, she began to sob.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	17	God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven. 'What is wrong, Hagar?' he asked. 'Do not be afraid, for God has heard the boy's cry in his plight.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	18	Go and pick the boy up and hold him safe, for I shall make him into a great nation.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	19	Then God opened Hagar's eyes and she saw a well, so she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	20	God was with the boy. He grew up and made his home in the desert, and he became an archer.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	21	He made his home in the desert of Paran, and his mother got him a wife from Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	22	About then, Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, said to Abraham, 'Since God is with you in everything you do,
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	23	swear to me by God, here and now, that you will not act treacherously towards me or my kith and kin, but behave with the same faithful love to me and the land of which you are a guest as I have behaved to you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	24	'Yes,' Abraham replied, 'I swear it.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	25	Abraham then reproached Abimelech about a well that Abimelech's servants had seized.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	26	'I do not know who has done this,' Abimelech said. 'You yourself have never mentioned it to me and, for myself, I heard nothing of it till today.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	27	Abraham then took sheep and cattle and presented them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	28	Abraham put seven lambs of the flock on one side.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	29	'Why have you put these seven lambs on one side?' Abimelech asked Abraham.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	30	He replied, 'You must accept these seven lambs from me as evidence that I have dug this well.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	31	This was why the place was called Beersheba: because there the two of them swore an oath.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	32	After they had made a covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, left and went back to Philistine territory.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	33	And Abraham planted a tamarisk at Beersheba and there he invoked the name of Yahweh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	21	34	Abraham stayed for a long while in Philistine territory.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	1	It happened some time later that God put Abraham to the test. 'Abraham, Abraham!' he called. 'Here I am,' he replied.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	2	God said, 'Take your son, your only son, your beloved Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, where you are to offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I shall point out to you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	3	Early next morning Abraham saddled his donkey and took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. He chopped wood for the burnt offering and started on his journey to the place which God had indicated to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	4	On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	5	Then Abraham said to his servants, 'Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I are going over there; we shall worship and then come back to you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	6	Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering, loaded it on Isaac, and carried in his own hands the fire and the knife. Then the two of them set out together.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	7	Isaac spoke to his father Abraham. 'Father?' he said. 'Yes, my son,' he replied. 'Look,' he said, 'here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	8	Abraham replied, 'My son, God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.' And the two of them went on together.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	9	When they arrived at the place which God had indicated to him, Abraham built an altar there, and arranged the wood. Then he bound his son and put him on the altar on top of the wood.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	10	Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to kill his son.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	11	But the angel of Yahweh called to him from heaven. 'Abraham, Abraham!' he said. 'Here I am,' he replied.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	12	'Do not raise your hand against the boy,' the angel said. 'Do not harm him, for now I know you fear God. You have not refused me your own beloved son.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	13	Then looking up, Abraham saw a ram caught by its horns in a bush. Abraham took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	14	Abraham called this place 'Yahweh provides', and hence the saying today: 'On the mountain Yahweh provides.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	15	The angel of Yahweh called Abraham a second time from heaven.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	16	'I swear by my own self, Yahweh declares, that because you have done this, because you have not refused me your own beloved son,
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	17	I will shower blessings on you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will gain possession of the gates of their enemies.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	18	All nations on earth will bless themselves by your descendants, because you have obeyed my command.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	19	Abraham went back to his servants, and together they set out for Beersheba, and Abraham settled in Beersheba.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	20	It happened some time later that Abraham received word that Milcah, too, had now borne sons to his brother Nahor:
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	21	Uz his first-born, Buz his brother, Kemuel father of Aram,
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	22	Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, Bethuel
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	23	(and Bethuel was the father of Rebekah). These were the eight children Milcah gave Nahor, Abraham's brother.
 Genesis	Ge	1	22	24	He had a concubine named Reumah, and she too had children: Tebah, Gaham, Tahash and Maacah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	1	The length of Sarah's life was a hundred and twenty-seven years.
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	2	She died at Kiriath-Arba -- now Hebron -- in the land of Canaan, and Abraham proceeded to mourn and bewail her.
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	3	Then rising from beside his dead, Abraham spoke to the Hittites,
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	4	'I am a stranger resident here,' he said. 'Let me have a burial site of my own here, so that I can remove my dead for burial.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	5	The Hittites replied to Abraham,
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	6	'Please listen to us, my lord, we regard you as a prince of God; bury your dead in the best of our tombs; not one of us would refuse you his tomb for you to bury your dead.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	7	At this, Abraham rose and bowed low to the local people, the Hittites,
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	8	and pleaded with them as follows, 'If you consent to my removing my dead for burial, you must agree to intercede for me with Ephron son of Zohar,
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	9	for him to let me have the cave he owns at Machpelah, which is on the edge of his field. Let him sell it to me in your presence at its full price, for a burial site of my own.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	10	Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all the inhabitants of his town.
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	11	'No, my lord, listen to me,' he said. 'I give you the field and the cave in it; I make this gift in the presence of my kinsmen. Bury your dead.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	12	Abraham bowed low to the local people
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	13	and, in the hearing of the local people, replied to Ephron as follows, 'Be good enough to listen to me. I shall pay the price of the field; accept it from me and I shall bury my dead there.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	14	Ephron replied to Abraham,
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	15	'Please listen to me, my lord. What is a plot of land for four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Bury your dead.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	16	Abraham agreed to Ephron's terms, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver he had stipulated in the hearing of the Hittites, namely four hundred shekels of silver, according to the current commercial rate.
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	17	Thus Ephron's field at Machpelah, facing Mamre -- the field and the cave in it and all the trees anywhere within the boundaries of the field -- passed
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	18	into Abraham's possession in the sight of the Hittites, of all the inhabitants of his town.
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	19	And after this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelah, facing Mamre -- now Hebron -- in the land of Canaan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	23	20	And so the field and the cave in it passed from the Hittites into Abraham's possession as a burial site of his own.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	1	By now Abraham was an old man, well on in years, and Yahweh had blessed Abraham in every way.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	2	Abraham said to the senior servant in his household, the steward of all his property, 'Place your hand under my thigh:
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	3	I am going to make you swear by Yahweh, God of heaven and God of earth, that you will not choose a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	4	but will go to my native land and my own kinsfolk to choose a wife for my son Isaac.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	5	The servant asked him, 'What if the girl does not want to follow me to this country? Should I then take your son back to the country from which you come?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	6	Abraham replied, 'On no account are you to take my son back there.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	7	Yahweh, God of heaven and God of earth, who took me from my father's home, and from the land of my kinsfolk, and who promised me on oath, "I shall give this country to your descendants"-he will now send his angel ahead of you, so that you can get a wife for my son from there.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	8	If then the girl refuses to follow you, you will be quit of this oath to me. Only do not take my son back there.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	9	And the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham, and swore to him that he would do it.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	10	The servant took ten of his master's camels and, carrying all kinds of gifts from his master, set out for the city of Nahor in Aram Naharaim.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	11	In the evening, at the time when women come out to draw water, he made the camels kneel outside the town near the well.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	12	And he said, 'Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, give me success today and show faithful love to my master Abraham.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	13	While I stand by the spring as the young women from the town come out to draw water,
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	14	I shall say to one of the girls, "Please lower your pitcher and let me drink." And if she answers, "Drink, and I shall water your camels too," let her be the one you have decreed for your servant Isaac; by this I shall know you have shown faithful love to my master'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	15	He had not finished speaking when out came Rebekah -- who was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor -- with a pitcher on her shoulder.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	16	The girl was very beautiful, and a virgin; no man had touched her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher and came up again.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	17	Running towards her, the servant said, 'Please give me a sip of water from your pitcher.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	18	She replied, 'Drink, my lord,' and quickly lowered her pitcher on her arm and gave him a drink.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	19	When she had finished letting him drink, she said, 'I shall draw water for your camels, too, until they have had enough.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	20	She quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran to the well again to draw, and drew for all the camels.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	21	All the while, the man stood watching her, not daring to speak, wondering whether Yahweh had made his journey successful or not.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	22	When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing half a shekel, and put it through her nose, and put two bracelets weighing ten gold shekels on her arms,
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	23	and said, 'Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room at your father's house for us to spend the night?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	24	She replied, 'I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son whom Milcah bore to Nahor.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	25	And she went on, 'We have plenty of straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	26	Then the man bowed down and worshipped Yahweh
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	27	saying, 'Blessed be Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, for not withholding his faithful love from my master. Yahweh has led me straight to the house of my master's brother.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	28	The girl ran to her mother's house to tell what had happened.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	29	Now Rebekah had a brother called Laban, and Laban ran out to the man at the spring.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	30	As soon as he had seen the ring and the bracelets his sister was wearing, and had heard his sister Rebekah saying, 'This is what the man said to me,' he went to the man and found him still standing by his camels at the spring.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	31	He said to him, 'Come in, blessed of Yahweh, why stay out here when I have cleared the house and made room for the camels?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	32	The man went to the house, and Laban unloaded the camels. He provided straw and fodder for the camels and water for him and his companions to wash their feet.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	33	They offered him food, but he said, 'I will eat nothing before I have said what I have to say.' Laban said, 'Speak.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	34	He said, 'I am Abraham's servant.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	35	Yahweh has loaded my master with blessings, and Abraham is now very rich. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, men and women slaves, camels and donkeys.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	36	Sarah, my master's wife, bore my master a son in his old age, and he has made over all his property to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	37	My master made me take this oath, "You are not to choose a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose country I live.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	38	Instead, you are to go to my father's home and to my own kinsfolk to choose a wife for my son."
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	39	I said to my master, "Suppose the girl will not agree to come with me?"
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	40	and his reply was, "Yahweh, in whose presence I have walked, will send his angel with you and make your journey successful, for you to choose a wife for my son from my own kinsfolk, from my father's house.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	41	Then you will be quit of my curse: if you go to my family and they refuse you, you will be quit of my curse."
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	42	Arriving today at the spring I said, "Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, please grant a successful outcome to the course I propose to take.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	43	While I stand by the spring, if a girl comes out to draw water and I say to her, 'Please give me a little water to drink from your pitcher,'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	44	if she replies, 'Drink by all means, and I shall draw water for your camels too,' let her be the girl whom Yahweh has decreed for my master's son."
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	45	I was still saying this in my mind when Rebekah came out, her pitcher on her shoulder. She came down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, "Please give me a drink."
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	46	Quickly she lowered her pitcher saying, "Drink, and I shall water your camels too."
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	47	I asked her, "Whose daughter are you?" She replied, "I am the daughter of Bethuel, whom Milcah bore to Nahor." Then I put this ring through her nose and these bracelets on her arms.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	48	I bowed down and worshipped Yahweh, and I blessed Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, who had led me by a direct path to choose the daughter of my master's brother for his son.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	49	Now tell me whether you are prepared to show constant and faithful love to my master; if not, say so, and I shall know what to do.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	50	Laban and Bethuel replied, 'This is from Yahweh; it is not for us to say yes or no to you.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	51	Rebekah is there before you. Take her and go; and let her become the wife of your master's son, as Yahweh has decreed.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	52	On hearing this, Abraham's servant bowed to the ground before Yahweh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	53	He brought out silver and gold ornaments and clothes which he gave to Rebekah; he also gave rich presents to her brother and to her mother.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	54	They ate and drank, he and his companions, and spent the night there. Next morning when they were up, he said, 'Let me go back to my master.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	55	Rebekah's brother and mother replied, 'Let the girl stay with us for ten days or so; then she can go.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	56	But he replied, 'Do not delay me, since Yahweh has made my journey successful; let me leave and go back to my master.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	57	They replied, 'Let us call the girl and find out what she has to say.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	58	They called Rebekah and asked her, 'Will you go with this man?' She replied, 'I will.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	59	Accordingly they let their sister Rebekah go, with her nurse, and Abraham's servant and his men.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	60	They blessed Rebekah and said to her: Sister of ours, from you may there spring thousands and tens of thousands! May your descendants gain possession of the gates of their enemies!
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	61	And forthwith, Rebekah and her maids mounted the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah and departed.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	62	Isaac meanwhile had come back from the well of Lahai Roi and was living in the Negeb.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	63	While Isaac was out walking towards evening in the fields, he looked up and saw camels approaching.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	64	And Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac. She jumped down from her camel,
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	65	and asked the servant, 'Who is that man walking through the fields towards us?' The servant replied, 'That is my master.' So she took her veil and covered herself up.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	66	The servant told Isaac the whole story.
 Genesis	Ge	1	24	67	Then Isaac took her into his tent. He married Rebekah and made her his wife. And in his love for her, Isaac was consoled for the loss of his mother.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	1	Abraham married another wife whose name was Keturah;
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	2	and she bore him Zimram, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	3	Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan, and the descendants of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushim and the Leummim.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	4	The descendants of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah. All these were sons of Keturah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	5	Abraham left all his possessions to Isaac.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	6	To the sons of his concubines Abraham made grants during his lifetime, sending them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the Land of the East.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	7	The number of years Abraham lived was a hundred and seventy-five.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	8	When Abraham had breathed his last, dying at a happy ripe age, old and full of years, he was gathered to his people.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	9	His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah facing Mamre, in the field of Ephron the Hittite son of Zohar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	10	This was the field that Abraham had bought from the Hittites, and Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried there.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	11	After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac. Isaac settled near the well of Lahai Roi.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	12	These are the descendants of Ishmael son of Abraham by Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian slave-girl.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	13	These are the names of the sons of Ishmael by name and line: Ishmael's first-born was Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	14	Mishma, Dumah, Massa,
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	15	Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	16	These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, according to their settlements and encampments, twelve chiefs of as many tribes.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	17	The number of years Ishmael lived was one hundred and thirty-seven. When he breathed his last and died, he was gathered to his people.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	18	He lived in the territory stretching from Havilah-by-Shur just outside Egypt on the way to Assyria, and he held his own against all his kinsmen.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	19	This is the story of Isaac son of Abraham. Abraham fathered Isaac.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	20	Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah the daughter of Bethuel the Aramaean of Paddan-Aram, and sister of Laban the Aramaean.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	21	Isaac prayed to Yahweh on behalf of his wife, for she was barren. Yahweh heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	22	But the children inside her struggled so much that she said, 'If this is the way of it, why go on living?' So she went to consult Yahweh,
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	23	and Yahweh said to her: There are two nations in your womb, your issue will be two rival peoples. One nation will have the mastery of the other, and the elder will serve the younger.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	24	When the time came for her confinement, there were indeed twins in her womb.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	25	The first to be born was red, altogether like a hairy cloak; so they named him Esau.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	26	Then his brother was born, with his hand grasping Esau's heel; so they named him Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old at the time of their birth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	27	When the boys grew up Esau became a skilled hunter, a man of the open country. Jacob on the other hand was a quiet man, staying at home among the tents.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	28	Isaac preferred Esau, for he had a taste for wild game; but Rebekah preferred Jacob.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	29	Once, when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau returned from the countryside exhausted.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	30	Esau said to Jacob, 'Give me a mouthful of that red stuff there; I am exhausted' -- hence the name given to him, Edom.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	31	Jacob said, 'First, give me your birthright in exchange.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	32	Esau said, 'Here I am, at death's door; what use is a birthright to me?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	33	Then Jacob said, 'First give me your oath'; he gave him his oath and sold his birthright to Jacob.
 Genesis	Ge	1	25	34	Then Jacob gave him some bread and lentil stew; he ate, drank, got up and went away. That was all Esau cared about his birthright.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	1	There was a famine in the country -- different from the previous famine which took place in the time of Abraham -- and Isaac went to Abimelech, the Philistine king at Gerar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	2	Yahweh had appeared to him and said, 'Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the country which I shall point out to you.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	3	Remain for the present in that country; I shall be with you and bless you, for I shall give all these countries to you and your descendants in fulfilment of the oath I swore to your father Abraham.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	4	I shall make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven, and I shall give them all these countries, and all nations on earth will bless themselves by your descendants
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	5	in return for Abraham's obedience; for he kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes and my laws.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	6	So Isaac stayed at Gerar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	7	When the people of the place asked him about his wife he replied, 'She is my sister,' for he was afraid to say, 'She is my wife,' thinking, 'The people of the place will kill me because of Rebekah, since she is beautiful.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	8	When he had been there some time, Abimelech the Philistine king happened to look out of the window and saw Isaac fondling his wife Rebekah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	9	Abimelech summoned Isaac and said to him, 'Surely she must be your wife! How could you have said, "She is my sister"?' Isaac replied, 'Because I thought I might be killed on her account.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	10	Abimelech said, 'What a thing to do to us! One of the people might easily have slept with your wife. We should have incurred guilt, thanks to you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	11	Then Abimelech issued this order to all the people: 'Whoever touches this man or his wife will be put to death.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	12	Isaac sowed his crops in that country, and that year he reaped a hundredfold. Yahweh blessed him
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	13	and the man became rich; he prospered more and more until he was very rich indeed.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	14	He acquired flocks and herds and a large retinue. The Philistines began to envy him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	15	The Philistines had blocked up all the wells dug by his father's servants -- in the days of his father Abraham -- filling them in with earth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	16	Then Abimelech said to Isaac, 'You must leave us, for you have become much more powerful than we are.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	17	So Isaac left; he pitched camp in the Valley of Gerar and there he stayed.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	18	Isaac reopened the wells dug by the servants of his father Abraham and blocked up by the Philistines after Abraham's death, and he gave them the same names as his father had given them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	19	But when Isaac's servants, digging in the valley, found a well of spring-water there,
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	20	the herdsmen of Gerar disputed it with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, 'That water is ours!' So Isaac named the well Esek, because they had disputed with him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	21	They dug another well, and there was a dispute over that one too; so he named it Sitnah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	22	Then he left there, and dug another well, and since there was no dispute over this one, he named it Rehoboth, saying, 'Now Yahweh has made room for us to thrive in the country.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	23	From there he went up to Beersheba.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	24	Yahweh appeared to him the same night and said: I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I shall bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham's sake.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	25	There he built an altar and invoked the name of Yahweh. There he pitched his tent, and there Isaac's servants sank a well.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	26	Abimelech came from Gerar to see him, with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	27	Isaac said to them, 'Why do you come to me since you hate me, and have made me leave you?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	28	'It became clear to us that Yahweh was with you,' they replied, 'and so we thought, "It is time to have a treaty sworn between us, between us and you." So let us make a covenant with you:
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	29	that you will not do us any harm, since we never molested you but were unfailingly kind to you and let you go away in peace. Henceforth, Yahweh's blessing on you!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	30	He then made them a feast and they ate and drank.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	31	Early next morning, they exchanged oaths. Then Isaac bade them farewell and they left him as friends.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	32	It happened, the same day, that Isaac's servants brought him news about the well they had been digging. 'We have found water!' they said to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	33	So he called the well Sheba, and hence the town is named Beersheba to this day.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	34	When Esau was forty years old he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite.
 Genesis	Ge	1	26	35	These were a bitter disappointment to Isaac and Rebekah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	1	When Isaac had grown old, and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he summoned his elder son Esau. 'Son!' he said, and Esau replied, 'Here I am.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	2	He then said, 'Look, I am old and do not know when I may die.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	3	Now take your weapons, your quiver and bow; go out into the country and hunt me some game.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	4	Make me the kind of appetising dish I like and bring it to me to eat and I shall give you my special blessing before I die.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	5	Rebekah was listening while Isaac was talking to his son Esau. So when Esau went into the country to hunt game for his father,
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	6	Rebekah said to her son Jacob, 'I have just heard your father saying to your brother Esau,
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	7	"Bring me some game and make an appetising dish for me to eat and then I shall bless you in Yahweh's presence before I die."
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	8	Now, son, listen to me and do as I tell you.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	9	Go to the flock and bring me back two good kids, so that I can make the kind of special dish your father likes.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	10	Then take it to your father for him to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	11	Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, 'Look, my brother Esau is hairy, while I am smooth-skinned.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	12	If my father happens to touch me, he will see I am cheating him, and I shall bring a curse down on myself instead of a blessing.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	13	But his mother replied, 'On me be the curse, my son! Just listen to me; go and fetch me the kids.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	14	So he went to fetch them and brought them to his mother, and she made the kind of special dish his father liked.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	15	Rebekah took her elder son Esau's best clothes, which she had at home, and dressed her younger son Jacob in them,
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	16	covering his arms and the smooth part of his neck with the skins of the kids.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	17	She then handed the special dish and the bread she had made to her son Jacob.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	18	He went to his father and said, 'Father!' 'Yes?' he replied. 'Which of my sons are you?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	19	Jacob said to his father, 'I am Esau your first-born; I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of the game I have brought and then give me your soul's blessing.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	20	Isaac said to his son, 'Son, how did you succeed so quickly?' He replied, 'Because Yahweh your God made things go well for me.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	21	Isaac said to Jacob, 'Come closer, son, so that I can feel you and be sure whether you really are my son Esau or not.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	22	Jacob went closer to his father Isaac, who felt him and said, 'The voice is Jacob's voice but the arms are the arms of Esau!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	23	He did not recognise him since his arms were hairy like his brother Esau's, and so he blessed him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	24	He said, 'Are you really my son Esau?' And he replied, 'I am.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	25	Isaac said, 'Serve it to me, so that I can eat my son's game and give you my special blessing.' He served it to him and he ate; he offered him wine, and he drank.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	26	His father Isaac said to him, 'Come closer, and kiss me, son.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	27	He went closer and kissed his father, who sniffed the smell of his clothes. Then he blessed him, saying: Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a fertile field which Yahweh has blessed.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	28	May God give you dew from heaven, and the richness of the earth, abundance of grain and wine!
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	29	Let peoples serve you and nations bow low before you! Be master of your brothers; let your mother's other sons bow low before you! Accursed be whoever curses you and blessed be whoever blesses you!
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	30	As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and just as Jacob was leaving his father Isaac, his brother Esau returned from hunting.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	31	He too made an appetising dish and brought it to his father, 'Father, please eat some of your son's game and then give me your special blessing.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	32	His father Isaac asked, 'Who are you?' 'I am your first-born son, Esau,' he replied.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	33	At this Isaac was seized with a violent trembling and said, 'Who was it, then, that went hunting and brought me the game? I finished eating it just before you came; I blessed him, and now blessed he will remain!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	34	On hearing his father's words, Esau cried out loudly and bitterly and said to his father, 'Father, bless me too!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	35	But he replied, 'Your brother came by fraud and took your blessing.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	36	Esau said, 'His name should be Jacob right enough, for he has now supplanted me twice. First he took my birthright, and look, now he has gone and taken my blessing! But', he added, 'have you not kept a blessing for me?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	37	Isaac replied to Esau, 'I have already made him your master; I have given him all his brothers as servants, I have given him grain and wine to sustain him. So what can I do for you, son?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	38	Esau said to his father, 'Can you bless only once, father? Father, bless me too.' Isaac remained silent, and Esau began to weep aloud.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	39	Then his father Isaac spoke again and said: 'Far from the richness of the earth and the dew of heaven above, your home will be.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	40	By your sword you will live, and your brother will you serve. But when you win your freedom, you will shake his yoke off your neck.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	41	Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him, and Esau said to himself, 'The time to mourn for my father will soon be here. Then I shall kill my brother Jacob.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	42	When the words of Esau, her elder son, were repeated to Rebekah, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, 'Look, your brother Esau means to take revenge and kill you.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	43	Now, son, listen to me; go at once and take refuge with my brother Laban in Haran.
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	44	Stay with him a while, until your brother's fury cools,
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	45	until your brother's anger is diverted from you and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I shall send someone to bring you back. I do not want to lose you both on one day!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	27	46	Rebekah said to Isaac, 'The Hittite women sicken me to death. If Jacob were to marry a Hittite woman like these, one of the local women, what would there be left in life for me?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	1	So Isaac summoned Jacob and blessed him; and he gave him this order: 'You are not to marry any of the Canaanite women.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	2	Go off to Paddan-Aram, the home of Bethuel your mother's father, and there choose a wife for yourself from the daughters of Laban your mother's brother.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	3	May El Shaddai bless you; may he make you fruitful and make you multiply so that you become a group of nations.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	4	May he grant you the blessing of Abraham, you and your descendants after you, so that one day you may own the country where you are now living as a stranger -- which God gave to Abraham.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	5	Then Isaac sent Jacob away, and Jacob went to Paddan-Aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramaean and brother of Rebekah the mother of Jacob and Esau.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	6	When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-Aram to choose a wife there, and that in blessing him he had given him this order: 'You are not to choose a wife from the Canaanite women,'
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	7	and that, in obedience to his father and mother, Jacob had gone to Paddan-Aram,
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	8	Esau then realised how much his father Isaac disapproved of the Canaanite women.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	9	So Esau went to Ishmael and chose for a wife, in addition to the wives he had, Mahalath daughter of Abraham's son Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	10	Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	11	When he had reached a certain place, he stopped there for the night, since the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of that place, he made it his pillow and lay down where he was.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	12	He had a dream: there was a ladder, planted on the ground with its top reaching to heaven; and God's angels were going up and down on it.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	13	And there was Yahweh, standing beside him and saying, 'I, Yahweh, am the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The ground on which you are lying I shall give to you and your descendants.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	14	Your descendants will be as plentiful as the dust on the ground; you will spread out to west and east, to north and south, and all clans on earth will bless themselves by you and your descendants.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	15	Be sure, I am with you; I shall keep you safe wherever you go, and bring you back to this country, for I shall never desert you until I have done what I have promised you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	16	Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, 'Truly, Yahweh is in this place and I did not know!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	17	He was afraid and said, 'How awe-inspiring this place is! This is nothing less than the abode of God, and this is the gate of heaven!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	18	Early next morning, Jacob took the stone he had used for his pillow, and set it up as a pillar, pouring oil over the top of it.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	19	He named the place Bethel, but before that the town had been called Luz.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	20	Jacob then made this vow, 'If God remains with me and keeps me safe on this journey I am making, if he gives me food to eat and clothes to wear,
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	21	and if I come home safe to my father's home, then Yahweh shall be my God.
 Genesis	Ge	1	28	22	This stone I have set up as a pillar is to be a house of God, and I shall faithfully pay you a tenth part of everything you give me.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	1	Continuing his journey, Jacob reached the Land of the Easterners.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	2	And there, out in the open, he saw a well with three flocks of sheep lying beside it; this well was used for watering the flocks. Now the stone on the mouth of the well was a large one,
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	3	and only when all the flocks had collected there, did they roll the stone off the mouth of the well and water the sheep; then they would replace the stone over the mouth of the well.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	4	Jacob said to the shepherds, 'Friends, where are you from?' They replied, 'We are from Haran.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	5	He asked them, 'Do you know Laban son of Nahor?' They replied, 'We do.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	6	Then he asked them, 'Is he well?' 'He is,' they replied, 'and here comes his daughter Rachel with the flock.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	7	Then he said, 'But it is still broad daylight, not the time to round up the animals. Why don't you water the sheep and take them back to graze?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	8	To which, they replied, 'We can't, until all the shepherds have assembled to roll the stone off the mouth of the well; then we can water the sheep.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	9	He was still talking to them, when Rachel arrived with her father's flock, for she was a shepherdess.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	10	As soon as Jacob saw Rachel, his uncle Laban's daughter, with his uncle Laban's flock, he went up and, rolling the stone off the mouth of the well, watered his uncle Laban's sheep.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	11	Jacob then kissed Rachel and burst into tears.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	12	He told Rachel he was her father's kinsman and Rebekah's son, and she ran to tell her father.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	13	As soon as he heard her speak of his sister's son Jacob, Laban ran to greet him, embraced him, kissed him and took him to his house. Jacob told Laban everything that had happened,
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	14	and Laban said to him, 'You are indeed my bone and flesh!' After Jacob had been staying with him for a month,
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	15	Laban said to Jacob, 'Just because you are my kinsman, why should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what wages you want.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	16	Now Laban had two daughters, the elder named Leah, and the younger Rachel.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	17	Leah had lovely eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful,
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	18	and Jacob had fallen in love with Rachel. So his answer was, 'I shall work for you for seven years in exchange for your younger daughter Rachel.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	19	Laban replied, 'It is better for me to give her to you than to a stranger; stay with me.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	20	So Jacob worked for seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him like a few days because he loved her so much.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	21	Then Jacob said to Laban, 'Give me my wife, for my time is up and I should like to go to her.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	22	Laban gathered all the people of the place together, and gave a banquet.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	23	But when night came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he slept with her.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	24	(Laban gave his slave-girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her slave.)
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	25	When morning came, it was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, 'What have you done to me? Did I not work for you for Rachel? Why then have you tricked me?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	26	Laban replied, 'It is not the custom in our place to marry off the younger before the elder.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	27	Finish this marriage week and I shall give you the other one too in return for your working for me for another seven years.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	28	Jacob agreed and, when he had finished the week, Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	29	(Laban gave his slave-girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her slave.)
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	30	So Jacob slept with Rachel too, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. He worked for Laban for another seven years.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	31	When Yahweh saw that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb, while Rachel remained barren.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	32	Leah conceived and gave birth to a son whom she named Reuben, meaning 'Yahweh has seen my misery'; and she said, 'Now my husband will love me.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	33	Conceiving again, she gave birth to a son and said, 'Yahweh heard that I was unloved, and so he has given me this one too'; and she named him Simeon.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	34	Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and said, 'This time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.' Accordingly, she named him Levi.
 Genesis	Ge	1	29	35	Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and said, 'Now I shall praise Yahweh!' Accordingly, she named him Judah. Then she had no more children.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	1	Rachel, seeing that she herself gave Jacob no children, became jealous of her sister. And she said to Jacob, 'Give me children, or I shall die!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	2	This made Jacob angry with Rachel, and he retorted, 'Am I in the position of God, who has denied you motherhood?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	3	So she said, 'Here is my slave-girl, Bilhah. Sleep with her and let her give birth on my knees; through her, then, I too shall have children!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	4	So she gave him her slave-girl Bilhah as concubine. Jacob slept with her,
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	5	and Bilhah conceived and gave birth to a son by Jacob.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	6	Then Rachel said, 'God has done me justice; yes, he has heard my prayer and given me a son.' Accordingly she named him Dan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	7	Again Rachel's slave-girl Bilhah conceived and gave birth to a second son by Jacob.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	8	Then Rachel said, 'I have fought a fateful battle with my sister, and I have won!' So she named him Naphtali.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	9	Now Leah, seeing that she had ceased to bear children, took her slave-girl Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as concubine.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	10	So Leah's slave-girl Zilpah gave birth to a son by Jacob.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	11	Then Leah exclaimed, 'What good fortune!' So she named him Gad.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	12	Leah's slave-girl Zilpah gave birth to a second son by Jacob.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	13	Then Leah said, 'What blessedness! Women will call me blessed!' So she named him Asher.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	14	One day, at the time of the wheat harvest, Reuben found some mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, 'Please give me some of your son's mandrakes.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	15	Leah replied, 'Is it not enough to have taken my husband, without your taking my son's mandrakes as well?' So Rachel said, 'Very well, he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son's mandrakes.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	16	When Jacob came back from the fields that night, Leah went out to meet him and said, 'You must come to me, for I have hired you at the price of my son's mandrakes.' So he slept with her that night.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	17	God heard Leah, and she conceived and gave birth to a fifth son by Jacob.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	18	Then Leah said, 'God has given me my reward for giving my slave-girl to my husband.' So she named him Issachar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	19	Again Leah conceived and gave birth to a sixth son by Jacob,
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	20	and said, 'God has given me a fine gift; now my husband will bring me presents, for I have borne him six sons.' So she named him Zebulun.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	21	Later she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	22	Then God remembered Rachel; he heard her and opened her womb.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	23	She conceived and gave birth to a son, and said, 'God has taken away my disgrace!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	24	She named him Joseph, saying, 'May Yahweh add another son for me!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	25	When Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, 'Release me and let me go home to my own country.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	26	Give me my wives for whom I have worked for you, and my children, and let me go. You are well aware how long I have worked for you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	27	Laban replied, 'If I have done what pleases you . . . I have learnt by divination that Yahweh has blessed me because of you.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	28	So name your wages,' he added, 'and I will pay.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	29	He replied, 'You know how hard I have worked for you, and how your stock has fared in my charge.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	30	The little you had before I came has increased enormously, and Yahweh has blessed you wherever I have been. When am I to provide for my own household too?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	31	Laban said, 'How much am I to pay you?' Jacob replied, 'You need not pay me anything. I shall change my mind and go on tending your flock, if you do this one thing for me.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	32	'Go through your entire flock today and remove every black animal among the sheep, and every speckled or spotted one among the goats. These will be my wages,
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	33	and my uprightness will answer for me later: when you come to check my wages, every goat I have that is not speckled or spotted, and every sheep that is not black will count as stolen by me.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	34	Laban replied, 'Good, just as you say.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	35	That same day he removed the striped and speckled he-goats and all the spotted and speckled she-goats, every one that had white on it, and all the black sheep, and entrusted these to his sons.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	36	Then he put a three days' journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob grazed the rest of Laban's flock.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	37	Jacob then got fresh shoots from poplar, almond and plane trees, and peeled them in white strips, laying bare the white part of the shoots.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	38	He set up the shoots he had peeled in front of the animals, in the troughs, in the water-holes where the animals came to drink. Since they mated when they came to drink,
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	39	the goats thus mated in front of the shoots and so the goats produced striped, spotted and speckled young.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	40	The ewes, on the other hand, Jacob kept apart and made these face whatever was striped or black in Laban's flock. Thus he built up droves of his own which he did not put with Laban's flocks.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	41	Furthermore, whenever the sturdier animals were mating, Jacob put the shoots where the animals could see them, in the troughs, so that they would mate in front of the shoots.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	42	But when the animals were feeble, he did not put them there; so Laban got the feeble, and Jacob the sturdy.
 Genesis	Ge	1	30	43	Thus the man grew extremely rich, and came to own large flocks, men and women slaves, camels and donkeys.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	1	Jacob learned that Laban's sons were saying, 'Jacob has taken everything that belonged to our father; it is at our father's expense that he has acquired all this wealth,'
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	2	and Jacob also saw that Laban's manner towards him was not as it had been in the past.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	3	Yahweh said to Jacob, 'Go back to the land of your ancestors, where you were born, and I shall be with you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	4	So Jacob had Rachel and Leah called to the fields where his flocks were,
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	5	and he said to them, 'I can see that your father's manner towards me is not as it was in the past, but the God of my father has been with me.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	6	You yourselves know that I have worked for your father with all my might,
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	7	and that your father has tricked me, changing my wages ten times over, and yet God has not allowed him to harm me.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	8	Whenever he said, "The spotted ones will be your wages," all the animals produced spotted young; whenever he said, "The striped ones will be your wages," all the animals produced striped young.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	9	Thus God has reclaimed your father's livestock and given it to me.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	10	Once, when the animals were on heat, I suddenly saw in a dream that the he-goats covering the females were striped or spotted or piebald.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	11	In the dream the angel of God called to me, "Jacob!" I said, "Here I am."
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	12	He said, "Now take note: all the he-goats covering the females are striped or spotted or piebald -- for I too have noted all the things that Laban has been doing to you,
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	13	I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, where you poured oil on a pillar and made a vow to me. On your feet, then, leave this country and return to the land of your birth." '
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	14	In answer Rachel and Leah said to him, 'Are we still likely to inherit anything from our father's estate?
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	15	Does he not think of us as outsiders now? For not only has he sold us, but he has completely swallowed up the money he got for us.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	16	All the wealth that God has reclaimed from our father belonged to us and our children in any case. So do whatever God has told you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	17	Forthwith, Jacob put his children and his wives on camels,
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	18	and drove off all his livestock -- with all the possessions he had acquired, the livestock belonging to him which he had acquired in Paddan-Aram -- to go to his father Isaac in Canaan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	19	Laban was away, shearing his sheep; Rachel in the meanwhile had appropriated the household idols belonging to her father,
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	20	and Jacob had outwitted Laban the Aramaean so that he would not be forewarned of his flight.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	21	Thus he got away with all he had. He was soon across the River and heading for Mount Gilead.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	22	Three days later Laban was told that Jacob had fled.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	23	Taking his brothers with him, he pursued him for seven days and overtook him at Mount Gilead.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	24	But God appeared to Laban the Aramaean in a dream that night and said to him, 'On no account say anything whatever to Jacob.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	25	Laban caught up with Jacob, who had pitched his tent in the hills; and Laban pitched camp on Mount Gilead.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	26	Laban said to Jacob, 'What do you mean by outwitting me and then carrying off my daughters like prisoners of war?
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	27	Why did you flee in secret, stealing away without letting me know, so that I could send you on your way rejoicing, with songs and the music of tambourines and harps?
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	28	You did not even let me kiss my sons and daughters. You have behaved like a fool.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	29	It is in my power to harm you, but the God of your father said to me last night, "On no account say anything whatever to Jacob."
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	30	Now it may be you really went because you had such a longing for your father's house, but why did you steal my gods?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	31	Jacob answered Laban, 'I was afraid, thinking you were going to snatch your daughters from me.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	32	But whoever is found in possession of your gods shall not remain alive. In the presence of our brothers, examine for yourself what I have, and take what is yours.' Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had appropriated them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	33	Laban went into Jacob's tent, and then into Leah's tent and the tent of the two slave-girls, but he found nothing. He came out of Leah's tent and went into Rachel's.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	34	Now Rachel had taken the household idols and put them inside a camel cushion, and was sitting on them. Laban went through everything in the tent but found nothing.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	35	Then Rachel said to her father, 'Do not look angry, my lord, because I cannot rise in your presence, for I am as women are from time to time.' Laban searched but did not find the idols.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	36	Then Jacob lost his temper and took Laban to task. And Jacob said to Laban, 'What is my offence, what is my crime, for you to have hounded me like this?
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	37	You have gone through all my belongings; have you found anything belonging to your household? Produce it here in the presence of my brothers and yours, and let them decide between the two of us.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	38	In all the twenty years I was under you, your ewes and your she-goats never miscarried, and I never ate rams from your flock.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	39	Those mauled I never brought back to you, but bore the loss myself. You demanded compensation from me, whether the animal was stolen in daylight or at night.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	40	In the daytime the heat devoured me, and frost at night; I never had a good night's sleep.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	41	It was like this for the twenty years I spent in your household. Fourteen years I slaved for you for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, since you changed my wages ten times over.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	42	If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, the Kinsman of Isaac, had not been with me, you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God saw my plight and my labours, and last night he delivered judgement.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	43	Laban replied to Jacob, 'These daughters are my daughters and these children are my children, this livestock is my livestock: everything you see belongs to me. But what can I do today about my daughters here or about the children they have borne?
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	44	So come, let us make a pact, you and me . . . , and let that serve as a witness between us.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	45	Jacob then took a stone and set it up as a memorial.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	46	Jacob said to his kinsmen, 'Collect some stones,' and gathering some stones they made a cairn. They had a meal there, on the cairn, and
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	47	Laban called it Jegar-Sahadutha while Jacob called it Galeed.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	48	Laban said, 'May this cairn be a witness between us today.' That is why he named it Galeed,
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	49	and also Mizpah, because he said, 'Let Yahweh act as watchman between us when we are no longer in sight of each other.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	50	If you ill-treat my daughters or marry other women besides my daughters, even though no one be with us, remember: God is witness between us.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	51	Then Laban said to Jacob, 'Here is this cairn I have thrown up between us, and here the pillar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	52	This cairn is a witness, and the pillar is a witness, that I am not to cross to your side of this cairn and you are not to cross to my side of this cairn and pillar, with hostile intent.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	53	May the God of Abraham and the god of Nahor judge between us.' Then Jacob swore by the Kinsman of his father Isaac.
 Genesis	Ge	1	31	54	He offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his kinsmen to the meal. They ate the meal, and passed the night on the mountain.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	1	Early next morning, Laban kissed his grandchildren and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban left to return home.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	2	While Jacob was going on his way, angels of God encountered him,
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	3	and on seeing them he said, 'This is God's camp,' and he named the place Mahanaim.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	4	Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in Seir, the open country of Edom,
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	5	with these instructions, 'Say this to my lord Esau, "Here is the message of your servant Jacob: I have been staying with Laban and have been delayed there until now,
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	6	and I own oxen, beasts of burden and flocks, and men and women slaves. I send news of this to my lord in the hope of winning your favour." '
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	7	The messengers returned to Jacob and told him, 'We went to your brother Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you; there are four hundred men with him.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	8	Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people with him, and the flocks and cattle, into two camps,
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	9	thinking, 'If Esau comes to one of the camps and attacks it, the remaining camp may be able to escape.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	10	Jacob said, 'God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, Yahweh who told me, "Go back to your native land and I will be good to you,"
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	11	I am unworthy of all the faithful love and constancy you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, and now I have grown into two camps.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	12	I implore you, save me from my brother Esau's clutches, for I am afraid that he may come and attack me, mothers and children alike.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	13	Yet it was you who said, "I shall be very good to you, and make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which is too numerous to count." '
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	14	Then Jacob passed that night there. From what he had with him he chose a gift for his brother Esau:
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	15	two hundred she-goats and twenty he-goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	16	thirty camels in milk with their calves, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	17	He put them in the charge of his servants, in separate droves, and told his servants, 'Go ahead of me, leaving a space between each drove and the next.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	18	He gave the leading man this order: 'When my brother Esau meets you and asks, "Whose man are you? Where are you going? Whose are those animals that you are driving?"
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	19	you will answer, "Your servant Jacob's. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau. And Jacob himself is just behind us." '
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	20	He gave the same order to the second and the third, and to all who were following the droves. 'That is what you must say to Esau when you find him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	21	And you must add, "Your servant Jacob himself is just behind us." ' For he thought, 'If I conciliate him by sending a gift in advance, perhaps he will be well inclined towards me when I face him.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	22	The gift went ahead of him, but he himself spent that night in the camp.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	23	That same night he got up and, taking his two wives, his two slave-girls and his eleven children, crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	24	After he had taken them across the stream, he sent all his possessions over too.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	25	And Jacob was left alone. Then someone wrestled with him until daybreak
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	26	who, seeing that he could not master him, struck him on the hip socket, and Jacob's hip was dislocated as he wrestled with him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	27	He said, 'Let me go, for day is breaking.' Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	28	The other said, 'What is your name?' 'Jacob,' he replied.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	29	He said, 'No longer are you to be called Jacob, but Israel since you have shown your strength against God and men and have prevailed.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	30	Then Jacob asked, 'Please tell me your name.' He replied, 'Why do you ask my name?' With that, he blessed him there.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	31	Jacob named the place Peniel, 'Because I have seen God face to face,' he said, 'and have survived.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	32	The sun rose as he passed Peniel, limping from his hip.
 Genesis	Ge	1	32	33	That is why to this day the Israelites do not eat the thigh sinew which is at the hip socket: because he had struck Jacob at the hip socket on the thigh sinew.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	1	Looking up, Jacob saw Esau coming and with him four hundred men. He then divided the children between Leah, Rachel and the two slave-girls.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	2	He put the slave-girls and their children in front, with Leah and her children following, and Rachel and Joseph behind.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	3	He himself went ahead of them and bowed to the ground seven times, until he reached his brother.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	4	But Esau ran to meet him, took him in his arms, threw himself on his neck and wept as he kissed him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	5	Then looking up he saw the women and children. 'Who are these with you?' he asked. Jacob answered, 'The children whom God has bestowed on your servant.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	6	The slave-girls then came up with their children, and they all bowed low.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	7	Then Leah too came up with her children, and they all bowed low. Finally Rachel and Joseph came up and bowed low.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	8	Esau asked, 'What was the purpose of that whole camp I just met?' 'To win my lord's favour,' he replied.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	9	'Brother, I have plenty,' Esau answered, 'keep what is yours.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	10	Jacob protested, 'No, if I have won your favour, please accept the gift I offer, for in fact I have come into your presence as into the presence of God, since you have received me kindly.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	11	So accept the gift I have brought for you, since God has been generous to me and I have all I need.' And he urged him, and Esau accepted.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	12	Esau said, 'Let us break camp and move off; I shall go beside you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	13	But Jacob replied, 'As my lord knows, the children are weak, and the sheep and cows which have calved make it hard for me. If they are driven too hard, even for one day, the whole drove will die.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	14	May it please my lord to go on ahead of his servant. For my part, I shall move at a slower pace, to suit the flock I am driving and the children, until I join my lord in Seir.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	15	Esau then said, 'At least let me leave you some of the people who are with me.' 'What for?' Jacob asked. 'Please indulge me, my lord!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	16	So that day Esau turned back towards Seir,
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	17	but Jacob made his way to Succoth, where he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock; that is why the place was given the name of Succoth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	18	Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem in Canaanite territory, on his return from Paddan-Aram. He encamped opposite the town
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	19	and for one hundred pieces of silver he bought from the sons of Hamor father of Shechem the piece of land on which he had pitched his tent.
 Genesis	Ge	1	33	20	There he erected an altar which he called 'El, God of Israel'.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	1	Dinah, who was Jacob's daughter by Leah, went out to visit some of the women of that region.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	2	Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, headman of the region, saw her, seized her and forced her to sleep with him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	3	He was captivated by Dinah daughter of Jacob; he fell in love with the girl and tried to win her heart.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	4	Accordingly Shechem said to his father Hamor, 'Get me this girl; I want to marry her.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	5	Meanwhile, Jacob had heard how his daughter Dinah had been dishonoured, but since his sons were out in the countryside with his livestock, Jacob said nothing until they came back.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	6	Hamor father of Shechem was visiting Jacob to discuss the matter with him,
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	7	when Jacob's sons returned from the countryside and heard the news; the men were outraged and infuriated that Shechem had insulted Israel by sleeping with Jacob's daughter -- a thing totally unacceptable.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	8	Hamor reasoned with them as follows, 'My son Shechem's heart is set on your daughter. Please allow her to marry him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	9	Intermarry with us; give us your daughters and take our daughters for yourselves.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	10	We can live together, and the country will be open to you, for you to live in, and move about in, and acquire holdings.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	11	Then Shechem addressed the girl's father and brothers, 'Grant me this favour, and I will give you whatever you ask.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	12	Demand as high a bride-price from me as you please, and I will pay as much as you ask. Only let me marry the girl.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	13	Jacob's sons gave Shechem and his father Hamor a crafty answer, speaking as they did because he had dishonoured their sister Dinah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	14	'We cannot do this,' they said to them. 'To give our sister to an uncircumcised man would be a disgrace for us.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	15	We can agree only on one condition: that you become like us by circumcising all your males.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	16	Then we will give you our daughters, taking yours for ourselves; and we will stay with you to make one nation.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	17	But if you will not agree to our terms about being circumcised, we shall take our daughter and go.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	18	Hamor and Shechem son of Hamor were pleased with what they heard.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	19	The young man did not hesitate about doing this, for he was deeply in love with Jacob's daughter. Moreover he was the most respected member of his entire family.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	20	Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their town and spoke to their fellow-townsmen as follows,
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	21	'These men are friendly; let them settle in the region and move about freely in it; there is plenty of room here for them; we shall marry their daughters and give our daughters to them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	22	But these men will agree to settle with us and become a single nation only on this condition: that all our males be circumcised like them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	23	Will not the livestock they own, all their animals, become ours? Then let us give our assent to this, so that they can settle with us.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	24	All the citizens of the town agreed to the proposal made by Hamor and his son Shechem, and all the males were circumcised.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	25	Now on the third day, when the men were still in pain, Jacob's two sons Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword and advanced unopposed against the town and slaughtered all the males.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	26	They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword, removed Dinah from Shechem's house and came away.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	27	When Jacob's other sons came on the slain, they pillaged the town in reprisal for the dishonouring of their sister.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	28	They seized their flocks, cattle, donkeys, everything else in the town and in the countryside,
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	29	and all their possessions. They took all their children and wives captive and looted everything to be found in the houses.
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	30	Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, 'You have done me an ill turn by bringing me into bad odour with the people of the region, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. I have few men, whereas they will unite against me to defeat me and destroy me and my family.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	34	31	They retorted, 'Should our sister be treated like a whore?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	1	God said to Jacob, 'Move on, go to Bethel and settle there. Make an altar there for the God who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	2	Jacob said to his family and to all who were with him, 'Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you; cleanse yourselves, and change your clothes.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	3	We must move on and go to Bethel. There I shall make an altar for the God who heard me when I was in distress, and gave me his help on the journey I made.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	4	They gave Jacob all the foreign gods in their possession, and the earrings that they were wearing. Jacob buried them under the oak tree near Shechem.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	5	They broke camp; a divine terror struck the towns round about, and no one pursued the sons of Jacob.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	6	When Jacob arrived at Luz in Canaan -- that is, Bethel-and all the people with him,
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	7	he built an altar there and named the place El-Bethel, since it was there that God had appeared to him when he was fleeing from his brother.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	8	Deborah, who had been Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried below Bethel, under the oak tree; so they named it the Oak of Tears.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	9	God again appeared to Jacob on his return from Paddan-Aram, and blessed him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	10	God said to him, 'Your name is Jacob, but from now on you will be called not Jacob but Israel.' Thus he came by the name Israel.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	11	God said to him, 'I am El Shaddai. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation, indeed an assembly of nations, will descend from you, and kings will issue from your loins.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	12	The country which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I now give to you; and this country I shall give to your descendants after you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	13	Then God went up from him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	14	Jacob raised a monument at the spot where he had spoken to him, a standing-stone, on which he made a libation and poured oil.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	15	Jacob named the place Bethel where God had spoken to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	16	They left Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labour, and her pains were severe.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	17	When her labour was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, 'Do not worry, this is going to be another boy.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	18	At the moment when she breathed her last, for she was dying, she named him Ben-Oni. His father, however, named him Benjamin.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	19	So Rachel died and was buried on the road to Ephrath, now Bethlehem.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	20	Jacob raised a monument on her grave, that same monument of Rachel's Tomb which is there today.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	21	Israel left and pitched his tent beyond Migdal-Eder.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	22	While Israel was living in that district, Reuben went and slept with Bilhah his father's concubine, and Israel found out. The sons of Jacob were now twelve.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	23	The sons of Leah: Jacob's eldest son Reuben, then Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	24	The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	25	The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's slave-girl: Dan and Naphtali.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	26	The sons of Zilpah, Leah's slave-girl: Gad and Asher. These were the sons born to Jacob in Paddan-Aram.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	27	Jacob came home to his father Isaac at Mamre, at Kiriath-Arba -- now Hebron -- where Abraham and Isaac had stayed.
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	28	Isaac was one hundred and eighty years old
 Genesis	Ge	1	35	29	when he breathed his last. He died and was gathered to his people, an old man who had enjoyed his full span of life. His sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	1	These are the descendants of Esau, that is, Edom.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	2	Esau chose his wives from the women of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah, son of Zibeon the Horite,
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	3	Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	4	Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath bore Reuel,
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	5	Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were the sons of Esau born to him in Canaan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	6	Esau took his wives, his sons and daughters, all the members of his household, his livestock, all his cattle and all the goods he had acquired in Canaan and left for Seir, away from his brother Jacob.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	7	For they had acquired too much to live together. The land in which they were at that time could not support them both because of their livestock.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	8	That is why Edom settled in the mountainous region of Seir. Esau is Edom.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	9	These are the descendants of Esau, ancestor of Edom, in the mountainous region of Seir.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	10	These are the names of Esau's sons: Eliphaz son of Esau's wife Adah, and Reuel son of Esau's wife Basemath.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	11	The sons of Eliphaz were: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam and Kenaz.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	12	Eliphaz son of Esau had Timna for concubine and she bore him Amalek. These were the sons of Esau's wife Adah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	13	These were the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were the sons of Esau's wife Basemath.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	14	And these were the sons of Esau's wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah, son of Zibeon: she bore him Jeush, Jalam and Korah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	15	These are the chieftains of Esau. The descendants of Eliphaz, Esau's eldest son: the chieftains of Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	16	Gatam and Amalek. These are the chieftains of Eliphaz in Edom and are descended from Adah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	17	The descendants of Esau's son Reuel: the chieftains of Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These are the chieftains of Reuel in Edom and are descended from Esau's wife Basemath.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	18	The descendants of Esau's wife Oholibamah: the chieftains of Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These are the chieftains of Esau's wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	19	These were the sons of Esau -- that is, Edom -- and these are their chieftains.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	20	These are the sons of Seir the Horite, natives of the country: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	21	Dishon, Ezer and Dishan; these were the Horite chieftains descended from Seir, in Edom.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	22	The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam, and Lotan's sister was Timna.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	23	These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	24	These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah, Anah -- the Anah who found the hot springs in the desert while pasturing his father Zibeon's donkeys.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	25	These are the children of Anah: Dishon, and Oholibamah daughter of Anah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	26	These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran and Cheran.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	27	These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	28	These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	29	These are the Horite chieftains: the chieftains of Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	30	Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. These are the chieftains of the Horites, by their clans, in Seir.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	31	These are the kings who reigned in Edom before an Israelite king.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	32	In Edom reigned Bela son of Beor; his city was called Dinhabah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	33	Bela died and Jobab son of Zerah, from Bozrah, succeeded.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	34	Jobab died and Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	35	Husham died and Hadad son of Bedad succeeded; he defeated the Midianites in Moab, and his city was called Avith.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	36	Hadad died and Samlah of Masrekah succeeded.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	37	Samlah died and Shaul of Rehoboth-ha-Nahar succeeded.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	38	Shaul died and Baal-Hanan son of Achbor succeeded.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	39	Baal-Hanan died and Hadad succeeded; his city was called Pau and his wife's name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, from Mezahab.
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	40	These are the names of the chieftains of Esau -- according to their clans and localities: the chieftains of Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	41	Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	42	Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,
 Genesis	Ge	1	36	43	Magdiel and Iram. These are the chieftains of Edom, as settled in the territory which they own. Esau was Edom's ancestor.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	1	But Jacob settled in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	2	This is the story of Joseph. Joseph was seventeen years old. As he was young, he was shepherding the flock with his brothers, with the sons of his father's wives, Bilhah and Zilpah; and Joseph brought his father bad reports about them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	3	Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other sons, for he was the son of his old age, and he had a decorated tunic made for him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	4	But his brothers, seeing how much more his father loved him than all his other sons, came to hate him so much that they could not say a civil word to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	5	Now Joseph had a dream, and he repeated it to his brothers, who then hated him more than ever.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	6	'Listen', he said, 'to the dream I had.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	7	We were binding sheaves in the field, when my sheaf suddenly rose and stood upright, and then your sheaves gathered round and bowed to my sheaf.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	8	'So you want to be king over us,' his brothers retorted, 'you want to lord it over us?' And they hated him even more, on account of his dreams and of what he said.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	9	He had another dream which he recounted to his brothers. 'Look, I have had another dream,' he said. 'There were the sun, the moon and eleven stars, bowing down to me.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	10	He told his father and brothers, and his father scolded him. 'A fine dream to have!' he said to him. 'Are all of us then, myself, your mother and your brothers, to come and bow to the ground before you?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	11	His brothers held it against him, but his father pondered the matter.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	12	His brothers went to pasture their father's flock at Shechem.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	13	Then Israel said to Joseph, 'Your brothers are with the flock at Shechem, aren't they? Come, I am going to send you to them.' 'I am ready,' he replied.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	14	He said to him, 'Go and see how your brothers and the flock are doing, and bring me word.' He sent him from the valley of Hebron, and Joseph arrived at Shechem.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	15	A man found him wandering in the countryside and asked him, 'What are you looking for ? '
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	16	'I am looking for my brothers,' he replied. 'Please tell me where they are pasturing their flock.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	17	The man answered, 'They have moved on from here; indeed I heard them say, "Let us go to Dothan." ' So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	18	They saw him in the distance, and before he reached them they made a plot to kill him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	19	'Here comes that dreamer,' they said to one another.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	20	'Come on, let us kill him now and throw him down one of the storage-wells; we can say that some wild animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	21	But Reuben heard, and he saved him from their clutches. 'We must not take his life,' he said.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	22	'Shed no blood,' said Reuben to them, 'throw him down that well out in the desert, but do not kill him yourselves' -- intending to save him from them and to restore him to his father.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	23	So, when Joseph reached his brothers, they pulled off his tunic, the decorated tunic which he was wearing,
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	24	and catching hold of him, threw him into the well. The well was empty, with no water in it.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	25	They then sat down to eat. Looking up, they saw a group of Ishmaelites who were coming from Gilead, their camels laden with gum tragacanth, balsam and resin, which they were taking to Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	26	Then Judah said to his brothers, 'What do we gain by killing our brother and covering up his blood?
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	27	Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, then we shall not have laid hands on him ourselves. After all, he is our brother, and our own flesh.' His brothers agreed.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	28	Now some Midianite merchants were passing, and they pulled Joseph out of the well. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver, and these men took Joseph to Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	29	When Reuben went back to the well, there was no sign of Joseph. Tearing his clothes,
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	30	he went back to his brothers. 'The boy has gone,' he said. 'What am I going to do?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	31	They took Joseph's tunic and, slaughtering a goat, dipped the tunic in the blood.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	32	Then they sent off the decorated tunic and had it taken to their father, with the message, 'This is what we have found. Do you recognise it as your son's tunic or not?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	33	He recognised it and cried, 'My son's tunic! A wild animal has devoured him! Joseph has been torn to pieces!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	34	Tearing his clothes and putting sackcloth round his waist, Jacob mourned his son for many days.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	35	All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. 'No,' he said, 'I will go down to Sheol in mourning and join my son.' Thus his father wept for him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	37	36	Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials and commander of the guard.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	1	It happened at about that time that Judah left his brothers, to go down and settle with a certain Adullamite called Hirah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	2	There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite called Shua. He made her his wife and slept with her.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	3	She conceived and gave birth to a son whom she named Er.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	4	She conceived again and gave birth to a son whom she named Onan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	5	Yet again she gave birth to a son whom she named Shelah. She was at Chezib when she gave birth to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	6	Judah took a wife for his first-born Er, and her name was Tamar.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	7	But Er, Judah's first-born, offended Yahweh, and Yahweh killed him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	8	Then Judah said to Onan, 'Take your brother's wife, and do your duty as her brother-in-law, to maintain your brother's line.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	9	But Onan, knowing that the line would not count as his, spilt his seed on the ground every time he slept with his brother's wife, to avoid providing offspring for his brother.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	10	What he did was offensive to Yahweh, who killed him too.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	11	Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, 'Go home as a widow to your father, until my son Shelah grows up,' for he was thinking, 'He must not die like his brothers.' So Tamar went home to her father.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	12	A long time passed, and then Shua's daughter, the wife of Judah, died. After Judah had been comforted he went up to Timnah for the shearing of his sheep, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	13	When Tamar was told, 'Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah for the shearing of his sheep,'
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	14	she changed out of her widow's clothes, wrapped a veil around her to disguise herself, and sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah; for she saw that, although Shelah was grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	15	Judah, seeing her, took her for a prostitute, since her face was veiled.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	16	Going up to her on the road, he said, 'Here, let me sleep with you.' He did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. 'What will you give me for sleeping with you?' she asked.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	17	'I will send you a kid from the flock,' he said. 'Agreed, if you give me a pledge until you send it,' she replied.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	18	'What pledge shall I give you?' he asked. 'Your seal and cord and the staff you are holding,' she replied. He gave them to her and slept with her, and she conceived by him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	19	Then she got up and left him and, taking off her veil, resumed her widow's weeds.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	20	Judah sent the kid by his friend the Adullamite, to recover the pledge from the woman. But he did not find her.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	21	He enquired from the men of the place, 'Where is the prostitute who was by the roadside at Enaim?' 'There has been no prostitute there,' they answered.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	22	So returning to Judah he said, 'I did not find her. What is more, the men of the place told me there had been no prostitute there.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	23	'Let her keep the things,' Judah said, 'or we shall become a laughing-stock. At least I sent her this kid, even though you did not find her.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	24	About three months later, Judah was told, 'Your daughter-in-law has played the harlot; furthermore, she is pregnant, as a result of her misconduct.' 'Bring her out,' Judah ordered, 'and let her be burnt alive!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	25	But as she was being led off, she sent word to her father-in-law, 'It was the owner of these who made me pregnant. Please verify', she said, 'whose seal and cord and staff these are.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	26	Judah recognised them and said, 'She was right and I was wrong, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.' He had no further intercourse with her.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	27	When the time for her confinement came, there were twins in her womb!
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	28	During the delivery, one of them put out a hand, and the midwife caught it and tied a scarlet thread to it, indicating that this was the first to arrive.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	29	Whereupon, he drew back his hand, and out came his brother. Then she said, 'What a breach you have opened for yourself!' So he was named Perez.
 Genesis	Ge	1	38	30	Then his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, so he was named Zerah.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	1	Now Joseph had been taken down into Egypt. Potiphar the Egyptian, one of Pharaoh's officials and commander of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	2	Yahweh was with Joseph, and everything he undertook was successful. He lodged in the house of his Egyptian master,
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	3	and when his master saw how Yahweh was with him and how Yahweh made everything he undertook successful,
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	4	he was pleased with Joseph and made him his personal attendant; and his master put him in charge of his household, entrusting him with all his possessions.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	5	And from the time he put him in charge of his household and all his possessions, Yahweh blessed the Egyptian's household out of consideration for Joseph; Yahweh's blessing extended to all his possessions, both household and estate.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	6	So he left Joseph to handle all his possessions, and with him there, concerned himself with nothing beyond the food he ate. Now Joseph was well built and handsome,
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	7	and it happened some time later that his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, 'Sleep with me.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	8	But he refused. 'Look,' he said to his master's wife, 'with me here, my master does not concern himself with what happens in the house, having entrusted all his possessions to me.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	9	He himself wields no more authority in this house than I do. He has exempted nothing from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How could I do anything so wicked, and sin against God?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	10	Although she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not agree to sleep with her or be with her.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	11	But one day when Joseph came into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the household happened to be indoors,
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	12	she caught hold of him by his tunic and said, 'Sleep with me.' But he left the tunic in her hand, took to his heels and got out.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	13	When she saw that he had left the tunic in her hands as he ran out,
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	14	she called her servants and said to them, 'Look at this! My husband brought in a Hebrew to make a fool of me! He burst in on me, but I screamed,
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	15	and when he heard me scream, he left his tunic beside me and ran out of the house.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	16	She kept his tunic by her until his master came home.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	17	Then she told him the same tale, 'The Hebrew slave you brought to us burst in on me to make a fool of me.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	18	But when I screamed, he left his tunic beside me and ran away.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	19	When his master heard his wife say, 'This was how your slave treated me,' he became furious.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	20	Joseph's master had him arrested and committed to the gaol where the king's prisoners were kept. And there in gaol he stayed.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	21	But Yahweh was with Joseph. He showed him faithful love and made him popular with the chief gaoler.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	22	The chief gaoler put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners in the gaol, making him responsible for everything done there.
 Genesis	Ge	1	39	23	The chief gaoler did not bother about anything put in his charge, since Yahweh was with him, and Yahweh made everything he undertook successful.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	1	It happened some time later that the king of Egypt's cup-bearer and his baker offended their master the king of Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	2	Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cup-bearer and the chief baker,
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	3	and put them in custody in the house of the commander of the guard, in the gaol where Joseph was a prisoner.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	4	The commander of the guard assigned Joseph to them to attend to their wants, and they remained in custody for some time.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	5	Now both of them had dreams on the same night, each with its own meaning for the cup-bearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were prisoners in the gaol.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	6	When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they looked gloomy,
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	7	and he asked the two officials who were in custody with him in his master's house, 'Why these sad looks today?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	8	They replied, 'We have each had a dream, but there is no one to interpret it.' 'Are not interpretations God's business?' Joseph asked them. 'Tell me about them.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	9	So the chief cup-bearer described his dream to Joseph, telling him, 'In my dream there was a vine in front of me.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	10	On the vine were three branches; no sooner had it budded than it blossomed, and its clusters became ripe grapes.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	11	I had Pharaoh's cup in my hand; I picked the grapes and squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup, and put the cup into Pharaoh's hand.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	12	'This is what it means,' Joseph told him. 'The three branches are three days.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	13	In another three days Pharaoh will lift up your head by restoring you to your position. Then you will hand Pharaoh his cup, as you did before, when you were his cup-bearer.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	14	But be sure to remember me when things go well with you, and keep faith with me by kindly reminding Pharaoh about me, to get me out of this house.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	15	I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews in the first place, and even here I have done nothing to warrant being put in the dungeon.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	16	The chief baker, seeing that the interpretation had been favourable, said to Joseph, 'I too had a dream; there were three wicker trays on my head.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	17	In the top tray there were all kinds of pastries for Pharaoh, such as a baker might make, and the birds were eating them off the tray on my head.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	18	Joseph replied as follows, 'This is what it means: the three trays are three days.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	19	In another three days Pharaoh will lift up your head by hanging you on a gallows, and the birds will eat the flesh off your bones.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	20	And so it happened; the third day was Pharaoh's birthday and he gave a banquet for all his officials. Of his officials he lifted up the head of the chief cup-bearer and the chief baker,
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	21	the chief cup-bearer by restoring him to his cup-bearing, so that he again handed Pharaoh his cup;
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	22	and by hanging the chief baker, as Joseph had explained to them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	40	23	But the chief cup-bearer did not remember Joseph; he had forgotten him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	1	Two years later it happened that Pharaoh had a dream: there he was, standing by the Nile,
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	2	and there, coming up from the Nile, were seven cows, sleek and fat, and they began to feed among the rushes.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	3	And then seven other cows, wretched and lean, came up from the Nile, behind them; and these went over and stood beside the other cows on the bank of the Nile.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	4	The wretched and lean cows ate the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	5	He fell asleep and dreamed a second time: there, growing on one stalk, were seven ears of grain, full and ripe.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	6	And then sprouting up, behind them, came seven ears of grain, meagre and scorched by the east wind.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	7	The scanty ears of grain swallowed the seven full and ripe ears of grain. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	8	In the morning Pharaoh, feeling disturbed, had all the magicians and wise men of Egypt summoned to him. Pharaoh told them his dream, but there was no one to interpret it for Pharaoh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	9	Then the chief cup-bearer addressed Pharaoh, 'Today, I recall having been at fault.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	10	When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, he put myself and the chief baker in custody in the house of the commander of the guard.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	11	We had a dream on the same night, he and I, and each man's dream had a meaning for himself.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	12	There was a young Hebrew with us, one of the slaves belonging to the commander of the guard. We told our dreams to him and he interpreted them for us, telling each of us what his dream meant.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	13	It turned out exactly according to his interpretation: I was restored to my position, but the other man was hanged.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	14	Then Pharaoh had Joseph summoned, and they hurried him from the dungeon. He shaved and changed his clothes, and presented himself before Pharaoh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	15	Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I have had a dream, and there is no one to interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can interpret a dream the instant you hear it.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	16	'Not I,' Joseph replied to Pharaoh, 'God will give Pharaoh a favourable answer.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	17	So Pharaoh told Joseph, 'In my dream there I was, standing on the bank of the Nile.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	18	And there were seven cows, fat and sleek, coming up out of the Nile, and they began to feed among the rushes.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	19	And then seven other cows came up, behind them, starved, very wretched and lean; I have never seen such poor cows in all Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	20	The lean and wretched cows ate up the first seven fat cows.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	21	But when they had eaten them up, it was impossible to tell they had eaten them, for they looked as wretched as ever. Then I woke up.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	22	And then again in my dream, there, growing on one stalk, were seven ears of grain, beautifully ripe;
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	23	but then sprouting up behind them came seven ears of grain, withered, meagre and scorched by the east wind.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	24	Then the shrivelled ears of grain swallowed the seven ripe ears of grain. I have told the magicians, but no one has given me the answer.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	25	Joseph said to Pharaoh, 'Pharaoh's dreams are one and the same: God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is going to do.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	26	The seven fine cows are seven years and the seven ripe ears of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	27	The seven gaunt and lean cows coming up behind them are seven years, as are the seven shrivelled ears of grain scorched by the east wind: there will be seven years of famine.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	28	It is as I have told Pharaoh: God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is going to do.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	29	Seven years are coming, bringing great plenty to the whole of Egypt,
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	30	but seven years of famine will follow them, when all the plenty in Egypt will be forgotten, and famine will exhaust the land.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	31	The famine that is to follow will be so very severe that no one will remember what plenty the country used to enjoy.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	32	The reason why Pharaoh had the same dream twice is that the event is already determined by God, and God will shortly bring it about.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	33	'Pharaoh should now find someone intelligent and wise to govern Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	34	Pharaoh should take action and appoint supervisors for the country, and impose a tax of one-fifth on Egypt during the seven years of plenty.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	35	They will collect all the food produced during these good years that are coming, and store the grain under Pharaoh's authority, putting it in the towns and keeping it.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	36	This food will form a reserve for the country against the seven years of famine which are coming on Egypt, so that the country will not be destroyed by the famine.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	37	Pharaoh and all his ministers approved of what he had said.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	38	Then Pharaoh asked his ministers, 'Can we find anyone else endowed with the spirit of God, like him?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	39	So Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has given you knowledge of all this, there can be no one as intelligent and wise as you.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	40	You shall be my chancellor, and all my people shall respect your orders; only this throne shall set me above you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	41	Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I hereby make you governor of the whole of Egypt.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	42	Pharaoh took the ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain round his neck.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	43	He made him ride in the best chariot he had after his own, and they shouted 'Abrek!' ahead of him. Thus he became governor of the whole of Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	44	Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Although I am Pharaoh, no one is to move hand or foot without your permission throughout Egypt.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	45	Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-Paneah, and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph began to journey all over Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	46	Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. After leaving Pharaoh's presence, Joseph travelled throughout the length and breadth of Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	47	During the seven years of plenty, the soil yielded generously.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	48	He collected all the food of the seven years while there was an abundance in Egypt, and stored the food in the towns, placing in each the food from the surrounding countryside.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	49	Joseph gathered in grain like the sand of the sea, in such quantity that he gave up keeping count, since it was past accounting.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	50	Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph: Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore him these.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	51	Joseph named the first-born Manasseh, 'Because', he said, 'God has made me completely forget my hardships and my father's House.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	52	He named the second Ephraim, 'Because', he said, 'God has made me fruitful in the country of my misfortune.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	53	Then the seven years of plenty that there had been in Egypt came to an end,
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	54	and the seven years of famine set in, as Joseph had predicted. There was famine in every country, but throughout Egypt there was food.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	55	But when all Egypt too began to feel the famine and the people appealed to Pharaoh for food, Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, 'Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	56	There was famine all over the world. Then Joseph opened all the granaries and rationed out grain to the Egyptians, as the famine grew even worse in Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	41	57	People came to Egypt from all over the world to get supplies from Joseph, for the famine had grown severe throughout the world.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	1	Jacob, seeing that there were supplies to be had in Egypt, said to his sons, 'Why do you keep staring at one another?
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	2	I hear', he said, 'that there are supplies in Egypt. Go down and procure some for us there, so that we may survive and not die.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	3	So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to procure grain in Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	4	But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers. 'Nothing must happen to him,' he thought.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	5	Thus the sons of Israel were among the other people who came to get supplies, there being famine in Canaan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	6	It was Joseph, as the man in authority over the country, who allocated the rations to the entire population. So Joseph's brothers went and bowed down before him, their faces touching the ground.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	7	As soon as Joseph saw his brothers he recognised them. But he did not make himself known to them, and he spoke harshly to them. 'Where have you come from?' he asked. 'From Canaan to get food,' they replied.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	8	Now when Joseph recognised his brothers, but they did not recognise him,
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	9	Joseph remembered the dreams he had had about them, and said to them, 'You are spies. You have come to discover the country's weak points.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	10	'No, my lord,' they said, 'your servants have come to get food.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	11	We are all sons of the same man. We are honest men, your servants are not spies.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	12	'Oh no,' he replied, 'you have come to discover the country's weak points.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	13	'Your servants were twelve brothers,' they said, 'sons of the same man in Canaan, but the youngest is at present with our father, and the other one is no more.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	14	To which Joseph retorted, 'It is as I said, you are spies.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	15	This is the test you are to undergo: as sure as Pharaoh lives you shall not leave unless your youngest brother comes here.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	16	Send one of your number to fetch your brother; you others will remain under arrest, so that your statements can be tested to see whether or not you are honest. If not, then as sure as Pharaoh lives you are spies.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	17	Whereupon, he put them all into custody for three days.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	18	On the third day Joseph said to them, 'Do this and you will live, for I am a man who fears God.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	19	If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be detained where you are imprisoned; the rest of you, go and take supplies home for your starving families.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	20	But you must bring your youngest brother back to me; in this way, what you have said will be verified, and you will not have to die!' And this is what they did.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	21	And they said to one another, 'Clearly, we are being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw his deep misery when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen, and now this misery has come home to us.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	22	Reuben retorted to them, 'Did I not tell you not to wrong the boy? But you would not listen. Now comes the accounting.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	23	They did not know that Joseph understood, because there was an interpreter between them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	24	He turned away from them and wept. When he was able to speak to them again, he chose Simeon out of their number and had him bound while they looked on.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	25	Joseph gave the order to fill their panniers with grain, to put back each man's money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	26	Then they loaded their supplies on their donkeys and went away.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	27	But when they camped for the night, one of them opened his sack to give his donkey some fodder and saw his money -- there it was in the mouth of his sack.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	28	He said to his brothers, 'My money has been put back; here it is, in my sack!' Their hearts sank, and they looked at one another in panic, saying, 'What is this that God has done to us?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	29	Returning to their father Jacob in Canaan, they gave him a full report of what had happened to them,
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	30	'The man who is lord of the country spoke harshly to us, accusing us of spying on the country.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	31	We told him, "We are honest men, we are not spies.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	32	We were twelve brothers, sons of the same father. One of us is no more, and the youngest is at present with our father in Canaan."
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	33	But the man who is lord of the country said to us, "This is how I shall know whether you are honest: leave one of your brothers with me. Take supplies for your starving families and be gone,
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	34	but bring me back your youngest brother and then I shall know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I shall give your brother back to you and you will be free to move about the country." '
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	35	As they emptied their sacks, each discovered his bag of money in his sack. On seeing their bags of money they were afraid, and so was their father.
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	36	Then their father Jacob said to them, 'You are robbing me of my children; Joseph is no more; Simeon is no more; and now you want to take Benjamin. I bear the brunt of all this!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	37	Then Reuben said to his father, 'You may put my two sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my care and I will bring him back to you.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	42	38	But he replied, 'My son is not going down with you, for now his brother is dead he is the only one left. If any harm came to him on the journey you are undertaking, you would send my white head down to Sheol with grief!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	1	But the famine in the country grew worse,
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	2	and when they had finished eating the supplies which they had brought from Egypt their father said to them, 'Go back and get us a little food.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	3	'But', Judah replied, 'the man expressly warned us, "You will not be admitted to my presence unless your brother is with you."
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	4	If you are ready to send our brother with us, we will go down and get food for you.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	5	But if you are not ready to send him, we will not go down, in view of the man's warning, "You will not be admitted to my presence unless your brother is with you." '
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	6	Then Israel said, 'Why did you bring this misery on me by telling the man you had another brother?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	7	They replied, 'He kept questioning us about ourselves and our family, asking, "Is your father still alive?" and, "Have you another brother?" That is why we told him. How could we know he was going to say, "Bring your brother down here"?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	8	Judah then said to his father Israel, 'Send the boy with me, and let us be off and go, if we are to survive and not die, we, you, and our dependants.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	9	I will go surety for him, and you can hold me responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and produce him before you, let me bear the blame all my life.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	10	Indeed, if we had not wasted so much time we should have been there and back twice by now!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	11	Then their father Israel said to them, 'If it must be so, then do this: take some of the country's best products in your baggage and take them to the man as a gift: some balsam, some honey, gum tragacanth, resin, pistachio nuts and almonds.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	12	Take double the amount of money with you and return the money put back in the mouths of your sacks; it may have been a mistake.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	13	Take your brother, and go back to the man.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	14	May El Shaddai move the man to be kind to you, and allow you to bring back your other brother and Benjamin. As for me, if I must be bereaved, bereaved I must be.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	15	The men took this gift; they took double the amount of money with them, and Benjamin. They set off, went down to Egypt and presented themselves before Joseph.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	16	When Joseph saw Benjamin with them he said to his chamberlain, 'Take these men into the house. Slaughter a beast and prepare it, for these men are to eat with me at midday.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	17	The man did as Joseph had ordered, and took the men to Joseph's house.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	18	The men were afraid at being taken to Joseph's house and said, 'We are being taken there because of the money replaced in our sacks the first time. They will set on us; they will fall on us and make slaves of us, and take our donkeys too.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	19	So they went up to Joseph's chamberlain and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	20	'By your leave, sir,' they said, 'we came down once before to get supplies,
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	21	and when we reached camp and opened our sacks, there was each man's money in the mouth of his sack, to the full. But we have brought it back with us,
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	22	and we have brought more money with us for the supplies. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	23	'Set your minds at ease,' he replied, 'do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.' And he brought Simeon out to them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	24	The man then took the men into Joseph's house. He offered them water to wash their feet, and gave their donkeys fodder.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	25	They arranged their gift while they waited for Joseph to come at midday, for they had heard they were to dine there.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	26	When Joseph arrived at the house they offered him the gift they had with them, bowing low before him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	27	He greeted them pleasantly, asking, 'Is your father well, the old man you told me of ? Is he still alive?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	28	'Your servant our father is well,' they replied, 'he is still alive,' and they bowed respectfully.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	29	Looking about, he saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son. 'Is this your youngest brother', he asked, 'of whom you told me?' And he added, 'God be good to you, my son.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	30	Joseph hurried out; so strong was the affection he felt for his brother that he wanted to cry. He went into his room and there he wept.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	31	After washing his face he returned and, controlling himself, gave the order: 'Serve the meal.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	32	He was served separately; so were they, and so were the Egyptians who ate in his household, for the Egyptians could not take food with Hebrews; Egyptians have a horror of doing so.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	33	They were placed facing him in order of seniority, from the eldest to the youngest, and the men looked at one another in amazement.
 Genesis	Ge	1	43	34	He had portions carried to them from his own dish, the portion for Benjamin being five times larger than any of the others. And they feasted with him and drank freely.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	1	Then Joseph instructed his chamberlain as follows: 'Fill these men's sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his sack.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	2	And put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one's sack as well as the money for his rations.' He did as Joseph had instructed.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	3	At daybreak, the men were sent off with their donkeys.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	4	They had gone only a little way from the city, when Joseph said to his chamberlain, 'Away now and follow those men. When you catch up with them, say to them, "Why have you repaid good with evil?
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	5	Is this not what my lord uses for drinking and also for reading omens? What you have done is wrong." '
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	6	So when he caught up with them he repeated these words.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	7	They asked him, 'What does my lord mean? Your servants would never think of doing such a thing.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	8	Look, we brought you back the money we found in the mouths of our sacks, all the way from Canaan. Are we likely to have stolen silver or gold from your master's house?
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	9	Whichever of your servants is found to have it shall die, and the rest of us shall be slaves of my lord.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	10	'Very well, then, it shall be as you say,' he replied, 'the one on whom it is found shall become my slave, but the rest of you can go free.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	11	Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each opened his own.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	12	He searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest, and found the cup in Benjamin's sack.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	13	Then they tore their clothes, and when each man had reloaded his donkey they returned to the city.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	14	When Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph's house he was still there, so they fell on the ground in front of him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	15	'What do you mean by doing this?' Joseph asked them. 'Did you not know that a man such as I am is a reader of omens?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	16	'What can we answer my lord?' Judah replied. 'What can we say? How can we clear ourselves? God himself has uncovered your servants' guilt. Here we are then, my lord's slaves, we no less than the one in whose possession the cup was found.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	17	'I could not think of doing such a thing,' he replied. 'The man in whose possession the cup was found shall be my slave, but you can go back unhindered to your father.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	18	At this, Judah went up to him and said, 'May it please my lord, let your servant have a word privately with my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are like Pharaoh himself.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	19	My lord questioned his servants, "Have you father or brother?"
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	20	And we said to my lord, "We have an old father, and a younger brother born of his old age. His brother is dead, so he is the only one by that mother now left, and his father loves him."
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	21	Then you said to your servants, "Bring him down to me, so that I can set eyes on him."
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	22	We replied to my lord, "The boy cannot leave his father. If he leaves him, his father will die."
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	23	But you said to your servants, "If your youngest brother does not come down with you, you will not be admitted to my presence again."
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	24	When we went back to your servant my father, we repeated to him what my lord had said.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	25	So when our father said, "Go back and get us a little food,"
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	26	we said, "We cannot go down. We shall go only if our youngest brother is with us for, unless our youngest brother is with us, we shall not be admitted to the man's presence."
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	27	So your servant our father said to us, "You know that my wife bore me two children.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	28	When one of them left me, I supposed that he must have been torn to pieces, and I have never seen him since.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	29	If you take this one from me too and any harm comes to him, you will send my white head down to Sheol with grief."
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	30	If I go to your servant my father now, and we do not have the boy with us, he will die as soon as he sees that the boy is not with us, for his heart is bound up with him;
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	31	and your servants will have sent your servant our father's white head down to Sheol with grief.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	32	Now your servant went surety to my father for the boy. I said: "If I do not bring him back to you, let me bear the blame before my father all my life."
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	33	Let your servant stay, then, as my lord's slave in place of the boy, I implore you, and let the boy go back with his brothers.
 Genesis	Ge	1	44	34	How indeed could I go back to my father and not have the boy with me? I could not bear to see the misery that would overwhelm my father.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	1	Then Joseph could not control his feelings in front of all his retainers, and he exclaimed, 'Let everyone leave me.' No one therefore was present with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers,
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	2	but he wept so loudly that all the Egyptians heard, and the news reached Pharaoh's palace.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	3	Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph. Is my father really still alive?' His brothers could not answer him, they were so dumbfounded at seeing him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	4	Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Come closer to me.' When they had come closer to him he said, 'I am your brother Joseph whom you sold into Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	5	But now, do not grieve, do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here, since God sent me before you to preserve your lives.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	6	For this is the second year there has been famine in the country, and there are still five years to come without ploughing or harvest.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	7	God sent me before you to assure the survival of your race on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	8	So it was not you who sent me here but God, and he has set me up as a father to Pharaoh, as lord of all his household and governor of the whole of Egypt.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	9	'Return quickly to your father and tell him, "Your son Joseph says this: 'God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	10	You will live in the region of Goshen where you will be near me, you, your children and your grandchildren, your flocks, your cattle and all your possessions.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	11	There I shall provide for you -- for there are five years of famine still to come -- so that you, your household and all yours are not reduced to penury.' "
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	12	You can see with your own eyes, and my brother Benjamin can see too, that I am who I say I am.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	13	Give my father a full report of all the honour I enjoy in Egypt, and of all you have seen; and quickly bring my father down here.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	14	Then throwing his arms round the neck of his brother Benjamin he wept; and Benjamin wept on his shoulder.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	15	He kissed all his brothers, weeping on each one. Only then were his brothers able to talk to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	16	News reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, and Pharaoh was pleased to hear it, as were his servants.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	17	Pharaoh told Joseph, 'Say to your brothers, "Do this: load your beasts and hurry away to Canaan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	18	Fetch your father and your families, and come back to me. I will give you the best territory in Egypt, where you will live off the fat of the land."
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	19	And you, for your part, give them this order: "Do this: take waggons from Egypt, for your little ones and your wives. Get your father and come.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	20	Never mind about your property, for the best of all Egypt will be yours." '
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	21	Israel's sons did as they were told. Joseph gave them waggons as Pharaoh had ordered, and he gave them provisions for the journey.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	22	To each and every one he gave new clothes, and to Benjamin three hundred shekels of silver and five changes of clothes.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	23	And to his father he sent ten donkeys laden with the best that Egypt offered, and ten she-donkeys laden with grain, bread and food for his father's journey.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	24	And so he sent his brothers on their way. His final words to them were, 'And let there be no upsets on the way!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	25	And so they left Egypt. When they reached their father Jacob in Canaan,
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	26	they gave him this report, 'Joseph is still alive. He is at this moment governor of all Egypt!' But he was as one stunned, for he did not believe them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	27	However, when they told him all Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the waggons that Joseph had sent to fetch him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived,
 Genesis	Ge	1	45	28	and Israel said, 'That is enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I must go and see him before I die.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	1	So Israel set out with all his possessions. Arriving at Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	2	God spoke to Israel in a vision at night, 'Jacob, Jacob,' he said. 'Here I am,' he replied.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	3	'I am El, God of your father,' he said. 'Do not be afraid of going down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	4	I shall go down to Egypt with you and I myself shall bring you back again, and Joseph's hand will close your eyes.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	5	So Jacob left Beersheba. Israel's sons conveyed their father Jacob, their little children and their wives in the waggons Pharaoh had sent to fetch him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	6	Taking their livestock and all that they had acquired in Canaan, they arrived in Egypt -- Jacob and all his offspring.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	7	With him to Egypt, he brought his sons and grandsons, his daughters and granddaughters -- all his offspring.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	8	These were the names of the Israelites, Jacob and his descendants, who arrived in Egypt: Reuben, Jacob's first-born,
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	9	and the sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	10	The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of the Canaanite woman.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	11	The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	12	The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah (Er and Onan had died in Canaan), and Hezron and Hamul sons of Perez.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	13	The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Jashub and Shimron.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	14	The sons of Zebulun: Sered, Elon and Jahleel.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	15	These were the sons that Leah had borne to Jacob in Paddan-Aram, besides his daughter Dinah; in all, his sons and daughters numbered thirty-three.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	16	The sons of Gad: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi and Areli.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	17	The sons of Asher: Jimnah, Jishvah, Jishvi, Beriah, with their sister Serah; the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	18	These were the sons of Zilpah whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah; she bore these to Jacob -- sixteen persons.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	19	The sons of Rachel wife of Jacob: Joseph and Benjamin.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	20	Born to Joseph in Egypt were: Manasseh and Ephraim sons of Asenath, daughter of Potiphera priest of On.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	21	The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim and Ard.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	22	These were the sons that Rachel bore to Jacob -- fourteen persons in all.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	23	The sons of Dan: Hushim.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	24	The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	25	These were the sons of Bilhah whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel; she bore these to Jacob -- seven persons in all.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	26	Altogether, the members of Jacob's family who arrived with him in Egypt -- his own issue, not counting the wives of Jacob's sons -- numbered sixty-six all told.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	27	With Joseph's sons born to him in Egypt -- two persons -- the members of Jacob's family who went to Egypt totalled seventy.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	28	Israel sent Judah ahead to Joseph, so that Judah might present himself to Joseph in Goshen. When they arrived in Goshen,
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	29	Joseph had his chariot made ready and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as he appeared he threw his arms round his neck and for a long time wept on his shoulder.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	30	Israel said to Joseph, 'Now I can die, now that I have seen you in person and seen you still alive.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	31	Then Joseph said to his brothers and his father's family, 'I shall go back and break the news to Pharaoh. I shall tell him, "My brothers and my father's family who were in Canaan have come to me.
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	32	The men are shepherds and look after livestock, and they have brought their flocks and cattle and all their possessions."
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	33	Thus, when Pharaoh summons you and asks, "What is your occupation?",
 Genesis	Ge	1	46	34	you are to say, "Ever since our boyhood your servants have looked after livestock, we and our fathers before us," so that you can stay in the Goshen region -- for the Egyptians have a horror of all shepherds.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	1	So Joseph went and told Pharaoh, 'My father and brothers have arrived from Canaan with their flocks and cattle and all their possessions. Here they are, in the region of Goshen.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	2	He had taken five of his brothers, and he now presented them to Pharaoh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	3	Pharaoh asked his brothers, 'What is your occupation?' and they gave Pharaoh the answer, 'Your servants are shepherds, like our fathers before us.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	4	They went on to tell Pharaoh, 'We have come to stay in this country for the time being, since there is no pasturage for your servants' flocks, Canaan being stricken with famine. So now please allow your servants to settle in the region of Goshen.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	5	Then Pharaoh said to Joseph,'They may stay in the region of Goshen, and if you know of any capable men among them, put them in charge of my own livestock.' Jacob and his sons went to Egypt where Joseph was. Pharaoh king of Egypt heard about this and said to Joseph, 'Your father and brothers have come to you. The country of Egypt is open to you: settle your father and brothers in the best region.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	6	The country of Egypt is open to you: settle your father and brothers in the best region.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	7	Joseph brought his father and presented him to Pharaoh. Jacob paid his respects to Pharaoh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	8	Pharaoh asked Jacob, 'How many years have you lived?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	9	Jacob said to Pharaoh, 'The years of my stay on earth add up to one hundred and thirty years. Few and unhappy my years have been, falling short of my ancestors' years in their stay on earth.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	10	Jacob then took leave of Pharaoh and withdrew from his presence.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	11	Joseph then settled his father and brothers, giving them land holdings in Egypt, in the best part of the country, the region of Rameses, as Pharaoh had ordered.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	12	Joseph provided his father, brothers and all his father's family with food, down to the least of them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	13	And on all the earth around there was now no food anywhere, for the famine had grown very severe, and Egypt and Canaan were both weak with hunger.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	14	Joseph accumulated all the money to be found in Egypt and Canaan, in exchange for the supplies being handed out, and put the money in Pharaoh's palace.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	15	When all the money in Egypt and Canaan was exhausted, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, pleading, 'Give us food, unless you want us to die before your eyes! For our money has come to an end.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	16	Joseph replied, 'Hand over your livestock and I shall issue you food in exchange for your livestock, if your money has come to an end.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	17	So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for horses and livestock, whether sheep or cattle, and for donkeys. Thus he saw them through that year with food in exchange for all their livestock.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	18	When that year was over, they came to him the next year, and said to him, 'We cannot hide it from my lord: the truth is, our money has run out and the livestock is in my lord's possession. There is nothing left for my lord except our bodies and our land.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	19	If we and our land are not to perish, take us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land will become Pharaoh's serfs; only give us seed, so that we can survive and not die and the land not revert to desert!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	20	Thus Joseph acquired all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh, since one by one the Egyptians sold their fields, so hard pressed were they by the famine; and the whole country passed into Pharaoh's possession,
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	21	while the people he reduced to serfdom from one end of Egypt to the other.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	22	The only land he did not acquire belonged to the priests, for the priests received an allowance from Pharaoh and lived on the allowance that Pharaoh gave them. Hence they had no need to sell their land.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	23	Then Joseph said to the people, 'This is how we stand: I have bought you out, with your land, on Pharaoh's behalf. Here is seed for you to sow the land.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	24	But of the harvest you must give a fifth to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you can have for sowing your fields, to provide food for yourselves and your households, and food for your children.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	25	'You have saved our lives!' they replied. 'If it please my lord, we will become serfs to Pharaoh.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	26	So Joseph made a law, still in force today, as regards the soil of Egypt, that one-fifth should go to Pharaoh. Only the land of the priests did not go to Pharaoh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	27	Thus Israel settled in Egypt, in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there; they were fruitful and grew very numerous.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	28	Jacob lived seventeen years in Egypt; thus Jacob's total age came to a hundred and forty-seven years.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	29	When Israel's time to die drew near he sent for his son Joseph and said to him, 'If you really love me, place your hand under my thigh as pledge that you will act with faithful love towards me: do not bury me in Egypt!
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	30	When I lie down with my ancestors, carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their tomb.' 'I shall do as you say,' he replied.
 Genesis	Ge	1	47	31	'Swear to me,' he insisted. So he swore to him, and Israel sank back on the pillow.
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	1	Some time later, Joseph was informed, 'Your father has been taken ill.' So he took with him his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim.
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	2	When Jacob was told, 'Look, your son Joseph has come to you,' Israel, summoning his strength, sat up in bed.
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	3	'El Shaddai appeared to me at Luz in Canaan,' Jacob told Joseph, 'and he blessed me,
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	4	saying to me, "I shall make you fruitful and numerous, and shall make you into an assembly of peoples and give this country to your descendants after you, to own in perpetuity."
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	5	Now your two sons, born to you in Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, shall be mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be as much mine as Reuben and Simeon.
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	6	But with regard to the children you have had since them, they shall be yours, and they shall be known by their brothers' names for the purpose of their inheritance.
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	7	'When I was on my way from Paddan, to my sorrow death took your mother Rachel from me in Canaan, on the journey while only a short distance from Ephrath. I buried her there on the road to Ephrath -- now Bethlehem.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	8	When Israel saw Joseph's two sons, he asked, 'Who are these?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	9	'They are my sons, whom God has given me here,' Joseph told his father. 'Then bring them to me', he said, 'so that I may bless them.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	10	Now, Israel's eyes were dim with age, and he could not see. So Joseph made them come closer to him and he kissed and embraced them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	11	Then Israel said to Joseph, 'I did not think I should ever see you again, and now God has let me see your children as well!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	12	Then Joseph took them from his lap and bowed to the ground.
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	13	Then Joseph took the two of them, Ephraim with his right hand so that he should be on Israel's left, and Manasseh with his left hand, so that he should be on Israel's right, and brought them close to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	14	But Israel held out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, the younger, and his left on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands -- Manasseh was, in fact, the elder.
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	15	Then he blessed Joseph saying: May the God in whose presence my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd from my birth until this day,
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	16	the Angel who has saved me from all harm, bless these boys, so that my name may live on in them, and the names of my ancestors Abraham and Isaac, and they grow into teeming multitudes on earth!
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	17	Joseph saw that his father was laying his right hand on the head of Ephraim, and this he thought was wrong, so he took his father's hand and tried to shift it from the head of Ephraim to the head of Manasseh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	18	Joseph protested to his father, 'Not like that, father! This one is the elder; put your right hand on his head.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	19	But his father refused. 'I know, my son, I know,' he said. 'He too shall become a people; he too will be great. But his younger brother will be greater, his offspring will be sufficient to constitute nations.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	20	So he blessed them that day, saying: By you shall Israel bless itself, saying, 'God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!' putting Ephraim before Manasseh.
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	21	Then Israel said to Joseph, 'Now I am about to die. But God will be with you and take you back to the land of your ancestors.
 Genesis	Ge	1	48	22	As for me, I give you a Shechem more than your brothers, the one I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	1	Jacob called his sons and said, 'Gather round, so that I can tell you what is in store for you in the final days.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	2	Gather round, sons of Jacob, and listen; listen to Israel your father.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	3	Reuben, you are my first-born, my vigour, and the first-fruit of my manhood, foremost in pride, foremost in strength,
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	4	uncontrolled as water: you will not be foremost, for you climbed into your father's bed, and so defiled my couch, to my sorrow.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	5	Simeon and Levi are brothers in carrying out their malicious plans.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	6	May my soul not enter their council nor my heart join their company, for in their rage they have killed men and hamstrung oxen at their whim.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	7	Accursed be their rage for its ruthlessness, their wrath for its ferocity. I shall disperse them in Jacob, I shall scatter them through Israel.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	8	Judah, your brothers will praise you: you grip your enemies by the neck, your father's sons will do you homage.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	9	Judah is a lion's whelp; You stand over your prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, a mighty lion: who dare rouse him?
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	10	The sceptre shall not pass from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute be brought him and the peoples render him obedience.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	11	He tethers his donkey to the vine, to its stock the foal of his she-donkey. He washes his clothes in wine, his robes in the blood of the grape.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	12	His eyes are darkened with wine and his teeth are white with milk.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	13	Zebulun will live by the seashore and be a sailor on board the ships, with Sidon on his flank.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	14	Issachar is a strong donkey lying down among sheepfolds.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	15	When he saw how good the resting-place and how pleasant the country, he bowed his shoulder to the load and became a slave to forced labour.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	16	Dan will govern his people like any other of the tribes of Israel.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	17	May Dan be a snake on the road, a viper on the path, who bites the horse on the hock so that its rider falls off backwards!
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	18	I long for your deliverance, Yahweh!
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	19	Gad will be raided by raiders, and he will raid at their heels.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	20	Rich the food produced by Asher: he will furnish food fit for kings.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	21	Naphtali is a swift hind bearing lovely fawns.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	22	Joseph is a fruitful plant near a spring whose tendrils reach over the wall.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	23	Archers in their hostility drew their bows and attacked him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	24	But their bows were broken by a mighty One, the sinews of their arms were snapped by the power of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the Name of the Stone of Israel,
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	25	the God of your father who assists you, El Shaddai who blesses you: blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep lying below, blessings of the breasts and womb,
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	26	blessings of the grain and flowers, blessings of the eternal mountains, bounty of the everlasting hills -- may they descend on Joseph's head, on the crown of the one dedicated from among his brothers!
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	27	Benjamin is a ravening wolf, in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he is still sharing out the spoil.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	28	All these make up the tribes of Israel, twelve in number, and this is what their father said to them as he bade them farewell, giving each an appropriate blessing.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	29	Then he gave them these instructions, 'I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my ancestors, in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	30	in the cave in the field at Machpelah, facing Mamre, in Canaan, which Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site of his own.
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	31	There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried. There Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried; and there I buried Leah-
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	32	the field and the cave in it which were bought from the Hittites.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	49	33	When Jacob had finished giving his instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, and breathing his last was gathered to his people.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	1	At this Joseph threw himself on his father's face, covering it with tears and kisses.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	2	Then Joseph ordered the doctors in his service to embalm his father. The doctors embalmed Israel,
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	3	and it took them forty days, for embalming takes forty days to complete. The Egyptians mourned him for seventy days.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	4	When the period of mourning for him was over, Joseph said to Pharaoh's household, 'If you have any affection for me, see that this message reaches Pharaoh's ears,
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	5	"My father put me under oath, saying: I am about to die. In the tomb which I dug for myself in Canaan, that is where you are to bury me. So may I have leave to go up and bury my father, and then come back?" '
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	6	Pharaoh replied, 'Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	7	Joseph went up to bury his father, and with him went all Pharaoh's officials, the dignitaries of his palace and all the dignitaries of Egypt,
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	8	as well as all Joseph's family, his brothers and his father's family. The only people they left behind in Goshen were those unfit to travel, and their flocks and cattle.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	9	Chariots and horsemen went up with him too; it was a very large retinue.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	10	On arriving at Goren-ha-Atad, which is across the Jordan, they there held a long and solemn lamentation, and Joseph observed seven days' mourning for his father.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	11	When the Canaanites, the local inhabitants, witnessed the mourning at Goren-ha-Atad, they said, 'This is a solemn act of mourning by the Egyptians,' which is why the place was given the name Abel-Mizraim-it is across the Jordan.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	12	His sons did what he had ordered them to do for him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	13	His sons carried him to Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field at Machpelah, facing Mamre, which Abraham had bought from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site of his own.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	14	Then Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all those who had come up with him to bury his father.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	15	Seeing that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers said, 'What if Joseph intends to treat us as enemies and pay us back for all the wrong we did him?'
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	16	So they sent this message to Joseph: 'Before your father died, he gave us this order:
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	17	"You are to say to Joseph: Now please forgive the crime and faults of your brothers and all the wrong they did you." So now please forgive the crime of the servants of your father's God.' Joseph wept at the message they sent to him.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	18	Then his brothers went to him themselves and, throwing themselves at his feet, said, 'Take us as your slaves!'
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	19	But Joseph replied, 'Do not be afraid; is it for me to put myself in God's place?
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	20	The evil you planned to do me has by God's design been turned to good, to bring about the present result: the survival of a numerous people.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	21	So there is no need to be afraid; I shall provide for you and your dependants.' In this way he reassured them by speaking affectionately to them.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	22	So Joseph stayed in Egypt with his father's family; and Joseph lived a hundred and ten years.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	23	Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim's line, as also the children of Machir son of Manasseh, who were born on Joseph's lap.
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	24	At length Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am about to die; but God will be sure to remember you kindly and take you out of this country to the country which he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	25	And Joseph put Israel's sons on oath, saying, 'When God remembers you with kindness, be sure to take my bones away from here.'
 Genesis	Ge	1	50	26	Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten; he was embalmed and laid in a coffin in Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	1	These are the names of the Israelites who went with Jacob to Egypt, each of them went with his family:
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	2	Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah,
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	3	Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin,
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	4	Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	5	In all, the descendants of Jacob numbered seventy persons. Joseph was in Egypt already.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	6	Then Joseph died, and his brothers, and all that generation.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	7	But the Israelites were fruitful and prolific; they became so numerous and powerful that eventually the whole land was full of them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	8	Then there came to power in Egypt a new king who had never heard of Joseph.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	9	'Look,' he said to his people, 'the Israelites are now more numerous and stronger than we are.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	10	We must take precautions to stop them from increasing any further, or if war should break out, they might join the ranks of our enemies. They might take arms against us and then escape from the country.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	11	Accordingly they put taskmasters over the Israelites to wear them down by forced labour. In this way they built the store-cities of Pithom and Rameses for Pharaoh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	12	But the harder their lives were made, the more they increased and spread, until people came to fear the Israelites.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	13	So the Egyptians gave them no mercy in the demands they made,
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	14	making their lives miserable with hard labour: with digging clay, making bricks, doing various kinds of field -- work -- all sorts of labour that they imposed on them without mercy.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	15	The king of Egypt then spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was called Shiphrah, and the other Puah.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	16	'When you attend Hebrew women in childbirth,' he said, 'look at the two stones. If it is a boy, kill him; if a girl, let her live.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	17	But the midwives were God-fearing women and did not obey the orders of the king of Egypt, but allowed the boys to live.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	18	So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, 'What do you mean by allowing the boys to live?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	19	The midwives said to Pharaoh, 'Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women, they are hardy and give birth before the midwife can get to them.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	20	For this, God was good to the midwives, and the people went on increasing and growing more powerful;
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	21	and since the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.
 Exodus	Exo	2	1	22	Pharaoh then gave all his people this command: 'Throw every new-born boy into the river, but let all the girls live.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	1	There was a man descended from Levi who had taken a woman of Levi as his wife.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	2	She conceived and gave birth to a son and, seeing what a fine child he was, she kept him hidden for three months.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	3	When she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him; coating it with bitumen and pitch, she put the child inside and laid it among the reeds at the River's edge.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	4	His sister took up position some distance away to see what would happen to him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	5	Now Pharaoh's daughter went down to bathe in the river, while her maids walked along the riverside. Among the reeds she noticed the basket, and she sent her maid to fetch it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	6	She opened it and saw the child: the baby was crying. Feeling sorry for it, she said, 'This is one of the little Hebrews.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	7	The child's sister then said to Pharaoh's daughter, 'Shall I go and find you a nurse among the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	8	'Yes,' said Pharaoh's daughter, and the girl went and called the child's own mother.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	9	Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Take this child away and nurse it for me. I shall pay you myself for doing so.' So the woman took the child away and nursed it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	10	When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter who treated him like a son; she named him Moses 'because', she said, 'I drew him out of the water.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	11	It happened one day, when Moses was grown up, that he went to see his kinsmen. While he was watching their forced labour he also saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his kinsmen.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	12	Looking this way and that and seeing no one in sight, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	13	On the following day he came back, and there were two Hebrews, fighting. He said to the man who was in the wrong, 'What do you mean by hitting your kinsman?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	14	'And who appointed you', the man retorted, 'to be prince over us and judge? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?' Moses was frightened. 'Clearly that business has come to light,' he thought.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	15	When Pharaoh heard of the matter, he tried to put Moses to death, but Moses fled from Pharaoh. He went into Midianite territory and sat down beside a well.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	16	Now there was a priest of Midian with seven daughters. They used to come to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's flock.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	17	Some shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses sprang to their help and watered their flock.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	18	When they returned to their father Reuel, he said to them, 'Why are you back so early today?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	19	'An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds,' they said, 'and he even drew water for us and watered the flock.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	20	'And where is he?' he asked his daughters. 'Why did you leave the man there? Ask him to eat with us.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	21	Moses agreed to stay on there with the man, who gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	22	She gave birth to a son, whom he named Gershom 'because', he said, 'I am an alien in a foreign land.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	23	During this long period the king of Egypt died. The Israelites, groaning in their slavery, cried out for help and from the depths of their slavery their cry came up to God.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	24	God heard their groaning; God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
 Exodus	Exo	2	2	25	God saw the Israelites and took note.
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	1	Moses was looking after the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led it to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	2	The angel of Yahweh appeared to him in a flame blazing from the middle of a bush. Moses looked; there was the bush blazing, but the bush was not being burnt up.
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	3	Moses said, 'I must go across and see this strange sight, and why the bush is not being burnt up.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	4	When Yahweh saw him going across to look, God called to him from the middle of the bush. 'Moses, Moses!' he said. 'Here I am,' he answered.
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	5	'Come no nearer,' he said. 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	6	I am the God of your ancestors,' he said, 'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.' At this Moses covered his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	7	Yahweh then said, 'I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying for help on account of their taskmasters. Yes, I am well aware of their sufferings.
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	8	And I have come down to rescue them from the clutches of the Egyptians and bring them up out of that country, to a country rich and broad, to a country flowing with milk and honey, to the home of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites.
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	9	Yes indeed, the Israelites' cry for help has reached me, and I have also seen the cruel way in which the Egyptians are oppressing them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	10	So now I am sending you to Pharaoh, for you to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	11	Moses said to God, 'Who am I to go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	12	'I shall be with you,' God said, 'and this is the sign by which you will know that I was the one who sent you. After you have led the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	13	Moses then said to God, 'Look, if I go to the Israelites and say to them, "The God of your ancestors has sent me to you," and they say to me, "What is his name?" what am I to tell them?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	14	God said to Moses, 'I am he who is.' And he said, 'This is what you are to say to the Israelites, "I am has sent me to you." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	15	God further said to Moses, 'You are to tell the Israelites, "Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you." This is my name for all time, and thus I am to be invoked for all generations to come.
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	16	'Go, gather the elders of Israel together and tell them, "Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, has appeared to me -- the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob -- and has indeed visited you and seen what is being done to you in Egypt,
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	17	and has said: I shall bring you out of the misery of Egypt to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a country flowing with milk and honey."
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	18	They will listen to your words, and you and the elders of Israel are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, "Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has encountered us. So now please allow us to make a three-days' journey into the desert and sacrifice to Yahweh our God."
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	19	I am well aware that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless he is compelled by a mighty hand;
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	20	he will not let you go until I have stretched out my arm and struck Egypt with all the wonders I intend to work there.
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	21	'I shall ensure that the Egyptians are so much impressed with this people that when you go, you will not go empty-handed.
 Exodus	Exo	2	3	22	Every woman will ask her neighbour and the woman staying in her house for silver and golden jewellery, and clothing. In these you will dress your own sons and daughters, despoiling the Egyptians of them.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	1	Moses replied as follows, 'But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my words, and say to me, "Yahweh has not appeared to you"?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	2	Yahweh then said, 'What is that in your hand?' 'A staff,' he said.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	3	'Throw it on the ground,' said Yahweh. Moses threw it on the ground; the staff turned into a snake and Moses recoiled from it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	4	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Reach out your hand and catch it by the tail.' He reached out his hand, caught it, and in his hand it turned back into a staff.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	5	'Thus they may believe that Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	6	Next, Yahweh said to him, 'Put your hand inside your tunic.' He put his hand inside his tunic, then drew it out again: and his hand was diseased, white as snow.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	7	Yahweh then said, 'Put your hand back inside your tunic.' He put his hand back inside his tunic and when he drew it out, there it was restored, just like the rest of his flesh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	8	'Even so: should they not believe you nor be convinced by the first sign, the second sign will convince them;
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	9	but should they not be convinced by either of these two signs and refuse to listen to what you say, you are to take some water from the River and pour it on the ground, and the water you have taken from the River will turn to blood on the dry land.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	10	Moses said to Yahweh, 'Please, my Lord, I have never been eloquent, even since you have spoken to your servant, for I am slow and hesitant of speech.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	11	'Who gave a person a mouth?' Yahweh said to him. 'Who makes a person dumb or deaf, gives sight or makes blind? Is it not I, Yahweh?
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	12	Now go, I shall help you speak and instruct you what to say.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	13	'Please, my Lord,' Moses replied, 'send anyone you decide to send!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	14	At this, Yahweh's anger kindled against Moses, and he said to him, 'There is your brother Aaron the Levite, is there not? I know that he is a good speaker. Here he comes to meet you. When he sees you, his heart will be full of joy.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	15	You will speak to him and tell him what message to give. I shall help you speak, and him too, and instruct you what to do.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	16	He will speak to the people in your place; he will be your mouthpiece, and you will be as the god inspiring him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	17	And take this staff in your hand; with this you will perform the signs.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	18	Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, 'Give me leave to return to my kinsmen in Egypt and see if they are still alive.' And Jethro said to Moses, 'Go in peace.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	19	Yahweh said to Moses in Midian, 'Go, return to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	20	So Moses took his wife and his son and, putting them on a donkey, started back for Egypt; and Moses took the staff of God in his hand.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	21	Yahweh said to Moses, 'Think of the wonders I have given you power to perform, once you are back in Egypt! You are to perform them before Pharaoh, but I myself shall make him obstinate, and he will not let the people go.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	22	You will then say to Pharaoh, "This is what Yahweh says: Israel is my first-born son.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	23	I told you: Let my son go and worship me; but since you refuse to let him go, well then! I shall put your first-born son to death." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	24	On the journey, when he had halted for the night, Yahweh encountered him and tried to kill him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	25	Then Zipporah, taking up a flint, cut off her son's foreskin and with it touched his feet and said, 'You are my blood-bridegroom!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	26	So he let him go. She said, 'Blood-bridegroom' then, with reference to the circumcision.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	27	Yahweh said to Aaron, 'Go into the desert to meet Moses.' So he went, and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	28	Moses then told Aaron all that Yahweh had said when sending him and all the signs he had ordered him to perform.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	29	Moses and Aaron then went and gathered all the elders of the Israelites together,
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	30	and Aaron repeated everything that Yahweh had said to Moses, and in the sight of the people performed the signs.
 Exodus	Exo	2	4	31	The people were convinced, and they rejoiced that Yahweh had visited the Israelites and seen their misery, and they bowed to the ground in worship.
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	1	After this, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, 'This is what Yahweh, God of Israel, says, "Let my people go, so that they can hold a feast in my honour in the desert." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	2	'Who is Yahweh,' Pharaoh replied, 'for me to obey what he says and let Israel go? I know nothing of Yahweh, and I will not let Israel go.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	3	'The God of the Hebrews has encountered us,' they replied. 'Give us leave to make a three -days' journey into the desert and sacrifice to Yahweh our God, or he will strike us with a plague or with the sword.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	4	The king of Egypt said to them, 'Moses and Aaron, what do you mean by distracting the people from their work? Get back to your forced labour.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	5	And Pharaoh said, 'Now that the people have grown to such numbers in the country, what do you mean by interrupting their forced labour?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	6	That very day, Pharaoh gave the order to the people's taskmasters and their scribes,
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	7	'Do not go on providing the people with straw for brickmaking as before; let them go and gather straw for themselves.
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	8	But you will exact the same quantity of bricks from them as before, not reducing it at all, since they are lazy, and that is why their cry is, "Let us go and sacrifice to our God."
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	9	Give these people more work to do, and see they do it instead of listening to lying speeches.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	10	The people's taskmasters and scribes went out to speak to the people and said, 'Pharaoh says this, "I shall not provide you with any more straw.
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	11	Go and collect straw for yourselves where you can find it. But your output is not to be any less." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	12	So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble for their straw.
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	13	The taskmasters harassed them. 'You must complete your daily quota,' they said, 'just as when the straw was there.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	14	And the Israelites' foremen whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had put in charge of them, were flogged and asked, 'Why have you not fulfilled your quota of bricks made today as before?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	15	The Israelites' foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh. 'Why do you treat your servants like this?' they said.
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	16	'No straw is provided for your servants, yet still the cry is, "Make bricks!" And now your servants are being flogged!. . .'
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	17	'You are lazy, lazy,' he retorted. 'That is why you say, "Let us go and sacrifice to Yahweh."
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	18	Get back to your work at once. You will not be provided with straw; all the same, you will deliver the quota of bricks.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	19	The Israelites' foremen saw they were in a difficult position on being told, 'You will not reduce your daily production of bricks.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	20	As they left Pharaoh's presence, they met Moses and Aaron who were standing in their way.
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	21	'May Yahweh look down at you and judge!' they said to them. 'You have brought us into bad odour with Pharaoh and his officials; you have put a sword into their hand to kill us.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	22	Moses went back to Yahweh and said, 'Lord, why do you treat this people so harshly? Why did you send me?
 Exodus	Exo	2	5	23	Ever since I came to Pharaoh and spoke to him in your name, he has ill-treated this people, and you have done nothing at all about rescuing your people.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	1	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Now you will see what I am going to do to Pharaoh. A mighty hand will force him to let them go, a mighty hand will force him to expel them from his country.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	2	God spoke to Moses and said to him, 'I am Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	3	To Abraham, Isaac and Jacob I appeared as El Shaddai, but I did not make my name Yahweh known to them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	4	I also made my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the country in which they were living as aliens.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	5	Furthermore, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, enslaved by the Egyptians, and have remembered my covenant.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	6	So say to the Israelites, "I am Yahweh. I shall free you from the forced labour of the Egyptians; I shall rescue you from their slavery and I shall redeem you with outstretched arm and mighty acts of judgement.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	7	I shall take you as my people and I shall be your God. And you will know that I am Yahweh your God, who have freed you from the forced labour of the Egyptians.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	8	Then I shall lead you into the country which I swore I would give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and shall give it to you as your heritage, I, Yahweh." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	9	And Moses repeated this to the Israelites, but they would not listen to Moses, so crushed was their spirit and so cruel their slavery.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	10	Yahweh then said to Moses,
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	11	'Go to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and tell him to let the Israelites leave his country.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	12	But Moses spoke out in Yahweh's presence and said, 'The Israelites have not listened to me, so why should Pharaoh take any notice of a poor speaker like me?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	13	Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron and sent them to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	14	These were their heads of families: The sons of Reuben, Israel's first-born: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi: these are the clans of Reuben.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	15	The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul son of the Canaanite woman: these are the clans of Simeon.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	16	These were the names of the sons of Levi with their descendants: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. Levi lived for a hundred and thirty-seven years.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	17	The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, with their clans.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	18	The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. Kohath lived for a hundred and thirty-three years.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	19	The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of Levi with their descendants.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	20	Amram married Jochebed, his aunt, who bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived for a hundred and thirty-seven years.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	21	The sons of Izhar were: Korah, Nepheg and Zichri.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	22	And the sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan and Sithri.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	23	Aaron married Elisheba daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	24	The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah and Abiasaph. These are the clans of the Korahites.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	25	Eleazar, son of Aaron, married one of Putiel's daughters who bore him Phinehas. These were the Levitical heads of families, according to clan.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	26	It was to this Aaron and Moses that Yahweh said, 'Lead the Israelites out of Egypt in their armies.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	27	It was they who spoke to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to lead the Israelites out of Egypt -- namely Moses and Aaron.
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	28	Now the day when Yahweh spoke to Moses in Egypt,
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	29	Yahweh said to Moses, 'Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything that I am going to say to you.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	6	30	But Moses said to Yahweh's face, 'I am a poor speaker, so why should Pharaoh take any notice of me?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	1	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Look, I have made you as a god for Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron is to be your prophet.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	2	You must say whatever I command you, and your brother Aaron will repeat to Pharaoh that he is to let the Israelites leave his country.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	3	But I myself shall make Pharaoh stubborn and shall perform many a sign and wonder in Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	4	Since Pharaoh will not listen to you, I shall lay my hand on Egypt and with great acts of judgement lead my armies, my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	5	And the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh when I stretch out my hand against the Egyptians and lead the Israelites out of their country.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	6	Moses and Aaron did exactly as Yahweh had ordered.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	7	Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three, when they spoke to Pharaoh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	8	Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron,
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	9	'If Pharaoh says to you, "Display some marvel," you must say to Aaron, "Take your staff and throw it down in front of Pharaoh, and let it turn into a serpent!" '
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	10	Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did as Yahweh had ordered. Aaron threw down his staff in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it turned into a serpent.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	11	Then Pharaoh in his turn called for the sages and sorcerers, and by their spells the magicians of Egypt did the same.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	12	Each threw his staff down and these turned into serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up theirs.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	13	Pharaoh, however, remained obstinate and, as Yahweh had foretold, refused to listen to Moses and Aaron.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	14	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Pharaoh is adamant. He refuses to let the people go.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	15	Go to Pharaoh tomorrow morning as he makes his way to the water, confront him on the river bank and in your hand take the staff that turned into a snake.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	16	Say to him, "Yahweh, God of the Hebrews, sent me to say: Let my people go and worship in the desert. Up till now, you have refused to listen.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	17	This is what Yahweh says: You will know that I am Yahweh by this: with the staff that is in my hand I shall strike the waters of the River and they will turn to blood.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	18	The fish in the river will die, and the River will stink, and the Egyptians will not be able to drink the river water." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	19	Yahweh said to Moses, 'Say to Aaron, "Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt -- over their rivers and canals, their marshland, and all their reservoirs -- and they will turn to blood. There will be blood throughout the whole of Egypt, even in sticks and stones,"
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	20	Moses and Aaron did as Yahweh ordered. He raised his staff and struck the waters of the River, with Pharaoh and his officials looking on, and all the water in the River turned to blood.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	21	The fish in the River died, and the River stank; and the Egyptians could no longer drink the River water. Throughout the whole of Egypt there was blood.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	22	But by their spells the magicians of Egypt did the same; Pharaoh remained obstinate and, as Yahweh had foretold, refused to listen to Moses and Aaron.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	23	Pharaoh turned away and went back into his palace, taking no notice even of this.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	24	And the Egyptians all dug holes along the river-bank in search of drinking water, since they could not drink the River water.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	25	After Yahweh struck the River, seven days went by.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	26	Then Yahweh said to Moses, 'Go to Pharaoh and say to him, "Yahweh says this: Let my people go and worship me.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	27	If you refuse to let them go, I shall strike your whole territory with frogs.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	28	The River will swarm with frogs; they will make their way into your palace, into your bedroom, onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and subjects, into your ovens, into your kneading bowls.
 Exodus	Exo	2	7	29	The frogs will actually clamber onto you, onto your subjects and onto all your officials." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	1	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Say to Aaron, "Stretch out your hand with your staff, over the rivers, the canals and the marshland, and bring the frogs up over the land of Egypt." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	2	So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	3	But by their spells the magicians did the same, bringing frogs over the land of Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	4	Pharaoh then summoned Moses and Aaron and said, 'Entreat Yahweh to take the frogs away from me and my subjects, and I promise to let the people go and sacrifice to Yahweh.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	5	Moses said to Pharaoh, 'You are the one to gain by it: when would you like me to pray for you, your officials and your subjects, so as to rid you and your houses of the frogs so that they will be left only in the River?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	6	'Tomorrow,' he said. Moses said, 'It shall be as you say, so that you will know that there is no one like Yahweh our God.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	7	The frogs will leave you, your houses, your officials and your subjects and will be left only in the River.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	8	Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh's presence, and Moses pleaded with Yahweh about the frogs which he had inflicted on Pharaoh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	9	Yahweh did as Moses asked, and in house and courtyard and field the frogs died.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	10	They piled them up in heaps and the country stank.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	11	But once Pharaoh saw that there had been a respite, he became obstinate and, as Yahweh had foretold, refused to listen to them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	12	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Say to Aaron, "Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, and it will turn into mosquitoes throughout the whole of Egypt." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	13	Aaron stretched out his hand, with his staff, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were mosquitoes on man and beast; all the dust of the earth turned into mosquitoes throughout the whole of Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	14	By their spells the magicians tried to produce mosquitoes in the same way but failed, and there were mosquitoes on man and beast.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	15	So the magicians said to Pharaoh, 'This is the finger of God.' But Pharaoh was obstinate and, as Yahweh had foretold, refused to listen to them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	16	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Get up early in the morning and confront Pharaoh as he makes his way to the water. Say to him, "Yahweh says this: Let my people go and worship me.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	17	But if you will not let my people go, I shall send horseflies on you, on your officials, your subjects and your houses. The Egyptians' houses will swarm with horseflies, and so will the very ground they stand on.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	18	But I shall exempt the region of Goshen, where my people are living, that day; there will be no horseflies there, so that you will know that I am Yahweh, here in this country.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	19	I shall make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	20	Yahweh did this, and great swarms of horseflies found their way into Pharaoh's palace, into his officials' houses and all over Egypt; the country was ruined by the horseflies.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	21	Pharaoh then summoned Moses and Aaron and said, 'Go and sacrifice to your God, inside the country.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	22	'That would never do,' Moses said, 'since what we sacrifice to Yahweh our God is outrageous to the Egyptians. If the Egyptians see us offering sacrifices which outrage them, won't they stone us?
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	23	We shall make a three-days' journey into the desert to sacrifice to Yahweh our God, as he has ordered us.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	24	Pharaoh said, 'I will let you go and sacrifice to Yahweh your God in the desert, provided you do not go very far. Pray for me.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	25	'The moment I leave you,' Moses said, 'I shall pray to Yahweh. Tomorrow morning the horseflies will leave Pharaoh, his officials and his subjects. But Pharaoh must stop trifling with us by not allowing the people to go and sacrifice to Yahweh.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	26	Moses then left Pharaoh's presence and prayed to Yahweh,
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	27	and Yahweh did as Moses asked; the horseflies left Pharaoh, his officials and his subjects; not one remained.
 Exodus	Exo	2	8	28	But Pharaoh became obstinate this time too and did not let the people go.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	1	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Go to Pharaoh and say to him, "Yahweh, God of the Hebrews, says this: Let my people go and worship me.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	2	If you refuse to let them go and detain them any longer,
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	3	look, the hand of Yahweh will strike your livestock in the fields, horses, donkeys, camels, oxen and flocks with a deadly plague.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	4	Yahweh will discriminate between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt: nothing of what belongs to the Israelites will die.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	5	Yahweh has fixed the time. Tomorrow, he has said, Yahweh will do this in the country." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	6	Next day Yahweh did this: all the Egyptians' livestock died, but nothing of the livestock owned by the Israelites died.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	7	Pharaoh had enquiries made, and found that of the livestock owned by the Israelites not a single beast had died. But Pharaoh was obstinate and did not let the people go.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	8	Yahweh then said to Moses and Aaron, 'Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and before Pharaoh's eyes let Moses throw it in the air.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	9	It will turn into fine dust over the whole of Egypt and produce boils breaking into sores on man and beast throughout the whole of Egypt.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	10	So they took soot from the kiln and stood in front of Pharaoh, and Moses threw it in the air, and on man and beast it brought out boils breaking into sores.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	11	And the magicians could not compete with Moses in the matter of the boils, for the magicians were covered with boils like all the other Egyptians.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	12	But Yahweh made Pharaoh stubborn and, as Yahweh had foretold to Moses, he did not listen to them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	13	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Get up early in the morning and confront Pharaoh. Say to him, "Yahweh, God of the Hebrews, says this: Let my people go and worship me.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	14	For this time I am going to inflict all my plagues on you, on your officials and on your subjects, so that you will know that there is no one like me in the whole world.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	15	Had I stretched out my hand to strike you and your subjects with pestilence, you would have been swept from the earth.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	16	But I have let you survive for this reason: to display my power to you and to have my name talked of throughout the world.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	17	Since you take a high hand with my people, refusing to let them go,
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	18	very well, at about this time tomorrow, I shall cause so severe a hail to fall as was never known in Egypt from the day of its foundation until now.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	19	So now send word to have your livestock and everything else you own in the fields put under cover. On man or beast, all that happen to be in the fields and are not brought indoors, the hail will fall and they will die." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	20	Those of Pharaoh's officials who respected what Yahweh said, brought their slaves and livestock indoors,
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	21	but those who did not take to heart what Yahweh said left their slaves and livestock in the fields.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	22	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand towards heaven so that it hails throughout the whole of Egypt, on man and beast and on everything growing anywhere in Egypt.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	23	Moses stretched out his staff towards heaven, and Yahweh thundered and rained down hail. Lightning struck the earth and Yahweh rained down hail on Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	24	And so there was hail, and lightning accompanied the hail, very severe, such as had never been known anywhere in Egypt since it first became a nation.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	25	All over Egypt the hail struck down everything in the fields, man and beast, and the hail beat down everything growing in the fields and shattered all the trees in the fields.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	26	The only place where there was no hail was in the Goshen region, where the Israelites lived.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	27	Pharaoh then sent for Moses and Aaron and said, 'This time, I have sinned. Yahweh is in the right; I and my subjects are in the wrong.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	28	Pray to Yahweh, for we cannot bear any more of this thunder and hail. I promise to let you go. You need stay no longer.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	29	Moses said to him, 'The moment I leave the city I shall stretch out my hands to Yahweh. The thunder will stop, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth belongs to Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	30	But as for you and your officials, I know very well that you still have no respect for Yahweh God.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	31	The flax and the barley were ruined, since the barley was in the ear and the flax in bud,
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	32	but the wheat and spelt were not destroyed, being late crops.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	33	Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. He stretched out his hands to Yahweh and the thunder and hail ceased and the rain stopped pouring down on the earth.
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	34	When Pharaoh saw that rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he relapsed into sin,
 Exodus	Exo	2	9	35	and he and his officials became obstinate again. Pharaoh was stubborn and, as Yahweh had foretold through Moses, refused to let the Israelites go.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	1	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Go to Pharaoh, for I have made him and his officials stubborn, to display these signs of mine among them;
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	2	so that you can tell your sons and your grandsons how I made fools of the Egyptians and what signs I performed among them, so that you would know that I am Yahweh.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	3	Moses and Aaron then went to Pharaoh and said to him, 'Yahweh, God of the Hebrews, says this, "How much longer will you refuse to submit to me? Let my people go and worship me.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	4	Or, if you refuse to let my people go, tomorrow I shall send locusts into your country.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	5	They will cover the surface of the soil so that the soil cannot be seen. They will devour the remainder of what has escaped, of what you have been left after the hail; they will devour all your trees growing in the fields;
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	6	they will fill your houses, all your officials' houses and all the Egyptians' houses -- something your ancestors and your ancestors' ancestors have never seen from the day they first appeared on earth until now." ' Then he turned on his heel and left Pharaoh's presence.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	7	At which, Pharaoh's officials said to him, 'How much longer are we to be tricked by this fellow? Let the people go and worship Yahweh their God. Do you not finally realise that Egypt is on the brink of ruin?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	8	So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh who said to them, 'Go and worship Yahweh your God. But who are to go?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	9	Moses replied, 'We shall take our young men and our old men, we shall take our sons and daughters, our flocks and our herds, since we are going to hold a feast in Yahweh's honour.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	10	Pharaoh said, 'So I must let you go with your wives and children! May Yahweh preserve you! Plainly, you are up to no good!
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	11	Oh no! You men may go and worship Yahweh, since that was your original request.' With that, they were driven from Pharaoh's presence.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	12	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand over Egypt for the locusts. Let them invade Egypt and devour whatever is growing in the country, whatever the hail has left!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	13	Moses stretched his staff over Egypt, and over the country Yahweh sent an east wind which blew all that day and night. By morning, the east wind had brought the locusts.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	14	The locusts invaded the whole of Egypt and settled all over Egypt, in great swarms; never had there been so many locusts before, nor would there be again.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	15	They covered the surface of the ground till the land was devastated. They devoured whatever was growing in the fields and all the fruit on the trees that the hail had left. No green was left on tree or plant in the fields anywhere in Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	16	Pharaoh sent urgently for Moses and Aaron and said, 'I have sinned against Yahweh your God and against you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	17	Now forgive my sin, I implore you, just this once, and entreat Yahweh your God to turn this deadly thing away from me.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	18	When Moses left Pharaoh's presence he prayed to Yahweh,
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	19	and Yahweh changed the wind into a west wind, very strong, which carried the locusts away and swept them into the Sea of Reeds. There was not one locust left in the whole of Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	20	But Yahweh made Pharaoh stubborn, and he did not let the Israelites go.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	21	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand towards heaven, and let darkness, darkness so thick that it can be felt, cover Egypt.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	22	So Moses stretched out his hand towards heaven, and for three days there was thick darkness over the whole of Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	23	No one could see anyone else or move about for three days, but all the Israelites did have light where they were living.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	24	Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, 'Go and worship Yahweh, but your flocks and herds are to stay here. Your wives and children can go with you too.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	25	Moses said, 'But now you must give us sacrifices and burnt offerings to offer to Yahweh our God.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	26	And our livestock will go with us too; not a hoof will be left behind; for we may need animals from these to worship Yahweh our God; for until we get there we ourselves cannot tell how we are to worship Yahweh.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	27	But Yahweh made Pharaoh stubborn, and he refused to let them go.
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	28	Pharaoh said to Moses, 'Out of my sight! Be sure you never see my face again, for the next time you see my face you die!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	10	29	Moses then said, 'You yourself have said it. I shall never see your face again.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	11	1	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'I shall inflict one more plague on Pharaoh and Egypt, after which he will let you go away. When he lets you go, he will actually drive you out!
 Exodus	Exo	2	11	2	Now instruct the people that every man is to ask his neighbour, and every woman hers, for silver and golden jewellery.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	11	3	And Yahweh made the Egyptians impressed with the people, while Moses himself was a man of great importance in Egypt in the opinion of Pharaoh's officials and the people.
 Exodus	Exo	2	11	4	Moses then said, 'Yahweh says this, "At midnight I shall pass through Egypt,
 Exodus	Exo	2	11	5	and all the first-born in Egypt will die, from the first-born of Pharaoh, heir to his throne, to the first-born of the slave-girl at the mill, and all the first-born of the livestock.
 Exodus	Exo	2	11	6	And throughout Egypt there will be great wailing, such as never was before, nor will be again.
 Exodus	Exo	2	11	7	But against the Israelites, whether man or beast, never a dog shall bark, so that you may know that Yahweh discriminates between Egypt and Israel.
 Exodus	Exo	2	11	8	Then all these officials of yours will come down to me and, bowing low before me, say: Go away, you and all the people who follow you! After which, I shall go." ' And, hot with anger, he left Pharaoh's presence.
 Exodus	Exo	2	11	9	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that more of my wonders may be displayed in Egypt.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	11	10	Moses and Aaron worked all these wonders in Pharaoh's presence, but Yahweh made Pharaoh stubborn, and he did not let the Israelites leave his country.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	1	Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	2	'This month must be the first of all the months for you, the first month of your year.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	3	Speak to the whole community of Israel and say, "On the tenth day of this month each man must take an animal from the flock for his family: one animal for each household.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	4	If the household is too small for the animal, he must join with his neighbour nearest to his house, depending on the number of persons. When you choose the animal, you will take into account what each can eat.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	5	It must be an animal without blemish, a male one year old; you may choose it either from the sheep or from the goats.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	6	You must keep it till the fourteenth day of the month when the whole assembly of the community of Israel will slaughter it at twilight.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	7	Some of the blood must then be taken and put on both door-posts and the lintel of the houses where it is eaten.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	8	That night, the flesh must be eaten, roasted over the fire; it must be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	9	Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with the head, feet and entrails.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	10	You must not leave any of it over till the morning: whatever is left till morning you must burn.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	11	This is how you must eat it: with a belt round your waist, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. You must eat it hurriedly: it is a Passover in Yahweh's honour.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	12	That night, I shall go through Egypt and strike down all the first-born in Egypt, man and beast alike, and shall execute justice on all the gods of Egypt, I, Yahweh!
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	13	The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are. When I see the blood I shall pass over you, and you will escape the destructive plague when I strike Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	14	This day must be commemorated by you, and you must keep it as a feast in Yahweh's honour. You must keep it as a feast-day for all generations; this is a decree for all time.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	15	"For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you must clean the leaven out of your houses, for anyone who eats leavened bread from the first to the seventh day must be outlawed from Israel.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	16	On the first day you must hold a sacred assembly, and on the seventh day a sacred assembly. On those days no work may be done; you will prepare only what each requires to eat.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	17	You must keep the feast of Unleavened Bread because it was on that same day that I brought your armies out of Egypt. You will keep that day, generation after generation; this is a decree for all time.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	18	In the first month, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day, you must eat unleavened bread.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	19	For seven days there may be no leaven in your houses, since anyone, either stranger or citizen of the country, who eats leavened bread will be outlawed from the community of Israel.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	20	You will eat nothing with leaven in it; wherever you live, you will eat unleavened bread." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	21	Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, 'Go and choose a lamb or kid for your families, and kill the Passover victim.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	22	Then take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and with the blood from the basin touch the lintel and both door-posts; then let none of you venture out of the house till morning.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	23	Then, when Yahweh goes through Egypt to strike it, and sees the blood on the lintel and on both door-posts, he will pass over the door and not allow the Destroyer to enter your homes and strike.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	24	You will observe this as a decree binding you and your children for all time,
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	25	and when you have entered the country which Yahweh will give you, as he has promised, you will observe this ritual.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	26	And when your children ask you, "What does this ritual mean?"
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	27	you will tell them, "It is the Passover sacrifice in honour of Yahweh who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt, and struck Egypt but spared our houses." ' And the people bowed in worship.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	28	The Israelites then went away and did as Yahweh had ordered Moses and Aaron.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	29	And at midnight Yahweh struck down all the first-born in Egypt from the first-born of Pharaoh, heir to his throne, to the first-born of the prisoner in the dungeon, and the first-born of all the livestock.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	30	Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up in the night, and there was great wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without its dead.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	31	It was still dark when Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, 'Up, leave my subjects, you and the Israelites! Go and worship Yahweh as you have asked!
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	32	And take your flocks and herds as you have asked, and go! And bless me too!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	33	The Egyptians urged the people on and hurried them out of the country because, they said, 'Otherwise we shall all be dead.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	34	So the people carried off their dough still unleavened, their bowls wrapped in their cloaks, on their shoulders.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	35	The Israelites did as Moses had told them and asked the Egyptians for silver and golden jewellery, and clothing.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	36	Yahweh made the Egyptians so much impressed with the people that they gave them what they asked. So they despoiled the Egyptians.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	37	The Israelites left Rameses for Succoth, about six hundred thousand on the march-men, that is, not counting their families.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	38	A mixed crowd of people went with them, and flocks and herds, quantities of livestock.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	39	And with the dough which they had brought from Egypt they baked unleavened cakes, because the dough had not risen, since they had been driven out of Egypt without time to linger or to prepare food for themselves.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	40	The time that the Israelites spent in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	41	And on the very day the four hundred and thirty years ended, all Yahweh's armies left Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	42	The night when Yahweh kept vigil to bring them out of Egypt must be kept as a vigil in honour of Yahweh by all Israelites, for all generations.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	43	Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, 'This is the ritual for the Passover: no alien may eat it,
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	44	but any slave bought for money may eat it, once you have circumcised him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	45	No stranger and no hired servant may eat it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	46	It must be eaten in one house alone; you will not take any of the meat out of the house; nor may you break any of its bones.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	47	'The whole community of Israel must keep it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	48	Should a stranger residing with you wish to keep the Passover in honour of Yahweh, all the males of his household must be circumcised: he will then be allowed to keep it and will count as a citizen of the country. But no uncircumcised person may eat it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	49	The same law will apply to the citizen and the stranger resident among you.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	50	The Israelites all did as Yahweh had ordered Moses and Aaron,
 Exodus	Exo	2	12	51	and that same day Yahweh brought the Israelites out of Egypt in their armies.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	2	'Consecrate all the first-born to me, the first birth from every womb, among the Israelites. Whether man or beast, it is mine.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	3	Moses said to the people, 'Remember this day, on which you came out of Egypt, from the place of slave-labour, for by the strength of his hand Yahweh brought you out of it; no leavened bread may be eaten.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	4	On this day, in the month of Abib, you are leaving,
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	5	and when Yahweh has brought you into the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, flowing with milk and honey, which he swore to your ancestors that he would give you, then you must observe this rite in the same month.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	6	For seven days you will eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there must be a feast in Yahweh's honour.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	7	During these seven days unleavened bread may be eaten; no leavened bread may be seen among you, no leaven among you throughout your territory.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	8	And on that day you will explain to your son, "This is because of what Yahweh did for me when I came out of Egypt."
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	9	This will serve as a sign on your hand would serve, or a reminder on your forehead, and in that way the law of Yahweh will be ever on your lips: for with a mighty hand Yahweh brought you out of Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	10	You shall observe this law at its appointed time, year by year.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	11	'When Yahweh has brought you into the Canaanites' country, as he swore to you and your ancestors that he would, and given it to you,
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	12	to Yahweh you must make over whatever first issues from the womb, and every first-born cast by animals belonging to you: these males belong to Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	13	But every first-born donkey you will redeem with a lamb or kid; if you do not redeem it, you must break its neck. All the human first-born, however, among your sons, you will redeem.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	14	And when your son asks you in days to come, "What does this mean?" you will tell him, "By the strength of his hand Yahweh brought us out of Egypt, out of the place of slave-labour.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	15	When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, Yahweh killed all the first-born in Egypt, of man and beast alike. This is why I sacrifice every male first issuing from the womb to Yahweh and redeem every first-born of my sons."
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	16	This will serve as a sign on your hand would serve, or a headband on your forehead, for by the strength of his hand Yahweh brought us out of Egypt.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	17	When Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not let them take the road to the Philistines' territory, although that was the shortest, 'in case', God thought, 'the prospect of fighting makes the people change their minds and turn back to Egypt.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	18	Instead, God led the people a roundabout way through the desert of the Sea of Reeds. The Israelites left Egypt fully armed.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	19	Moses took with him the bones of Joseph, since Joseph had put the Israelites on solemn oath with the words, 'It is sure that God will visit you,' he had said, 'and when that day comes you must take my bones away from here with you.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	20	They set out from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the desert.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	21	Yahweh preceded them, by day in a pillar of cloud to show them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could march by day and by night.
 Exodus	Exo	2	13	22	The pillar of cloud never left its place ahead of the people during the day, nor the pillar of fire during the night.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	2	'Tell the Israelites to turn back and pitch camp in front of Pi-Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, facing Baal-Zephon. You must pitch your camp opposite this place, beside the sea,
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	3	and then Pharaoh will think, "The Israelites are wandering to and fro in the countryside; the desert has closed in on them."
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	4	I shall then make Pharaoh stubborn and he will set out in pursuit of them; and I shall win glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh and his whole army, and then the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh.' And the Israelites did this.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	5	When Pharaoh king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, he and his officials changed their attitude towards the people. 'What have we done,' they said, 'allowing Israel to leave our service?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	6	So Pharaoh had his chariot harnessed and set out with his troops,
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	7	taking six hundred of the best chariots and all the other chariots in Egypt, with officers in each.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	8	Yahweh made Pharaoh king of Egypt stubborn, and he gave chase to the Israelites. The Israelites marched confidently away,
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	9	but the Egyptians, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, his horsemen and his army, gave chase and caught up with them where they lay encamped beside the sea near Pi-Hahiroth, facing Baal-Zephon.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	10	As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up -- and there were the Egyptians in pursuit of them! The Israelites were terrified and cried out to Yahweh for help.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	11	To Moses they said, 'Was it for lack of graves in Egypt, that you had to lead us out to die in the desert? What was the point of bringing us out of Egypt?
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	12	Did we not tell you as much in Egypt? Leave us alone, we said, we would rather work for the Egyptians! We prefer to work for the Egyptians than to die in the desert!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	13	Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid! Stand firm, and you will see what Yahweh will do to rescue you today: the Egyptians you see today you will never see again.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	14	Yahweh will do the fighting for you; all you need to do is to keep calm.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	15	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Why cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to march on.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	16	Your part is to raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can walk through the sea on dry ground,
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	17	while I, for my part, shall make the Egyptians so stubborn that they will follow them, and I shall win glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh and all his army, chariots and horsemen.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	18	And when I have won glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh and his chariots and horsemen, the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	19	Then the angel of God, who preceded the army of Israel, changed station and followed behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from their front and took position behind them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	20	It came between the army of the Egyptians and the army of Israel. The cloud was dark, and the night passed without the one drawing any closer to the other the whole night long.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	21	Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Yahweh drove the sea back with a strong easterly wind all night and made the sea into dry land. The waters were divided
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	22	and the Israelites went on dry ground right through the sea, with walls of water to right and left of them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	23	The Egyptians gave chase, and all Pharaoh's horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea after them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	24	In the morning watch, Yahweh looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud and threw the Egyptian army into confusion.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	25	He so clogged their chariot wheels that they drove on only with difficulty, which made the Egyptians say, 'Let us flee from Israel, for Yahweh is fighting on their side against the Egyptians!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	26	Then Yahweh said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand over the sea and let the waters flow back on the Egyptians and on their chariots and their horsemen.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	27	Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and, as day broke, the sea returned to its bed. The fleeing Egyptians ran straight into it, and Yahweh overthrew the Egyptians in the middle of the sea.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	28	The returning waters washed right over the chariots and horsemen of Pharaoh's entire army, which had followed the Israelites into the sea; not a single one of them was left.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	29	The Israelites, however, had marched through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water to right and left of them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	30	That day, Yahweh rescued Israel from the clutches of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the sea-shore.
 Exodus	Exo	2	14	31	When Israel saw the mighty deed that Yahweh had performed against the Egyptians, the people revered Yahweh and put their faith in Yahweh and in Moses, his servant.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	1	It was then that Moses and the Israelites sang this song in Yahweh's honour: I shall sing to Yahweh, for he has covered himself in glory, horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	2	Yah is my strength and my song, to him I owe my deliverance. He is my God and I shall praise him, my father's God and I shall extol him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	3	Yahweh is a warrior; Yahweh is his name.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	4	Pharaoh's chariots and army he has hurled into the sea the pick of his officers have been drowned in the Sea of Reeds.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	5	The ocean has closed over them; they have sunk to the bottom like a stone.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	6	Your right hand, Yahweh, wins glory by its strength, your right hand, Yahweh, shatters your foes,
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	7	and by your great majesty you fell your assailants; you unleash your fury, it consumes them like chaff.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	8	A blast from your nostrils and the waters piled high; the waves stood firm as a dyke; the bed of the sea became firm ground.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	9	The enemy said, 'I shall give chase and overtake, 'I shall share out the spoil and glut myself on them, 'I shall draw my sword, my hand will destroy them.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	10	You blew with your breath, the sea closed over them; they sank like lead in the terrible waters.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	11	Yahweh, who is like you, majestic in sanctity, who like you among the holy ones, fearsome of deed, worker of wonders?
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	12	You stretched your right hand out, the earth swallowed them!
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	13	In your faithful love you led out the people you had redeemed, in your strength you have guided them to your holy dwelling.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	14	Hearing of this, the peoples tremble; pangs seize on the people of Philistia;
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	15	the chieftains of Edom are dismayed, Moab's princes -- panic has seized them, all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	16	On them fall terror and dread; through the power of your arm they are still as stone while your people are passing, Yahweh, while the people you have purchased are passing.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	17	You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain which is your heritage, the place which you, Yahweh, have made your dwelling, the sanctuary, Yahweh, prepared by your own hands.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	18	Yahweh will be king for ever and ever.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	19	For when Pharaoh's cavalry, with his chariots and horsemen, had gone into the sea, Yahweh brought the waters of the sea back over them, though the Israelites went on dry ground right through the sea.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	20	The prophetess Miriam, Aaron's sister, took up a tambourine, and all the women followed her with tambourines, dancing,
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	21	while Miriam took up from them the refrain: Sing to Yahweh, for he has covered himself in glory, horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	22	Moses led Israel away from the Sea of Reeds, and they entered the desert of Shur. They then travelled through the desert for three days without finding water.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	23	When they reached Marah, they could not drink the Marah water because it was bitter; this is why the place was named Marah.
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	24	The people complained to Moses saying, 'What are we to drink?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	25	Moses appealed to Yahweh for help, and Yahweh showed him a piece of wood. When Moses threw it into the water, the water became sweet. There he laid down a statute and law for them and there he put them to the test. Then he said,
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	26	'If you listen carefully to the voice of Yahweh your God and do what he regards as right, if you pay attention to his commandments and keep all his laws, I shall never inflict on you any of the diseases that I inflicted on the Egyptians, for I am Yahweh your Healer.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	15	27	So they came to Elim where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees; and there they pitched camp beside the water.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	1	Setting out from Elim, the whole community of Israelites entered the desert of Sin, lying between Elim and Sinai -- on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	2	And the whole community of Israelites began complaining about Moses and Aaron in the desert
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	3	and said to them, 'Why did we not die at Yahweh's hand in Egypt, where we used to sit round the flesh pots and could eat to our heart's content! As it is, you have led us into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	4	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Look, I shall rain down bread for you from the heavens. Each day the people must go out and collect their ration for the day; I propose to test them in this way to see whether they will follow my law or not.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	5	On the sixth day, however, when they prepare what they have brought in, this must be twice as much as they collect on ordinary days.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	6	Moses and Aaron then said to the whole community of Israelites, 'This evening you will know that it was Yahweh who brought you out of Egypt,
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	7	and tomorrow morning you will see the glory of Yahweh, for Yahweh has heard your complaints about him. What are we, that your complaint should be against us?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	8	Moses then said, 'This evening Yahweh will give you meat to eat, and tomorrow morning bread to your heart's content, for Yahweh has heard your complaints about him. What do we count for? Your complaints are not against us, but against Yahweh.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	9	Moses then said to Aaron, 'Say to the whole community of Israelites, "Approach Yahweh's presence, for he has heard your complaints." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	10	As Aaron was speaking to the whole community of Israelites, they turned towards the desert, and there the glory of Yahweh appeared in the cloud.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	11	Yahweh then spoke to Moses and said,
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	12	'I have heard the Israelites' complaints. Speak to them as follows, "At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will have bread to your heart's content, and then you will know that I am Yahweh your God." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	13	That evening, quails flew in and covered the camp, and next morning there was a layer of dew all round the camp.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	14	When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the desert was something fine and granular, as fine as hoarfrost on the ground.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	15	As soon as the Israelites saw this, they said to one another, 'What is that ?' not knowing what it was. 'That', Moses told them, 'is the food which Yahweh has given you to eat.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	16	These are Yahweh's orders: Each of you must collect as much as he needs to eat -- a homer per head for each person in his tent.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	17	The Israelites did this. They collected it, some more, some less.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	18	When they measured out what they had collected by the homer, no one who had collected more had too much, no one who had collected less had too little. Each had collected as much as he needed to eat.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	19	Moses then said, 'No one may keep any of it for tomorrow.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	20	But some of them took no notice of Moses and kept part of it for the following day, and it bred maggots and smelt foul; and Moses was angry with them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	21	Morning by morning they collected it, each man as much as he needed to eat, and once the sun grew hot, it melted away.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	22	Now, on the sixth day they collected twice the amount of food: two homer per person, and all the leaders of the community came and told Moses this.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	23	Moses replied, 'This is what Yahweh said, "Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a Sabbath sacred to Yahweh. Bake what you want to bake, boil what you want to boil; put aside what is left over, to be kept for tomorrow."
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	24	So, as Moses ordered, they put it aside for the following day, and its smell was not foul nor were there maggots in it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	25	'Eat it today,' Moses said, 'for today is a Sabbath for Yahweh; you will find none in the fields today.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	26	For six days you will collect it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	27	On the seventh day some of the people went out to collect it, but they found none.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	28	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'How much longer will you refuse to obey my commandments and laws?
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	29	Look, Yahweh has given you the Sabbath; this is why he gives you two days' food on the sixth day; each of you must stay in his place; on the seventh day no one may leave his home.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	30	So on the seventh day the people rested.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	31	The House of Israel named it 'manna'. It was like coriander seed; it was white and its taste was like that of wafers made with honey.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	32	Moses then said, 'These are Yahweh's orders: Fill a homer with it and preserve it for your descendants, so that they can see the bread on which I fed you in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	33	Moses then said to Aaron, 'Take a jar and in it put a full homer of manna and store it in Yahweh's presence, to be kept for your descendants.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	34	Accordingly, Aaron stored it in front of the Testimony, to be preserved, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	35	The Israelites ate manna for forty years, up to the time they reached inhabited country: they ate manna up to the time they reached the frontiers of Canaan.
 Exodus	Exo	2	16	36	A homer is one-tenth of an ephah.
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	1	The whole community of Israelites left the desert of Sin, travelling by stages as Yahweh ordered. They pitched camp at Rephidim where there was no water for the people to drink.
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	2	The people took issue with Moses for this and said, 'Give us water to drink.' Moses replied, 'Why take issue with me? Why do you put Yahweh to the test?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	3	But tormented by thirst, the people complained to Moses. 'Why did you bring us out of Egypt,' they said, 'only to make us, our children and our livestock, die of thirst?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	4	Moses appealed to Yahweh for help. 'How am I to deal with this people?' he said. 'Any moment now they will stone me!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	5	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Go on ahead of the people, taking some of the elders of Israel with you; in your hand take the staff with which you struck the River, and go.
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	6	I shall be waiting for you there on the rock (at Horeb). Strike the rock, and water will come out for the people to drink.' This was what Moses did, with the elders of Israel looking on.
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	7	He gave the place the names Massah and Meribah because of the Israelites' contentiousness and because they put Yahweh to the test by saying, 'Is Yahweh with us, or not?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	8	The Amalekites then came and attacked Israel at Rephidim.
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	9	Moses said to Joshua, 'Pick some men and tomorrow morning go out and engage Amalek. I, for my part, shall take my stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	10	Joshua did as Moses had told him and went out to engage Amalek, while Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	11	As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage; when he let his arms fall, the advantage went to Amalek.
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	12	But Moses' arms grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him and on this he sat, with Aaron and Hur supporting his arms on each side. Thus his arms remained unwavering till sunset,
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	13	and Joshua defeated Amalek, putting their people to the sword.
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	14	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Write this down in a book to commemorate it, and repeat it over to Joshua, for I shall blot out all memory of Amalek under heaven.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	15	Moses then built an altar and named it Yahweh-Nissi
 Exodus	Exo	2	17	16	meaning, 'Lay hold of Yahweh's banner! Yahweh will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	1	Jethro, priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, had heard all about what God had done for Moses and for Israel his people: how Yahweh had brought Israel out of Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	2	Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, then took back Zipporah, Moses' wife, whom Moses had sent home,
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	3	with her two sons; one of them was called Gershom because, he had said, 'I am an alien in a foreign land,'
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	4	and the other called Eliezer because 'My father's God is my help and has delivered me from Pharaoh's sword.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	5	Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, with Moses' sons and wife, came to Moses in the desert where he was encamped, at the mountain of God.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	6	'Here is your father-in-law Jethro approaching', Moses was told, 'with your wife and her two sons.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	7	So Moses went out to greet his father-in-law, bowed low to him and kissed him; and when each had asked how the other was they went into the tent.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	8	Moses then told his father-in-law all about what Yahweh had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and about all the hardships that they had encountered on the way, and how Yahweh had rescued them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	9	And Jethro was delighted at all Yahweh's goodness to Israel in having rescued them from the clutches of the Egyptians.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	10	'Blessed be Yahweh', Jethro exclaimed, 'for having rescued you from the clutches of the Egyptians and the clutches of Pharaoh, for having rescued the people from the grasp of the Egyptians!
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	11	Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all other gods. . .'
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	12	Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, then offered a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God; and Aaron and all the elders of Israel came and ate with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	13	On the following day, Moses took his seat to administer justice for the people, and the people were standing round him from morning till evening.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	14	Seeing all he did for the people, Moses' father-in-law said to him, 'Why do you do this for the people, why sit here alone with the people standing round you from morning till evening?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	15	Moses replied to his father-in-law, 'Because the people come to me to consult God.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	16	When they have a problem they come to me, and I give a ruling between the one and the other and make God's statutes and laws known to them.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	17	Moses' father-in-law then said to him, 'What you are doing is not right.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	18	You will only tire yourself out, and the people with you too, for the work is too heavy for you. You cannot do it all yourself.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	19	Now listen to the advice I am going to give you, and God be with you! Your task is to represent the people to God, to lay their cases before God,
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	20	and to teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way they ought to follow and how they ought to behave.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	21	At the same time, from the people at large choose capable and God-fearing men, men who are trustworthy and incorruptible, and put them in charge of them as heads of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens,
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	22	and make them the people's permanent judges. They will refer all important matters to you, but all minor matters they will decide themselves, so making things easier for you by sharing the burden with you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	23	If you do this -- and may God so command you -- you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	24	Moses took his father-in-law's advice and did just as he said.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	25	Moses chose capable men from all Israel and put them in charge of the people as heads of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	26	These acted as the people's permanent judges. They referred hard cases to Moses but decided minor matters themselves.
 Exodus	Exo	2	18	27	Moses then set his father-in-law on his way, and he travelled back to his own country.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	1	Three months to the day after leaving Egypt, the Israelites reached the desert of Sinai.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	2	Setting out from Rephidim, they reached the desert of Sinai and pitched camp in the desert; there, facing the mountain, Israel pitched camp.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	3	Moses then went up to God, and Yahweh called to him from the mountain, saying, 'Say this to the House of Jacob! Tell the Israelites,
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	4	"You have seen for yourselves what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you away on eagle's wings and brought you to me.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	5	So now, if you are really prepared to obey me and keep my covenant, you, out of all peoples, shall be my personal possession, for the whole world is mine.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	6	For me you shall be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation." Those are the words you are to say to the Israelites.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	7	So Moses went and summoned the people's elders and acquainted them with everything that Yahweh had bidden him,
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	8	and the people all replied with one accord, 'Whatever Yahweh has said, we will do.' Moses then reported to Yahweh what the people had said.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	9	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Look, I shall come to you in a dense cloud so that the people will hear when I speak to you and believe you ever after.' Moses then told Yahweh what the people had said.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	10	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Go to the people and tell them to sanctify themselves today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	11	and be ready for the day after tomorrow; for the day after tomorrow, in the sight of all the people, Yahweh will descend on Mount Sinai.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	12	You will mark out the limits of the mountain and say, "Take care not to go up the mountain or to touch the edge of it. Anyone who touches the mountain will be put to death.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	13	No one may lay a hand on him: he must be stoned or shot by arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live." When the ram's horn sounds a long blast, they must go up the mountain.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	14	So Moses came down from the mountain to the people; he made the people sanctify themselves and they washed their clothes.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	15	He then said to the people, 'Be ready for the day after tomorrow; do not touch a woman.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	16	Now at daybreak two days later, there were peals of thunder and flashes of lightning, dense cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast; and, in the camp, all the people trembled.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	17	Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they took their stand at the bottom of the mountain.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	18	Mount Sinai was entirely wrapped in smoke, because Yahweh had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke rose like smoke from a furnace and the whole mountain shook violently.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	19	Louder and louder grew the trumpeting. Moses spoke, and God answered him in the thunder.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	20	Yahweh descended on Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain, and Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain; and Moses went up.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	21	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Go down and warn the people not to break through to look at Yahweh, or many of them will perish.
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	22	Even the priests, who do have access to Yahweh, must sanctify themselves, or Yahweh may burst out against them.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	23	Moses said to Yahweh, 'The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, since you yourself warned us to mark out the limits of the mountain and declare it sacred.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	24	Yahweh said, 'Away with you! Go down! Then come back bringing Aaron with you. But do not allow the priests and people to break through to come up to Yahweh, or he may burst out against them.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	19	25	So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	1	Then God spoke all these words. He said,
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	2	'I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you lived as slaves.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	3	'You shall have no other gods to rival me.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	4	'You shall not make yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything in heaven above or on earth beneath or in the waters under the earth.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	5	'You shall not bow down to them or serve them. For I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God and I punish a parent's fault in the children, the grandchildren, and the great-grandchildren among those who hate me;
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	6	but I act with faithful love towards thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	7	'You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh your God, for Yahweh will not leave unpunished anyone who misuses his name.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	8	'Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	9	For six days you shall labour and do all your work,
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	10	but the seventh day is a Sabbath for Yahweh your God. You shall do no work that day, neither you nor your son nor your daughter nor your servants, men or women, nor your animals nor the alien living with you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	11	For in six days Yahweh made the heavens, earth and sea and all that these contain, but on the seventh day he rested; that is why Yahweh has blessed the Sabbath day and made it sacred.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	12	'Honour your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	13	'You shall not kill.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	14	'You shall not commit adultery.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	15	'You shall not steal.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	16	'You shall not give false evidence against your neighbour.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	17	'You shall not set your heart on your neighbour's house. You shall not set your heart on your neighbour's spouse, or servant, man or woman, or ox, or donkey, or any of your neighbour's possessions.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	18	Seeing the thunder pealing, the lightning flashing, the trumpet blasting and the mountain smoking, the people were all terrified and kept their distance.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	19	'Speak to us yourself,' they said to Moses, 'and we will obey; but do not let God speak to us, or we shall die.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	20	Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid; God has come to test you, so that your fear of him, being always in your mind, may keep you from sinning.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	21	So the people kept their distance while Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	22	Yahweh said to Moses, 'Tell the Israelites this, "You have seen for yourselves how I have spoken to you from heaven.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	23	You must not make gods of silver to rival me, nor must you make yourselves gods of gold.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	24	"You must make me an altar of earth on which to sacrifice your burnt offerings and communion sacrifices, your sheep and cattle. Wherever I choose to have my name remembered, I shall come to you and bless you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	25	If you make me an altar of stone, do not build it of dressed stones; for if you use a chisel on it, you will profane it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	20	26	You must not go up to my altar by steps, in case you expose your nakedness on them." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	1	'These are the laws you must give them:
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	2	'When you buy a Hebrew slave, his service will last for six years. In the seventh year he will leave a free man without paying compensation.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	3	If he came single, he will depart single; if he came married, his wife will depart with him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	4	If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children will belong to her master, and he will depart alone.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	5	But if the slave says, "I love my master and my wife and children; I do not wish to be freed,"
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	6	then his master will bring him before God and then, leading him to the door or the doorpost, his master will pierce his ear with an awl, and the slave will be permanently his.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	7	If a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not leave as male slaves do.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	8	If she does not please her master who intended her for himself, he must let her be bought back: he has not the right to sell her to foreigners, for this would be a breach of faith with her.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	9	If he intends her for his son, he must treat her as custom requires daughters to be treated.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	10	If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing or conjugal rights of the first one.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	11	Should he deprive her of these three things she will leave a free woman, without paying compensation.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	12	'Anyone who by violence causes a death must be put to death.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	13	If, however, he has not planned to do it but it comes from God by his hand, he can take refuge in a place which I shall appoint for you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	14	But should any person dare to kill another with deliberate planning, you will take that person even from my altar to be put to death.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	15	'Anyone who strikes father or mother will be put to death.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	16	Anyone who abducts a person -- whether that person has since been sold or is still held -- will be put to death.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	17	Anyone who curses father or mother will be put to death.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	18	'If people quarrel and one strikes the other a blow with stone or fist so that the injured party, though not dead, is confined to bed,
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	19	but later recovers and can go about, even with a stick, the one who struck the blow will have no liability, other than to compensate the injured party for the enforced inactivity and to take care of the injured party until the cure is complete.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	20	'If someone beats his slave, male or female, and the slave dies at his hands, he must pay the penalty.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	21	But should the slave survive for one or two days, he will pay no penalty because the slave is his by right of purchase.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	22	'If people, when brawling, hurt a pregnant woman and she suffers a miscarriage but no further harm is done, the person responsible will pay compensation as fixed by the woman's master, paying as much as the judges decide.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	23	If further harm is done, however, you will award life for life,
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	24	eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	25	burn for burn, wound for wound, stroke for stroke.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	26	'If anyone strikes the eye of his slave, male or female, and destroys the use of it, he will give the slave his freedom to compensate for the eye.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	27	If he knocks out the tooth of his slave, male or female, he will give the slave his freedom to compensate for the tooth.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	28	'If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox will be stoned and its meat will not be eaten, but the owner of the ox will not be liable.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	29	But if the ox has been in the habit of goring before, and if its owner has been warned but has not kept it under control, then should this ox kill a man or woman, it will be stoned and its owner put to death.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	30	If a ransom is imposed on the owner, he will pay whatever is imposed, to redeem his life.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	31	If the ox gores a boy or a girl, it will be treated in accordance with this same rule.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	32	If the ox gores a slave, male or female, its owner will pay the price -- thirty shekels -- to their master, and the ox will be stoned.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	33	'If anyone leaves a pit uncovered, or digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox, or donkey falls into it,
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	34	then the owner of the pit will make good the loss by compensating its owner, and the dead animal will be his.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	35	If anyone's ox injures anyone else's ox causing its death, the owners will sell and share the money for it; they will also share the dead animal.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	36	But if it is common knowledge that the ox has been in the habit of goring before, and its owner has not kept it under control, the owner will repay ox for ox, and will keep the dead animal.
 Exodus	Exo	2	21	37	'If anyone steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he will pay back five beasts from the herd for the ox, and four animals from the flock for the sheep.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	1	'If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck a mortal blow, his blood may not be avenged,
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	2	but if it happens after sunrise, his blood may be avenged. He will make full restitution; if he has not the means, he will be sold to pay for what he has stolen.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	3	If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession, be it ox, donkey or animal from the flock, he will pay back double.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	4	'If anyone puts his animals out to graze in a field or vineyard and lets them graze in someone else's field, he will make restitution for the part of the field that has been grazed on the basis of its yield. But if he has let the whole field be grazed, he will make restitution in proportion to the best crop of the field or vineyard.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	5	'If a fire breaks out, setting light to thorn bushes and burning stacks, standing corn or the field as a result, the person who started the fire will make full restitution.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	6	'If anyone entrusts money or goods to someone else's keeping and these are stolen from that person's house, the thief, if he can be discovered, will repay double.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	7	Should the thief not be discovered, the owner of the house will come into the presence of God, to declare that he has not laid hands on the other person's property.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	8	'In every case of law-breaking involving an ox, donkey, animal from the flock, clothing or lost property of any sort, the ownership of which is disputed, both parties will lay their case before God. The party whom God pronounces guilty will pay back double to the other.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	9	'If anyone entrusts a donkey, ox, animal from the flock or any other animal to someone else's keeping, and it dies or breaks a limb or is carried off without anyone seeing,
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	10	an oath by Yahweh will decide between the two parties whether the keeper has laid hands on the other's property or not. The owner will take what remains, the keeper will not have to make good the loss.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	11	Only if the animal has been stolen from him, will he make restitution to the owner.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	12	If it has been savaged by a wild animal, he must bring the savaged remains of the animal as evidence, and will then not have to make restitution.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	13	'If anyone borrows an animal from someone else, and it breaks a limb or dies in the owner's absence, he will make full restitution.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	14	But if the animal's owner has been present, he will not have to make good the loss. If the owner has hired it out, he will get the cost of its hire.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	15	'If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to be married, he will pay her bride-price and make her his wife.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	16	If her father absolutely refuses to let him have her, he will pay a sum equivalent to the bride-price of a virgin.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	17	'You will not allow a sorceress to live.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	18	'Anyone who has intercourse with an animal will be put to death.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	19	'Anyone who sacrifices to other gods will be put under the curse of destruction.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	20	'You will not molest or oppress aliens, for you yourselves were once aliens in Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	21	You will not ill-treat widows or orphans;
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	22	if you ill-treat them in any way and they make an appeal to me for help, I shall certainly hear their appeal,
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	23	my anger will be roused and I shall put you to the sword; then your own wives will be widows and your own children orphans.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	24	'If you lend money to any of my people, to anyone poor among you, you will not play the usurer with him: you will not demand interest from him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	25	'If you take someone's cloak in pledge, you will return it to him at sunset.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	26	It is all the covering he has; it is the cloak he wraps his body in; what else will he sleep in? If he appeals to me, I shall listen. At least with me he will find compassion!
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	27	'You will not revile God, nor curse your people's leader.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	28	'Do not be slow about making offerings from your abundance and your surplus. You will give me the first-born of your children;
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	29	you will do the same with your flocks and herds. For the first seven days the first-born will stay with its mother; on the eighth day you will give it to me.
 Exodus	Exo	2	22	30	'You must be people consecrated to me. You will not eat the meat of anything in the countryside savaged by wild animals; you will throw it to the dogs.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	1	'You will not spread false rumours. You will not lend support to the wicked by giving untrue evidence.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	2	You will not be led into wrong-doing by the majority nor, when giving evidence in a lawsuit, side with the majority to pervert the course of justice;
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	3	nor will you show partiality to the poor in a lawsuit.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	4	'If you come on your enemy's ox or donkey straying, you will take it back to him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	5	If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen under its load, do not stand back; you must go and help him with it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	6	'You will not cheat the poor among you of their rights at law.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	7	Keep clear of fraud. Do not cause the death of the innocent or upright, and do not acquit the guilty.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	8	You will accept no bribes, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and is the ruin of the cause of the upright.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	9	'You will not oppress the alien; you know how an alien feels, for you yourselves were once aliens in Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	10	'For six years you will sow your land and gather its produce,
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	11	but in the seventh year you will let it lie fallow and forgo all produce from it, so that those of your people who are poor can take food from it and the wild animals eat what they have left. You will do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	12	'For six days you will do your work, and on the seventh you will rest, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the child of your slave-girl have a breathing space, and the alien too.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	13	'Take notice of everything I have told you and do not mention the name of any other god: let none ever be heard from your lips.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	14	'Three times a year you will hold a festival in my honour.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	15	You will observe the feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you will eat unleavened bread, as I have commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in that month you came out of Egypt. No one will appear before me empty-handed.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	16	You will also observe the feast of Harvest, of the first-fruits of your labours in sowing the fields, and the feast of Ingathering, at the end of the year, once you have brought the fruits of your labours in from the fields.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	17	Three times a year all your menfolk will appear before Lord Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	18	'You will not offer the blood of my victim with leavened bread, nor will the fat of my feast be kept till the following day.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	19	'You will bring the best of the first-fruits of your soil to the house of Yahweh your God. 'You will not boil a kid in its mother's milk.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	20	'Look, I am sending an angel to precede you, to guard you as you go and bring you to the place that I have prepared.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	21	Revere him and obey what he says. Do not defy him: he will not forgive any wrong-doing on your part, for my name is in him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	22	If, however, you obey what he says and do whatever I order, I shall be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	23	My angel will precede you and lead you to the home of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, whom I shall exterminate.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	24	You will not bow down to their gods or worship them or observe their rites, but throw them down and smash their cultic stones.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	25	You will worship Yahweh your God, and then I shall bless your food and water, and keep you free of sickness.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	26	In your country no woman will miscarry, none be sterile, and I shall give you your full term of life.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	27	'I shall send terror of myself ahead of you; I shall throw all the peoples you encounter into confusion, and make all your enemies take to their heels.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	28	I shall send hornets ahead of you to drive Hivite, Canaanite and Hittite out before you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	29	I shall not drive them out ahead of you in a single year, or the land might become a desert where wild animals would multiply to your cost.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	30	I shall drive them out little by little before you, until your numbers grow sufficient for you to take possession of the land.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	31	And your frontiers I shall fix from the Sea of Reeds to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the River, for I shall put the inhabitants of the territory at your mercy, and you will drive them out before you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	32	You will make no pact with them or with their gods.
 Exodus	Exo	2	23	33	They may not stay in your country or they might make you sin against me, for you would serve their gods, and that would be a snare for you!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	1	He then said to Moses, 'Come up to Yahweh, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel and bow down at a distance.
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	2	Moses alone will approach Yahweh; the others will not approach, nor will the people come up with him.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	3	Moses went and told the people all Yahweh's words and all the laws, and all the people answered with one voice, 'All the words Yahweh has spoken we will carry out!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	4	Moses put all Yahweh's words into writing, and early next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain, with twelve standing-stones for the twelve tribes of Israel.
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	5	Then he sent certain young Israelites to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice bullocks to Yahweh as communion sacrifices.
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	6	Moses then took half the blood and put it into basins, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar.
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	7	Then, taking the Book of the Covenant, he read it to the listening people, who then said, 'We shall do everything that Yahweh has said; we shall obey.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	8	Moses then took the blood and sprinkled it over the people, saying, 'This is the blood of the covenant which Yahweh has made with you, entailing all these stipulations.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	9	Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy elders of Israel then went up,
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	10	and they saw the God of Israel beneath whose feet there was what looked like a sapphire pavement pure as the heavens themselves,
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	11	but he did no harm to the Israelite notables; they actually gazed on God and then ate and drank.
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	12	Yahweh said to Moses, 'Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there, and I will give you the stone tablets -- the law and the commandment -- which I have written for their instruction.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	13	Moses made ready, with Joshua his assistant, and they went up the mountain of God.
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	14	He said to the elders, 'Wait here for us until we come back to you. You have Aaron and Hur with you; if anyone has any matter to settle, let him go to them.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	15	Moses then went up the mountain. Cloud covered the mountain.
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	16	The glory of Yahweh rested on Mount Sinai and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day Yahweh called to Moses from inside the cloud.
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	17	To the watching Israelites, the glory of Yahweh looked like a devouring fire on the mountain top.
 Exodus	Exo	2	24	18	Moses went right into the cloud and went on up the mountain. Moses stayed on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	2	'Tell the Israelites to set aside a contribution for me; you will accept a contribution from everyone whose heart prompts him to give it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	3	And this is what you will accept from them: gold, silver and bronze;
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	4	materials dyed violet-purple, red-purple and crimson, fine linen, goats' hair;
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	5	rams' skins dyed red, fine leather, acacia wood;
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	6	oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and fragrant incense;
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	7	cornelian and other stones to be set in the ephod and breastplate.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	8	Make me a sanctuary so that I can reside among them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	9	You will make it all according to the design for the Dwelling and the design for its furnishings which I shall now show you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	10	'You must make me an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide and one and a half cubits high.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	11	You will overlay it, inside and out, with pure gold and make a gold moulding all round it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	12	You will cast four gold rings for it and fix them to its four supports: two rings on one side and two rings on the other.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	13	You will also make shafts of acacia wood and overlay them with gold
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	14	and pass the shafts through the rings on the sides of the ark, by which to carry it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	15	The shafts will stay in the rings of the ark and not be withdrawn.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	16	Inside the ark you will put the Testimony which I am about to give you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	17	'You will also make a mercy-seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide,
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	18	and you will model two great winged creatures of beaten gold, you will make them at the two ends of the mercy-seat.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	19	Model one of the winged creatures at one end and the other winged creature at the other end; you will model the winged creatures of a piece with the mercy-seat at either end.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	20	The winged creatures must have their wings spread upwards, protecting the mercy-seat with their wings and facing each other, their faces being towards the mercy-seat.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	21	You will put the mercy-seat on the top of the ark, and inside the ark you will put the Testimony which I am about to give you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	22	There I shall come to meet you; from above the mercy-seat, from between the two winged creatures which are on the ark of the Testimony, I shall give you all my orders for the Israelites.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	23	'You must also make a table of acacia wood, two cubits long, one cubit wide and one and a half cubits high.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	24	You will overlay it with pure gold, and make a gold moulding all round it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	25	You will fit it with struts of a hand's breadth and make a gold moulding round the struts.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	26	You will make four gold rings for it and fix the four rings at the four corners where the four legs are.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	27	The rings must lie close to the struts to hold the shafts for carrying the table.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	28	You must make the shafts of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. The table must be carried by these.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	29	You must make dishes, cups, jars and libation bowls for it; you must make these of pure gold,
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	30	and on the table, in my presence, you will always put the loaves of permanent offering.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	31	'You will also make a lamp-stand of pure gold; the lamp-stand must be of beaten gold, base and stem. Its cups, calyxes and petals, must be of a piece with it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	32	Six branches must spring from its sides: three of the lamp-stand's branches from one side, three of the lamp-stand's branches from the other.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	33	The first branch must carry three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with its calyx and petals; the second branch, too, must carry three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with its calyx and bud, and similarly for all six branches springing from the lampstand.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	34	The lamp-stand itself must carry four cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with its calyx and bud:
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	35	one calyx under the first two branches springing from the lamp-stand, one calyx under the next pair of branches and one calyx under the last pair of branches -- thus for all six branches springing from the lamp-stand.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	36	The calyxes and the branches will be of a piece with the lamp-stand, and the whole made from a single piece of pure gold, beaten out.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	37	You will also make seven lamps for it and mount the lamps in such a way that they light up the space in front of it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	38	The snuffers and trays must be of pure gold.
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	39	You will use a talent of pure gold for the lamp-stand and all its accessories;
 Exodus	Exo	2	25	40	and see that you work to the design which was shown you on the mountain.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	1	'The Dwelling itself you will make with ten sheets of finely woven linen dyed violet-purple, red-purple and crimson. You will have them embroidered with great winged creatures.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	2	The length of a single sheet is to be twenty-eight cubits, its width four cubits, all the sheets to be of the same size.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	3	Five of the sheets are to be joined to one another, and the other five sheets are to be joined to one another.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	4	You will make violet loops along the edge of the first sheet, at the end of the set, and do the same along the edge of the last sheet in the other set.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	5	You will make fifty loops on the first sheet and fifty loops along the outer edge of the sheet of the second set, the loops corresponding to one another.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	6	You will also make fifty gold clasps, and join the sheets together with the clasps. In this way the Dwelling will be a unified whole.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	7	'You will make sheets of goats' hair to form a tent over the Dwelling; you will make eleven of these.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	8	The length of a single sheet must be thirty cubits and its width four cubits, the eleven sheets to be all of the same size.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	9	You will join five sheets together into one set, and six sheets into another; the sixth you will fold double over the front of the tent.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	10	You will make fifty loops along the edge of the first sheet, at the end of the first set, and fifty loops along the edge of the sheet of the second set.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	11	You will make fifty bronze clasps and insert the clasps into the loops, to draw the tent together and to make it a unified whole.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	12	'Of the extra part of the sheets that overlap, half is to hang down the back of the Dwelling.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	13	The extra cubit on either side along the length of the tent sheets must hang down the sides of the Dwelling on either side to cover it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	14	'And for the tent you will make a cover of rams' skins dyed red and a cover of fine leather over that.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	15	'For the Dwelling you will make vertical frames of acacia wood.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	16	Each frame must be ten cubits long and one and a half cubits wide.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	17	Each frame must have twin tenons; that is how all the frames for the Dwelling must be made.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	18	You will make frames for the Dwelling: twenty frames for the south side, to the south,
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	19	and make forty silver sockets under the twenty frames, two sockets under one frame for its two tenons, two sockets under the next frame for its two tenons;
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	20	and for the other side of the Dwelling, the north side, twenty frames
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	21	and forty silver sockets, two sockets under one frame, two sockets under the next frame.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	22	For the back of the Dwelling, on the west, you will make six frames,
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	23	and make two frames for the corners at the back of the Dwelling;
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	24	these must be coupled together at the bottom, and right up to the top, to the level of the first ring; this for the two frames that must form the two corners.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	25	Thus there will be eight frames with their silver sockets: sixteen sockets; two sockets under one frame and two sockets under the next frame.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	26	'You will make crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames of the first side of the Dwelling,
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	27	five crossbars for the frames of the opposite side of the Dwelling, and five crossbars for the frames which form the back of the Dwelling, to the west.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	28	The middle bar must join the frames from one end to the other, halfway up.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	29	You will overlay the frames with gold, make gold rings for them, through which to place the crossbars, and overlay the crossbars with gold.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	30	This is how you must erect the Dwelling, following the design shown you on the mountain.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	31	'You will make a curtain of finely woven linen, dyed violet-purple, red-purple and crimson, and embroidered with great winged creatures,
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	32	and put it on four poles of acacia wood overlaid with gold, with golden hooks for them, set in four sockets of silver.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	33	You will put the curtain below the clasps, so that inside behind the curtain, you can place the ark of the Testimony, and the curtain will mark the division for you between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	34	You will put the mercy-seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Holy of Holies.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	35	You will place the table outside the curtain, and the lamp-stand on the south side of the Dwelling, opposite the table; you will put the table on the north side.
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	36	For the entrance to the tent you will make a screen of finely woven linen embroidered with violet-purple, red-purple and crimson,
 Exodus	Exo	2	26	37	and for the screen you will make five poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, with golden hooks, and for them you will cast five sockets of bronze.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	1	'You will make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar will be square and three cubits high.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	2	At its four corners you will make horns, the horns must be of a piece with it, and you will overlay it with bronze.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	3	And for it you will make pans for taking away the fatty ashes, and shovels, sprinkling basins, hooks and fire pans; you will make all the altar accessories of bronze.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	4	You will also make a grating for it of bronze network, and on the four corners of the grating you will make four bronze rings.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	5	You will put it below the ledge of the altar, underneath, so that it comes halfway up the altar.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	6	You will make shafts for the altar, shafts of acacia wood and overlay them with bronze.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	7	The shafts will be passed through the rings in such a way that the shafts are on either side of the altar, for carrying it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	8	You will make the altar hollow, out of boards; you will make it as you were shown on the mountain.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	9	'Then you will make the court of the Dwelling. On the south side, the curtaining of the court must be of finely woven linen, one hundred cubits long (for the first side),
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	10	its twenty poles and their twenty sockets being of bronze, and the poles' hooks and rods of silver.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	11	So too for the north side, there must be a hundred cubits of curtaining, its twenty poles and their twenty sockets being of bronze, and the poles' hooks and rods of silver.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	12	Across the width of the court, on the west side, there must be fifty cubits of curtaining, with its ten poles and their ten sockets.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	13	The width of the court on the east side, facing the sunrise, must be fifty cubits,
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	14	with fifteen cubits of curtaining on one side of the entrance, with its three poles and their three sockets,
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	15	and on the other side of the entrance, fifteen cubits of curtaining, with its three poles and their three sockets;
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	16	and for the gateway to the court there must be a twenty-cubit screen of finely woven linen embroidered with violet-purple, red-purple and crimson, with its four poles and their four sockets.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	17	All the poles round the court must be connected by silver rods; their hooks must be of silver and their sockets of bronze.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	18	The length of the court must be one hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits and its height five cubits. All the curtaining must be made of finely woven linen, and their sockets of bronze.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	19	All the accessories for general use in the Dwelling, all its pegs and all the pegs of the court, must be of bronze.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	20	'You will order the Israelites to bring you pure pounded olive oil for the light, and to keep a lamp burning all the time.
 Exodus	Exo	2	27	21	Aaron and his sons will tend it in the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain hanging in front of the Testimony, from dusk to dawn, before Yahweh. This is a perpetual decree for all generations of Israelites.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	1	'From among the Israelites, summon your brother Aaron and his sons to be priests in my service: Aaron and Aaron's sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	2	For your brother Aaron you will make sacred vestments to give dignity and magnificence.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	3	You will instruct all the skilled men, whom I have endowed with skill, to make Aaron's vestments for his consecration to my priesthood.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	4	These are the vestments which they must make: a pectoral, an ephod, a robe, an embroidered tunic, a turban and a belt. They must make sacred vestments for your brother Aaron and his sons, for them to be priests in my service.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	5	They will use gold and violet material, red-purple and crimson, and finely woven linen.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	6	'They will make the ephod of finely woven linen embroidered with gold, violet-purple, red-purple and crimson.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	7	It will have two shoulder-straps joined to it; it will be joined to them by its two edges.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	8	The waistband on the ephod to hold it in position must be of the same workmanship and be of a piece with it: of gold, violet-purple, red-purple and crimson materials and finely woven linen.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	9	You will then take two cornelians and engrave them with the names of the sons of Israel,
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	10	six of their names on one stone, the remaining six names on the other, in the order of their birth.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	11	By the stone-carver's art -- seal engraving -- you will engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You will have them mounted in gold settings
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	12	and will put the two stones on the shoulder-straps of the ephod, to commemorate the sons of Israel. In this way Aaron will bear their names on his two shoulders, before Yahweh, as a reminder.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	13	You will also make golden rosettes,
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	14	and two chains of pure gold twisted like cord, and will attach the cord-like chains to the rosettes.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	15	'You will make the breastplate of judgement of the same embroidered work as the ephod; you will make it of gold, violet-purple, red-purple and crimson materials and finely woven linen.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	16	It must be square and doubled over, a span in length and a span in width.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	17	In it you will set four rows of stones: a sard, topaz and emerald for the first row;
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	18	for the second row, a garnet, sapphire and diamond;
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	19	for the third row, a hyacinth, a ruby and an amethyst;
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	20	and for the fourth row, a beryl, a cornelian and a jasper. These must be mounted in gold settings.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	21	The stones will correspond to the names of the sons of Israel, twelve like their names, engraved like seals, each with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	22	For the breastplate you will make chains of pure gold twisted like cords,
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	23	and on the breastplate you will make two gold rings, putting the two rings on the two outside edges of the breastplate
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	24	and fastening the two gold cords to the two rings on the outside edges of the breastplate.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	25	The other two ends of the cords you will fasten to the two rosettes, putting these on the shoulder-straps of the ephod, on the front.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	26	You will also make two gold rings and put them on the two edges of the breastplate, on the inner side, against the ephod;
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	27	and you will make two gold rings and put them low down on the front of the two shoulder-pieces of the ephod, close to the join, above the waistband of the ephod.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	28	The breastplate will be secured by a violet-purple cord passed through its rings and those of the ephod, so that the breastplate will sit above the waistband and not come apart from the ephod.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	29	Thus Aaron will bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgement, on his heart, when he enters the sanctuary, as a reminder, before Yahweh, always.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	30	To the breastplate of judgement you will add the urim and the thummim, and these will be on Aaron's heart when he goes into Yahweh's presence, and Aaron will bear the Israelites' judgement on his heart, in Yahweh's presence, always.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	31	'You will make the robe of the ephod entirely of violet-purple.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	32	In the centre it will have an opening for the head, the opening to have round it a border woven like the neck of a coat of mail, so that it will not get torn.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	33	On its lower hem, you will make pomegranates of violet-purple, red-purple and crimson, and finely woven linen all round the hem, with golden bells between them all round:
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	34	a golden bell and then a pomegranate, alternately, all round the lower hem of the robe.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	35	Aaron must wear it when he officiates, and the tinkling will be heard when he goes into the sanctuary into Yahweh's presence, or leaves it, and so he will not incur death.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	36	'You will make a flower of pure gold and on it, as you would engrave a seal, you will engrave, "Consecrated to Yahweh".
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	37	You will put it on a violet-purple cord; it will go on the turban; the front of the turban is the place where it must go.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	38	This will go on Aaron's brow, and Aaron will thus take on himself the short-comings in the holy things consecrated by the Israelites, in all their holy offerings. It will be on his brow permanently, to make them acceptable to Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	39	The tunic you will weave of fine linen, and make a turban of fine linen, and an embroidered waistband.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	40	'For the sons of Aaron you will make tunics and waistbands. You will also make them head-dresses to give dignity and magnificence.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	41	You will dress your brother Aaron and his sons in these; you will then anoint them, invest them and consecrate them to serve me in the priesthood.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	42	You will also make them linen breeches reaching from waist to thigh, to cover their bare flesh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	28	43	Aaron and his sons will wear these when they go into the Tent of Meeting and when they approach the altar to serve in the sanctuary, as a precaution against incurring mortal guilt. This is a perpetual decree for Aaron and for his descendants after him.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	1	'This is what you will do to them, to consecrate them to my priesthood. Take one young bull and two rams without blemish;
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	2	also unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, made from fine wheat flour,
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	3	and put these into a basket and present them in the basket, at the same time as the bull and the two rams.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	4	'You will bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and bathe them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	5	You will then take the vestments and dress Aaron in the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and tie the waistband of the ephod round his waist.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	6	Then you will place the turban on his head, and on it put the symbol of holy consecration.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	7	You will then take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and so anoint him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	8	'Next, you will bring his sons and dress them in tunics,
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	9	and fasten waistbands round their waists and put the head-dresses on their heads. By perpetual decree the priesthood will be theirs. Then you will invest Aaron and his sons.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	10	'You will bring the bull in front of the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on the bull's head.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	11	You will then slaughter the bull before Yahweh at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	12	You will then take some of the bull's blood and with your finger put it on the horns of the altar. Next, pour out the rest of the blood at the foot of the altar.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	13	And then take all the fat covering the entrails, the fatty mass over the liver, the two kidneys with their covering fat, and burn them on the altar.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	14	But the young bull's flesh, its skin and its offal, you will burn outside the camp, for this is a sin offering.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	15	'Next, you will take one of the rams, and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on the ram's head.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	16	You will then slaughter the ram, take its blood and pour it against the altar, all round.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	17	Next, cut the ram into quarters, wash the entrails and legs and put them on the quarters and head.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	18	Then burn the whole ram on the altar. This will be a burnt offering for Yahweh, a pleasing smell, a food offering burnt for Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	19	'Next, you will take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on the ram's head.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	20	You will then slaughter the ram, take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear, on the lobes of his sons' right ears, the thumbs of their right hands, and the big toes of their right feet, and pour the rest of the blood against the altar, all round.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	21	You will then take some of the blood on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his vestments and on his sons and on his sons' vestments: so that he and his vestments will be consecrated and his sons too, and his sons' vestments.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	22	'You will then take the fatty parts of the ram: the tail, the fat covering the entrails, the fatty mass over the liver, the two kidneys with their covering fat and also the right thigh -- for this is a ram of investiture-
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	23	and a loaf of bread, a cake of bread made with oil, and a wafer, from the basket of unleavened bread before Yahweh,
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	24	and put it all on the palms of Aaron and his sons, and make the gesture of offering before Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	25	Then you will take them back and burn them on the altar, on top of the burnt offering, as a smell pleasing before Yahweh, a food offering burnt for Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	26	'You will then take the forequarters of the ram of Aaron's investiture and with it make the gesture of offering before Yahweh; this will be your portion.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	27	You will consecrate the forequarters that have been thus offered, as also the thigh that is set aside -- what has been offered and what has been set aside from the ram of investiture of Aaron and his sons.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	28	This, by perpetual decree, will be the portion that Aaron and his sons will receive from the Israelites, since it is the portion set aside, the portion set aside for Yahweh by the Israelites from their communion sacrifices: a portion set aside for Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	29	'Aaron's sacred vestments must pass to his sons after him, and they will wear them for their anointing and investiture.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	30	Whichever of the sons of Aaron succeeds him in the priesthood and enters the Tent of Meeting to serve in the sanctuary, will wear them for seven days.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	31	'You will take the ram of investiture and cook its meat in a holy place.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	32	Aaron and his sons will eat the meat of the ram and the bread which is in the basket, at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	33	They will eat what was used in making expiation for them at their investiture and consecration. No unauthorised person may eat these; they are holy things.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	34	If any of the meat from the investiture sacrifice, or the bread, should be left till morning, you will burn what is left. It may not be eaten; it is a holy thing.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	35	This is what you will do for Aaron and his sons, implementing all the orders I have given you. You will take seven days over their investiture.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	36	'On each of the days you will also offer a young bull as a sacrifice for sin, in expiation. You will offer a sin sacrifice for the altar when you make expiation for it; then you will consecrate it by anointing it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	37	For seven days you will make expiation for the altar, then you will consecrate it; it will then be especially holy, and whatever touches the altar will become holy.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	38	'This is what you must offer on the altar: two yearling male lambs each day in perpetuity.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	39	The first lamb you will offer at dawn, and the second at twilight,
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	40	and with the first lamb, one-tenth of a measure of fine flour mixed with one-quarter of a hin of pounded olive oil and, for a libation, one-quarter of a hin of wine.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	41	The second lamb you will offer at twilight, and do it with a similar cereal offering and libation as at dawn, as a pleasing smell, as an offering burnt for Yahweh,
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	42	a perpetual burnt offering for all your generations to come, at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before Yahweh, where I shall meet you and speak to you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	43	'There I shall meet the Israelites in the place consecrated by my glory.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	44	I shall consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar; I shall also consecrate Aaron and his sons, to be priests in my service.
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	45	And I shall live with the Israelites and be their God,
 Exodus	Exo	2	29	46	and they will know that I am Yahweh their God, who brought them out of Egypt to live among them: I, Yahweh their God.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	1	'You will make an altar on which to burn incense; you will make it of acacia wood,
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	2	one cubit long, and one cubit wide -- it must be square -- and two cubits high; its horns must be of a piece with it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	3	You will overlay its top, its sides all round and its horns with pure gold and make a gold moulding to go all round.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	4	You will make two gold rings for it below the moulding on its two opposite sides, to take the shafts used for carrying it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	5	You will make the shafts of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	6	'You will put it in front of the curtain by the ark of Testimony, in front of the mercy-seat which is on the Testimony, where I shall meet you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	7	On it Aaron will burn fragrant incense each morning; when he trims the lamps, he will burn incense on it;
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	8	and when Aaron puts back the lamps at twilight, he will burn incense on it, incense perpetually before Yahweh for all your generations to come.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	9	You will not offer unauthorised incense, or burnt offering, or cereal offering on it, and you will not pour any libation over it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	10	Once a year, Aaron will perform the rite of expiation on the horns of the altar; once a year, on the Day of Expiation, with the blood of the sacrifice for sin, he will make expiation for himself, for all your generations to come. It is especially holy for Yahweh.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	11	Yahweh then spoke to Moses and said,
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	12	'When you count the Israelites by census, each one of them must pay Yahweh a ransom for his life, to avoid any incidence of plague among them while you are holding the census.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	13	Everyone subject to the census will pay half a shekel, reckoning by the sanctuary shekel: twenty gerah to the shekel. This half-shekel will be set aside for Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	14	Everyone subject to the census, that is to say of twenty years and over, will pay the sum set aside for Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	15	The rich man must not give more, nor the poor man less, than half a shekel when he pays the sum set aside for Yahweh in ransom for your lives.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	16	You will take the ransom money of the Israelites and apply it to the service of the Tent of Meeting, for it to be a reminder of the Israelites before Yahweh, as the ransom for your lives.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	17	Yahweh then spoke to Moses and said,
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	18	'You will also make a bronze basin on its bronze stand, for washing. You will put it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it,
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	19	in which Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	20	Whenever they are to enter the Tent of Meeting, they will wash, to avoid incurring death; and whenever they approach the altar for their service, to burn an offering for Yahweh,
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	21	they will wash their hands and feet, to avoid incurring death. This is a perpetual decree for him and his descendants for all their generations to come.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	22	Yahweh spoke further to Moses and said,
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	23	'Take the finest spices: five hundred shekels of fresh myrrh, half as much (two hundred and fifty shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, two hundred and fifty shekels of scented reed,
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	24	five hundred shekels (reckoning by the sanctuary shekel) of cassia, and one hin of olive oil.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	25	You will make this into a holy anointing oil, such a blend as the perfumer might make; this will be a holy anointing oil.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	26	With it you will anoint the Tent of Meeting and the ark of the Testimony,
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	27	the table and all its accessories, the lamp-stand and its accessories, the altar of incense,
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	28	the altar of burnt offerings and all its accessories, and the basin with its stand,
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	29	consecrating them, so that they will be especially holy and whatever touches them will become holy.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	30	You will also anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them to be priests in my service.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	31	You will then speak to the Israelites and say, "This anointing oil will be holy for you for all your generations to come.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	32	It must not be used for anointing the human body, nor may you make any of the same mixture. It is a holy thing; you will regard it as holy.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	33	Anyone who makes up the same oil or uses it on an unauthorised person will be outlawed from his people." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	34	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Take sweet spices: storax, onycha, galbanum, sweet spices and pure frankincense in equal parts,
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	35	and compound an incense, such a blend as the perfumer might make, salted, pure, and holy.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	36	You will grind some of this up very fine and put it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I shall meet you. You will regard it as especially holy.
 Exodus	Exo	2	30	37	You may not make any incense of similar composition for your own use. You will regard it as holy, reserved for Yahweh Anyone who makes up the same thing to use as perfume will be outlawed from his people.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	1	Yahweh then spoke to Moses and said,
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	2	'Look, I have singled out Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	3	and have filled him with the spirit of God in wisdom, knowledge and skill in every kind of craft:
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	4	in designing and carrying out work in gold and silver and bronze,
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	5	in cutting stones to be set, in wood carving and in executing every kind of work.
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	6	And to help him I have given him Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, and have endowed the hearts of all the skilled men with the skill to make everything I have ordered you:
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	7	the Tent of Meeting; the ark of the Testimony; the mercy-seat above it; and all the furniture of the tent;
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	8	the table and all its accessories; the pure lamp-stand and all its equipment; the altar of incense;
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	9	the altar of burnt offerings and all its accessories; the basin and its stand;
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	10	the liturgical vestments, the sacred vestments for Aaron the priest, and the vestments for his sons, for their priestly functions;
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	11	the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the sanctuary. They will do everything as I have ordered you.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	12	Yahweh then said to Moses,
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	13	'Speak to the Israelites and say, "You will keep my Sabbaths properly, for this is a sign between myself and you for all your generations to come, so that you will know that it is I, Yahweh, who sanctify you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	14	You will keep the Sabbath, then; you will regard it as holy. Anyone who profanes it will be put to death; anyone who does any work on that day will be outlawed from his people.
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	15	Work must be done for six days, but the seventh day will be a day of complete rest, consecrated to Yahweh. Anyone who works on the Sabbath day will be put to death.
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	16	The Israelites will keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath for all their generations to come: this is an eternal covenant.
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	17	Between myself and the Israelites, this is a sign for ever, for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he rested and drew breath."
 Exodus	Exo	2	31	18	When he had finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	1	When the people saw that Moses was a long time before coming down the mountain, they gathered round Aaron and said to him, 'Get to work, make us a god to go at our head; for that Moses, the man who brought us here from Egypt -- we do not know what has become of him.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	2	Aaron replied, 'Strip off the gold rings in the ears of your wives and your sons and daughters, and bring them to me.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	3	The people all stripped off the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	4	He received what they gave him, melted it down in a mould and with it made the statue of a calf. 'Israel,' the people shouted, 'here is your God who brought you here from Egypt!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	5	Observing this, Aaron built an altar before the statue and made this proclamation, 'Tomorrow will be a feast in Yahweh's honour.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	6	Early next morning they sacrificed burnt offerings and brought communion sacrifices. The people then sat down to eat and drink, and afterwards got up to amuse themselves.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	7	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Go down at once, for your people whom you brought here from Egypt have become corrupt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	8	They have quickly left the way which I ordered them to follow. They have cast themselves a metal calf, worshipped it and offered sacrifice to it, shouting, "Israel, here is your God who brought you here from Egypt!" '
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	9	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'I know these people; I know how obstinate they are!
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	10	So leave me now, so that my anger can blaze at them and I can put an end to them! I shall make a great nation out of you instead.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	11	Moses tried to pacify Yahweh his God. 'Yahweh,' he said, 'why should your anger blaze at your people, whom you have brought out of Egypt by your great power and mighty hand?
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	12	Why should the Egyptians say, "He brought them out with evil intention, to slaughter them in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth?" Give up your burning wrath; relent over this disaster intended for your people.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	13	Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to whom you swore by your very self and made this promise: "I shall make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven, and this whole country of which I have spoken, I shall give to your descendants, and it will be their heritage for ever."
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	14	Yahweh then relented over the disaster which he had intended to inflict on his people.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	15	Moses turned and came down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, tablets inscribed on both sides, inscribed on the front and on the back.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	16	The tablets were the work of God, and the writing on them was God's writing, engraved on the tablets.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	17	When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, 'There is the sound of battle in the camp!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	18	But he replied: No song of victory is this sound, no lament for defeat this sound; but answering choruses I hear!
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	19	And there, as he approached the camp, he saw the calf and the groups dancing. Moses blazed with anger. He threw down the tablets he was holding, shattering them at the foot of the mountain.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	20	He seized the calf they had made and burned it, grinding it into powder which he scattered on the water, and made the Israelites drink it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	21	Moses then said to Aaron, 'What have these people done to you for you to have brought so great a sin on them?'
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	22	Aaron replied, 'My lord should not be so angry. You yourself know what a bad state these people are in!
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	23	They said to me, "Make us a god to go at our head; for that Moses, the man who brought us here from Egypt -- we do not know what has become of him."
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	24	I then said to them, "Anyone with gold, strip it off!" They gave it to me. I threw it into the fire and out came this calf!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	25	When Moses saw that the people were out of hand -- for Aaron had let them get out of hand to the derision of their enemies all round them-
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	26	Moses then stood at the gate of the camp and shouted, 'Who is for Yahweh? To me!' And all the Levites rallied round him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	27	He said to them, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "Buckle on your sword, each of you, and go up and down the camp from gate to gate, every man of you slaughtering brother, friend and neighbour." '
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	28	The Levites did as Moses said, and of the people about three thousand men perished that day.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	29	'Today', Moses said, 'you have consecrated yourselves to Yahweh, one at the cost of his son, another of his brother; and so he bestows a blessing on you today.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	30	On the following day Moses said to the people, 'You have committed a great sin. But now I shall go up to Yahweh: perhaps I can secure expiation for your sin.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	31	Moses then went back to Yahweh and said, 'Oh, this people has committed a great sin by making themselves a god of gold.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	32	And yet, if it pleased you to forgive their sin. . .! If not, please blot me out of the book you have written!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	33	Yahweh said to Moses, 'Those who have sinned against me are the ones I shall blot out of my book.
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	34	So now go and lead the people to the place I promised to you. My angel will indeed go at your head but, on the day of punishment, I shall punish them for their sin.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	32	35	And Yahweh punished the people for having made the calf, the one Aaron had made.
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	1	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Leave, move on from here, you and the people whom you have brought here from Egypt, to the country that I swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that I would give to their descendants.
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	2	I shall send an angel in front of you and drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites.
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	3	Move on towards a country flowing with milk and honey, but I myself shall not be going with you or I might annihilate you on the way, for you are an obstinate people.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	4	On hearing these stern words the people went into mourning and no one wore his ornaments.
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	5	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Say to the Israelites, "You are an obstinate people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I should annihilate you. So now take off your ornaments, and then I shall decide how to deal with you!" '
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	6	So, from Mount Horeb onwards, the Israelites stripped themselves of their ornaments.
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	7	Moses used to take the Tent and pitch it outside the camp, far away from the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting. Anyone who wanted to consult Yahweh would go out to the Tent of Meeting, outside the camp.
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	8	Whenever Moses went out to the Tent, the people would all stand up and every man would stand at the door of his tent and watch Moses until he went into the Tent.
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	9	And whenever Moses went into the Tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and station itself at the entrance to the Tent, while Yahweh spoke with Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	10	The people could all see the pillar of cloud stationed at the entrance to the Tent and the people would all stand up and bow low, each at the door of his tent.
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	11	Yahweh would talk to Moses face to face, as a man talks to his friend, and afterwards he would come back to the camp, but the young man who was his servant, Joshua son of Nun, never left the inside of the Tent.
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	12	Moses said to Yahweh, 'Look, you say to me, "Make the people move on," but you have not told me whom you are going to send with me, although you have said, "I know you by name and you enjoy my favour."
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	13	If indeed I enjoy your favour, please show me your ways, so that I understand you and continue to enjoy your favour; consider too that this nation is your people.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	14	Yahweh then said, 'I myself shall go with you and I shall give you rest.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	15	To which he said, 'If you do not come yourself, do not make us move on from here,
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	16	for how can it be known that I and my people enjoy your favour, if not by your coming with us? By this we shall be marked out, I and your people, from all the peoples on the face of the earth.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	17	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Again I shall do what you have asked, because you enjoy my favour and because I know you by name.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	18	He then said, 'Please show me your glory.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	19	Yahweh said, 'I shall make all my goodness pass before you, and before you I shall pronounce the name Yahweh; and I am gracious to those to whom I am gracious and I take pity on those on whom I take pity.
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	20	But my face', he said, 'you cannot see, for no human being can see me and survive.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	21	Then Yahweh said, 'Here is a place near me. You will stand on the rock,
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	22	and when my glory passes by, I shall put you in a cleft of the rock and shield you with my hand until I have gone past.
 Exodus	Exo	2	33	23	Then I shall take my hand away and you will see my back; but my face will not be seen.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	1	Yahweh said to Moses, 'Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones and come up to me on the mountain, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	2	Be ready at dawn; at dawn come up Mount Sinai and wait for me there at the top of the mountain.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	3	No one may come up with you, no one may be seen anywhere on the mountain; the flocks and herds may not even graze in front of this mountain.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	4	So he cut two tablets of stone like the first and, with the two tablets of stone in his hands, Moses went up Mount Sinai in the early morning as Yahweh had ordered.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	5	And Yahweh descended in a cloud and stood with him there and pronounced the name Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	6	Then Yahweh passed before him and called out, 'Yahweh, Yahweh, God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in faithful love and constancy,
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	7	maintaining his faithful love to thousands, forgiving fault, crime and sin, yet letting nothing go unchecked, and punishing the parent's fault in the children and in the grandchildren to the third and fourth generation!'
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	8	Moses immediately bowed to the ground in worship,
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	9	then he said, 'If indeed I do enjoy your favour, please, my Lord, come with us, although they are an obstinate people; and forgive our faults and sins, and adopt us as your heritage.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	10	He then said, 'Look, I am now making a covenant: I shall work such wonders at the head of your whole people as have never been worked in any other country or nation, and all the people round you will see what Yahweh can do, for what I shall do through you will be awe-inspiring.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	11	Mark, then, what I command you today. I am going to drive out the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites before you.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	12	Take care you make no pact with the inhabitants of the country which you are about to enter, or they will prove a snare in your community.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	13	You will tear down their altars, smash their cultic stones and cut down their sacred poles,
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	14	for you will worship no other god, since Yahweh's name is the Jealous One; he is a jealous God.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	15	Make no pact with the inhabitants of the country or, when they prostitute themselves to their own gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will partake of their sacrifice,
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	16	and then you will choose wives for your sons from among their daughters, and their daughters, prostituting themselves to their own gods, will induce your sons to prostitute themselves to their gods.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	17	'You will not cast metal gods for yourself.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	18	'You will observe the feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you will eat unleavened bread, as I have commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in the month of Abib you came out of Egypt.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	19	'All that first issues from the womb belongs to me: every male, every first-born of flock or herd.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	20	But the first-born donkey you will redeem with an animal from the flock; if you do not redeem it, you must break its neck. All the first-born of your sons you will redeem, and no one will appear before me empty-handed.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	21	'For six days you will labour, but on the seventh day you will rest; you will stop work even during ploughing and harvesting.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	22	'You will observe the feast of Weeks, of the first-fruits of the wheat harvest, and the feast of Ingathering at the close of the year.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	23	'Three times a year all your menfolk will appear before Lord Yahweh, God of Israel,
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	24	for I shall dispossess the nations before you and extend your frontiers, and no one will set his heart on your territory when you go away to appear before Yahweh your God three times a year.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	25	'You will not offer the blood of my sacrificial victim with leavened bread, nor is the victim offered at the feast of Passover to be left until the following day.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	26	'You will bring the best of the first-fruits of your soil to the house of Yahweh your God. 'You will not boil a kid in its mother's milk.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	27	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Put these words in writing, for they are the terms of the covenant which I have made with you and with Israel.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	28	He stayed there with Yahweh for forty days and forty nights, eating and drinking nothing, and on the tablets he wrote the words of the covenant -- the Ten Words.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	29	When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, as he was coming down the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face was radiant because he had been talking to him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	30	And when Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin on his face was so radiant that they were afraid to go near him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	31	But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the community rejoined him, and Moses talked to them,
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	32	after which all the Israelites came closer, and he passed on to them all the orders that Yahweh had given to him on Mount Sinai.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	33	Once Moses had finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face.
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	34	Whenever Moses went into Yahweh's presence to speak with him, he took the veil off until he came out. And when he came out, he would tell the Israelites what orders he had been given,
 Exodus	Exo	2	34	35	and the Israelites would see Moses' face radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak to him next time.
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	1	Moses assembled the whole community of Israelites and said, 'These are the things Yahweh has ordered to be done:
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	2	Work must be done for six days, but the seventh must be a holy day for you, a day of complete rest, in honour of Yahweh. Anyone who does any work on that day will be put to death.
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	3	You will not light a fire on the Sabbath day in any of your homes.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	4	Moses spoke to the whole community of Israelites. 'This', he said, 'is what Yahweh has ordered:
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	5	Set aside a contribution for Yahweh out of your possessions. Everyone whose heart prompts him to do so should bring a contribution for Yahweh: gold, silver and bronze;
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	6	materials dyed violet-purple, red-purple and crimson, finely woven linen, goats' hair,
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	7	rams' skins dyed red, fine leather, acacia wood,
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	8	oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	9	cornelian and other stones to be set in the ephod and breastplate.
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	10	And all those of you who have the skill must come and make everything that Yahweh has ordered:
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	11	the Dwelling, its tent and its covering, its clasps and its frames, its crossbars, its pillars and its sockets;
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	12	the ark, its shafts and all its accessories, the mercy-seat and the screening curtain;
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	13	the table, its shafts and all its accessories, and the loaves of permanent offering;
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	14	the lamp-stand for the light, its accessories, its lamps, and the oil for the light;
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	15	the altar of incense and its shafts, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the screen for the entrance, for the entrance of the tent;
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	16	the altar of burnt offerings and its bronze grating, its shafts, and all its accessories; the basin and its stand;
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	17	the curtaining for the court, its poles, its sockets, and the screen for the entrance to the court;
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	18	the pegs for the Dwelling and the pegs for the court, and their cords;
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	19	the liturgical vestments for service in the sanctuary -- the sacred vestments for Aaron the priest, and the vestments for his sons, for their priestly functions.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	20	The whole community of Israelites then withdrew from Moses' presence.
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	21	And all those whose heart stirred them and all those whose spirit prompted them brought a contribution for Yahweh, for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for its general service and for the sacred vestments.
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	22	Men and women, they came, all those whose heart prompted them, bringing brooches, rings, bracelets, necklaces, golden objects of every kind -- all those who had vowed gold to Yahweh,
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	23	while all those who happened to own violet-purple, red-purple or crimson materials, finely woven linen, goats' hair, rams' skins dyed red, or fine leather, brought that.
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	24	All those offering a contribution of silver or bronze brought their contribution for Yahweh and all who happened to own acacia wood, suitable for any of the work to be done, brought that.
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	25	All the skilled women set their hands to spinning, and brought what they had spun: violet-purple, red-purple or crimson materials, and fine linen,
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	26	while all those women whose heart stirred them by virtue of their skill, spun goats' hair.
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	27	The leaders brought cornelians and other stones to be set in the ephod and breastplate,
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	28	and the spices and oil for the light, for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense.
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	29	All those Israelites, men and women, whose heart prompted them to contribute to the entire work that Yahweh had ordered through Moses to be done, brought a contribution to Yahweh.
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	30	Moses then said to the Israelites, 'Look, Yahweh has singled out Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	31	and has filled him with the spirit of God in wisdom, knowledge and skill in every kind of craft:
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	32	in designing and carrying out work in gold and silver and bronze,
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	33	in cutting stones to be set, in wood carving and in executing every kind of work.
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	34	And on him and on Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, he has bestowed the gift of teaching,
 Exodus	Exo	2	35	35	and filled them with the skill to carry out every kind of work, that of the engraver, that of the embroiderer, that of the needleworker in violet-purple, red-purple and crimson materials and fine linen, that of the weaver, and indeed that of every kind of craftsman and designer.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	1	'Bezalel, Oholiab and all the men whom Yahweh has endowed with the skill and knowledge to know how to carry out all the work to be done on the sanctuary, will do exactly as Yahweh has ordered.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	2	Moses then summoned Bezalel, Oholiab and all the skilled men whose hearts Yahweh had endowed with skill, all whose heart stirred them to come forward and do the work.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	3	From Moses they received everything that the Israelites had brought as contributions for carrying out the work of building the sanctuary, and, as they went on bringing their offerings every morning,
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	4	the skilled men who were doing all the work for the sanctuary, all left their particular work
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	5	and said to Moses, 'The people are bringing more than is needed for the work Yahweh has ordered to be done.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	6	Moses then gave the order and proclamation was made throughout the camp, 'No one, whether man or woman, must do anything more towards contributing for the sanctuary.' So the people were prevented from bringing any more,
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	7	for the material to hand was enough, and more than enough, to complete all the work.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	8	All the most skilled of the men doing the work made the Dwelling. Moses made it with ten sheets of finely woven linen, dyed violet-purple, red-purple and crimson and embroidered with great winged creatures.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	9	The length of a single sheet was twenty-eight cubits, its width four cubits, all the sheets being of the same size.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	10	He joined five of the sheets to one another, and the other five sheets to one another.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	11	He made violet loops along the edge of the first sheet, at the end of the set, and did the same along the edge of the last sheet in the other set.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	12	He made fifty loops on the first sheet and fifty loops along the outer edge of the sheet of the second set, the loops corresponding to one another.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	13	He made fifty gold clasps and joined the sheets together with the clasps. In this way the Dwelling was a unified whole.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	14	Next he made sheets of goats' hair for the tent over the Dwelling; he made eleven of these.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	15	The length of a single sheet was thirty cubits and its width four cubits; the eleven sheets were all of the same size.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	16	He joined five sheets together into one set and six sheets into another.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	17	He made fifty loops along the edge of the last sheet of the first set, and fifty loops along the edge of the sheet of the second set.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	18	He made fifty bronze clasps, to draw the tent together and make it a unified whole.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	19	And for the tent he made a cover of rams' skins dyed red, and a cover of fine leather over that.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	20	For the Dwelling he made vertical frames of acacia wood.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	21	Each frame was ten cubits long and one and a half cubits wide.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	22	Each frame had twin tenons; this was how he made all the frames for the Dwelling.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	23	He made frames for the Dwelling: twenty frames for the south side, to the south,
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	24	and made forty silver sockets under the twenty frames, two sockets under one frame for its two tenons, two sockets under the next frame for its two tenons;
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	25	and for the other side of the Dwelling, the north side, twenty frames
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	26	and forty silver sockets, two sockets under one frame, two sockets under the next frame.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	27	For the back of the Dwelling, on the west, he made six frames.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	28	He also made two frames for the corners at the back of the Dwelling;
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	29	these were coupled together at the bottom, staying so up to the top, to the level of the first ring; this he did with the two frames forming the two corners.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	30	Thus there were eight frames with their sixteen silver sockets; two sockets under each frame.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	31	He made crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames of the first side of the Dwelling,
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	32	five crossbars for the frames of the other side of the Dwelling and five crossbars for the frames which formed the back of the Dwelling, to the west.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	33	He made the middle bar, to join the frames from one end to the other, halfway up.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	34	He overlaid the frames with gold, made gold rings for them, through which to place the crossbars, and overlaid the crossbars with gold.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	35	He made a curtain of finely woven linen, dyed violet-purple, red-purple and crimson and embroidered with great winged creatures,
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	36	and for it he made four poles of acacia wood, overlaying them with gold, with golden hooks for them, for which he cast four sockets of silver.
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	37	For the entrance to the tent he made a screen of finely woven linen embroidered with violet-purple, red-purple and crimson,
 Exodus	Exo	2	36	38	as also the five columns for it and their hooks; he overlaid their capitals and rods with gold, but their five sockets were of bronze.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	1	Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide and one and a half cubits high.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	2	He overlaid it, inside and out, with pure gold, and made a gold moulding all round it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	3	He cast four gold rings for it at its four supports: two rings on one side and two rings on the other.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	4	He also made shafts of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold,
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	5	and passed the shafts through the rings on the sides of the ark, by which to carry it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	6	He also made a mercy-seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide,
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	7	and modelled two great winged creatures of beaten gold, putting them at the two ends of the mercy-seat,
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	8	one winged creature at one end and the other winged creature at the other end, making the winged creatures of a piece with the mercy-seat at either end.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	9	The winged creatures had their wings spread upwards, protecting the ark with their wings and facing each other, their faces being towards the mercy-seat.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	10	He made the table of acacia wood, two cubits long, one cubit wide and one and a half cubits high,
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	11	and made a gold moulding all round it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	12	He fitted it with struts a hand's breadth wide and made a gold moulding round the struts.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	13	He cast four gold rings for it and fixed the rings at the four corners where the four legs were.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	14	The rings lay close to the struts to hold the shafts for carrying the table.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	15	He made the shafts of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold; these were for carrying the table.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	16	He made the accessories which were to go on the table: its dishes, cups, jars and libation bowls, of pure gold.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	17	He also made the lamp-stand of pure gold, making the lamp-stand, base and stem, of beaten gold, its cups, calyxes and bud being of a piece with it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	18	Six branches sprang from its sides: three of the lamp-stand's branches from one side, three of the lamp-stand's branches from the other.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	19	The first branch carried three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with its calyx and bud; the second branch, too, carried three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with its calyx and bud, and similarly all six branches springing from the lamp-stand.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	20	The lamp-stand itself carried four cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with its calyx and bud:
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	21	one calyx under the first two branches springing from the lamp-stand, one calyx under the next pair of branches and one calyx under the last pair of branches -- thus for all six branches springing from the lamp-stand.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	22	The calyxes and the branches were of a piece with the lamp-stand, and the whole was made from a single piece of pure gold, beaten out.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	23	He also made its seven lamps, its snuffers and trays of pure gold.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	24	He made the lamp-stand and all its accessories from a talent of pure gold.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	25	He made the altar of incense of acacia wood, one cubit long, and one cubit wide -- it was square -- and two cubits high, its horns were of a piece with it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	26	He overlaid its top, its sides all round and its horns with pure gold and made a moulding to go all round.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	27	He made two gold rings for it below the moulding on its two opposite sides, to take the shafts used for carrying it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	28	He made the shafts of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
 Exodus	Exo	2	37	29	He also made the holy anointing oil and the fragrant incense, blending it as a perfumer would.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	1	He made the altar of burnt offerings of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; it was square and three cubits high.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	2	At its four corners he made horns, the horns being of a piece with it, and overlaid it with bronze.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	3	He made all the altar accessories: the ash pans, shovels, sprinkling basins, hooks and fire pans; he made all the altar accessories of bronze.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	4	He also made a grating for the altar of bronze network, below its ledge, underneath, coming halfway up.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	5	He cast four rings for the four corners of the bronze grating to take the shafts.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	6	He made the shafts of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	7	He passed the shafts through the rings on the sides of the altar for carrying it. He made the altar hollow, out of boards.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	8	He made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	9	He made the court. On the south side, on the south, the curtaining of the court was of finely woven linen a hundred cubits long.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	10	Its twenty poles and their sockets being of bronze, and their hooks and rods of silver;
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	11	and on the north side, a hundred cubits of curtaining, its twenty poles and their twenty sockets being of bronze, and their hooks and rods of silver.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	12	On the west side there were fifty cubits of curtaining, with its ten poles and their ten sockets, the poles' hooks and rods being of silver;
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	13	and on the east side on the east, there were fifty cubits.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	14	On the one side there were fifteen cubits of curtaining, with its three poles and their three sockets,
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	15	and on the other side -- either side of the gateway to the court -- there were fifteen cubits of curtaining with its three poles and their three sockets.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	16	All the curtaining round the court was of finely woven linen,
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	17	the sockets for the poles were of bronze, the poles' hooks and rods of silver, their capitals were overlaid with silver and all the poles of the court had silver rods.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	18	The screen for the gateway to the court was of finely woven linen embroidered with violet-purple, red-purple and crimson, twenty cubits long and five cubits high (all the way along) like the curtaining of the court,
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	19	its four poles and their four sockets being of bronze, their hooks of silver, their capitals overlaid with silver, and their rods of silver.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	20	All the pegs round the Dwelling and the court were of bronze.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	21	These are the accounts for the Dwelling -- the Dwelling of the Testimony -- drawn up by order of Moses, the work of Levites, produced by Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	22	Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything that Yahweh ordered Moses to make,
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	23	his assistant being Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, embroiderer and needleworker in violet-purple, red-purple and crimson materials and fine linen.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	24	The amount of gold used for the work, for the entire work for the sanctuary (the gold consecrated for the purpose) was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred and thirty shekels, reckoned by the sanctuary shekel.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	25	The silver from the census of the community was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels, reckoned by the sanctuary shekel,
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	26	one beqa per head, half a shekel reckoned by the sanctuary shekel, for everyone of twenty years and over included in the census, for six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty persons.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	27	A hundred talents of silver were used for casting the sockets for the sanctuary and the sockets for the curtain: a hundred sockets from a hundred talents, one talent per socket.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	28	From the one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels he made the hooks for the poles, overlaid their capitals and made the rods for them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	29	The bronze consecrated for the purpose amounted to seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels,
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	30	and from it he made the sockets for the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, the bronze altar, its bronze grating and all the altar accessories,
 Exodus	Exo	2	38	31	the sockets all round the court, the sockets for the gateway to the court, all the pegs for the Dwelling and all the pegs round the court.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	1	From the violet-purple, red-purple and crimson materials, they made the liturgical vestments for service in the sanctuary. They made the sacred vestments for Aaron, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	2	They made the ephod of gold, of violet-purple, red-purple and crimson materials and finely woven linen.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	3	They beat gold into thin plates and cut these into threads to work into the violet-purple, red-purple and crimson materials and the fine linen by needlework.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	4	For the ephod they made shoulder-straps which were joined to it at its two edges.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	5	The waistband on the ephod to hold it in position, was of a piece with it and of the same workmanship: of gold, violet-purple, red-purple and finely woven linen, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	6	They worked the cornelians, mounted in gold setting, and engraved, like an engraved seal, with the names of the sons of Israel,
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	7	and put the stones on the shoulder-straps of the ephod, to commemorate the sons of Israel, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	8	They made the breastplate of the same embroidered work as the ephod: of gold, violet-purple, red-purple and crimson materials and finely woven linen.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	9	It was square and doubled over, a span in length and a span in width.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	10	In it they set four rows of stones: a sard, a topaz and an emerald, for the first row;
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	11	for the second row, a garnet, a sapphire and a diamond;
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	12	for the third row, a hyacinth, a ruby and an amethyst;
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	13	and for the fourth row, a beryl, a cornelian and a jasper: mounted in gold settings,
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	14	the stones corresponding to the names of the sons of Israel, twelve like their names, engraved like seals, each with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	15	For the breastplate they made chains of pure gold twisted like cords,
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	16	and they made two gold rosettes and two gold rings, putting the two rings on the two outside edges of the breastplate
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	17	and fastening the two gold cords to the two rings on the outside edges of the breastplate.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	18	The other two ends of the cords they fastened to the two rosettes, putting these on the shoulder-straps of the ephod, on the front.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	19	They also made two gold rings and put them on the two outside edges of the breastplate, on the inner side, against the ephod;
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	20	and they made two more gold rings and put them low down on the front of the two shoulder-straps of the ephod, close to the join, above the waistband of the ephod.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	21	They secured the pectoral by a violet-purple cord passed through its rings and those of the ephod, so that the pectoral would sit above the waistband and not come apart from the ephod, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	22	They made the robe of the ephod woven entirely of violet-purple.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	23	The opening in the centre of the robe was like the neck of a coat of mail; round the opening was a border, so that it would not get torn.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	24	On the lower hem of the robe, they made pomegranates of violet-purple, red-purple and crimson and finely woven linen,
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	25	and made bells of pure gold, putting the bells between the pomegranates all round the lower hem of the robe:
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	26	alternately, a bell and then a pomegranate, all round the lower hem of the robe of office, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	27	They made the tunics of finely woven linen for Aaron and his sons,
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	28	the turban of fine linen, the head-dresses of fine linen, the breeches of finely woven linen,
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	29	the waistbands of finely woven linen embroidered with violet-purple, red-purple and crimson, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	30	They also made the flower -- the symbol of holy consecration -- of pure gold and on it, like an engraved seal, they engraved, 'Consecrated to Yahweh'.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	31	They put it on a violet-purple cord, to fasten it high up on the turban, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	32	So all the work for the Dwelling, for the Tent of Meeting, was completed. They had done everything exactly as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	33	They then brought Moses the Dwelling, the Tent and all its accessories: its clasps, frames, crossbars, poles and sockets;
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	34	the cover of rams' skins dyed red, the cover of fine leather and the screening curtain;
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	35	the ark of the Testimony and its shafts, and the mercy-seat;
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	36	the table, all its accessories and the loaves of permanent offering;
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	37	the lamp-stand of pure gold, its lamps -- the array of lamps -- and all its accessories, and the oil for the light;
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	38	the golden altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense and the screen for the entrance to the tent;
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	39	the bronze altar and its bronze grating, its shafts and all its accessories; the basin and its stand;
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	40	the curtaining for the court, its poles, its sockets, and the screen for the gateway to the court, its cords, its pegs and all the accessories for the service of the Dwelling, for the Tent of Meeting;
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	41	the liturgical vestments for officiating in the sanctuary -- the sacred vestments for Aaron the priest, and the vestments for his sons -- for the priestly functions.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	42	The Israelites had done all the work exactly as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	39	43	Moses inspected all the work: they had indeed done it as Yahweh had ordered; and Moses blessed them.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	1	Yahweh then spoke to Moses and said,
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	2	'On the first day of the first month, you will erect the Dwelling, the Tent of Meeting,
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	3	and place the ark of the Testimony in it and screen the ark with the curtain.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	4	You will then bring in the table and arrange what has to be arranged on it. You will then bring in the lamp-stand and set up its lamps.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	5	You will place the golden altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and place the screen at the entrance to the Dwelling.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	6	You will place the altar of burnt offerings in front of the entrance to the Dwelling, the Tent of Meeting,
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	7	and you will place the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and fill it with water.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	8	You will then set up the surrounding court and hang the screen at the gateway of the court.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	9	Then, taking the anointing oil, you will anoint the Dwelling and everything inside, consecrating it and all its accessories; it will then be holy.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	10	You will then anoint the altar of burnt offerings and all its accessories, consecrating the altar; the altar will then be especially holy.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	11	You will then anoint the basin and its stand, and consecrate it.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	12	You will then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, bathe them thoroughly
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	13	and then dress Aaron in the sacred vestments, and anoint and consecrate him, to serve me in the priesthood.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	14	You will then bring his sons, dress them in tunics
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	15	and anoint them as you anointed their father, to serve me in the priesthood. Their anointing will confer an everlasting priesthood on them for all their generations to come.'
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	16	Moses did this; he did exactly as Yahweh had ordered him.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	17	On the first day of the first month in the second year the Dwelling was erected.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	18	Moses erected the Dwelling. He fixed its sockets, set up its frames, put its crossbars in position and set up its poles.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	19	He spread the tent over the Dwelling and the covering for the tent over that, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	20	He took the Testimony and put it in the ark, positioned the shafts on the ark and put the mercy-seat on top of the ark.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	21	He brought the ark into the Dwelling and put the screening curtain in place, screening the ark of the Testimony, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	22	He put the table inside the Tent of Meeting, against the side of the Dwelling, on the north, outside the curtain,
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	23	and on it arranged the loaves before Yahweh, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	24	He put the lamp-stand inside the Tent of Meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the Dwelling,
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	25	and set up the lamps before Yahweh, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	26	He put the golden altar inside the Tent of Meeting, in front of the curtain,
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	27	and on it burnt fragrant incense, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	28	He then put the screen at the entrance to the Dwelling.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	29	He put the altar of burnt offerings at the entrance to the Dwelling, to the Tent of Meeting, and on it offered the burnt offering and cereal offering, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	30	He put the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it for the ablutions,
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	31	where Moses, Aaron and his sons washed their hands and feet,
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	32	whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar they washed, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	33	He then set up the court round the Dwelling and the altar and set up the screen at the gate-way to the court. Thus Moses completed the work.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	34	The cloud then covered the Tent of Meeting and the glory of Yahweh filled the Dwelling.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	35	Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting, since the cloud stayed over it and the glory of Yahweh filled the Dwelling.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	36	At every stage of their journey, whenever the cloud rose from the Dwelling, the Israelites would resume their march.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	37	If the cloud did not rise, they would not resume their march until the day it did rise.
 Exodus	Exo	2	40	38	For Yahweh's cloud stayed over the Dwelling during the daytime and there was fire inside the cloud at night, for the whole House of Israel to see, at every stage of their journey.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	1	Yahweh summoned Moses and, speaking to him from the Tent of Meeting, said,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	2	'Speak to the Israelites; say to them, "When any of you brings an offering to Yahweh, he can offer an animal either from the herd or from the flock.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	3	"If his offering is to be a burnt offering from the herd, he must offer an unblemished male; he will offer it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, to make it acceptable to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	4	He must lay his hand on the victim's head, and it will be accepted as effectual for his expiation.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	5	He will then slaughter the bull before Yahweh, and the priests descended from Aaron will offer the blood. They will pour it all around the altar which stands at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	6	He will then skin the victim and quarter it.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	7	The priests descended from Aaron will put a fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	8	The priests descended from Aaron will then arrange the quarters, the head and the fat on the wood on the fire on the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	9	He will wash the entrails and shins in water, and the priest will burn it all on the altar as a burnt offering, food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	10	"If his offering is to be of an animal from the flock, of a lamb or a goat to be offered as a burnt offering, he must offer an unblemished male.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	11	He will slaughter it on the north side of the altar, before Yahweh, and the priests descended from Aaron will pour the blood all around the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	12	He will then quarter it, and the priest will arrange the quarters, the head and the fat on the wood on the fire on the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	13	He will wash the entrails and shins in water, and the priest will burn it all on the altar as a burnt offering, food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	14	"If his offering to Yahweh is to be a burnt offering of a bird, he must offer a turtledove or a young pigeon.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	15	The priest will offer it at the altar and wring off its head, which he will burn on the altar; its blood must then be squeezed out on the side of the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	16	He will then remove the crop and the feathers and throw them on the eastern side of the altar, where the fatty ashes are put.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	1	17	He will then split it in half with a wing on each side, but without separating the two parts. The priest will then burn it on the altar, on the wood which is on the fire, as a burnt offering, food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	1	' "If anyone offers Yahweh a cereal offering, his offering must consist of wheaten flour on which he must pour wine and put incense.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	2	He will bring it to the priests descended from Aaron; he will take a handful of the wheaten flour, some of the oil and all the incense, and this the priest will burn on the altar as a memorial, as food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	3	The remainder of the cereal offering will revert to Aaron and his sons, an especially holy portion of the food burnt for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	4	"When you offer a cereal offering of dough baked in the oven, the wheaten flour must be prepared either in the form of unleavened cakes mixed with oil, or in the form of unleavened wafers spread with oil.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	5	"If your offering is a cereal offering cooked on the griddle, the wheaten flour mixed with oil must contain no leaven.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	6	You will break it in pieces and pour oil over it. It is a cereal offering.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	7	"If your offering is a cereal offering cooked in the pan, the wheaten flour must be prepared with oil.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	8	"You will bring Yahweh the cereal offering thus prepared and present it to the priest; he will take it to the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	9	And from the cereal offering the priest will take the memorial and burn it on the altar, food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	10	The remainder of the cereal offering will revert to Aaron and his descendants: it is especially holy since it is taken from the food burnt for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	11	"None of the cereal offerings which you offer to Yahweh must be prepared with leaven, for you must never include leaven or honey in food burnt for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	12	You may offer them to Yahweh as an offering of first-fruits, but they will not make a pleasing smell if they are burnt on the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	13	You will put salt in every cereal offering that you offer, and you will not fail to put the salt of the covenant of your God on your cereal offering; to every offering you will add an offering of salt to your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	14	If you offer Yahweh a cereal offering of first-fruits, you will offer it in the form of roasted ears of wheat or of bread made from ground wheat.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	15	You will add oil to it and put incense on it; it is a cereal offering;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	2	16	and from it the priest will burn the memorial with some bread and oil (and all the incense) as food burnt for Yahweh." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	1	' "If his sacrifice is a communion sacrifice, and if he offers an animal from the herd, be it male or female, whatever he offers before Yahweh must be unblemished.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	2	He will lay his hand on the victim's head and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The priests descended from Aaron will then pour the blood all around the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	3	He will offer part of the communion sacrifice as food burnt for Yahweh: the fat covering the entrails, all the fat on the entrails,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	4	both kidneys, the fat on them and on the loins, the mass of fat which he will remove from the liver and kidneys.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	5	The priests descended from Aaron will then burn this on the altar, in addition to the burnt offering, on the wood of the fire, food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	6	"If it is an animal from the flock which he offers as a communion sacrifice to Yahweh, be the animal that he offers male or female, it must be unblemished.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	7	"If he offers a sheep, he will offer it before Yahweh,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	8	he will lay his hand on the victim's head and slaughter it in front of the Tent of Meeting; the priests descended from Aaron will then pour its blood all around the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	9	Of the communion sacrifice he will offer the following as food burnt for Yahweh: the fat, all the tail taken off near the base of the spine, the fat covering the entrails, all the fat on the entrails,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	10	both kidneys, the fat on them and on the loins, the mass of fat which he will remove from the liver and kidneys.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	11	The priest will then burn this on the altar as food, as food burnt for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	12	"If his offering is a goat, he will offer it before Yahweh,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	13	he will lay his hand on the victim's head and slaughter it in front of the Tent of Meeting, and the descendants of Aaron will then pour its blood all around the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	14	This is what he will then offer of it as food burnt for Yahweh: the fat covering the entrails, all the fat on the entrails,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	15	both kidneys, the fat on them and on the loins, the mass of fat which he will remove from the liver and kidneys.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	16	The priest will then burn these pieces on the altar as food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh. "All the fat belongs to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	3	17	This is a perpetual law for all your descendants, wherever you may live: that you will not eat either fat or blood." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	2	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "If anyone sins inadvertently against any of Yahweh's commandments and does anything prohibited by them,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	3	if the one who sins is the anointed priest, thus making the people guilty, then for the sin which he has committed he must offer Yahweh a young bull, an unblemished animal from the herd, as a sacrifice for sin.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	4	He will bring the bull before Yahweh at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, will lay his hand on its head and slaughter it before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	5	The anointed priest will then take some of the bull's blood and carry it into the Tent of Meeting.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	6	He will then dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times in front of the sanctuary curtain, before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	7	The priest will then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of incense smoking before Yahweh in the Tent of Meeting, and will pour all the rest of the bull's blood at the foot of the altar of burnt offerings at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	8	"Of the bull offered as a sacrifice for sin, he will set aside all the fat: the fat covering the entrails, all the fat on the entrails,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	9	both kidneys, the fat on them and on the loins, the mass of fat which he will remove from the liver and kidneys-
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	10	exactly as was done with the portion set aside in the communion sacrifice -- and the priest will burn these pieces on the altar of burnt offerings.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	11	"The bull's skin and all its meat, its head, its shins, its entrails and its offal,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	12	the whole bull he will then have carried out of the camp to a clean place, the place where the fatty ashes are thrown, and will burn it on a wood fire; it must be burnt where the ashes are thrown.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	13	"If the whole community of Israel has sinned inadvertently and, without being aware of it has incurred guilt by doing something forbidden by Yahweh's commandments,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	14	once the sin of which it is guilty has been discovered, the community must offer a young bull, an unblemished animal from the herd, as a sacrifice for sin, and bring it in front of the Tent of Meeting.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	15	The elders of the community will then lay their hands on the bull's head before Yahweh, and the bull will be slaughtered before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	16	"The anointed priest will then take some of the bull's blood into the Tent of Meeting.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	17	He will then dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times in front of the curtain, before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	18	He will then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar standing before Yahweh inside the Tent of Meeting, and then pour all the rest of the blood at the foot of the altar of burnt offerings at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	19	"He will then set aside all the fat from the animal and burn it on the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	20	He will then deal with the bull as he did with the bull in the sacrifice for sin. It will be dealt with in the same way; and once the priest has performed the rite of expiation for the people, they will be forgiven.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	21	"He will then have the bull carried out of the camp and will burn it as he burned the first one. This is the sacrifice for the sin of the community.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	22	"When a leader has sinned and inadvertently incurred guilt by doing something forbidden by the commandments of Yahweh his God
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	23	(or if the sin which he has committed is drawn to his attention), he must bring a he-goat as his offering, an unblemished male.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	24	He will then lay his hand on the goat's head and slaughter it on the spot where the burnt offerings are slaughtered before Yahweh. This is a sacrifice for sin;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	25	the priest will take some of the victim's blood on his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offerings. He will then pour the rest of its blood at the foot of the altar of burnt offerings
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	26	and burn all the fat on the altar, as with the fat in the communion sacrifice. This is how the priest must perform the rite of expiation for him to free him from his sin, and he will be forgiven.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	27	"If one of the country people sins inadvertently and incurs guilt by doing something forbidden by Yahweh's commandments
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	28	(or if the sin which he has committed is drawn to his attention), he must bring a she-goat as his offering for the sin which he has committed, an unblemished female.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	29	He will then lay his hand on the victim's head and slaughter it on the spot where the burnt offerings are slaughtered.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	30	The priest will take some of its blood on his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offerings. He will then pour all the rest of the blood at the foot of the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	31	He will then remove all the fat, as the fat was removed for the communion sacrifice, and the priest will burn it on the altar as a smell pleasing to Yahweh. This is how the priest must perform the rite of expiation for him, and he will be forgiven.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	32	"If he wishes to bring a lamb as an offering for this kind of sacrifice, he must bring an unblemished female.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	33	He will then lay his hand on the victim's head and slaughter it as a sacrifice for sin on the spot where the burnt offerings are slaughtered.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	34	The priest will take some of the victim's blood on his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offerings. He will then pour all the rest of the blood at the foot of the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	4	35	He will then remove all the fat, as was done for the sheep in the communion sacrifice, and the priest will burn it as food burnt for Yahweh. This is how the priest must perform for him the rite of expiation for the sin which he has committed, and he will will be forgiven."
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	1	' "If someone sins in any of these following cases: "He should have come forward to give evidence when he heard the formal adjuration, having seen the incident or known the facts; but he has not spoken out, and so bears the consequences of his guilt;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	2	"or someone touches something unclean, whatever it may be -- the dead body of an unclean animal, wild or tame, or of one of the unclean reptiles -- and without realising it becomes unclean, he becomes answerable for it;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	3	"or he touches some human uncleanness, whatever it may be, contact with which makes him unclean; he does not notice it, then, realising it later, he becomes answerable for it;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	4	"or someone lets slip an oath to do something either evil or good, in any of those matters on which someone may let slip an oath; he does not notice it, then, realising it later, he becomes answerable for it;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	5	"if he is answerable in any of those cases, he will have to confess the sin committed.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	6	As a sacrifice of reparation for the sin committed, he will bring Yahweh a female from the flock (sheep or goat) as a sacrifice for sin; and the priest will perform the rite of expiation for him to free him from his sin.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	7	"If he cannot afford an animal from the flock as a sacrifice of reparation for the sin he has committed, he will bring Yahweh two turtledoves or two young pigeons -- one as a sacrifice for sin and the other as a burnt offering.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	8	He will bring them to the priest who will first offer the one intended for the sacrifice for sin. The priest will wring its neck but not remove the head.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	9	He will sprinkle the side of the altar with the victim's blood, and then squeeze out the rest of the blood at the foot of the altar. This is a sacrifice for sin.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	10	He will then offer the other bird as a burnt offering according to the ritual. This is how the priest must perform the rite of expiation for the person for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	11	"If he cannot afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, he will bring a tenth of an ephah of wheaten flour as an offering for the sin committed; he must not mix oil with it or put incense on it, since this is a sacrifice for sin.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	12	He will bring it to the priest, who will take a handful of it as a memorial, and burn this on the altar in addition to the offerings of food burnt for Yahweh. This is a sacrifice for sin.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	13	This is how the priest must perform the rite of expiation for the person for the sin he has committed in any of those cases, and he will be forgiven. In this case, the priest has the same rights as in the case of a cereal offering." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	14	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	15	'If someone is unfaithful and sins inadvertently by infringing Yahweh's sacred rights, as a sacrifice of reparation he must bring Yahweh an unblemished ram from his flock, the value of which will be decided by you in silver shekels according to the rate of the sanctuary-shekel.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	16	He will make amends for what his sin subtracted from the sacred rights, adding one-fifth to the value, and give it to the priest. The priest will then perform the rite of expiation for him with the ram for the sacrifice of reparation and he will be forgiven.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	17	'If someone sins and without realising it does one of the things forbidden by Yahweh's commandments, he will answer for it and bear the consequences of his guilt.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	18	As a sacrifice of reparation he must bring the priest an unblemished ram from his flock to the value which you decide, and the priest will perform the rite of expiation for him for the oversight unwittingly committed, and he will be forgiven.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	19	This is a sacrifice of reparation; the man was certainly answerable to Yahweh.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	20	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	21	'If someone sins and is unfaithful against Yahweh by deceiving his fellow-countryman over a deposit or a security, or by withholding something due to him or by exploiting him;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	22	'or if he finds lost property and denies it; 'or if he perjures himself about anything that a human being may do criminally in such matters;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	23	'if he sins and so becomes answerable, he must restore what he has taken or demanded in excess: the deposit confided to him, the lost property that he has found,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	24	or any object about which he has perjured himself. He will add one-fifth to the principal and pay the whole to the person who held the property rights on the day when he incurred the guilt.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	25	He will then bring Yahweh an unblemished ram from his flock to the value which you decide, to the priest as a sacrifice of reparation,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	5	26	and the priest will perform the rite of expiation for him before Yahweh and he will be forgiven, whatever the act by which he incurred guilt.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	2	'Give these orders to Aaron and his sons: "This is the ritual for the burnt offering (that is, the burnt offering that stays on the altar brazier all night until morning and is consumed by the altar fire).
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	3	"The priest will put on his linen tunic and put his linen drawers on to cover himself. He will then remove the fatty ashes of the burnt offering consumed by the altar fire and put them at the side of the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	4	He will then take off his clothes, put on others and carry the ashes to a clean place outside the camp.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	5	"The fire on the altar that consumes the burnt offering must not be allowed to go out. Every morning the priest will make it up with wood, arranging the burnt offering on it and burning the fat from the communion sacrifices.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	6	The fire must always be burning on the altar; it must never go out.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	7	'This is the ritual for the cereal offering: "One of the descendants of Aaron will bring it into Yahweh's presence in front of the altar,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	8	will take a handful of the wheaten flour (with the oil and all the incense which have been added to it) and burn the memorial on the altar as a smell pleasing to Yahweh;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	9	and Aaron and his sons will eat the remainder in the form of unleavened loaves. They will eat it inside the holy place, in the court of the Tent of Meeting.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	10	The portion I give them of the food burnt for me must not be baked with leaven; it is especially holy, like the sacrifice for sin and the sacrifice of reparation.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	11	All male descendants of Aaron are entitled to eat this portion of the food burnt for Yahweh (this is a perpetual law for all your descendants) and anyone who touches it will become holy." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	12	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	13	'This is the offering that Aaron and his sons must make to Yahweh on the day they are anointed: one-tenth of an ephah of wheaten flour as a perpetual cereal offering, half in the morning and half in the evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	14	It will be prepared on the griddle and mixed with oil; you will bring the paste as a cereal offering in several pieces, offering them as a smell pleasing to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	15	When one of his sons is anointed priest to succeed him, he will do the same. This is a perpetual law. 'The entire cereal offering will be burnt for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	16	Every cereal offering made by a priest will be a total sacrifice; none of it will be eaten.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	17	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	18	'Speak to Aaron and his sons and say: "This is the ritual for the sacrifice for sin: "The victim must be slaughtered before Yahweh on the spot where the burnt offerings are slaughtered. It is especially holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	19	The priest who offers this sacrifice will eat it. It will be eaten inside the holy place, in the court of the Tent of Meeting.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	20	Everything touching the victim's meat will become holy, and if any of the blood splashes on clothing, the stain will be washed off inside the holy place.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	21	The earthenware vessel in which the meat is cooked must be broken; if a bronze vessel has been used for the cooking, it must be scrubbed and thoroughly rinsed with water.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	22	Any male who is a priest may eat the sacrifice. It is especially holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	6	23	But no one may eat any of the victims offered for sin, the blood of which has been taken into the Tent of Meeting to make expiation inside the sanctuary. These must be burnt." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	1	' "This is the ritual for the sacrifice of reparation: "It is especially holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	2	The victim must be slaughtered where the burnt offerings are slaughtered, and the priest will pour the blood all around the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	3	He will then offer all the fat: the tail, the fat covering the entrails,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	4	both kidneys, the fat on them and on the loins, the mass of fat which he will remove from the liver and kidneys.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	5	The priest will burn these pieces on the altar as food burnt for Yahweh. This is a sacrifice of reparation.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	6	Every male who is a priest may eat it. It will be eaten inside the holy place; it is especially holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	7	"As with the sacrifice for sin, so with the sacrifice of reparation -- the ritual is the same for both. The offering with which the priest performs the rite of expiation will revert to the priest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	8	The hide of the victim presented by someone to the priest to be offered as a burnt offering will revert to the priest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	9	Every cereal offering baked in the oven, every cereal offering cooked in the pan or on the griddle will revert to the priest who offers it.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	10	Every cereal offering, mixed with oil or dry, will revert to all the descendants of Aaron without distinction.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	11	"This is the ritual for the communion sacrifice to be offered to Yahweh:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	12	"If this is offered as a sacrifice with praise, to the latter must be added an offering of unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers spread with oil, and wheaten flour in the form of cakes mixed with oil.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	13	This offering, then, must be added to the cakes of leavened bread and to the communion sacrifice with praise.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	14	One of the cakes of this offering must be presented as an offering to Yahweh; it will revert to the priest who pours out the blood of the communion sacrifice.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	15	The meat of the victim will be eaten on the day the offering is made; nothing may be left until next morning.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	16	"If the victim is offered as a votive or a voluntary sacrifice, it must be eaten on the day it is offered, and the remainder may be eaten on the following day;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	17	but on the third day whatever is left of the meat of the victim must be burnt.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	18	"If any of the meat of a victim offered as a communion sacrifice is eaten on the third day, the person who has offered it will not be acceptable and will receive no credit for it. It will count as rotten meat, and the person who eats it will bear the consequences of the guilt.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	19	"Meat that has touched anything unclean cannot be eaten; it must be burnt. "Anyone clean may eat the meat,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	20	but anyone unclean who eats the meat of a communion sacrifice offered to Yahweh will be outlawed from his people.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	21	Furthermore, if anyone touches anything unclean, human or animal, or any foul thing, and then eats the meat of a communion sacrifice offered to Yahweh, that individual will be outlawed from his people." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	22	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	23	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "You may not eat the fat of ox, sheep or goat.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	24	The fat of an animal that has died a natural death or been savaged by beasts may be used for any other purpose, but you are not to eat it.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	25	Anyone who eats the fat of an animal offered as food burnt for Yahweh will be outlawed from his people.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	26	"Wherever you live, you will never eat blood, whether it be of bird or of beast.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	27	Anyone who eats any blood will be outlawed from his people." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	28	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	29	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "Anyone who offers Yahweh a communion sacrifice must bring him part of his sacrifice as an offering.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	30	He must bring the food to be burnt for Yahweh, that is to say, the fat adhering to the forequarters, with his own hands. He will bring it, and also the forequarters, with which he will make the gesture of offering before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	31	The priest will then burn the fat on the altar, and the forequarters will revert to Aaron and his descendants.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	32	You will set aside the right thigh from your communion sacrifice and give it to the priest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	33	The right thigh will be the portion of the descendant of Aaron who offers the blood and fat of the communion sacrifice.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	34	For I have deprived the Israelites of the forequarter offered and the thigh presented in their communion sacrifices, and given them to the priest Aaron and his descendants; this is a perpetual law for the Israelites." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	35	Such was the portion of Aaron and his descendants in the food burnt for Yahweh, the day he presented them to Yahweh for them to become his priests.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	36	This was what Yahweh ordered the Israelites to give them on the day they were anointed: a perpetual law for all their descendants.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	37	Such was the ritual for burnt offering, cereal offering, sacrifice for sin, sacrifice of reparation, investiture sacrifice and communion sacrifice,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	7	38	which Yahweh laid down for Moses on Mount Sinai, the day he ordered the Israelites to make their offerings to Yahweh in the desert of Sinai.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	2	'Take Aaron and with him his sons, the vestments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sacrifice for sin, the two rams and the basket of unleavened bread.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	3	Then call the whole community together at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	4	Moses did as Yahweh ordered; the community gathered at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	5	and Moses said to them, 'This is what Yahweh has ordered to be done.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	6	He made Aaron and his sons come forward and washed them with water.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	7	He then dressed him in the tunic, passed the waistband round his waist, vested him in the robe and put the ephod on him. He then put the waistband of the ephod round his waist, fastening it to him.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	8	He put the breastplate on him, and placed the urim and thummim in it.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	9	He put the turban on his head, and on the front of the turban, the golden flower; this was the symbol of holy consecration, which Yahweh had prescribed to Moses.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	10	Moses then took the anointing oil and anointed the Dwelling and everything inside it, to consecrate them.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	11	He sprinkled the altar seven times and anointed the altar and its accessories, the basin and its stand, to consecrate them.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	12	He then poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him to consecrate him.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	13	Moses then made Aaron's sons come forward; he dressed them in tunics, passed the waistbands round their waists and put on their head-dresses, as Yahweh had ordered him.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	14	He then had the bull for the sacrifice for sin brought forward. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the victim's head
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	15	and Moses slaughtered it. He then took the blood and with his finger put some of it on the horns on the corners of the altar to purify the altar. He then poured the rest of the blood at the foot of the altar, which he consecrated by performing the rite of expiation over it.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	16	He then took all the fat covering the entrails, the mass of fat over the liver, both kidneys and their fat; and he burnt this on the altar,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	17	but the bull's skin, its meat and its offal he burnt outside the camp, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	18	He then had the ram for the burnt offering brought forward. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram's head
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	19	and Moses slaughtered it. He poured its blood all around the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	20	He then quartered the ram and burned the head, the quarters and the fat.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	21	He then washed the entrails and shins, and burnt the whole ram on the altar, as a burnt offering, offered to be a pleasing smell, as food burnt for Yahweh, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	22	He then had the other ram brought forward, the ram for the investiture sacrifice. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	23	and Moses slaughtered it. He took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	24	He then made Aaron's sons come forward and he put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet. Next, Moses poured the rest of the blood all around the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	25	He then took the fat: the tail, all the fat covering the entrails, the mass of fat over the liver, both kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	26	From the basket of unleavened bread placed before Yahweh, he took an unleavened cake, a cake of bread made with oil, and a wafer; he placed these on the fat and the right thigh,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	27	and put it all into Aaron's hands and those of his sons, and made the gesture of offering before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	28	Moses then took them away from them and burned them on the altar, with the burnt offering. This was the investiture sacrifice, offered to be a pleasing smell, as food burnt for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	29	Moses then took the forequarter and made the gesture of offering before Yahweh. This was the portion of the ram of investiture that reverted to Moses, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	30	Moses then took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar and sprinkled Aaron and his vestments, and his sons and their vestments, with it. In this way he consecrated Aaron and his vestments and his sons and their vestments.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	31	Moses then said to Aaron and his sons, 'Cook the meat at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, and eat it there, as also the bread of the investiture sacrifice still in the basket of the investiture offerings, as I ordered, when I said, "Aaron and his sons must eat it."
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	32	What remains of the meat and bread you will burn.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	33	For seven days you will not leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, until the time of your investiture is complete; for your investiture will require seven days.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	34	Yahweh has ordered us to do as we have done today to perform the rite of expiation for you;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	35	hence, for seven days, day and night, you will remain at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting observing Yahweh's ritual; do this, and you will not incur death. For this was the order I received.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	8	36	So Aaron and his sons did everything that Yahweh had ordered through Moses.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	1	On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	2	he said to Aaron, 'Take a calf to offer a sacrifice for sin, and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and bring them before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	3	Then say to the Israelites, "Take a goat to be offered as a sacrifice for sin, a calf and a lamb one year old (both without blemish) for a burnt offering,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	4	a bull and a ram for communion sacrifices to be slaughtered before Yahweh, and a cereal offering mixed with oil. For Yahweh will appear to you today." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	5	They brought what Moses had ordered in front of the Tent of Meeting; then the whole community approached and stood before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	6	Moses then said, 'This is what Yahweh has ordered you to do, so that his glory may be visible to you.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	7	Moses then addressed Aaron, 'Go to the altar and offer your sacrifice for sin and your burnt offering, and so perform the rite of expiation for yourself and your family. Then present the people's offering and perform the rite of expiation for them, as Yahweh has ordered.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	8	Aaron went to the altar and slaughtered the calf as a sacrifice for his own sin.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	9	Aaron's sons then presented the blood to him; he dipped his finger in it and put some on the horns of the altar, and then poured the rest of the blood at the foot of the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	10	The fat of the sacrifice for sin and the kidneys and the mass of fat over the liver he burned on the altar, as Yahweh had ordered Moses,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	11	and the meat and the skin he burned outside the camp.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	12	He then slaughtered the burnt offering; Aaron's sons then handed him the blood, which he poured all around the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	13	They then handed him the quartered victim and the head, and he burned these on the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	14	He then washed the entrails and shins and burned them with the burnt offering on the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	15	He then presented the people's offering. He took the goat for the people's sacrifice for sin, slaughtered it, and made a sacrifice for sin with it in the same way as with the first.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	16	He then had the burnt offering brought forward and proceeded according to the ritual.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	17	He then had the cereal offering brought forward, took a handful of it and burned it on the altar in addition to the morning burnt offering.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	18	Then he slaughtered the bull and the ram as a communion sacrifice for the people. Aaron's sons handed him the blood and he poured it all around the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	19	The fat of the bull and the ram, the tail, the covering fat, the kidneys, the mass of fat over the liver,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	20	he placed on the ribs and then burned on the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	21	With the ribs and the right thigh Aaron made the gesture of offering as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	22	Aaron then raised his hands towards the people and blessed them. Having thus performed the sacrifice for sin, the burnt offering and the communion sacrifice, he came down
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	23	and entered the Tent of Meeting with Moses. Then they came out together to bless the people and the glory of Yahweh appeared to the entire people:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	9	24	a flame leapt out from Yahweh's presence and consumed the burnt offering and fat on the altar. At this sight the entire people shouted for joy and fell on their faces.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	1	Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu each took his censer, put fire in it and incense on the fire, and presented unauthorised fire before Yahweh, which was not in accordance with his orders.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	2	At this a flame leapt out from Yahweh's presence and swallowed them up, and they perished before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	3	Moses then said to Aaron, 'That is what Yahweh meant when he said: In those who are close to me I show my holiness, and before all the people I show my glory.' Aaron remained silent.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	4	Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron's uncle Uzziel, and said to them, 'Come here and take your brothers away from the sanctuary, out of the camp.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	5	They came and carried them away, still in their tunics, out of the camp, as Moses had said.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	6	Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, 'Do not disorder your hair or tear your clothes; or you may incur death and his retribution may overtake the whole community. No, it is for the entire House of Israel to lament your brothers who have been the victims of Yahweh's fire.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	7	To avoid incurring death, do not leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, for Yahweh's anointing oil is on you.' And they did as Moses said.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	8	Yahweh spoke to Aaron and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	9	'When you come to the Tent of Meeting, you and your sons with you, to avoid incurring death you may not drink wine or any other fermented liquor. This is a perpetual law for all your descendants.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	10	And so shall it be also when you separate the sacred from the profane, the unclean from the clean,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	11	and when you teach the Israelites any of the decrees that Yahweh has pronounced for them through Moses.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	12	Moses said to Aaron and his surviving sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, 'Take the cereal offering left over from the food burnt for Yahweh. Eat the unleavened part of it beside the altar, since it is especially holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	13	Eat it in the holy place, since it is the portion of the food burnt for Yahweh that is prescribed for you and your sons; this is the order I have received.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	14	'You, your sons and daughters with you, will eat in a clean place the forequarter offered and the thigh presented, for these have been given to you and your children as your due from the Israelites' communion sacrifices.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	15	The thigh presented and the forequarter offered, once the fat has been burnt, revert to you and your sons with you, after they have been presented before Yahweh with the gesture of offering, in virtue of a perpetual law as Yahweh has ordered.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	16	Moses then enquired carefully about the goat offered as a sacrifice for sin, and found that they had burnt it. He was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's surviving sons, and said,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	17	'Why did you not eat this victim for sin in the holy place, since it is especially holy and was given to you to take away the community's guilt, by performing the rite of expiation for them before Yahweh?
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	18	Since its blood was not taken inside the sanctuary, you should have eaten its meat there, as I ordered you.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	19	Aaron said to Moses, 'Look, today they offered their sacrifice for sin and their burnt offering before Yahweh, and these disasters have befallen me. If I had eaten the sin offering today, would this have met with Yahweh's approval?'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	10	20	And when Moses heard this, he was satisfied.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron and said to them,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	2	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "Of all animals living on land these are the creatures you may eat:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	3	"You may eat any animal that has a cloven hoof, divided into two parts, and that is a ruminant.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	4	The following, which either chew the cud or have a cloven hoof, are the ones that you may not eat: you will regard the camel as unclean, because though it is ruminant, it does not have a cloven hoof;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	5	you will regard the coney as unclean, because though it is ruminant, it does not have a cloven hoof;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	6	you will regard the hare as unclean, because though it is ruminant, it does not have a cloven hoof;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	7	you will regard the pig as unclean, because though it has a cloven hoof, divided into two parts, it is not a ruminant.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	8	You will not eat the meat of these or touch their dead bodies; you will regard them as unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	9	"Of all that lives in water, these you may eat: "Anything that has fins and scales, and lives in the water, whether in sea or river, you may eat.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	10	But anything in sea or river that does not have fins and scales, of all the small water-creatures and all the living things found there, you will regard as detestable.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	11	You will regard them as detestable; you must not eat their meat and you will regard their carcases as detestable.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	12	Anything that lives in water, but not having fins and scales, you will regard as detestable.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	13	"Of the birds these are the ones that you will regard as detestable; they may not be eaten, they are detestable for eating: "The tawny vulture, the griffon, the osprey,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	14	the kite, the various kinds of buzzard,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	15	all kinds of raven,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	16	the ostrich, the screech owl, the seagull, the various kinds of hawk,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	17	horned owl, night owl, cormorant, barn owl,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	18	ibis, pelican, white vulture,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	19	stork, the various kinds of heron, the hoopoe and the bat.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	20	"All winged insects moving on four feet you will regard as detestable for eating.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	21	Of all these winged insects you may eat only the following: those with the sort of legs above their feet which enable them to leap over the ground.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	22	These are the ones you may eat: the various kinds of migratory locust, the various kinds of solham locust, hargol locust and hagab locust.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	23	But all other winged insects on four feet you will regard as detestable for eating.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	24	"By the following you will be made unclean. Anyone who touches the carcase of one will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	25	Anyone who picks up their carcases must wash his clothing and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	26	Animals that have hoofs, but not cloven, and that are not ruminant, you will regard as unclean; anyone who touches them will be unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	27	Those four-footed animals which walk on the flat of their paws you will regard as unclean; anyone who touches their carcases will be unclean until evening,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	28	and anyone who picks up their carcases must wash his clothing and will be unclean until evening. You will regard them as unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	29	"Of the small creatures which crawl along the ground, these are the ones which you will regard as unclean: the mole, the rat, the various kinds of lizard:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	30	gecko, koah, letaah, chameleon and tinshamet.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	31	"Of all the small creatures, these are the animals which you must regard as disgusting. Anyone who touches them when they are dead will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	32	"Any object on which one of these creatures falls when it is dead becomes unclean: wooden utensil, clothing, skin, sacking, any utensil whatever. It must be immersed in water and will remain unclean until evening: then it will be clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	33	If the creature falls into an earthenware vessel, the vessel must be broken; whatever the vessel contains is unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	34	Any edible food will be unclean if the water touches it; any drinkable liquid will be unclean, no matter what its container.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	35	Anything on which the carcase of such a creature may fall will be unclean: be it oven or stove, it must be destroyed; for they are unclean and you will regard them as unclean
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	36	(although springs, wells and stretches of water will remain clean); anyone who touches one of their carcases will be unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	37	If one of their carcases falls on any kind of seed, the seed will remain clean;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	38	but if the seed has been moistened and one of their carcases falls on it, you will regard it as unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	39	"If one of the animals that you use as food dies, anyone who touches the carcase will be unclean until evening;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	40	anyone who eats any of the carcase must wash his clothing and will remain unclean until evening; anyone who picks up the carcase must wash his clothing and will remain unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	41	"Any creature that swarms on the ground is detestable for eating; it must not be eaten.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	42	Anything that moves on its belly, anything that moves on four legs or more -- in short all the creatures that swarm on the ground -- you will not eat, since they are detestable.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	43	Do not make yourselves detestable with all these swarming creatures; do not defile yourselves with them, do not be defiled by them.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	44	For it is I, Yahweh, who am your God. You have been sanctified and have become holy because I am holy: do not defile yourselves with all these creatures that swarm on the ground.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	45	Yes, it is I, Yahweh, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God: you must therefore be holy because I am holy." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	46	Such is the law concerning animals, birds, all living creatures that move in water and all creatures that swarm on the ground.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	11	47	Its purpose is to distinguish the clean from the unclean, the creatures that may be eaten from those that may not be eaten.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	12	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	12	2	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "If a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a boy, she will be unclean for seven days as when in a state of pollution due to menstruation.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	12	3	On the eighth day the child's foreskin must be circumcised,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	12	4	and she will wait another thirty-three days for her blood to be purified. She will not touch anything consecrated nor go to the sanctuary until the time of her purification is over.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	12	5	"If she gives birth to a girl, she will be unclean for two weeks, as during her monthly periods; and will wait another sixty-six days for her blood to be purified.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	12	6	"When the period of her purification is over, for either boy or girl, she will bring the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting a lamb one year old for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or turtledove as a sacrifice for sin.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	12	7	The priest must offer this before Yahweh, perform the rite of expiation for her, and she will be purified from her discharge of blood. "Such is the law concerning a woman who gives birth to either a boy or a girl.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	12	8	If she cannot afford a lamb, she must take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for the burnt offering and the other for the sacrifice for sin. The priest will perform the rite of expiation for her and she will be purified." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	1	Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	2	'If a swelling or scab or spot appears on someone's skin, which could develop into a contagious skin-disease, that person must then be taken to the priest, either Aaron or one of his sons.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	3	The priest will examine the disease on the skin. If the hair on the diseased part has turned white, or if the disease bites into the skin, the skin-disease is contagious, and after examination the priest will declare the person unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	4	But if there is a white spot on the skin without any visible depression of the skin or whitening of the hair, the priest will isolate the sick person for seven days.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	5	On the seventh day he will examine the person, and if he observes that the disease persists though without spreading over the skin, he will isolate the person for a further seven days
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	6	and examine him again on the seventh. If he finds that the disease has faded and has not spread over the skin, the priest will declare the person clean. This was merely a scab. Once he has washed his clothing he will be clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	7	'But if the scab spreads over the skin after the sick person has been examined by the priest and declared clean, then he will let himself be examined again by the priest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	8	After examining him and certifying the spread of the scab over the skin, the priest will declare him unclean: it is a contagious skin-disease.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	9	'Someone who has a contagious skin-disease must be taken to the priest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	10	The priest will examine the sick person, and if he finds a whitish swelling with whitening of the hair and an ulcer forming on the skin,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	11	this is a dormant skin-disease, and the priest will declare the person unclean. He will not isolate him; he is obviously unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	12	'But if the disease spreads all through the skin, if it covers the person entirely from head to foot so far as the priest can see,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	13	the priest will then examine the sick person and, if he finds that the skin-disease covers his whole body, declare the sick person clean. Since it has all become white, he is clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	14	But as soon as an ulcer appears on him, he will be unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	15	After examining the ulcer, the priest will declare him unclean: the ulcer is unclean, it is contagious.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	16	But if the ulcer becomes white again, the sick person will go to the priest;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	17	the priest will examine him and if he finds that the disease has turned white, he will declare the sick person clean: he is clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	18	'When an ulcer appears on someone's skin, and then gets better,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	19	and if then a white swelling or a reddish-white spot forms on the same place, the sick person will show himself to the priest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	20	The priest will examine him, and if he finds a visible depression in the skin and a whitening of the hair, he will declare the person unclean: this is a case of contagious skin-disease breaking out in an ulcer.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	21	But if on examination the priest finds neither white hair nor depression of the skin, but a fading of the affected part, he will isolate the sick person for seven days.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	22	If the disease has then spread over the skin, he will declare the person unclean: this is a case of contagious skin-disease.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	23	But if the spot has stayed where it was and has not spread, it is the scar of the ulcer and the priest will declare the person clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	24	'If someone has a burn on the skin and an abscess, a reddish-white or white spot, forms on the burn,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	25	the priest will then examine it. If he finds a whitening of the hair or a visible depression of the mark on the skin, a contagious disease has broken out in the burn. The priest will declare the sick person unclean: this is a contagious skin-disease.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	26	If on the other hand the priest on examination does not find white hair on the mark or depression of the skin, but a fading of the mark, the priest will isolate the person for seven days.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	27	He will examine the person on the seventh day and, if the disease has spread over the skin, he will declare the sick person unclean: this is a case of contagious skin-disease.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	28	If the mark has stayed where it was and has not spread over the skin, but has faded instead, it was only a swelling due to the burn. The priest will declare the person clean: it is merely a burn scar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	29	'If a man or a woman has a sore on the head or chin,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	30	the priest will examine the sore; and if he finds a depression visible in the skin, with the hair on it yellow and thin, he will declare the sick person unclean: this is tinea, that is to say, a contagious skin-disease of the head or chin.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	31	If on examining this case of tinea the priest finds no visible depression in the skin and no yellow hair, he will isolate the person so affected for seven days.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	32	He will examine the infected part on the seventh day, and if he finds that the tinea has not spread, that the hair on it is not yellow, and that there is no visible depression in the skin,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	33	the sick person will shave his hair off, all except the part affected with tinea, and the priest will again isolate him for seven days.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	34	He will examine the infected part on the seventh day, and if he finds that it has not spread over the skin, and that there is no visible depression of the skin, the priest will declare the sick person clean. After washing his clothes the person will be clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	35	But if after this purification the tinea does spread over the skin,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	36	the priest will examine the person; if he finds that the tinea has indeed spread over the skin, the sick person is unclean, and there is no need to verify whether the hair is yellow.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	37	Whereas if, so far as he can see, the tinea is arrested and dark hair is beginning to grow on it, the sick person is cured. He is clean, and the priest will declare him clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	38	'If spots break out on the skin of a man or woman, and if these spots are white,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	39	the priest will examine them. If he finds that the spots are of a dull white, this is a rash that has broken out on the skin: the sick person is clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	40	'If someone loses the hair of the scalp, this is baldness of the scalp but the person is clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	41	If he loses hair off the front of the head, this is baldness of the forehead but the person is clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	42	If, however, a reddish-white sore appears on scalp or forehead, a contagious skin-disease has broken out on the scalp or forehead.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	43	The priest will examine it, and if he finds a reddish-white swelling on scalp or forehead, looking like a contagious skin-disease,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	44	the person has such a disease: he is unclean. The priest will declare him unclean; he has a contagious skin-disease of the head.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	45	'Anyone with a contagious skin-disease will wear torn clothing and disordered hair; and will cover the upper lip and shout, "Unclean, unclean."
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	46	As long as the disease lasts, such a person will be unclean and, being unclean, will live alone and live outside the camp.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	47	'When a piece of clothing is infected with mould, be it woollen or linen clothing,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	48	linen or woollen fabric or covering, or leather or anything made of leather,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	49	if the spot on the clothing, leather, fabric, covering or object made of leather is a greenish or reddish colour, it is a disease to be shown to the priest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	50	The priest will examine the infection and isolate the object for seven days.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	51	If on the seventh day he observes that the infection has spread on the clothing, fabric, covering, leather or object made of leather, whatever it may be, this is a contagious disease and the object is unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	52	He will burn this clothing, fabric, linen or woollen covering or leather object whatever it may be, on which the infection has appeared; for this is a contagious disease which must be destroyed by fire.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	53	'But if on examination the priest finds that the infection has not spread on the clothing, fabric, covering, or leather object whatever it may be,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	54	he will order the infected object to be washed and will isolate it again for a period of seven days.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	55	After the washing, he will examine the infection and if he finds that there is no change in its appearance, even though it has not spread, the article is unclean. You will burn it; it is infected through and through.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	56	'But if on examination the priest finds that the infection has diminished after washing, he will tear it out of the clothing, leather, fabric or covering.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	57	But if the infection reappears on the same clothing, fabric, covering or leather object whatever it may be, this means that the infection is active; you will burn whatever is infected.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	58	The clothing, fabric, covering or leather object whatever it may be, from which the infection disappears after being washed, will be clean after it has been washed a second time.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	13	59	'Such is the law governing disease in a linen or woollen garment, a fabric or covering or leather object whatever it may be, when it is a question of declaring them clean or unclean.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	2	'This is the law to be applied on the day of the purification of someone who has suffered from a contagious skin-disease. Such a person will be taken to the priest,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	3	and the priest will go outside the camp. If he finds on examination that the person has recovered from the disease,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	4	he will order the following to be brought for his purification: two live birds that are clean, some cedar wood, scarlet material and hyssop.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	5	He will then order one of the birds to be slaughtered in an earthenware pot over running water.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	6	He will then take the live bird, the cedar wood, the scarlet material and the hyssop and dip all this (including the live bird) into the blood of the bird slaughtered over running water.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	7	He will then sprinkle the person to be purified of the skin-disease seven times, and having declared the person clean, will set the live bird free to fly off into the countryside.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	8	The person who is being purified will then wash all clothing, shave off all hair, and wash, and will then be clean. After this he will return to the camp, although he will remain outside his tent for seven days.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	9	On the seventh day he will shave off all his hair-head, beard and eyebrows; he will shave off all his hair. After washing his clothing and his body he will be clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	10	'On the eighth day he will take two unblemished lambs, an unblemished ewe one year old, three-tenths of wheaten flour mixed with oil for the cereal offering, and one log of oil.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	11	The priest who is performing the purification will place the person who is being purified, with all his offerings, at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	12	He will then take one of the lambs and offer it as a sacrifice of reparation, as also the log of oil. With these he will make the gesture of offering before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	13	He will then slaughter the lamb on that spot inside the holy place where the victims for the sacrifice for sin and for the burnt offering are slaughtered. This reparatory offering, like the sacrifice for sin, will revert to the priest: it is especially holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	14	The priest will then take some blood of this sacrifice and put it on the lobe of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the big toe of the right foot of the person who is being purified.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	15	He will then take the log of oil and pour a little into the hollow of his left hand.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	16	He will dip a finger of his right hand into the oil in the hollow of his left hand, and sprinkle the oil with his finger seven times before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	17	He will then take some of the oil left in the hollow of his hand and put it on the lobe of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the big toe of the right foot of the person being purified, in addition to the blood of the sacrifice of reparation.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	18	The rest of the oil in the hollow of his hand he will put on the head of the person who is being purified. This is how the priest will perform the rite of expiation for such a person before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	19	'The priest will then offer the sacrifice for sin, and perform the rite of expiation for uncleanness for the person who is being purified. After this, he will slaughter the burnt offering
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	20	and offer this and the cereal offering on the altar. So, when the priest has performed the rite of expiation for him the person will be clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	21	'If he is poor and cannot afford all this, he need take only one lamb, the one for the sacrifice of reparation, and this will be presented with the gesture of offering to perform the rite of expiation for him. And for the cereal offering he will only take one-tenth of wheaten flour mixed with oil, and the log of oil,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	22	and two turtledoves or two young pigeons, whichever he can afford, one for a sacrifice for sin and the other for the burnt offering.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	23	He will bring these on the eighth day to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before Yahweh, for his purification.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	24	The priest will take the lamb for the sacrifice of reparation and the log of oil, and present them before Yahweh with the gesture of offering.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	25	He will then slaughter the lamb for the sacrifice of reparation, take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand and the big toe of the right foot of the person who is being purified.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	26	He will pour the oil into the hollow of his left hand,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	27	and with his finger sprinkle the oil in the hollow of his left hand seven times before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	28	He will then put some of the oil on the lobe of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand and the big toe of the right foot of the person who is being purified, as he did with the blood of the sacrifice of reparation.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	29	The remainder of the oil in the hollow of his hand he will put on the head of the person who is being purified, thus performing the rite of expiation for him before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	30	Of the two turtledoves or two young pigeons -- whatever he has been able to afford -- he will offer
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	31	a sacrifice for sin with one, and with the other a burnt offering with a cereal offering -- whatever he has been able to afford. This is how the priest will perform before Yahweh the rite of expiation for the person who is being purified.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	32	'Such is the law concerning someone with a contagious skin-disease who cannot afford the means of purification.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	33	Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	34	'When you reach Canaan, which I am giving you as your possession, if I infect a house with a disease in the country which you are to possess,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	35	the owner will come and inform the priest and say, "I have seen something like a skin-disease in the house."
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	36	The priest will order the house to be emptied before he goes to examine the infection, or everything in the house will become unclean; after which, the priest will go inside and examine the house;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	37	and if on examination he finds the walls of the house pitted with reddish or greenish depressions which appear to be eating away the wall,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	38	the priest will then go out of the house, to the door, and shut it up for seven days.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	39	On the seventh day, the priest will come back and if on examination he finds that the infection has spread over the walls of the house,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	40	he will order the infected stones to be removed and thrown into some unclean place outside the town.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	41	He will then have all the inside of the house scraped, and the plaster that comes off will be emptied in an unclean place outside the town.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	42	The stones will then be replaced with new ones and the house given a new coat of plaster.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	43	'If the infection spreads again after the stones have been removed and the house scraped and replastered,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	44	the priest will come and examine it. If he finds that the infection has spread, this means that there is a contagious disease in the house: it is unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	45	It must be pulled down and the stones, woodwork and all the plaster be taken to an unclean place outside the town.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	46	'Anyone who enters the house while it is closed will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	47	Anyone who sleeps there will wash his clothes. Anyone who eats there will wash his clothes.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	48	But if the priest finds, when he comes to examine the infection, that it has not spread in the house since it was plastered, he will declare the house clean, for the infection is cured.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	49	'As a sacrifice for the defilement of the house, he will take two birds, some cedar wood, scarlet material and hyssop.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	50	He will slaughter one of the birds in an earthenware pot over running water.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	51	He will then take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet material and the live bird, dip them into the blood of the slaughtered bird and into the running water and sprinkle the house seven times;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	52	and after offering the sacrifice for the defilement of the house with the blood of the bird, the running water, the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop and the scarlet material,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	53	he will set the live bird free to fly out of the town into the countryside. Once the rite of expiation has been performed for the house in this way it will be clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	54	'Such is the law governing all kinds of skin-disease and tinea,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	55	diseases of clothing and houses,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	56	swellings, scabs and spots. It defines the occasions when things are unclean and when clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	14	57	Such is the law on skin-diseases.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	2	'Speak to the Israelites and say to them: "When a man has a discharge from his body, that discharge is unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	3	While the discharge continues, the nature of his uncleanness is as follows: "Whether his body allows the discharge to flow or whether it retains it, he is unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	4	"Any bed the man lies on and anything he sits on will be unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	5	"Anyone who touches his bed must wash clothing and body and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	6	"Anyone who sits where the man has sat must wash clothing and body and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	7	"Anyone who touches the body of the man with the discharge must wash clothing and body and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	8	"If the man with the discharge spits on someone who is clean, that person must wash clothing and body and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	9	"Any saddle the man has ridden on will be unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	10	"All those who touch any object that has been under him will be unclean until evening. "Anyone who picks up such an object must wash clothing and body and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	11	"All those whom the man with the discharge touches without having washed his hands must wash clothing and body and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	12	"The earthenware vessel he touches must be broken and any wooden utensil must be rinsed.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	13	"Once the man with the discharge is cured, he will allow seven days for his purification. He will wash his clothes and wash his body in running water and he will be clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	14	On the eighth day he will take two turtledoves or two young pigeons and come before Yahweh at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and give them to the priest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	15	The priest will offer one of them as a sacrifice for sin and the other as a burnt offering. And in this way the priest will perform the rite of expiation for him before Yahweh for his discharge.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	16	"When a man has a seminal discharge, he must wash his whole body with water and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	17	Any clothing or leather touched by the seminal discharge must be washed and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	18	When a woman has had intercourse with a man, both of them must wash and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	19	"Whenever a woman has a discharge and the discharge from her body is of blood, she will remain in a state of menstrual pollution for seven days. "Anyone who touches her will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	20	"Anything she lies on in this polluted state will be unclean; anything she sits on will be unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	21	"Anyone who touches her bed must wash clothing and body and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	22	"Anyone who touches anything she has sat on must wash clothing and body and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	23	If there is anything on the bed or where she is sitting, anyone who touches it will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	24	"If a man goes so far as to sleep with her, he will contract her menstrual pollution and will be unclean for seven days. Any bed he lies on will be unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	25	"If a woman has a prolonged discharge of blood outside the period, or if the period is prolonged, during the time this discharge lasts she will be in the same state of uncleanness as during her monthly periods.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	26	Any bed she lies on during the time this discharge lasts will be polluted in the same way as the bed she lies on during her monthly periods. Anything she sits on will be unclean as during her monthly periods.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	27	Anyone who touches it will be unclean and must wash clothing and body and will be unclean until evening.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	28	"Once she is cured of her discharge, she will allow seven days to go by; after that she will be clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	29	On the eighth day she will take two turtledoves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	30	The priest will offer one of them as a sacrifice for sin and the other as a burnt offering. And in this way the priest will perform the rite of expiation for her before Yahweh for the discharge which made her unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	31	"Hence you will warn the Israelites against contracting a state of uncleanness, rather than incurring death by defiling my Dwelling which is among them.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	32	"Such is the law governing a man with a discharge or who is made unclean by a seminal discharge,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	15	33	a woman in a state of pollution due to menstruation, a man or a woman with a discharge, or a man who sleeps with a woman when she is unclean." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when offering unauthorised fire.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	2	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said: 'Tell Aaron your brother that he may not enter the sanctuary inside the curtain in front of the mercy-seat on the ark whenever he chooses, in case he incurs death, for I appear in a cloud on the mercy-seat.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	3	'This is how he must enter the sanctuary: with a young bull for a sacrifice for sin and a ram for a burnt offering.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	4	He will put on a tunic of consecrated linen, wear linen drawers on his body, a linen waistband round his waist, and a linen turban on his head. These are the sacred vestments he will put on after washing himself.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	5	'From the community of Israelites he will receive two he-goats for a sacrifice for sin and a ram for a burnt offering.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	6	After offering the bull as a sacrifice for his own sin and performing the rite of expiation for himself and his family,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	7	he will take the two he-goats and place them before Yahweh at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	8	Aaron will then draw lots over the two goats, one lot to be for Yahweh and the other lot for Azazel.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	9	Aaron will then take the goat on which the lot "For Yahweh" has fallen, and offer it as a sacrifice for sin.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	10	But the goat on which the lot "For Azazel" has fallen, will be placed alive before Yahweh, for the rite of expiation to be performed with it, and for it then to be sent to Azazel in the desert.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	11	'Having offered the bull as a sacrifice for his own sin and performed the rite of expiation for himself and for his family, and slaughtered the bull as a sacrifice for sin,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	12	Aaron will then fill a censer with live coals from the altar before Yahweh, take two handfuls of finely ground aromatic incense and bring this inside the curtain.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	13	He will then put the incense on the fire before Yahweh, so that the cloud of incense hides the mercy-seat which is on the Testimony and he does not incur death.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	14	He will then take some of the bull's blood and sprinkle it with his finger on the eastern side of the mercy-seat. He will sprinkle some of the blood seven times with his finger in front of the mercy-seat.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	15	'He will then slaughter the goat for the sacrifice for the sin of the people, and take its blood inside the curtain, and with this blood do as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it on the mercy-seat and in front of it.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	16	This is how he must perform the rite of expiation for the sanctuary for the uncleanness of the Israelites, for their acts of rebellion and all their sins. 'And this is what he must do for the Tent of Meeting which remains with them, surrounded by their uncleanness.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	17	No one must be inside the Tent of Meeting, from the moment he enters to make expiation in the sanctuary until the time he comes out. 'When he has made expiation for himself, for his family, and for the whole community of Israel,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	18	he must come outside, go to the altar before Yahweh and perform the rite of expiation for it. He will take some of the bull's blood and some of the goat's blood and put it on the horns at the corners of the altar all around it,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	19	and sprinkle some of the blood on it seven times with his finger, thus purifying it and setting it apart from the uncleanness of the Israelites.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	20	'Once expiation for the sanctuary, the Tent of Meeting and the altar is complete, he will bring the goat which is still alive.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	21	Aaron will then lay both his hands on its head and over it confess all the guilt of the Israelites, all their acts of rebellion and all their sins. Having thus laid them on the goat's head, he will send it out into the desert under the charge of a man waiting ready,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	22	and the goat will bear all their guilt away into some desolate place. 'When he has sent the goat into the desert,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	23	Aaron will go back into the Tent of Meeting and take off the linen vestments which he wore to enter the sanctuary and leave them there.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	24	He will then wash his body inside the holy place, put on his vestments and come outside to offer his own and the people's burnt offering. He will perform the rite of expiation for himself and for the people,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	25	and burn the fat of the sacrifice for sin on the altar.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	26	'The man who led the goat away to Azazel will wash his clothes and body before entering the camp.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	27	The bull and the goat offered as a sacrifice for sin, the blood of which was taken into the sanctuary for the rite of expiation, must be taken outside the camp, where their skin, meat and offal are to be burnt.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	28	The man who burns them will wash his clothes and body before entering the camp.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	29	'This will be a perpetual law for you. 'On the tenth day of the seventh month you will fast and refrain from work, both citizen and resident alien;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	30	for this is the day on which the rite of expiation will be performed for you to purify you, to purify you before Yahweh from all your sins.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	31	It will be a sabbatical rest for you and you will fast. This is a perpetual law.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	32	'The rite of expiation will be performed by the priest who has been anointed and installed to officiate in succession to his father. He will put on the linen vestments, the sacred vestments,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	33	and perform the rite of expiation for the holy sanctuary, the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and will then perform the rite of expiation for the priests and all the people of the community.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	16	34	This will be a perpetual law for you; once a year the rite of expiation will be made for the Israelites for all their sins.' And as Yahweh ordered Moses, so it was done.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	2	'Speak to Aaron and his sons and all the Israelites and say: "This is the order that Yahweh has given:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	3	"Any man of the House of Israel who slaughters a bull, lamb or goat, whether inside the camp or outside it,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	4	without bringing it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to make an offering of it to Yahweh in front of his Dwelling, that man will be answerable for bloodshed; he has shed blood, and that man will be outlawed from his people.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	5	The purpose of this is that the Israelites should instead bring their sacrifices, which they would otherwise offer in the countryside, to Yahweh at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, to the priest, and offer them as communion sacrifices to Yahweh;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	6	and the priest will sprinkle the blood on Yahweh's altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and will burn the fat as a smell pleasing to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	7	No longer may they offer their sacrifices to the satyrs in whose service they used to prostitute themselves. This is a perpetual law for them and for their descendants."
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	8	'You will also say to them, "Any member of the House of Israel or any resident alien who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	9	without bringing it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to offer it to Yahweh, will be outlawed from his people.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	10	"If any member of the House of Israel or any resident alien consumes blood of any kind, I shall set my face against that individual who consumes blood and shall outlaw him from his people.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	11	For the life of the creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you for performing the rite of expiation on the altar for your lives, for blood is what expiates for a life.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	12	That is why I told the Israelites: None of you will consume blood, nor will any resident alien consume blood.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	13	"Anyone, whether Israelite or resident alien, who hunts and catches game, whether animal or bird, which it is lawful to eat, must pour out its blood and cover it with earth.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	14	For the life of every creature is its blood, and I have told the Israelites: You will not consume the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood, and anyone who consumes it will be outlawed.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	15	"Anyone, citizen or alien, who eats an animal that has died a natural death or been savaged, must wash clothing and body, and will be unclean until evening, but will then be clean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	17	16	But anyone who does not wash clothing and body will bear the consequences of his guilt." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	2	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "I am Yahweh your God:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	3	You must not behave as they do in Egypt where you used to live; you must not behave as they do in Canaan where I am taking you, nor must you follow their laws.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	4	You must observe my customs and keep my laws, following them. "I, Yahweh, am your God:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	5	hence you will keep my laws and my customs. Whoever complies with them will find life in them. "I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	6	"None of you will approach a woman who is closely related to him, to have intercourse with her. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	7	"You will not have intercourse with your father or your mother. She is your mother -- you will not have intercourse with her.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	8	"You will not have intercourse with your father's wife; it is your father's sexual prerogative.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	9	"You will not have intercourse with your sister, whether she is your father's or your mother's daughter. Whether she was born in the same house or elsewhere, you will not have intercourse with her.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	10	"You will not have intercourse with your son's or your daughter's daughter; for their sexual privacy is your own.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	11	"You will not have intercourse with the daughter of your father's wife, born to your father. She is your sister; you will not have intercourse with her.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	12	"You will not have intercourse with your father's sister; for she is your father's own flesh and blood.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	13	"You will not have intercourse with your mother's sister; for she is your mother's own flesh and blood.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	14	"You will not have intercourse with your father's brother; you will not approach his wife. She is your aunt.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	15	"You will not have intercourse with your daughter-in-law. She is your son's wife; you will not have intercourse with her.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	16	"You will not have intercourse with your brother's wife; it is your brother's sexual prerogative.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	17	"You will not have intercourse with a woman and her daughter; nor will you take her son's or her daughter's daughter, to have intercourse with them. They are your own flesh and blood; it would be incest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	18	"You will not take a woman and her sister into your harem at the same time, to have intercourse with the latter while the former is still alive.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	19	"You will not approach and have intercourse with a woman who is in a state of menstrual pollution.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	20	"Furthermore, you will not have intercourse with your fellow-citizen's wife; you would become unclean by doing so.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	21	"You will not allow any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, thus profaning the name of your God. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	22	"You will not have intercourse with a man as you would with a woman. This is a hateful thing.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	23	"You will not have intercourse with any kind of animal; you would become unclean by doing so. Nor will a woman offer herself to an animal, to have intercourse with it. This would be a violation of nature.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	24	"Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these practices, for it was by such things that the nations that I am driving out before you made themselves unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	25	The country has become unclean; hence I am about to punish it for its guilt, and the country itself will vomit out its inhabitants.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	26	"You, however, must keep my laws and customs and not do any of these hateful things: none of your citizens, none of your resident aliens.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	27	For all these hateful things were done by the people who lived in the country before you, and the country became unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	28	If you make it unclean, will it not vomit you out as it vomited out the nations there before you?
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	29	Yes, anyone who does any of these hateful things, whatever it may be, any person doing so, will be outlawed from his people;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	18	30	so keep my rules and do not observe any of the hateful laws which were in force before you came; then you will not be made unclean by them. I am Yahweh your God." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	2	'Speak to the whole community of Israelites and say: "Be holy, for I, Yahweh your God, am holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	3	"Each of you will respect father and mother. "And you will keep my Sabbaths; I am Yahweh your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	4	"Do not turn to idols and do not cast metal gods for yourselves. I am Yahweh your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	5	"If you offer a communion sacrifice to Yahweh, make it in such a way as to be acceptable.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	6	It must be eaten the same day or the day after; whatever is left on the third day must be burnt.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	7	If eaten on the third day it would be rotten food and not be acceptable.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	8	Anyone who eats it must bear the consequences of this guilt, having profaned Yahweh's holiness; that person will be outlawed from his people.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	9	"When you reap the harvest of your land, you will not reap to the very edges of the field, nor will you gather the gleanings of the harvest;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	10	nor will you strip your vineyard bare, nor pick up the fallen grapes. You will leave them for the poor and the stranger. I am Yahweh your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	11	"You will not steal, nor deal deceitfully or fraudulently with your fellow-citizen.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	12	You will not swear by my name with intent to deceive and thus profane the name of your God. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	13	You will not exploit or rob your fellow. You will not keep back the labourer's wage until next morning.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	14	You will not curse the dumb or put an obstacle in the way of the blind, but will fear your God. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	15	"You will not be unjust in administering justice. You will neither be partial to the poor nor overawed by the great, but will administer justice to your fellow-citizen justly.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	16	You will not go about slandering your own family, nor will you put your neighbour's life in jeopardy. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	17	You will not harbour hatred for your brother. You will reprove your fellow-countryman firmly and thus avoid burdening yourself with a sin.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	18	You will not exact vengeance on, or bear any sort of grudge against, the members of your race, but will love your neighbour as yourself. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	19	"You will keep my laws. "You will not mate your cattle with those of another kind; you will not sow two kinds of grain in your field; you will not wear a garment made from two kinds of fabric.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	20	"If someone has intercourse with a woman who is the concubine slave of a man from whom she has not been redeemed and she has not been given her freedom, he will be liable for a fine, but they will not incur death, since she was not a free woman.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	21	He will bring a sacrifice of reparation for Yahweh to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. This will be a ram of reparation,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	22	and with the ram of reparation the priest will perform the rite of expiation for him before Yahweh for the sin committed; and the sin he has committed will be forgiven.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	23	"Once you have entered the country and planted any kind of fruit tree, you will regard its fruit as uncircumcised. For three years you will count it as uncircumcised and it will not be eaten;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	24	in the fourth year, all its fruit will be consecrated to Yahweh in a feast of praise;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	25	and in the fifth year you may eat its fruit, so that it may yield you even more. I am Yahweh your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	26	"You will eat nothing with blood in it. You will not practise divination or magic.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	27	"You will not round off your hair at the edges or trim the edges of your beard.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	28	You will not gash your bodies when someone dies, and you will not tattoo yourselves. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	29	"Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the country itself will become prostituted and filled with incest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	30	"You will keep my Sabbaths and revere my sanctuary. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	31	"Do not have recourse to the spirits of the dead or to magicians; they will defile you. I, Yahweh, am your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	32	"You will stand up in the presence of grey hair, you will honour the person of the aged and fear your God. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	33	"If you have resident aliens in your country, you will not molest them.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	34	You will treat resident aliens as though they were native-born and love them as yourself -- for you yourselves were once aliens in Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	35	"You will not be unjust in administering justice as regards measures of length, weight or capacity.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	36	You will have just scales, just weights, a just ephah and a just hin. I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	19	37	hence you are to keep all my laws and all my customs and put them into practice. I am Yahweh." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	2	'Say to the Israelites: "Anyone, be he Israelite or alien resident in Israel, who gives any of his children to Molech, will be put to death. The people of the country must stone him,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	3	and I shall set my face against that man and outlaw him from his people; for by giving a child of his to Molech he has defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	4	If the people of the country choose to close their eyes to the man's action when he gives a child of his to Molech, and do not put him to death,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	5	I myself shall turn my face against that man and his clan. I shall outlaw them from their people, both him and all those after him who prostitute themselves by following Molech.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	6	"If anyone has recourse to the spirits of the dead or to magicians, to prostitute himself by following them, I shall set my face against him and outlaw him from his people.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	7	"Sanctify yourselves and be holy, for I am Yahweh your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	8	"You will keep my laws and put them into practice, for it is I, Yahweh, who make you holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	9	Hence: "Anyone who curses father or mother will be put to death. Having cursed father or mother, the blood will be on that person's own head.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	10	"The man who commits adultery with his neighbour's wife will be put to death, he and the woman.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	11	"The man who has intercourse with his father's wife has infringed his father's sexual prerogative. Both of them will be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	12	"The man who has intercourse with his daughter-in-law: both of them will be put to death; they have violated nature, their blood will be on their own heads.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	13	"The man who has intercourse with a man in the same way as with a woman: they have done a hateful thing together; they will be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	14	"The man who marries a woman and her mother: this is incest. They will be burnt alive, he and they; you will not tolerate incest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	15	"The man who has intercourse with an animal will be put to death; you will kill the animal too.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	16	"The woman who approaches any animal to have intercourse with it: you will kill the woman and the animal. They will be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	17	"The man who marries his father's or his mother's daughter: if they have intercourse together, this is an outrage. They will be executed in public, for the man has had intercourse with his sister; he will bear the consequences of his guilt.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	18	"The man who has intercourse with a woman during her monthly periods and exposes her nakedness: he has laid bare the source of her blood, and she has exposed the source of her blood, and both of them will be outlawed from their people.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	19	"You will not have intercourse with your mother's sister or your father's sister. Whoever does so, has had intercourse with a close relation; they will bear the consequences of their guilt.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	20	"The man who has intercourse with the wife of his paternal uncle has infringed his uncle's sexual prerogative; they will bear the consequences of their guilt and die childless.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	21	"The man who marries his brother's wife: this is pollution; he has infringed his brother's sexual prerogative; they will die childless.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	22	"You will keep all my laws, all my decisions, and put them into practice, so that the country where I am taking you to live will not vomit you out.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	23	You will not follow the laws of the nations whom I am driving out before you; they practised all these things, which is why I detested them.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	24	As I have already told you, you will take possession of their soil, I myself shall give you possession of it, a country flowing with milk and honey. "Since I, Yahweh your God, have set you apart from these peoples,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	25	you for your part will make a distinction between clean animals and unclean ones and between unclean birds and clean ones, and will not make yourselves detestable with any animal or bird or reptile, which I have set apart from you as unclean.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	26	"Be consecrated to me, for I, Yahweh, am holy, and I shall set you apart from all these peoples, for you to be mine.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	20	27	"Any man or woman of yours who is a necromancer or magician will be put to death; they will be stoned to death; their blood will be on their own heads." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	1	Yahweh said to Moses: 'Speak to the priests descended from Aaron and say: "None of them must make himself unclean by touching the corpse of one of his people,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	2	unless it be of one of his closest relations-father, mother, son, daughter, brother,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	3	or virgin sister, since she being unmarried is still his close relation: he can make himself unclean for her;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	4	but for a close female relation who is married he will not make himself unclean; he would profane himself.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	5	"They will not make tonsures on their heads, shave the edges of their beards, or gash their bodies.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	6	They will be consecrated to their God and will not profane the name of their God. For their function is to offer the food burnt for Yahweh, the food of their God, and so they must be holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	7	"They will not marry a woman profaned by prostitution, or one divorced by her husband, for the priest is consecrated to his God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	8	"You will treat him as holy, for he offers the food of your God. For you, he will be a holy person, for I, Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	9	"If a priest's daughter profanes herself by prostitution, she profanes her father and will be burnt alive.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	10	"The priest who is pre-eminent over his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil has been poured, and who, robed in the sacred vestments, has received investiture, will not disorder his hair or tear his clothes;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	11	he will not go near any corpse or make himself unclean even for his father or mother.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	12	He will not leave the holy place in such a way as to profane the sanctuary of his God; for he bears the consecration of the anointing oil of his God. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	13	"He will marry a woman who is still a virgin.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	14	He will not marry a woman who has been widowed or divorced or profaned by prostitution, but will marry a virgin from his own people:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	15	he must not make his own children profane, for I, Yahweh, have sanctified him." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	16	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	17	'Speak to Aaron and say: "None of your descendants, for all time, may come forward to offer the food of his God if he has any infirmity,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	18	for none may come forward if he has an infirmity, be he blind or lame, disfigured or deformed,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	19	or with an injured foot or arm,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	20	a hunchback, someone with rickets or ophthalmia or the scab or running sores, or a eunuch.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	21	No descendant of the priest Aaron may come forward to offer the food burnt for Yahweh if he has any infirmity; if he has an infirmity, he will not come forward to offer the food of his God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	22	"He may eat the food of his God, things especially holy and things holy,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	23	but he will not go near the curtain or approach the altar, since he has an infirmity and must not profane my holy things; for I, Yahweh, have sanctified them." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	21	24	And Moses promulgated this to Aaron, to his sons, and to all the Israelites.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	2	'Speak to Aaron and his sons. They must be consecrated by the holy offerings of the Israelites and must not profane my holy name; for my sake they must sanctify it; I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	3	Say to them: "Any one of your descendants, for all time, who in a state of uncleanness approaches the holy offerings consecrated to Yahweh by the Israelites, will be outlawed from my presence. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	4	"Anyone of Aaron's line who is afflicted with a contagious skin-disease or a discharge will not eat holy things until he is clean. Anyone who touches anything made unclean by a dead body, or who has a seminal discharge,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	5	or who is made unclean by touching any kind of reptile or any one who has contaminated him with his own uncleanness, be it what it may,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	6	in short, anyone who has had any such contact will be unclean until evening, and must not eat holy things until he has washed his body.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	7	At sunset he will be clean and may then eat holy things, for these are his food.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	8	"He must not eat an animal that has died a natural death or been savaged; he would contract uncleanness from it. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	9	"They must keep my rules and not burden themselves with sin. If they profane them, they will incur death; I, Yahweh, have sanctified them.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	10	"No lay person may eat anything holy; no guest or employee of a priest may eat anything holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	11	But if the priest has acquired a slave by purchase, the slave may eat it like anyone born in his household; they will share his food.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	12	"If a priest's daughter marries a layman, she will have no share in the holy things set aside,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	13	but if she is widowed or divorced and, being childless, has had to return to her father's house as when she was young, she may share her father's food. No lay person may share it;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	14	anyone who does eat a holy thing by inadvertence, will restore it to the priest with one-fifth added.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	15	"They may not profane the holy offerings which the Israelites have set aside for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	16	By eating these, they would burden them with guilt requiring a sacrifice of reparation; for I, Yahweh, have sanctified these offerings." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	17	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	18	'Speak to Aaron, to his sons, and to all the Israelites and say: "Any member of the House of Israel or any alien resident in Israel who brings an offering either in payment of a vow or as a voluntary gift, and offers it as a burnt offering to Yahweh,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	19	must, if he is to be acceptable, offer an unblemished male, be it bull or sheep or goat.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	20	You will not offer anything with a blemish, for it would not make you acceptable.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	21	"If anyone offers Yahweh a communion sacrifice, either to fulfil a vow or as a voluntary offering, the animal, be it from the herd or flock, must be perfect, if he is to be acceptable; it must be unblemished.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	22	You will not offer Yahweh any animal which is blind, lame, mutilated, ulcerous, scabby or covered in sores. No part of such an animal will be offered on the altar as food burnt for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	23	As a voluntary offering, you may offer a bull or a lamb that is underdeveloped or deformed; but such will not be acceptable in payment of a vow.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	24	You will not offer Yahweh an animal if its testicles have been bruised, crushed, torn or cut off. You may not do that in your country,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	25	and you may not accept any such from the hands of a stranger, to be offered as food for your God. Their deformity is a blemish, and they would not make you acceptable." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	26	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	27	'A calf, lamb, or kid will stay with its dam for seven days after being born. From the eighth day onwards, it will be acceptable as food burnt for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	28	But no animal, whether cow or ewe, will be slaughtered on the same day as its young.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	29	'If you offer Yahweh a sacrifice with praise, do it in the acceptable manner;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	30	it must be eaten the same day; you will leave nothing over till next morning. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	31	'You will keep my commands and put them into practice. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	32	You will not profane my holy name -- so that I may be honoured as holy among the Israelites, I, Yahweh, who make you holy,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	22	33	I who brought you out of Egypt, to be your God, I, Yahweh.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	2	'Speak to the Israelites and say: (The solemn festivals of Yahweh to which you will summon them are my sacred assemblies.) "These are my solemn festivals:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	3	"You will work for six days, but the seventh will be a day of complete rest, a day for the sacred assembly on which you do no work at all. Wherever you live, this is a Sabbath for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	4	"These are Yahweh's solemn festivals, the sacred assemblies to which you will summon the Israelites on the appointed day:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	5	"The fourteenth day of the first month, at twilight, is the Passover of Yahweh;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	6	and the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of Unleavened Bread for Yahweh. For seven days you will eat unleavened bread.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	7	On the first day you will hold a sacred assembly; you will do no heavy work.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	8	For seven days you will offer food burnt for Yahweh. On the seventh day there will be a sacred assembly; you will do no heavy work." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	9	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	10	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "When you enter the country which I am giving you and reap the harvest there, you will bring the priest the first sheaf of your harvest,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	11	and he will present it to Yahweh with the gesture of offering, for you to be acceptable. The priest will make this offering on the day after the Sabbath,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	12	and on the same day as you make this offering, you will offer Yahweh an unblemished lamb one year old as a burnt offering.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	13	The cereal offering for that day will be two-tenths of wheaten flour mixed with oil, as food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh. The libation will be a quarter of a hin of wine.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	14	You will eat no bread, roasted ears of wheat or fresh produce before this day, before making the offering to your God. This is a perpetual law for all your descendants, wherever you live.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	15	"From the day after the Sabbath, the day on which you bring the sheaf of offering, you will count seven full weeks.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	16	You will count fifty days, to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then you will offer Yahweh a new cereal offering.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	17	You will bring bread from your homes to present with the gesture of offering -- two loaves, made of two-tenths of wheaten flour baked with leaven; these are first-fruits for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	18	In addition to the bread, you will offer seven unblemished lambs a year old, a young bull and two rams, as a burnt offering to Yahweh with a cereal offering and a libation, as food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	19	You will also offer a goat as a sacrifice for sin, and two lambs a year old as communion sacrifice.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	20	The priest will present them before Yahweh with the gesture of offering, in addition to the bread of the first-fruits. These, and the two lambs, are holy things for Yahweh, and will revert to the priest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	21	"On the same day, you will hold an assembly; for you this will be a sacred assembly; you will do no heavy work. This is a perpetual law for your descendants, wherever you live.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	22	"When you reap the harvest in your country, you will not reap to the very edges of your field, nor will you gather the gleanings of the harvest. You will leave them for the poor and the stranger. I am Yahweh your God." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	23	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	24	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "The first day of the seventh month will be a day of rest for you, of remembrance and acclamation, a sacred assembly.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	25	You will do no heavy work and you will offer food burnt for Yahweh." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	26	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	27	'But the tenth day of this seventh month will be the Day of Expiation. You will hold a sacred assembly. You will fast and offer food burnt for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	28	You will do no work that day, for it is the Day of Expiation, on which the rite of expiation will be performed for you before Yahweh your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	29	Anyone who fails to fast that day will be outlawed from his people;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	30	anyone who works that day I shall eliminate from his people.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	31	No work will be done -- this is a perpetual law for your descendants wherever you live.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	32	It must be a day of complete rest for you. You will fast; on the evening of the ninth day of the month, from this evening till the following evening, you will rest completely.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	33	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	34	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "On the fifteenth day of this seventh month there will be the feast of Shelters for Yahweh, lasting for seven days.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	35	The first day will be a day of sacred assembly; you will do no heavy work.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	36	For seven days you will offer food burnt for Yahweh. On the eighth day you will hold a sacred assembly and you will offer food burnt for Yahweh. It is a day of solemn meeting; you will do no heavy work.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	37	"These are Yahweh's solemn festivals to which you will summon the Israelites, the sacred assemblies for the purpose of offering food burnt for Yahweh, consisting of burnt offerings, cereal offerings, sacrifices and libations, each on its appropriate day,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	38	besides Yahweh's Sabbaths, and your presents and all your votive and voluntary gifts that you make to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	39	"But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you will celebrate the feast of Yahweh for seven days. The first and eighth days will be days of rest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	40	On the first day you will take choice fruit, palm branches, boughs of leafy trees and flowering shrubs from the river bank, and for seven days enjoy yourselves before Yahweh your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	41	You will celebrate a feast for Yahweh in this way for seven days every year. This is a perpetual law for your descendants. "You will keep this feast in the seventh month.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	42	For seven days you will live in shelters: all the citizens of Israel will live in shelters,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	43	so that your descendants may know that I made the Israelites live in shelters when I brought them out of Egypt, I, Yahweh your God." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	23	44	Moses then promulgated Yahweh's solemn festivals to the Israelites.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	2	'Order the Israelites to bring you crushed-olive oil for the lamp-stand, and keep a flame burning there continually.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	3	Aaron will keep it permanently in trim from evening to morning, outside the curtain of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, before Yahweh. This is a perpetual decree for your descendants:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	4	Aaron will keep the lamps permanently trimmed on the pure lamp-stand before Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	5	'You will take wheaten flour and with it bake twelve loaves, each of two-tenths of an ephah.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	6	You will then place them in two rows of six on the pure table before Yahweh
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	7	and put pure incense on each row, to make it food offered as a memorial, food burnt for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	8	Every Sabbath they will be arranged before Yahweh. The Israelites will provide them as a permanent covenant.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	9	They will belong to Aaron and his sons, who will eat them inside the holy place since, for him, they are an especially holy part of the food burnt for Yahweh. This is a permanent law.'
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	10	There was a man whose mother was an Israelite woman and whose father was an Egyptian. He came out of his house and, in the camp, surrounded by the Israelites, he began to quarrel with a man who was an Israelite.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	11	Now the son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name and cursed it. He was then taken to Moses (his mother's name was Shelomith daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan).
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	12	He was then put under guard until Yahweh's will should be made clear to them.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	13	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	14	'Take the man who pronounced the curse outside the camp. All those who heard him must then lay their hands on his head, and the whole community must then stone him.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	15	Then say to the Israelites: "Anyone who curses his God will bear the consequences of his sin,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	16	and anyone who blasphemes the name of Yahweh will be put to death; the whole community will stone him; be he alien or native-born, if he blasphemes the Name, he will be put to death.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	17	"Anyone who strikes down any other human being will be put to death.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	18	"Anyone who strikes down an animal will make restitution for it: a life for a life.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	19	"Anyone who injures a neighbour shall receive the same in return,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	20	broken limb for broken limb, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. As the injury inflicted, so will be the injury suffered.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	21	Whoever strikes down an animal will make restitution for it, and whoever strikes down a human being will be put to death.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	22	The sentence you pass will be the same, whether on native-born or on alien; for I am Yahweh your God." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	24	23	Moses having told the Israelites this, they took the man who had pronounced the curse out of the camp and stoned him. And so the Israelites carried out Yahweh's order to Moses.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	2	'Speak to the Israelites and say to them: "When you enter the country which I am giving you, the land must keep a Sabbath's rest for Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	3	For six years you will sow your field, for six years you will prune your vineyard and gather its produce.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	4	But in the seventh year the land will have a sabbatical rest, a Sabbath for Yahweh. You will neither sow your field, nor prune your vineyard,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	5	nor reap any grain which has grown of its own accord, nor gather the grapes from your untrimmed vine. It will be a year of rest for the land.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	6	But what the land produces in its Sabbath will serve to feed you, your slave, male or female, your employee and your guest residing with you;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	7	for your cattle too, and the wild animals of your country, whatever it produces will serve as food.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	8	"You will count seven weeks of years -- seven times seven years, that is to say a period of seven weeks of years, forty-nine years.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	9	And on the tenth day of the seventh month you will sound the trumpet; on the Day of Expiation you will sound the trumpet throughout the land.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	10	You will declare this fiftieth year to be sacred and proclaim the liberation of all the country's inhabitants. You will keep this as a jubilee: each of you will return to his ancestral property, each to his own clan.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	11	This fiftieth year will be a jubilee year for you; in it you will not sow, you will not harvest the grain that has come up on its own or in it gather grapes from your untrimmed vine.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	12	The jubilee will be a holy thing for you; during it you will eat whatever the fields produce.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	13	"In this year of jubilee, each of you will return to his ancestral property.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	14	If you buy land from, or sell land to, your fellow-countryman, neither of you may exploit the other.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	15	In buying from your fellow-countryman, you will take account of the number of years since the jubilee; the sale-price he fixes for you will depend on the number of productive years still to run.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	16	The greater the number of years, the higher the price you will ask for it; the fewer the number of years, the greater the reduction; for what he is selling you is a certain number of harvests.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	17	So you will not exploit one another, but fear your God, for I am Yahweh your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	18	"Hence, you will put my laws and customs into practice; you will keep them and put them into practice, and you will live securely in the country.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	19	The land will give its fruit, and you will eat your fill and live in security.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	20	"In case you should ask: What shall we eat in this seventh year if we do not sow or harvest our produce?
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	21	I shall order my blessing to be on you in the sixth year, which will yield you enough produce for three years.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	22	You will have the old produce to eat while you are sowing in the eighth year, and even in the ninth year, you will be eating the old produce, while waiting for the harvest of that year.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	23	"Land will not be sold absolutely, for the land belongs to me, and you are only strangers and guests of mine.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	24	You will allow a right of redemption over any ancestral property.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	25	If your brother becomes impoverished and sells off part of his ancestral property, his nearest male relative will come and exercise his family rights over what his brother has sold.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	26	The man who has no one to exercise this right may, once he has found the means to effect the redemption,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	27	calculate the number of years that the alienation would have lasted, repay to the purchaser the sum due for the time still to run, and so recover his ancestral property.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	28	If he cannot find the sum in compensation, the property sold will remain in the possession of the purchaser until the jubilee year. In the jubilee year, the latter will vacate it and return to his own ancestral property.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	29	"If anyone sells a dwelling house inside a walled town, he will have the right of redemption until the expiry of the year following the sale. His right of redemption is limited to the year;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	30	and if the redemption has not been effected by the end of the year, the house in the walled town will become the property of the purchaser and his descendants in perpetuity; he need not vacate it at the jubilee.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	31	But houses in villages not enclosed by walls will be considered as situated in the open country; they carry the right of redemption, and the purchaser will vacate them at the jubilee.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	32	"As regards the towns of the Levites, town houses forming part of their ancestral property will carry a perpetual right of redemption in their favour.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	33	If a Levite is the one to be affected by the right of redemption, at the jubilee he will vacate the purchased property and return to his own home, to the town in which he has a title to property. The houses in the Levites' towns represent their ancestral property in Israel,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	34	and the arable land depending on these towns cannot be sold, being their ancestral property for ever.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	35	"If your brother becomes impoverished and cannot support himself in the community, you will assist him as you would a stranger or guest, so that he can go on living with you.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	36	Do not charge him interest on a loan, but fear your God, and let your brother live with you.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	37	You will not lend him money on interest or give him food to make a profit out of it.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	38	I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and be your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	39	"If your brother becomes impoverished while with you and sells himself to you, you will not make him do the work of a slave;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	40	you will treat him like an employee or guest, and he will work for you until the jubilee year.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	41	He will then leave you, both he and his children, and return to his clan and regain possession of his ancestral property.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	42	For they are my servants whom I have brought out of Egypt, and they may not be bought and sold as slaves.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	43	You will not oppress your brother-Israelites harshly but will fear your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	44	"The male and female slaves you have will come from the nations round you; from these you may purchase male and female slaves.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	45	As slaves, you may also purchase the children of aliens resident among you, and also members of their families living with you who have been born on your soil; and they will become your property,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	46	and you may leave them as a legacy to your sons after you as their perpetual possession. These you may have for slaves; but you will not oppress your brother-Israelites.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	47	"If a stranger or guest living with you gets rich and your brother, in the course of dealings with him, becomes impoverished and sells himself to this stranger or guest, or to the descendant of a stranger's family,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	48	he will enjoy the right of redemption after being sold, and one of his brothers may redeem him.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	49	His paternal uncle, his uncle's son, or a member of his own family may redeem him; if he has the means, he may redeem himself.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	50	By agreement with his purchaser, he will count the number of years between the year of sale and the jubilee year; his sale-price will be proportionate to the number of years, his time being valued as that of an employee.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	51	If there are still many years to run, in proportion to their number he will refund part of his sale-price as payment for his redemption.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	52	And if there are only a few years still to run before the jubilee year, he will calculate with him what should be refunded for his redemption, in proportion to their number,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	53	as though he were hired by the year. You will see to it that he is not harshly oppressed.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	54	"If he has not been redeemed in any of these ways, he will go free in the jubilee year, both he and his children;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	25	55	for the Israelites are my servants; they are my servants whom I brought out of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	1	' "You will not make idols for yourselves; you will not erect statues or cultic stones, or erect carved stones in your country, for you to worship: for I, Yahweh, am your God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	2	You will keep my Sabbaths and revere my sanctuary. I am Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	3	"If you live according to my laws, if you keep my commandments and put them into practice,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	4	I shall give you the rain you need at the right time; the soil will yield its produce and the trees of the countryside their fruit;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	5	you will thresh until vintage time and gather grapes until sowing time. You will eat your fill of bread and live secure in your land.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	6	"I shall give peace in the land, and you will go to sleep with no one to frighten you. I shall rid the land of beasts of prey. The sword will not pass through your land.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	7	You will pursue your enemies and they will fall before your sword;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	8	five of you pursuing a hundred of them, one hundred pursuing ten thousand; and your enemies will fall before your sword.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	9	"I shall turn towards you, I shall make you fertile and make your numbers grow, and I shall uphold my covenant with you.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	10	"Having eaten all you need of last year's harvest, you will throw out the old to make room for the new.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	11	"I shall fix my home among you and never reject you.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	12	I shall live among you; I shall be your God and you will be my people,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	13	I, Yahweh your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you should be their slaves no longer, and who broke the bonds of your yoke and made you walk with head held high.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	14	"But if you will not listen to me and do not put all these commandments into practice,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	15	if you reject my laws and detest my customs, and you break my covenant by not putting all my commandments into practice,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	16	this is how I shall treat you: "I shall subject you to terror, consumption and fever, making you dim of sight and short of breath. You will sow your seed in vain, for your enemies will eat it.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	17	I shall turn against you and you will be defeated by your enemies. Your foes will have the mastery over you, and you will flee when no one is pursuing you.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	18	"And if, in spite of this, you will not listen to me, I shall punish you seven times over for your sins.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	19	I shall break your proud strength. I shall make the sky like iron for you, and your soil like bronze.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	20	You will wear out your strength in vain, your land will not yield its produce, nor the trees of the country their fruit.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	21	"And if you go against me and will not listen to me, I shall heap seven times more plagues on you for your sins.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	22	I shall send wild animals to attack you and rob you of your children, destroy your cattle and reduce your numbers until your roads are deserted.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	23	"And if that does not reform you, and you still go against me,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	24	then I shall go against you and punish you another seven times over for your sins.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	25	I shall bring the sword on you, which will avenge the covenant, and when you huddle inside your towns, I shall send pestilence among you, and you will fall into the enemy's clutches.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	26	When I take away the bread which supports you, ten women will be able to bake your bread in one oven and will then dole your bread out by weight; you will eat but not be satisfied.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	27	"And if, in spite of this, you will not listen to me but go against me,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	28	I shall go against you in fury and punish you seven times over for your sins.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	29	You will eat the flesh of your own sons, you will eat the flesh of your own daughters.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	30	I shall destroy your high places and smash your incense-altars; I shall pile your corpses on the corpses of your foul idols and shall reject you.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	31	I shall reduce your cities to ruins; I shall lay waste your sanctuary and refuse to inhale from you smells intended to please.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	32	I shall make such a desolation of the country that your enemies who come to live there will be appalled by it.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	33	And I shall scatter you among the nations. I shall unsheathe the sword against you, reducing your country to desert and your towns to ruins.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	34	Then the country will indeed observe its Sabbaths, all the while it lies deserted, while you are in the country of your enemies. Then indeed the country will rest and observe its Sabbaths.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	35	And as it lies deserted it will rest, as it never did on your Sabbaths when you were living there.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	36	I shall strike such fear into the hearts of those of you who survive in the countries of their enemies that the sound of a falling leaf will set them fleeing; they will flee as though fleeing from the sword, and fall when no one is pursuing.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	37	They will stumble over one another as though fleeing before the sword, when no one is pursuing. You will be powerless to stand up to your enemies;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	38	you will perish among the nations, and the land of your enemies will swallow you up.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	39	Those of you who survive will pine away in their guilt in the countries of their enemies and, bearing the guilt of their ancestors too, will pine away like them.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	40	"Then they shall admit their guilt and that of their ancestors and their infidelities against me, and further, their setting themselves against me.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	41	"I in my turn will go against them and bring them into the land of their enemies. Then their uncircumcised hearts will grow humble and then they will accept the punishment for their guilt.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	42	I shall remember my covenant with Jacob, I shall remember my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham; and I shall remember the country too.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	43	"Abandoned, the country will keep its Sabbaths, as it lies deserted in their absence, and they will have to accept the punishment for their guilt, since they detested my customs and rejected my laws.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	44	"Yet, in spite of all this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I shall not so utterly reject or detest them as to destroy them completely and break my covenant with them; for I am Yahweh their God.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	45	For their sake I shall remember the covenant I made with those first generations that I brought out of Egypt while other nations watched, so that I should be their God, I, Yahweh." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	26	46	Such were the decrees, customs and laws which Yahweh established between himself and the Israelites on Mount Sinai through Moses.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	2	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "If anyone vows the value of a person to Yahweh and wishes to discharge the vow:
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	3	"a man between twenty and sixty years of age will be valued at fifty silver shekels -- the sanctuary shekel;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	4	a woman will be valued at thirty shekels;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	5	"between five and twenty years, a boy will be valued at twenty shekels, a girl at ten shekels;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	6	"between one month and five years, a boy will be valued at five silver shekels, a girl at three silver shekels;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	7	"at sixty years and over, a man will be valued at fifteen shekels and a woman at ten shekels.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	8	"If the person who made the vow cannot meet this valuation, he will present the person concerned to the priest, and the priest will set a value proportionate to the resources of the person who made the vow.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	9	"In the case of an animal suitable for offering to Yahweh, any such animal given to Yahweh will be holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	10	It cannot be exchanged or replaced, a good one instead of a bad one, or a bad one instead of a good one. If one animal is substituted for another, both of them will become holy.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	11	In the case of an unclean animal unsuitable for offering to Yahweh, whatever it may be, it will be presented to the priest
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	12	and he will set a value on it, in relation to its worth. His valuation will be decisive;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	13	but if the person wishes to redeem it, he will add one-fifth to the valuation.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	14	"If a man consecrates his house to Yahweh, the priest will set a value on it, in relation to its worth. His valuation will be decisive.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	15	If the man who has vowed his house wishes to redeem it, he will add one-fifth to the valuation, and it will revert to him.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	16	"If a man consecrates one of the fields of his ancestral property to Yahweh, its value will be calculated in terms of its yield, at the rate of fifty silver shekels to one homer of barley.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	17	"If he consecrates the field during the jubilee year, he will abide by this valuation.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	18	But if he consecrates it after the jubilee, the priest will calculate the price in terms of the number of years still to run until the next jubilee and the valuation will be reduced accordingly.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	19	"If he wishes to redeem the field, he will add one-fifth to the valuation, and the field will revert to him.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	20	If he does not redeem it but sells it to someone else, the right of redemption ceases;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	21	when the purchaser has to vacate it at the jubilee year, it becomes consecrated to Yahweh, like a field vowed unconditionally; ownership of it passes to the priest.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	22	"If he consecrates to Yahweh a field which he has bought, but which is not part of his ancestral property,
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	23	the priest will calculate the valuation in terms of the number of years still to run before the jubilee year; and the man will pay this sum the same day since it is consecrated to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	24	In the jubilee year the field will revert to the vendor, the man to whose ancestral property the land belongs.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	25	All your valuations will be made in sanctuary shekels, at the rate of twenty gerah to the shekel.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	26	"The first-born of livestock is born to Yahweh; no one may consecrate it, whether it be cattle or sheep, for it belongs to Yahweh anyway.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	27	But if it is an unclean animal, it may be redeemed at the valuation price with one-fifth added; if the animal is not redeemed, it will be sold at the valuation price.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	28	"Nothing, however, that someone vows unconditionally to Yahweh may be redeemed, nothing he possesses, be it a human being or animal or field of his ancestral property. What is vowed unconditionally is especially holy and belongs to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	29	A human being vowed unconditionally cannot be redeemed but will be put to death.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	30	"All tithes on land, levied on the produce of the soil or on the fruit of trees, belong to Yahweh; they are consecrated to Yahweh.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	31	If anyone wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he will add one-fifth to its value.
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	32	"In all tithes on herds or flocks, the tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman's staff will be consecrated to Yahweh;
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	33	there will be no examining whether it is good or bad, and no substitution. If substitution takes place, the animal and its substitute will both become holy without possibility of redemption." '
 Leviticus	Lev	3	27	34	Such were the orders which Yahweh gave Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses, in the desert of Sinai, in the Tent of Meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after the exodus from Egypt, and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	1	2	'Take a census of the whole community of Israelites by clans and families, taking a count of the names of all the males, head by head.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	3	You and Aaron will register all those in Israel, twenty years of age and over, fit to bear arms, company by company;
 Numbers	Num	4	1	4	you will have one man from each tribe, the head of his family, to help you.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	5	'These are the names of those who must help you: For Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	6	For Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	7	For Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	8	For Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	9	For Zebulun, Eliab son of Helon.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	10	Of the sons of Joseph: for Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud; for Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	11	For Benjamin, Abidan son of Gideoni.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	12	For Dan, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	13	For Asher, Pagiel son of Ochran.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	14	For Gad, Eliasaph son of Reuel.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	15	For Naphtali, Ahira son of Enan.'
 Numbers	Num	4	1	16	These were men of repute in the community; they were the leaders of their ancestral tribes, the heads of Israel's thousands.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	17	Moses and Aaron took these men who had been named
 Numbers	Num	4	1	18	and on the first day of the second month they mustered the whole community. The Israelites established their pedigrees by clans and families, and one by one the names of all men of twenty years and over were recorded.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	19	As Yahweh had ordered, Moses registered them in the desert of Sinai.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	20	Once the pedigrees of the descendants of Reuben, Israel's first-born, had been established by clans and families, the names of all the males of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were recorded one by one.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	21	The total of these for the tribe of Reuben was forty-six thousand five hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	22	Once the pedigrees of Simeon's descendants had been established by clans and families, the names of all the males of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were recorded one by one.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	23	The total of these for the tribe of Simeon was fifty-nine thousand three hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	24	Once the pedigrees of Gad's descendants had been established by clans and families, the names of all the males of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were recorded one by one.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	25	The total of these for the tribe of Gad was forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	26	Once the pedigrees of Judah's descendants had been established by clans and families, the names of all the males of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were recorded one by one.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	27	The total of these for the tribe of Judah was seventy-four thousand six hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	28	Once the pedigrees of Issachar's descendants had been established by clans and families, the names of all the males of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were recorded one by one.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	29	The total of these for the tribe of Issachar was fifty-four thousand four hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	30	Once the pedigrees of Zebulun's descendants had been established by clans and families, the names of all the males of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were recorded one by one.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	31	The total of these for the tribe of Zebulun was fifty-seven thousand four hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	32	As regards the descendants of Joseph: once the pedigrees of Ephraim's descendants had been established by clans and families, the names of all the males of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were recorded one by one.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	33	The total of these for the tribe of Ephraim was forty thousand five hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	34	Once the pedigrees of Manasseh's descendants had been established by clans and families, the names of all the males of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were recorded one by one.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	35	The total of these for the tribe of Manasseh was thirty-two thousand two hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	36	Once the pedigrees of Benjamin's descendants had been established by clans and families, the names of all the males of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were recorded one by one.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	37	The total of these for the tribe of Benjamin was thirty-five thousand four hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	38	Once the pedigrees of Dan's descendants had been established by clans and families, the names of all the males of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were recorded one by one.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	39	The total of these for the tribe of Dan was sixty-two thousand seven hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	40	Once the pedigrees of Asher's descendants had been established by clans and families, the names of all the males of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were recorded one by one.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	41	The total of these for the tribe of Asher was forty-one thousand five hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	42	Once the pedigrees of Naphtali's descendants had been established by clans and families, the names of all the males of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were recorded one by one.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	43	The total of these for the tribe of Naphtali was fifty-three thousand four hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	44	Such were the men registered by Moses, Aaron and the leaders of Israel, of whom there were twelve, each representing his family.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	45	All the Israelites of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms, were counted by families.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	46	Altogether, the total came to six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	47	But the Levites and their tribes were not included in the count.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	48	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	1	49	'Do not, however, take a census of the Levites, or register them with the other Israelites,
 Numbers	Num	4	1	50	but enrol the Levites to take charge of the Dwelling where the Testimony is and of all its furnishings and belongings. They must carry the Dwelling and all its furnishings; they must look after the Dwelling and pitch their camp round it.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	51	Whenever the Dwelling is moved, the Levites will dismantle it; whenever the Dwelling stops for the night, the Levites will erect it. Any unauthorised person coming near it will be put to death.
 Numbers	Num	4	1	52	The Israelites will pitch their tents, each in their own encampment and by their own standard, company by company,
 Numbers	Num	4	1	53	but the Levites will pitch their tents round the Dwelling where the Testimony is. In this way Retribution will be kept from falling on the whole community of Israelites, and the Levites will keep charge of the Dwelling of the Testimony.'
 Numbers	Num	4	1	54	The Israelites did exactly as Yahweh had ordered Moses. They did as he said.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	2	2	'The Israelites must pitch their tents, each man by his own standard, under their family emblems. They must pitch their tents round the Dwelling where the Testimony is, some distance away.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	3	'Encamped on the east side: 'Furthest towards the east, the standard of the camp of Judah, unit by unit. Leader of the Judahites: Nahshon son of Amminadab.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	4	His company: seventy-four thousand six hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	5	'Next to him: 'The tribe of Issachar. Leader of the Issacharites: Nethanel son of Zuar.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	6	His company: fifty-four thousand four hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	7	'The tribe of Zebulun. Leader of the Zebulunites: Eliab son of Helon.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	8	His company: fifty-seven thousand four hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	9	'The tribal forces in the camp of Judah number in all a hundred and eighty-six thousand four hundred. These will be the first to break camp.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	10	'On the south side, the standard of the camp of Reuben, unit by unit. Leader of the Reubenites: Elizur son of Shedeur.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	11	His company: forty-six thousand five hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	12	'Next to him: 'The tribe of Simeon. Leader of the Simeonites: Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	13	His company: fifty-nine thousand three hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	14	'The tribe of Gad. Leader of the Gadites: Eliasaph son of Reuel.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	15	His company: forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty men.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	16	'The tribal forces in the camp of Reuben number in all a hundred and fifty-one thousand four hundred and fifty. They will be second to break camp.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	17	'Next, the Tent of Meeting will move, since the camp of the Levites is situated in the middle of the other camps. The order of movement will be the order of encampment, each man under his own standard.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	18	'On the west side, the standard of the camp of Ephraim, unit by unit. Leader of the Ephraimites: Elishama son of Ammihud.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	19	His company: forty thousand five hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	20	'Next to him: 'The tribe of Manasseh. Leader of the Manassehites: Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	21	His company: thirty-two thousand two hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	22	'The tribe of Benjamin. Leader of the Benjaminites: Abidan son of Gideoni.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	23	His company: thirty-five thousand four hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	24	'The tribal forces in the camp of Ephraim number in all a hundred and eight thousand one hundred. They will be third to break camp.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	25	'On the north side, the standard of the camp of Dan, unit by unit. Leader of the Danites: Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	26	His company: sixty-two thousand seven hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	27	'Next to him: 'The tribe of Asher. Leader of the Asherites: Pagiel son of Ochran.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	28	His company: forty-one thousand five hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	29	'The tribe of Naphtali. Leader of the Naphtalites: Ahira son of Enan.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	30	His company: fifty-three thousand four hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	31	'The tribal forces in the camp of Dan number in all a hundred and fifty-seven thousand six hundred. They will be the last to break camp. 'All under their appropriate standards.'
 Numbers	Num	4	2	32	Such was the tally of the Israelites when the census was taken by families. The full count of the entire camp, unit by unit, came to six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	33	But, as Yahweh had ordered Moses, the Levites were not included in the census of the Israelites.
 Numbers	Num	4	2	34	The Israelites did exactly as Yahweh had ordered Moses. This was how they pitched camp, grouped by standards. This was how they broke camp, each man in his own clan, each man with his own family.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	1	These were the descendants of Aaron and Moses, at the time when Yahweh spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	2	These were the names of Aaron's sons: Nadab the eldest, then Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	3	Such were the names of Aaron's sons, priests anointed and invested with the powers of the priesthood.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	4	Nadab and Abihu died in Yahweh's presence, in the desert of Sinai, when they offered unauthorised fire before Yahweh. They left no children and so it fell to Eleazar and Ithamar to exercise the priesthood under their father Aaron.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	5	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	3	6	'Muster the tribe of Levi and put it at the disposal of the priest Aaron: they must be at his service.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	7	They will undertake the duties incumbent on him and the whole community before the Tent of Meeting, in serving the Dwelling,
 Numbers	Num	4	3	8	and they will be in charge of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting and undertake the duties incumbent on the Israelites in serving the Dwelling.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	9	You will present the Levites to Aaron and his sons as men dedicated; they will be given to him by the Israelites.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	10	'You will register Aaron and his sons, who will carry out their priestly duty. But any unauthorised person who comes near must be put to death.'
 Numbers	Num	4	3	11	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	3	12	'Look, I myself have chosen the Levites from the Israelites instead of all the first-born, those who emerge first from the womb in Israel; the Levites therefore belong to me.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	13	For every first-born belongs to me. On the day when I struck down all the first-born in Egypt, I consecrated all the first-born in Israel, human and animal, to be my own. They are mine, Yahweh's.'
 Numbers	Num	4	3	14	Yahweh spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	3	15	'You must take a census of Levi's descendants by families and clans; all the males of the age of one month and over will be counted.'
 Numbers	Num	4	3	16	At Yahweh's word Moses took a census of them, as Yahweh had ordered.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	17	These were the names of Levi's sons: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	18	These were the names of Gershon's sons by their clans: Libni and Shimei;
 Numbers	Num	4	3	19	Kohath's sons by their clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel;
 Numbers	Num	4	3	20	Merari's sons by their clans: Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of Levi, grouped by families.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	21	From Gershon were descended the Libnite and Shimeite clans; these were the Gershonite clans.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	22	Their full number, counting the males of one month and over, came to seven thousand five hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	23	The Gershonite clans pitched their camp behind the Dwelling, on the west side.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	24	The leader of the House of Gershon was Eliasaph son of Lael.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	25	As regards the Tent of Meeting, the Gershonites had charge of the Dwelling, the Tent and its covering, the screen for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,
 Numbers	Num	4	3	26	the curtaining of the court, the screen for the entrance to the court surrounding the Dwelling and the altar, and the cords required in dealing with all this.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	27	From Kohath were descended the Amramite, Izharite, Hebronite and Uzzielite clans; these were the Kohathite clans.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	28	Their full number, counting the males of one month and over, came to eight thousand three hundred. They were in charge of the sanctuary.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	29	The Kohathite clans pitched their camp on the south side of the Dwelling.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	30	The leader of the house of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan son of Uzziel.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	31	They were in charge of the ark, the table, the lamp-stand, the altars, the sacred vessels used in the liturgy, and the curtain with all its fittings.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	32	The chief of the Levite leaders was Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest. He supervised the people responsible for the sanctuary.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	33	From Merari were descended the Mahlite and Mushite clans; these were the Merarite clans.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	34	Their full number, counting the males of one month and over, came to six thousand two hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	35	The leader of the House of the Merarite clans was Zuriel, son of Abihail. They pitched their camp on the north side of the Dwelling.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	36	The Merarites were in charge of the framework of the Dwelling, with its crossbars, poles, sockets and all its accessories and fittings,
 Numbers	Num	4	3	37	and also the poles round the court, with their sockets, pegs and cords.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	38	Finally, on the east side, in front of the Dwelling, in front of the Tent of Meeting, towards the east, was the camp of Moses and Aaron and his sons, who had charge of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites. Any unauthorised person coming near was to be put to death.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	39	The total number of male Levites of the age of one month and over, whom Moses counted by clans as Yahweh had ordered, came to twenty-two thousand.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	40	Yahweh said to Moses: 'Take a census of all the first-born of the Israelites, all the males from the age of one month and over; take a census of them by name.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	41	You will then present the Levites to me, Yahweh, instead of Israel, and similarly the Levites' cattle instead of the first-born cattle of the Israelites.'
 Numbers	Num	4	3	42	As Yahweh ordered, Moses took a census of all the first-born of the Israelites.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	43	The total count, by name, of the first-born from the age of one month and over came to twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	44	Yahweh then spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	3	45	'Take the Levites instead of all the first-born of the Israelites, and the Levites' cattle instead of their cattle; the Levites will be mine, Yahweh's.
 Numbers	Num	4	3	46	For the ransom of the two hundred and seventy-three first-born of the Israelites in excess of the number of Levites,
 Numbers	Num	4	3	47	you will take five shekels for each, by the sanctuary shekel, at twenty gerah to the shekel;
 Numbers	Num	4	3	48	you will then give this money to Aaron and his sons as the ransom for the extra number.'
 Numbers	Num	4	3	49	Moses took the ransom money for the extra ones unransomed by the Levites;
 Numbers	Num	4	3	50	he took the money for the first-born of the Israelites: one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, by the sanctuary shekel;
 Numbers	Num	4	3	51	and Moses then handed over their ransom money to Aaron and his sons, at Yahweh's bidding, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	4	2	'Take a census by clans and families of the Levites descended from Kohath:
 Numbers	Num	4	4	3	all the men between thirty and fifty years of age and eligible for military service, who will have their duties in the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	4	'These are the duties of the Kohathites: looking after those things that are especially holy.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	5	'When camp is broken, Aaron and his sons must come and take down the screening curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	6	Over this, they will put a covering of fine leather, over which they will spread a cloth entirely of violet-purple. They will then fix the poles to the ark.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	7	'Over the offertory table they will spread a violet cloth, and on it put the dishes, cups, bowls and libation jars; the bread of permanent offering will also be on it.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	8	Over these they will spread a scarlet cloth and cover the whole with a covering of fine leather. They will then fix the poles to the table.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	9	'They will then take a violet cloth and cover the lamp-stand, its lamps, snuffers, trays and all the oil jars used for it,
 Numbers	Num	4	4	10	and will lay it and all its accessories in a covering of fine leather and put it on the litter.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	11	'Over the golden altar they will spread a violet cloth, and cover that with a covering of fine leather. They will then fix the poles to it.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	12	'They will then take all the other objects used in the service of the sanctuary, put them in a violet cloth, with a covering of fine leather, and put it all on the litter.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	13	'When they have removed the ashes from the altar, they will spread a scarlet cloth over it,
 Numbers	Num	4	4	14	and on this place all the objects used in the liturgy, the fire pans, hooks, scoops, sprinkling basins and all the altar accessories. Over this they will spread a covering of fine leather. They will then fix the poles to it.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	15	'Once Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy things and all their accessories at the breaking of camp, the Kohathites will come and carry them, but without touching any of the holy things on pain of death. Such is the load for the Kohathites in the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	16	But Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, is responsible for looking after the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the daily cereal offering and the anointing oil, and for supervising the entire Dwelling and everything in it, the holy things and their accessories.'
 Numbers	Num	4	4	17	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	4	18	'You must not let the group of Kohathite clans be lost to the rest of the Levites.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	19	But deal with them in this way, so that they may survive and not incur death by approaching those things that are especially holy. Aaron and his sons will go in and assign to each of them his task and load,
 Numbers	Num	4	4	20	in such a way that they have no need to incur the death penalty by going in and setting eyes on the holy things, even for an instant.'
 Numbers	Num	4	4	21	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	4	22	'Take a census of the Gershonites by families and clans, too:
 Numbers	Num	4	4	23	all the men between thirty and fifty years of age, eligible for military service, who will have their duties in the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	24	'These are the duties of the Gershonite clans, their functions and their loads.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	25	They will carry the curtaining of the Dwelling, the Tent of Meeting with its covering and the covering of fine leather that goes over it, the screen for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,
 Numbers	Num	4	4	26	the curtaining of the court, the screen for the entrance to the court surrounding the Dwelling and the altar, the cords, all the accessories for worship, and all the necessary equipment. 'They will be responsible for these things.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	27	All the duties of the Gershonites, their functions and their loads, will be carried out under the direction of Aaron and his sons: you will see that they fulfil their charge.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	28	Such are the duties of the Gershonite clans in the Tent of Meeting. Their work will be supervised by Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	29	'You will take a census of the Merarites by clans and families.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	30	You will take a census of all the men between thirty and fifty years of age, eligible for military service, who will have their duties in the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	31	'The load they carry and the duties incumbent on them in the Tent of Meeting will be as follows: the framework of the Dwelling, its cross-bars, poles and sockets,
 Numbers	Num	4	4	32	the poles round the court with their sockets, pegs, cords and all their tackle. You will draw up a list of their names with the loads for which each is responsible.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	33	'Such are the duties of the Merarite clans. All their duties in the Tent of Meeting will be supervised by Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.'
 Numbers	Num	4	4	34	Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the community took a census of the Kohathites by clans and families:
 Numbers	Num	4	4	35	all the men between thirty and fifty years of age, eligible for military service, for duties in the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	36	The number of men counted in their clans came to two thousand seven hundred and fifty.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	37	Such was the total number of men in the Kohathite clans who were eligible for duties in the Tent of Meeting and whom Moses and Aaron counted at Yahweh's bidding through Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	38	A census was taken of the Gershonites by clans and families:
 Numbers	Num	4	4	39	all the men between thirty and fifty years of age, eligible for military service, for duties in the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	40	The number of men counted in their clans and families came to two thousand six hundred and thirty.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	41	Such was the total number of men in the Gershonite clans who were eligible for duties in the Tent of Meeting, and whom Moses and Aaron counted at Yahweh's bidding.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	42	A census was taken of the Merarite clans by clans and families:
 Numbers	Num	4	4	43	all the men between thirty and fifty years of age, eligible for military service, for duties in the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	44	The number of men counted in their clans came to three thousand two hundred.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	45	Such was the total number of men in the Merarite clans, whom Moses and Aaron counted at Yahweh's bidding through Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	46	The total number of Levites whom Moses, Aaron and the leaders of Israel counted in their clans and families,
 Numbers	Num	4	4	47	all the men between thirty and fifty years of age, eligible for religious duties and for those of transporting the Tent of Meeting
 Numbers	Num	4	4	48	came to eight thousand five hundred and eighty.
 Numbers	Num	4	4	49	At Yahweh's bidding through Moses, a census was taken of them and each man was assigned his duty and load. And so the census was conducted by Moses as Yahweh had ordered him.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	5	2	'Order the Israelites to expel from the camp all those suffering from a contagious skin-disease or from a discharge, or who have become unclean by touching a corpse.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	3	Whether man or woman, you will expel them; you will expel them from the camp, so that they do not pollute their encampments, in the heart of which I dwell.'
 Numbers	Num	4	5	4	The Israelites did so: they expelled them from the camp. The Israelites did as Yahweh had told Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	5	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	5	6	'Speak to the Israelites: "If a man or woman commits any of the sins by which people break faith with Yahweh, that person incurs guilt.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	7	"The person must confess the sin committed and restore in full the amount owed, with one-fifth added. Payment is to be made to the person wronged.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	8	"If, however, the latter has no relation to whom restitution can be made, the restitution due to Yahweh reverts to the priest, apart from the ram of expiation with which the priest makes expiation for the guilty party.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	9	For of everything the Israelites consecrate and bring to the priest he has a right to the portion set aside.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	10	Whatever anyone consecrates is his own; whatever is given to the priest belongs to the priest." '
 Numbers	Num	4	5	11	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	5	12	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "If anyone has a wife who goes astray and is unfaithful to him,
 Numbers	Num	4	5	13	if some other man sleeps with the woman without the husband's knowledge, and she secretly makes herself unclean, without any witness against her, and without anyone catching her in the act;
 Numbers	Num	4	5	14	if, then, a spirit of suspicion comes over the husband and makes him suspicious of the wife who has disgraced herself, or again if this spirit of suspicion comes over him and makes him suspicious of his wife even when she is innocent,
 Numbers	Num	4	5	15	the man will bring his wife before the priest, and on her behalf make an offering of one-tenth of an ephah of barley meal. He will not pour oil over it or put incense on it, because this is a cereal offering for a case of suspicion, a memorial offering to recall guilt to mind.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	16	"The priest will then bring the woman forward and place her before Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	17	The priest will then take fresh water in an earthen jar, and on the water throw dust that he has taken from the floor of the Dwelling.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	18	After he has placed the woman before Yahweh, he will unbind her hair and put the commemorative cereal offering (that is, the cereal offering for a case of suspicion) into her hands. In his own hands the priest will hold the water of bitterness and cursing.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	19	"The priest will then put the woman on oath. He will say to her: If it is not true that a man has slept with you, that you have gone astray and made yourself unclean while under your husband's authority, may this water of bitterness and cursing do you no harm.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	20	But if it is true that you have gone astray while under your husband's authority, that you have made yourself unclean and that a man other than your husband has slept with you . . .
 Numbers	Num	4	5	21	Here the priest will impose an imprecatory oath on the woman. He will say to her: . . . May Yahweh make you the object of your people's execration and curses, by making your sexual organs shrivel and your belly swell!
 Numbers	Num	4	5	22	May this water of cursing entering your bowels, make your belly swell and your sexual organs shrivel! To which the woman will reply: Amen! Amen!
 Numbers	Num	4	5	23	"Having written these curses on a scroll and washed them off in the water of bitterness,
 Numbers	Num	4	5	24	the priest will make the woman drink the water of bitterness and cursing; when the water of cursing enters into her, it will become bitter.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	25	"The priest will then take the cereal offering for a case of suspicion from the woman's hands, and hold it up before Yahweh with a gesture of offering, and so carry it up to the altar.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	26	He will take a handful of it as a memorial and burn it on the altar. "After this, he will make the woman drink the water.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	27	After he has made her drink it, if it is true that she has made herself unclean and been unfaithful to her husband, the water of cursing then entering into her will indeed be bitter: her belly will swell and her sexual organs shrivel, and she will be an object of execration to her people.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	28	But if she has not made herself unclean, but is clean, then she will go unscathed and will bear children.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	29	"Such is the ritual in cases of suspicion, when a woman has gone astray and made herself unclean while under her husband's authority,
 Numbers	Num	4	5	30	or when a spirit of suspicion has come over a man and made him suspicious of his wife. When a husband brings such a woman before Yahweh, the priest will apply this ritual to her in full.
 Numbers	Num	4	5	31	The husband will be guiltless, but the woman will bear the consequences of her guilt." '
 Numbers	Num	4	6	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	6	2	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "If a man or a woman wishes to make a vow, the nazirite vow, to vow himself to Yahweh,
 Numbers	Num	4	6	3	he will abstain from wine and fermented liquor, he will not drink vinegar derived from one or the other, he will not drink grape-juice or eat grapes, be they fresh or dried.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	4	For the duration of his vow he will eat nothing that comes from the vine, not even juice of unripe grapes or skins of grapes.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	5	As long as he is bound by his vow, no razor will touch his head; until the time for which he has vowed himself to Yahweh is completed, he remains consecrated and will let his hair grow freely.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	6	For the entire period of his vow to Yahweh, he will not go near a corpse,
 Numbers	Num	4	6	7	he will not make himself unclean for his father or his mother, or his brother or his sister, should they die, since on his head he carries his vow to his God.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	8	Throughout the whole of his vow he is a person consecrated to Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	9	"If anyone suddenly dies near him, making his vowed hair unclean, he will shave his head on the day he is purified, he will shave his head on the seventh day.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	10	On the eighth day, he will bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest, at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	11	The priest will offer one as a sacrifice for sin, and the other as a burnt offering and will then perform for the person the rite of expiation for the pollution which he has contracted from the corpse. He will consecrate his head that same day;
 Numbers	Num	4	6	12	he will vow himself to Yahweh for the period of his nazirate, and will bring a male yearling lamb as a sacrifice of reparation. The time already spent will not count, since his hair had become unclean.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	13	"This is the ritual for the nazirite on the day when the period of his vow is completed. He will be led to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting,
 Numbers	Num	4	6	14	bringing his offering to Yahweh: an unblemished male yearling lamb as a burnt offering, an unblemished yearling ewe lamb as a sacrifice for sin, an unblemished ram as a peace offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	6	15	and a basket of unleavened loaves made of fine flour mixed with oil, and of unleavened wafers spread with oil, with the cereal offerings and libations appropriate to them.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	16	The priest, having brought all this before Yahweh, will offer the nazirite's sin sacrifice and burnt offering.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	17	The latter will then offer the ram as a communion sacrifice with the basket of unleavened bread, and the priest will offer the accompanying cereal offering and libation.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	18	The nazirite will then shave off his vowed hair at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and, taking the locks of his vowed head, he will put them in the fire of the communion sacrifice.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	19	The priest will take the shoulder of the ram, as soon as it is cooked, with an unleavened cake from the basket, and an unleavened wafer, and put them into the hands of the nazirite once he has shaved off his hair.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	20	With these he will make the gesture of offering before Yahweh; as it is a holy thing, it reverts to the priest, in addition to the forequarter that has been presented and the thigh that has been set aside. After this, the nazirite may drink wine.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	21	"Such is the ritual for the nazirite. If, besides his hair, he has also vowed a personal offering to Yahweh, he will (apart from anything else that his means allow) fulfil the vow that he has made, in addition to what the ritual prescribes for his hair."
 Numbers	Num	4	6	22	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	6	23	'Speak to Aaron and his sons and say: "This is how you must bless the Israelites. You will say:
 Numbers	Num	4	6	24	May Yahweh bless you and keep you.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	25	May Yahweh let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
 Numbers	Num	4	6	26	May Yahweh show you his face and bring you peace."
 Numbers	Num	4	6	27	This is how they must call down my name on the Israelites, and then I shall bless them.'
 Numbers	Num	4	7	1	On the day Moses finished erecting the Dwelling, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furniture, as well as the altar and all its equipment. When he had anointed and consecrated it all,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	2	the leaders of Israel made an offering; they were the heads of their families, the tribal leaders who had presided over the census.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	3	They brought their offering before Yahweh: six covered wagons and twelve oxen, one wagon for every two leaders and one ox each. They brought them in front of the Dwelling.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	4	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	5	'Accept these from them, and let them be set apart for the service of the Tent of Meeting. You will give them to the Levites, to each as his duties require.'
 Numbers	Num	4	7	6	Moses took the wagons and oxen, and gave them to the Levites.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	7	To the Gershonites he gave two wagons and four oxen for the duties they had to perform.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	8	To the Merarites he gave four wagons and eight oxen for the duties they had to perform under the direction of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	9	But to the Kohathites he gave none at all, because the sacred charge entrusted to them had to be carried on their shoulders.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	10	The leaders then made an offering for the dedication of the altar, on the day it was anointed. They brought their offering before the altar,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	11	and Yahweh said to Moses, 'Each day one of the leaders must bring his offering for the dedication of the altar.'
 Numbers	Num	4	7	12	On the first day an offering was brought by Nahshon son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	13	His offering consisted of: one silver bowl weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels (sanctuary shekels), both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a cereal offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	14	one golden bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	15	one young bull, one ram and one male yearling lamb as a burnt offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	16	one he-goat as a sacrifice for sin,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	17	and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats and five male yearling lambs as a communion sacrifice. Such was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	18	On the second day an offering was brought by Nethanel son of Zuar, leader of Issachar.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	19	His offering consisted of: one silver bowl weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels (sanctuary shekels), both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a cereal offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	20	one golden bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	21	one young bull, one ram and one male yearling lamb as a burnt offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	22	one he-goat as a sacrifice for sin,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	23	and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats and five male yearling lambs as a communion sacrifice. Such was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	24	On the third day an offering was brought by Eliab son of Helon, leader of the Zebulunites.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	25	His offering consisted of: one silver bowl weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels (sanctuary shekels), both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a cereal offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	26	one golden bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	27	one young bull, one ram and one male yearling lamb as a burnt offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	28	one he-goat as a sacrifice for sin,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	29	and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats and five male yearling lambs as a communion sacrifice. Such was the offering of Eliab son of Helon.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	30	On the fourth day an offering was brought by Elizur son of Shedeur, leader of the Reubenites.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	31	His offering consisted of: one silver bowl weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels (sanctuary shekels), both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a cereal offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	32	one golden bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	33	one young bull, one ram and one male yearling lamb as a burnt offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	34	one he-goat as a sacrifice for sin,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	35	and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats and five male yearling lambs as a communion sacrifice. Such was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	36	On the fifth day an offering was brought by Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, leader of the Simeonites.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	37	His offering consisted of: one silver bowl weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels (sanctuary shekels), both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a cereal offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	38	one golden bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	39	one young bull, one ram and one male yearling lamb as a burnt offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	40	one he-goat as a sacrifice for sin,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	41	and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats and five male yearling lambs as a communion sacrifice. Such was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	42	On the sixth day an offering was brought by Eliasaph son of Reuel, leader of the Gadites.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	43	His offering consisted of: one silver bowl weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels (sanctuary shekels), both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a cereal offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	44	one golden bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	45	one young bull, one ram and one male yearling lamb as a burnt offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	46	one he-goat as a sacrifice for sin,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	47	and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats and five male yearling lambs as a communion sacrifice. Such was the offering of Eliasaph son of Reuel.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	48	On the seventh day an offering was brought by Elishama son of Ammihud, leader of the Ephraimites.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	49	His offering consisted of: one silver bowl weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels (sanctuary shekels), both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a cereal offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	50	one golden bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	51	one young bull, one ram and one male yearling lamb as a burnt offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	52	one he-goat as a sacrifice for sin,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	53	and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats and five male yearling lambs as a communion sacrifice. Such was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	54	On the eighth day an offering was brought by Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, leader of the Manassehites.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	55	His offering consisted of: one silver bowl weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels (sanctuary shekels), both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a cereal offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	56	one golden bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	57	one young bull, one ram and one male yearling lamb as a burnt offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	58	one he-goat as a sacrifice for sin,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	59	and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats and five male yearling lambs as a communion sacrifice. Such was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	60	On the ninth day an offering was brought by Abidan son of Gideoni, leader of the Benjaminites.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	61	His offering consisted of: one silver bowl weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels (sanctuary shekels), both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a cereal offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	62	one golden bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	63	one young bull, one ram and one male yearling lamb as a burnt offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	64	one he-goat as a sacrifice for sin,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	65	and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats and five male yearling lambs as a communion sacrifice. Such was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	66	On the tenth day an offering was brought by Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, leader of the Danites.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	67	His offering consisted of: one silver bowl weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels (sanctuary shekels), both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a cereal offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	68	one golden bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	69	one young bull, one ram and one male yearling lamb as a burnt offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	70	one he-goat as a sacrifice for sin,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	71	and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats and five male yearling lambs as a communion sacrifice. Such was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	72	On the eleventh day an offering was brought by Pagiel son of Ochran, leader of the Asherites.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	73	His offering consisted of: one silver bowl weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels (sanctuary shekels), both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a cereal offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	74	one golden bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	75	one young bull, one ram and one male yearling lamb as a burnt offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	76	one he-goat as a sacrifice for sin,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	77	and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats and five male yearling lambs as a communion sacrifice. Such was the offering of Pagiel son of Ochran.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	78	On the twelfth day an offering was brought by Ahira son of Enan, leader of the Naphtalites.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	79	His offering consisted of: one silver bowl weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels (sanctuary shekels), both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a cereal offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	80	one golden bowl weighing ten shekels, full of incense,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	81	one young bull, one ram and one male yearling lamb as a burnt offering,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	82	one he-goat as a sacrifice for sin,
 Numbers	Num	4	7	83	and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats and five male yearling lambs as a communion sacrifice. Such was the offering of Ahira son of Enan.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	84	Such were the offerings made by the leaders of Israel for the dedication of the altar on the day it was anointed: twelve silver bowls, twelve silver sprinkling bowls, and twelve golden bowls.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	85	Each silver bowl weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each sprinkling bowl seventy, the silver of these objects weighing in all two thousand four hundred sanctuary shekels.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	86	The twelve golden bowls full of incense each weighed ten shekels (sanctuary shekels), the gold of these bowls weighing in all a hundred and twenty shekels.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	87	The sum total of animals for the burnt offering: twelve bulls, twelve rams, twelve male yearling lambs, with their cereal offerings. For the sacrifice for sin, twelve he-goats.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	88	The sum total of animals for the communion sacrifice: twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty he-goats and sixty male yearling lambs. Such were the offerings for the dedication of the altar, after it had been anointed.
 Numbers	Num	4	7	89	When Moses went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with him, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy-seat on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two great winged creatures. He then spoke to him.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	8	2	'Speak to Aaron and say, "When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps must throw their light towards the front of the lamp-stand." '
 Numbers	Num	4	8	3	Aaron did this. He set up the lamps to the front of the lamp-stand, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	4	This lamp-stand was worked in beaten gold, including its stem and its petals, which were also of beaten gold. This lamp-stand had been made according to the pattern Yahweh had shown to Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	5	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	8	6	'Separate the Levites from the Israelites and purify them.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	7	This is how you must purify them: you will sprinkle them with purifying water, and they will shave their bodies all over and wash their clothes. They will then be clean.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	8	They will then take a young bull, with the accompanying cereal offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you will take a second young bull for a sacrifice for sin.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	9	You will then bring the Levites in front of the Tent of Meeting, and assemble the whole community of Israelites.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	10	Once you have brought the Levites before Yahweh, the Israelites will lay their hands on them.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	11	Aaron will then offer the Levites, making the gesture of offering before Yahweh on behalf of the Israelites, admitting them to Yahweh's service.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	12	'The Levites will then lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, one of which you will offer as a sacrifice for sin, and the other as a burnt offering to Yahweh, to perform the rite of expiation for the Levites.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	13	Having brought the Levites before Aaron and his sons, you will present them to Yahweh with the gesture of offering.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	14	That is how you will set the Levites apart from the Israelites, for them to be mine.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	15	The Levites will then begin their ministry in the Tent of Meeting. 'You will purify them and offer them with the gesture of offering
 Numbers	Num	4	8	16	because, of the Israelites, they have been dedicated to me in place of all those who first emerge from the womb, instead of the first-born; of all the Israelites, I have taken them for my own.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	17	For all the first-born of the Israelites, whether human or animal, do indeed belong to me: the day I struck down all the first-born in Egypt, I consecrated them to myself,
 Numbers	Num	4	8	18	and now, in place of all the first-born of the Israelites, I have taken the Levites.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	19	Of the Israelites, I give the Levites to Aaron and his sons, as dedicated men, to minister in the Tent of Meeting on behalf of the Israelites and perform the rite of expiation for them, so that no disaster befalls the Israelites when the Israelites come close to the sanctuary.'
 Numbers	Num	4	8	20	Moses, Aaron and the whole community of Israelites dealt with the Levites exactly as Yahweh had ordered Moses concerning them; this is what the Israelites did with them.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	21	The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes, and Aaron presented them with the gesture of offering before Yahweh. He then performed the rite of expiation for them to purify them.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	22	The Levites were then allowed to perform their ministry in the Tent of Meeting in the presence of Aaron and his sons. As Yahweh had ordered Moses concerning the Levites, so it was done with them.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	23	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	8	24	'This concerns the Levites. From the age of twenty-five onwards, the Levite will exercise his ministry and do duty in the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	8	25	After the age of fifty, he is no longer bound to the ministry; he will have no further duties;
 Numbers	Num	4	8	26	but he will still help his brothers to assure the services in the Tent of Meeting, though he himself will no longer have any ministry. That is how you will act as regards the ministry of the Levites.'
 Numbers	Num	4	9	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses, in the desert of Sinai, in the second year after the exodus from Egypt, in the first month, and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	9	2	'The Israelites must keep the Passover at its appointed time.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	3	The fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, is the time appointed for you to keep it. You will keep it with all the laws and customs proper to it.'
 Numbers	Num	4	9	4	Moses told the Israelites to keep the Passover.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	5	They kept it, in the desert of Sinai, in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight. The Israelites did everything as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	6	It happened that some men had become unclean by touching a dead body; they could not keep the Passover that day. They came the same day to Moses and Aaron,
 Numbers	Num	4	9	7	and said, 'We have become unclean by touching a dead body. Why should we be excluded from bringing an offering to Yahweh at the proper time with the rest of the Israelites?'
 Numbers	Num	4	9	8	Moses replied, 'Wait here until I hear what order Yahweh gives about you.'
 Numbers	Num	4	9	9	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	9	10	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "Any of you or your descendants who becomes unclean by touching a dead body, or is away on a long journey, can still keep a Passover for Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	11	Such persons will keep it in the second month, on the fourteenth day, at twilight. They will eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs;
 Numbers	Num	4	9	12	nothing of it must be left over until morning, nor will they break any of its bones. They will keep it, following the entire Passover ritual.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	13	But anyone who is clean, or who is not on a journey, but fails to keep the Passover, such a person will be outlawed from his people. For not having brought the offering to Yahweh at its appointed time, the person will bear the consequences of the sin.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	14	"A resident alien who keeps a Passover for Yahweh, will keep it in accordance with the ritual and customs of the Passover. You will have one law for alien and citizen alike." '
 Numbers	Num	4	9	15	On the day the Dwelling was erected, the cloud covered the Dwelling, the Tent of the Testimony. From nightfall until morning it remained over the Dwelling looking like fire.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	16	So the cloud covered it all the time, and at night it looked like fire.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	17	Whenever the cloud rose from the Tent, the Israelites broke camp, and wherever the cloud halted, there the Israelites pitched camp.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	18	At Yahweh's order, the Israelites set out and, at Yahweh's order, the Israelites pitched camp. They remained in camp for as long as the cloud rested on the Dwelling.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	19	If the cloud stayed for many days on the Dwelling, the Israelites performed their duty to Yahweh and did not set out.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	20	But if the cloud happened to stay for only a few days on the Dwelling, just as they had pitched camp at Yahweh's order, at Yahweh's order they set out.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	21	If the cloud happened to remain only from evening to morning, they set out when it lifted the next morning. Or, if it stayed for a whole day and night, they set out only when it lifted.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	22	Sometimes it stayed there for two days, a month, or a longer time; however long the cloud rested on the Dwelling, the Israelites remained in camp, and when it lifted they set out.
 Numbers	Num	4	9	23	At Yahweh's order they pitched camp, and at Yahweh's order they set out. They performed their duty to Yahweh, as Yahweh had ordered through Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	10	2	'Make yourself two trumpets; make them of beaten silver, so that you can use them for summoning the community, and for sounding the order to break camp.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	3	Whenever they are sounded, the whole community must gather round you, at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	4	But if only one trumpet is sounded, then only the leaders, the heads of Israel's thousands, must gather round you.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	5	'When the trumpet blast is accompanied by a battle cry, the encampments pitched to the east will set out.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	6	At the second blast accompanied by a battle cry, the encampments pitched to the south will set out. For breaking camp, the trumpet blast will be accompanied by a battle cry,
 Numbers	Num	4	10	7	but for assembling the community the trumpets will be sounded without battle cry.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	8	The Aaronite priests will sound the trumpets; this is a perpetual decree for you and your descendants.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	9	'When in your country you go to war against an enemy who is oppressing you, you will sound trumpets with a battle cry, and Yahweh your God will remember you, and you will be delivered from your enemies.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	10	At your festivals, solemnities and new-moon feasts, you will sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and communion sacrifices, so that they recall you to the remembrance of your God. I am Yahweh your God.'
 Numbers	Num	4	10	11	In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud rose from where the Dwelling of the Testimony was,
 Numbers	Num	4	10	12	and the Israelites set out, in marching order, from the desert of Sinai. The cloud came to rest in the desert of Paran.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	13	These were the men who set out in the vanguard, at Yahweh's order through Moses:
 Numbers	Num	4	10	14	first went the standard of the camp of the Judahites and their units, with Nahshon son of Amminadab commanding that contingent;
 Numbers	Num	4	10	15	Nethanel son of Zuar commanding the tribal contingent of the Issacharites;
 Numbers	Num	4	10	16	and Eliab son of Helon commanding the tribal contingent of the Zebulunites.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	17	The Dwelling was then dismantled and the Gershonites and Merarites set out, carrying the Dwelling.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	18	Then came the standard of the camp of the Reubenites and their units, with Elizur son of Shedeur commanding that contingent;
 Numbers	Num	4	10	19	Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai commanding the tribal contingent of the Simeonites;
 Numbers	Num	4	10	20	and Eliasaph son of Reuel commanding the tribal contingent of the Gadites.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	21	Then came the Kohathites carrying the sanctuary (the Dwelling was erected before they arrived).
 Numbers	Num	4	10	22	Then came the standard of the camp of the Ephraimites and their units, with Elishama son of Ammihud commanding that contingent;
 Numbers	Num	4	10	23	Gamaliel son of Pedahzur commanding the tribal contingent of the Manassehites;
 Numbers	Num	4	10	24	and Abidan son of Gideoni commanding the tribal contingent of the Benjaminites.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	25	Last of all, the rearguard of all the camps, came the standard of the camp of the Danites and their units, with Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai commanding that contingent;
 Numbers	Num	4	10	26	Pagiel son of Ochran commanding the tribal contingent of the Asherites;
 Numbers	Num	4	10	27	and Ahira son of Enan commanding the tribal contingent of the Naphtalites.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	28	Such was the order of march for the Israelites, unit by unit. So they set out.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	29	Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, his father-in-law, 'We are setting out for the country of which Yahweh has said: I shall give it to you. Come with us, and we will treat you well, for Yahweh has promised good things for Israel.'
 Numbers	Num	4	10	30	'I will not come with you,' he replied, 'but shall go to my own country and kin.'
 Numbers	Num	4	10	31	'Do not leave us,' Moses said, 'for you know where we can camp in the desert, and so you will be our eyes.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	32	If you come with us, we shall share with you whatever blessings Yahweh gives us.'
 Numbers	Num	4	10	33	They set out from Yahweh's mountain and travelled for three days, while the ark of the covenant of Yahweh preceded them on the three-day journey, searching out a place for them to halt.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	34	In the daytime, Yahweh's cloud was over them, once they had broken camp.
 Numbers	Num	4	10	35	Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say: Rise, Yahweh, may your enemies be scattered and those who hate you flee at your approach!
 Numbers	Num	4	10	36	And when it halted, he would say: Come back, Yahweh, to the countless thousands of Israel!
 Numbers	Num	4	11	1	Now the people began to complain, which was offensive to Yahweh's ears. When Yahweh heard, his anger was aroused and the fire of Yahweh broke out among them; it devoured one end of the camp.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	2	The people appealed to Moses who interceded with Yahweh and the fire died down.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	3	So the place was called Taberah, because the fire of Yahweh had broken out among them.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	4	The rabble who had joined the people were feeling the pangs of hunger, and the Israelites began to weep again. 'Who will give us meat to eat?' they said.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	5	'Think of the fish we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic!
 Numbers	Num	4	11	6	But now we are withering away; there is nothing wherever we look except this manna!'
 Numbers	Num	4	11	7	The manna was like coriander seed and had the appearance of bdellium.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	8	The people went round gathering it, and ground it in a mill or crushed it with a pestle; it was then cooked in a pot and made into pancakes. It tasted like cake made with oil.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	9	When the dew fell on the camp at night-time, the manna fell with it.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	10	Moses heard the people weeping, each family at the door of its tent. Yahweh's anger was greatly aroused; Moses too found it disgraceful,
 Numbers	Num	4	11	11	and he said to Yahweh: 'Why do you treat your servant so badly? In what respect have I failed to win your favour, for you to lay the burden of all these people on me?
 Numbers	Num	4	11	12	Was it I who conceived all these people, was I their father, for you to say to me, "Carry them in your arms, like a foster-father carrying an unweaned child, to the country which I swore to give their fathers"?
 Numbers	Num	4	11	13	Where am I to find meat to give all these people, pestering me with their tears and saying, "Give us meat to eat"?
 Numbers	Num	4	11	14	I cannot carry all these people on my own; the weight is too much for me.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	15	If this is how you mean to treat me, please kill me outright! If only I could win your favour and be spared the sight of my misery!'
 Numbers	Num	4	11	16	Yahweh said to Moses, 'Collect me seventy of the elders of Israel, men you know to be the people's elders and scribes. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting, and let them stand beside you there.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	17	I shall come down and talk to you there and shall take some of the spirit which is on you and put it on them. Then they will bear the burden of the people with you, and you will no longer have to bear it on your own.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	18	'And say to the people, "Purify yourselves for tomorrow and you will have meat to eat, since you have wept in Yahweh's hearing, saying: Who will give us meat to eat? How happy we were in Egypt! Very well, Yahweh will give you meat to eat.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	19	You will eat it not for one day, or two, or five, or ten or twenty,
 Numbers	Num	4	11	20	but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and sickens you, since you have rejected Yahweh who is among you, and have wept before him saying: Why did we ever leave Egypt?" '
 Numbers	Num	4	11	21	Moses said, 'The people round me number six hundred thousand foot soldiers, and you say, "I shall give them meat to eat for a whole month"!
 Numbers	Num	4	11	22	If all the flocks and herds were slaughtered, would that be enough for them? If all the fish in the seas were collected, would that be enough for them?'
 Numbers	Num	4	11	23	Yahweh said to Moses, 'Is the arm of Yahweh so short? You shall see whether the promise I have made to you comes true or not.'
 Numbers	Num	4	11	24	Moses went out and told the people what Yahweh had said. Then he collected seventy of the people's elders and stationed them round the Tent.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	25	Yahweh descended in the cloud. He spoke to him and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the spirit came on them they prophesied -- but only once.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	26	Two men had stayed back in the camp; one was called Eldad and the other Medad. The spirit came down on them; though they had not gone to the Tent, their names were enrolled among the rest. These began to prophesy in the camp.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	27	A young man ran to tell Moses this. 'Look,' he said, 'Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.'
 Numbers	Num	4	11	28	Joshua son of Nun, who had served Moses since he was a boy, spoke up and said, 'My lord Moses, stop them!'
 Numbers	Num	4	11	29	Moses replied, 'Are you jealous on my account? If only all Yahweh's people were prophets, and Yahweh had given them his spirit!'
 Numbers	Num	4	11	30	Moses then went back to the camp with the elders of Israel.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	31	A wind, sent by Yahweh, started blowing from the sea bringing quails which it deposited on the camp. They lay for a distance of a day's march either side of the camp, two cubits thick on the ground.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	32	The people were up all that day and night and all the next day collecting quails: the least gathered by anyone was ten homer; then they spread them out round the camp.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	33	The meat was still between their teeth, not even chewed, when Yahweh's anger was aroused by the people. Yahweh struck them with a very great plague.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	34	The name given to this place was Kibroth-ha-Taavah, because it was there that they buried the people who had indulged their greed.
 Numbers	Num	4	11	35	From Kibroth-ha-Taavah the people set out for Hazeroth, and at Hazeroth they pitched camp.
 Numbers	Num	4	12	1	Miriam, and Aaron too, criticised Moses over the Cushite woman he had married. He had indeed married a Cushite woman.
 Numbers	Num	4	12	2	They said, 'Is Moses the only one through whom Yahweh has spoken? Has he not spoken through us too?' Yahweh heard this.
 Numbers	Num	4	12	3	Now Moses was extremely humble, the humblest man on earth.
 Numbers	Num	4	12	4	Suddenly Yahweh said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, 'Come out, all three of you, to the Tent of Meeting.' They went, all three of them,
 Numbers	Num	4	12	5	and Yahweh descended in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tent. He called Aaron and Miriam and they both came forward.
 Numbers	Num	4	12	6	Yahweh said: Listen to my words! if there is a prophet among you, I reveal myself to him in a vision, I speak to him in a dream.
 Numbers	Num	4	12	7	Not so with my servant Moses; to him my whole household is entrusted;
 Numbers	Num	4	12	8	to him I speak face to face, plainly and not in riddles, and he sees Yahweh's form. How, then, could you dare to criticise my servant Moses?
 Numbers	Num	4	12	9	Yahweh's anger was aroused by them. He went away,
 Numbers	Num	4	12	10	and as soon as the cloud left the Tent, there was Miriam covered with a virulent skin-disease, white as snow! Aaron turned to look at her and saw that she had contracted a virulent skin-disease.
 Numbers	Num	4	12	11	Aaron said to Moses: 'Oh, my Lord, please do not punish us for the sin we have been foolish enough to commit.
 Numbers	Num	4	12	12	Do not let her be like some monster with its flesh half eaten away when it leaves its mother's womb!'
 Numbers	Num	4	12	13	Moses pleaded with Yahweh. 'O God,' he said, 'I beg you, please heal her!'
 Numbers	Num	4	12	14	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'If her father had done no more than spit in her face, would she not be unclean for seven days? Have her shut out of the camp for seven days, and then have her brought in again.'
 Numbers	Num	4	12	15	Miriam was shut out of the camp for seven days. The people did not set out until she returned.
 Numbers	Num	4	12	16	Then the people moved on from Hazeroth and pitched camp in the desert of Paran.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	13	2	'Send out men, one from each tribe, to reconnoitre the land of Canaan which I am giving the Israelites. Each of them is to be a leading man of the tribe.'
 Numbers	Num	4	13	3	At Yahweh's order, Moses sent them from the desert of Paran. All of them were leading men of Israel.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	4	These were their names: For the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur:
 Numbers	Num	4	13	5	for the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori;
 Numbers	Num	4	13	6	for the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;
 Numbers	Num	4	13	7	for the tribe of of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph;
 Numbers	Num	4	13	8	for the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;
 Numbers	Num	4	13	9	for the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu;
 Numbers	Num	4	13	10	for the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi;
 Numbers	Num	4	13	11	for the tribe of Joseph, for the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi son of Susi;
 Numbers	Num	4	13	12	for the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli;
 Numbers	Num	4	13	13	for the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael;
 Numbers	Num	4	13	14	for the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi;
 Numbers	Num	4	13	15	for the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Machi.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	16	Such were the names of the men whom Moses sent to reconnoitre the country. Moses then gave Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	17	Moses sent them to reconnoitre the land of Canaan, 'Go up into the Negeb,' he said, 'then go up into the highlands.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	18	See what sort of country it is, and what sort of people the inhabitants are, whether they are strong or weak, few or many,
 Numbers	Num	4	13	19	what sort of land they live on, whether it is good or poor; what sort of towns they live in, whether they are open or fortified;
 Numbers	Num	4	13	20	what sort of land it is, fertile or barren, wooded or open. Be bold, and bring back some of the country's produce.' It was the season for early grapes.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	21	They went up and reconnoitred the country from the desert of Zin to Rehob, the Pass of Hamath.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	22	They went up by way of the Negeb as far as Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the Anakim, lived. (Hebron was founded seven years before Tanis in Egypt.)
 Numbers	Num	4	13	23	Reaching the Vale of Eshcol, there they lopped off a vine branch with a cluster of grapes, which two of them carried away on a pole, as well as pomegranates and figs.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	24	This place was called the Vale of Eshcol after the cluster which the Israelites cut there.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	25	After forty days they returned from reconnoitring the country.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	26	Making their way to Moses, Aaron and the whole community of Israel, in the desert of Paran, at Kadesh, they made their report to them and the whole community, and displayed the country's produce.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	27	This was the report they gave: 'We made our way into the country where you sent us. It does indeed flow with milk and honey; here is what it produces.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	28	At the same time, its inhabitants are a powerful people; the towns are fortified and very big; yes, and we saw the Anakim there.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	29	The Amalekites occupy the Negeb area, the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites the highlands, and the Canaanites the sea coast and the banks of the Jordan.'
 Numbers	Num	4	13	30	Caleb called the people round Moses to silence and then said, 'We must march in immediately and take it; we are certainly able to conquer it.'
 Numbers	Num	4	13	31	But the men who had been with him said, 'We cannot attack these people; they are stronger than we are.'
 Numbers	Num	4	13	32	And they began disparaging to the Israelites the country they had reconnoitred, saying, 'The country we have been to reconnoitre is a country that devours its inhabitants. All the people we saw there were of enormous size.
 Numbers	Num	4	13	33	We saw giants there too (the Anakim, descended from the Giants). We felt like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.'
 Numbers	Num	4	14	1	The whole community then cried out in dismay, and the people wept all that night.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	2	All the Israelites muttered at Moses and Aaron, and the whole community said to them, 'Would to God we had died in Egypt, or even that we had died in this desert!
 Numbers	Num	4	14	3	Why has Yahweh brought us to this country, for us to perish by the sword and our wives and children to be seized as booty? Should we not do better to go back to Egypt?'
 Numbers	Num	4	14	4	And they said to one another, 'Let us appoint a leader and go back to Egypt.'
 Numbers	Num	4	14	5	At this, Moses and Aaron threw themselves on their faces in front of the whole assembled community of Israelites,
 Numbers	Num	4	14	6	while Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, two of the men who had reconnoitred the country, tore their clothes
 Numbers	Num	4	14	7	and addressed the whole community of Israelites as follows, 'The country we went to reconnoitre is a good country, an excellent country.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	8	If Yahweh is pleased with us, he will lead us into this country and give it to us. It is a country flowing with milk and honey.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	9	But do not rebel against Yahweh or be afraid of the people of the country, for we shall gobble them up. Their protecting shade has deserted them, while we have Yahweh on our side. Do not be afraid of them.'
 Numbers	Num	4	14	10	The whole community was talking of stoning them, when the glory of Yahweh appeared to all the Israelites, inside the Tent of Meeting,
 Numbers	Num	4	14	11	and Yahweh said to Moses: 'How much longer will these people treat me with contempt? How much longer will they refuse to trust me, in spite of all the signs I have displayed among them?
 Numbers	Num	4	14	12	I shall strike them with pestilence and disown them. And of you I shall make a new nation, greater and mightier than they are.'
 Numbers	Num	4	14	13	Moses said to Yahweh: 'Suppose the Egyptians hear about this -- for by your power you brought these people out of their country-
 Numbers	Num	4	14	14	and tell the people living in this country. They have heard that you, Yahweh, are with this people, and that you, Yahweh, show yourself to them face to face; that your cloud stands over them and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	15	If you kill this people now as though it were one man, then the nations who have heard about you will say,
 Numbers	Num	4	14	16	"Yahweh was not able to bring this people into the country which he had sworn to give them, and so he has slaughtered them in the desert."
 Numbers	Num	4	14	17	No, my Lord! Now is the time to assert your power as you promised when you said, earlier,
 Numbers	Num	4	14	18	"Yahweh, slow to anger and rich in faithful love, forgiving faults and transgression, and yet letting nothing go unchecked, punishing the parents' guilt in the children to the third and fourth generation."
 Numbers	Num	4	14	19	In your most faithful love, please forgive this people's guilt, as you have done from Egypt until now.'
 Numbers	Num	4	14	20	Yahweh said, 'I forgive them as you ask.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	21	But -- as I live, and as the glory of Yahweh fills the whole world-
 Numbers	Num	4	14	22	of all these people who have seen my glory and the signs that I worked in Egypt and in the desert, who have put me to the test ten times already and not obeyed my voice,
 Numbers	Num	4	14	23	not one shall see the country which I promised to give their ancestors. Not one of those who have treated me contemptuously will see it.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	24	However, since my servant Caleb is of another spirit and since he has obeyed me completely, I shall bring him into the country where he has been, and his descendants will own it
 Numbers	Num	4	14	25	(the Amalekites and Canaanites occupy the plain). Tomorrow you will turn about and go back into the desert, in the direction of the Sea of Suph.'
 Numbers	Num	4	14	26	Yahweh then spoke to Moses and Aaron and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	14	27	'How much longer am I to endure this perverse community muttering against me? I have heard what the Israelites mutter against me.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	28	Say to them, "As I live, Yahweh declares, I shall do to you what I have heard you saying.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	29	In this desert your dead bodies will fall, all you who were counted in the census, from the age of twenty years and over who have muttered against me.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	30	I swear none of you will enter the country where I swore most solemnly to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh, and Joshua son of Nun.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	31	Your children, who you said would be seized as booty, will be the ones whom I shall bring in so that they get to know the country you disdained,
 Numbers	Num	4	14	32	but, as for you, your dead bodies will fall in this desert
 Numbers	Num	4	14	33	and your children will be nomads in the desert for forty years, bearing the consequences of your faithlessness, until the last one of you lies dead in the desert.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	34	For forty days you reconnoitred the country. Each day will count as a year: for forty years you will bear the consequences of your guilt and learn what it means to reject me."
 Numbers	Num	4	14	35	I, Yahweh, have spoken: this is how I swear to treat this entire perverse community united against me. In this desert, to the last man, they shall die.'
 Numbers	Num	4	14	36	The men whom Moses had sent to reconnoitre the country and who on their return had incited the whole community of Israel to mutter about him by disparaging it,
 Numbers	Num	4	14	37	these men who had disparaged the country were all struck dead before Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	38	Of the men who had gone to reconnoitre the country, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh were left alive.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	39	When Moses told all the Israelites what had been said, the people set up a great outcry.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	40	Early next morning they set out for the heights of the hill country saying, 'Look, we will set out for the place about which Yahweh said that we have sinned.'
 Numbers	Num	4	14	41	To which, Moses said, 'Why disobey Yahweh's order? No success will come of doing so.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	42	Do not go, for Yahweh is not among you, and you will be defeated by your enemies.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	43	For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are ahead of you, and you will be put to the sword, since you have turned away from Yahweh, and Yahweh is not with you.'
 Numbers	Num	4	14	44	All the same, they presumptuously set off for the heights of the hill country. Neither the ark of the covenant of Yahweh nor Moses left the camp.
 Numbers	Num	4	14	45	The Amalekites and Canaanites living in those highlands then came down, defeated them and harried them all the way to Hormah.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	15	2	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "When you have arrived in the country where you are to live and which I am giving to you,
 Numbers	Num	4	15	3	and you burn food as an offering to Yahweh either as a burnt offering or as a sacrifice, whether in payment of a vow, or as a voluntary gift, or on the occasion of one of your solemn feasts, from your herds and flocks as a smell pleasing to Yahweh:
 Numbers	Num	4	15	4	the offerer will, as his personal gift to Yahweh, bring a cereal offering of one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-quarter of a hin of oil.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	5	You will also make a libation of wine, one-quarter of a hin to each lamb, in addition to the burnt offering or sacrifice.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	6	For a ram, you will make a cereal offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-third of a hin of oil,
 Numbers	Num	4	15	7	and a libation of one-third of a hin of wine as a smell pleasing to Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	8	If you offer a bull as a burnt offering or sacrifice, in payment of a vow or as a communion sacrifice for Yahweh,
 Numbers	Num	4	15	9	in addition to the animal you will offer a cereal offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil,
 Numbers	Num	4	15	10	and you will offer a libation of half a hin of wine, as food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	11	This will be done for every bull, every ram, every lamb or kid.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	12	Whatever the number of victims you intend to offer, you will do the same for each of them, however many there are.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	13	"Every citizen of the country will act in this way whenever he offers food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh;
 Numbers	Num	4	15	14	and if an alien residing with you or with your descendants intends to offer food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh, he will do as you do.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	15	There will be one law for you, members of the community, and the resident alien alike, a law binding your descendants for ever: before Yahweh you and the resident alien are no different.'
 Numbers	Num	4	15	16	One law, one statute, will apply for you and the resident alien." '
 Numbers	Num	4	15	17	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	15	18	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "When you have entered the country to which I am bringing you,
 Numbers	Num	4	15	19	you will set a portion aside for Yahweh when you eat that country's bread.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	20	You will set one cake aside as the first-fruits of your dough; you will set this offering aside like the one set aside from your threshing.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	21	For all future generations you will set a portion of your dough aside for Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	22	"If through inadvertence you fail in any of these orders which Yahweh has given to Moses
 Numbers	Num	4	15	23	(whatever orders Yahweh has given you or your descendants through Moses, from the day when Yahweh gave his orders),
 Numbers	Num	4	15	24	this is what must be done: "If it is an inadvertence on the part of the community, the community as a whole will offer a young bull as a burnt offering, as a smell pleasing to Yahweh, with the prescribed accompanying cereal offering and libation, and a he-goat as a sacrifice for sin.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	25	The priest will perform the rite of expiation for the entire community of Israelites, and they will be forgiven, since it was an inadvertence. Once they have brought their offering as food burnt for Yahweh, and have presented their sacrifice for sin before Yahweh to make amends for their inadvertence,
 Numbers	Num	4	15	26	the whole community of Israelites will be forgiven, as also the alien residing with them, since the entire people acted by inadvertence.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	27	"If it is an individual who has sinned by inadvertence, he will offer a yearling kid as a sacrifice for sin.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	28	The priest will perform the rite of expiation before Yahweh for the person who has gone astray owing to this sin of inadvertence and, expiation having been made for him, he will be forgiven;
 Numbers	Num	4	15	29	whether he is an Israelite citizen or a resident alien, you will have one law for anyone who sins by inadvertence.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	30	"But the individual who acts deliberately, be he citizen or alien, commits an outrage against Yahweh, and such a man will be outlawed from his people.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	31	Since he has treated Yahweh's word with contempt and has disobeyed his order, such a man will be outlawed absolutely and will bear the consequences of his guilt." '
 Numbers	Num	4	15	32	While the Israelites were in the desert, a man was caught gathering wood on the Sabbath day.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	33	Those who caught him gathering wood brought him before Moses, Aaron and the whole community.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	34	He was kept in custody, because the penalty he should undergo had not yet been fixed.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	35	Yahweh said to Moses, 'This man must be put to death. The whole community will stone him outside the camp.'
 Numbers	Num	4	15	36	The whole community took him outside the camp and stoned him till he was dead, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	37	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	15	38	'Speak to the Israelites and tell them, for all generations to come, to put tassels on the hems of their clothes and work a violet thread into the tassel at the hem.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	39	You will thus have a tassel, and the sight of it will remind you of all Yahweh's orders and how you are to put them into practice, and not follow the dictates of your own heart and eyes, which have led you to be unfaithful.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	40	'This will remind you of all my orders; put them into practice, and you will be consecrated to your God.
 Numbers	Num	4	15	41	I, Yahweh your God, have brought you out of Egypt, to be your God, I, Yahweh your God.'
 Numbers	Num	4	16	1	Now Korah son of Izhar, son of Kohath the Levite, and the Reubenites Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth were proud
 Numbers	Num	4	16	2	and rebelled against Moses with two hundred and fifty Israelites who were leaders of the community, prominent at the solemn feasts, men of repute.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	3	These banded together against Moses and Aaron and said to them, 'You take too much on yourselves! The whole community, all its members, are consecrated, and Yahweh lives among them. Why set yourselves higher than Yahweh's community?'
 Numbers	Num	4	16	4	On hearing this, Moses threw himself on his face.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	5	Then he said to Korah and all in his party, 'Tomorrow morning Yahweh will reveal who is his, who the consecrated man whom he will allow to approach him. The one he allows to approach is the one whom he has chosen.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	6	This is what you must do: take the censers of Korah and all in his party,
 Numbers	Num	4	16	7	put fire in them and put incense in them before Yahweh tomorrow, and the one whom Yahweh chooses will be the consecrated man. Levites, you take too much on yourselves!'
 Numbers	Num	4	16	8	Moses then said to Korah, 'Now listen, you Levites!
 Numbers	Num	4	16	9	Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has singled you out of the community of Israel, and called you to be near him, to serve in Yahweh's Dwelling and to represent the community by officiating on its behalf?
 Numbers	Num	4	16	10	He has called you to be near him, you and all your brother Levites with you, and now you want to be priests as well!
 Numbers	Num	4	16	11	For which reason, you and all in your party have banded together against Yahweh himself: for what is Aaron, that you should mutter against him?'
 Numbers	Num	4	16	12	Moses then summoned Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab. They replied, 'We will not come.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	13	Is it not enough for you to have brought us away from a country flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert, without your making yourself our absolute ruler?
 Numbers	Num	4	16	14	What is more, you have not brought us to a country flowing with milk and honey and you have not given us fields and vineyards for our heritage. Do you think you can hoodwink these people? We will not come.'
 Numbers	Num	4	16	15	Moses flew into a rage and said to Yahweh, 'Disregard their cereal offering! I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor have I wronged any of them.'
 Numbers	Num	4	16	16	Moses said to Korah, 'You and all your party, come before Yahweh tomorrow, you and they, and Aaron too.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	17	Each will take his censer, put incense in it, and bring his censer before Yahweh -- two hundred and fifty censers. You and Aaron too will each bring his censer.'
 Numbers	Num	4	16	18	Each of them took his censer, put fire in it and placed incense on it, and stood at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting with Moses and Aaron.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	19	Then, Korah having assembled the whole community to confront them at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the glory of Yahweh appeared to the whole community.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	20	Yahweh then spoke to Moses and Aaron. He said,
 Numbers	Num	4	16	21	'Get away from this community. I am going to destroy them here and now.'
 Numbers	Num	4	16	22	They threw themselves on their faces and cried out, 'O God, God of the spirits that give life to every living thing, will you be angry with the whole community because one man has sinned?'
 Numbers	Num	4	16	23	Yahweh then said to Moses,
 Numbers	Num	4	16	24	'Speak to the community and say, "Stand well clear of Korah's tent." '
 Numbers	Num	4	16	25	Moses stood up and went to Dathan and Abiram; the elders of Israel followed him.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	26	He spoke to the community and said, 'Stand away, I tell you, from the tents of these sinners, and touch nothing that belongs to them, for fear that with all their sins you too will be swept away.'
 Numbers	Num	4	16	27	So they moved away from Korah's tent. Dathan and Abiram had come out and were standing at their tent doors, with their wives, their sons and their little ones.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	28	Moses said, 'This is how you will know that Yahweh himself has sent me to perform all these tasks and that I am not doing them of my own accord.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	29	If these people die a natural death such as people commonly die, then Yahweh has not sent me.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	30	But if Yahweh does something utterly new, if the earth should open its mouth and swallow them and all their belongings, so that they go down alive to Sheol, then you will know that they held Yahweh in contempt.'
 Numbers	Num	4	16	31	The moment he finished saying all this, the ground split apart under their feet,
 Numbers	Num	4	16	32	the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their families, all Korah's people and all their property.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	33	They went down alive to Sheol with all their belongings. The earth closed over them and they disappeared in the middle of the community.
 Numbers	Num	4	16	34	At their cries, all the Israelites round them took to their heels, saying, 'We do not want the earth to swallow us too!'
 Numbers	Num	4	16	35	Fire then shot out from Yahweh and consumed the two hundred and fifty men offering incense.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	1	Yahweh then spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	17	2	'Tell Eleazar son of Aaron the priest to pick the censers out of the smouldering remains and scatter the fire from them away from here,
 Numbers	Num	4	17	3	for these sinful censers have become sanctified at the price of human lives. Since they were brought before Yahweh and thus became consecrated, they must be hammered into sheets to cover the altar. They will be an object-lesson to the Israelites.'
 Numbers	Num	4	17	4	The priest Eleazar took the bronze censers which had been carried by the men destroyed by the fire. They were hammered into sheets to cover the altar.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	5	They are a reminder to the Israelites that no unauthorised person, no one not of Aaron's line, may approach and offer incense before Yahweh, on pain of suffering the fate of Korah and his party, as Yahweh had said through Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	6	On the following day, the whole community of Israelites were muttering against Moses and Aaron and saying, 'You are responsible for killing Yahweh's people!'
 Numbers	Num	4	17	7	Now, as the community was banding together against Moses and Aaron, they turned towards the Tent of Meeting, and there was the cloud covering it, and the glory of Yahweh appeared.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	8	Moses and Aaron then went to the front of the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	9	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	17	10	'Get away from this community. I am going to destroy them here and now.' They threw themselves on their faces.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	11	Moses then said to Aaron, 'Take a censer, put fire in it from the altar, place incense on it and hurry to the community to perform the rite of expiation for them: for retribution has come from Yahweh, plague has broken out.'
 Numbers	Num	4	17	12	Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the middle of the community, but plague had already broken out among the people. He put in the incense and performed the rite of expiation for the people.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	13	Then he stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	14	There were fourteen thousand seven hundred victims of the plague, apart from those who died because of Korah.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	15	Aaron then went back to Moses at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting; the plague had been halted.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	16	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	17	17	'Tell the Israelites to give you a branch for each of their families, one for each leader of each family: twelve branches. Write the name of each on his branch;
 Numbers	Num	4	17	18	and on the branch of Levi write Aaron's name, since the head of the Levite families must have a branch too.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	19	You will then put them inside the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony, where I make myself known to you.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	20	The man whose branch sprouts will be the one I have chosen; this is how I shall put an end to the mutterings of the Israelites about you.'
 Numbers	Num	4	17	21	Moses spoke to the Israelites, and all their leaders gave him one branch each, twelve branches in all for their families; Aaron's branch was among them.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	22	Moses placed them before Yahweh in the Tent of the Testimony.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	23	On the following day Moses went to the Tent of the Testimony and there, already sprouting, was Aaron's branch, representing the House of Levi; buds had formed, flowers had bloomed and almonds had already ripened.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	24	Moses then brought out all the branches from before Yahweh to all the Israelites; they examined them and each one took back his own branch.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	25	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Put Aaron's branch back in front of the Testimony, where it will have its ritual place as a warning to the rebellious; thus you will rid me of their muttering for good, without their incurring death.'
 Numbers	Num	4	17	26	Moses did as Yahweh had ordered. That is what he did.
 Numbers	Num	4	17	27	The Israelites then said to Moses, 'We are lost! We are dead men! We are all dead men!
 Numbers	Num	4	17	28	Anyone who approaches Yahweh's Dwelling with an offering will die. Are we to be doomed to the last man?'
 Numbers	Num	4	18	1	Yahweh then said to Aaron: 'You, your sons and your ancestor's line with you will be answerable for offences against the sanctuary. You and your sons with you will be answerable for the offences of your priesthood.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	2	You will admit your brothers of the branch of Levi, your ancestor's tribe, to join you and serve you, yourself and your sons, before the Tent of the Testimony.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	3	They must be at your service and the service of the whole Tent. Provided they do not come near the sacred vessels or the altar, they will be in no more danger of death than you.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	4	They must join you, they must take charge of the Tent of Meeting for the entire ministry of the Tent, and no unauthorised person will come near you.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	5	You will take charge of the sanctuary and charge of the altar, and retribution will never again befall the Israelites.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	6	Of the Israelites, I myself have chosen your brothers the Levites as a gift to you. As men dedicated, they will belong to Yahweh, to serve at the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	7	You and your sons will undertake the priestly duties in all that concerns the altar and all that lies behind the curtain. You will perform the liturgy, the duties of which I entrust to your priesthood. But an unauthorised person approaching will incur death,'
 Numbers	Num	4	18	8	Yahweh said to Aaron: 'I myself have put you in charge of everything set aside for me. Everything consecrated by the Israelites I give to you and your sons as your portion by perpetual decree.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	9	Of the things especially holy, of the food offered, this is what will revert to you: every offering that the Israelites give back to me, whether it be a cereal offering, a sacrifice for sin or a sacrifice of reparation, is a thing especially holy and will revert to you and your sons.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	10	You will eat the things especially holy. Every male may eat them. You will regard them as sacred.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	11	'To you will revert also whatever is set aside from the offerings of the Israelites, whatever is held out with the gesture of offering; this I give to you and your sons and daughters, by perpetual decree. All members of your household may eat it unless they are unclean.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	12	All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and wheat, these first-fruits offered by them to Yahweh I give to you.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	13	All the first produce of the country brought by them to Yahweh will revert to you. All members of your household may eat it unless they are unclean.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	14	Everything in Israel put under the curse of destruction will revert to you.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	15	Every first-born of all creatures brought to Yahweh, human or animal, will revert to you, but you will have to redeem the first-born of man; you will also redeem the first-born of an unclean animal.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	16	You will redeem it in the month in which it is born, valuing it at five shekels, at the sanctuary shekel, which is twenty gerah.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	17	But you will not redeem the first-born of cow, sheep and goat. They are holy: you will sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn the fat as food burnt to be a smell pleasing to Yahweh;
 Numbers	Num	4	18	18	the meat will revert to you, as will the forequarter that has been presented with the gesture of offering, and the right thigh.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	19	Everything the Israelites set aside for Yahweh from the holy things, I give to you and your sons and daughters, by perpetual decree. This is a covenant of salt for ever before Yahweh, for you and your descendants too.'
 Numbers	Num	4	18	20	Yahweh said to Aaron: 'You will have no heritage in their country, you will not have a portion like them; I shall be your portion and your heritage among the Israelites.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	21	'Look, as heritage I give the Levites all the tithes collected in Israel, in return for their services, for the ministry they render in the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	22	The Israelites will no longer approach the Tent of Meeting, on pain of committing a deadly sin.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	23	Levi will discharge the duties of the Tent of Meeting, and the Levites will bear the consequences of their own guilt. This is a perpetual decree binding all your descendants: the Levites will have no heritage among the Israelites,
 Numbers	Num	4	18	24	for the tithe which the Israelites set aside for Yahweh is the heritage I have given the Levites. This is why I have told them that they will have no heritage among the Israelites.'
 Numbers	Num	4	18	25	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	18	26	'Speak to the Levites and say: "When from the Israelites you receive the tithe which I have given you from them as your heritage, you will set a portion of this aside for Yahweh: a tithe of the tithe.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	27	It will take the place of the portion set aside that is due from you, like the wheat from the threshing-floor and new wine from the press.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	28	Thus you too will set a portion aside for Yahweh out of all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. You will give what you have set aside for Yahweh to the priest Aaron.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	29	Out of all the gifts you receive, you will set a portion aside for Yahweh. Out of all these things, you will set aside the best, the sacred portion."
 Numbers	Num	4	18	30	'You will say to them, "After you have set the best aside, the remainder will take the place, in the Levites' case, of the produce of the threshing-floor and wine-press.
 Numbers	Num	4	18	31	You may consume this anywhere, you and the members of your households; this is your recompense for serving in the Tent of Meeting,
 Numbers	Num	4	18	32	and you will not incur sin by doing so, once you have set aside the best; you will not be profaning the things consecrated by the Israelites and will not incur death." '
 Numbers	Num	4	19	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	19	2	'This is a decree of the Law which Yahweh has prescribed. Tell the Israelites, they are to bring you a red heifer without fault or blemish that has never borne the yoke.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	3	You will give it to the priest Eleazar. It will then be taken outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	4	The priest Eleazar will then take some of the victim's blood on his finger, and sprinkle this blood seven times towards the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	5	The heifer will then be burnt while he looks on; its hide, flesh, blood and offal will be burnt.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	6	The priest will then take some cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet material and throw them on the fire where the heifer is burning.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	7	He will then wash his clothes and bathe himself; after which he will go back to the camp, though he will remain unclean until evening.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	8	The man who has burnt the heifer will wash his clothes and bathe himself and will remain unclean until evening.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	9	The man who gathers up the ashes of the heifer must be ritually clean; he will deposit them outside the camp, in a clean place. They will be kept for the ritual use of the Israelite community for making water for purification; it is a sacrifice for sin.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	10	The man who has gathered up the ashes of the heifer will wash his clothes and remain unclean until evening. For the Israelites as for the resident alien, this will be a perpetual decree.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	11	'Anyone who touches the corpse of anyone whatever will be unclean for seven days.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	12	Such a person must be purified with these waters on the third and seventh day and will then be clean; otherwise he will not be clean.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	13	Anyone who touches the corpse of anyone who has died and is not purified, defiles Yahweh's Dwelling; such a person will be outlawed from Israel, since the water for purification has not been sprinkled over him; he is unclean, and his uncleanness remains in him.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	14	'This is the law when someone dies in a tent. Anyone who goes into the tent, or anyone who is already in it, will be unclean for seven days,
 Numbers	Num	4	19	15	and every open vessel with no cover tied over it will also be unclean.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	16	'Anyone in the open country who touches a murder victim, a corpse, human bones or a grave will be unclean for seven days.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	17	'For someone thus unclean, some of the ashes of the victim burnt as a sacrifice for sin will be taken and spring water must be poured over them, in a vessel.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	18	Someone who is ritually clean will then take some hyssop and dip it in the water. This person will then sprinkle the tent, all the vessels and people who were there, and similarly anyone who has touched human bones, a murder victim, a corpse or a grave.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	19	On the third and the seventh day the clean one will sprinkle the unclean, who on the seventh day will be clean. The latter will then wash his clothes and bathe in water, and in the evening he will be clean.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	20	Anyone who fails to be purified in this way will be outlawed from the community, and would defile Yahweh's sanctuary. Such a person is unclean, not having been sprinkled with the water for purification.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	21	'This will be a perpetual decree for them. The person who sprinkles the water for purification will wash his clothes, and anyone who touches the water for purification will be unclean until evening.
 Numbers	Num	4	19	22	Anything that an unclean person touches will be unclean, and anyone who touches it will be unclean until evening.'
 Numbers	Num	4	20	1	The Israelites, the whole community, arrived in the first month at the desert of Zin. The people settled at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	2	There was no water for the community, so they banded together against Moses and Aaron.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	3	The people laid the blame on Moses. 'We would rather have died', they said, 'as our brothers died before Yahweh!
 Numbers	Num	4	20	4	Why have you brought Yahweh's community into this desert, for us and our livestock to die here?
 Numbers	Num	4	20	5	Why did you lead us out of Egypt, only to bring us to this wretched place? It is a place unfit for sowing, it has no figs, no vines, no pomegranates, and there is not even water to drink!'
 Numbers	Num	4	20	6	Leaving the assembly, Moses and Aaron went to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. They threw themselves on their faces, and the glory of Yahweh appeared to them.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	7	Yahweh then spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	20	8	'Take the branch and call the community together, you and your brother Aaron. Then, in full view of them, order this rock to release its water. You will release water from the rock for them and provide drink for the community and their livestock.'
 Numbers	Num	4	20	9	Moses took up the branch from before Yahweh, as he had directed him.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	10	Moses and Aaron then called the assembly together in front of the rock. He then said to them, 'Listen now, you rebels. Shall we make water gush from this rock for you?'
 Numbers	Num	4	20	11	Moses then raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the branch; water gushed out in abundance, and the community and their livestock drank.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	12	Yahweh then said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not believe that I could assert my holiness before the Israelites' eyes, you will not lead this assembly into the country which I am giving them.'
 Numbers	Num	4	20	13	These were the Waters of Meribah, where the Israelites laid the blame on Yahweh and where, by their means, he asserted his holiness.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	14	Moses sent messengers from Kadesh: 'To the king of Edom. Your brother Israel says this: You are aware of the great hardships we have encountered.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	15	Our ancestors went down to Egypt and there we stayed for a long time. But the Egyptians treated us badly, as they had our ancestors.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	16	When we appealed to Yahweh, he heard our cry and, sending an angel, brought us out of Egypt, and here we are, now, at Kadesh, a town on the borders of your territory.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	17	We ask permission to pass through your country. We shall not go through the fields or vineyards; we shall not drink the water from the wells; we shall keep to the king's highway without turning to right or left until we have passed through your territory.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	18	To which, Edom replied, 'You will not pass through my country; if you do, I shall oppose you by force of arms.'
 Numbers	Num	4	20	19	To which the Israelites replied, 'We shall keep to the high road; if I and my flocks drink any of your water, I am willing to pay for it. All I am asking is to pass through on foot.'
 Numbers	Num	4	20	20	Edom replied: 'You shall not pass,' and Edom opposed them in great numbers and great force.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	21	At Edom's refusal to grant Israel passage through his territory, Israel turned away.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	22	They set out from Kadesh, and the Israelites, the whole community, came to Mount Hor.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	23	Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor, on the frontier of Edom, and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	20	24	'Aaron is to be gathered to his people; he will not enter the country which I have given to the Israelites, since you both disobeyed my order at the Waters of Meribah.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	25	Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	26	Then take Aaron's robes off him and dress his son Eleazar in them. Aaron will then be gathered to his people; that is where he will die.'
 Numbers	Num	4	20	27	Moses did as Yahweh ordered. With the whole community watching, they went up Mount Hor.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	28	Moses took Aaron's robes off him and dressed his son Eleazar in them, and there Aaron died, on the mountain-top. Moses and Eleazar then came back down the mountain.
 Numbers	Num	4	20	29	The whole community saw that Aaron had died, and for thirty days the whole House of Israel mourned for Aaron.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	1	The king of Arad, the Canaanite living in the Negeb, learned that Israel was coming by way of Atharim. He attacked Israel and took some prisoners.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	2	Israel then made this vow to Yahweh, 'If you deliver this people into my power, I shall curse their towns with destruction.'
 Numbers	Num	4	21	3	Yahweh heard Israel's words and delivered the Canaanites into their power, and they destroyed them in accordance with their curse. Hence the place was given the name Hormah.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	4	They left Mount Hor by the road to the Sea of Suph, to skirt round Edom. On the way the people lost patience.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	5	They spoke against God and against Moses, 'Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in the desert? For there is neither food nor water here; we are sick of this meagre diet.'
 Numbers	Num	4	21	6	At this, God sent fiery serpents among the people; their bite brought death to many in Israel.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	7	The people came and said to Moses, 'We have sinned by speaking against Yahweh and against you. Intercede for us with Yahweh to save us from these serpents.' Moses interceded for the people,
 Numbers	Num	4	21	8	and Yahweh replied, 'Make a fiery serpent and raise it as a standard. Anyone who is bitten and looks at it will survive.'
 Numbers	Num	4	21	9	Moses then made a serpent out of bronze and raised it as a standard, and anyone who was bitten by a serpent and looked at the bronze serpent survived.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	10	The Israelites set out and camped at Oboth.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	11	Then they left Oboth and camped at Iye-Abarim, in the desert on the eastern border of Moab.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	12	They set out from there and camped in the gorge of the Zered.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	13	They set out from there and camped on the other side of the Arnon. This gorge in the desert begins in the territory of the Amorites. For the Arnon is the frontier of Moab, between the Moabites and the Amorites.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	14	That is why it says in the Book of the Wars of Yahweh: '. . .Waheb near Suphah and the gorges of the Arnon
 Numbers	Num	4	21	15	and the slope of the ravine running down to the site of Ar and over against the frontier of Moab.'
 Numbers	Num	4	21	16	And from there they went to Beer, that being the well in connection with which Yahweh had said to Moses, 'Call the people together and I will give them water.'
 Numbers	Num	4	21	17	Then it was that Israel sang this song: Spring up, well! Sing out for the well,
 Numbers	Num	4	21	18	sunk by the princes, dug by the people's leaders with the sceptre, with their staves! -and from the desert to Mattanah,
 Numbers	Num	4	21	19	and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth,
 Numbers	Num	4	21	20	and from Bamoth to the valley that opens into the country of Moab, towards the heights of Pisgah overlooking the desert.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	21	Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon king of the Amorites,
 Numbers	Num	4	21	22	'I wish to pass through your country. We shall not stray into the fields or vineyards; we shall not drink the water from the wells; we shall keep to the king's highway until we have passed through your territory.'
 Numbers	Num	4	21	23	But Sihon would not give Israel leave to pass through his country. He assembled all his people, marched into the desert to meet Israel, and reached Jahaz, where he gave battle to Israel.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	24	Israel defeated him by force of arms and conquered his country from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the Ammonites, for Jazer marked the Ammonite frontier.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	25	Israel took all these towns. Israel occupied all the Amorite towns, Heshbon and all its dependencies,
 Numbers	Num	4	21	26	Heshbon being the capital of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had made war on the first king of Moab and captured all his territory as far as the Arnon.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	27	Hence the poets say: Come to Heshbon! Let the city of Sihon be rebuilt on firm foundations!
 Numbers	Num	4	21	28	For fire has burst from Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon, devouring Ar of Moab, engulfing the heights of the Arnon.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	29	Oh, unhappy Moab! People of Chemosh, you are lost! He has resigned his sons as fugitives, and his daughters as prisoners to Sihon king of the Amorites.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	30	Their posterity has been destroyed from Heshbon all the way to Dibon, and we have lit a fire all the way from Nophah to Medeba.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	31	Thus Israel occupied the Amorites' territory.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	32	Moses then sent men to reconnoitre Jazer, and Israel took it and its dependencies, evicting the Amorites who lived there.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	33	They then turned and marched on Bashan. Og king of Bashan and all his people marched to meet them and give battle at Edrei.
 Numbers	Num	4	21	34	Yahweh said to Moses, 'Do not be afraid of him, for I have put him, all his people and his country at your mercy. Treat him as you treated Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.'
 Numbers	Num	4	21	35	So they pressed their attack against him, his sons and all his people until there was no one left alive. And they took possession of his country.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	1	The Israelites then set out and pitched their camp in the Plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	2	Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,
 Numbers	Num	4	22	3	and Moab was terrified of the people, because there were so many of them. Moab was afraid of the Israelites;
 Numbers	Num	4	22	4	he said to the elders of Midian, 'This horde will soon have cropped everything round us as closely as an ox crops grass in the countryside.' Now Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at the time.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	5	He sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, at Pethor on the River, in the territory of the Amawites, saying, 'Look, a people coming from Egypt has overrun the whole countryside; they have halted at my very door.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	6	I beg you come and curse this people for me, for they are stronger than I am. We may then be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. For this I know: anyone you bless is blessed, anyone you curse is accursed.'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	7	The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian set out, taking the fee for the divination with them. They found Balaam and gave him Balak's message.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	8	He said to them, 'Stay the night here, and I will answer as Yahweh directs me.' So the chiefs of Moab stayed with Balaam.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	9	God came to Balaam and said, 'Who are these men staying with you?'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	10	Balaam said to God, 'Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent me this message,
 Numbers	Num	4	22	11	"Look, a people coming from Egypt has overrun the whole countryside. Come now and curse them for me; I may then be able to defeat them and drive them out." '
 Numbers	Num	4	22	12	God said to Balaam, 'You are not to go with them. You are not to curse the people, for they are blessed.'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	13	In the morning Balaam got up and said to the chiefs sent by Balak, 'Go back to your country, for Yahweh will not let me go with you.'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	14	So the chiefs of Moab got up, went back to Balak and said, 'Balaam refuses to come with us.'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	15	And again Balak sent chiefs, more numerous and more renowned than the first.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	16	They came to Balaam and said, 'A message from Balak son of Zippor, "Now do not refuse to come to me.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	17	I will load you with honours and do whatever you say. I beg you come and curse this people for me." '
 Numbers	Num	4	22	18	In reply, Balaam said to Balak's envoys, 'Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the order of Yahweh my God in anything, great or small.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	19	Now please stay the night here yourselves, and I will learn what else Yahweh has to tell me.'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	20	God came to Balaam during the night and said to him, 'Have not these men come to summon you? Get up, go with them, but do only what I tell you to do.'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	21	Balaam got up and saddled his donkey and set out with the chiefs of Moab.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	22	His going kindled Yahweh's anger, and the angel of Yahweh took his stand on the road to bar his way. Balaam was riding his donkey and his two servants were with him.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	23	Now the donkey saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, and she turned off the road into the open country. Balaam then struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	24	The angel of Yahweh then went and stood on a narrow path among the vineyards, with a wall to the right and a wall to the left.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	25	The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh and scraped against the wall, scraping Balaam's foot against it, so he struck her again.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	26	The angel of Yahweh then moved and stood in a place so narrow that there was no room to pass either to right or left.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	27	When the donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, she lay down under Balaam. Balaam flew into a rage and struck the donkey with his stick.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	28	Yahweh then gave the donkey the power to talk, and she said to Balaam, 'What harm have I done you, for you to strike me three times like this?'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	29	Balaam answered the donkey, 'Because you have been making a fool of me! If I had been carrying a sword, I should have killed you by now.'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	30	The donkey said to Balaam, 'Am I not your donkey, and have I not been your mount all your life? Have I ever behaved like this with you before?' 'No,' he replied.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	31	Yahweh then opened Balaam's eyes and he saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed his head and threw himself on his face.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	32	And the angel of Yahweh said to him, 'Why did you strike your donkey three times like that? I myself had come to bar your way; while I am here your road is blocked.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	33	The donkey saw me and turned aside because of me three times. You are lucky she did turn aside, or I should have killed you by now, though I would have spared her.'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	34	Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, 'I have sinned. I did not know you were standing in the road to stop me. But if what I am doing displeases you, I will go home again.'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	35	The angel of Yahweh said to Balaam, 'Go with these men, but say only what I tell you to say.' So Balaam went on with the chiefs sent by Balak.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	36	Balak learned that Balaam was coming and went out to meet him, in the direction of Ar in Moab, at the Arnon frontier on the country's furthest boundary.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	37	Balak said to Balaam, 'Did I not send messengers to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Did you think, perhaps, I could confer no honours on you?'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	38	Balaam said to Balak, 'I have come to you after all. I suppose you know I cannot say anything on my own? The words God puts into my mouth are what I shall say.'
 Numbers	Num	4	22	39	Balaam set out with Balak. They came to Kiriath-Huzoth.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	40	Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and offered portions to Balaam and the chiefs who were with him.
 Numbers	Num	4	22	41	Next morning Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-Baal, from where he could see the edge of the camp.
 Numbers	Num	4	23	1	Balaam said to Balak, 'Build me seven altars here and prepare me seven bulls and seven rams.'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	2	Balak did as Balaam said and offered a burnt offering of one bull and one ram on each altar.
 Numbers	Num	4	23	3	Balaam then said to Balak, 'Stand beside your burnt offerings while I go away. Perhaps Yahweh will come and meet me. If he does, I shall tell you whatever he reveals to me.' And he withdrew to a bare hill.
 Numbers	Num	4	23	4	God came to meet Balaam, who said to him, 'I have prepared the seven altars and offered a burnt offering of one bull and one ram on each altar.'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	5	Yahweh then put a prophecy into his mouth and said to him, 'Go back to Balak, and that is what you must say to him.'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	6	So Balaam went back to him, and found him still standing beside his burnt offering, with all the chiefs of Moab.
 Numbers	Num	4	23	7	He then declaimed his poem as follows: Balak has brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the hills of Kedem: 'Come and curse Jacob for me, come and denounce Israel!'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	8	How shall I curse someone whom God has not cursed, how denounce someone God has not denounced?
 Numbers	Num	4	23	9	Yes, from the top of the crags I see him, from the hills I descry him: a people that dwells on its own, not to be reckoned among other nations!
 Numbers	Num	4	23	10	Who can count the dust of Jacob? Who can number the cloud of Israel? May I die the death of the just, and may my future be like theirs!
 Numbers	Num	4	23	11	Balak said to Balaam, 'What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, and you have heaped blessings on them!'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	12	Balaam replied, 'Am I to depart from what Yahweh puts into my mouth?'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	13	Balak then said, 'Please come somewhere else. From here you can see only the fringe of them, you cannot see them all. Curse them for me over there.'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	14	He led him to the Lookouts' Field on the top of Pisgah. There he built seven altars and offered a burnt offering of one bull and one ram on each altar.
 Numbers	Num	4	23	15	Balaam said to Balak, 'Stand here beside your burnt offerings while I wait over there.'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	16	God came to meet Balaam, he put a prophecy into his mouth and said to him, 'Go back to Balak, and that is what you must say to him.'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	17	So Balaam went to him and found him still standing beside his burnt offering and all the chiefs of Moab with him. 'What did Yahweh say?' Balak said to him.
 Numbers	Num	4	23	18	Balaam then declaimed his poem, as follows: Stand up, Balak, and listen, give ear to me, son of Zippor.
 Numbers	Num	4	23	19	God is no human being that he should lie, no child of Adam to change his mind. Is it his to say and not to do, is it his to speak and not fulfil?
 Numbers	Num	4	23	20	The charge laid on me is to bless, I shall bless, and I cannot reverse it.
 Numbers	Num	4	23	21	I have perceived no guilt in Jacob, have seen no perversity in Israel. Yahweh his God is with him, and a royal acclamation to greet him.
 Numbers	Num	4	23	22	God has brought him out of Egypt, is like the wild ox's horns to him.
 Numbers	Num	4	23	23	There is no omen whatever against Jacob, no augury at all against Israel. Well may people say of Jacob, of Israel, 'What has God achieved?'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	24	for here is a people like a lioness rising, poised like a lion to spring; nor will he lie down till he has devoured his prey and drunk the blood of his slain.
 Numbers	Num	4	23	25	Balak said to Balaam, 'Very well! Do not curse them. But at least do not bless them!'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	26	Balaam retorted to Balak, 'Did I not tell you? Whatever Yahweh says, I must do.'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	27	Balak then said to Balaam, 'Come with me now and I shall take you somewhere else. From there perhaps it will please God to curse them for me.'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	28	So Balak led Balaam to the summit of Peor, overlooking the wastelands.
 Numbers	Num	4	23	29	Balaam then said to Balak, 'Build me seven altars here and prepare me seven bulls and seven rams.'
 Numbers	Num	4	23	30	Balak did as Balaam said and offered a burnt offering of one bull and one ram on each altar.
 Numbers	Num	4	24	1	Balaam then saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel. He did not go as before to seek omens but turned towards the desert.
 Numbers	Num	4	24	2	Raising his eyes Balaam saw Israel settled tribe by tribe; the spirit of God came on him
 Numbers	Num	4	24	3	and he declaimed his poem, as follows: The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of the man with far-seeing eyes,
 Numbers	Num	4	24	4	the prophecy of one who hears the words of God. He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened.
 Numbers	Num	4	24	5	How fair your tents are, Jacob, how fair your dwellings, Israel,
 Numbers	Num	4	24	6	like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens by the banks of a river, like aloes planted by Yahweh, like cedars beside the waters!
 Numbers	Num	4	24	7	A hero arises from their stock, he reigns over countless peoples. His king is greater than Agag, and his kingship held in honour.
 Numbers	Num	4	24	8	God has brought him out of Egypt, is like the wild ox's horns to him. He devours the corpses of his enemies, breaking their bones, piercing them with his arrows.
 Numbers	Num	4	24	9	He has crouched, he has lain down, like a lion, like a lioness; who dare rouse him? Blessed be those who bless you, and accursed be those who curse you!
 Numbers	Num	4	24	10	Balak flew into a rage with Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to Balaam, 'I brought you to curse my enemies, and you have insisted on blessing them three times over!
 Numbers	Num	4	24	11	So now go home as fast as your legs can carry you. I promised to load you with honours. Yahweh himself has deprived you of them.'
 Numbers	Num	4	24	12	Balaam retorted to Balak, 'Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,
 Numbers	Num	4	24	13	"Even if Balak gave me his house full of gold and silver I could not go against Yahweh's order and do anything of my own accord, whether for good or ill; whatever Yahweh says is what I shall say"?
 Numbers	Num	4	24	14	Now that I am going back to my own folk, let me warn you what this people will do to your people, in days to come.'
 Numbers	Num	4	24	15	He then declaimed his poem, as follows: The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of the man with far-seeing eyes,
 Numbers	Num	4	24	16	the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, of one who knows the knowledge of the Most High. He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened.
 Numbers	Num	4	24	17	I see him -- but not in the present. I perceive him -- but not close at hand: a star is emerging from Jacob, a sceptre is rising from Israel, to strike the brow of Moab, the skulls of all the children of Seth.
 Numbers	Num	4	24	18	Edom too will be a conquered land, Seir too will be a conquered land, when Israel exerts his strength,
 Numbers	Num	4	24	19	when Jacob tramples on his enemies and destroys the last survivors of Ar.
 Numbers	Num	4	24	20	Balaam then looked at Amalek and declaimed his poem, as follows: Amalek, the earliest of nations! But his posterity will perish forever.
 Numbers	Num	4	24	21	He then looked at the Kenites and declaimed his poem, as follows: Your dwelling was firm, Kain, your nest perched high in the rock.
 Numbers	Num	4	24	22	But the nest belongs to Beor; how long will you be Asshur's captive?
 Numbers	Num	4	24	23	He then declaimed his poem, as follows: The Sea-people are gathering in the north,
 Numbers	Num	4	24	24	the vessels from the coasts of Kittim. They will bear down on Asshur, bear down on Eber; he too will perish forever.
 Numbers	Num	4	24	25	Balaam then got up, left and went home, and Balak too went his way.
 Numbers	Num	4	25	1	Israel settled at Shittim. The people gave themselves over to prostitution with Moabite women.
 Numbers	Num	4	25	2	These invited them to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down before their gods.
 Numbers	Num	4	25	3	With Israel thus committed to the Baal of Peor, Yahweh's anger was aroused against them.
 Numbers	Num	4	25	4	Yahweh said to Moses, 'Take all the leaders of the people. Impale them facing the sun, for Yahweh, to deflect his burning anger from Israel.'
 Numbers	Num	4	25	5	Moses said to the judges of Israel, 'Each of you will put to death those of his people who have committed themselves to the Baal of Peor.'
 Numbers	Num	4	25	6	One of the Israelites came along, bringing the Midianite woman into his family, under the very eyes of Moses and the whole community of Israelites as they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
 Numbers	Num	4	25	7	The priest Phinehas son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, on seeing this, stood up, left the assembly, seized a lance,
 Numbers	Num	4	25	8	followed the Israelite into the alcove, and there ran them both through, the Israelite and the woman, through the stomach. Thus the plague which had struck the Israelites was arrested.
 Numbers	Num	4	25	9	In the plague twenty-four thousand of them had died.
 Numbers	Num	4	25	10	Yahweh then spoke and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	25	11	'The priest Phinehas son of Eleazar, son of Aaron has deflected my wrath from the Israelites, he being the only one of them to have the same zeal as I have; for which reason, I did not make an end of the Israelites in my zeal.
 Numbers	Num	4	25	12	For this reason I say: To him I grant my covenant of peace.
 Numbers	Num	4	25	13	To him and his descendants after him, this covenant will assure the priesthood for ever. In reward for his zeal for his God, he will have the right to perform the ritual of expiation for the Israelites.'
 Numbers	Num	4	25	14	The Israelite who had been killed (the one who was killed with the Midianite woman) was called Zimri son of Salu, leader of one of the Simeonite families.
 Numbers	Num	4	25	15	The woman, the Midianite who was killed, was called Cozbi, daughter of Zur, chief of a clan, of a family, in Midian.
 Numbers	Num	4	25	16	Yahweh then spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	25	17	'Harass the Midianites, strike them down,
 Numbers	Num	4	25	18	for harassing you with their guile in the Peor affair and in the affair of their sister Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, the woman who was killed the day the plague came on account of the business of Peor.'
 Numbers	Num	4	26	1	After this plague, Yahweh spoke to Moses and to the priest Eleazar son of Aaron and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	26	2	'Take a census of the whole community of Israelites, by families: all those of twenty years and over, fit to bear arms in Israel.'
 Numbers	Num	4	26	3	So Moses and the priest Eleazar took a census of them on the Plains of Moab, near the Jordan by Jericho. They counted
 Numbers	Num	4	26	4	(as Yahweh had ordered Moses and the Israelites after leaving Egypt) men of twenty years and over:
 Numbers	Num	4	26	5	Reuben, the first-born of Israel. The sons of Reuben: for Hanoch, the Hanochite clan; for Pallu, the Palluite clan;
 Numbers	Num	4	26	6	for Hezron, the Hezronite clan; for Carmi, the Carmite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	7	These were the Reubenite clans. They numbered forty-three thousand seven hundred and thirty men.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	8	The sons of Pallu: Eliab.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	9	The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan and Abiram. These two, Dathan and Abiram, men of repute in the community, were the ones who revolted against Moses and Aaron; they belonged to Korah's group when it revolted against Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	10	The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them (with Korah when that group perished), when fire consumed the two hundred and fifty men. They were a sign.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	11	Korah's sons, however, did not perish.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	12	The sons of Simeon by clans: for Nemuel, the Nemuelite clan; for Jamin, the Jaminite clan; for Jachin, the Jachinite clan;
 Numbers	Num	4	26	13	for Zerah, the Zerahite clan; for Shaul, the Shaulite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	14	These were the Simeonite clans. They numbered twenty-two thousand two hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	15	The sons of Gad by clans: for Zephon, the Zephonite clan; for Haggi, the Haggite clan; for Shuni, the Shunite clan;
 Numbers	Num	4	26	16	for Ozni, the Oznite clan; for Eri, the Erite clan;
 Numbers	Num	4	26	17	for Arod, the Arodite clan; for Areli, the Arelite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	18	These were the clans of the sons of Gad. They numbered forty thousand five hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	19	The sons of Judah: Er and Onan. Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	20	The other sons of Judah became clans: for Shelah, the Shelahite clan; for Perez, the Perezzite clan; for Zerah, the Zerahite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	21	The sons of Perez were: for Hezron, the Hezronite clan; for Hamul, the Hamulite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	22	These were the clans of Judah. They numbered seventy-six thousand five hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	23	The sons of Issachar by clans: for Tola, the Tolaite clan; for Puvah, the Puvahite clan;
 Numbers	Num	4	26	24	for Jashub, the Jashubite clan; for Shimron, the Shimronite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	25	These were the clans of Issachar. They numbered sixty-four thousand three hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	26	The sons of Zebulun by clans: for Sered, the Seredite clan; for Elon, the Elonite clan; for Jahleel, the Jahleelite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	27	These were the clans of Zebulun. They numbered sixty thousand five hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	28	The sons of Joseph by clans: Manasseh and Ephraim.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	29	The sons of Manasseh: for Machir, the Machirite clan; Machir fathered Gilead: for Gilead, the Gileadite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	30	These were the sons of Gilead: for Iezer, the Iezerite clan; for Helek, the Helekite clan;
 Numbers	Num	4	26	31	Asriel, the Asrielite clan; Shechem, the Shechemite clan;
 Numbers	Num	4	26	32	Shemida, the Shemidaite clan; Hepher, the Hepherite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	33	Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons, only daughters; the names of Zelophehad's daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	34	These were the clans of Manasseh. They numbered fifty-two thousand seven hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	35	These were the sons of Ephraim by clans: for Shuthelah, the Shuthelahite clan; for Becher, the Becherite clan; for Tahan, the Tahanite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	36	These were the sons of Shuthelah: for Eran, the Eranite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	37	These were the clans of Ephraim. They numbered thirty-two thousand five hundred men. These were the sons of Joseph by clans.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	38	The sons of Benjamin by clans: for Bela, the Belaite clan; for Ashbel, the Ashbelite clan; for Ahiram, the Ahiramite clan;
 Numbers	Num	4	26	39	for Shephupham, the Shephuphamite clan; for Hupham, the Huphamite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	40	Bela's sons were Ard and Naaman; for Ard, the Ardite clan; for Naaman, the Naamanite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	41	These were the sons of Benjamin by clans. They numbered forty-five thousand six hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	42	These were the sons of Dan by clans: for Shuham, the Shuhamite clan. These were the sons of Dan by clans.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	43	All the Shuhamite clans numbered sixty-four thousand four hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	44	The sons of Asher by clans: for Imnah, the Imnahite clan; for Ishvi, the Ishvihite clan; for Beriah, the Beriahite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	45	For the sons of Beriah: for Heber, the Heberite clan; for Malchiel, the Malchielite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	46	The daughter of Asher was called Serah.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	47	These were the clans of Asher. They numbered fifty-three thousand four hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	48	The sons of Naphtali by clans: for Jahzeel, the Jahzeelite clan; for Guni, the Gunite clan;
 Numbers	Num	4	26	49	for Jezer, the Jezerite clan; for Shillem, the Shillemite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	50	These were the clans of Naphtali as divided into clans. The sons of Naphtali numbered forty-five thousand four hundred men.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	51	Of the Israelites thus numbered, there were six hundred and one thousand seven hundred and thirty men.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	52	Yahweh then spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	26	53	'The country must be shared out among these as a heritage, proportionately to the number of those inscribed.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	54	To the large in number you will give a large area of land, to the small in number a small area; to each the heritage will be in proportion to the number registered.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	55	The sharing out of the country must, however, be done by lot. Each will receive a heritage proportionate to the number of names in their patriarchal tribes;
 Numbers	Num	4	26	56	the heritage of each tribe will be shared out by lot, depending on its larger or smaller numbers.'
 Numbers	Num	4	26	57	These, by clans, are the Levites that were registered: for Gershon, the Gershonite clan; for Kohath, the Kohathite clan; for Merari, the Merarite clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	58	These are the Levite clans: the Libnite clan, the Hebronite clan, the Mahlite clan, the Mushite clan, the Korahite clan. Kohath fathered Amram.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	59	Amram's wife was called Jokebed daughter of Levi, born to him in Egypt. To Amram she bore Aaron, Moses and Miriam their sister.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	60	Aaron fathered Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	61	Nadab and Abihu died when they brought unauthorised fire before Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	62	Altogether twenty-three thousand males of one month and over were registered. They were not registered with the Israelites, since they were given no heritage with the Israelites.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	63	Such were the men registered by Moses and the priest Eleazar who took a census of the Israelites on the Plains of Moab near the Jordan by Jericho.
 Numbers	Num	4	26	64	Not one of them was among those whom Moses and the priest Aaron had registered when they counted the Israelites in the desert of Sinai;
 Numbers	Num	4	26	65	for Yahweh had told them that these were to die in the desert and that none of them would be left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
 Numbers	Num	4	27	1	There then came forward the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh; he belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. His daughters' names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah.
 Numbers	Num	4	27	2	They appeared before Moses, the priest Eleazar, the leaders and the whole community, at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	27	3	'Our father died in the desert. He was not a member of the party who banded together against Yahweh, Korah's party; it was for his own sin that he died without sons.
 Numbers	Num	4	27	4	Why should our father's name be lost to his clan? Since he had no son, give us some property like our father's kinsmen.'
 Numbers	Num	4	27	5	Moses took their case before Yahweh,
 Numbers	Num	4	27	6	and Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	27	7	'Zelophehad's daughters are right in what they say. You will indeed give them a property to be their heritage among their father's kinsmen; see that their father's heritage is passed on to them.
 Numbers	Num	4	27	8	Then speak to the Israelites and say, "If a man dies without sons, his heritage will pass to his daughter.
 Numbers	Num	4	27	9	If he has no daughter, the heritage will go to his brothers.
 Numbers	Num	4	27	10	If he has no brothers, his heritage will go to his father's brothers.
 Numbers	Num	4	27	11	If his father has no brothers, his heritage will go to the member of his clan who is most nearly related; it will become his property. This will be a legal rule for the Israelites, as Yahweh has ordered Moses." '
 Numbers	Num	4	27	12	Yahweh said to Moses, 'Climb this mountain of the Abarim range, and look at the country which I have given to the Israelites.
 Numbers	Num	4	27	13	After you have seen it, you will be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was.
 Numbers	Num	4	27	14	For you both rebelled in the desert of Zin when the community disputed with me and when I ordered you to assert my holiness before their eyes by means of the water.' (These were the Waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the desert of Zin.)
 Numbers	Num	4	27	15	Moses then said to Yahweh,
 Numbers	Num	4	27	16	'May it please Yahweh, God of the spirits that give life to all living creatures, to appoint a leader for this community,
 Numbers	Num	4	27	17	to be at their head in all their undertakings, a man who will lead them out and bring them in, so that Yahweh's community will not be like sheep without a shepherd.'
 Numbers	Num	4	27	18	Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom the spirit dwells, and lay your hand on him.
 Numbers	Num	4	27	19	Bring him before the priest Eleazar and the whole community and give him your orders in their presence,
 Numbers	Num	4	27	20	conferring some of your own authority on him, so that the whole community of Israelites will obey him.
 Numbers	Num	4	27	21	He will present himself to the priest Eleazar who will consult Yahweh on his behalf by means of the rite of the urim; at his command, they will go out and, at his command, they will come in, he and all the Israelites with him, the whole community.'
 Numbers	Num	4	27	22	Moses did as Yahweh had ordered. He took Joshua, brought him before the priest Eleazar and the whole community,
 Numbers	Num	4	27	23	laid his hands on him and gave him his orders, as Yahweh had directed through Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	28	2	'Give the Israelites this order: "Take care to bring me my offering, my sustenance in the form of food burnt as a smell pleasing to me, at the proper time."
 Numbers	Num	4	28	3	'You will then say to them: "This is the food which you will burn in offering to Yahweh: "Every day, two unblemished yearling lambs as a perpetual burnt offering.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	4	You will offer the first lamb in the morning and the second lamb at twilight,
 Numbers	Num	4	28	5	with a cereal offering of one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-quarter of a hin of crushed-olive oil.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	6	Such was the perpetual burnt offering made on Mount Sinai as a pleasing smell, as food burnt for Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	7	The accompanying libation will be of one-quarter of a hin for each lamb; the libation of fermented liquor for Yahweh will be poured inside the sanctuary.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	8	The second lamb you will offer at twilight, offering it with the same cereal offering and the same libation as in the morning, as food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	9	"On the Sabbath day, you will offer two unblemished yearling lambs and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a cereal offering, mixed with oil, as well as the accompanying libation.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	10	The Sabbath burnt offering will be offered every Sabbath in addition to the perpetual burnt offering, and the accompanying libation similarly.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	11	"At the beginning of each of your months you will offer a burnt offering to Yahweh: two young bulls, one ram and seven yearling lambs, without blemish;
 Numbers	Num	4	28	12	for each bull a cereal offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil; for each ram, a cereal offering of two-tenths of fine flour mixed with oil;
 Numbers	Num	4	28	13	for each lamb, a cereal offering of one-tenth of fine flour mixed with oil: as a burnt offering, as a pleasing smell, as food burnt for Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	14	The accompanying libations will be of half a hin of wine for a bull, one-third of a hin for a ram and one-quarter of a hin for a lamb. This will be the monthly burnt offering, month after month, every month of the year.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	15	In addition to the perpetual burnt offering, a goat will be offered to Yahweh, as a sacrifice for sin, with its accompanying libation.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	16	"The fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of Yahweh,
 Numbers	Num	4	28	17	and the fifteenth day of this month is a feast day. For seven days unleavened bread will be eaten.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	18	On the first day there will be a sacred assembly; you will do no heavy work.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	19	As food burnt as a burnt offering you will offer Yahweh two young bulls, a ram and seven yearling lambs, without blemish.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	20	The accompanying cereal offering of fine flour mixed with oil will be three-tenths of an ephah for a bull, two-tenths for a ram,
 Numbers	Num	4	28	21	and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	22	There will also be a goat as a sacrifice for sin, for performing the rite of expiation for you.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	23	You will offer these in addition to the morning burnt offering, which is a perpetual burnt offering.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	24	You will do this every day for seven days. It is sustenance, food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh, to be offered in addition to the perpetual burnt offering and its accompanying libation.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	25	On the seventh day you will hold a sacred assembly; you will do no heavy work.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	26	"On the day of the first-fruits, when you make your offering of new fruits to Yahweh at your feast of Weeks, you will hold a sacred assembly; you will do no heavy work.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	27	As a burnt offering as a smell pleasing to Yahweh, you will offer two young bulls, one ram and seven yearling lambs.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	28	The accompanying cereal offering of fine flour mixed with oil will be three-tenths of an ephah for each bull, two-tenths for the ram,
 Numbers	Num	4	28	29	and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	30	There will also be a goat as a sacrifice for sin, for performing the rite of expiation for you.
 Numbers	Num	4	28	31	You will offer these in addition to the perpetual burnt offering and its accompanying cereal offering and libations." '
 Numbers	Num	4	29	1	' "In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you will hold a sacred assembly; you will do no heavy work. For you this will be a day of Acclamations.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	2	As a burnt offering, as a smell pleasing to Yahweh, you will offer one young bull, one ram and seven yearling lambs, without blemish.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	3	The accompanying cereal offering of fine flour mixed with oil will be three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the ram,
 Numbers	Num	4	29	4	and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	5	There will also be a goat as a sacrifice for sin, for performing the rite of expiation for you.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	6	This is in addition to the monthly burnt offering and its cereal offering, the perpetual burnt offering and its cereal offering, and the accompanying libations enjoined by law, as a pleasing smell, as food burnt for Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	7	"On the tenth day of this seventh month, you will hold a sacred assembly; you will fast and do no work.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	8	As a burnt offering for Yahweh, as a pleasing smell, you will offer one young bull, one ram and seven yearling lambs, which you will choose as being without blemish.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	9	The accompanying cereal offering of fine flour mixed with oil will be three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the ram,
 Numbers	Num	4	29	10	and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	11	And a goat will be offered as a sacrifice for sin. This is in addition to the victim for sin at the feast of Expiation, to the perpetual burnt offering and its cereal offering, and their accompanying libations.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	12	"On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you will hold a sacred assembly; you will do no heavy work, and for seven days you will celebrate a feast for Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	13	As a burnt offering, as food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh, you will offer thirteen young bulls, two rams and fourteen yearling lambs, without blemish.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	14	The accompanying cereal offering of fine flour mixed with oil will be three-tenths of an ephah for each of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths for each of the two rams,
 Numbers	Num	4	29	15	and one-tenth for each of the fourteen lambs;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	16	also one goat as a sacrifice for sin. This is in addition to the perpetual burnt offering and its cereal offering and libation.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	17	"On the second day: twelve young bulls, two rams and fourteen yearling lambs, without blemish;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	18	the accompanying cereal offering and libations, as prescribed, in proportion to the number of bulls, rams and lambs;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	19	also one goat as a sacrifice for sin. This is in addition to the perpetual burnt offering and its cereal offering and libations.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	20	"On the third day: eleven bulls, two rams and fourteen yearling lambs, without blemish;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	21	the accompanying cereal offering and libations, as prescribed, in proportion to the number of bulls, rams and lambs;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	22	also one goat as a sacrifice for sin. This is in addition to the perpetual burnt offering and its cereal offering and libations.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	23	"On the fourth day: ten bulls, two rams and fourteen yearling lambs, without blemish;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	24	the accompanying cereal offering and libations, as prescribed, in proportion to the number of bulls, rams and lambs;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	25	also one goat as a sacrifice for sin. This is in addition to the perpetual burnt offering and its cereal offering and libation.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	26	"On the fifth day: nine bulls, two rams and fourteen yearling lambs, without blemish;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	27	the accompanying cereal offering and libations, as prescribed, in proportion to the number of bulls, rams and lambs;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	28	also one goat as a sacrifice for sin. This is in addition to the perpetual burnt offering and its cereal offering and libation.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	29	"On the sixth day: eight bulls, two rams and fourteen yearling lambs, without blemish;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	30	the accompanying cereal offering and libations, as prescribed, in proportion to the number of bulls, rams and lambs;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	31	also one goat as a sacrifice for sin. This is in addition to the perpetual burnt offering and its cereal offering and libations.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	32	"On the seventh day: seven bulls, two rams and fourteen yearling lambs, without blemish;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	33	the accompanying cereal offering and libations, as prescribed, in proportion to the number of bulls, rams and lambs;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	34	also one goat as a sacrifice for sin. This is in addition to the perpetual burnt offering and its cereal offering and libation.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	35	"On the eighth day you will hold an assembly; you will do no heavy work.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	36	As a burnt offering, as food burnt as a smell pleasing to Yahweh, you will offer one bull, one ram and seven yearling lambs, without blemish;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	37	the accompanying cereal offering and libations, as prescribed, in proportion to the number of bulls, rams and lambs;
 Numbers	Num	4	29	38	also one goat as a sacrifice for sin. This is in addition to the perpetual burnt offering and its cereal offering and libation.
 Numbers	Num	4	29	39	"This is what you are to do for Yahweh at your solemn feasts, over and above your votive offerings and your voluntary offerings, your burnt offerings, cereal offerings and libations, and your peace offerings." '
 Numbers	Num	4	30	1	Moses told the Israelites exactly what Yahweh had ordered him.
 Numbers	Num	4	30	2	Moses spoke to the tribal leaders of the Israelites and said, 'This is what Yahweh has ordered:
 Numbers	Num	4	30	3	"If a man makes a vow to Yahweh or a formal pledge under oath, he must not break his word: whatever he promises by word of mouth he must do.
 Numbers	Num	4	30	4	"If a woman makes a vow to Yahweh or a formal pledge during her youth, while she is still in her father's house,
 Numbers	Num	4	30	5	and if her father hears about this vow or pledge made by her and says nothing to her, her vow, whatever it may be, will be binding, and the pledge she has taken, whatever it may be, will be binding.
 Numbers	Num	4	30	6	But if her father on the day he learns of it expresses his disapproval of it, then none of the vows or pledges she has taken will be binding. Yahweh will not hold her to it, since her father has expressed his disapproval.
 Numbers	Num	4	30	7	"If, being bound by vows or by a pledge voiced without due reflection, she then marries,
 Numbers	Num	4	30	8	and if her husband hears of it but says nothing on the day he learns of it, her vows will be binding and the pledges she has taken will be binding.
 Numbers	Num	4	30	9	But if on the day he learns of it he expresses his disapproval to her, this will annul the vow that she has made or the pledge that binds her, voiced without due reflection. Yahweh will not hold her to it.
 Numbers	Num	4	30	10	"The vow of a widow or a divorced woman and all pledges taken by her are binding on her.
 Numbers	Num	4	30	11	"If she has made a vow or taken a pledge under oath while in her husband's house,
 Numbers	Num	4	30	12	and if when the husband learns of it he says nothing to her and does not express disapproval to her, then the vow, whatever it is, will be binding, and the pledge, whatever it is, will be binding.
 Numbers	Num	4	30	13	But if the husband when he hears of it annuls it on the day he learns of it, no undertaking of hers, be it vow or pledge, will be binding. Since the husband has annulled it, Yahweh will not hold her to it.
 Numbers	Num	4	30	14	"Every vow or oath that is binding on the wife may be endorsed or annulled by the husband.
 Numbers	Num	4	30	15	"If by the following day the husband has said nothing to her, it means that he endorses her vow, whatever it may be, or her pledge, whatever it may be. He endorses them if he says nothing on the day he learns of them.
 Numbers	Num	4	30	16	But if, having learnt of them, he annuls them later, he will bear the consequences for his wife's guilt." '
 Numbers	Num	4	30	17	Such were the laws which Yahweh prescribed to Moses, concerning the relationship between a man and his wife, and between a father and his daughter while still young and living in her father's home.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	2	'Exact the full vengeance for the Israelites on the Midianites. Afterwards you will be gathered to your people.'
 Numbers	Num	4	31	3	Moses said to the people, 'Some of you are to take up arms for Yahweh's campaign against Midian, to carry out the vengeance of Yahweh on Midian.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	4	You will put a thousand men in the field from each of the tribes of Israel.'
 Numbers	Num	4	31	5	In this way Israel's thousands provided twelve thousand men equipped for war, one thousand from each tribe:
 Numbers	Num	4	31	6	Moses put them in the field, one thousand from each tribe, with Phinehas, son of the priest Eleazar, to go with them carrying the sacred objects and the trumpets for the battle cry.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	7	They made war on Midian, as Yahweh had ordered Moses, and put every male to death.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	8	What is more, they killed the kings of Midian, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba, the five Midianite kings; they also put Balaam son of Beor to the sword.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	9	The Israelites took the Midianite women and their little ones captive and carried off all their cattle, all their flocks and all their goods as booty.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	10	They set fire to the towns where they lived and to all their encampments.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	11	Then, taking all their booty, everything they had captured, human and animal,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	12	they brought the captives, spoil and booty to Moses, the priest Eleazar and the whole community of Israelites at the camp on the Plains of Moab, near the Jordan by Jericho.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	13	Moses, the priest Eleazar and all the leaders of the community went out of the camp to meet them.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	14	Moses was enraged with the officers of the army, the commanders of the thousands and commanders of the hundreds, who had come back from this military expedition.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	15	He said, 'Why have you spared the life of all the women?
 Numbers	Num	4	31	16	They were the very ones who, on Balaam's advice, caused the Israelites to be unfaithful to Yahweh in the affair at Peor: hence the plague which struck Yahweh's community.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	17	So kill all the male children and kill all the women who have ever slept with a man;
 Numbers	Num	4	31	18	but spare the lives of the young girls who have never slept with a man, and keep them for yourselves.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	19	As for you, bivouac outside the camp for seven days, everyone who has killed anyone or touched a corpse. Purify yourselves and your prisoners on the third and seventh days,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	20	and purify all clothing, everything made of skin, everything woven of goat's hair and everything made of wood.'
 Numbers	Num	4	31	21	The priest Eleazar said to the soldiers who had come back from the campaign, 'This is an article of the Law which Yahweh prescribed to Moses:
 Numbers	Num	4	31	22	although gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin and lead,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	23	everything that can withstand fire can be cleaned by being passed through fire, it must still be purified with water for purification. Whatever cannot resist fire you must pass through water.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	24	'Wash your clothes on the seventh day and you will then be clean. You may then re-enter the camp.'
 Numbers	Num	4	31	25	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	31	26	'With the priest Eleazar and the heads of families in the community, take a count of the spoils and captives, human and animal.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	27	You will then share out the spoil, half and half, between those who fought the campaign and the rest of the community.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	28	From the share of the combatants who took part in the campaign, you will set aside one out of every five hundred persons, oxen, donkeys and sheep as Yahweh's portion.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	29	You will take this from the half share coming to them and give it to the priest Eleazar as the portion set aside for Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	30	From the half coming to the Israelites, you will take one out of every fifty persons, oxen, donkeys, sheep, and all other animals, and give them to the Levites who are responsible for Yahweh's Dwelling.'
 Numbers	Num	4	31	31	Moses and the priest Eleazar did as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	32	The spoils, the remainder of the booty captured by the soldiers, came to six hundred and seventy-five thousand sheep and goats,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	33	seventy-two thousand head of cattle,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	34	sixty-one thousand donkeys,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	35	and in persons, women who had never slept with a man, thirty-two thousand in all.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	36	Half was assigned to those who had taken part in the war, namely three hundred and thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep and goats,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	37	of which Yahweh's portion was six hundred and seventy-five,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	38	thirty-six thousand head of cattle, of which Yahweh's portion was seventy-two,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	39	thirty thousand five hundred donkeys, of which Yahweh's portion was sixty-one,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	40	and sixteen thousand persons, of which Yahweh's portion was thirty-two.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	41	Moses gave the priest Eleazar the portion set aside for Yahweh, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	42	As for the half coming to the Israelites which Moses had separated from that of the combatants,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	43	this half, the community's share, came to three hundred and thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep and goats,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	44	thirty-six thousand head of cattle,
 Numbers	Num	4	31	45	thirty thousand five hundred donkeys
 Numbers	Num	4	31	46	and sixteen thousand persons.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	47	From this half, the Israelites' share, Moses took one out of every fifty, human and animal, and gave them to the Levites who were responsible for Yahweh's Dwelling, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	48	The officers of the thousands who had fought the campaign, the commanders of the thousands and commanders of the hundreds, came to Moses
 Numbers	Num	4	31	49	and said, 'Your servants have numbered the soldiers under their command: none of our men is missing.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	50	So, as an offering for Yahweh, we have brought what each of us has found in the way of gold ornaments, armlets and bracelets, rings, earrings and breastplates, to make expiation for ourselves before Yahweh.'
 Numbers	Num	4	31	51	Moses and the priest Eleazar accepted this gold from them, all this jewellery.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	52	This portion of gold given to Yahweh by the commanders of the thousands and commanders of the hundreds amounted to sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	53	Each of the soldiers took his own booty.
 Numbers	Num	4	31	54	But Moses and the priest Eleazar, having accepted the gold from the commanders of the thousands and commanders of the hundreds, brought it into the Tent of Meeting, to be a reminder of the Israelites before Yahweh.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	1	Now, the Reubenites and Gadites owned very large herds of cattle. Having seen that the territories of Jazer and Gilead formed an ideal region for raising stock,
 Numbers	Num	4	32	2	the Gadites and Reubenites went to Moses, the priest Eleazar and the leaders of the community, and said to them,
 Numbers	Num	4	32	3	'The territory of Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon,
 Numbers	Num	4	32	4	which Yahweh has conquered before the advancing community of Israel, is ideal land for raising stock, and your servants are cattle breeders.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	5	So', they said, 'if you approve, give your servants this land for us to own; do not make us cross the Jordan.'
 Numbers	Num	4	32	6	Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, 'Do you intend your brothers to go into battle while you stay here?
 Numbers	Num	4	32	7	Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing to the country which Yahweh has given them?
 Numbers	Num	4	32	8	Your fathers behaved in the same way when I sent them from Kadesh-Barnea to see the country,
 Numbers	Num	4	32	9	for, having gone as far as the Valley of Eshcol and seen the country, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the country which Yahweh had given them.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	10	Hence Yahweh's anger was aroused that day and he swore this oath,
 Numbers	Num	4	32	11	"No man of twenty years and over, who left Egypt, shall set eyes on the country which I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob . . . , for they have not followed me absolutely,
 Numbers	Num	4	32	12	except for Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua son of Nun: these indeed have followed Yahweh absolutely."
 Numbers	Num	4	32	13	Yahweh's anger being aroused by Israel, he made them wander in the desert for forty years, until the generation that offended Yahweh had all disappeared.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	14	And now you rise up in your father's place, offshoot of sinful stock, to increase Yahweh's burning anger with Israel even more!
 Numbers	Num	4	32	15	If you turn away from him, he will prolong the time spent in the desert, and you will bring about this entire people's ruin.'
 Numbers	Num	4	32	16	They came to Moses and said, 'We should like to build sheepfolds here for our flocks and towns for our little ones.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	17	We ourselves will take up arms and lead the Israelites until we have brought them to the place appointed for them, while our little ones stay in the fortified towns to be safe from the local inhabitants.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	18	We will not return to our homes until every one of the Israelites has taken possession of his heritage.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	19	For we shall have no heritage with them on the other bank of the Jordan or beyond, since our heritage has fallen to us here, east of the Jordan.'
 Numbers	Num	4	32	20	Moses said to them, 'If you do as you have said, if you are prepared to fight before Yahweh,
 Numbers	Num	4	32	21	and if all those of you who bear arms cross the Jordan before Yahweh, until he has driven all his enemies out before him,
 Numbers	Num	4	32	22	then, once the country has become subject to Yahweh, you may go back, and will have discharged your obligation to Yahweh and Israel, and Yahweh will consider this territory yours.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	23	But if you do not, you will sin against Yahweh, and be sure your sin will find you out.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	24	Build towns, then, for your little ones and folds for your flocks; but do what you have promised.'
 Numbers	Num	4	32	25	The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, 'Your servants will do as my lord directs.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	26	Our little ones, our wives, our flocks and all our livestock will stay in the towns of Gilead,
 Numbers	Num	4	32	27	but your servants, each armed for war, will cross in Yahweh's name and fight, as my lord says.'
 Numbers	Num	4	32	28	So Moses gave orders about them to the priest Eleazar, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of families in the Israelite tribes.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	29	Moses said to them, 'If the Gadites and Reubenites, all those under arms, cross the Jordan with you to fight in Yahweh's name, then, once the country has become subject to you, you will give them the territory of Gilead as theirs.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	30	But if they will not cross with you under arms, they will receive their domains in Canaan with the rest of you.'
 Numbers	Num	4	32	31	To this, the Gadites and Reubenites replied, 'What Yahweh has said to your servants, we shall do.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	32	Under arms, we shall cross in Yahweh's name into Canaan, so that ownership of our heritage on this side of the Jordan will be ours.'
 Numbers	Num	4	32	33	Moses then gave them -- the Gadites, the Reubenites and the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph -- the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the country and the towns within its territory, and the country's frontier-towns.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	34	The Gadites rebuilt Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,
 Numbers	Num	4	32	35	Atroth-Shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah,
 Numbers	Num	4	32	36	Beth-Nimrah and Beth-Haran as fortified towns with folds for the flocks.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	37	The Reubenites rebuilt Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim,
 Numbers	Num	4	32	38	Nebo and Baal-Meon (the names of which were altered), and Sibmah, giving new names to the towns which they rebuilt.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	39	The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead. They conquered it and drove out the Amorites who were there.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	40	Moses gave Gilead to Machir son of Manasseh, and he settled there.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	41	Jair son of Manasseh went and seized their encampments, renaming them the Encampments of Jair.
 Numbers	Num	4	32	42	Nobah went and seized Kenat with its dependent townships, and called it Nobah after himself.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	1	These were the stages of the journey made by the Israelites when they left Egypt in their companies under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	2	Moses recorded their starting-points in writing whenever they moved on at Yahweh's order. The stages, from one starting-point to another, were as follows:
 Numbers	Num	4	33	3	They left Rameses in the first month. It was the fifteenth day of the first month, the day following the Passover, when the Israelites confidently set out, under the eyes of all Egypt.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	4	The Egyptians were burying those of their own people whom Yahweh had struck down, all the first-born; Yahweh had carried out his judgement on their gods.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	5	The Israelites left Rameses and camped at Succoth.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	6	Then they left Succoth and encamped at Etham which is on the edge of the desert.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	7	They left Etham, turned back to Pi-Hahiroth, opposite Baal-Zephon, and encamped before Migdol.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	8	They left Pi-Hahiroth, crossed the sea into the desert, and after marching for three days in the desert of Etham they encamped at Marah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	9	They left Marah and reached Elim. At Elim there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees; they encamped there.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	10	They left Elim and encamped by the Sea of Reeds.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	11	They left the Sea of Reeds and encamped in the desert of Sin.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	12	They left the desert of Sin and encamped at Dophkah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	13	They left Dophkah and encamped at Alush.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	14	They left Alush and encamped at Rephidim; the people found no drinking water there.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	15	They left Rephidim and encamped in the desert of Sinai.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	16	They left the desert of Sinai and encamped at Kibroth-ha-Taavah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	17	They left Kibroth-ha-Taavah and encamped at Hazeroth.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	18	They left Hazeroth and encamped at Rithmah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	19	They left Rithmah and encamped at Rimmon-Perez.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	20	They left Rimmon-Perez and encamped at Libnah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	21	They left Libnah and encamped at Rissah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	22	They left Rissah and encamped at Kehelathah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	23	They left Kehelathah and encamped at Mount Shepher.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	24	They left Mount Shepher and encamped at Haradah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	25	They left Haradah and encamped at Makheloth.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	26	They left Makheloth and encamped at Tahath.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	27	They left Tahath and encamped at Terah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	28	They left Terah and encamped at Mithkah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	29	They left Mithkah and encamped at Hashmonah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	30	They left Hashmonah and encamped at Moseroth.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	31	They left Moseroth and encamped at Bene-Jaakan.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	32	They left Bene-Jaakan and encamped at Hor-Gidgad.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	33	They left Hor-Gidgad and encamped at Jotbathah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	34	They left Jotbathah and encamped at Abronah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	35	They left Abronah and encamped at Ezion-Geber.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	36	They left Ezion-Geber and encamped in the desert of Zin, that is, at Kadesh.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	37	They left Kadesh and encamped at Mount Hor, on the borders of the land of Edom.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	38	The priest Aaron went up Mount Hor on Yahweh's orders and died there in the fortieth year of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	39	Aaron was a hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	40	The king of Arad, the Canaanite who lived in the Negeb of Canaan, heard of the Israelites' arrival.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	41	They left Mount Hor and encamped at Zalmonah.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	42	They left Zalmonah and encamped at Punon.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	43	They left Punon and encamped at Oboth.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	44	They left Oboth and encamped in Moabite territory at Iye-Abarim.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	45	They left Iyim and encamped at Dibon-Gad.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	46	They left Dibon-Gad and encamped at Almon-Diblathaim.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	47	They left Almon-Diblathaim and encamped in the Abarim mountains facing Nebo.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	48	They left the Abarim mountains and encamped on the Plains of Moab, near the Jordan opposite Jericho.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	49	They encamped near the Jordan between Beth-ha-Jeshimoth and Abel-ha-Shittim, on the Plains of Moab.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	50	Yahweh spoke to Moses on the Plains of Moab, near the Jordan by Jericho, and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	33	51	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "When you have crossed the Jordan into Canaan,
 Numbers	Num	4	33	52	you will drive out all the local inhabitants before you. You will destroy all their painted images, you will destroy all their metal statues and you will demolish all their high places.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	53	You will take possession of the country and settle in it, for I have given you the country as your property.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	54	You will share it out by lot among your clans. To a large clan you will give a larger heritage, and to a smaller clan you will give a smaller heritage. Where the lot falls for each, that will be his. Your heritage will depend on the size of your tribe.
 Numbers	Num	4	33	55	If, however, you do not drive out the local inhabitants before you, the ones you allow to remain will be thorns in your eyes and thistles in your sides and will harass you in the country where you are living,
 Numbers	Num	4	33	56	and I shall treat you as I intended to treat them." '
 Numbers	Num	4	34	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
 Numbers	Num	4	34	2	'Give the Israelites this order. Say: "When you enter the country (Canaan), this will be the country which forms your heritage. This is Canaan as defined by its boundaries:
 Numbers	Num	4	34	3	"The southern part of your country will start from the desert of Zin, on the borders of Edom. Your southern boundary will start on the east at the end of the Salt Sea.
 Numbers	Num	4	34	4	It will then turn south towards the Ascent of the Scorpions and go by Zin to end in the south at Kadesh-Barnea. It will then run towards Hazar-Addar and pass through Azmon.
 Numbers	Num	4	34	5	From Azmon the boundary will turn towards the Torrent of Egypt and end at the Sea.
 Numbers	Num	4	34	6	"Your seaboard will be on the Great Sea; this will be your western boundary.
 Numbers	Num	4	34	7	"Your northern boundary will be as follows: you will draw a line from the Great Sea to Mount Hor,
 Numbers	Num	4	34	8	then from Mount Hor you will draw a line to the Pass of Hamath, and the boundary will end at Zedad.
 Numbers	Num	4	34	9	From there it will run on to Ziphron and end at Hazar-Enan. This will be your northern boundary.
 Numbers	Num	4	34	10	"You will then draw your eastern boundary from Hazar-Enan to Shepham.
 Numbers	Num	4	34	11	The boundary will run down from Shepham towards Riblah on the east side of Ain. Further down it will keep to the eastern shore of the Sea of Chinnereth.
 Numbers	Num	4	34	12	The frontier will then follow the Jordan and end at the Salt Sea. "Such will be your country with the boundaries surrounding it." '
 Numbers	Num	4	34	13	Moses then gave the Israelites this order: 'This is the country, where your heritages will be assigned by lot, and which Yahweh has ordered to be given to the nine tribes and the half-tribe,
 Numbers	Num	4	34	14	for the tribe of the Reubenites with their families and the tribe of the Gadites with their families have already received their heritage; the half-tribe of Manasseh has also received its heritage.
 Numbers	Num	4	34	15	These two tribes and the half-tribe have received their heritage on the other side of the Jordan by Jericho, to the east, towards the sunrise.'
 Numbers	Num	4	34	16	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	34	17	'Here are the names of the men who will divide the country up for you: the priest Eleazar and Joshua son of Nun,
 Numbers	Num	4	34	18	and you will take one leader from each tribe to divide the country up into heritages.
 Numbers	Num	4	34	19	Here are the names of these men: 'For the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;
 Numbers	Num	4	34	20	'for the tribe of the Simeonites, Shemuel son of Ammihud;
 Numbers	Num	4	34	21	'for the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad son of Chislon;
 Numbers	Num	4	34	22	'for the tribe of the Danites, the leader Bukki son of Jogli;
 Numbers	Num	4	34	23	'for the sons of Joseph: for the tribe of Manasseh, the leader Hanniel son of Ephod;
 Numbers	Num	4	34	24	'for the tribe of the Ephraimites, the leader Kemuel son of Shiphtan;
 Numbers	Num	4	34	25	'for the tribe of the Zebulunites, the leader Elizaphan son of Parnach;
 Numbers	Num	4	34	26	'for the tribe of the Issacharites, the leader Paltiel son of Azzan;
 Numbers	Num	4	34	27	'for the tribe of the Asherites, the leader Ahihud son of Shelomi;
 Numbers	Num	4	34	28	'for the tribe of the Naphtalites, the leader Pedahel son of Ammihud.'
 Numbers	Num	4	34	29	These were the men whom Yahweh ordered to divide Canaan into heritages for the Israelites.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	1	Yahweh spoke to Moses on the Plains of Moab, near the Jordan by Jericho, and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	35	2	'Order the Israelites, from the heritage they possess, to give the Levites towns in which to live and pasture land round the towns. You will give these to the Levites.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	3	The towns must be their homes and the surrounding pasture land must be for their cattle, their possessions and all their animals.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	4	The pasture land surrounding the towns which you give to the Levites will extend, from the walls of the towns, for a thousand cubits all round.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	5	'Outside the town, measure two thousand cubits to the east, two thousand cubits to the south, two thousand cubits to the west and two thousand cubits to the north, the town lying in the centre; such will be the pasture lands of these towns.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	6	The towns you give to the Levites will be six cities of refuge, ceded by you as sanctuary for those who commit manslaughter; and you will give forty-two towns in addition.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	7	Altogether you will give the Levites forty-eight towns, with their pasture lands.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	8	Of the towns which you give from the Israelites' possessions, you will give more from those who have more, and less from those who have less. Each will give some of his towns to the Levites, in proportion to the heritage he himself has received.'
 Numbers	Num	4	35	9	Yahweh spoke to Moses and said:
 Numbers	Num	4	35	10	'Speak to the Israelites and say: "Once you have crossed the Jordan into Canaan,
 Numbers	Num	4	35	11	you will find towns, some of which you will make into cities of refuge where those who have accidentally committed manslaughter can take sanctuary.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	12	These towns will afford you refuge from the avenger of blood, so that the killer will not be put to death before standing trial before the community.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	13	Of the towns you give, six will serve you as cities of refuge:
 Numbers	Num	4	35	14	as cities of refuge, you will give three towns on the other side of the Jordan and will give three towns in Canaan.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	15	These six towns will serve as refuge for the Israelites, for the foreigner and for the resident alien, where anyone who has accidentally killed someone can take sanctuary.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	16	"But if he has struck the person with an iron object so as to cause death, he is a murderer. The murderer will be put to death.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	17	If he has struck him with a stone meant for killing, and has killed him, he is a murderer. The murderer will be put to death.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	18	Or if he has struck him with a wooden instrument meant for killing, and has killed him, he is a murderer. The murderer will be put to death.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	19	The avenger of blood will put the murderer to death. Whenever he finds him, he will put him to death.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	20	"If the killer has maliciously manhandled his victim, or thrown some lethal missile to strike him down,
 Numbers	Num	4	35	21	or out of enmity dealt him the death-blow with his fist, then he who struck the blow will be put to death; he is a murderer; the avenger of blood will put him to death whenever he finds him.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	22	If, however, he has manhandled his victim by chance, without malice, or thrown some missile at him not meaning to hit him
 Numbers	Num	4	35	23	or, without seeing him, dropped on him a stone meant for killing and so killed him, so long as he bore him no malice and wished him no harm,
 Numbers	Num	4	35	24	then the community will decide in accordance with these rules between the one who struck the blow and the avenger of blood,
 Numbers	Num	4	35	25	and will save the killer from the clutches of the avenger of blood. They will send him back to the city of refuge where he had taken sanctuary, and there he will stay until the death of the high priest who has been anointed with the holy oil.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	26	Should the killer leave the bounds of the city of refuge in which he has taken sanctuary
 Numbers	Num	4	35	27	and the avenger of blood encounter him outside the bounds of his city of refuge, the avenger of blood may kill him without fear of reprisal;
 Numbers	Num	4	35	28	since the killer should stay in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest; only after the death of the high priest is he free to go back to his own piece of property.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	29	Such will be the legal rule for you and your descendants, wherever you may live.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	30	"In any case of homicide, the evidence of witnesses will determine whether the killer must be put to death; but a single witness is not enough to sustain a capital charge.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	31	You will not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer condemned to death; he must die.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	32	Nor will you accept a ransom for anyone who, having taken sanctuary in his city or refuge, wishes to come back and live at home before the death of the high priest.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	33	Do not profane the country you live in. Blood profanes the country and, for the country, the only expiation for the blood shed in it is the blood of the man who shed it.
 Numbers	Num	4	35	34	So do not defile the country which you live in and where I live; for I, Yahweh, live among the Israelites." '
 Numbers	Num	4	36	1	Then the heads of families of the clan descended from Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, one of the clans descended from Joseph, came forward and, addressing Moses and the leaders, the Israelite heads of families,
 Numbers	Num	4	36	2	they said: 'Yahweh has ordered my lord to apportion the Israelites' heritages in the country by lot and my lord has been ordered by Yahweh to give the heritage of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters.
 Numbers	Num	4	36	3	Now, if they marry someone from another Israelite tribe, their heritage will be alienated from our ancestral heritage. The heritage of the tribe to which they will then belong will be increased, and the heritage allotted to us will be diminished.
 Numbers	Num	4	36	4	And when the jubilee for the Israelites comes round, these women's heritage will become part of the heritage of the tribe to which they then belong, and be alienated from the heritage of our ancestral tribe.'
 Numbers	Num	4	36	5	At Yahweh's bidding, Moses gave the Israelites this order. He said: 'What the Josephite tribe says is true.
 Numbers	Num	4	36	6	This is Yahweh's ruling for Zelophehad's daughters: "They may marry whom they please, providing they marry into a clan of their father's tribe.
 Numbers	Num	4	36	7	But the heritages of Israelites are not to be transferred from tribe to tribe; each Israelite will stick to the heritage of his own tribe.
 Numbers	Num	4	36	8	Any daughter who owns a heritage in an Israelite tribe will marry into a clan of her own paternal tribe, so that the Israelites may each preserve the heritage of his father.
 Numbers	Num	4	36	9	No heritage may be transferred from one tribe to another; each Israelite tribe will stick to its own heritage." '
 Numbers	Num	4	36	10	Zelophehad's daughters did as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Numbers	Num	4	36	11	Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah and Noah, daughters of Zelophehad, married the sons of their father's brothers.
 Numbers	Num	4	36	12	Since they married into clans descended from Manasseh son of Joseph, their heritage reverted to the tribe of their father's clan.
 Numbers	Num	4	36	13	Such were the commandments and laws that Yahweh prescribed for the Israelites through Moses on the Plains of Moab near the Jordan by Jericho.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	1	These are the words which Moses addressed to all Israel beyond the Jordan, in the desert, in the Arabah facing Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	2	It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-Barnea.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	3	It was in the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, that Moses told the Israelites everything that Yahweh had ordered him to tell them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	4	He had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who lived at Ashtaroth and Edrei.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	5	There, in Moab beyond the Jordan, Moses resolved to expound this Law. He said:
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	6	'Yahweh our God said to us at Horeb, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	7	Move on, continue your journey, go to the highlands of the Amorites, to all those who live in the Arabah, in the highlands, in the lowlands, in the Negeb and in the coastland; go into Canaan and to Lebanon as far as the great River Euphrates.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	8	Look, that is the country I have given you; go and take possession of the country that Yahweh promised on oath to give to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and to their descendants after them."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	9	'At the same time, I told you, "I cannot be responsible for you by myself.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	10	Yahweh your God has increased your numbers, until you are now as numerous as the stars of heaven.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	11	And Yahweh your God is going to increase you a thousand times more, and bless you as he has promised you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	12	So how can I cope by myself with the bitter burden that you are, and with your bickering?
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	13	From each of your tribes pick wise, shrewd and experienced men for me to make your leaders."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	14	You replied, "Your plan is good."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	15	So I took your tribal leaders, wise, experienced men, and appointed them to lead you, as captains of thousands, hundreds, fifties, tens, and as scribes for your tribes.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	16	At that same time I told your judges, "You must give your brothers a fair hearing and see justice done between one person and his brother or the foreigner living with him.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	17	You must be impartial in judgement and give an equal hearing to small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any human person, for the verdict is God's. Should a case be too difficult, bring it for me to hear.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	18	And on that occasion I gave you instructions about everything you were to do."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	19	'So, as Yahweh our God had ordered, we left Horeb and made our way through that vast and terrible desert, which you saw on the way to the Amorite highlands, and arrived at Kadesh-Barnea.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	20	I then said, "You have now reached the Amorite highlands, which Yahweh our God has given us.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	21	Look, Yahweh your God has given you this country. March in, take possession of it as Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, has said; do not be afraid or discouraged."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	22	Then you all came to me and said, "Let us send men ahead of us to explore the country; they shall report to us which way we ought to take and what towns we shall come to."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	23	This seemed good advice to me and I selected twelve men from among you, one from each tribe.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	24	These men made towards the highlands and went up into them; they reached the Valley of Eshcol and reconnoitred it.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	25	They collected some of the produce of the country and brought it down to us; and they made us this report, "Yahweh our God has given us a fine country."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	26	You, however, refused to go up there and rebelled against the voice of Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	27	You muttered in your tents, saying, "Yahweh hates us, and that is why he has brought us out of Egypt, to put us into the Amorites' power and so destroy us.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	28	What kind of place are we making for? Our brothers have discouraged us by saying that the people are stronger and taller than we are, the cities immense, with walls reaching to the sky. And we have seen Anakim there too."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	29	'And I said to you, "Do not take fright, do not be afraid of them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	30	Yahweh your God goes ahead of you and will be fighting on your side, just as you saw him act in Egypt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	31	You have seen him in the desert too: Yahweh your God continued to support you, as a man supports his son, all along the road you followed until you arrived here."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	32	But for all this, you put no faith in Yahweh your God,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	33	going ahead of you on the journey to find you a camping ground, by night in the fire to light your path, and in the cloud by day.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	34	'Yahweh heard what you were saying and in his anger swore this oath,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	35	"Not one of these people, this perverse generation, will see the fine country I swore to give your ancestors,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	36	except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it. To him and to his children I shall give the land he has set foot on, for he has been perfectly obedient to Yahweh."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	37	Yahweh was angry with me too, because of you. "You will not go in either," he said.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	38	"Your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will be the one to enter. Encourage him, since he is to bring Israel into possession of the country.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	39	And your little ones too, who, you said, would be seized as booty, these children of yours who do not yet know good from evil, they will go in; I shall give it to them and they will own it.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	40	But, as regards yourselves, turn round, go back into the desert, towards the Sea of Suph."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	41	'In reply, you then said to me, "We have sinned against Yahweh our God. We shall go up and fight just as Yahweh our God has ordered us." And each one of you buckled on his arms and equipped himself to march up into the highlands.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	42	But Yahweh said to me, "Tell them this: Do not go up and fight. I am not with you. Do not let yourselves be defeated by your enemies."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	43	So I told you, but you would not listen, and you rebelled against the voice of Yahweh; presumptuously you marched into the highlands.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	44	The Amorites, who live in that country of hills, came swarming out against you like bees, pursued you and beat you from Seir to Hormah.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	45	On your return, you wept in Yahweh's presence, but he would not listen to your cries or pay attention.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	1	46	That was why you had to stay at Kadesh as long as you did.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	1	'We then turned round and made for the desert, in the direction of the Sea of Suph, as Yahweh had ordered me. For many days we skirted Mount Seir.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	2	Yahweh then said to me,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	3	"You have gone far enough round this mountain; now turn north.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	4	And give the people this order: You are about to pass through the territory of your kinsmen, the sons of Esau who live in Seir. They are afraid of you, and you will be well protected.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	5	Do not provoke them, for I shall give you none of their land, no, not so much as a foot's length of it. I have given the highlands of Seir to Esau as his domain.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	6	Pay them in money for what food you eat; and pay them in money for the water you drink.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	7	Yahweh your God has blessed you in all you do; he has watched over your journeying through this vast desert. Yahweh your God has been with you these forty years and you have never been in want."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	8	'So we passed beyond those relatives of ours, the children of Esau who live in Seir, by the road through the Arabah, Elath and Ezion-Geber; then, changing direction, we took the road towards the Plains of Moab.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	9	Yahweh then said to me, "Do not attack Moab, do not provoke him to fight, for I shall give you none of his land, since I have given Ar to the children of Lot as their domain."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	10	(At one time the Emim lived there, a great and numerous people, tall as the Anakim;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	11	and, like the Anakim, they were considered to be Rephaim, though the Moabites call them Emim.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	12	The Horites, too, lived in Seir at one time; these, however, were dispossessed and exterminated by the children of Esau who settled there in place of them, just as Israel has done in the country given to it by Yahweh as a heritage.)
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	13	"On your way, then! Cross the Wadi Zered!" 'And so we crossed the Wadi Zered.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	14	From Kadesh-Barnea to the crossing of the Wadi Zered our wanderings had taken thirty-eight years; as a result of which, the entire generation of those of age to bear arms had been eliminated, as Yahweh had sworn to them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	15	Yahweh's hand had been against them, to eliminate them completely from the camp.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	16	'When death had carried off from the people those of age to bear arms, to the last man,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	17	Yahweh said this to me,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	18	"You are now crossing Ar, the country of Moab,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	19	and soon you will encounter the children of Ammon. Do not attack them, do not provoke them, for I shall give you none of the land belonging to the children of Ammon as your domain. I have given it to the children of Lot as theirs."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	20	(This used also to be considered as Rephaim territory; at one time the Rephaim lived there, though the Ammonites call them Zamzummim,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	21	a great and numerous people, and tall like the Anakim. Yahweh exterminated them for the Ammonites who dispossessed them and settled there in place of them,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	22	just as he had done for the children of Esau who live in Seir, so that they dispossessed the Horites and settled there instead of them and are still there now.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	23	It was the same with the Avvites who occupied encampments as far as Gaza: the Caphtorim, coming from Caphtor, exterminated them and settled there instead.)
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	24	"On your way! Break camp and cross the Wadi Arnon. See, I am putting Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, at your mercy, and his country too. Set about the conquest; engage him in battle.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	25	Today and henceforth, I shall fill the peoples under all heaven with fear and terror of you; whoever hears word of your approach will tremble and writhe in anguish because of you."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	26	'So, from the desert of Kedemoth I sent envoys to Sihon king of Heshbon with this peaceful message,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	27	"I intend to cross your country. I shall go my way, straying neither to right nor to left.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	28	I shall eat and pay for the food you choose to sell me, and I shall drink and pay for the water you let me have. I only want to march through,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	29	just as the children of Esau who live in Seir permitted, as well as the Moabites who live in Ar, until I cross the Jordan into the country that Yahweh our God is giving us."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	30	'But Sihon king of Heshbon would not give us leave to pass through his territory; Yahweh our God had made his spirit obstinate and his heart stubborn, to put him at your mercy, as he still is.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	31	Yahweh said to me, "You see, I am starting to give you Sihon and his country. Begin the conquest by seizing his country."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	32	Sihon marched out against us, he and all his people, to give battle at Jahaz.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	33	And Yahweh our God handed him over to us: we defeated him and his sons and all his people.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	34	We captured all his towns and laid all these towns under the curse of destruction: men, women and children, we left no survivors
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	35	except the livestock which we took as our booty, and the spoils of the captured towns.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	36	From Aroer on the edge of the Arnon valley and from the town down in the valley, as far as Gilead, not one town was beyond our reach; Yahweh our God delivered them all to us.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	2	37	You did not, however, go near the country of the Ammonites, or the region of the River Jabbok, or the towns in the highlands, or anywhere forbidden us by Yahweh our God.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	1	'We then turned on Bashan and invaded that. And Og king of Bashan marched out against us, he and all his people, to give battle at Edrei.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	2	Yahweh said to me, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have put him at your mercy, him, all his people and his country. You will treat him as you treated Sihon king of the Amorites who lived in Heshbon."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	3	So, Yahweh our God put Og king of Bashan at our mercy too, with all his people. We beat him so thoroughly that nobody was left.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	4	That was when we captured all his towns; there was not a town of theirs we did not take: sixty towns, the whole confederation of Argob, Og's kingdom in Bashan,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	5	all of them fortresses defended by high walls and fortified with gates and bars, not to mention the Perizzite towns, which were very numerous.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	6	We laid them under the curse of destruction as we had done Sihon king of Heshbon, laying all these towns under the curse of destruction: men, women and children-
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	7	but we seized the livestock and spoils of the towns as booty for ourselves.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	8	'Thus, by then we had taken the country of the two Amorite kings beyond the Jordan, stretching from the Wadi Arnon to Mount Hermon
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	9	(the Sidonians call Hermon 'Sirion' and the Amorites call it 'Senir'):
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	10	all the towns of the tableland, all Gilead, and all Bashan as far as Salecah and Edrei, the capital cities of Og in Bashan.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	11	(Og king of Bashan was the last survivor of the Rephaim; his bed was the iron bed that can be seen at Rabbah-of-the-Ammonites, nine cubits long and four wide, according to the human cubit.)
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	12	'Then we took possession of this country, from Aroer on the Wadi Arnon. To the Reubenites and Gadites I gave half the highlands of Gilead with its towns.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	13	To the half-tribe of Manasseh I gave the rest of Gilead and the whole of Bashan, Og's kingdom. (The whole confederation of Argob and the whole of Bashan is called the country of the Rephaim.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	14	Since Jair son of Manasseh occupied the whole confederation of Argob as far as the frontiers of the Geshurites and Maacathites, after him Bashan is called the Encampments of Jair even today.)
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	15	To Machir I gave Gilead.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	16	To the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave the region from Gilead to the Wadi Arnon, the middle of the ravine marking the boundary, and up as far as the Jabbok, the ravine marking the frontier of the Ammonites.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	17	The Arabah and the Jordan serve as frontiers from Chinnereth down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), at the foot of the slopes of Pisgah on the east.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	18	'I then gave you this order: "Yahweh your God has given you this country to be yours. Armed, every one of you fit to fight must go ahead of your brothers the Israelites.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	19	Only your wives, your children and your flocks (you have many flocks, I know) must stay behind in the towns which I have given you,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	20	until Yahweh has brought your brothers to rest as he has already brought you, and they too possess the territory which Yahweh your God is giving them on the other side of the Jordan; after that, you can go home, each to the domain I have given you."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	21	I then gave Joshua this order, "You can see for yourself everything that Yahweh our God has done to these two kings; Yahweh will do the same to all the kingdoms through which you pass.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	22	Do not be afraid of them: Yahweh your God himself is fighting for you."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	23	'I then pleaded with Yahweh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	24	"My Lord Yahweh," I said, "now that you have begun to reveal your greatness and your power to your servant with works and mighty deeds no God in heaven or on earth can rival,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	25	may I not go across and see this fine country on the other side of the Jordan, that fine upland country and the Lebanon?"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	26	But, because of you, Yahweh was angry with me and would not listen. "Enough!" he said, "Do not mention this subject again!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	27	Climb to the top of Pisgah; turn your eyes to the west, the north, the south, the east. Look well, for across this Jordan you shall not go.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	28	Give Joshua your instructions; encourage him, strengthen him; for he will be the one to cross at the head of this people; he will be the one to bring them into possession of the country which you will see."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	3	29	'We then stayed in the valley, close to Beth-Peor.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	1	'And now, Israel, listen to the laws and customs which I am teaching you today, so that, by observing them, you may survive to enter and take possession of the country which Yahweh, God of your ancestors, is giving you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	2	You must add nothing to what I command you, and take nothing from it, but keep the commandments of Yahweh your God just as I lay them down for you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	3	You can see for yourselves what Yahweh has done about the Baal of Peor; Yahweh your God has destroyed all those of you who followed the Baal of Peor;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	4	but those of you who stayed faithful to Yahweh your God are all alive today.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	5	Look: as Yahweh my God commanded me, I have taught you laws and customs, for you to observe in the country of which you are going to take possession.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	6	Keep them, put them into practice, and other peoples will admire your wisdom and prudence. Once they know what all these laws are, they will exclaim, "No other people is as wise and prudent as this great nation!"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	7	And indeed, what great nation has its gods as near as Yahweh our God is to us whenever we call to him?
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	8	And what great nation has laws and customs as upright as the entirety of this Law which I am laying down for you today?
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	9	'But take care, as you value your lives! Do not forget the things which you yourselves have seen, or let them slip from your heart as long as you live; teach them, rather, to your children and to your children's children.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	10	The day you stood at Horeb in the presence of Yahweh your God, Yahweh said to me, "Summon the people to me; I want them to hear me speaking, so that they will learn to fear me all the days they live on earth, and teach this to their children."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	11	So you came and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain flamed to the very sky, a sky darkened by cloud, murky and thunderous.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	12	Yahweh then spoke to you from the heart of the fire; you heard the sound of words but saw no shape; there was only a voice.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	13	He revealed his covenant to you and commanded you to observe it, the Ten Words which he inscribed on two tablets of stone.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	14	Yahweh then ordered me to teach you the laws and customs that you were to observe in the country into which you are about to cross, to take possession of it.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	15	'Hence, be very careful what you do. Since you saw no shape that day at Horeb when Yahweh spoke to you from the heart of the fire,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	16	see that you do not corrupt yourselves by making an image in the shape of anything whatever: be it statue of man or of woman,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	17	or of any animal on the earth, or of any bird that flies in the heavens,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	18	or of any reptile that crawls on the ground, or of any fish in the waters under the earth.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	19	When you raise your eyes to heaven, when you see the sun, the moon, the stars -- the entire array of heaven -- do not be tempted to worship them and serve them. Yahweh your God has allotted these to all the other peoples under heaven,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	20	but Yahweh has chosen you, bringing you out of the iron-foundry, Egypt, to be his own people, his own people as you still are today.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	21	'Yahweh is angry with me because of you; he has sworn that I shall not cross the Jordan or enter the fine country which Yahweh your God is giving you as your heritage.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	22	Yes, I am to die in this country; I shall not cross this Jordan; you will go over and take possession of that rich land.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	23	Be careful not to forget the covenant which Yahweh your God has made with you, by sculpting an image or making a statue of anything, since Yahweh your God has forbidden this;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	24	for Yahweh your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	25	'When you have fathered children and grandchildren and have grown old in the country, when you have grown corrupt and made some image, doing what Yahweh regards as wrong and so provoking his anger-
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	26	today I call heaven and earth to witness against you -- you will quickly vanish from the country which you are crossing the Jordan to possess. Your days will not be prolonged there, for you will be utterly destroyed.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	27	Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples, and only a small number of you will remain among the nations where Yahweh will have driven you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	28	There you will serve gods made by human hand, of wood and of stone, that cannot see or hear, eat or smell.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	29	'If, however, from there you start searching once more for Yahweh your God, and if you search for him honestly and sincerely, you will find him.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	30	You will suffer; everything I have said will befall you, but in the final days you will return to Yahweh your God and listen to his voice.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	31	For Yahweh your God is a merciful God and will not desert or destroy you or forget the covenant which he made on oath with your ancestors.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	32	'Put this question, then, to the ages that are past, that have gone before you, from when God created the human race on earth: Was there ever a word so majestic, from one end of heaven to the other? Was anything like it ever heard?
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	33	Did ever a people hear the voice of the living God speaking from the heart of the fire, as you have heard it, and remain alive?
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	34	Has it ever been known before that any god took action himself to bring one nation out of another one, by ordeals, signs, wonders, war with mighty hand and outstretched arm, by fearsome terrors -- all of which things Yahweh your God has done for you before your eyes in Egypt?
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	35	'This he showed you, so that you might know that Yahweh is the true God and that there is no other.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	36	To instruct you, he made you hear his voice from heaven, and on earth he let you see his great fire, and from the heart of the fire you heard his words.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	37	Because he loved your ancestors and, after them, chose their descendants, he has brought you out of Egypt, displaying his presence and mighty power,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	38	dispossessing for you nations who were larger and stronger than you, to make way for you and to give you their country as your heritage, as it still is today.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	39	'Hence, grasp this today and meditate on it carefully: Yahweh is the true God, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	40	Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper and live long in the country that Yahweh your God is giving you for ever.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	41	Moses then set aside three towns in the east, beyond the Jordan,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	42	to which any killer might flee who had accidentally, without any previous feud, killed his fellow; by taking refuge in one of these towns he could save his life.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	43	These were, for the Reubenites, Bezer in the desert on the tableland; for the Gadites, Ramoth in Gilead; for the Manassehites, Golan in Bashan.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	44	This is the Law which Moses presented to the Israelites.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	45	These are the stipulations, the laws and the customs which Moses gave the Israelites after they had left Egypt,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	46	beyond the Jordan in the valley near Beth-Peor, in the country of Sihon the Amorite king who had lived at Heshbon. Moses and the Israelites had defeated him when they left Egypt,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	47	and had taken possession of his country, as well as that of Og king of Bashan -- two Amorite kings to the east beyond the Jordan,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	48	from Aroer on the edge of the Arnon Valley, all the way to Mount Sion (that is, Hermon) -
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	4	49	and of the whole Arabah east of the Jordan as far as the Sea of the Arabah, at the foot of the slopes of Pisgah.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	1	Moses called all Israel together and said to them, 'Listen, Israel, to the laws and customs that I proclaim to you today. Learn them and take care to observe them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	2	'Yahweh our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	3	Yahweh made this covenant not with our ancestors, but with us, with all of us alive here today.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	4	On the mountain, from the heart of the fire, Yahweh spoke to you face to face,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	5	while I stood between you and Yahweh to let you know what Yahweh was saying, since you were afraid of the fire and had not gone up the mountain. He said:
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	6	' "I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the place of slave-labour.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	7	' "You will have no gods other than me.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	8	' "You must not make yourselves any image or any likeness of anything in heaven above or on earth beneath or in the waters under the earth;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	9	you must not bow down to these gods or serve them. For I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God and I punish the parents' fault in the children, the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren, among those who hate me;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	10	but I show faithful love to thousands, to those who love me and keep my commandments.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	11	' "You must not misuse the name of Yahweh your God, for Yahweh will not leave unpunished anyone who uses his name for what is false.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	12	' "Observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy, as Yahweh your God has commanded you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	13	Labour for six days, doing all your work,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	14	but the seventh day is a Sabbath for Yahweh your God. You must not do any work that day, neither you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servants -- male or female -- nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your animals, nor the foreigner who has made his home with you;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	15	so that your servants, male and female, may rest, as you do. Remember that you were once a slave in Egypt, and that Yahweh your God brought you out of there with mighty hand and outstretched arm; this is why Yahweh your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	16	' "Honour your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God has commanded you, so that you may have long life and may prosper in the country which Yahweh your God is giving you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	17	' "You must not kill.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	18	' "You must not commit adultery.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	19	' "You must not steal.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	20	' "You must not give false evidence against your fellow.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	21	' "You must not set your heart on your neighbour's spouse, you must not set your heart on your neighbour's house, or field, or servant-man or woman -- or ox, or donkey or any of your neighbour's possessions."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	22	'These were the words Yahweh spoke to you when you were all assembled on the mountain. Thunderously, he spoke to you from the heart of the fire, in cloud and thick darkness. He added nothing, but wrote them on two tablets of stone which he gave to me.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	23	'Now, having heard this voice coming out of the darkness, while the mountain was all on fire, you came to me, all of you, heads of tribes and elders,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	24	and said, "Yahweh our God has shown us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice from the heart of the fire. Today we have seen that God can speak with a human being and that person still live.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	25	So why should we expose ourselves to death again? For this great fire might devour us if we go on listening to the voice of Yahweh our God, and then we should die.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	26	For what creature of flesh could possibly live after hearing, as we have heard, the voice of the living God speaking from the heart of the fire?
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	27	Go nearer yourself and listen to everything that Yahweh our God may say, and then tell us everything that Yahweh our God has told you; we shall listen and put it into practice!"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	28	'Yahweh heard what you were saying to me, and he then said to me, "I have heard what these people are saying. Everything they have said is well said.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	29	If only their heart were always so, set on fearing me and on keeping my commandments, so that they and their children might prosper for ever!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	30	Go and tell them to go back to their tents.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	31	But you yourself stay here with me, and I shall tell you all the commandments, the laws and the customs which you are to teach them and which they are to observe in the country which I am giving them as their possession."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	32	'Keep them and put them into practice: such is Yahweh's command to you. Stray neither to right nor to left.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	5	33	Follow the whole way that Yahweh has marked for you, and you will survive to prosper and live long in the country which you are going to possess.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	1	'Such, then, are the commandments, the laws and the customs which Yahweh your God has instructed me to teach you, for you to observe in the country which you are on your way to possess.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	2	And hence, if, throughout your lives, you fear Yahweh your God and keep all his laws and commandments, which I am laying down for you today, you will live long, you and your child and your grandchild.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	3	Listen then, Israel, keep and observe what will make you prosperous and numerous, as Yahweh, God of your ancestors, has promised you, in giving you a country flowing with milk and honey.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	4	'Listen, Israel: Yahweh our God is the one, the only Yahweh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	5	You must love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	6	Let the words I enjoin on you today stay in your heart.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	7	You shall tell them to your children, and keep on telling them, when you are sitting at home, when you are out and about, when you are lying down and when you are standing up;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	8	you must fasten them on your hand as a sign and on your forehead as a headband;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	9	you must write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	10	'When Yahweh has brought you into the country which he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that he would give you, with great and prosperous cities you have not built,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	11	with houses full of good things you have not provided, with wells you have not dug, with vineyards and olive trees you have not planted, and then, when you have eaten as much as you want,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	12	be careful you do not forget Yahweh who has brought you out of Egypt, out of the place of slave-labour.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	13	Yahweh your God is the one you must fear, him alone you must serve, his is the name by which you must swear.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	14	'Do not follow other gods, gods of the peoples round you,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	15	for Yahweh your God among you is a jealous God; the wrath of Yahweh your God would blaze out against you, and he would wipe you off the face of the earth.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	16	Do not put Yahweh your God to the test as you tested him at Massah.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	17	Keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and his instructions and laws which he has laid down for you,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	18	and do what Yahweh regards as right and good, so that you may prosper and take possession of the fine country which Yahweh swore to give your ancestors,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	19	driving out your enemies before you; such was Yahweh's promise.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	20	'In times to come, when your child asks you, "What is the meaning of these instructions, laws and customs which Yahweh our God has laid down for you?"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	21	you are to tell your child, "Once we were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt, and Yahweh brought us out of Egypt by his mighty hand.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	22	Before our eyes, Yahweh worked great and terrible signs and wonders against Egypt, against Pharaoh and his entire household.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	23	And he brought us out of there, to lead us into the country which he had sworn to our ancestors that he would give us.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	24	And Yahweh has commanded us to observe all these laws and to fear Yahweh our God, so as to be happy for ever and to survive, as we do to this day.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	6	25	For us, right living will mean this: to keep and observe all these commandments in obedience to Yahweh our God, as he has commanded us." '
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	1	'When Yahweh your God has brought you into the country which you are going to make your own, many nations will fall before you: Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than yourselves.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	2	Yahweh your God will put them at your mercy and you will conquer them. You must put them under the curse of destruction. You must not make any treaty with them or show them any pity.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	3	You must not intermarry with them; you must not give a daughter of yours to a son of theirs, or take a daughter of theirs for a son of yours,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	4	for your son would be seduced from following me into serving other gods; the wrath of Yahweh would blaze out against you and he would instantly destroy you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	5	Instead, treat them like this: tear down their altars, smash their standing-stones, cut down their sacred poles and burn their idols.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	6	For you are a people consecrated to Yahweh your God; of all the peoples on earth, you have been chosen by Yahweh your God to be his own people.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	7	'Yahweh set his heart on you and chose you not because you were the most numerous of all peoples -- for indeed you were the smallest of all-
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	8	but because he loved you and meant to keep the oath which he swore to your ancestors: that was why Yahweh brought you out with his mighty hand and redeemed you from the place of slave-labour, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	9	From this you can see that Yahweh your God is the true God, the faithful God who, though he is true to his covenant and his faithful love for a thousand generations as regards those who love him and keep his commandments,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	10	punishes in their own persons those that hate him. He destroys anyone who hates him, without delay; and it is in their own persons that he punishes them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	11	Hence, you must keep and observe the commandments, laws and customs which I am laying down for you today.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	12	'Listen to these ordinances, be true to them and observe them, and in return Yahweh your God will be true to the covenant and love which he promised on oath to your ancestors.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	13	He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers; he will bless the fruit of your body and the produce of your soil, your corn, your new wine, your oil, the issue of your cattle, the young of your flock, in the country which he swore to your ancestors that he would give you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	14	You will be the most blessed of all peoples. None of you, man or woman, will be sterile, no male or female of your beasts infertile.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	15	Yahweh will deflect all illness from you; he will not afflict you with those evil plagues of Egypt which you have known, but will inflict them on all who hate you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	16	'So, devour all the peoples whom Yahweh your God puts at your mercy, show them no pity, do not serve their gods: or you will be ensnared.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	17	'You may say in your heart, "These nations outnumber me; how shall I be able to dispossess them?"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	18	Do not be afraid of them: remember how Yahweh your God treated Pharaoh and all Egypt,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	19	the great ordeals that you yourselves have seen, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm with which Yahweh your God brought you out. This is how Yahweh your God will treat all the peoples whom you fear to face.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	20	And what is more, Yahweh your God will send hornets to destroy those who are left and who hide from you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	21	'Do not be afraid of them, for Yahweh your God is among you, a great and terrible God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	22	Little by little, Yahweh your God will clear away these nations before you; you cannot destroy them all at once, or wild animals will breed and be disastrous for you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	23	But Yahweh your God will put them at your mercy, and disaster after disaster will overtake them until they are finally destroyed.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	24	He will put their kings at your mercy and you will blot out their names under heaven; no one will be able to resist you -- until you have destroyed them all.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	25	'You must burn the statues of their gods, not coveting the gold and silver that covers them; take it and you will be caught in a snare: it is detestable to Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	7	26	You must not bring any detestable thing into your house: or you, like it, will come under the curse of destruction. You must regard them as unclean and loathsome, for they are under the curse of destruction.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	1	'You must keep and put into practice all the commandments which I enjoin on you today, so that you may survive and increase in numbers and enter the country which Yahweh promised on oath to your ancestors, and make it your own.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	2	Remember the long road by which Yahweh your God led you for forty years in the desert, to humble you, to test you and know your inmost heart -- whether you would keep his commandments or not.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	3	He humbled you, he made you feel hunger, he fed you with manna which neither you nor your ancestors had ever known, to make you understand that human beings live not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of Yahweh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	4	The clothes on your back did not wear out and your feet were not swollen, all those forty years.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	5	'Learn from this that Yahweh your God was training you as a man trains his child,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	6	and keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and so follow his ways and fear him.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	7	'But Yahweh your God is bringing you into a fine country, a land of streams and springs, of waters that well up from the deep in valleys and hills,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	8	a land of wheat and barley, of vines, of figs, of pomegranates, a land of olives, of oil, of honey,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	9	a land where you will eat bread without stint, where you will want nothing, a land where the stones are iron and where the hills may be quarried for copper.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	10	You will eat and have all you want and you will bless Yahweh your God in the fine country which he has given you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	11	'Be careful not to forget Yahweh your God, by neglecting his commandments, customs and laws which I am laying down for you today.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	12	When you have eaten all you want, when you have built fine houses to live in,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	13	when you have seen your flocks and herds increase, your silver and gold abound and all your possessions grow great,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	14	do not become proud of heart. Do not then forget Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the place of slave-labour,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	15	who guided you through this vast and dreadful desert, a land of fiery snakes, scorpions, thirst;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	16	who in this waterless place brought you water out of the flinty rock; who in this desert fed you with manna unknown to your ancestors, to humble you and test you and so make your future the happier.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	17	'Beware of thinking to yourself, "My own strength and the might of my own hand have given me the power to act like this."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	18	Remember Yahweh your God; he was the one who gave you the strength to act effectively like this, thus keeping then, as today, the covenant which he swore to your ancestors.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	19	Be sure: if you forget Yahweh your God, if you follow other gods, if you serve them and bow down to them -- I testify to you today -- you will perish.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	8	20	Like the nations Yahweh is to destroy before you, so you yourselves will perish, for not having listened to the voice of Yahweh your God.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	1	'Listen, Israel; today you are about to cross the Jordan, to go and dispossess nations greater and stronger than yourself, and cities immense, with walls reaching to the sky.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	2	A people great and tall, these Anakim, as you know; you have heard the saying: Who can stand up to the sons of Anak?
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	3	Know then today that Yahweh your God himself will go ahead of you, destroying them like a devouring fire, and that he himself will subdue them before you so that you can dispossess and quickly make an end of them, as Yahweh has already said.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	4	Do not think to yourself, once Yahweh your God has driven them before you, "Yahweh has brought me into possession of this country because I am upright," when Yahweh is dispossessing these nations for you, because they do wrong.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	5	You are not going into their country to take possession because of any right behaviour or uprightness on your part; rather, it is because of their wickedness that Yahweh is dispossessing these nations for you, and also to keep the pact which he swore to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	6	Be clear about this: Yahweh is not giving you possession of this fine country because of any right conduct on your part, for you are an obstinate people.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	7	'Remember; never forget how you provoked Yahweh your God in the desert. From the very day that you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebels against Yahweh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	8	At Horeb, you provoked Yahweh, and Yahweh was so angry with you that he was ready to destroy you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	9	I had gone up the mountain to receive the stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant that Yahweh was making with you. I stayed forty days and forty nights on the mountain, with nothing to eat or drink.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	10	Yahweh gave me the two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God, exactly corresponding to what Yahweh had said to you on the mountain, from the heart of the fire, on the day of the Assembly.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	11	After forty days and forty nights, having given me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	12	Yahweh said to me, "Get up, go down quickly, for your people, whom you have brought out of Egypt, are corrupting one another. They have been quick to leave the way I marked out for them; they have cast themselves a metal idol."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	13	Yahweh then said to me, "I have seen this people, and what an obstinate people they are!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	14	Leave me, I am going to destroy them and wipe out their name under heaven; and I shall make you into a mightier and more numerous nation than they are!"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	15	'I went back down the mountain, which was blazing with fire, and in my hands were the two tablets of the covenant.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	16	When I looked, I saw that you had been sinning against Yahweh your God. You had cast yourselves a metal calf; you had been quick to leave the way marked out for you by Yahweh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	17	I seized the two tablets and with my two hands threw them down and broke them before your eyes.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	18	Then I fell prostrate before Yahweh; as before, I spent forty days and forty nights with nothing to eat or drink, on account of all the sins which you had committed, by doing what was displeasing to Yahweh and thus arousing his anger.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	19	For I was afraid of this anger, of the fury which so roused Yahweh against you that he was ready to destroy you. And, once again, Yahweh heard my prayer.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	20	Yahweh was enraged with Aaron and was ready to destroy him too; I also pleaded for Aaron on that occasion.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	21	That work of sin, the calf you had made, I took and burned and broke to pieces; having ground it to the finest dust, I threw its dust into the stream that comes down from the mountain.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	22	'At Taberah too and at Massah and Kibroth-ha-Taavah, you provoked Yahweh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	23	And when Yahweh, meaning you to leave Kadesh-Barnea, said, "Go up and take possession of the country which I have given you," you rebelled against the command of Yahweh your God and would not believe him or listen to his voice.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	24	You have been rebels against Yahweh from the day he first knew you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	25	'So I fell prostrate before Yahweh and lay there those forty days and forty nights, Yahweh having said that he was going to destroy you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	26	And I pleaded with Yahweh. "My Lord Yahweh," I said, "do not destroy your people, your heritage whom in your greatness you have redeemed, whom you have brought out of Egypt with your mighty hand.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	27	Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; take no notice of this people's stubbornness, their wickedness, and their sin,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	28	so that, in the country from which you have brought us, it may not be said, 'Yahweh was not able to bring them to the country which he had promised them. He hated them; that was why he brought them out -- to slaughter them in the desert.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	9	29	But these are your people, your heritage, whom you yourself have brought out by your great power and your outstretched arm." '
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	1	'Yahweh then said to me, "Cut two stone tablets like the first ones, and come up to me on the mountain. Make an ark of wood;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	2	on the tablets I shall inscribe the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; put them in the ark."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	3	So I made an ark of acacia wood, cut two stone tablets like the first and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hand.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	4	And he inscribed the tablets, as he had inscribed them before, with the Ten Words which Yahweh had said to you on the mountain, from the heart of the fire, on the day of the Assembly. Yahweh then gave them to me.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	5	I turned and came down from the mountain and put the tablets in the ark I had made, and there they stayed, as Yahweh had commanded me.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	6	'The Israelites left the wells of the Bene-Jaakan for Moserah, where Aaron died; he was buried there, and his son Eleazar succeeded him in the priesthood.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	7	From there, they set out for Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah for Jotbathah, an area rich in streams.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	8	Yahweh then set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of Yahweh's covenant, to stand in the presence of Yahweh, to serve him and to bless in his name, as they still do today.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	9	This is why Levi has no share or heritage with his brothers: Yahweh is his heritage, as Yahweh your God then told him.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	10	'And, as before, I stayed on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. And again Yahweh heard my prayer and agreed not to destroy you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	11	And Yahweh said to me, "Be on your way at the head of this people, so that they can go and take possession of the country which I swore to their ancestors that I would give them."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	12	'And now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God ask of you? Only this: to fear Yahweh your God, to follow all his ways, to love him, to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and all your soul,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	13	to keep the commandments and laws of Yahweh, which I am laying down for you today for your own good.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	14	'Look, to Yahweh your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth and everything on it;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	15	yet it was on your ancestors, for love of them, that Yahweh set his heart to love them, and he chose their descendants after them, you yourselves, out of all nations, up to the present day.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	16	Circumcise your heart then and be obstinate no longer;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	17	for Yahweh your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, triumphant and terrible, free of favouritism, never to be bribed.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	18	He it is who sees justice done for the orphan and the widow, who loves the stranger and gives him food and clothing.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	19	(Love the stranger then, for you were once strangers in Egypt.)
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	20	Yahweh your God is the one whom you must fear and serve; to him you must hold firm; in his name take your oaths.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	21	Him you must praise, he is your God: for you he has done these great and terrible things which you have seen for yourselves;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	10	22	and, although your ancestors numbered only seventy persons when they went down to Egypt, Yahweh your God has now made you as many as the stars of heaven.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	1	'You must love Yahweh your God and always keep his observances, his laws, his customs, his commandments.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	2	You are the ones who have had the experience, not your children. They have not had the experience, they have not witnessed the lessons of Yahweh your God, his greatness, his mighty hand and his outstretched arm,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	3	the signs and the deeds which he performed in the heart of Egypt, against Pharaoh king of Egypt and his entire country,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	4	what he did to the armies of Egypt, to their horses and their chariots, by overwhelming them with the waters of the Sea of Reeds when they were pursuing you, and leaving no trace of them to this day;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	5	what he did for you in the desert, until you arrived here;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	6	what he did to Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab the Reubenite, when, with all Israel standing round, the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, with their families, their tents and all their supporters.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	7	All these great deeds of Yahweh you have seen with your own eyes.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	8	'You must keep all the commandments which I enjoin on you today, so that you may have the strength to conquer the country into which you are about to cross, to take possession of it,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	9	and so that you may live long in the country which Yahweh promised on oath to bestow on your ancestors and their descendants, a country flowing with milk and honey.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	10	'For the country which you are about to enter and make your own is not like the country of Egypt from which you have come, where, having done your sowing, you had to water the seed by foot, as though in a vegetable garden.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	11	No, the country which you are about to enter and make your own, is a country of hills and valleys watered by the rain of heaven.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	12	Yahweh your God looks after this country, the eyes of Yahweh your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the end.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	13	Depend on it: if you faithfully obey the commandments I enjoin on you today, loving Yahweh your God and serving him with all your heart and all your soul,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	14	I shall give your country rain at the right time, rain in autumn, rain in spring, so that you can harvest your wheat, your new wine and your oil.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	15	I shall provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat to your heart's content.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	16	Beware of letting your heart be seduced: if you go astray, serve other gods and bow down to them,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	17	Yahweh's anger will be kindled against you, he will shut the heavens, there will be no more rain, the soil will not yield its produce and, in the fine country given you by Yahweh, you will quickly perish.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	18	'Let these words of mine remain in your heart and in your soul; fasten them on your hand as a sign and on your forehead as a headband.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	19	Teach them to your children, and keep on telling them, when you are sitting at home, when you are out and about, when you are lying down and when you are standing up.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	20	Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	21	so that you and your children may live long in the country which Yahweh swore to your ancestors that he would give them for as long as there is a sky above the earth.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	22	'For if you faithfully keep and observe all these commandments that I enjoin on you today, loving Yahweh your God, following all his ways and holding fast to him,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	23	Yahweh will dispossess all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and more powerful than yourselves.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	24	Wherever the sole of your foot treads will be yours; your territory will run from the desert all the way to the Lebanon; and from the River, from the River Euphrates, as far as the Western Sea, will be your territory.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	25	No one will be able to resist you; Yahweh your God will make you feared and dreaded throughout the territory you tread, as he has promised you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	26	'Today, look, I am offering you a blessing and a curse:
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	27	a blessing, if you obey the commandments of Yahweh your God which I enjoin on you today;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	28	a curse, if you disobey the commandments of Yahweh your God and leave the way which today I have marked out for you, by following other gods hitherto unknown to you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	29	And when Yahweh your God has brought you into the country which you are about to enter and make your own, you must set the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	30	(These mountains, as everyone knows, are on the other side of the Jordan on the westward road, in the territory of the Canaanites who live in the Arabah, opposite Gilgal, near the Oak of Moreh.)
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	31	For you are about to cross the Jordan, to enter and take possession of the country given you by Yahweh your God. You will possess it, you will live in it,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	11	32	and you must keep and observe all the laws and customs promulgated by me to you today.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	1	'Now, these are the laws and customs which you must keep in the country which Yahweh, God of your ancestors, is giving you as yours, and which you must observe every day that you live in that country.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	2	'You must completely destroy all the places where the nations you dispossess have served their gods, on high mountains, on hills, under any spreading tree;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	3	you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, burn their sacred poles, hack to bits the statues of their gods and obliterate their name from that place.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	4	'Not so must you behave towards Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	5	You must seek Yahweh your God in the place which he will choose from all your tribes, there to set his name and give it a home: that is where you must go.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	6	That is where you must bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and offerings held high, your votive offerings and your voluntary offerings, and the first-born of your herd and flock;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	7	and that is where you must eat in the presence of Yahweh your God, rejoicing over your labours, you and your households, because Yahweh your God has blessed you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	8	'You must not behave as we are behaving here today, each of you doing what he himself sees fit,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	9	since you have not yet come to the resting place and the heritage that Yahweh your God is going to give you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	10	You are about to cross the Jordan and live in the country given you by Yahweh your God as your heritage; he will grant you peace from all the enemies surrounding you, and you will live in safety.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	11	To the place chosen by Yahweh your God as a home for his name, to that place you must bring all the things that I am laying down for you: your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and offerings held high, and all the best of your possessions dedicated by you to Yahweh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	12	That is where you will rejoice in the presence of Yahweh your God, you and your sons and daughters, your serving men and women, and the Levite living in your community since he has no share or heritage of his own among you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	13	'Take care you do not offer your burnt offerings in all the sacred places you see;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	14	only in the place that Yahweh chooses in one of your tribes may you offer your burnt offerings and do all the things which I have commanded you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	15	'This notwithstanding, and whenever you wish, you may slaughter and eat meat wherever you live -- as much as the blessing of Yahweh affords you. Clean or unclean may eat it, as though it were gazelle or deer.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	16	You will not, however, eat the blood, but will pour that like water on the ground.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	17	'You must not eat the tithe of your wheat, of your new wine or of your oil, or the first-born of your herd or flock, or any of your votive offerings or voluntary offerings, or your offerings held high to Yahweh, at home.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	18	You must eat these in the presence of Yahweh your God in the place Yahweh your God chooses and there alone, you, your son and your daughter, your serving man and serving woman, and the Levite living in your community, expressing your joy in all your labours in the presence of Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	19	As long as you live on your soil, be careful not to neglect the Levite.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	20	'When Yahweh your God enlarges your territory as he has promised you, and you say, "I should like to eat meat," if you want to eat meat you may eat as much as you like.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	21	If the place in which Yahweh your God chooses to set his name is too far away, you may slaughter any of your herd or flock that Yahweh has given you, as I have prescribed for you; you may eat as much of it as you please at home.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	22	But you must eat it as you would gazelle or deer; clean and unclean may eat it together.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	23	Take care, however, not to eat the blood, since blood is life, and you must not eat the life with the meat.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	24	You must not eat it, but must pour it like water on the ground.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	25	You must not eat it -- so that you, and your children after you, may prosper, doing what is right in Yahweh's eyes.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	26	But the holy things of yours and the things which you have dedicated, you must go and take to the place chosen by Yahweh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	27	The burnt offerings of meat and blood must be presented on the altar of Yahweh your God; whereas, in your sacrifices, the blood must be poured on the altar of Yahweh your God; the meat you yourselves may eat.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	28	Faithfully keep and obey all these orders which I am giving you, so that you and your children after you may prosper for ever, doing what is good and right in the eyes of Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	29	'When Yahweh your God has annihilated the nations confronting you, whom you are going to dispossess, and when you have dispossessed them and made your home in their country,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	30	beware of being entrapped into copying them, after they have been destroyed to make way for you, and do not enquire about their gods, saying, "How did these nations worship their gods? I am going to do the same too."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	12	31	This is not the way to treat Yahweh your God. For in honour of their gods they have done everything detestable that Yahweh hates; yes, in honour of their gods, they even burn their own sons and daughters as sacrifices!'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	1	'Whatever I am now commanding you, you must keep and observe, adding nothing to it, taking nothing away.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	2	'If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you, offering you some sign or wonder,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	3	and the sign or wonder comes about; and if he then says to you, "Let us follow other gods (hitherto unknown to you) and serve them,"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	4	you must not listen to that prophet's words or to that dreamer's dreams. Yahweh your God is testing you to know if you love Yahweh your God with all your heart and all your soul.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	5	Yahweh your God is the one whom you must follow, him you must fear, his commandments you must keep, his voice you must obey, him you must serve, to him you must hold fast.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	6	That prophet or that dreamer of dreams must be put to death, since he has preached apostasy from Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the place of slave-labour; and he would have diverted you from the way in which Yahweh your God has commanded you to walk. You must banish this evil from among you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	7	'If your brother, the son of your father or of your mother, or your son or daughter, or the spouse whom you embrace, or your most intimate friend, tries secretly to seduce you, saying, "Let us go and serve other gods," unknown to you or your ancestors before you,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	8	gods of the peoples surrounding you, whether near you or far away, anywhere throughout the world,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	9	you must not consent, you must not listen to him; you must show him no pity, you must not spare him or conceal his guilt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	10	No, you must kill him, your hand must strike the first blow in putting him to death and the hands of the rest of the people following.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	11	You must stone him to death, since he has tried to divert you from Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt, from the place of slave-labour.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	12	All Israel, hearing of this, will be afraid, and none of you will do such a wicked thing again.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	13	'If you hear that in one of the towns which Yahweh your God has given you for a home,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	14	there are men, scoundrels from your own stock, who have led their fellow-citizens astray, saying, "Let us go and serve other gods," hitherto unknown to you,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	15	it is your duty to look into the matter, examine it, and enquire most carefully. If it is proved and confirmed that such a hateful thing has taken place among you,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	16	you must put the inhabitants of that town to the sword; you must lay it under the curse of destruction -- the town and everything in it.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	17	You must pile up all its loot in the public square and burn the town and all its loot, offering it all to Yahweh your God. It is to be a ruin for all time, and never rebuilt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	18	From what is thus put under the curse of destruction you must keep nothing back, so that Yahweh may turn from the ferocity of his anger and show you mercy, and have pity on you and increase your numbers, as he swore he would to your ancestors,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	13	19	on condition that you listen to the voice of Yahweh your God by keeping all his commandments which I am enjoining on you today, and by doing what is right in the eyes of Yahweh your God.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	1	'You are children of Yahweh your God. You must not gash yourselves or shave your foreheads for the dead.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	2	For you are a people consecrated to Yahweh your God, and Yahweh has chosen you to be his own people from all the peoples on the earth.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	3	'You must not eat anything disgusting.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	4	These are the animals you may eat: ox, sheep, goat,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	5	deer, gazelle, roebuck, ibex, antelope, oryx, mountain sheep.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	6	You may eat any animal that has a divided and cloven hoof and that is a ruminant.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	7	Of those, however, that are ruminants and of those that have a divided and cloven hoof you may not eat the following: the camel, the hare and the coney, which are ruminants but have no cloven hoof; you must class them as unclean.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	8	So also the pig, which though it has a cloven hoof is not a ruminant; you must class it as unclean. You must neither eat the meat of such animals nor touch their dead bodies.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	9	'Of whatever lives in water you may eat the following: you may eat anything that has fins and scales.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	10	But you must not eat anything without fins and scales: you must class it as unclean.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	11	'You may eat all clean birds,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	12	but the following birds you must not eat: the tawny vulture, the griffon, the osprey,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	13	the kite and the several kinds of buzzard,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	14	all kinds of raven,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	15	the ostrich, the screech owl, the seagull, the several kinds of hawk,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	16	owl, barn owl, ibis,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	17	pelican, white vulture, cormorant,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	18	stork, the several kinds of heron, hoopoe and bat.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	19	You are to class all winged insects as unclean and must not eat them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	20	You may eat any clean fowl.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	21	'You must not eat any animal that has died a natural death. You may give it to a resident foreigner to eat, or sell it to a foreigner. For you are a people consecrated to Yahweh your God. 'You must not boil a kid in its mother's milk.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	22	'Every year, you must take a tithe of what your fields produce from what you have sown
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	23	and, in the presence of Yahweh your God, in the place where he chooses to give his name a home, you must eat the tithe of your wheat, of your new wine and of your oil, and the first-born of your herd and flock; and by so doing, you will learn always to fear Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	24	'If the road is too long for you, if you cannot bring your tithe because the place in which Yahweh chooses to make a home for his name is too far away, when Yahweh your God has blessed you,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	25	you must convert it into money and, with the money clasped in your hand, you must go to the place chosen by Yahweh your God;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	26	there you may spend the money on whatever you like, oxen, sheep, wine, fermented liquor, anything you please. There you must eat in the presence of Yahweh your God and rejoice, you and your household.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	27	Do not neglect the Levite living in your community, since he has no share or heritage of his own among you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	28	'At the end of every three years, you must take all the tithes of your harvests for that year and collect them in your community.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	14	29	Then the Levite -- since he has no share or heritage of his own among you -- the foreigner, the orphan and the widow living in your community, will come and eat all they want. And so Yahweh your God will bless you in all the labours that you undertake.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	1	'At the end of every seven years, you must grant remission.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	2	The nature of the remission is as follows: any creditor holding a personal pledge obtained from his fellow must release him from it; he must not exploit his fellow or his brother once the latter has appealed to Yahweh for remission.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	3	A foreigner you may exploit, but you must remit whatever claim you have on your brother.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	4	There must, then, be no poor among you. For Yahweh will grant you his blessing in the country which Yahweh your God is giving you to possess as your heritage,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	5	only if you pay careful attention to the voice of Yahweh your God, by keeping and practising all these commandments which I am enjoining on you today.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	6	If Yahweh your God blesses you as he has promised, you will be creditors to many nations but debtors to none; you will rule over many nations, and be ruled by none.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	7	'Is there anyone poor among you, one of your brothers, in any town of yours in the country which Yahweh your God is giving you? Do not harden your heart or close your hand against that poor brother of yours,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	8	but be open handed with him and lend him enough for his needs.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	9	Do not allow this mean thought in your heart, "The seventh year, the year of remission, is near," and scowl at your poor brother and give him nothing; he could appeal against you to Yahweh, and you would incur guilt!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	10	When you give to him, you must give with an open heart; for this, Yahweh your God will bless you in all your actions and in all your undertakings.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	11	Of course, there will never cease to be poor people in the country, and that is why I am giving you this command: Always be open handed with your brother, and with anyone in your country who is in need and poor.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	12	'If your fellow Hebrew, man or woman, sells himself to you, he can serve you for six years. In the seventh year you must set him free,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	13	and in setting him free you must not let him go empty handed.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	14	By way of present, you will load his shoulders with things from your flock, from your threshing-floor and from your winepress; as Yahweh your God has blessed you, so you must give to him.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	15	Remember that you were once a slave in Egypt and that Yahweh your God redeemed you; that is why I am giving you this order today.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	16	'But if he says to you, "I do not want to leave you," because he loves you and your household and is happy with you,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	17	you must take an awl and drive it through his ear into the door and he will be your servant for ever. You must do the same to a female slave.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	18	'Do not think it hard on you to have to give him his freedom; he is worth twice what a paid servant would cost you, and has served you for six years. And Yahweh your God will bless you in everything you do.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	19	'You must consecrate every first-born male from your herd and flock to Yahweh your God. You must not put the first-born of your herd to work, or shear the first-born of your flock.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	20	You must eat it, you and your household, each year, in the presence of Yahweh your God, in the place which Yahweh chooses.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	21	If it has any defect, if it is lame or blind -- any serious defect -- you must not sacrifice it to Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	22	You will eat it at home, unclean and clean together, as you would gazelle or deer;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	15	23	only, you will not eat its blood, but pour that like water on the ground.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	1	'Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover for Yahweh your God, because it was in the month of Abib that Yahweh your God brought you out of Egypt by night.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	2	You must sacrifice a Passover from your flock or herd for Yahweh your God in the place where Yahweh chooses to give his name a home.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	3	You must not eat leavened bread with this; for seven days you must eat it with unleavened bread -- the bread of affliction -- since you left Egypt in great haste; this is so that, as long as you live, you will remember the day you came out of Egypt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	4	For seven days no leaven must be found in any house throughout your territory, nor must any of the meat that you sacrifice in the evening of the first day be kept overnight until the next day.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	5	You must sacrifice the Passover not in any of the towns given you by Yahweh your God,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	6	but in the place where Yahweh your God chooses to give his name a home; there you must sacrifice the Passover, in the evening at sunset, at the hour when you came out of Egypt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	7	You will cook it and eat it in the place chosen by Yahweh your God, and in the morning you must return and go to your tents.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	8	For six days you will eat unleavened bread; on the seventh day there will be an assembly for Yahweh your God; and you must do no work.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	9	'You must count seven weeks, counting these seven weeks from the time you begin to put your sickle into the standing corn.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	10	You will then celebrate the feast of Weeks for Yahweh your God with the gift of a voluntary offering proportionate to the degree in which Yahweh your God has blessed you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	11	You must rejoice in the presence of Yahweh your God, in the place where Yahweh your God chooses to give his name a home, you, your son and your daughter, your serving men and women, the Levite living in your community, the foreigner, the orphan and the widow living among you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	12	Remember that you were once a slave in Egypt, and carefully observe these laws.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	13	'You must celebrate the feast of Shelters for seven days, at the time when you gather in the produce of your threshing-floor and winepress.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	14	You must rejoice at your feast, you, your son and your daughter, your serving men and women, the Levite, the foreigner, the orphan and the widow living in your community.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	15	For seven days, you must celebrate the feast for Yahweh your God in the place chosen by Yahweh; for Yahweh your God will bless you in all your produce and in all your undertakings, so that you will have good reason to rejoice.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	16	'Three times a year all your menfolk must appear before Yahweh your God in the place chosen by him: at the feast of Unleavened Bread, at the feast of Weeks, at the feast of Shelters. No one must appear empty-handed before Yahweh,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	17	but each must give what he can, in proportion to the blessing which Yahweh your God has bestowed on you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	18	'You must appoint judges and scribes in each of the towns that Yahweh your God is giving you, for all your tribes; these are to mete out proper justice to the people.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	19	You must not pervert the law; you must be impartial; you will take no bribes, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and ruins the cause of the upright.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	20	Strict justice must be your ideal, so that you may live long in possession of the country given you by Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	21	'You must not plant a sacred pole of any wood whatsoever beside the altar which you erect for Yahweh your God;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	16	22	nor will you set up a standing-stone, a thing Yahweh your God would abhor.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	1	'To Yahweh your God you must sacrifice nothing from herd or flock that has any blemish or defect whatsoever, for Yahweh your God holds this detestable.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	2	'If there is anyone, man or woman, among you in any of the towns given you by Yahweh your God, who does what is wrong in the eyes of Yahweh your God by violating his covenant,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	3	who goes and serves other gods and worships them, or the sun or the moon or any of heaven's array -- a thing I have forbidden-
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	4	and this person is denounced to you: if after careful enquiry it is found true and confirmed that this hateful thing has been done in Israel,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	5	you must take the man or woman guilty of this evil deed outside your city gates, and there you must stone that man or woman to death.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	6	A death sentence may be passed only on the word of two witnesses or three; and no one must be put to death on the word of one witness alone.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	7	The witnesses' hands must strike the first blow in putting the condemned to death, the rest of the people following. You must banish this evil from among you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	8	'If a case comes before you which is too difficult for you, a case of murder, conflicting claims, damage to property -- any kind of dispute -- in your towns, you must make your way to the place chosen by Yahweh your God,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	9	and approach the levitical priests and the judge then in office. They will hold an enquiry and let you know their sentence.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	10	You must abide by the verdict which they give you in this place chosen by Yahweh, and you will take care to carry out all their instructions.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	11	You will abide by the decision which they give you and by the sentence which they pronounce, not deviating to right or to left from the verdict which they have given you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	12	If anyone presumes to disobey either the priest who is there in the service of Yahweh your God, or the judge, that person must die. You must banish this evil from Israel.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	13	And when the people hear of this they will all be afraid and not act presumptuously any more.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	14	'If, having reached the country given by Yahweh your God and having taken possession of it and, while living there, you think, "I should like to appoint a king to rule me -- like all the surrounding nations,"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	15	the king whom you appoint to rule you must be chosen by Yahweh your God; the appointment of a king must be made from your own brothers; on no account must you appoint as king some foreigner who is not a brother of yours.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	16	'He must not, however, acquire more and more horses, or send the people back to Egypt with a view to increasing his cavalry, since Yahweh has told you, "You must never go back that way again."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	17	Nor must he keep on acquiring more and more wives, for that could lead his heart astray. Nor must he acquire vast quantities of silver and gold.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	18	Once seated on his royal throne, and for his own use, he must write a copy of this Law on a scroll, at the dictation of the levitical priests.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	19	It must never leave him, and he must read it every day of his life and learn to fear Yahweh his God by keeping all the words of this Law and observing these rules,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	17	20	so that he will not think himself superior to his brothers, and not deviate from these commandments either to right or to left. So doing, long will he occupy his throne, he and his sons, in Israel.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	1	'The levitical priests, the whole tribe of Levi will be without share or heritage of their own in Israel; they will live on the foods offered to Yahweh and on his heritage.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	2	Levi will have no heritage of his own among his brothers; Yahweh will be his heritage, as he has promised him.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	3	'This is what is due to the priests from the people, from those who offer an ox or a sheep in sacrifice: the priest must be given the shoulder, the cheeks and the stomach.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	4	You must give him the first-fruits of your wheat, of your new wine and of your oil, as well as the first-fruits of your sheep-shearing.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	5	For Yahweh your God has chosen him from all your tribes to stand before Yahweh your God, to do the duties of the sacred ministry, and to bless in Yahweh's name -- him and his sons for all time.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	6	'If a Levite living in one of your towns anywhere in Israel decides to move to the place chosen by Yahweh,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	7	he shall minister there in the name of Yahweh his God like all his fellow Levites who stand ministering there in the presence of Yahweh,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	8	eating equal shares with them -- what he has from the sale of his patrimony notwithstanding.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	9	'When you have entered the country given you by Yahweh your God, you must not learn to imitate the detestable practices of the nations there already.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	10	There must never be anyone among you who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire of sacrifice, who practises divination, who is soothsayer, augur or sorcerer,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	11	weaver of spells, consulter of ghosts or mediums, or necromancer.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	12	For anyone who does these things is detestable to Yahweh your God; it is because of these detestable practices that Yahweh your God is driving out these nations before you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	13	'You must be faultless in your relationship with Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	14	For these nations whom you are going to dispossess have listened to soothsayers and mediums, but Yahweh your God does not permit you to do this. From among yourselves, from among your own brothers,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	15	Yahweh your God will raise up a prophet like me; you will listen to him.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	16	This is exactly what you asked Yahweh your God to do -- at Horeb, on the day of the Assembly, when you said, "Never let me hear the voice of Yahweh my God or see this great fire again, or I shall die."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	17	Then Yahweh said to me,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	18	"What they have said is well said. From their own brothers I shall raise up a prophet like yourself;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	19	I shall put my words into his mouth and he will tell them everything I command him. Anyone who refuses to listen to my words, spoken by him in my name, will have to render an account to me.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	20	But the prophet who presumes to say something in my name which I have not commanded him to say, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	21	'You may be privately wondering, "How are we to tell that a prophecy does not come from Yahweh?"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	18	22	When a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh and the thing does not happen and the word is not fulfilled, then it has not been said by Yahweh. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. You have nothing to fear from him.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	1	'When Yahweh your God has annihilated the nations whose country Yahweh your God is going to give you, and you have dispossessed them and are living in their towns and in their houses,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	2	you must set aside three towns, centrally placed in the country which Yahweh your God is giving you for your own.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	3	You will keep the approaches to them in good order, dividing the area of the country which Yahweh your God is giving you as your heritage, into three parts, so that any killer can flee to these towns.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	4	Here is an example of how someone may save his life by fleeing to them. 'If anyone has struck his fellow accidentally, without any previous feud with him
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	5	(for example, he goes with his fellow into the forest to cut wood; his arm swings the axe to fell a tree; the head slips off the handle and strikes his companion dead), that man may take refuge in one of these towns and save his life.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	6	It must not be allowed that the avenger of blood, in the heat of his anger, should pursue the killer and that the length of the road should help him to overtake and wound him fatally; for the man has not deserved to die, having had no previous feud with his victim.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	7	'Hence I am giving you this order: You must set aside three towns,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	8	and if Yahweh your God enlarges your territory, as he swore to your ancestors that he would, and gives you the whole country which he promised to give to your ancestors-
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	9	provided that you keep and observe all the commandments which I am enjoining on you today, loving Yahweh your God and always following his ways-then, to those three towns you will add three more.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	10	In this way, innocent blood will not be shed in the country which Yahweh your God is going to give you as your heritage; otherwise you would incur blood-guilt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	11	'But if it happens that a man has a feud with his fellow and lies in wait for him and attacks him and fatally wounds him and he dies, and the man takes refuge in one of these towns,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	12	the elders of his own town must send there and have him taken and handed over to the avenger of blood, to be put to death.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	13	You must show him no pity. You must banish the shedding of innocent blood from Israel, and then you will prosper.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	14	'You must not displace your neighbour's boundary mark, positioned by men of old in the heritage soon to be yours, in the country which Yahweh your God is about to give you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	15	'A single witness will not suffice to convict anyone of a crime or offence of any kind; whatever the misdemeanour, the evidence of two witnesses or three is required to sustain the charge.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	16	'If someone gives false evidence against anyone, laying a charge of apostasy,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	17	both parties to this dispute before Yahweh must appear before the priests and judges then in office.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	18	The judges will make a careful enquiry, and if it turns out that the witness is a liar and has made a false accusation against his brother,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	19	you must treat the witness as he would have treated his brother. You must banish this evil from among you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	20	The rest, hearing of this, will be afraid and never again do such an evil thing among you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	19	21	You must show no pity. 'Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	1	'When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, you must not be afraid of them; Yahweh your God is with you, he who brought you out of Egypt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	2	When you are about to join battle, the priest must come forward and address the people.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	3	He must say to them, "Listen, Israel: today you are about to join battle with your enemies. Do not be faint hearted. Let there be no fear or trembling or alarm as you face them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	4	Yahweh your God is marching with you, to fight your enemies for you and make you victorious."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	5	'The scribes will then address the people, as follows: "Has anyone built a new house and not yet dedicated it? Let him go home, in case he dies in battle and someone else performs the dedication.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	6	"Has anyone planted a vineyard and not yet enjoyed its fruit? Let him go home, in case he dies in battle and someone else enjoys its fruit.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	7	"Has anyone contracted to marry a girl and not yet married her? Let him go home, in case he dies in battle and someone else marries her."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	8	'Finally, the scribes will say to the people: "Is anyone frightened or faint hearted? Let him go home, in case he makes his brothers faint hearted too!"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	9	'Then, when the scribes have finished speaking to the people, commanders will be appointed to lead them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	10	'When you advance on a town to attack it, first offer it peace-terms.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	11	If it accepts these and opens its gates to you, all the people inside will owe you forced labour and work for you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	12	But if it refuses peace and gives battle, you must besiege it.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	13	Yahweh your God having handed it over to you, you will put the whole male population to the sword.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	14	But the women, children, livestock and whatever the town contains by way of spoil, you may take for yourselves as booty. You will feed on the spoils of the enemies whom Yahweh your God has handed over to you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	15	'That is how you will treat towns far away and not belonging to the nations near you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	16	But as regards the towns of those peoples whom Yahweh your God is giving you as your heritage, you must not spare the life of any living thing.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	17	Instead, you must lay them under the curse of destruction: Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, as Yahweh your God has commanded,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	18	so that they may not teach you to do all the detestable things which they do to honour their gods: in doing these, you would sin against Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	19	'If, when attacking a town, you have to besiege it for a long time before you capture it, you must not destroy its trees by taking the axe to them: eat their fruit but do not cut them down. Is the tree in the fields human, that you should besiege it too?
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	20	20	Any trees, however, which you know are not fruit trees, you may destroy and cut down and use to build siege-works against the hostile town until it falls.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	1	'If, in the country which Yahweh your God gives you as your possession, a victim of murder is found lying in the open country and it is not known who has killed that person,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	2	your elders and scribes must measure the distance between the victim and the surrounding towns,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	3	and establish which town is the nearest to the victim. The elders of that town must then take a heifer that has not yet been put to work or used as a draught animal under the yoke.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	4	The elders of that town must bring the heifer down to a permanently flowing river, to a spot that has been neither ploughed nor sown, and there by the river they must break the heifer's neck.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	5	The priests, the sons of Levi, will then step forward, these being the men whom Yahweh your God has chosen to serve him and to bless in Yahweh's name, and it being their business to settle all cases of dispute or of violence.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	6	All the elders of the town nearest to the victim of murder must then wash their hands in the stream, over the slaughtered heifer.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	7	They must pronounce these words, "Our hands have not shed this blood and our eyes have seen nothing.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	8	O Yahweh, forgive your people Israel whom you have redeemed, and let no innocent blood be shed among your people Israel. May this bloodshed be forgiven them!"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	9	You must banish all shedding of innocent blood from among you, if you mean to do what is right in the eyes of Yahweh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	10	'When you go to war against your enemies and Yahweh your God delivers them into your power and you take prisoners,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	11	and among the prisoners you see a beautiful woman, and you fall in love with her, and you take her to be your wife
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	12	and bring her home; she must shave her head and cut her nails,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	13	and take off her prisoner's garb; she must stay inside your house and mourn her father and mother for a full month. You may then go to her and be a husband to her, and she will be your wife.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	14	Should she cease to please you, you will let her go where she wishes, not selling her for money: you must not make any profit out of her, since you have exploited her.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	15	'If a man has two wives, one loved and the other unloved, and the loved one and the unloved both bear him children, and if the first-born son is of the unloved wife,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	16	when the man comes to bequeath his goods to his sons, he may not treat the son of the wife whom he loves as the first-born, at the expense of the son of the wife whom he does not love, the true first-born.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	17	As his first-born he must acknowledge the son of the wife whom he does not love, giving him a double share of his estate; this son being the first-fruit of his vigour, the right of the first-born is his.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	18	'If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not listen to the voice either of his father or of his mother and, even when they punish him, still will not pay attention to them,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	19	his father and mother must take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his town at the gate of that place.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	20	To the elders of his town, they will say, "This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious and will not listen to us; he is a wastrel and a drunkard."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	21	All his fellow-citizens must then stone him to death. You must banish this evil from among you. All Israel, hearing of this, will be afraid.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	22	'If a man guilty of a capital offence is to be put to death, and you hang him from a tree,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	21	23	his body must not remain on the tree overnight; you must bury him the same day, since anyone hanged is a curse of God, and you must not bring pollution on the soil which Yahweh your God is giving you as your heritage.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	1	'If you see your brother's ox or one of his sheep straying, you must not disregard it: you must take it back to your brother.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	2	And if he is not close at hand or you do not know who he is, you must take it home with you and keep it by you until your brother comes to look for it; you will then return it to him.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	3	'You must do the same with his donkey, the same with his cloak, the same with anything that your brother loses and that you find; you must not disregard it.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	4	'If you see your brother's donkey or ox fall over on the road, you must not disregard it, but must help your brother get it on its feet again.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	5	'A woman must not dress like a man, nor a man like a woman; anyone who does this is detestable to Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	6	'If, when out walking, you come across a bird's nest, in a tree or on the ground, with chicks or eggs and the mother bird sitting on the chicks or the eggs, you must not take the mother as well as the chicks.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	7	Let the mother go; the young you may take for yourself. Thus will you have prosperity and long life.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	8	'When you build a new house, you must give your roof a parapet; then your house will not incur blood-vengeance, should anyone fall off the top.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	9	'You must not sow any other crop in your vineyard, or the whole yield may become forfeit, both the crop you have sown and the yield of your vines.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	10	'You must not plough with ox and donkey together.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	11	'You must not wear clothing woven part of wool, part of linen.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	12	'You must make tassels for the four corners of the cloak in which you wrap yourself.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	13	'If a man marries a woman, has sexual intercourse with her and then, turning against her,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	14	taxes her with misconduct and publicly defames her by saying, "I married this woman and when I had sexual intercourse with her I did not find evidence of her virginity,"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	15	the girl's father and mother must take the evidence of her virginity and produce it before the elders of the town, at the gate.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	16	To the elders, the girl's father will say, "I gave this man my daughter for a wife and he has turned against her,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	17	and now he taxes her with misconduct, saying, I have found no evidence of virginity in your daughter. Here is the evidence of my daughter's virginity!"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	18	They must then display the cloth to the elders of the town.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	19	The elders of the town in question will have the man arrested and flogged, and fine him a hundred silver shekels for publicly defaming a virgin of Israel, and give this money to the girl's father. She will remain his wife; as long as he lives, he may not divorce her.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	20	'But if the accusation that the girl cannot show evidence of virginity is substantiated,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	21	she must be taken out, and at the door of her father's house her fellow-citizens must stone her to death for having committed an infamy in Israel by bringing disgrace on her father's family. You must banish this evil from among you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	22	'If a man is caught having sexual intercourse with another man's wife, both must be put to death: the man who has slept with her and the woman herself. You must banish this evil from Israel.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	23	'If a virgin is engaged to a man, and another man encounters her in the town and has sexual intercourse with her,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	24	you will take them both to the gate of the town in question and stone them to death: the girl, for not having called for help in the town; the man, for having exploited his fellow-citizen's wife. You must banish this evil from among you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	25	But if the man ran into the betrothed girl in the open country and slept with her, having taken her by force, her ravisher alone must die;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	26	you must do nothing to the girl, she has not committed a capital offence. The case is like that of a man who attacks and kills his fellow:
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	27	since he came across her in the open country, the betrothed girl may have called out, without anyone's coming to her rescue.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	28	'If a man meets a young virgin who is not betrothed and seizes her, sleeps with her and is caught in the act,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	22	29	her ravisher must give the girl's father fifty silver shekels; since he has exploited her, she must be his wife and, as long as he lives, he may not divorce her.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	1	'A man must not take his father's wife; he must not withdraw the skirt of his father's cloak from her.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	2	'A man whose testicles have been crushed or whose male member has been cut off must not be admitted to the assembly of Yahweh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	3	No half-breed may be admitted to the assembly of Yahweh; not even his descendants to the tenth generation may be admitted to the assembly of Yahweh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	4	No Ammonite or Moabite may be admitted to the assembly of Yahweh; not even his descendants to the tenth generation may be admitted to the assembly of Yahweh, and this is for all time;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	5	since they did not come to meet you with food and drink when you were on your way out of Egypt, and even hired Balaam son of Beor to oppose you by cursing you, from Pethor in Aram Naharaim.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	6	But Yahweh your God refused to listen to Balaam, and Yahweh your God turned the curse on you into a blessing, because Yahweh your God loved you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	7	Never, as long as you live, must you seek their welfare or their prosperity.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	8	'You must not regard the Edomite as detestable, for he is your brother; you must not regard the Egyptian as detestable, since you were once a foreigner in his country.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	9	The third generation of children born to these may be admitted to the assembly of Yahweh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	10	'When you are in camp, at war with your enemies, you must avoid anything bad.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	11	If any one of you is unclean by reason of a nocturnal emission, he must leave and not come back into camp,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	12	but towards evening wash himself, and return to camp at sunset.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	13	'You must have a latrine outside the camp, and go out to this;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	14	you must have a trowel in your equipment and, when you squat outside, you must scrape a hole with it, then turn round and cover up your excrement.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	15	For Yahweh your God goes about the inside of your camp to guard you and put your enemies at your mercy. Your camp must therefore be a holy place; Yahweh must not see anything indecent there or he will desert you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	16	'You must not allow a master to imprison a slave who has escaped from him and come to you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	17	Let him make his home with you and yours, wherever he pleases in whichever of your towns he prefers; you must not molest him.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	18	'There must be no sacred prostitute among the women of Israel, and no sacred prostitute among the men of Israel.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	19	You must not bring the wages of a prostitute or the earnings of a 'dog' to the house of Yahweh your God, whatever vow you may have made: both are detestable to Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	20	'You must not lend on interest to your brother, whether the loan be of money, of food, or of anything else that may earn interest.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	21	You may demand interest on a loan to a foreigner, but you must not demand interest from your brother; so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all your labours, in the country which you are about to enter and make your own.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	22	'If you make a vow to Yahweh your God, you must not be slack about fulfilling it: Yahweh your God will certainly hold you answerable for it and you will incur guilt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	23	If, however, you make no vow, you do not incur guilt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	24	Whatever passes your lips you must keep to, and the vow that you have made to Yahweh, your generous God, you must fulfil.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	25	'If you go into your neighbour's vineyard, you may eat as many grapes as you please, but you must not put any in your basket.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	23	26	If you go into your neighbour's standing corn, you may pick ears by hand, but you must not put a sickle into your neighbour's corn.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	1	'Suppose a man has taken a wife and consummated the marriage; but she has not pleased him and he has found some impropriety of which to accuse her; he has therefore made out a writ of divorce for her and handed it to her and then dismissed her from his house;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	2	she leaves his home and goes away to become the wife of another man.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	3	Then suppose this second man who has married her takes a dislike to her and makes out a writ of divorce for her and hands it to her and dismisses her from his house or if this other man who took her as his wife dies,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	4	her first husband, who has repudiated her, may not take her back as his wife now that she has been made unclean in this way. For that is detestable in Yahweh's eyes and you must not bring guilt on the country which Yahweh your God is giving you as your heritage.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	5	'If a man is newly married, he must not join the army, nor must he be pestered at home; he must be left at home, free of all obligations for one year, to make his new wife happy.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	6	'No one may take a mill or a millstone in pledge; that would be to take life itself in pledge.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	7	'If anyone is caught, having kidnapped one of his brother-Israelites, whether he makes him his slave or sells him, that thief must die. You must banish this evil from among you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	8	'In a case of a virulent skin-disease, take care you faithfully observe and exactly carry out everything that the levitical priests direct you to do. You must keep and observe everything that I have commanded them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	9	Remember what Yahweh your God did to Miriam when you were on your way out of Egypt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	10	'If you are making your brother a loan on pledge, you must not go into his house and seize the pledge, whatever it may be.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	11	You must stay outside, and the man to whom you are making the loan must bring the pledge out to you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	12	And if the man is poor, you must not go to bed with his pledge in your possession;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	13	you must return it to him at sunset so that he can sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be an upright action on your part in God's view.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	14	'You must not exploit a poor and needy wage-earner, be he one of your brothers or a foreigner resident in your community.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	15	You must pay him his wages each day, not allowing the sun to set before you do, since he, being poor, needs them badly; otherwise he may appeal to Yahweh against you, and you would incur guilt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	16	'Parents may not be put to death for their children, nor children for parents, but each must be put to death for his own crime.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	17	'You must not infringe the rights of the foreigner or the orphan; you must not take a widow's clothes in pledge.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	18	Remember that you were once a slave in Egypt and that Yahweh your God redeemed you from that. That is why I am giving you this order.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	19	'If, when reaping the harvest in your field, you overlook a sheaf in that field, do not go back for it. The foreigner, the orphan and the widow shall have it, so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all your undertakings.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	20	'When you beat your olive tree, you must not go over the branches twice. The foreigner, the orphan and the widow shall have the rest.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	21	'When you harvest your vineyard, you must not pick it over a second time. The foreigner, the orphan and the widow shall have the rest.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	24	22	'Remember that you were once a slave in Egypt. That is why I am giving you this order.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	1	'If people fall out, they must go to court for judgement; the judges must declare the one who is right to be in the right, the one who is wrong to be in the wrong.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	2	If the one who is in the wrong deserves a flogging, the judge must have him laid on the ground and flogged in his presence, the number of strokes proportionate to his offence.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	3	He may impose forty strokes but no more; otherwise, by the infliction of more, serious injury may be caused and your brother be humiliated before you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	4	'You must not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	5	'If brothers live together and one of them dies childless, the dead man's wife may not marry a stranger outside the family. Her husband's brother must come to her and, exercising his duty as brother, make her his wife,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	6	and the first son she bears must assume the dead brother's name; by this means his name will not be obliterated from Israel.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	7	But if the man declines to take his brother's wife, she must go to the elders at the gate and say, "I have no brother-in-law willing to perpetuate his brother's name in Israel; he declines to exercise his duty as brother in my favour."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	8	The elders of the town must summon the man and talk to him. If, on appearing before them, he says, "I refuse to take her,"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	9	then the woman to whom he owes duty as brother must go up to him in the presence of the elders, take the sandal off his foot, spit in his face, and pronounce the following words, "This is what is done to the man who refuses to restore his brother's house,"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	10	and his family must henceforth be known in Israel as House of the Unshod.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	11	'If, when two men are fighting, the wife of one intervenes to protect her husband from the other's blows by reaching out and seizing the other by his private parts,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	12	you must cut off her hand and show no pity.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	13	'You must not keep two different weights in your bag, one heavy, one light.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	14	You must not keep two different measures in your house, one large, one small.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	15	You must keep one weight, full and accurate, so that you may have long life in the country given you by Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	16	For anyone who does things of this kind and acts dishonestly is detestable to Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	17	'Remember how Amalek treated you when you were on your way out of Egypt.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	18	He met you on your way and, after you had gone by, he fell on you from the rear and cut off the stragglers; when you were faint and weary, he had no fear of God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	25	19	When Yahweh your God has granted you peace from all the enemies surrounding you, in the country given you by Yahweh your God to own as your heritage, you must blot out the memory of Amalek under heaven. Do not forget.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	1	'When you have entered the country which Yahweh your God is giving you as heritage, when you have taken possession of it and are living in it,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	2	you must set aside the first-fruits of all the produce of the soil raised by you in your country, given you by Yahweh your God. You must put these in a basket and go to the place where Yahweh your God chooses to give his name a home.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	3	You will go to the priest then in office and say to him, "Today I declare to Yahweh my God that I have reached the country which Yahweh swore to our ancestors that he would give us."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	4	'The priest will then take the basket from your hand and lay it before the altar of Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	5	In the presence of Yahweh your God, you will then pronounce these words: "My father was a wandering Aramaean, who went down to Egypt with a small group of men, and stayed there, until he there became a great, powerful and numerous nation.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	6	The Egyptians ill-treated us, they oppressed us and inflicted harsh slavery on us.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	7	But we called on Yahweh, God of our ancestors. Yahweh heard our voice and saw our misery, our toil and our oppression;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	8	and Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with mighty hand and outstretched arm, with great terror, and with signs and wonders.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	9	He brought us here and has given us this country, a country flowing with milk and honey.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	10	Hence, I now bring the first-fruits of the soil that you, Yahweh, have given me." 'You will then lay them before Yahweh your God, and prostrate yourself in the presence of Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	11	You must then rejoice in all the good things that Yahweh your God has bestowed on you and your family-you, the Levite and the foreigner living with you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	12	'In the third year, the tithing year, when you have finished taking the tithe of your whole income and have given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the orphan and the widow so that, in your towns, they may eat to their heart's content,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	13	in the presence of Yahweh your God, you must say: "I have cleared my house of what was consecrated. Yes, I have given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the orphan and the widow, in accordance with all the commandments you have imposed on me, neither going beyond your commandments nor neglecting them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	14	When in mourning, I have not eaten any of it; when unclean, I have taken none of it away; I have given none of it for the dead. I have obeyed the voice of Yahweh my God and I have behaved in every way as you have commanded me.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	15	Look down from your holy dwelling, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the country which you have given us, as you swore to our ancestors, a country flowing with milk and honey." '
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	16	'Yahweh your God commands you today to observe these laws and customs; you must keep and observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	17	'Today you have obtained this declaration from Yahweh: that he will be your God, but only if you follow his ways, keep his statutes, his commandments, his customs, and listen to his voice.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	18	And today Yahweh has obtained this declaration from you: that you will be his own people -- as he has said -- but only if you keep all his commandments;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	26	19	then for praise and renown and honour, he will raise you higher than every other nation he has made, and you will be a people consecrated to Yahweh, as he has promised.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	1	Moses and the elders of Israel gave the people this command: 'Keep all the commandments which I am laying down for you today.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	2	After you have crossed the Jordan into the country which Yahweh your God is giving you, you must set up tall stones, coat them with lime
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	3	and on them write all the words of this Law, when you have crossed and entered the country which Yahweh your God is giving you, a country flowing with milk and honey, as Yahweh, God of your ancestors, has promised you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	4	'When you have crossed the Jordan, you must erect these stones on Mount Ebal, as I command you today, and coat them with lime.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	5	There, for Yahweh your God, you must build an altar of stones, on which no iron has been used.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	6	You must build the altar of Yahweh your God of rough stones, and on this altar you will present burnt offerings to Yahweh your God,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	7	and immolate communion sacrifices and eat them there, rejoicing in the presence of Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	8	On these stones you must write all the words of this Law; cut them carefully.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	9	Moses and the levitical priests then said to all Israel: 'Be silent, Israel, and listen. Today you have become a people for Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	10	You must listen to the voice of Yahweh your God and observe the commandments and laws which I am laying down for you today.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	11	That day Moses gave the people this order:
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	12	'When you have crossed the Jordan, the following will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon and Levi, Judah and Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	13	And the following will stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad and Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	14	The Levites will then speak, proclaiming loudly to all the Israelites:
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	15	"Accursed be anyone who makes a carved or cast idol, a thing detestable to Yahweh, a workman's artefact, and sets it up in secret." And the people are all to respond by saying, Amen.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	16	"Accursed be anyone who treats father or mother dishonourably." And the people must all say, Amen.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	17	"Accursed be anyone who displaces a neighbour's boundary mark." And the people must all say, Amen.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	18	"Accursed be anyone who leads the blind astray on the road." And the people must all say, Amen.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	19	"Accursed be anyone who violates the rights of the foreigner, the orphan and the widow." And the people must all say, Amen.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	20	"Accursed be anyone who has sexual intercourse with his father's wife and withdraws the skirt of his father's cloak from her." And the people must all say, Amen.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	21	"Accursed be anyone who has sexual intercourse with any kind of animal." And the people must all say, Amen.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	22	"Accursed be anyone who has sexual intercourse with his sister, the daughter of his father or of his mother." And the people must all say, Amen.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	23	"Accursed be anyone who has sexual intercourse with his mother-in-law." And the people must all say, Amen.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	24	"Accursed be anyone who secretly strikes down his neighbour." And the people must all say, Amen.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	25	"Accursed be anyone who accepts a bribe to take an innocent life." And the people must all say, Amen.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	27	26	"Accursed be anyone who does not make the words of this Law effective by putting them into practice." And the people must all say, Amen.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	1	'But if you faithfully obey the voice of Yahweh your God, by keeping and observing all his commandments, which I am laying down for you today, Yahweh your God will raise you higher than every other nation in the world,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	2	and all these blessings will befall and overtake you, for having obeyed the voice of Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	3	'You will be blessed in the town and blessed in the countryside;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	4	blessed, the offspring of your body, the yield of your soil, the yield of your livestock, the young of your cattle and the increase of your flocks;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	5	blessed, your basket and your kneading trough.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	6	You will be blessed in coming home, and blessed in going out.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	7	The enemies who attack you, Yahweh will defeat before your eyes; they will advance on you from one direction and flee from you in seven.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	8	Yahweh will command blessedness to be with you, on your barns and on all your undertakings, and he will bless you in the country given you by Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	9	'From you Yahweh will make a people consecrated to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of Yahweh your God and follow his ways.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	10	The peoples of the world, seeing that you bear Yahweh's name, will all be afraid of you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	11	Yahweh will make you abound in possessions: in the offspring of your body, in the yield of your cattle and in the yield of your soil, in the country which he swore to your ancestors that he would give you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	12	For you Yahweh will open his treasury of rain, the heavens, to give your country its rain at the right time, and to bless all your labours. You will make many nations your subjects, yet you will be subject to none.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	13	Yahweh will put you at the head, not at the tail; you will always be on top and never underneath, if you listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God, which I am laying down for you today, and then keep them and put them into practice,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	14	not deviating to right or to left from any of the words which I am laying down for you today, by following other gods and serving them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	15	'But if you do not obey the voice of Yahweh your God, and do not keep and observe all his commandments and laws which I am laying down for you today then all these curses will befall and overtake you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	16	'You will be accursed in the town and accursed in the countryside;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	17	accursed, your basket and your kneading trough;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	18	accursed, the offspring of your body, the yield of your soil, the young of your cattle and the increase of your flock.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	19	You will be accursed in coming home, and accursed in going out.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	20	'Yahweh will send a curse on you, a spell, an imprecation on all your labours until you have been destroyed and quickly perish, because of your perverse behaviour, for having deserted me.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	21	Yahweh will fasten the plague on you, until it has exterminated you from the country which you are about to enter and make your own.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	22	Yahweh will strike you down with consumption, fever, inflammation, burning fever, drought, wind-blast, mildew, and these will pursue you to your ruin.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	23	The heavens above you will be brass, the earth beneath you iron.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	24	Your country's rain Yahweh will turn into dust and sand; it will fall on you from the heavens until you perish.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	25	Yahweh will have you defeated by your enemies; you will advance on them from one direction and flee from them in seven; and you will be a terrifying object-lesson to all the kingdoms of the world.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	26	Your carcase will be carrion for all wild birds and all wild animals, with no one to scare them away.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	27	'Yahweh will strike you down with Egyptian ulcers, with swellings in the groin, with scurvy and the itch, for which you will find no cure.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	28	Yahweh will strike you down with madness, blindness, distraction of mind,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	29	until you grope your way at noon like a blind man groping in the dark, and your steps will lead you nowhere. 'You will never be anything but exploited and plundered, with no one to save you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	30	Get engaged to a woman, another man will have her; build a house, you will not live in it; plant a vineyard, you will not gather its first-fruits.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	31	Your ox will be slaughtered before your eyes and you will eat none of it; your donkey will be carried off in front of you and not be returned to you; your sheep will be given to your enemies, and no one will come to your help.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	32	Your sons and daughters will be handed over to another people, and every day you will wear your eyes out watching for them, while your hands are powerless.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	33	A nation hitherto unknown to you will eat the yield of your soil and of all your hard work. You will never be anything but exploited and crushed.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	34	You will be driven mad by the sights you will see.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	35	Yahweh will strike you down with foul ulcers on knee and leg, for which you will find no cure -- from the sole of your foot to the top of your head.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	36	'Yahweh will send away both you and the king whom you have appointed to rule you to a nation unknown either to you or to your ancestors, and there you will serve other gods, made of wood and stone.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	37	And you will be the astonishment, the byword, the laughing-stock of all the peoples where Yahweh is taking you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	38	'You will cast seed in plenty on the fields but harvest little, since the locust will devour it.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	39	You will plant and till your vineyards but not drink the wine or gather the grapes, since the grub will eat them up.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	40	You will grow olive trees throughout your territory but not anoint yourself with the oil, since your olive trees will be cut down.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	41	You will father sons and daughters but they will not belong to you, since they will go into captivity.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	42	All your trees and the whole yield of your soil will be the prey of insects.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	43	'The foreigners living with you will rise higher and higher at your expense, while you yourself sink lower and lower.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	44	You will be subject to them, not they to you; they will be the ones at the head, and you the one at the tail.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	45	'All these curses will befall you, pursue you and overtake you until you have been destroyed, for not having obeyed the voice of Yahweh your God by keeping his commandments and laws which he has laid down for you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	46	They will be a sign and a wonder over you and your descendants for ever.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	47	'For not having joyfully and with happy heart served Yahweh your God, despite the abundance of everything,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	48	you will have to serve the enemy whom Yahweh will send against you, in hunger, thirst, lack of clothing and total privation. He will put an iron yoke on your neck, until he has destroyed you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	49	'Against you Yahweh will raise a distant nation from the ends of the earth like an eagle taking wing: a nation whose language you do not understand,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	50	a nation grim of face, with neither respect for the old, nor pity for the young.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	51	He will eat the yield of your cattle and the yield of your soil until you have been destroyed; he will leave you neither wheat, nor wine, nor oil, nor the young of your cattle, nor increase of your flock, until he has made an end of you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	52	He will besiege you inside all your towns until your loftiest and most strongly fortified walls collapse, on which, throughout your country, you have relied. He will besiege you inside all the towns throughout your country, given you by Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	53	During the siege and in the distress to which your enemy will reduce you, you will eat the offspring of your own body, the flesh of the sons and daughters given you by Yahweh your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	54	The gentlest and tenderest of your men will scowl at his brother, and at the wife whom he embraces, and at his remaining children,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	55	not willing to give any of them any of his own children's flesh, which he is eating; because of the siege and the distress to which your enemy will reduce you in all your towns, he will have nothing left.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	56	The most refined and fastidious of your women, so refined, so fastidious that she has never ventured to set the sole of her foot to the ground, will scowl at the husband whom she embraces, and at her son and daughter, and at the after-birth when it leaves her womb, and at the child to which she has given birth-
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	57	she will hide away and eat them, so complete will be the starvation resulting from the siege and the distress to which your enemy will reduce you in all your towns.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	58	'If you do not keep and observe all the words of this Law, which are written in this book, in the fear of this glorious and awe-inspiring name: Yahweh your God,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	59	Yahweh will strike you down with monstrous plagues, you and your descendants: with plagues grievous and lasting, diseases pernicious and enduring.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	60	He will afflict you with all the maladies of Egypt which you used to dread, and they will fasten on you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	61	What is more, Yahweh will afflict you with all the plagues and all the diseases not mentioned in the book of this Law, until you have been destroyed.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	62	There will only be a small group of you left, you who were once as numerous as the stars of heaven. 'For not having obeyed the voice of Yahweh your God,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	63	just as Yahweh used to delight in making you happy and in making your numbers grow, so will he take delight in ruining you and destroying you. You will be torn from the country which you are about to enter and make your own.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	64	Yahweh will scatter you throughout every people, from one end of the earth to the other; there you will serve other gods made of wood and stone, hitherto unknown either to you or to your ancestors.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	65	Among these nations there will be no repose for you, no rest for the sole of your foot; there Yahweh will give you a quaking heart, weary eyes, halting breath.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	66	Your life ahead of you will hang in doubt; you will be afraid day and night, uncertain of your life.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	67	In the morning you will say, "How I wish it were evening!", and in the evening you will say, "How I wish it were morning!", such terror will grip your heart and such sights you will see!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	68	Yahweh will send you back to Egypt, either by ship or by a road which I promised you would never see again. And there you will want to offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as serving men and women, but no one will buy you.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	28	69	These are the words of the covenant which Yahweh ordered Moses to make with the Israelites in Moab, in addition to the covenant which he had made with them at Horeb.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	1	Moses called all Israel together and said to them: 'You have seen everything that Yahweh did before your eyes in Egypt, to Pharaoh, to his servants and to his whole country-
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	2	the great ordeals which you yourselves witnessed, those signs and the great wonders.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	3	But until today Yahweh has not given you a heart to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	4	'I have been leading you for forty years in the desert, yet the clothes which you have been wearing have not worn out, nor have the sandals on your feet.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	5	You have had no bread to eat, you have had no wine or fermented liquor to drink, so that you would learn that I, Yahweh, am your God.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	6	'When you reached this place, Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan came out to do battle against us; we defeated them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	7	We conquered their country and gave it as heritage to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	8	'Keep the words of this covenant, put them into practice, and you will thrive in everything you do.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	9	'All of you are standing here today in the presence of Yahweh your God: your tribal leaders, your elders, your scribes, all the men of Israel,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	10	with your children and your wives (and the foreigner too who is in your camp, be he your wood-cutter or your water-carrier),
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	11	and you are about to pass into the covenant of Yahweh your God, sworn with imprecation, which he has made with you today,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	12	and by which, today, he makes you a nation for himself and he himself becomes a God to you, as he has promised you, and as he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	13	Not only on your behalf am I today making this covenant and pronouncing this solemn curse,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	14	not only on behalf of those standing here with us in the presence of Yahweh our God today, but also on behalf of those not here with us today.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	15	'Yes, you know the people with whom we used to live in Egypt, and those through whose countries we have travelled -- the nations through whom we have passed.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	16	You have seen their abominations and their idols made of wood and stone, silver and gold, which were there.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	17	'Let there be no man or woman of you, no clan or tribe, whose heart turns away from Yahweh your God today, to go and serve the gods of these nations. Among you let there be no root which bears poison or wormwood.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	18	If, after hearing this imprecation, anyone, blessing himself, should say in his heart, "I shall do well enough if I follow the dictates of my heart; much water drives away thirst,"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	19	Yahweh will not pardon him. The wrath and jealousy of Yahweh will blaze against such a person; every curse written in this book will fall on him, and Yahweh will blot his name out under heaven.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	20	Yahweh will single him out of all the tribes of Israel for misfortune, in accordance with all the curses of the covenant written in the book of this Law.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	21	'The future generation, that of your children coming after you, and the foreigner arriving from some far-away land, on seeing the plagues and diseases inflicted on this country by Yahweh, will exclaim,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	22	"Sulphur! Salt!-The whole country is burning! No one will sow, nothing grow, no vegetation spring ever again! Devastation like that of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, devastated by Yahweh in his furious wrath!"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	23	And all the nations will exclaim, "Why has Yahweh treated this country like this? Why this great blaze of anger?"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	24	'And people will say, "Because they deserted the covenant of Yahweh, God of their ancestors, the covenant which he made with them when he brought them out of Egypt;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	25	because they went and served other gods and worshipped them, gods hitherto unknown to them, gods that were no part of their heritage from him:
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	26	this is why Yahweh's anger has blazed against this country, afflicting it with all the curses written in this book.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	27	In anger, in fury, in fierce wrath, Yahweh has torn them from their own country and flung them into another country, where they are today."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	29	28	Things hidden belong to Yahweh our God, but things revealed are ours and our children's for ever, so that we can put all the words of this Law into practice.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	1	'And when all these words have come true for you -- the blessing and the curse, which I have offered you -- if you meditate on them in your heart wherever among the nations Yahweh your God has driven you,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	2	if you return to Yahweh your God, if with all your heart and with all your soul you obey his voice, you and your children, in everything that I am laying down for you today,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	3	then Yahweh your God will bring back your captives, he will have pity on you and gather you back from all the peoples among whom Yahweh your God has scattered you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	4	Should you have been banished to the very sky's end, Yahweh your God will gather you again even from there, will come there to reclaim you
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	5	and bring you back to the country which belonged to your ancestors, so that you may possess it in your turn, and be made prosperous there and more numerous than your ancestors.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	6	'Yahweh your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you will love Yahweh your God with all your heart and soul, and so will live.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	7	Yahweh your God will make all these curses recoil on your foes and on your enemies who have persecuted you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	8	And once again you will obey the voice of Yahweh your God and you will put all his commandments into practice, which I am laying down for you today.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	9	Yahweh your God will make you prosper in all your labours, in the offspring of your body, in the yield of your cattle and in the yield of your soil. For once again Yahweh will delight in your prosperity as he used to take delight in the prosperity of your ancestors,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	10	if you obey the voice of Yahweh your God, by keeping his commandments and decrees written in the book of this Law, and if you return to Yahweh your God with all your heart and soul.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	11	'For this Law which I am laying down for you today is neither obscure for you nor beyond your reach.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	12	It is not in heaven, so that you need to wonder, "Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it down to us, so that we can hear and practise it?"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	13	Nor is it beyond the seas, so that you need to wonder, "Who will cross the seas for us and bring it back to us, so that we can hear and practise it?"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	14	No, the word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to put into practice.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	15	'Look, today I am offering you life and prosperity, death and disaster.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	16	If you obey the commandments of Yahweh your God, which I am laying down for you today, if you love Yahweh your God and follow his ways, if you keep his commandments, his laws and his customs, you will live and grow numerous, and Yahweh your God will bless you in the country which you are about to enter and make your own.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	17	But if your heart turns away, if you refuse to listen, if you let yourself be drawn into worshipping other gods and serving them,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	18	I tell you today, you will most certainly perish; you will not live for long in the country which you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	19	Today, I call heaven and earth to witness against you: I am offering you life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	30	20	in the love of Yahweh your God, obeying his voice, holding fast to him; for in this your life consists, and on this depends the length of time that you stay in the country which Yahweh swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that he would give them.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	1	Moses went and spoke to all Israel as follows,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	2	'Today, I am one hundred and twenty years old, and can no longer act as leader. Yahweh has told me, "You shall not cross this Jordan."
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	3	Yahweh your God himself will lead you across, he himself will destroy and dispossess these nations confronting you; Joshua too will lead you across, as Yahweh has said.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	4	Yahweh will treat them as he has treated Sihon and Og the Amorite kings and their country -- he destroyed them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	5	Yahweh will put them at your mercy, and you will deal with them exactly as prescribed by the commandments which I have laid down for you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	6	Be strong, stand firm, have no fear, do not be afraid of them, for Yahweh your God is going with you; he will not fail you or desert you.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	7	Moses then summoned Joshua and, in the presence of all Israel, said to him, 'Be strong, stand firm; you will be the one to go with this people into the country which Yahweh has sworn to their ancestors that he would give them; you are to be the one who puts them into possession of it.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	8	Yahweh himself will lead you; he will be with you; he will not fail you or desert you. Have no fear, do not be alarmed.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	9	Moses committed this Law to writing and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of Yahweh's covenant, and to all the elders of Israel.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	10	And Moses gave them this command, 'At the end of every seven years, at the time fixed for the year of remission, at the feast of Shelters,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	11	when all Israel assembles in the presence of Yahweh your God in the place chosen by him, you must proclaim this Law in the hearing of all Israel.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	12	Call the people together, men, women, children, and the foreigner residing with you, so that, hearing it, they may learn to fear Yahweh your God and keep and observe all the words of this Law.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	13	Their children, who as yet do not know it, will hear it and learn to fear Yahweh your God, all the time you live in the country which you are crossing the Jordan to possess.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	14	Yahweh said to Moses, 'And now the time is near when you must die. Summon Joshua and take your places at the Tent of Meeting, so that I can give him his orders.' Moses and Joshua went and took their places at the Tent of Meeting,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	15	and Yahweh showed himself at the Tent in a pillar of cloud; the pillar of cloud stood at the door of the Tent.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	16	Yahweh said to Moses, 'You will soon be sleeping with your ancestors, and this people is about to play the harlot by following the gods of the foreigners of the country, among whom they are going to live. They will desert me and break my covenant, which I have made with them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	17	That very day, my anger will blaze against them; I shall desert them and hide my face from them. A host of disasters and misfortunes will overtake them to devour them, and when that day comes they will say, "If such disasters overtake me, surely Yahweh my God cannot be with me?"
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	18	Yes indeed, I shall hide my face that day, on account of all the evil which they will have done by turning to other gods.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	19	'Now write down this song for you to use; teach it to the Israelites, put it into their mouths, for it to be a witness on my behalf against the Israelites:
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	20	against Israel, whom I am bringing into the country which I swore to his ancestors that I would give him, a country flowing with milk and honey: against Israel, who will eat to his heart's content and grow fat, and will then turn to other gods and serve them, despising me and breaking my covenant.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	21	When a host of disasters and misfortunes overtakes him, this song, like a witness, will give evidence against him, since his descendants will not have forgotten it. Yes, even today, before I have brought him to the country which I have promised him on oath, I know what plans he has in mind.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	22	So, that day, Moses wrote out this song and taught it to the Israelites.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	23	To Joshua son of Nun, Yahweh gave this order, 'Be strong and stand firm, for you are to be the one to bring the Israelites into the country which I have promised them on oath, and I myself shall be with you.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	24	When Moses had completely finished writing the words of this Law in a book,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	25	he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of Yahweh's covenant:
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	26	'Take the book of this Law and put it beside the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God. Let it lie there as evidence against you.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	27	For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If today, while I am still alive and with you, you rebel against Yahweh, how much more will you rebel against him after my death!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	28	'Gather all your tribal elders and scribes round me, so that I may be sure that they hear these words, as I call heaven and earth to witness against them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	29	For I know that after my death you are certain to grow corrupt; you will leave the way which I have marked out for you; in the final days disaster will befall you for having done what is evil in Yahweh's eyes, for having provoked his anger by your behaviour.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	31	30	In the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel, Moses then recited the words of this song to the end:
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	1	Listen, heavens, while I speak; hear, earth, the words that I shall say!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	2	May my teaching fall like the rain, may my word drop down like the dew, like showers on the grass, like light rain on the turf!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	3	For I shall proclaim the name of Yahweh. Oh, tell the greatness of our God!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	4	He is the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are equitable. A trustworthy God who does no wrong, he is the Honest, the Upright One!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	5	They have acted perversely, those he fathered without blemish, a deceitful and underhand brood.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	6	Is this the return you make to Yahweh? O people brainless and unwise! Is this not your father, who gave you being, who made you, by whom you subsist?
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	7	Think back on the days of old, think over the years, down the ages. Question your father, let him explain to you, your elders, and let them tell you!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	8	When the Most High gave the nations each their heritage, when he partitioned out the human race, he assigned the boundaries of nations according to the number of the children of God,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	9	but Yahweh's portion was his people, Jacob was to be the measure of his inheritance.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	10	In the desert he finds him, in the howling expanses of the wastelands. He protects him, rears him, guards him as the pupil of his eye.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	11	Like an eagle watching its nest, hovering over its young, he spreads out his wings to hold him, he supports him on his pinions.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	12	Yahweh alone is his guide; no alien god for him!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	13	He gives him the heights of the land to ride, he feeds him on the yield of the mountains, he gives him honey from the rock to taste, and oil from the flinty crag;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	14	curds from the cattle, milk from the flock, and the richness of the pasture, rams of Bashan's breed, and goats, the richness of the wheat kernel; the fermented blood of the grape for drink.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	15	Jacob has eaten to his heart's content, Jeshurun, grown fat, has now lashed out. (You have grown fat, gross, bloated.) He has disowned the God who made him, and dishonoured the Rock, his salvation,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	16	whose jealousy they aroused with foreigners -- with things detestable they angered him.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	17	They sacrificed to demons who are not God, to gods hitherto unknown to them, to newcomers of yesterday whom their ancestors had never respected.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	18	(You forget the Rock who fathered you, the God who made you, you no longer remember.)
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	19	Yahweh saw it and, in anger, he spurned his sons and daughters.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	20	'I shall hide my face from them,' he said, 'and see what will become of them. For they are a deceitful brood, children with no loyalty in them.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	21	They have roused me to jealousy with a non-god, they have exasperated me with their idols. In my turn I shall rouse them to jealousy with a non-people, I shall exasperate them with a stupid nation.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	22	Yes, a fire has blazed from my anger, it will burn right down to the depths of Sheol; it will devour the earth and all its produce, it will set fire to the footings of the mountains.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	23	I shall hurl disasters on them, on them I shall use up all my arrows.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	24	They will be weakened by hunger, eaten away by plague and the bitter scourge. Against them I shall send the fang of wild animals and the poison of snakes that glide in the dust.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	25	Outside, the sword bereaves, while inside terror will reign. Young man and girl alike will perish, suckling and greybeard both together.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	26	I should crush them to dust, I said, I should wipe out all memory of them,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	27	did I not fear the boasting of the enemy.' But do not let their foes be mistaken! Do not let them say, 'We have got the upper hand and Yahweh plays no part in this.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	28	What a short-sighted nation this is, how thoroughly imperceptive!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	29	Were they wise, they would succeed, they would be able to read their destiny.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	30	How else could one man rout a thousand, how could two put ten thousand to flight, were it not that their Rock has sold them, that Yahweh has delivered them up?
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	31	But their rock is not like our Rock; our enemies cannot pray for us!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	32	For their vine springs from the stock of Sodom and from the groves of Gomorrah: their grapes are poisonous grapes, their clusters are bitter;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	33	their wine is snakes' poison, the vipers' cruel venom.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	34	But he, is he not safe with me, sealed inside my treasury?
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	35	Vengeance is mine, I will pay them back, for the time when they make a false step. For the day of their ruin is close, doom is rushing towards them, for he will see to it that their power fails. that neither serf nor free man remains.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	36	(For Yahweh will see his people righted, he will take pity on his servants.)
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	37	'Where are their gods then?' he will ask, 'the rock where they sought refuge,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	38	who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their libations?' Let these arise and help you, let these be the shelter above you!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	39	See now that I, I am he, and beside me there is no other god. It is I who deal death and life; when I have struck, it is I who heal (no one can rescue anyone from me).
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	40	Yes, I raise my hand to heaven, and I say, 'As surely as I live for ever,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	41	When I have whetted my flashing sword, I shall enforce justice, I shall return vengeance to my foes, I shall take vengeance on my foes.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	42	I shall make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword will feed on flesh: the blood of the wounded and the prisoners, the dishevelled heads of the enemy!'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	43	Heavens, rejoice with him, let all the children of God pay him homage! Nations, rejoice with his people, let God's envoys tell of his power! For he will avenge the blood of his servants, he will return vengeance to my foes, he will repay those who hate him and purify his people's country.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	44	Moses came with Joshua son of Nun and recited all the words of this song in the people's hearing.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	45	When Moses had finished reciting these words to all Israel,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	46	he said to them, 'Take all these words to heart; I intend them today to be evidence against you. You must order your children to keep and observe all the words of this Law.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	47	You must not think of this as empty words, for the Law is your life, and by its means you will live long in the country which you are crossing the Jordan to possess.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	48	Yahweh spoke to Moses that same day and said to him,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	49	'Climb this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, in the country of Moab, opposite Jericho, and view the Canaan which I am giving to the Israelites as their domain.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	50	Die on the mountain you have climbed, and be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	51	Because, with the other Israelites, you broke faith with me at the Waters of Meribah-Kadesh in the desert of Zin, because you did not make my holiness clear to the Israelites;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	32	52	you may only see the country from outside; you cannot enter it -- the country which I am giving to the Israelites.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	1	This is the blessing that Moses, man of God, pronounced over the Israelites before he died.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	2	He said: Yahweh came from Sinai, from Seir he dawned on us, from Mount Paran blazed forth, For them he came, after the mustering at Kadesh, from his zenith as far as the foothills.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	3	You who love the ancestors! Your holy ones are all at your command. At your feet they fell, under your guidance went swiftly on.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	4	(Moses enjoined a law on us.) The assembly of Jacob comes into its inheritance;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	5	there was a king in Jeshurun when the heads of the people foregathered and the tribes of Israel were all assembled!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	6	May Reuben survive and not die out, survive though his men be few!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	7	Of Judah he said this: Listen, Yahweh, to the voice of Judah, and bring him back to his people. That his hands may defend his rights, come to his help against his foes!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	8	Of Levi he said: To Levi, give your urim, to your faithful one, your thummim, having tested him at Massah, having striven with him at the Waters of Meribah.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	9	Of his father and mother, he says, 'I have not seen them.' He does not acknowledge his brothers, nor does he know his own children. Yes, they have kept your word, they hold firmly to your covenant.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	10	They will teach your customs to Jacob, and your Law to Israel. They will put incense before you and burnt offerings on your altar.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	11	Yahweh, bless his worthiness, and accept the actions he performs. Crush the loins of those who rise against him and of his foes, so that they rise no more!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	12	Of Benjamin he said: Beloved of Yahweh, he rests trustfully near him. The Most High protects him day after day and dwells between his hillsides.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	13	Of Joseph he said: His land is blessed by Yahweh. For him the best of heaven's dew and of the deep that lies below,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	14	the best of what the sun makes grow, of what springs with every month,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	15	the first-fruits of the ancient mountains, the best from the hills of old
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	16	the best of the land and all it holds, the favour of him who dwells in the Bush. May the hair grow thick on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the consecrated one among his brothers!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	17	First-born of the Bull, his the glory. His horns are the wild ox's horns, with which he gores the peoples to the very ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, such are the thousands of Manasseh.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	18	Of Zebulun he said: Prosper, Zebulun, in your expeditions, and you, Issachar, in your tents!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	19	On the mountain where the people come to pray they offer upright sacrifices, for they taste the riches of the seas and the treasures hidden in the sands.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	20	Of Gad he said: Blessed be he who gives Gad space enough! He lies there like a lioness; he has savaged arm and face and head.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	21	Then he took the first portion for himself, saw that there was stored up for him a leader's share. He has come at the head of the people, has carried out the saving justice of Yahweh and his judgements on Israel.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	22	Of Dan he said: Dan is a lion cub leaping from Bashan.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	23	Of Naphtali he said: Naphtali, sated with favours, filled with the blessings of Yahweh: the west and south are to be his domain.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	24	Of Asher he said: Most blessed of the sons let Asher be! Let him be the most privileged of his brothers and let him bathe his feet in oil!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	25	Be your bolts of iron and of bronze and your security as lasting as your days!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	26	No one is like the God of Jeshurun: he rides the heavens to your rescue, rides the clouds in his majesty!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	27	The God of old is your refuge, his the eternal arm which here below drives the enemy before you; he it is who says, 'Destroy!'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	28	Israel rests trustfully. The well-spring of Jacob is chosen out for a land of corn and wine; there heaven itself rains down dew.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	33	29	Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, O victorious people? Yahweh is the shield that protects you and the sword that leads you to triumph. Your enemies will try to corrupt you, but you yourself will trample on their backs.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	34	1	Then, leaving the Plains of Moab, Moses went up Mount Nebo, the peak of Pisgah opposite Jericho, and Yahweh showed him the whole country: Gilead as far as Dan,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	34	2	the whole of Naphtali, the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, the whole country of Judah as far as the Western Sea,
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	34	3	the Negeb, and the region of the Valley of Jericho, city of palm trees, as far as Zoar.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	34	4	Yahweh said to him, 'This is the country which I promised on oath to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying: I shall give it to your descendants. I have allowed you to see it for yourself, but you will not cross into it.'
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	34	5	There in the country of Moab, Moses, servant of Yahweh, died as Yahweh decreed;
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	34	6	he buried him in the valley, in the country of Moab, opposite Beth-Peor; but to this day no one has ever found his grave.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	34	7	Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye undimmed, his vigour unimpaired.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	34	8	The Israelites wept for Moses on the Plains of Moab for thirty days. The days of weeping for the mourning rites of Moses came to an end.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	34	9	Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him, and him the Israelites obeyed, carrying out the order which Yahweh had given to Moses.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	34	10	Since then, there has never been such a prophet in Israel as Moses, the man whom Yahweh knew face to face.
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	34	11	What signs and wonders Yahweh caused him to perform in Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants and his whole country!
 Deuteronomy	Deu	5	34	12	How mighty the hand and great the fear that Moses wielded in the eyes of all Israel!
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	1	When Moses, servant of Yahweh, was dead, Yahweh spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' adjutant. He said,
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	2	'Moses my servant is dead; go now and cross this Jordan, you and this whole people, into the country which I am giving to them (the Israelites).
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	3	Every place you tread with the soles of your feet I shall give you, as I declared to Moses that I would.
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	4	From the desert and the Lebanon, to the Great River, the Euphrates (the entire country of the Hittites), and as far as the Great Sea to westward, is to be your territory.
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	5	As long as you live, no one will be able to resist you; I shall be with you as I was with Moses; I shall not fail you or desert you.
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	6	'Be strong and stand firm, for you are the man to give this people possession of the land which I swore to their ancestors that I would give them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	7	Only be strong and stand very firm and be careful to keep the whole Law which my servant Moses laid down for you. Do not swerve from this either to right or to left, and then you will succeed wherever you go.
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	8	Have the book of this Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may carefully keep everything that is written in it. Then your undertakings will prosper, then you will have success.
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	9	Have I not told you: Be strong and stand firm? Be fearless and undaunted, for go where you may, Yahweh your God is with you.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	10	Joshua then gave the people's officials this instruction:
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	11	'Go through the camp and give the people this order, "Make provisions ready, for in three days' time you will cross this Jordan and go on to take possession of the land which Yahweh your God is giving you as your own." '
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	12	Joshua then said to the Reubenites and Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh,
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	13	'Remember the order given you by Moses, servant of Yahweh: Yahweh your God, in bringing you to rest, has given you the land where we are.
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	14	Your wives, your little ones and your cattle must stay in the country given you by Moses beyond the Jordan. But all you fighting men must cross in battle formation at the head of your brothers and help them,
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	15	until Yahweh grants rest to your brothers and you alike, when they too have taken possession of the land which Yahweh your God is giving to them. Then you may go back and take possession of the land which belongs to you and which Moses, servant of Yahweh, has given you on the eastern side of the Jordan.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	16	They answered Joshua, 'We will do whatever you order us, and wherever you send us we will go.
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	17	We obeyed Moses in everything, and now we will obey you. Only may Yahweh your God be with you as he was with Moses!
 Joshua	Josh	6	1	18	If anyone rebels against your orders or will not listen to your commands, let him be put to death. Only be strong and stand firm.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	1	From Shittim, Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two men to reconnoitre. He said, 'Go and explore the country and Jericho.' They left; they went into the house of a prostitute called Rahab, to spend the night there.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	2	The king of Jericho was told, 'Some men have come here tonight from the Israelites, to reconnoitre the country.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	3	The king of Jericho then sent a message to Rahab, 'Send out the men who came to you and are lodging in your house, for they have come to reconnoitre the whole country.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	4	But the woman took the two men and hid them. 'It is true,' she said, 'the men did come to me, but I did not know where they came from.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	5	When the city gate was about to be closed at nightfall, the men went out and I cannot say where they have gone. Follow them quickly and you will overtake them.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	6	She had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under some stalks of flax which she had laid out there.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	7	The men hurried in pursuit of them towards the Jordan, as far as the fords, and the gate was shut once the pursuers had gone through.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	8	The two men had not yet settled down for the night when Rahab came up to them on the roof.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	9	She said to them, 'I know that Yahweh has given you this country, that we are afraid of you and that everyone living in this country has been seized with terror at your approach;
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	10	for we have heard how Yahweh dried up the Sea of Reeds before you when you came out of Egypt and what you did to the two Amorite kings across the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you put under the curse of destruction.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	11	When we heard this, our hearts failed us, and now no one has any courage left to resist you, since Yahweh your God is God both in heaven above and on earth beneath.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	12	So, swear to me now by Yahweh, since I have been kind to you,
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	13	that you in your turn will be kind to my father's family; and give me a sure sign of this: that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters and all who belong to them, and will preserve us from death.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	14	The men replied, 'We pledge you our lives, provided that you say nothing about our mission. When Yahweh has given us the country, we shall treat you kindly and faithfully.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	15	She then let them down from the window on a rope, as her house was against the city wall and she actually lived in the wall.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	16	'Make for the hills,' she said, 'or you may run into your pursuers. Hide there for three days, until your pursuers have come back, and then go on your way.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	17	The men said, 'This is how we shall fulfil the oath which you have made us swear:
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	18	when we invade the country, you must tie this scarlet cord to the window from which you let us down, and collect your father, mother, brothers and entire family inside your house.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	19	If anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head and we shall not be to blame; but the blood of all staying inside the house with you will be on our heads if a hand is laid on any of them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	20	But if you divulge our mission in the meanwhile, we shall be free of the oath which you have made us swear.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	21	She replied, 'Let it be as you say.' She let them go, and they left. She then tied the scarlet cord to the window.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	22	They left and made for the hills. They stayed there for three days, until their pursuers had gone home, having scoured the countryside without finding them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	23	The two men then came down again from the hills, crossed over and, going to Joshua son of Nun, told him everything that had happened to them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	2	24	To Joshua they said, 'Yahweh has put the whole country at our mercy, and its inhabitants are all panic-stricken at our approach.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	1	Early in the morning, Joshua struck camp and set out from Shittim with all the Israelites. They went as far as the Jordan and there they camped before they crossed.
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	2	Three days later, the officials went through the camp
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	3	and gave the people these instructions, 'When you see the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God being carried by the levitical priests, you will leave your position and follow it,so that you may know which way to take, since you have never gone this way  before. Between you and the ark, however, keep a distance of about two thousand cubits: do not go near it.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	4	Between you and the ark, however, keep a distance of about two thousand cubits: do not go near it.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	5	Joshua said to the people, 'Sanctify yourselves, since tomorrow Yahweh will work wonders among you.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	6	Joshua then said to the priests, 'Take up the ark of the covenant and cross at the head of the people.' They took up the ark of the covenant and moved to the head of the people.
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	7	Yahweh said to Joshua, 'This very day, I shall begin to make you great in the eyes of all Israel so that they will know that, as I was with Moses, so I shall be with you.
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	8	Now, give this order to the priests carrying the ark of the covenant, "When you have reached the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you must halt in the Jordan itself." '
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	9	To the Israelites, Joshua then said, 'Come closer and hear the words of Yahweh your God.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	10	Joshua said, 'By this, you are to know that the living God is with you and without a doubt will expel the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites before you.
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	11	Look, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth is about to move into the Jordan at your head.
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	12	Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from each tribe.
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	13	As soon as the priests carrying the ark of Yahweh, Lord of the whole earth, have set the soles of their feet in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off; the upper waters flowing down will stop as a single mass.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	14	Accordingly, when the people left their tents to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of the people.
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	15	As soon as the bearers of the ark reached the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark touched the waters -- the Jordan is in spate throughout the harvest season-
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	16	the upper waters stood still and formed a single mass over a great distance, at Adam, the town near Zarethan, while those flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely separated. The people crossed opposite Jericho.
 Joshua	Josh	6	3	17	The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of Yahweh stood firm on dry ground in mid-Jordan, while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until the whole nation had completed its crossing of the Jordan.
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	1	When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, Yahweh spoke to Joshua and said,
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	2	'Choose twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, and give them this order,
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	3	"Here, from mid-Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet were standing, take twelve stones; carry them with you and set them down in the camp where you pass the night." '
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	4	Joshua called the twelve men whom he had selected from the Israelites, one man from each tribe,
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	5	and Joshua said to them, 'Go on ahead of the ark of Yahweh your God into mid-Jordan, and each of you take one stone on his shoulder, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel,
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	6	to make this a sign among you; and when, in the future, your children ask you, "What do these stones mean for you?"
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	7	you will then tell them, "The waters of the Jordan separated before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the river separated. These stones are an everlasting reminder of this to the Israelites."
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	8	The Israelites did as Joshua ordered; they took twelve stones from mid-Jordan corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel, as Yahweh had told Joshua; they carried them over to the camp and set them down there.
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	9	Joshua then erected twelve stones in mid-Jordan, on the spot where the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the covenant had stood; and they are still there today.
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	10	The priests carrying the ark stood still in mid-Jordan, until everything had been done that Yahweh had ordered Joshua to tell the people (in accordance with everything that Moses had ordered Joshua); and the people hurried across.
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	11	When the people had finished crossing, the ark of Yahweh then crossed, with the priests, to the head of the people.
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	12	The sons of Reuben, the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed in battle formation at the head of the Israelites, as Moses had told them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	13	Some forty thousand warriors in arms, they crossed in Yahweh's presence, ready for battle, towards the plain of Jericho.
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	14	That day, Yahweh made Joshua great in the eyes of all Israel, who respected him as they had respected Moses, as long as he lived.
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	15	Yahweh said to Joshua,
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	16	'Order the priests carrying the ark of the Testimony to come up out of the Jordan.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	17	And Joshua gave the order to the priests, 'Come up, out of the Jordan!'
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	18	Now, when the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came up out of mid-Jordan, no sooner had the soles of the priests' feet touched solid ground, than the waters of the Jordan returned to their bed and ran on, in spate as before.
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	19	It was the tenth day of the first month when the people came up from the Jordan and made their camp at Gilgal, on the eastern border of Jericho.
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	20	As regards those twelve stones, which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set them up at Gilgal.
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	21	He then said to the Israelites, 'When, in the future, your children ask their fathers, "What are these stones?"
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	22	you will explain to your children, "Israel crossed this Jordan dry-shod.
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	23	For Yahweh your God dried up the waters of the Jordan in front of you until you had crossed, just as Yahweh your God did to the Sea of Reeds, which he dried up before us until we had crossed it;
 Joshua	Josh	6	4	24	so that all the peoples of the earth may know how mighty the hand of Yahweh is, and always stand in awe of Yahweh your God." '
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	1	When all the kings of the Amorites living to westward across the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites living on the seaboard, heard that Yahweh had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed, their hearts failed and they lost all courage to resist the Israelites.
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	2	At this time Yahweh said to Joshua, 'Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again (a second time).
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	3	Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites on the Hill of Foreskins.
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	4	The reason why Joshua circumcised them was this. All the males of the people who had come out of Egypt of age to bear arms had died in the desert on their journey after leaving Egypt.
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	5	Now, all the people who came out had been circumcised; but none of those born in the desert, during the journey, after leaving Egypt, had been circumcised;
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	6	for the Israelites walked the desert for forty years, until the whole nation had died out, that is, the men who had come out of Egypt of age to bear arms; they had not obeyed the voice of Yahweh, and Yahweh had sworn to them never to let them see the land which he had sworn to their ancestors that he would give us a land flowing with milk and honey.
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	7	But in place of these he set their sons, and these were the ones whom Joshua circumcised: they were uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised during the journey.
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	8	When the circumcising of the whole nation was finished, they stayed resting in the camp till they were well again.
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	9	Yahweh then said to Joshua, 'Today I have taken the shame of Egypt away from you.' Hence, the place has been called Gilgal ever since.
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	10	The Israelites pitched their camp at Gilgal and kept the Passover there on the fourteenth day of the month, at evening, in the plain of Jericho.
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	11	On the very next day after the Passover, they ate what the land produced, unleavened bread and roasted ears of corn.
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	12	The manna stopped the day after they had eaten the produce of the land. The Israelites from that year onwards ate the produce of Canaan and had no more manna.
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	13	Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him, grasping a naked sword. Joshua walked towards him and said to him, 'Are you on our side or on that of our enemies?'
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	14	He replied, 'On neither side. I have come now as the captain of the army of Yahweh.' Joshua fell on his face to the ground, worshipping him, and said, 'What has my Lord to say to his servant?'
 Joshua	Josh	6	5	15	The captain of the army of Yahweh answered Joshua, 'Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	1	Now, Jericho had shut and barricaded its gates (against the Israelites): no one came out and no one went in.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	2	Yahweh then said to Joshua, 'Look, I am putting Jericho, its picked troops and its king, at your mercy.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	3	All you warriors must march round the city (go right round the city once, doing the same on six successive days.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	4	Seven priests must carry seven ram's-horn trumpets in front of the ark. On the seventh day, you will go seven times round the city and the priests will blow their trumpets).
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	5	When the ram's horn sounds (when you hear the sound of the trumpet), the entire people must utter a mighty war cry and the city wall will collapse then and there; the people will then go into the assault, each man straight ahead.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	6	Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and said to them, 'Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests carry seven ram's-horn trumpets ahead of the ark of Yahweh.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	7	To the people he then said, 'Forward! March round the city, and let the vanguard march ahead of the ark of Yahweh!'
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	8	(Everything was done as Joshua had given orders to the people.) Seven priests, carrying seven ram's-horn trumpets ahead of Yahweh, moved forward blowing their trumpets; the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came behind them,
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	9	the vanguard marched ahead of the priests, who blew their trumpets, the rearguard followed behind the ark; the men marched, the trumpets sounded.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	10	Joshua had given the people the following orders, 'Do not raise a war cry, do not let your voice be heard (not a word must pass your lips), until the day when I say, "Raise the war cry." That is when you must raise the war cry.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	11	He made the ark go round the city (going round it once), then they went back to camp, where they spent the night.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	12	Joshua got up early, and the priests took up the ark of Yahweh.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	13	Carrying the seven ram's-horn trumpets, the seven priests walked ahead of the ark of Yahweh, blowing their trumpets as they went, while the vanguard marched ahead of them and the rearguard behind the ark of Yahweh, and the march went on to the sound of the trumpet.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	14	They marched once round the city (on the second day) and went back to camp; and so on for six days.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	15	On the seventh day, they got up at dawn and marched (in the same manner) round the city seven times. (This was the only day when they marched round the city seven times.)
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	16	At the seventh time, the priests blew their trumpets and Joshua said to the people, 'Raise the war cry, for Yahweh has given you the city!
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	17	'The city and everyone in it must be devoted to Yahweh under the curse of destruction; the life of Rahab the prostitute alone must be spared, with all those with her in her house, since she hid the messengers we sent.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	18	But beware of the curse of destruction, yourselves, for fear that, moved by greed, you take something lying under the curse; that would put the camp of Israel under the same curse and bring disaster on it.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	19	All the silver and all the gold, everything made of bronze or iron, will be consecrated to Yahweh and put in his treasury.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	20	The people raised the war cry, the trumpets sounded. When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they raised a mighty war cry and the wall collapsed then and there. At once the people stormed the city, each man going straight forward; and they captured the city.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	21	They enforced the curse of destruction on everyone in the city: men and women, young and old, including the oxen, the sheep and the donkeys, slaughtering them all.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	22	Joshua said to the two men who had reconnoitred the country, 'Go into the prostitute's house, and bring the woman out with all who belong to her, as you swore to her that you would.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	23	The young men who had been spies went and brought Rahab out, with her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. They brought out all her clansmen too, and put them in a place of safety outside the camp of Israel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	24	They burned the city and everything inside it, except the silver, the gold and the things of bronze and iron; these they put into the treasury of Yahweh's house.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	25	But Rahab the prostitute, her father's family and all who belonged to her, these Joshua spared. She is still living in Israel even today, for having hidden the messengers whom Joshua sent to reconnoitre Jericho.
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	26	At that time Joshua made them take this oath before Yahweh: Accursed before Yahweh be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city (Jericho)! On his first-born will he lay its foundations, on his youngest son set up its gates!
 Joshua	Josh	6	6	27	So Yahweh was with Joshua, whose fame spread throughout the country.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	1	But the Israelites were unfaithful to the curse of destruction. Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took something that fell under the curse of destruction, and the anger of Yahweh was aroused against the Israelites.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	2	Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai (which is near Beth-Aven), to the east of Bethel, having said to them, 'Go up and reconnoitre the country.' They went up and reconnoitred Ai.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	3	Coming back to Joshua, they said, 'There is no need for the whole people to go up; let some two or three thousand go and attack Ai. Spare the whole people such an effort; there are only a few of them!'
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	4	Of the people, some three thousand marched up, but these broke before the people of Ai,
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	5	who killed some thirty-six of them and pursued them from the town gate as far as Shebarim, and on the slope cut them to pieces. The hearts of the people melted away and turned to water.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	6	Joshua then tore his clothes and prostrated himself before the ark of Yahweh till nightfall; the elders of Israel did the same, and all poured dust on their heads.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	7	And Joshua said, 'Alas, Lord Yahweh, why did you bother to bring this nation across the Jordan, if it was only to put us at the mercy of the Amorites and destroy us? If only we could have settled down on the other side of the Jordan!
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	8	Forgive me, Lord, but what can I say, now that Israel has turned tail on the enemy?
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	9	The Canaanites, all the inhabitants of the land, will hear of it; they will unite against us to wipe our name from the earth. And what will you do about your great Name then?'
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	10	Yahweh said to Joshua, 'Stand up! Why are you lying prostrate like this?
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	11	Israel has sinned; they have violated the covenant which I imposed on them. They have gone so far as to take what was under the curse of destruction, they have even stolen it; they have actually hidden it; they have put it in their baggage.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	12	That is why the Israelites cannot stand up to their foes, why they have turned tail on their enemies: because they have come under the curse of destruction themselves. Unless you get rid of the object among you which has been put under the curse of destruction, I shall be with you no longer.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	13	'Get up, sanctify the people and say, "Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, since Yahweh, the God of Israel, declares: The curse of destruction has now fallen on you, Israel; you will not be able to stand up to your enemies, until you have rid yourselves of that object which has been put under the curse of destruction.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	14	Tomorrow morning, therefore, you will come forward tribe by tribe, and then the tribe which Yahweh selects by lot will come forward clan by clan, and the clan which Yahweh selects by lot will come forward family by family, and the family which Yahweh selects by lot will come forward mam by man.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	15	And the man indicated by lot as regards the object which has been put under the curse of destruction will be delivered to the flames, he and all his possessions, for having violated the covenant with Yahweh and for having committed an infamy in Israel." '
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	16	Joshua got up early; he made Israel come forward tribe by tribe, and the lot indicated the tribe of Judah.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	17	He summoned the clans of Judah, and the lot indicated the clan of Zerah. He summoned the clan of Zerah, family by family, and the lot indicated Zabdi.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	18	Joshua then summoned the family of Zabdi, man by man, and the lot indicated Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	19	Joshua then said to Achan, 'My son, give glory to Yahweh, God of Israel, and confess; tell me what you have done and hide nothing from me.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	20	Achan replied to Joshua, 'Yes, I am the man who has sinned against Yahweh, God of Israel, and this is what I have done.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	21	In the loot, I saw a fine robe from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and an ingot of gold weighing fifty shekels, I set my heart on them and I took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	22	Joshua sent messengers; they ran to the tent, and the robe was indeed hidden in the tent, with the silver underneath.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	23	They took the things out of the tent and, bringing them to Joshua and all the Israelites, laid them out before Yahweh.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	24	Joshua then took Achan son of Zerah and led him up to the Vale of Achor, with the silver and the robe and the ingot of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his goats, his tent and all his belongings. All Israel went with him.
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	25	Joshua said, 'Why have you brought misfortune on us? Today may Yahweh bring misfortune on you!' And all Israel stoned him to death (and they burned them and threw stones at them).
 Joshua	Josh	6	7	26	Over him, they raised a great mound of stones, which is still there today. Yahweh then relented from his fierce anger. That was why the place was called the Vale of Achor, as it still is today.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	1	Yahweh then said to Joshua, 'Be fearless and undaunted. Take all your fighting men with you. Up! March against Ai. Look, I have put the king of Ai, his people, his town and his territory at your mercy.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	2	You must treat Ai and its king as you treated Jericho and its king. The only booty you will take are the spoils and the cattle. Take up a concealed position by the town, to the rear of it.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	3	Joshua set out to march against Ai with all the fighting men. Joshua chose thirty thousand of the bravest and sent them out under cover of dark,
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	4	having given them these orders, 'Pay attention! You must take up a concealed position by the town, at the rear, not very far from the town, and be sure you all keep alert!
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	5	I, and the whole people with me, shall advance on the town, and when the people of Ai come out to engage us as they did the first time, we shall run away from them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	6	They will then give chase, and we shall draw them away from the town, since they will think, "They are running away from us as they did the first time."
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	7	You will then burst out of your concealed position and seize the town; Yahweh your God will put it at your mercy.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	8	When you have captured the town, set fire to it, in obedience to Yahweh's command. Well then, these are my orders.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	9	Joshua sent them off, and they made their way to the place of ambush and took up position between Bethel and Ai, to the west of Ai. Joshua spent the night with the people,
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	10	then, getting up early next morning, reviewed the people and, with the elders of Israel, marched on Ai at their head.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	11	All the warriors marching with him advanced on the front of the town and pitched camp north of Ai, with the valley between them and the town.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	12	Joshua took about five thousand men and concealed these between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the town.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	13	The people pitched the main camp to the north of the town and set up its ambush to the west of the town. Joshua went that night into the middle of the plain.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	14	The king of Ai had seen this; the people of the town got up early and hurried out, so that he and all his people could engage Israel in battle on the slope facing the Arabah; but he did not know that an ambush had been laid for him to the rear of the town.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	15	Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten by them and took to their heels along the road to the desert.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	16	All the people in the town joined in the pursuit and, in pursuing Joshua, were drawn away from the town.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	17	Not a man was left in Ai (nor in Bethel), who had not gone in pursuit of Israel; and in pursuing Israel they left the town undefended.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	18	Yahweh then said to Joshua, 'Point the sabre in your hand at Ai; for I am about to put the town at your mercy.' Joshua pointed the sabre in his hand towards the town.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	19	No sooner had he stretched out his hand than the men in ambush burst from their position, ran forward, entered the town, captured it and quickly set it on fire.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	20	When the men of Ai looked back, they saw smoke rising from the town into the sky. None of them had the courage to run in any direction, for the people fleeing towards the desert turned back on their pursuers.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	21	For, once Joshua and all Israel saw that the town had been seized by the men in ambush, and that smoke was rising from the town, they turned about and attacked the men of Ai.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	22	The others came out from the town to engage them too, and the men of Ai were thus surrounded by Israelites, some on this side and some on that. The Israelites struck them down until not one was left alive and none to flee;
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	23	but the king of Ai was taken alive, and brought to Joshua.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	24	When Israel had finished killing all the inhabitants of Ai in the open ground, and in the desert where they had pursued them, and when every single one had fallen to the sword, all Israel returned to Ai and slaughtered its remaining population.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	25	The number of those who fell that day, men and women together, was twelve thousand, all people of Ai.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	26	Joshua did not draw back the hand with which he had pointed the sabre until he had subjected all the inhabitants of Ai to the curse of destruction.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	27	For booty, Israel took only the cattle and the spoils of this town, in accordance with the order that Yahweh had given to Joshua.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	28	Joshua then burned Ai, making it a ruin for evermore, a desolate place even today.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	29	He hanged the king of Ai from a tree till evening; but at sunset Joshua ordered his body to be taken down from the tree. It was then thrown down at the entrance to the town gate and on top of it was raised a great mound of stones, which is still there today.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	30	Joshua then built an altar to Yahweh, God of Israel, on Mount Ebal,
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	31	as Moses, servant of Yahweh, had ordered the Israelites, as is written in the law of Moses: an altar of undressed stones, on which no iron has been used. On this they presented burnt offerings to Yahweh and communion sacrifices as well.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	32	There, Joshua wrote on the stones a copy of the Law of Moses, which Moses had written in the presence of the Israelites.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	33	All Israel, with their elders, their officials and their judges, stood on either side of the ark, facing the levitical priests who were carrying the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, foreigners with the native-born, half of them on the upper slopes of Mount Ebal, as Moses, servant of Yahweh, had originally ordered for the blessing of the people of Israel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	34	After this, Joshua read all the words of the Law -- the blessing and the cursing -- exactly as it stands written in the Book of the Law.
 Joshua	Josh	6	8	35	Of every word laid down by Moses, not one was left unread by Joshua in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners living with them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	1	Hearing these things, all the kings on this side of the Jordan, in the highlands and in the lowlands, all along the coast of the Great Sea towards the Lebanon, Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, with one consent
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	2	formed a fighting alliance against Joshua and Israel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	3	When the inhabitants of Gibeon learned how Joshua had treated Jericho and Ai, for their part,
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	4	they had recourse to a ruse. They provided themselves with supplies, and loaded their donkeys with old sacks and with old wineskins which had burst and been sewn up again.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	5	They put on patched old sandals and worn-out clothes. The only bread they took with them to eat was dried up and crumbling.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	6	They came to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal, and to him and the men of Israel they said, 'We come from a distant country, so make a treaty with us.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	7	The Israelites answered these Hivites, 'For all we know, you may live right among us. How then could we make a treaty with you?'
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	8	They said to Joshua, 'We are your servants.' 'But who are you?' Joshua asked them, 'and where do you come from?'
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	9	They said, 'Your servants have come from a country very far away, because of the fame of Yahweh your God; for we have heard of him and of all that he did in Egypt,
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	10	and of all that he did to the two Amorite kings who used to live on the other side of the Jordan: Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who used to live at Ashtaroth.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	11	Because of which, our elders and all the people of our country said to us, "Take provisions with you for the journey; go and meet them and say to them: We are your servants; so make a treaty with us."
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	12	Here is our bread; it was warm when we took it from home to provide for our journey the day we set out to come to you, and now, you can see, it is dried up and crumbling.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	13	These wineskins were new when we filled them; you can see, they have burst; and these clothes and sandals of ours are worn out from travelling such a long way.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	14	The leaders sampled some of the food they offered, but they did not ask Yahweh's orders.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	15	Joshua made peace with them, and struck a treaty with them guaranteeing their lives, and the leaders of the community ratified it by oath.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	16	Now it so happened that three days after the treaty had been made, it became known that they were a neighbouring people, living in Israel's region.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	17	The Israelites set out from camp, arriving in their towns three days later. Their towns were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath-Jearim.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	18	The Israelites did not attack them, since the leaders of the community had sworn to them by Yahweh, God of Israel, but the whole community muttered against the leaders.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	19	The leaders, however, all said to the whole community, 'Since we have sworn an oath to them by Yahweh, God of Israel, we cannot touch them now.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	20	This is what we shall do with them: let them live, rather than bring retribution down on ourselves on account of the oath which we have sworn to them.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	21	And the leaders went on, 'Let them live, but let them be wood-cutters and water-carriers for the whole community.' Thus spoke the leaders.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	22	Joshua sent for the Gibeonites and asked them, 'Why did you deceive us by saying, "We live very far away," when in fact you live right among us?
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	23	From now on, you are accursed and will for ever be serfs, as wood-cutters and water-carriers in the house of my God.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	24	Their answer to Joshua was, 'We did it because your servants had been rightly told that Yahweh your God had ordered his servant Moses to give you the whole of this country and destroy all its inhabitants before you; also because, as you advanced on us, we feared very greatly for our lives. That was why we did this.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	25	Now, as you see, we are at your mercy; do to us whatever you think good and right.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	26	What he did with them was this: he saved them from the hand of the Israelites, who did not kill them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	9	27	But that very day Joshua made them wood-cutters and water-carriers for the community and for the altar of Yahweh, at the place which he would eventually choose; and so they are today.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	1	Now, it happened that Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem, learned that Joshua had conquered Ai and put the town under the curse of destruction, treating Ai and its king as he had already treated Jericho and its king; and also that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were living with them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	2	There was consternation at this, since Gibeon was as important a town as any of the royal towns themselves (it was larger than Ai), while all its citizens were fighting men.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	3	Consequently, Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon,
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	4	'Join me up here and help me to conquer Gibeon, since it has made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	5	The five Amorite kings joined forces and went up there, that is, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish and the king of Eglon, they and all their armies; laying siege to Gibeon, they attacked it.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	6	The men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal, 'Do not desert your servants; come up here quickly to save us and help us, since all the Amorite kings living in the highlands have allied themselves against us.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	7	Joshua came up from Gilgal, he, all the fighting men and all the bravest of his army.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	8	Yahweh said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of these people; I have put them at your mercy; not one of them will put up any resistance.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	9	Having marched from Gilgal throughout the night, Joshua caught them unawares.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	10	Yahweh threw them into disorder at the sight of Israel, defeating them completely at Gibeon; furthermore, he pursued them by way of the Descent of Beth-Horon and harassed them as far as Azekah (and as far as Makkedah).
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	11	And as they fled from Israel down the Descent of Beth-Horon, Yahweh hurled huge hailstones from heaven on them all the way to Azekah, and they died. More of them died under the hailstones than under the swords of the Israelites.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	12	Joshua then spoke to Yahweh, the day Yahweh delivered the Amorites to the Israelites. In the presence of Israel, Joshua said: Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and, moon, you too, over the Vale of Aijalon!
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	13	And the sun stood still, and the moon halted, until the people had taken vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of the Just? The sun stood still in the middle of the sky and delayed its setting for almost a whole day.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	14	There was never a day like that before or since, when Yahweh obeyed the voice of a man -- for Yahweh was fighting for Israel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	15	Joshua, and all Israel with him, then went back to the camp at Gilgal.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	16	As regards the five kings, these had fled and hidden in the cave of Makkedah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	17	and news of this was brought to Joshua. 'The five kings have been found hiding in the cave at Makkedah.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	18	Joshua said, 'Roll great stones over the mouth of the cave and post men there to keep guard.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	19	You yourselves, do not stay there doing nothing; pursue the enemy, cut off their line of retreat and do not let them enter their towns, for Yahweh your God has put them at your mercy.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	20	When Joshua and the Israelites had finished inflicting a very great defeat on them, to the point of destroying them, those who had escaped alive took refuge in their fortresses.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	21	The people came back to Joshua's camp at Makkedah; they were all safe and sound, and no one dared to attempt anything against the Israelites.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	22	Joshua then said, 'Clear the mouth of the cave and bring the five kings out to me.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	23	They did so, and brought the five kings out of the cave to take them to him: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish and the king of Eglon.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	24	When these kings had been brought out, Joshua assembled all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the warriors who had fought with him, 'Come forward and put your feet on the necks of these kings!' They came forward and put their feet on their necks.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	25	'Be fearless and undaunted,' Joshua went on, 'be strong and stand firm, for this is how Yahweh will deal with all the enemies you fight.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	26	With this, Joshua struck and killed them and had them hanged on five trees; they hung there till evening.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	27	At the hour of sunset, on Joshua's orders, they were taken down from the trees and thrown into the cave where they had been hiding. Great stones were laid over the mouth of the cave, and these are still there to this very day.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	28	The same day Joshua captured Makkedah, putting it and its king to the sword; he delivered them over to the curse of destruction, with every living creature there, and let no one escape, and he treated the king of Makkedah as he had treated the king of Jericho.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	29	Joshua, and all Israel with him, went on from Makkedah to Libnah and attacked it
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	30	and Yahweh put this, too, and its king at Israel's mercy; and Israel put every living creature there to the sword, and left none alive, and treated its king like the king of Jericho.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	31	Joshua, and all Israel with him, went on from Libnah to Lachish and besieged it and attacked it.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	32	Yahweh put Lachish at Israel's mercy, and Israel took it on the second day and put it and every living creature in it to the sword, as they had treated Libnah.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	33	Horam king of Gezer then marched up to help Lachish, but Joshua beat him and his people until not one was left alive.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	34	Joshua, and all Israel with him, went on from Lachish to Eglon. They besieged it and attacked it.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	35	The same day they took it and put it to the sword. That day he delivered over to the curse of destruction every living creature there, treating it as he had treated Lachish.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	36	Joshua, and all Israel with him, went on up from Eglon to Hebron. They attacked it,
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	37	took it and put it to the sword, with its king, its dependencies and every living creature in it. As he had treated Eglon, so here, he left no one alive. He delivered it over to the curse of destruction, with every living creature in it.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	38	Joshua, and all Israel with him, then turned back on Debir and attacked it.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	39	He took it and its king and all the places belonging to it; they put them to the sword, and every living creature there they delivered over to the curse of destruction. He left no one alive. As he had treated Hebron, as he had treated Libnah and its king, so he treated Debir and its king.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	40	Thus Joshua subjugated the whole country: the highlands, the Negeb, the lowlands and watered foothills, and all their kings. He left not one survivor and put every living thing under the curse of destruction, as Yahweh, God of Israel, had commanded.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	41	Joshua conquered them from Kadesh-Barnea to Gaza, and the whole region of Goshen as far as Gibeon.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	42	All these kings and their territory Joshua captured in a single campaign, because Yahweh, God of Israel, fought for Israel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	10	43	And then Joshua, and all Israel with him, went back to the camp at Gilgal.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	1	When Jabin king of Hazor heard about this, he sent word to Jobab king of Merom, to the king of Shimron, to the king of Achshaph
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	2	and to the kings in the northern highlands, in the plain south of Chinneroth, and those in the lowlands and on the slopes of Dor to the west.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	3	To eastward and to westward lived the Canaanites: in the highlands, the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites and Jebusites; the Hivites, at the foot of Hermon in the area of Mizpah.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	4	They set out with all their troops, a people as numerous as the sands of the sea, with a huge number of horses and chariots.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	5	These kings, having all agreed on a meeting place, came and set up camp together at the Waters of Merom, to fight Israel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	6	Yahweh then said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them, for by this time tomorrow I shall hand them all over, cut to pieces, to Israel; you will hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	7	With all his warriors Joshua caught them unawares near the Waters of Merom and fell on them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	8	Yahweh put them at Israel's mercy and they defeated them and pursued them as far as Sidon the Great, and as far as Misrephoth to the west, and as far as the Vale of Mizpah to the east; they harried them until not one of them was left alive.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	9	Joshua treated them as Yahweh had told him; he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	10	Joshua then turned back and captured Hazor, putting its king to the sword. Hazor in olden days was the capital of all these kingdoms.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	11	In compliance with the curse of destruction, they put every living creature there to the sword. Not a living soul was left, and Hazor was burnt to the ground.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	12	All these royal cities and all their kings Joshua put to the sword in compliance with the curse of destruction, as Moses, servant of Yahweh, had ordered.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	13	Yet of all these towns standing on their mounds, Israel burned none, apart from Hazor, burnt by Joshua.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	14	All the spoils of these towns, including the livestock, the Israelites took as booty for themselves. But they put all the human beings to the sword till they had destroyed them completely; they did not leave a living soul.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	15	What Yahweh had ordered his servant Moses, Moses in turn had ordered Joshua, and Joshua carried it out, leaving nothing undone of what Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	16	In consequence, Joshua captured this entire country: the highlands, the whole Negeb and the whole of Goshen, the lowlands, the Arabah, the highlands and lowlands of Israel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	17	From Mount Halak, which rises towards Seir, to Baal-Gad in the Vale of Lebanon at the foot of Mount Hermon, he captured all their kings, struck them down and put them to death.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	18	For many a day Joshua made war on all these kings;
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	19	no city had made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites who lived at Gibeon; all the rest had been captured in battle.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	20	For Yahweh had decided to harden the hearts of these men, so that they would engage Israel in battle and thus come under the curse of destruction and so receive no quarter but be exterminated, as Yahweh had ordered Moses.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	21	Joshua then went and wiped out the Anakim of the highlands, of Hebron, of Debir, of Anab, of all the highlands of Judah and of all the highlands of Israel; he delivered them and their towns over to the curse of destruction.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	22	No Anakim were left in the territory of the Israelites, except at Gaza, Gath and Ashdod.
 Joshua	Josh	6	11	23	Joshua captured the entire country, just as Yahweh had told Moses, and he gave it as heritage to Israel, to be shared out between their tribes. And the country had rest from warfare.
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	1	The kings of the country, whom the Israelites conquered and whose territory they took, on the further, eastern side of the Jordan, from the Wadi Arnon to Mount Hermon, with the entire Arabah to the east, were as follows:
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	2	Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon, ruled from Aroer which is on the edge of the Arnon Valley, including the bottom of the valley, half Gilead and as far as the Jabbok, the river forming the frontier with the Ammonites;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	3	the eastern Arabah up to the Sea of Chinneroth, and as far as the Sea of the Arabah, or Salt Sea, on the eastern side, in the direction of Beth-Jeshimoth, and, in the south, the watered foothills of Mount Pisgah.
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	4	Og king of Bashan, one of the last of the Rephaim, who lived at Ashtaroth and Edrei,
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	5	ruled over Mount Hermon and Salecah, the whole of Bashan to the frontier of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and half Gilead to the frontier of Sihon king of Heshbon.
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	6	Moses, servant of Yahweh, and the Israelites conquered these, and Moses, servant of Yahweh, conferred their territory on the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	7	The kings of the country whom Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the nearer, western side of the Jordan, from Baal-Gad in the Vale of Lebanon to Mount Halak rising towards Seir, and whose heritage Joshua distributed to the tribes of Israel, dividing it up between them, were as follows:
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	8	In the highlands and the lowlands, in the Arabah and in the watered foothills, in the desert and in the Negeb, belonging to the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites:
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	9	the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai near Bethel, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	10	the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	11	the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	12	the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	13	the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	14	the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	15	the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	16	the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	17	the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	18	the king of Aphek, one; the king of Sharon, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	19	the king of Merom, one; the king of Hazor, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	20	the king of Shimron Meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	21	the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	22	the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	23	the king of Dor, on the Slopes of Dor, one; the king of the nations in Galilee, one;
 Joshua	Josh	6	12	24	the king of Tirzah, one; Total number of all these kings: thirty-one.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	1	Now Joshua had grown old and advanced in years. Yahweh said to him, 'You are now old and advanced in years, yet there is still a great deal of territory left to be taken possession of.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	2	This is all the territory left: 'All the districts of the Philistines and the whole country of the Geshurites;
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	3	from the Shihor, facing Egypt, to the frontier of Ekron in the north, is reckoned as Canaanite territory. The five rulers of the Philistines have their seats at Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron, respectively; the Avvites are in
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	4	the south. The entire territory of the Canaanites, and Mearah which belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphekah and as far as the frontier of the Amorites;
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	5	and then the country of the Gebalites with the entire Lebanon eastwards from Baal-Gad at the foot of Mount Hermon to the Pass of Hamath.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	6	'All who live in the highlands from the Lebanon to Misrephoth in the west -- all the Sidonians -- I myself shall dispossess before the Israelites. All you have to do is to distribute the territory as a heritage for the Israelites as I have ordered you.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	7	The time has come to divide this territory as a heritage between the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh: from the Jordan as far as the Great Sea in the west, you must give it them; the Great Sea will be their limit.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	8	As regards the other half-tribe of Manasseh, this and the Reubenites and Gadites had already received their heritage, given them by Moses on the further, eastern side of the Jordan, the one which Moses, servant of Yahweh, had already given them:
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	9	The country onwards from Aroer on the edge of the Arnon Valley, with the town in the bottom of the valley and the entire tableland from Medeba to Dibon;
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	10	all the towns of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had reigned in Heshbon, to the frontier of the Ammonites;
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	11	then Gilead and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites with the whole Hermon range and the whole of Bashan as far as Salecah;
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	12	and in Bashan, the whole kingdom of Og, who had reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei, and was the last of the survivors of the Rephaim. Moses had conquered and dispossessed these two kings.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	13	The Israelites did not, however, dispossess either the Geshurites or the Maacathites, hence Geshur and Maacah survive inside Israel even today.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	14	To the tribe of Levi alone no heritage was given; Yahweh, God of Israel, was his heritage, as he had told him.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	15	Moses had given the tribe of the sons of Reuben a share by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	16	Thus, their territory was the entire tableland from Aroer on the edge of the Arnon Valley, with the town in the bottom of the valley, as far as Medeba,
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	17	Heshbon with all the towns on the tableland: Dibon, Bamoth-Baal, Beth-Baal-Meon,
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	18	Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath,
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	19	Kiriathaim, Sibmah and, in the highlands of the Arabah, Zereth-Shahar;
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	20	Beth-Peor, the watered foothills of Mount Pisgah, Beth-ha-Jeshimoth,
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	21	all the towns on the tableland and the entire kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had reigned in Heshbon; he had been defeated by Moses, and with him the princes of Midian, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba, vassals of Sihon, formerly living in the country.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	22	As regards Balaam son of Beor, the soothsayer, the Israelites had put him to the sword with those whom they had killed.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	23	The boundary of the Reubenites was the Jordan and its territory. Such was the heritage of the sons of Reuben, by clans, with the towns and villages belonging to them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	24	Moses had given the tribe of Gad, the sons of Gad, a share by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	25	Their territory was Jazer, all the towns of Gilead, half the country of the Ammonites as far as Aroer facing Rabbah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	26	and from Heshbon to Ramath-Mizpeh and Betonim; from Mahanaim as far as the territory of Lo-Debar,
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	27	and in the valley: Beth-Haram, Beth-Nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon -- the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon -- the Jordan and the territory running to the tip of the Sea of Chinneroth, on the further, eastern side of the Jordan.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	28	Such was the heritage of the sons of Gad, by clans, with their towns and villages belonging to them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	29	Moses had given the half-tribe of Manasseh a share by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	30	Their territory, starting from Mahanaim, was the whole of Bashan, the entire kingdom of Og king of Bashan, all the Encampments of Jair in Bashan: sixty towns.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	31	Half of Gilead, with Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the royal cities of Og in Bashan, were allotted to the sons of Machir son of Manasseh, to half of the sons of Machir, by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	32	This was what Moses had conferred in heritage on the Plains of Moab on the further, eastern side of the Jordan opposite Jericho.
 Joshua	Josh	6	13	33	To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses gave no heritage; Yahweh, God of Israel, was his heritage, as he had told him.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	1	This was what the Israelites received as their heritage in Canaan, which was given them as their heritage by the priest, Eleazar, and by Joshua son of Nun, with the heads of families of the tribes of Israel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	2	They received their heritage by lot, as Yahweh had ordered through Moses, as regards the nine tribes and the half-tribe.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	3	For Moses himself had given the two-and-a-half tribes their heritage on the further side of the Jordan, although to the Levites he had given no heritage with them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	4	Since the sons of Joseph formed two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, no share in the country was given to the Levites, apart from some towns to live in, with their pasture lands for their livestock and their possessions.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	5	The Israelites did as Yahweh had ordered Moses, and shared out the country.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	6	Some sons of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, 'You know what Yahweh said to Moses, man of God, at Kadesh-Barnea concerning you and me.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	7	I was forty years old when Moses, servant of Yahweh, sent me from Kadesh-Barnea to reconnoitre this country, and I made him a completely honest report.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	8	The brothers, however, who had gone up with me discouraged the people, whereas I myself scrupulously obeyed Yahweh my God.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	9	That day Moses swore this oath, "Be sure of this, that the country your foot has trodden will be a heritage for you and your children for ever, since you have scrupulously obeyed Yahweh my God."
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	10	From then till now, Yahweh has kept me alive in observance of his promise. It is forty-five years since Yahweh said this to Moses -- Israel was then going through the desert -- and now I am eighty-five years old.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	11	Today I am still as strong as the day when Moses sent me out on that errand; for fighting, for going and coming, I am as strong now as then.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	12	It is time you gave me the highlands, of which Yahweh spoke to me that day. You heard that day that there were Anakim and large, fortified towns there; but if Yahweh is with me, I shall drive them out, as Yahweh has said.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	13	Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as heritage.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	14	And hence Hebron down to the present day has remained the heritage of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, since he had scrupulously obeyed Yahweh, God of Israel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	14	15	Hebron in olden days was called Kiriath-Arba. Arba had been the greatest of the Anakim. And the country had rest from warfare.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	1	The portion falling to the tribe of the sons of Judah, by clans, was near the frontier of Edom, from the desert of Zin southwards to Kadesh in the south.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	2	Their southern frontier began at the tip of the Salt Sea, at the southerly bay;
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	3	it proceeded south of the Ascent of Scorpions, crossed Zin and came up to Kadesh-Barnea from the south; past Hezron, it went on to Addar and turned towards Karka;
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	4	the frontier then went on to Azmon, came out at the Torrent of Egypt and reached as far as the sea. This is to be your southern frontier.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	5	The eastern frontier was the Salt Sea as far as the mouth of the Jordan.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	6	The northern boundary began at the bay at the mouth of the Jordan. The boundary went up to Beth-Hoglah, passed north of Beth-ha-Arabah and went on to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	7	The boundary then went on to Debir from the Vale of Achor and turned north towards the stone circle opposite the Ascent of Adummim, which is south of the Torrent; the boundary went on to the Waters of En-Shemesh and came out at En-Rogel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	8	It then went back up the Valley of Hinnom, coming from the south to the flank of the Jebusite -- that is, Jerusalem -- and climbed to the crest of the mountain barring the Valley of Hinnom to the west, at the northern end of the Valley of the Rephaim.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	9	From the mountain top, the boundary curved round to the spring of the Waters of Nephtoah, went on to the towns of Mount Ephron and then turned towards Baalah -- that is, Kiriath-Jearim.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	10	From Baalah, the boundary curved westwards to the highlands of Seir, skirted the northern slope of Mount Jearim -- that is, Chesalon -- went down to Beth-Shemesh and through Timnah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	11	came out on the northern flank of Ekron, turned towards Shikkeron and, passing through the highlands of Baalah, came out at Jabneel, and reached as far as the sea.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	12	The western boundary was the Great Sea itself. Such was the frontier surrounding the sons of Judah, by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	13	Caleb son of Jephunneh was given a share within that of the sons of Judah, in accordance with Yahweh's order to Joshua: Kiriath-Arba, the town of the father of Anak -- that is, Hebron.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	14	Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, descended from Anak.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	15	From there he marched on the inhabitants of Debir; Debir in olden days was called Kiriath-Sepher.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	16	Caleb then said, 'To the man who attacks and takes Kiriath-Sepher, I shall give my daughter Achsah as wife.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	17	The man who captured it was Othniel son of Kenaz, brother of Caleb, who gave him his daughter Achsah as wife.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	18	When she arrived, he urged her to ask her father for arable land, but when she alighted from the donkey and Caleb asked her, 'What is the matter?'
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	19	she said to him, 'Grant me a blessing! As the land you have given me is the Negeb, give me springs of water too!' So Caleb gave her what she wanted, the upper springs and the lower springs.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	20	Such was the heritage of the tribe of the sons of Judah, by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	21	Towns at the extremity of the tribe of the sons of Judah, near the frontier of Edom in the Negeb: Kabzeel, Arad, Jagur,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	22	Kinah, Dimon, Aroer,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	23	Kedesh, Hazor-Ithnan,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	24	Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	25	Hazor-Hadattah, Kiriath-Hezron -- that is, Hazor-
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	26	Amam, Shema, Moladah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	27	Hazar-Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth-Pelet,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	28	Hazar-Shual, Beersheba and its dependencies,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	29	Baalah, Iim, Ezem,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	30	Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	31	Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	32	Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain and Rimmon: in all, twenty-nine towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	33	In the lowlands: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	34	Zanoah, En-Gannim, Tappuah, Enam,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	35	Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	36	Shaaraim, Aditaim, Ha-Gederah and Gederothaim: fourteen towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	37	Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal-Gad,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	38	Dilean, Ha-Mizpeh, Jokteel,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	39	Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	40	Cabbon, Lahmas, Chitlish,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	41	Gederoth, Beth-Dagon, Naamah and Makkedah: sixteen towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	42	Libna, Ether, Asham,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	43	Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	44	Keilah, Achzib and Mareshah: nine towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	45	Ekron with its dependencies and its villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	46	From Ekron to the sea, everything to the side of Ashdod, with its villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	47	Ashdod with its dependencies and its villages; Gaza with its dependencies and its villages as far as the Torrent of Egypt, the Great Sea forming the boundary.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	48	In the highlands: Shamir, Jattir, Socoh,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	49	Dannah, Kiriath-Sepher, now Debir,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	50	Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	51	Goshen, Holon and Giloh: eleven towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	52	Arab, Dumah, Eshan,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	53	Janum, Beth-Tappuah, Aphekah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	54	Humtah, Kiriath-Arba, now Hebron, and Zior: nine towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	55	Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	56	Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	57	Ha-Kain, Gibeah and Timnah: ten towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	58	Halhul, Beth-Zur, Gedor,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	59	Maarath, Beth-Anoth and Eltekon: six towns with their villages. Tekoa, Ephrathah, now Bethlehem, Peor, Etam, Kulon, Tatam, Sores, Carem, Gallim, Bether and Manach: eleven towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	60	Kiriath-Baal, that is Kiriath-Jearim, and Rabbah: two towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	61	In the desert: Beth-Arabah, Middin, Secacah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	62	Nibshan, Salt Town and En-Gedi: six towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	15	63	The Jebusites, however, who lived in Jerusalem, the sons of Judah were unable to dispossess, and the Jebusites still live in Jerusalem today, side by side with the sons of Judah.
 Joshua	Josh	6	16	1	The portion of the sons of Joseph started on the east at the Jordan opposite Jericho (the Waters of Jericho) through the desert rising from Jericho into the highlands of Bethel;
 Joshua	Josh	6	16	2	from Bethel it went to Luz, and on towards the frontier of the Archites at Ataroth;
 Joshua	Josh	6	16	3	then passed downwards and westwards to the frontier of the Japhletites as far as the border of Lower Beth-Horon and on to Gezer, and reached as far as the sea.
 Joshua	Josh	6	16	4	Such was the heritage of the sons of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim.
 Joshua	Josh	6	16	5	As regards the territory of the sons of Ephraim, by clans, the frontier of their heritage ran from Ataroth-Arach to Upper Beth-Horon;
 Joshua	Josh	6	16	6	the frontier then reached as far as the sea . . . the Michmethath in the north, and the frontier turned east to Tanaath-Shiloh which it crossed in an easterly direction to Janoah;
 Joshua	Josh	6	16	7	it ran down to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho and ended at the Jordan.
 Joshua	Josh	6	16	8	From Tappuah, the frontier ran westwards to the Torrent of Kanah and reached as far as the sea. Such was the heritage of the tribe of the sons of Ephraim, by clans,
 Joshua	Josh	6	16	9	apart from the towns reserved for the sons of Ephraim inside the heritage of the sons of Manasseh, all these towns and their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	16	10	The Canaanites living in Gezer were not driven out; they have remained in Ephraim to the present day but are obliged to do forced labour.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	1	The portion of the tribe of Manasseh, who was in fact Joseph's first-born -- went to Machir, Manasseh's first-born, father of Gilead, for he was a warrior; he had Gilead and Bashan.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	2	The other sons of Manasseh had theirs, by clans: for the sons of Abiezer, for the sons of Helek, for the sons of Asriel, for the sons of Shechem, for the sons of Hepher, and for the sons of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh son of Joseph, by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	3	Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, had no sons but only daughters, whose names were these: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	4	These approached the priest Eleazar, Joshua son of Nun and the leaders, and said, 'Yahweh ordered Moses to give us a heritage among our brothers.' In compliance with Yahweh's order, therefore, they were given a heritage among their father's brothers.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	5	In this way ten portions fell to Manasseh, apart from Gilead and Bashan lying on the further side of the Jordan,
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	6	since Manasseh's daughters received a heritage as well as his sons. Gilead itself belonged to Manasseh's other sons.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	7	On the side of Asher, the frontier of Manasseh was the Michmethath, which is opposite Shechem, and thence continued to the right to Jashib, which is at the spring of Tappuah.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	8	The territory of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but Tappuah on Manasseh's border belonged to the sons of Ephraim.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	9	The boundary went down to the Torrent of Kanah; south of the Torrent were the towns of Ephraim, excluding those owned by Ephraim among the towns of Manasseh; the boundary of Manasseh was north of the Torrent and reached as far as the sea.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	10	The south belonged to Ephraim and the north to Manasseh and reached as far as the sea; they touched Asher to the north and Issachar to the east.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	11	With Issachar and Asher, Manasseh shared Beth-Shean and its dependent towns, Ibleam and its dependent towns, the inhabitants of Dor and of its dependent towns, the inhabitants of Taanach and Megiddo and of their dependent towns: the Three of the Slopes.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	12	But because the sons of Manasseh could not take possession of these towns, the Canaanites managed to live on in that territory.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	13	When, however, the Israelites became stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labour, though they never dispossessed them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	14	The sons of Joseph spoke as follows to Joshua, 'Why have you given me only one share, only one portion, as heritage, when I am a numerous people, since Yahweh has so blessed me?'
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	15	Joshua replied, 'If your people are so many, go up to the wooded area and clear space for yourselves in the area belonging to the Perizzites and Rephaim, since the highlands of Ephraim are too small for you.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	16	The sons of Joseph replied, 'The highlands are not enough for us, and what is more, all the Canaanites living on the land of the plain have iron chariots, so do those in Beth-Shean and its dependent towns, and those in the plain of Jezreel.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	17	Joshua said to the House of Joseph, to Ephraim and to Manasseh, 'You are a numerous people and your strength is great; you will not only have one share,
 Joshua	Josh	6	17	18	but a mountain will be yours as well; even if it is a forest, you can clear it and its territories will be yours. And you will dispossess the Canaanites, although they have iron chariots and although they are strong.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	1	The whole community of the Israelites assembled at Shiloh, and the Tent of Meeting was set up there; the whole country had been subdued for them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	2	But among the Israelites there were still seven tribes left who had not received their heritage.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	3	Joshua then said to the Israelites, 'How much more time are you going to waste before you go and take possession of the country which Yahweh, God of your ancestors, has given to you?
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	4	Choose three men from each tribe for me to send all over the country so that they can make a survey with a view to their inheritances and then come back to me.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	5	They will divide the country into seven portions. Judah will remain in his territory in the south, and those of the House of Joseph will remain in their territory in the north.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	6	You must survey the country in seven sections and bring your findings to me here, so that I can cast lots for you here, in the presence of Yahweh our God.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	7	The Levites, however, will have no portion with the rest of you; the priesthood of Yahweh will be their heritage. As regards Gad and Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh, they have received their heritage on the further, eastern side of the Jordan, the one given them by Moses, servant of Yahweh.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	8	The men stood up and set off. To those who were to survey the country Joshua gave this order, 'Start out, then, go all over the country, survey it, and then come back to me; and I shall cast lots for you here, in the presence of Yahweh, at Shiloh.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	9	The men left, went all over the country and surveyed it by towns, in seven sections, writing down their findings in a book, and then went back to Joshua in the camp at Shiloh.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	10	Joshua cast lots for them in Yahweh's presence at Shiloh, and there Joshua divided the country between the Israelites, share by share.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	11	A portion fell first to the tribe of the sons of Benjamin, by clans: the territory of their portion lay between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	12	Their northern frontier began at the Jordan, went up the flank of Jericho to the north, climbed westwards through the highlands and came out at the desert of Beth-Aven.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	13	Thence, the frontier went on to Luz, on the southern flank of Luz -- now Bethel-and then down to Ataroth-Arach, on the mountain south of Lower Beth-Horon.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	14	At this westerly point, the frontier curved round and turned south, from the mountain facing Beth-Horon from the south and came out at Kiriath-Baal, now Kiriath-Jearim, a town of the sons of Judah. That was the western side.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	15	This was the south side: from the tip of Kiriath-Jearim, the frontier went to Gasin and came out near the spring of the Waters of Nephtoah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	16	it then went down to the edge of the mountain facing the Valley of Hinnom, in the Valley of the Rephaim to the north; it then went down into the Valley of Hinnom, past the southerly flank of the Jebusite, and went down to En-Rogel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	17	It then curved northwards, coming out at En-Shemesh, and came out at the stone circle opposite the Ascent of Adummim, then went down to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	18	It then went on to Cheteph on the flank of Beth-ha-Arabah northwards, and went down into the Arabah;
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	19	the frontier then passed round the northern flank of Beth-Hoglah, and the frontier came out at the northern bay of the Salt Sea, at the southern end of the Jordan. Such was the southern frontier.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	20	The Jordan itself formed the frontier on the east. Such was the heritage of the sons of Benjamin as defined by their frontier, by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	21	The towns of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin, by clans, were:
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	22	Jericho, Beth-Hoglah, Emek-Keziz;
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	23	Beth-Arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel; Avvim, Parah, Ophrah;
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	24	Chephar-Ammoni, Ophni, Geba: twelve towns and their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	25	Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth;
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	26	Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah;
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	27	Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah;
 Joshua	Josh	6	18	28	Zela-ha-Eleph, the Jebusite -- that is, Jerusalem -- Gibeah and Kiriath: fourteen towns with their villages. Such was the heritage of the sons of Benjamin, by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	1	The second lot to come out was for Simeon, for the tribe of the sons of Simeon, by clans; their heritage was within the heritage of the sons of Judah.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	2	As heritage, they received:
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	3	Beersheba, Shema, Moladah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	4	Hazar-Shual, Balah, Ezem, Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	5	Ziklag, Beth-ha-Marcaboth, Hazar-Susa,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	6	Beth-Lebaoth and Sharuhen: thirteen towns and their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	7	Ain, Rimmon, Ether and Ashan: four towns and their villages,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	8	with all the villages situated near these towns as far as Baalath-Beer and Ramah of the Negeb. Such was the heritage of the tribe of the sons of Simeon, by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	9	The heritage of the sons of Simeon was taken out of the portion of the sons of Judah, because the share of the sons of Judah was too large for them; hence, the sons of Simeon received their heritage within the heritage of the sons of Judah.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	10	The third lot fell to the sons of Zebulun, by clans; the territory of their heritage stretched as far as Sadud;
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	11	their frontier climbed westwards to Maraalah, touching Dabbesheth and the torrent facing Jokneam.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	12	From Sadud, the frontier turned east, towards the rising sun, as far as the frontier of Chisloth-Tabor; it came out at Dobrath and went up to Japhia.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	13	Thence, it went east, towards the sunrise, to Gath-Hepher and Ittah-Kazin, came out at Rimmon and turned towards Neah.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	14	The northern frontier turned towards Hannathon and came to an end in the Valley of Iphtah-El;
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	15	with Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Iralah and Bethlehem: twelve towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	16	Such was the heritage of the sons of Zebulun, by clans: these towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	17	The fourth lot came out for Issachar, for the sons of Issachar, by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	18	Their territory stretched towards Jezreel and included Chesulloth, Shunem,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	19	Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	20	Dobrath, Kishion, Ebez,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	21	Remeth, En-Gannim, En-Haddah and Beth-Pazzez.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	22	Their frontier touched Tabor, Shahazimah and Beth-Shemesh, and the frontier came to an end at the Jordan: sixteen towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	23	Such was the heritage of the tribe of the sons of Issachar, by clans: the towns and their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	24	The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the sons of Asher, by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	25	Their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	26	Alammelech, Amad and Mishal.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	27	On the west, it touched Carmel and the course of the Libnath. On the side of the rising sun, it went as far as Beth-Dagon, touched Zebulun, the Valley of Iphtah-El on the north side, Beth-ha-Emek and Neiel, coming out with Cabul on the left,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	28	with Abdon, Rehob, Hammon and Kanah as far as Sidon the Great. The frontier then turned towards Ramah, as far as the fortress-town of Tyre;
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	29	the frontier then went to Hosah and reached as far as the sea at Mahalab and Achzib,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	30	with Acco, Aphek and Rehob: twenty-two towns with their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	31	Such was the heritage of the tribe of the sons of Asher, by clans; these towns and their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	32	To the sons of Naphtali fell the sixth portion, to the sons of Naphtali, by clans.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	33	Their frontier went from Heleph and the Oak of Zanaannim, with Adami-ha-Negeb and Jabneel, as far as Lakkum, and ended at the Jordan.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	34	The westward boundary ran to Aznoth-Tabor and thence came out at Hukkok, marching with Zebulun in the south, Asher in the west and the Jordan in the east.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	35	The fortified towns were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	36	Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	37	Kedesh, Edrei, En-Hazor,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	38	Jiron, Migdal-El, Horem, Beth-Anath and Beth-Shemesh: nineteen towns and their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	39	Such was the heritage of the sons of Naphtali, by clans: the towns and their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	40	To the tribe of the sons of Dan, by clans, fell the seventh portion.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	41	The territory of their heritage comprised: Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-Shemesh,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	42	Shaalbim, Aijalon, Silatha,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	43	Elon, Timnah, Ekron,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	44	Eltekeh, Gibbethon,
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	45	Baalath, Azor, Bene-Berak and Gath-Rimmon;
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	46	and, by the sea, Jerakon with the territory facing Jaffa.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	47	The territory of the sons of Dan eluded them, however, and the sons of Dan consequently went up and attacked Leshem, captured it and put it to the sword. Having gained possession of it, they settled there and called Leshem, Dan, after Dan their ancestor.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	48	Such was the heritage of the tribe of the sons of Dan, by clans: these towns and their villages.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	49	Having finished dividing the country, frontier by frontier, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun a heritage among themselves;
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	50	at Yahweh's command, they gave him the town which he had asked for, Timnath-Serah in the highlands of Ephraim; he rebuilt the town and settled there.
 Joshua	Josh	6	19	51	Such are the heritages which the priest Eleazar, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of each family apportioned by lot between the tribes of Israel at Shiloh, in Yahweh's presence, at the door of the Tent of Meeting; and thus the apportioning of the country was completed.
 Joshua	Josh	6	20	1	Yahweh said to Joshua,
 Joshua	Josh	6	20	2	'Speak to the Israelites and say to them, "Choose yourselves the cities of refuge of which I spoke to you through Moses,
 Joshua	Josh	6	20	3	to which anyone who has accidentally (unintentionally) killed someone else may flee, and which will serve you as refuge from the avenger of blood.
 Joshua	Josh	6	20	4	(The killer must flee to one of these towns. He will stop at the entrance to the town gate and explain his case to the town elders. These will admit him to their town and assign him a place to live among them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	20	5	If the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not hand the killer over to him, since he has killed his fellow unintentionally and was not motivated by long-standing hatred for him.
 Joshua	Josh	6	20	6	He must stay in this town) until he is brought to trial before the community (until the death of the high priest then in office. Only then may the killer go back to his own town and to his own house in the town from which he has fled)."
 Joshua	Josh	6	20	7	For this purpose they designated Kedesh in Galilee, in the highlands of Naphtali, Shechem in the highlands of Ephraim, and Kiriath-Arba -- now Hebron -- in the highlands of Judah.
 Joshua	Josh	6	20	8	On the other, eastern, side of the Jordan opposite Jericho, in the desert of the tableland, they chose Bezer of the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan of the tribe of Manasseh.
 Joshua	Josh	6	20	9	Such were the towns designated for all the Israelites and for foreigners living among them, so that anyone who had accidentally killed someone could flee there and might escape the hand of the avenger of blood, until brought to trial before the community.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	1	The heads of families of the Levites then came to the priest, Eleazar, Joshua son of Nun and the heads of families of the tribes of Israel-
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	2	they were then at Shiloh in Canaan. They said to them, 'Through Moses, Yahweh ordered us to be given towns to live in, with their pasture lands for our livestock.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	3	In compliance with Yahweh's order, the Israelites consequently and from their own heritage gave the Levites the following towns with their pasture lands:
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	4	Lots were cast for the clans of the Kohathites: to those Levites who were sons of Aaron the priest, fell thirteen towns from the tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin;
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	5	to the other sons of Kohath, by clans,
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	6	fell ten towns from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. To the sons of Gershon, by clans, fell thirteen towns from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	7	To the sons of Merari, by clans, fell twelve towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Zebulun.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	8	The Israelites assigned these towns and their pasture lands to the Levites by lot, as Yahweh had ordered through Moses.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	9	From the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Simeon, they gave the towns named below.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	10	The first portion was for the sons of Aaron, belonging to the clans of the Kohathites, to the sons of Levi, since the first lot was theirs.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	11	They gave them Kiriath-Arba, Anak's father's town -- now Hebron -- in the highlands of Judah, with its surrounding pasture lands.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	12	The fields and villages of this town, however, they gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his property.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	13	To the sons of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron, a city of refuge for those who had killed, with its pasture lands, as well as Libnah with its pasture lands,
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	14	Jattir with its pasture lands, Eshtemoa with its pasture lands,
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	15	Holon with its pasture lands, Debir with its pasture lands,
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	16	Ashan with its pasture lands, Juttah with its pasture lands, and Beth-Shemesh with its pasture lands: nine towns taken from these two tribes;
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	17	and, from the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with its pasture lands, Geba with its pasture lands,
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	18	Anathoth with its pasture lands and Almon with its pasture lands: four towns.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	19	Total number of towns for the priests, the sons of Aaron: thirteen towns with their pasture lands.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	20	As regards the clans of the sons of Kohath, those Levites still left of the sons of Kohath, the towns of their lot were taken from the tribe of Ephraim.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	21	They were given Shechem, a city of refuge for those who had killed, with its pasture lands, in the highlands of Ephraim, as well as Gezer with its pasture lands,
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	22	Kibzaim with its pasture lands, and Beth-Horon with its pasture lands: four towns;
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	23	from the tribe of Dan, Elteke with its pasture lands, Gibbethon with its pasture lands,
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	24	Aijalon with its pasture lands and Gath-Rimmon with its pasture lands: four towns;
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	25	and, from the half-tribe of Manasseh, Taanach with its pasture lands and Jibleam with its pasture lands: two towns.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	26	In all: ten towns with their pasture lands for the remaining clans of the sons of Kohath.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	27	To the sons of Gershon, of the levitical clans, were given: from the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan, a city of refuge for those who had killed, with its pasture lands, and Ashtaroth with its pasture lands -- two towns;
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	28	from the tribe of Issachar, Kishion with its pasture lands, Dobrath with its pasture lands,
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	29	Jarmuth with its pasture lands and En-Gannim with its pasture lands -- four towns;
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	30	from the tribe of Asher, Mishal with its pasture lands, Abdon with its pasture lands,
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	31	Helkath with its pasture lands and Rehob with its pasture lands -- four towns;
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	32	and, from the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee, a city of refuge for those who had killed, with its pasture lands, Hammoth-Dor with its pasture lands and Kartan with its pasture lands -- three towns.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	33	Total number of towns of the Gershonites, by clans: thirteen towns with their pasture lands.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	34	To the clans of the sons of Merari, the remainder of the Levites, fell: from the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasture lands, Kartah with its pasture lands,
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	35	Rimmon with its pasture lands and Nahalal with its pasture lands -- four towns;
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	36	on the other side of the Jordan opposite Jericho, from the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the desert, on the tableland, a city of refuge for those who had killed, with its pasture lands, Jahaz with its pasture lands,
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	37	Kedemoth with its pasture lands and Mephaath with its pasture lands -- four towns;
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	38	and, from the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead, a city of refuge for those who had killed, with its pasture lands, Mahanaim with its pasture lands,
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	39	Heshbon with its pasture lands and Jazer with its pasture lands -- four towns.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	40	Total number of towns forming the lot of the sons of Merari by clans, of the remaining levitical clans: twelve towns.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	41	The total number of towns for the Levites in Israelite territory was forty-eight towns with their pasture lands.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	42	These towns consisted in each case of the town itself and the pasture land round it. This was the case with all the towns.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	43	This was how Yahweh gave the Israelites the entire country which he had sworn to give to their ancestors. They took possession of it and settled in it.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	44	Yahweh granted them tranquillity on all their frontiers just as he had sworn to their ancestors and, of all their enemies, not one succeeded in resisting them. Yahweh put all their enemies at their mercy.
 Joshua	Josh	6	21	45	Of all the promises that Yahweh had made to the House of Israel, not one failed; all were fulfilled.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	1	Joshua then summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	2	and said to them, 'You have observed everything that Moses, servant of Yahweh, ordered you, and whenever I have given you an order you have listened to me.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	3	You have not deserted your brothers, from long ago until today, keeping the observance of the commandment of Yahweh your God.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	4	Now that Yahweh your God has granted your brothers the rest that he promised them, go back to your tents, to the country belonging to you which Moses, servant of Yahweh, gave you on the other side of the Jordan.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	5	But take great care to practise the commandments and the Law which Moses, servant of Yahweh, has given you: to love Yahweh your God, always to follow his paths, to keep his commandments, to be loyal to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	6	Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went home to their tents.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	7	To one half of the tribe of Manasseh, Moses had given a territory in Bashan; to the other half, Joshua gave another among their brothers on the west bank of the Jordan. As Joshua sent them home to their tents, he blessed them
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	8	and said to them, 'You are going back to your tents with great wealth, with a great deal of livestock, with silver and gold, bronze and iron and great quantities of clothing; share the spoils of your enemies with your brothers.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	9	The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned home, leaving the Israelites at Shiloh in Canaan, and made for Gilead, the territory which belonged to them as a result of Yahweh's order given through Moses.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	10	When they came to the stone circle by the Jordan, in Canaanite territory, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar there beside the Jordan, a large, imposing altar.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	11	This came to the ears of the Israelites. 'Look,' the word went round, 'the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built this altar on the Canaanite side, near the stone circle by the Jordan, on the Israelites' bank.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	12	At this news, the whole community of the Israelites mustered at Shiloh, to march against them and make war on them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	13	The Israelites sent the priest Phinehas son of Eleazar to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, in Gilead,
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	14	and with him ten leading men, one man from a leading family from each of the tribes of Israel, each of them being head of his family in the clans of Israel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	15	Having reached the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, they said this:
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	16	'The whole community of Israel says as follows, "What do you mean by this infidelity, which you have committed against the God of Israel by now repudiating your allegiance to Yahweh, and by building yourselves an altar with the intention now of rebelling against Yahweh?
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	17	"Was the crime which we committed at Peor so slight -- although we have not managed to purify ourselves from that even now, in spite of the plague which has ravaged the community of Yahweh-
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	18	that you must now repudiate your allegiance to Yahweh? For since you are in rebellion against him today, tomorrow his anger will be aroused against the whole community of Israel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	19	"Is the country in which you have settled unclean? Then cross over into the country where Yahweh has settled, there where Yahweh's Dwelling now stands, and settle among us. But do not rebel against Yahweh or involve us in your rebellion by building a rival altar to the altar of Yahweh our God.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	20	When Achan son of Zerah was unfaithful to the curse of destruction, did not the retribution come down on the whole community of Israel, although he was only one man? Did he not have to die for his crime?" '
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	21	The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh spoke in their turn and answered the heads of the clans of Israel:
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	22	'The God of gods, Yahweh, the God of gods, Yahweh well knows, and let Israel know it too: if there has been rebellion or infidelity to Yahweh on our part, may he refuse to save us today!
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	23	And if we have built ourselves an altar with the intention of repudiating our allegiance to Yahweh and of presenting burnt offering and oblation or of offering communion sacrifices on it, may Yahweh himself call us to account for it!
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	24	The truth is, we have done this as a precaution: in the future, your descendants might say to ours, "What connection do you have with Yahweh, God of Israel?
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	25	Has not Yahweh set the frontier of the Jordan between us and you, you Reubenites and Gadites? You have no share in Yahweh." Thus, your descendants would be the cause of stopping ours from fearing Yahweh.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	26	'So we said to each other, "Let us build this altar, not for burnt offerings or other sacrifices
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	27	but as a witness between us and you and between our descendants after us, attesting that we too have the right to worship Yahweh, in his presence, with our burnt offerings, our victims and our communion sacrifices. And so, in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours: You have no share in Yahweh."
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	28	And we furthermore said, "If ever it were to happen that they did say this either to us or to our descendants in the future, we should reply: Look at this structure, Yahweh's altar, made by our ancestors not for burnt offerings or other sacrifices but as a witness between us and you."
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	29	Far be it from us to rebel against Yahweh or now to repudiate our allegiance to Yahweh by building an altar for burnt offerings or oblations or sacrifices, in rivalry with the altar of Yahweh our God that stands before his Dwelling!'
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	30	When the priest Phinehas, the leaders of the community and the heads of the clans of Israel who were with him, heard the words spoken by the Gadites, the Reubenites and the Manassehites, they approved of them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	31	The priest Phinehas son of Eleazar then said to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the Manassehites, 'Today, we can see that Yahweh is among us, since you have not been unfaithful to Yahweh in this matter; this means that you have spared the Israelites from Yahweh's avenging hand.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	32	The priest Phinehas son of Eleazar and the leaders left the Reubenites and the Gadites and went back from Gilead to Canaan and the Israelites, to whom they reported the answer.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	33	The Israelites were pleased to hear this; the Israelites gave thanks to God and spoke no more of marching against them to make war on them and to ravage the country inhabited by the Reubenites and the Gadites.
 Joshua	Josh	6	22	34	The Reubenites and the Gadites called the altar . . . , 'Because', they said, 'it will be a witness between us that Yahweh is God.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	1	Now long after Yahweh had given Israel rest from all the enemies surrounding them -- Joshua was old now, far advanced in years-
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	2	Joshua summoned all Israel, their elders, leaders, judges and officials, and said to them, 'I myself am old, far advanced in years;
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	3	you for your part have witnessed all that Yahweh your God has done to all these nations for your sake; Yahweh your God himself has fought for you.
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	4	Look, these nations still remaining, and all the nations which I have exterminated from the Jordan all the way to the Great Sea in the west, I have allotted to you as the heritage for your tribes.
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	5	Yahweh your God will himself drive them out before you; he will dispossess them before you and you will take possession of their country, as Yahweh your God has promised you.
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	6	'So be very firm about keeping and doing everything written in the Book of the Law of Moses, not swerving from that either to right or to left.
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	7	Never mix with the peoples who are still left beside you. Do not utter the names of their gods, do not swear by them, do not serve them and do not bow down to them.
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	8	On the contrary, you must be loyal to Yahweh your God as you have been till now.
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	9	Yahweh has dispossessed great and powerful nations before you, and no one so far has been able to resist you.
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	10	One man of you was able to rout a thousand of them, since Yahweh your God was himself fighting for you, as he had promised you.
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	11	Be very careful, as you value your life, to love Yahweh your God.
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	12	'But should you in any way relapse, if you make friends with the remnant of these nations still living beside you, if you intermarry with them, if you mix with them and they with you,
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	13	then know for certain that Yahweh your God will stop dispossessing these nations before you, and for you they will be a snare, a pitfall, thorns in your sides and thistles in your eyes, until you vanish from this fine country given you by Yahweh your God.
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	14	'Today, you see, I am going the way of all the earth. Acknowledge with all your heart and soul that of all the promises made to you by Yahweh your God, not one has failed: all have been fulfilled -- not one has failed.
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	15	'As every promise made to you by Yahweh your God has been fulfilled for you, by the same token Yahweh will fulfil all his threats against you, even to exterminating you from this fine country given you by Yahweh your God.
 Joshua	Josh	6	23	16	'For if you violate the covenant which Yahweh your God has imposed on you, if you go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then Yahweh's anger will be roused against you and you will quickly vanish from the fine country which he has given you.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	1	Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel together at Shechem; he then summoned all the elders of Israel, its leaders, judges and officials, and they presented themselves in God's presence.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	2	Joshua then said to all the people: 'Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this, "From time immemorial, your ancestors, Terah, father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the River, and served other gods.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	3	I then brought your ancestor Abraham from beyond the River and led him through the length and breadth of Canaan. I increased his descendants and I gave him Isaac.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	4	To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. To Esau I gave possession of the mountainous country of Seir. Jacob and his sons went down into Egypt.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	5	I then sent Moses and Aaron, and plagued Egypt with the wonders that I worked there; finally I brought you out.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	6	I brought your ancestors out of Egypt, and you came to the Sea; the Egyptians pursued your ancestors with chariots and horsemen, to the Sea of Reeds.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	7	They then called to Yahweh, and he spread a thick fog between you and the Egyptians, and made the sea go back on them and cover them. You saw with your own eyes what I did in Egypt. Then, for a long while, you lived in the desert.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	8	I then brought you into the country of the Amorites, who used to live on the further side of the Jordan; they made war on you and I put them at your mercy; after which, you took possession of their country, since I destroyed them before you.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	9	Next, Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, rose to make war on Israel, and sent for Balaam son of Beor to come and curse you.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	10	But I would not listen to Balaam; instead, he had to bless you, and I saved you from his power.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	11	"You then crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho, but the inhabitants of Jericho made war on you: Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, and I put them all at your mercy.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	12	I sent hornets ahead of you, which drove out the two Amorite kings before you; this was not the work of your sword or of your bow.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	13	And now I have given you a country for which you have not toiled, towns you have not built, although you live in them, vineyards and olive groves you have not planted, although you eat their fruit."
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	14	'So now, fear Yahweh and serve him truly and sincerely; banish the gods whom your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve Yahweh.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	15	But if serving Yahweh seems a bad thing to you, today you must make up your minds whom you do mean to serve, whether the gods whom your ancestors served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now living. As regards my family and me, we shall serve Yahweh.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	16	The people replied, 'Far be it from us to desert Yahweh and to serve other gods!
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	17	Yahweh our God was the one who brought us and our ancestors here from Egypt, from the place of slave-labour, who worked those great wonders before our eyes and who kept us safe all along the way we travelled and among all the peoples through whom we passed.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	18	And Yahweh has driven all the nations out for us, including the Amorites who used to live in the country. We too shall serve Yahweh, for he is our God.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	19	Joshua then said to the people, 'You will not be able to serve Yahweh, since he is a holy God, he is a jealous God who will not tolerate either your misdeeds or your sins.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	20	If you desert Yahweh and serve the foreigners' gods, he will turn and maltreat you anew and, in spite of having been good to you in the past, will destroy you.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	21	The people replied to Joshua, 'No! Yahweh is the one we mean to serve.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	22	Joshua then said to the people, 'You are witnesses to yourselves that you have chosen Yahweh, to serve him.' They replied, 'Witnesses we are!'
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	23	'Then banish the foreign gods which you have with you and give your allegiance to Yahweh, God of Israel!'
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	24	The people replied to Joshua, 'Yahweh our God is the one whom we shall serve; his voice we shall obey!'
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	25	That day Joshua made a covenant for the people; he laid down a statute and ordinance for them at Shechem.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	26	Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. He then took a large stone and set it up there, under the oak tree in Yahweh's sanctuary.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	27	Joshua then said to all the people, 'Look, this stone will be a witness to us, since it has heard all the words that Yahweh has spoken to us: it will be a witness against you, in case you should deny your God.'
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	28	Joshua then dismissed the people, every one to his own heritage.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	29	After this, Joshua son of Nun, servant of Yahweh, died; he was a hundred and ten years old.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	30	He was buried on the estate which he had received as his heritage, at Timnath-Serah which lies in the highlands of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	31	Israel served Yahweh throughout the lifetime of Joshua and throughout the lifetime of those elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the deeds which Yahweh had done for the sake of Israel.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	32	As regards the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought from Egypt, these were buried at Shechem in the plot of ground which Jacob had bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor father of Shechem, and which had become the heritage of the sons of Joseph.
 Joshua	Josh	6	24	33	Eleazar son of Aaron then died and was buried at Gibeah, the town of his son Phinehas, which had been given to him in the highlands of Ephraim.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	1	Now after Joshua's death, the Israelites consulted Yahweh, asking, 'Which of us is to march on the Canaanites first, to make war on them?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	2	And Yahweh replied, 'Judah is to march on them first; I am delivering the country into his hands.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	3	Judah then said to his brother Simeon, 'March with me into the territory allotted to me; we shall make war on the Canaanites, and then I in my turn shall march into your territory with you.' And Simeon marched with him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	4	So Judah marched on them, and Yahweh delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands, and they defeated them at Bezek-ten thousand of them!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	5	At Bezek they came upon Adoni-Bezek; they joined battle with him and defeated the Canaanites and Perizzites.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	6	Adoni-Bezek took to flight, but they chased and captured him and cut off his thumbs and big toes.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	7	Adoni-Bezek said, 'Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to pick up the crumbs under my table. As I did, God does to me.' He was taken to Jerusalem, and there he died.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	8	(The sons of Judah attacked Jerusalem and took it: they put its people to the sword and set fire to the city.)
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	9	After this the sons of Judah went down to make war on the Canaanites who were living in the highlands, the Negeb and the lowlands.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	10	Judah next marched on the Canaanites living in Hebron -- the name of Hebron in olden days was Kiriath-Arba -- and beat Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	11	From there, he marched on the inhabitants of Debir -- the name of Debir in olden days was Kiriath-Sepher.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	12	Caleb said, 'To the man who conquers and captures Kiriath-Sepher, I shall give my daughter Achsah as wife.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	13	The man who captured it was Othniel son of Kenaz, younger brother of Caleb, who gave him his daughter Achsah as wife.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	14	When she arrived, he urged her to ask her father for arable land, but when she alighted from the donkey and Caleb asked her, 'What is the matter?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	15	she said to him, 'Grant me a blessing! As the land you have given me is the Negeb, give me springs of water, too!' So Caleb gave her what she wanted: the upper springs and the lower springs.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	16	The sons of Hobab the Kenite, father-in-law of Moses, marched up with the sons of Judah from the City of Palm Trees into the desert of Judah lying in the Negeb of Arad, where they went and settled among the people.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	17	Judah then set out with his brother Simeon. They beat the Canaanites who lived in Zephath and delivered it over to the curse of destruction; hence the town was given the name of Hormah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	18	Judah then captured Gaza and its territory, Ashkelon and its territory, Ekron and its territory.And Yahweh was with Judah, who made himself master of the highlands;
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	19	he could not, however, dispossess the inhabitants of the plain, since they had iron chariots.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	20	As Moses had directed, Hebron was given to Caleb, and he drove the three sons of Anak out of it.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	21	As regards the Jebusites living in Jerusalem, the sons of Benjamin did not dispossess them, and the Jebusites have been living in Jerusalem with the sons of Benjamin ever since.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	22	Similarly, the House of Joseph marched on Bethel, and Yahweh was with them.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	23	The House of Joseph made a reconnaissance of Bethel. (In olden days, the name of the town was Luz.)
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	24	The scouts saw a man coming out of the town and said to him, 'Show us how to get into the town and we shall show you faithful love.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	25	And when he had shown them a way into the town, they put the town to the sword but let the man and his whole clan go.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	26	The man went off to the country of the Hittites and built a town which he called Luz; and that has been its name ever since.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	27	Manasseh did not dispossess Beth-Shean and its dependencies, nor Taanach and its dependencies, nor the inhabitants of Dor and its dependencies, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and its dependencies, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and its dependencies; in those parts the Canaanites held their ground.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	28	But when the Israelites became stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labour, although they did not dispossess them.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	29	Nor did Ephraim dispossess the Canaanites living in Gezer; thus, the Canaanites went on living in Gezer with him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	30	Zebulun did not dispossess the inhabitants of Kitron or of Nahalol. The Canaanites lived on with Zebulun but were subjected to forced labour.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	31	Asher did not dispossess the inhabitants of Acco, nor those of Sidon, of Mahalab, of Achzib, of Helbah, of Aphek or of Rehob.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	32	So the Asherites lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the country, not having dispossessed them.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	33	Naphtali did not dispossess the inhabitants of Beth-Shemesh or of Beth-Anath; they settled among the Canaanite inhabitants of the country, but the inhabitants of Beth-Shemesh and of Beth-Anath were subjected to forced labour for them.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	34	The Amorites drove the Danites back into the highlands and would not let them come down into the plain.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	35	The Amorites held their ground at Har -- Heres and Shaalbim, but when the hand of the House of Joseph grew heavier, they were subjected to forced labour. (
 Judges	Jdgs	7	1	36	The territory of the Edomites begins at the Ascent of Scorpions, runs to the Rock and continues on upwards.)
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	1	The Angel of Yahweh went up from Gilgal to Bethel and said, 'I have brought you out of Egypt and led you into this country, which I promised on oath to your ancestors. I said, "I shall never break my covenant with you.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	2	You for your part must make no covenant with the inhabitants of this country; you will destroy their altars." But you have not listened to my voice. What is the reason for this?
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	3	Very well, I now say this, "I am not going to drive these nations out before you. They will become your oppressors, and their gods will be a snare for you."
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	4	When the angel of Yahweh had spoken these words to all the Israelites, the people began to wail at the top of their voices.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	5	And they called the place Bochim, and offered sacrifices to Yahweh there.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	6	Joshua having dismissed the people, the Israelites then went away, each one to his own heritage, to occupy the country.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	7	The people served Yahweh throughout the lifetime of Joshua and throughout the lifetime of those elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the great deeds which Yahweh had done for the sake of Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	8	Joshua son of Nun, servant of Yahweh, was a hundred and ten years old when he died.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	9	He was buried on the estate which he had received as his heritage at Timnath-Heres in the highlands of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	10	And when that whole generation had been gathered to its ancestors, another generation followed it which knew neither Yahweh nor the deeds which he had done for the sake of Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	11	The Israelites then did what is evil in Yahweh's eyes and served the Baals.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	12	They deserted Yahweh, God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt, and they followed other gods, from those of the surrounding peoples. They bowed down to these; they provoked Yahweh;
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	13	they deserted Yahweh to serve Baal and Astartes.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	14	Then Yahweh's anger grew hot against Israel. He handed them over to pillagers who plundered them; he delivered them to the enemies surrounding them, and they were no longer able to resist their enemies.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	15	Whenever they mounted an expedition, Yahweh's hand was there to foil them, as Yahweh had told them and as Yahweh had sworn to them, so that they were in dire distress.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	16	Yahweh then appointed them judges, who rescued them from the hands of their plunderers.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	17	But even to their judges they refused to listen. They prostituted themselves to other gods and bowed down before these. Very quickly they left the path which their ancestors had trodden in obedience to the orders of Yahweh; they did not follow their example.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	18	When Yahweh appointed judges for them, Yahweh was with the judge and rescued them from the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived, since Yahweh relented at their groans under their persecutors and oppressors.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	19	But once the judge was dead, they relapsed into even worse corruption than their ancestors. They followed other gods; they served them and bowed before them and would not give up the practices and stubborn ways of their ancestors at all.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	20	Yahweh's anger then blazed out against Israel, and he said, 'Since this people has broken the covenant which I laid down for their ancestors, since they have not listened to my voice,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	21	in future I shall not drive before them any one of those nations which Joshua left when he died,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	22	in order, by means of them, to put Israel to the test, to see whether or not they would tread the paths of Yahweh as once their ancestors had trodden them.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	2	23	Hence, Yahweh allowed these nations to remain; he did not hurry to drive them out, and did not deliver them into the hands of Joshua.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	1	These are the nations which Yahweh allowed to remain, by their means to put all those Israelites to the test who had not experienced any of the Canaanite wars
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	2	(this was only to instruct the Israelites' descendants, to teach them the art of war, those at least who had not experienced it previously):
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	3	the five chiefs of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hittites who lived in the range of the Lebanon, from the uplands of Baal-Hermon to the Pass of Hamath.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	4	They were used to put Israel to the test and see if they would keep the orders which Yahweh had given their ancestors through Moses.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	5	The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites and Amorites, the Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites;
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	6	they married their daughters, they gave their own sons to their daughters and they served their gods.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	7	The Israelites did what is evil in Yahweh's eyes. They forgot Yahweh their God and served Baals and Asherahs.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	8	Then Yahweh's anger blazed out against Israel: he handed them over to Cushan-Rishathaim king of Edom, and the Israelites were enslaved to Cushan-Rishathaim for eight years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	9	The Israelites then cried to Yahweh and Yahweh raised for the Israelites a deliverer who rescued them, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	10	The spirit of Yahweh was on him; he became judge in Israel and set out for war. Yahweh delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of Edom into his hands, and he triumphed over Cushan- Rishathaim.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	11	The country then had peace for forty years. Othniel son of Kenaz then died.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	12	Again the Israelites began doing what is evil in Yahweh's eyes, and Yahweh strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel, since they were doing what is evil in Yahweh's eyes.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	13	Eglon in conjunction with the sons of Ammon and Amalek marched on Israel, beat them and captured the City of Palm Trees.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	14	The Israelites were enslaved to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	15	The Israelites then cried to Yahweh, and Yahweh raised a deliverer for them, Ehud son of Gera, a Benjaminite; he was left-handed. The Israelites appointed him to take their tribute to Eglon king of Moab.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	16	Ehud made himself a dagger -- it was double-edged and a foot long -- and strapped it under his clothes on his right thigh.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	17	He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. This Eglon was a very fat man.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	18	Having presented the tribute, Ehud sent away the men who had been carrying it;
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	19	but he himself, on reaching the Idols which are near Gilgal, went back and said, 'I have a secret message for you, O king.' The king commanded silence, and all his attendants withdrew.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	20	Ehud went up to him; he was sitting in his private room upstairs, where it was cool. Ehud said to him, 'I have a message from God for you, O king.' The latter immediately rose from his seat.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	21	Then Ehud, reaching with his left hand, drew the dagger he was carrying on his right thigh and thrust it into the king's belly.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	22	The hilt too went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, since Ehud did not pull the dagger out of his belly again.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	23	Ehud went out through the privies, having shut and bolted the doors of the upstairs room behind him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	24	When he had gone, the servants came back and looked; the doors of the upstairs room were bolted. They thought, 'He is probably covering his feet in the inner part of the cool room.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	25	They waited until they became embarrassed, but still he did not open the doors of the upstairs room. Eventually, they took the key and opened the door; and there lay their master, dead, on the ground.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	26	Meanwhile, Ehud had got away, passed the Idols and made good his escape to safety in Seirah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	27	Once there, he sounded the horn in the highlands of Ephraim, and the Israelites came down from the hills with him at their head.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	28	And he said to them, 'Follow me, because Yahweh has delivered your enemy Moab into your hands.' So they followed him, seized the fords of the Jordan against Moab and allowed no one to cross.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	29	On that occasion they beat the Moabites, some ten thousand men, all tough and seasoned fighters, and not one escaped.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	30	That day Moab was humbled under the hand of Israel, and the country had peace for eighty years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	3	31	After him came Shamgar son of Anath. He routed six hundred of the Philistines with an ox-goad; he too was a deliverer of Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	1	Once Ehud was dead, the Israelites again began doing what is evil in Yahweh's eyes,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	2	and Yahweh handed them over to Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned at Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Haroshet-ha-Goiim.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	3	The Israelites then cried to Yahweh; for Jabin had nine hundred iron chariots and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	4	Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at the time.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	5	She used to sit under Deborah's Palm between Ramah and Bethel in the highlands of Ephraim, and the Israelites would come to her for justice.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	6	She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, 'Has not Yahweh, God of Israel, commanded, "Go! March to Mount Tabor and with you take ten thousand of the sons of Naphtali and the sons of Zebulun.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	7	I shall entice Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, to encounter you at the Torrent of Kishon with his chariots and troops; and I shall put him into your power"? '
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	8	Barak replied, 'If you come with me, I shall go; if you will not come, I shall not go, for I do not know how to choose the day when the angel of Yahweh will grant me success.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	9	'I shall go with you then,' she said, 'but, the way you are going about it, the glory will not be yours; for Yahweh will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.' Deborah then stood up and went with Barak to Kedesh.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	10	Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand men marched behind him, and Deborah went with him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	11	Heber the Kenite had parted company with the tribe of Kain and with the sons of Hobab, father-in-law of Moses; he had pitched his tent near the Oak of Zaanannim, not far from Kedesh.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	12	Sisera was informed that Barak son of Abinoam had encamped on Mount Tabor.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	13	Sisera summoned all his chariots -- nine hundred iron chariots -- and all the troops he had, from Harosheth-ha-Goiim to the Torrent of Kishon.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	14	Deborah said to Barak, 'Up! For today is the day when Yahweh has put Sisera into your power. Is not Yahweh marching at your head?' And Barak charged down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men behind him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	15	At Barak's advance, Yahweh struck terror into Sisera, all his chariots and his entire army. Sisera leapt down from his chariot and fled on foot.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	16	Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth-ha-Goiim. Sisera's whole army fell by the edge of the sword; not one man was spared.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	17	Sisera meanwhile fled on foot towards the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. For there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the family of Heber the Kenite.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	18	Jael came out to meet Sisera and said to him, 'Stay here, my lord, with me; do not be afraid!' He stayed with her in her tent, and she covered him with a rug.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	19	He said to her, 'Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.' She opened the skin of milk, gave him some to drink and covered him up again.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	20	Then he said to her, 'Stand at the tent door, and if anyone comes and questions you -- if he asks, "Is there a man here?" say, "No." '
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	21	But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent-peg and picked up a mallet; she crept up softly to him and drove the peg into his temple right through to the ground. He was lying fast asleep, worn out; and so he died.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	22	And now Barak came up in pursuit of Sisera. Jael went out to meet him and said, 'Come in, and I will show you the man you are looking for.' He went into her tent; and there was Sisera dead, with the tent-peg through his temple.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	23	Thus God that day humbled Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	4	24	And the Israelites bore down more and more heavily on that king of Canaan, Jabin, until he was utterly destroyed.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	1	They sang a song that day, Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam, and the words were:
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	2	That the warriors in Israel unbound their hair, that the people came forward with a will, bless Yahweh!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	3	Listen, you kings! Give ear, you princes! From me, from me comes a song for Yahweh. I shall glorify Yahweh, God of Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	4	Yahweh, when you set out from Seir, when you marched from the field of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens pelted, the clouds pelted down water.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	5	The mountains melted before Yahweh of Sinai, before Yahweh, God of Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	6	In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, there were no more caravans; those who went forth on their travels took their way along by-paths.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	7	The villages in Israel were no more, they were no more until you arose, O Deborah, until you arose, mother of Israel!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	8	They were choosing new gods when war was at the gates. Was there one shield, one spear to be found among the forty thousand men in Israel?
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	9	My heart is with the leaders of Israel, with the people who came forward with a will! Bless Yahweh!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	10	You who ride white donkeys and sit on saddle-blankets as you ride, and you who go on foot,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	11	sing -- to the sound of the shepherds at the watering places! There they extol Yahweh's blessings, his saving acts for his villages in Israel! (Then Yahweh's people marched down to the gates.)
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	12	Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, declaim a song! Take heart, to your feet, Barak, capture your captors, son of Abinoam!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	13	Then Israel marched down to the gates; like champions, Yahweh's people marched down to fight for him!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	14	The princes of Ephraim are in the valley. Behind you, Benjamin is in your ranks. Captains have come down from Machir, those who wield the commander's staff, from Zebulun.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	15	The princes of Issachar are with Deborah; Naphtali, with Barak, in the valley follows in hot pursuit. In the clans of Reuben there was much searching of heart.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	16	Why did you stay among the sheepfolds, listening for the whistle, with the flocks? (In the clans of Reuben, there was much searching of heart.)
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	17	Gilead stayed on the other side of the Jordan, and why should Dan have stayed aboard ship? Asher remained beside the sea, peacefully living within his ports.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	18	Zebulun is a people who have braved death, Naphtali too, on the high ground of the country.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	19	The kings came and they fought, how they fought, those kings of Canaan, at Taanach, near the Waters of Megiddo, but no booty of silver did they take!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	20	The stars fought from heaven, from their orbits they fought against Sisera.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	21	The torrent of Kishon swept them away, the torrent of old, the torrent of Kishon. -March on, be strong my soul!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	22	The horses' hooves then hammer the ground: galloping, galloping go his steeds.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	23	'Curse Meroz,' said the Angel of Yahweh, 'curse, curse the people living there for not having come to Yahweh's help, to Yahweh's help as warriors!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	24	Most blessed of women be Jael (the wife of Heber the Kenite); of tent-dwelling women, may she be most blessed!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	25	He asked for water; she gave him milk; she offered him curds in a lordly dish.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	26	She reached her hand out to seize the peg, her right hand to seize the workman's mallet. She hammered Sisera, she crushed his head, she pierced his temple and shattered it.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	27	Between her feet, he crumpled, he fell, he lay; at her feet, he crumpled, he fell. Where he crumpled, there he fell, destroyed.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	28	At the window, she leans and watches, Sisera's mother, through the lattice, 'Why is his chariot so long coming? Why so delayed the hoof-beats from his chariot?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	29	The wisest of her ladies answers, and she to herself repeats,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	30	'Are they not collecting and sharing out the spoil: a girl, two girls for each warrior; a booty of coloured and embroidered stuff for Sisera, one scarf, two embroidered scarves for me!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	5	31	So perish all your enemies, Yahweh! And let those who love you be like the sun when he emerges in all his strength! And the country had peace for forty years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	1	The Israelites did what is evil in Yahweh's eyes, and for seven years Yahweh handed them over to Midian;
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	2	and Midian bore down heavily on Israel. To escape from the Midianites the Israelites used the mountain clefts and the caves and shelters.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	3	Whenever Israel sowed seed the Midianites would march up with Amalek and the sons of the East. They would march on Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	4	They would pitch camp on their territory and destroy the produce of the country as far as Gaza. They left Israel nothing to live on, not a sheep or an ox or a donkey,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	5	for they came up as thick as locusts with their cattle and their tents; they and their camels were innumerable, they invaded the country to pillage it.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	6	Thus, Midian brought Israel to great distress, and the Israelites cried to Yahweh.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	7	When the Israelites cried to Yahweh because of Midian,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	8	Yahweh sent a prophet to the Israelites. He said to them, 'This is what Yahweh, God of Israel, says, "It was I who brought you out of Egypt, and led you out of the place of slave-labour.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	9	I rescued you from the power of the Egyptians and from the power of all who oppressed you. I drove them out before you and gave their country to you.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	10	And I said to you: I am Yahweh your God. You are not to fear the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now living. But you have not listened to my voice." '
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	11	The Angel of Yahweh came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah which belonged to Joash of Abiezer. Gideon his son was threshing wheat inside the wine-press, to keep it hidden from Midian,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	12	and the Angel of Yahweh appeared to him and said, 'Yahweh is with you, valiant warrior!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	13	Gideon replied, 'Excuse me, my lord, but if Yahweh is with us, why is all this happening to us? And where are all his miracles which our ancestors used to tell us about when they said, "Did not Yahweh bring us out of Egypt?" But now Yahweh has deserted us; he has abandoned us to Midian,'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	14	At this, Yahweh turned to him and said, 'Go in this strength of yours, and you will rescue Israel from the power of Midian. Am I not sending you myself?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	15	Gideon replied, 'Forgive me, my lord, but how can I deliver Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least important of my father's family.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	16	Yahweh replied, 'I shall be with you and you will crush Midian as though it were one man.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	17	Gideon said, 'If I have found favour in your sight, give me a sign that you are speaking to me.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	18	Please do not go away from here until I come back to you, bringing you my offering and laying it before you.' And he replied, 'I shall stay until you come back.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	19	Gideon went away, he prepared a young goat and from an ephah of flour he made unleavened cakes. He put the meat into a basket and the broth into a pot, then brought it all to him under the terebinth. As he approached,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	20	the Angel of Yahweh said to him, 'Take the meat and unleavened cakes, put them on this rock and pour the broth over them.' Gideon did so.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	21	The Angel of Yahweh then stretched out the tip of the staff which he was carrying, and touched the meat and unleavened cakes. Fire sprang from the rock and consumed the meat and unleavened cakes, and the Angel of Yahweh vanished before his eyes.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	22	Gideon then knew that this was the Angel of Yahweh, and he said, 'Alas, my Lord Yahweh! Now I have seen the Angel of Yahweh face to face!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	23	Yahweh answered, 'Peace be with you; have no fear; you will not die.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	24	Gideon built an altar there to Yahweh and called it Yahweh-Peace. This altar stands in our own day at Ophrah of Abiezer.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	25	Now that night, Yahweh said to Gideon, 'Take your father's bull, the seven-year-old bull, and pull down the altar to Baal belonging to your father and cut down the sacred pole beside it.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	26	Then, on top of this strong-point, build a proper altar to Yahweh your God. Then take the bull and burn it as a burnt offering on the wood of the sacred pole which you have cut down.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	27	Gideon then took ten of his servants and did as Yahweh had ordered him. But, being too frightened of his family and of the townspeople to do it in daylight, he did it at night.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	28	Next morning, when the townspeople got up, they found that the altar to Baal had been destroyed, the sacred pole standing beside it had been cut down and the bull had been sacrificed as a burnt offering on the newly built altar.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	29	'Who has done this?' they asked one another. They searched, made enquiries and declared, 'Gideon son of Joash has done it.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	30	The townspeople then said to Joash, 'Bring out your son; he must die for having destroyed Baal's altar and cut down the sacred pole which stood beside it.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	31	To the people all crowding round him, Joash replied, 'Is it your job to plead for Baal? Is it your job to champion his cause? (Anyone who pleads for Baal must be put to death before dawn.) If he is a god, let him plead for himself, now that Gideon has destroyed his altar.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	32	That day, Gideon was given the name Jerubbaal, because, they said, 'Baal must plead against him, because he has destroyed his altar!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	33	All Midian and Amalek and the sons of the East joined forces and, having crossed the Jordan, pitched camp in the plain of Jezreel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	34	And the spirit of Yahweh clothed Gideon around; he sounded the horn and Abiezer rallied behind him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	35	He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and Manasseh too rallied behind him; he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, and they marched out to meet him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	36	Gideon said to God, 'If it is really you delivering Israel by means of me, as you have said,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	37	look, I am going to put a woollen fleece on the threshing-floor; if there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground stays dry, then I shall know that you will deliver Israel by means of me, as you have said.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	38	And so it happened. Early next morning, Gideon got up, squeezed the fleece and wrung enough dew out of the fleece to fill a cup.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	39	Gideon then said to God, 'Do not be angry with me if I speak just once more. Allow me to make the fleece-test just once more: let the fleece alone be dry and there be dew all over the ground!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	6	40	And God did so that night. The fleece alone stayed dry, and there was dew all over the ground.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	1	Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) got up very early, as did all the people who were with him; he pitched camp at En-Harod; the camp of Midian was north of his, under the Hill of Moreh in the valley.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	2	Yahweh then said to Gideon, 'There are too many people with you for me to put Midian into their power; Israel might claim the credit for themselves at my expense: they might say, "My own hand has rescued me."
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	3	So now make this proclamation to the people, "Anyone trembling with fear is to go back and watch from Mount Gilboa." ' Twenty-two thousand of the people went back, and ten thousand remained.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	4	Yahweh said to Gideon, 'There are still too many people. Take them down to the waterside and I shall sort them out for you there. If I say of someone, "He is to go with you," that man is to go with you. And if I say of anyone, "He is not to go with you,"
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	5	So Gideon took the people down to the waterside, and Yahweh said to him, 'All those who lap the water with their tongues, as a dog laps, put these on one side. And all those who kneel down to drink, put these on the other side.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	6	The number of those who lapped with their hands to their mouth was three hundred; all the rest of the people had knelt to drink.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	7	Yahweh then said to Gideon, 'With the three hundred who lapped the water, I shall rescue you and put Midian into your power. Let the people as a whole disperse to their homes.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	8	So they took the people's provisions and their horns, and then Gideon sent all the Israelites back to their tents, keeping only the three hundred. The camp of Midian was below his in the valley.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	9	Now it happened, that same night, that Yahweh said to him, 'Get up and go down to the camp. I am putting it into your power.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	10	If, however, you are nervous about going down, go down to the camp with your servant Purah;
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	11	listen to what they are saying, and that will encourage you to go down to the camp.' So, with his servant Purah, he went down to the edge of the outposts of the camp.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	12	Midian, Amalek and all the sons of the East were deployed in the valley as thick as locusts; their camels were as innumerable as the sand on the seashore.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	13	Gideon got there just as a man was telling his comrade a dream; he was saying, 'This was the dream I had: a cake made of barley bread came rolling into the camp of Midian; it came to a tent, struck against it and turned it upside down.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	14	His comrade replied, 'This can only be the sword of Gideon son of Joash the Israelite. God has put Midian and the whole camp into his power.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	15	When Gideon heard the dream thus told and interpreted, he bowed in reverence; he then went back to the camp of Israel and said, 'On your feet, for Yahweh has put the camp of Midian into your power!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	16	Gideon then divided his three hundred men into three groups. To each he gave a horn and an empty pitcher, with a torch inside each pitcher.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	17	He said to them, 'Watch me, and do as I do. When I reach the edge of the camp, whatever I do, you must do also.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	18	I shall blow my horn, and so will all those who are with me; you too will then blow your horns all round the camp and shout, "For Yahweh and for Gideon!"
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	19	Gideon and his hundred companions reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when the new sentries had just been posted; they blew their horns and smashed the pitchers in their hands.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	20	The three groups blew their horns and smashed their pitchers; with their left hands they grasped the torches, with their right hands the horns for blowing them; and they shouted, 'The sword for Yahweh and for Gideon!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	21	And they stood still, spaced out round the camp. The whole camp was thrown into confusion and the Midianites fled, shouting.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	22	While the three hundred blew their horns, Yahweh made each man turn his sword against his comrade throughout the entire camp. They all fled as far as Beth-ha-Shittah in the direction of Zarethan, as far as the bank of Abel-Meholah opposite Tabbath.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	23	The men of Israel mustered from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh, and pursued Midian.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	24	Gideon sent messengers throughout the highlands of Ephraim to say, 'Come down to meet Midian, seize the water-points ahead of them as far as Beth-Barah and the Jordan.' All the men of Ephraim mustered and seized the water-points as far as Beth-Barah and the Jordan.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	7	25	They captured the two Midianite chieftains, Oreb and Zeeb; they killed Oreb at Oreb's Rock and Zeeb at Zeeb's Winepress. They pursued Midian; and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	1	Now the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, 'What do you mean by treating us like this, not summoning us when you went to fight Midian?' And they reproached him bitterly.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	2	He replied, 'What have I achieved, compared with you? Is not the gleaning of Ephraim's grapes better than the vintage of Abiezer?
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	3	God delivered Oreb and Zeeb, the chieftains of Midian, into your power. What was I able to do, in comparison with what you have done?' At these words, their anger with him died down.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	4	Gideon reached the Jordan and crossed it, but he and his three hundred companions were exhausted with the pursuit.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	5	So he said to the men of Succoth, 'Please give my followers some loaves of bread, since they are exhausted, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna the kings of Midian.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	6	The headmen of Succoth replied, 'Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your grasp, that we should give bread to your army?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	7	'Very well,' retorted Gideon, 'when Yahweh has put Zebah and Zalmunna into my power, I shall tear your flesh off with desert-thorn and thistles.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	8	From there he went up to Penuel and asked the men of Penuel the same thing; they replied as those of Succoth had done.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	9	And to those of Penuel he made a similar retort, 'When I return victorious, I shall destroy this tower.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	10	Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army, about fifteen thousand men, all that was left of the entire army of the sons of the East. Of men bearing arms, a hundred and twenty thousand had fallen.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	11	Gideon approached them by the tent-dwellers' route, east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and attacked the army when it thought itself in safety.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	12	Zebah and Zalmunna fled. He pursued them; he took the two kings of Midian prisoner -- Zebah and Zalmunna -- and the whole army he routed in panic.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	13	After the battle Gideon came back by the Ascent of Heres.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	14	He caught a young man, one of the people of Succoth, and questioned him, and the latter wrote down the names of the headmen and elders of Succoth for him -- seventy-seven men.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	15	Gideon son of Joash then went to the people of Succoth and said, 'Here you see Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me and said, "Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your grasp, that we should give bread to your exhausted troops?" '
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	16	He then seized the elders of the town and, taking desert-thorn and thistles, tore the men of Succoth to pieces.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	17	He destroyed the tower of Penuel and slaughtered the townsmen.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	18	He then said to Zebah and Zalmunna, 'The men you killed at Tabor -- what were they like?' They replied, 'They looked like you. Every one of them carried himself like the son of a king.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	19	Gideon replied, 'They were my brothers, the sons of my own mother; as Yahweh lives, if you had spared their lives I would not kill you.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	20	To Jether his eldest son he said, 'Stand up and kill them!' But the boy did not draw his sword; he dared not; he was still only a lad.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	21	Zebah and Zalmunna then said, 'Stand up yourself, and strike us down; for as a man is, so is his strength.' Then Gideon stood up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna; and he took the crescents from round their camels' necks.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	22	The men of Israel said to Gideon, 'Rule over us, you, your son and your grandson, since you have rescued us from the power of Midian.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	23	But Gideon replied, 'I will not rule you, neither will my son. Yahweh shall rule you.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	24	Gideon went on, however, 'Let me make you one request. Each of you give me one ring out of his booty' -- for the vanquished had had gold rings, being Ishmaelites.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	25	'We shall give them gladly,' they replied. So he spread out his cloak, and on it each of them threw a ring from his booty.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	26	The weight of the gold rings which he had asked for amounted to seventeen hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescents and the earrings and purple garments worn by the kings of Midian, and besides the collars round their camels' necks.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	27	From this Gideon made an ephod and set it up in his town, in Ophrah. All Israel, following his example, prostituted themselves to it, and it was a snare for Gideon and his family.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	28	Thus Midian was humbled before the Israelites. He did not raise his head again, and the country had peace for forty years, as long as Gideon lived.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	29	So Jerubbaal son of Joash went to live at home.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	30	Gideon had seventy sons begotten by him, for he had many wives.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	31	His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also bore him a son, to whom he gave the name Abimelech.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	32	Gideon son of Joash died after a happy old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, at Ophrah of Abiezer.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	33	After Gideon's death, the people of Israel again began to prostitute themselves to the Baals, taking Baal-Berith for their god.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	34	The Israelites no longer remembered Yahweh their God, who had rescued them from all the enemies round them.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	8	35	And to the family of Jerubbaal -- Gideon -- they showed no faithful gratitude for all the good which it had done for Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	1	Abimelech son of Jerubbaal confronted his mother's brothers at Shechem and, to them and to the whole clan of his maternal grandfather's family, he said,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	2	'Please put this question to the leading men of Shechem: Which is better for you: to be ruled by seventy people -- all Jerubbaal's sons -- or to be ruled by one? Remember too that I am your own flesh and bone.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	3	His mother's brothers said all this on his behalf to all the leading men of Shechem, and their feelings swayed them to follow Abimelech, since they argued, 'He is our brother.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	4	So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, and with this Abimelech paid violent adventurers to follow him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	5	He then went to his father's house at Ophrah and put his brothers, Jerubbaal's seventy sons, to death on one and the same stone. Jotham, however, Jerubbaal's youngest son, escaped by going into hiding.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	6	All the leading men of Shechem and all Beth-Millo then met and proclaimed Abimelech king at the oak of the cultic stone at Shechem.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	7	News of this was brought to Jotham. He went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted at the top of his voice: Hear me, leaders of Shechem, so that God may also hear you!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	8	One day the trees went out to anoint a king to rule them. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	9	The olive tree replied, 'Must I forgo my oil which gives honour to gods and men, to stand and sway over the trees?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	10	Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'You come and be our king!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	11	The fig tree replied, 'Must I forgo my sweetness, forgo my excellent fruit, to go and sway over the trees?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	12	Then the trees said to the vine, 'You come and be our king!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	13	The vine replied, 'Must I forgo my wine which cheers gods and men, to go and sway over the trees?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	14	Then the trees all said to the thorn bush, 'You come and be our king!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	15	And the thorn bush replied to the trees, 'If you are anointing me in good faith to be your king, come and shelter in my shade. But, if not, fire will come out of the thorn bush and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	16	'Now then, if you have acted in sincerity and good faith in making Abimelech king, if you have dealt honourably with Jerubbaal and his family, and have treated him as his actions deserved,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	17	my father having fought for you, risked his life and rescued you from the power of Midian,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	18	and you today having risen up against my father's family, murdered his sons -- seventy of them on one and the same stone -- and appointed Abimelech, his slave-girl's son, to rule the leading men of Shechem, because he is your brother!-
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	19	if, I say, you have acted in sincerity and good faith towards Jerubbaal and his family, then may Abimelech be your joy and may you be his!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	20	If not, may fire come out of Abimelech and devour the leading men of Shechem and Beth-Millo, and fire come out of the leading men of Shechem and Beth-Millo to devour Abimelech!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	21	Jotham then took to his heels; he fled and made his way to Beer; and there he stayed, to be out of his brother Abimelech's reach.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	22	Abimelech ruled Israel for three years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	23	God then sent a spirit of discord between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem betrayed Abimelech.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	24	And this was so that the crime committed against Jerubbaal's seventy sons should be avenged, and their blood recoil on their brother Abimelech who had murdered them, and on those leaders of Shechem who had helped him to murder his brothers.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	25	The leaders of Shechem put men to ambush him on the mountain tops, and these robbed anyone travelling their way. Abimelech was told of this.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	26	Gaal son of Obed, with his brothers, happened to pass through Shechem and win the confidence of the leaders of Shechem.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	27	These went out into the countryside to harvest their vineyards; they trod the grapes and made merry and went into the temple of their god. They ate and drank there and cursed Abimelech.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	28	Gaal son of Obed said, 'Who is Abimelech, and what is Shechem, for us to be his slaves? Should not Jerubbaal's son and his lieutenant, Zebul, be serving the men of Hamor, father of Shechem? Why should we be his slaves?
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	29	Who will put this people under my command, so that I can expel Abimelech? I should say to him, "Reinforce your army and come out!" '
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	30	Zebul the governor of the town was told what Gaal son of Obed had said, and he was furious.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	31	He sent messengers secretly to Abimelech to say, 'Look! Gaal son of Obed has come to Shechem with his brothers, and they are stirring up the town against you.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	32	So, move under cover of dark, you and the men you have with you, and take up concealed positions in the countryside;
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	33	then in the morning at sunrise, break cover and rush on the town. When Gaal and his supporters come out to meet you, treat them as occasion offers.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	34	So Abimelech set off under cover of dark with all his own supporters and took up concealed positions over against Shechem, in four groups.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	35	As Gaal son of Obed was coming out and pausing at the entrance of the town gate, Abimelech and his supporters rose from their ambush.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	36	Gaal saw these men and said to Zebul, 'Look, there are men coming down from the tops of the mountains!' Zebul answered, 'You mistake the shadow of the mountains for men.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	37	But Gaal insisted, 'Look, there are men coming down from the Navel of the Earth and another group is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	38	Zebul then said, 'Where are your mouthings now about "Who is Abimelech, for us to be his slaves?" Are not these the men you made light of? Sally out, then, and fight him.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	39	Gaal sallied out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and engaged Abimelech.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	40	Abimelech drove Gaal off, who turned tail, many of his men falling dead before they could reach the gate.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	41	Abimelech then stayed at Aruma, and Zebul expelled Gaal and his brothers and prevented them from living in Shechem.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	42	Next day, when the people went out into the countryside, Abimelech was told of this.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	43	He took his men, divided them into three groups and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people leaving the town, he bore down on them and slaughtered them.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	44	While Abimelech and his group rushed forward and took position at the entrance to the town gate, the two other groups fell on everyone in the fields and slaughtered them.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	45	All that day Abimelech attacked the town. He stormed it and slaughtered the people inside, razed the town and sowed it with salt.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	46	On hearing this, all the leading men inside Migdal-Shechem took refuge in the crypt of the temple of El-Berith.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	47	As soon as Abimelech heard that the leading men inside Migdal-Shechem had all gathered there,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	48	he went up Mount Zalmon with all his men. Then taking an axe in his hands, he cut off the branch of a tree, picked it up and put it on his shoulder, and said to the men with him, 'Hurry and do what you have seen me do.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	49	Each of his men similarly cut off a branch; then, following Abimelech, they piled the branches over the crypt and set it on fire over those who were inside; so that all the people in Migdal-Shechem died too, about a thousand men and women.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	50	Abimelech then marched on Thebez, besieged it and captured it.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	51	In the middle of the town there was a fortified tower in which all the men and women and all the leading men of the town took refuge. They locked the door behind them and climbed up to the roof of the tower.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	52	Abimelech reached the tower and attacked it. As he was approaching the door of the tower to set it on fire,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	53	a woman threw down a millstone on his head and cracked his skull.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	54	He instantly called his young armour-bearer and said, 'Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me that "A woman killed him".' His armour-bearer ran him through, and he died.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	55	When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they dispersed to their homes.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	56	Thus God made to recoil on Abimelech the evil he had done his father by murdering his seventy brothers,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	9	57	and all the evil that the men of Shechem had done God made recoil on their heads too. And so the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came true for them.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	1	After Abimelech, Tola son of Puah, son of Dodo, rose to deliver Israel. He belonged to Issachar and lived at Shamir in the mountain country of Ephraim.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	2	He was judge in Israel for twenty-three years; he then died and was buried at Shamir.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	3	After him rose Jair of Gilead, who judged Israel for twenty-two years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	4	He had thirty sons who rode on thirty young donkeys and who owned thirty towns, still known today as the Encampments of Jair, in the territory of Gilead.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	5	Jair then died and was buried at Kamon.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	6	The Israelites again began doing what is evil in Yahweh's eyes. They served Baal and Astarte, and the gods of Aram and Sidon, the gods of Moab and those of the Ammonites and Philistines. They deserted Yahweh and served him no more.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	7	Yahweh's anger then grew hot against Israel and he gave them over into the power of the Philistines and the power of the Ammonites,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	8	who from that year onwards crushed and oppressed the Israelites for eighteen years -- all those Israelites living on the other side of the Jordan in Amorite territory, in Gilead.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	9	Furthermore, the Ammonites would cross the Jordan and also make war on Judah, Benjamin and the House of Ephraim, so that Israel was in distress.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	10	The Israelites then cried to Yahweh and said, 'We have sinned against you, because we have turned from Yahweh our God to serve Baals.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	11	And Yahweh said to the Israelites, 'When Egyptians and Amorites, Ammonites and Philistines,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	12	when the Sidonians, Amalek and Midian oppressed you and you cried to me, did I not rescue you from their power?
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	13	But it is you who have forsaken me and served other gods; and so I shall rescue you no more.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	14	Go and cry to the gods whom you have chosen. Let them rescue you in your time of trouble.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	15	The Israelites replied to Yahweh, 'We have sinned. Treat us as you see fit, but please rescue us today.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	16	They got rid of their foreign gods and served Yahweh, who could bear Israel's suffering no longer.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	17	The Ammonites gathered and pitched camp in Gilead. The Israelites rallied and pitched camp at Mizpah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	10	18	The people, the chieftains of Gilead, then said to one another, 'Who will volunteer to attack the Ammonites? He shall be chief of all who live in Gilead!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	1	Jephthah the Gileadite was a valiant warrior. He was a prostitute's son. Gilead was Jephthah's father,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	2	but Gilead's wife also bore him sons, and the sons of this wife, when they grew up, drove Jephthah away, saying, 'No share of the paternal heritage for you, since you are a son of another woman.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	3	Jephthah fled far from his brothers and settled in the territory of Tob. Jephthah enlisted a group of adventurers who used to go raiding with him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	4	It was some time after this that the Ammonites made war on Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	5	And when the Ammonites had attacked Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah from the territory of Tob.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	6	'Come', they said, 'and be our commander, so that we can fight the Ammonites.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	7	Jephthah replied to the elders of Gilead, 'Didn't you hate me and drive me out of my father's house? Why come to me now, when you are in trouble?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	8	The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, 'That is why we are turning to you now. Come with us; fight the Ammonites and be our chief, chief of all the people living in Gilead.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	9	Jephthah then said to the elders of Gilead, 'If you bring me home to fight the Ammonites and Yahweh defeats them for me, I am to be your chief?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	10	And the elders of Gilead then said to Jephthah, 'Yahweh be witness between us, if we do not do as you have said!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	11	So Jephthah set off with the elders of Gilead. The people put him at their head as chief and commander; and Jephthah repeated all his conditions at Mizpah in Yahweh's presence.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	12	Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites to say to him, 'What do you have against us, for you to come and make war on my country?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	13	The king of the Ammonites replied to Jephthah's messengers, 'The reason is that when Israel came up from Egypt, they seized my country from the Arnon to the Jabbok and to the Jordan; so now restore it to me peacefully.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	14	Jephthah sent messengers back to the king of the Ammonites
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	15	with this answer, 'Jephthah says this, "Israel seized neither the country of Moab nor the country of the Ammonites.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	16	When Israel came out of Egypt, they marched through the desert as far as the Sea of Reeds and, having reached Kadesh,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	17	Israel then sent messengers to the king of Edom to say: Please let me pass through your country, but the king of Edom would not listen. They sent similarly to the king of Moab, but he refused, and Israel remained at Kadesh;
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	18	later, moving on through the desert and skirting the countries of Edom and Moab until arriving to the east of Moabite territory, the people camped on the other side of the Arnon but did not enter Moabite territory, the Arnon being the Moabite frontier.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	19	Israel then sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, ruling in Heshbon. Israel's message was: Please let me pass through your country to my destination.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	20	But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory; he mustered his whole army; they encamped at Jahaz, and he then joined battle with Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	21	Yahweh, God of Israel, delivered Sihon and his whole army into the power of Israel, who defeated them; as the result of which, Israel took possession of the entire territory of the Amorites living in that region.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	22	Israel took possession of all the Amorite territory from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the desert to the Jordan.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	23	And now that Yahweh, God of Israel, has dispossessed the Amorites before his people Israel, do you think you can dispossess us?
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	24	Will you not keep as your possession whatever Chemosh, your god, has given you? And, just the same, we shall keep as ours whatever Yahweh our God has given us, to inherit from those who were before us!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	25	Are you a better man than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he pick a quarrel with Israel? Did he make war on them?
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	26	When Israel settled in Heshbon and its dependencies, and in Aroer and its dependencies, or in any of the towns on the banks of the Arnon (three hundred years ago), why did you not recover them then?
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	27	I for my part have done you no harm, but you are wronging me by making war on me. Let Yahweh the Judge give judgement today between the Israelites and the king of the Ammonites." '
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	28	But the king of the Ammonites took no notice of the message that Jephthah sent him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	29	The spirit of Yahweh was on Jephthah, who crossed Gilead and Manasseh, crossed by way of Mizpah in Gilead, and from Mizpah in Gilead crossed into Ammonite territory.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	30	And Jephthah made a vow to Yahweh, 'If you deliver the Ammonites into my grasp,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	31	the first thing to come out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from fighting the Ammonites shall belong to Yahweh, and I shall sacrifice it as a burnt offering.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	32	Jephthah crossed into Ammonite territory to attack them, and Yahweh delivered them into his grasp.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	33	He beat them from Aroer to the border of Minnith (twenty towns) and to Abel-Keramim. It was a very severe defeat, and the Ammonites were humbled by the Israelites.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	34	As Jephthah returned to his house at Mizpah, his daughter came out to meet him, dancing to the sound of tambourines. She was his only child; apart from her, he had neither son nor daughter.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	35	When he saw her, he tore his clothes and exclaimed, 'Oh my daughter, what misery you have brought upon me! You have joined those who bring misery into my life! I have made a promise before Yahweh which I cannot retract.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	36	She replied, 'Father, you have made a promise to Yahweh; treat me as the promise that you have made requires, since Yahweh has granted you vengeance on your enemies the Ammonites.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	37	She then said to her father, 'Grant me this! Let me be free for two months. I shall go and wander in the mountains, and with my companions bewail my virginity.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	38	He replied, 'Go,' and let her go away for two months. So she went away with her companions and bewailed her virginity in the mountains.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	39	When the two months were over she went back to her father, and he treated her as the vow that he had uttered bound him. She had remained a virgin. And hence, the custom in Israel
 Judges	Jdgs	7	11	40	for the daughters of Israel to leave home year by year and lament over the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite for four days every year.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	1	The men of Ephraim mobilised; they crossed the Jordan near Zaphon and said to Jephthah, 'Why did you go and make war on the Ammonites without asking us to go with you? We shall burn down your house over your head!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	2	Jephthah replied, 'My people and I were in serious conflict with the Ammonites. I summoned you, but you did not come to rescue me from them.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	3	When I saw that no one was coming to rescue me, I took my life in my hands and marched against the Ammonites, and Yahweh handed them over to me. So why advance on me today to make war on me?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	4	Jephthah then mustered all the men of Gilead and made war on Ephraim, and the men of Gilead defeated Ephraim -- since the latter used to say, 'You are only fugitives from Ephraim, you Gileadites in the heart of Ephraim and Manasseh.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	5	Gilead then cut Ephraim off from the fords of the Jordan, and whenever Ephraimite fugitives said, 'Let me cross,' the men of Gilead would ask, 'Are you an Ephraimite?' If he said, 'No,'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	6	they then said, 'Very well, say Shibboleth.' If anyone said, "Sibboleth", because he could not pronounce it, then they would seize him and kill him by the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites fell on this occasion.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	7	Jephthah judged Israel for six years. Jephthah the Gileadite then died and was buried in his town, in Gilead.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	8	After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem was judge in Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	9	He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters in marriage outside his clan and brought in thirty brides from outside for his sons. He was judge in Israel for seven years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	10	Ibzan then died and was buried in Bethlehem.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	11	After him, Elon of Zebulun was judge in Israel. He was judge in Israel for ten years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	12	Elon of Zebulun then died and was buried at Aijalon in the territory of Zebulun.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	13	After him, Abdon son of Hillel of Pirathon was judge in Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	14	He had forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode seventy young donkeys. He was judge in Israel for eight years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	12	15	Abdon son of Hillel of Pirathon then died and was buried at Pirathon in the territory of Ephraim, in the Amalekite highlands.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	1	Again the Israelites began doing what is evil in Yahweh's eyes, and Yahweh delivered them into the power of the Philistines for forty years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	2	There was a man of Zorah of the tribe of Dan, called Manoah. His wife was barren; she had borne no children.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	3	The Angel of Yahweh appeared to this woman and said to her, 'You are barren and have had no child, but you are going to conceive and give birth to a son.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	4	From now on, take great care. Drink no wine or fermented liquor, and eat nothing unclean.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	5	For you are going to conceive and give birth to a son. No razor is to touch his head, for the boy is to be God's nazirite from his mother's womb; and he will start rescuing Israel from the power of the Philistines.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	6	The woman then went and told her husband, 'A man of God has just come to me, who looked like the Angel of God, so majestic was he. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	7	But he said to me, "You are going to conceive and will give birth to a son. From now on, drink no wine or fermented liquor, and eat nothing unclean. For the boy is to be God's nazirite from his mother's womb to his dying day." '
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	8	Manoah then pleaded with Yahweh and said, 'I beg you, Lord, let the man of God that you sent come to us again and instruct us what to do about the child when he is born.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	9	Yahweh heard Manoah's prayer, and the Angel of Yahweh visited the woman again while she was sitting in a field and when her husband Manoah was not with her.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	10	The woman quickly ran and told her husband, 'Look,' she said, 'the man who came to me the other day has appeared to me again.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	11	Manoah got up, followed his wife, came to the man and said to him, 'Are you the man who spoke to this woman?' He replied, 'I am.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	12	Manoah then said, 'When your words come true, what will be the boy's way of life?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	13	The Angel of Yahweh replied to Manoah, 'From everything that I forbade this woman, let her abstain.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	14	Let her swallow nothing that comes from the vine, let her drink no wine or fermented liquor, let her eat nothing unclean and let her obey all the orders that I have given her.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	15	Manoah then said to the Angel of Yahweh, 'Allow us to detain you while we prepare a kid for you' -- for Manoah did not know that this was the Angel of Yahweh.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	16	The Angel of Yahweh said to Manoah, 'Even if you did detain me, I should not eat your food; but if you wish to prepare a burnt offering, offer it to Yahweh.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	17	Manoah then said to the Angel of Yahweh, 'What is your name, so that we may honour you when your words come true?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	18	The Angel of Yahweh replied, 'Why ask my name? It is a name of wonder.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	19	Manoah then took the kid and the oblation and offered it on the rock as a burnt offering to Yahweh the Wonderworker. Manoah and his wife looked on.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	20	Now, as the flame rose heavenwards from the altar, the Angel of Yahweh ascended in this flame before the eyes of Manoah and his wife, and they fell face downwards on the ground.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	21	After this, the Angel of Yahweh did not appear any more to Manoah and his wife, but Manoah understood that this had been the Angel of Yahweh.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	22	And Manoah said to his wife, 'We are certain to die, because we have seen God.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	23	His wife replied, 'If Yahweh had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and oblation from us, he would not have let us see all this and, at the same time, have told us such things.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	24	The woman gave birth to a son and called him Samson. The child grew, and Yahweh blessed him;
 Judges	Jdgs	7	13	25	and the spirit of Yahweh began to stir him in the Camp of Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	1	Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he noticed a woman, a Philistine girl.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	2	He went home again and told his father and mother this. 'At Timnah', he said, 'I noticed a woman, a Philistine girl. So now get her for me, to be my wife.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	3	His father and mother said to him, 'Is there no woman among your brothers' daughters or in our entire nation, for you to go and take a wife among these uncircumcised Philistines?' But Samson said to his father, 'Get that one for me; she is the one I am for me; she is the one I am fond of.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	4	His father and mother did not know that all this came from Yahweh, who was seeking grounds for a quarrel with the Philistines, since at this time the Philistines dominated Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	5	Samson went down to Timnah and, as he reached the vineyards of Timnah, he saw a young lion coming roaring towards him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	6	The spirit of Yahweh seized on him and he tore the lion to pieces with his bare hands as though it were a kid; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	7	He went down and talked to the woman, and he became fond of her.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	8	Not long after this, Samson went back to marry her. He went out of his way to look at the carcase of the lion, and there was a swarm of bees in the lion's body, and honey.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	9	He took up some honey in his hand and ate it as he went along. On returning to his father and mother, he gave some to them, which they ate too, but he did not tell them that he had taken it from the lion's carcase.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	10	His father then went down to the woman, and Samson made a feast there, as is the custom for young men.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	11	And when the Philistines saw him, they chose thirty companions to stay with him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	12	Samson then said to them, 'Let me ask you a riddle. If you can give me the answer during the seven days of feasting, I shall give you thirty pieces of fine linen and thirty festal robes.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	13	But if you cannot tell me the answer, then you in your turn must give me thirty pieces of fine linen and thirty festal robes.' 'Ask your riddle,' they replied, 'we are listening.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	14	So he said to them: Out of the eater came what is eaten, and out of the strong came what is sweet. But three days went by and they could not solve the riddle.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	15	On the fourth day they said to Samson's wife, 'Cajole your husband into explaining the riddle to us, or we shall burn you and your father's family to death. Did you invite us here to rob us?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	16	Samson's wife then went to him in tears and said, 'You only hate me, you do not love me. You have asked my fellow countrymen a riddle and told not even me the answer.' He said to her, 'I have not told even my father or mother; why should I tell you?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	17	She wept on his neck for the seven days that their feasting lasted. She was so persistent that on the seventh day he told her the answer, and she told her fellow-countrymen.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	18	So on the seventh day, before he went into the bedroom, the men of the town said to him: What is sweeter than honey, and what stronger than a lion? He retorted: If you had not ploughed with my heifer, you would never have solved my riddle.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	19	Then the spirit of Yahweh seized on him. He went down to Ashkelon, killed thirty men there, took what they wore and gave the festal robes to those who had answered the riddle, then burning with rage returned to his father's house.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	14	20	Samson's wife was then given to the companion who had acted as his best man.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	1	Not long after this, at the time of the wheat harvest, Samson visited his wife, with a kid; he said, 'I wish to go to my wife in her room.' But her father would not let him enter.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	2	'I felt sure', he said, 'that you had taken a real dislike to her, so I gave her to your companion. But would not her younger sister suit you better? Have her instead.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	3	But Samson answered them, 'I can get my revenge on the Philistines now only by doing them some damage.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	4	So Samson went off and caught three hundred foxes, then took torches and, turning the foxes tail to tail, put a torch between each pair of tails.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	5	He lit the torches and set the foxes free in the Philistines' cornfields. In this way he burned both sheaves and standing corn, and the vines and olive trees as well.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	6	The Philistines asked, 'Who has done this?' and received the answer, 'Samson, who married the Timnite's daughter; his father-in-law took the wife back again and gave her to his companion instead.' The Philistines then went and burned the woman and her father's family to death.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	7	Samson said to them, 'If that is how you behave, I swear I will not rest till I have had my revenge on you.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	8	And he fell on them systematically and caused great havoc. Then he went down to the cave in the Rock of Etham and lived there.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	9	The Philistines came up and encamped in Judah and made a foray against Lehi.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	10	The men of Judah said to them, 'Why are you attacking us?' They replied, 'We have come to seize Samson and to treat him as he has treated us.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	11	Three thousand men of Judah then went down to the cave of the Rock of Etham and said to him, 'Don't you know that the Philistines have us in their power? Now what have you done to us?' He replied, 'I have treated them only as they treated me.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	12	They then said, 'We have come down to take you, to hand you over to the Philistines.' He said, 'Swear to me not to kill me yourselves.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	13	They replied, 'No; we only want to bind you and hand you over to them; we certainly do not want to kill you.' They then bound him with two new ropes and brought him up from the Rock.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	14	As he was approaching Lehi, and the Philistines came running towards him with triumphant shouts, the spirit of Yahweh was on him; the ropes on his arms became like burnt strands of flax and the cords round his hands came untied.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	15	Coming across the fresh jawbone of a donkey, he reached out and snatched it up; and with it he slaughtered a thousand men.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	16	And Samson said: With the jawbone of a donkey I have laid them in heaps, with the jawbone of a donkey I have felled a thousand men.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	17	And with that he hurled the jawbone away; and that is why the place was called Ramath-Lehi.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	18	And as he was very thirsty, he called on Yahweh and said, 'You yourself have worked this great deliverance by the hand of your servant; and now must I die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	19	Then God opened a hollow in the ground, the hollow there is at Lehi, and water gushed out of it. Samson drank; his vigour returned and he revived. And therefore this spring was called En-ha-Kore; it is still at Lehi today.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	15	20	Samson was judge in Israel in the days of the Philistines for twenty years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	1	Samson then went to Gaza and, seeing a prostitute there, went in to her.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	2	The men of Gaza being told, 'Samson has arrived,' surrounded the place and kept watch for him the whole night at the town gate. All that night they were going to make no move, thinking, 'Let us wait until daybreak, and then kill him.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	3	Till midnight, however, Samson stayed in bed, and then at midnight he got up, seized the doors of the town gate and the two posts as well; he tore them up, bar and all, hoisted them on to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill overlooking Hebron.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	4	After this, he fell in love with a woman in the Vale of Sorek; she was called Delilah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	5	The Philistine chiefs visited her and said, 'Cajole him and find out where his great strength comes from, and how we can master him, so that we can bind him and subdue him. In return we shall each give you eleven hundred silver shekels.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	6	Delilah said to Samson, 'Please tell me where your great strength comes from, and what would be needed to bind and subdue you.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	7	Samson replied, 'If I were bound with seven new bowstrings which had not yet been dried, I should lose my strength and become like any other man.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	8	The Philistine chiefs brought Delilah seven new bowstrings which had not yet been dried and she took them and bound him with them.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	9	She had men concealed in her room, and she shouted, 'The Philistines are on you, Samson!' Then he snapped the bowstrings as a strand of tow snaps at a touch of the fire. So the secret of his strength remained unknown.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	10	Delilah then said to Samson, 'You have been laughing at me and telling me lies. But now please tell me what would be needed to bind you.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	11	He replied, 'If I were bound tightly with new ropes which have never been used, I should lose my strength and become like any other man.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	12	Delilah then took new ropes and bound him with them, and she shouted, 'The Philistines are on you, Samson!' She had men concealed in her room, but he snapped the ropes round his arms like thread.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	13	Delilah then said to Samson, 'Up to now you have been laughing at me and telling me lies. Tell me what would be needed to bind you.' He replied, 'If you wove the seven locks of my hair into the warp of a cloth and beat them together tight with the reed, I should lose my strength and become like any other man.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	14	She lulled him to sleep, then wove the seven locks of his hair into the warp, beat them together tight with the reed and shouted, 'The Philistines are on you, Samson!' He woke from his sleep and pulled out both reed and warp. So the secret of his strength remained unknown.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	15	Delilah said to him, 'How can you say that you love me, when your heart is not with me? Three times now you have laughed at me and have not told me where your great strength comes from.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	16	And day after day she pestered him with her talk, nagging him till he grew sick to death of it.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	17	At last he confided everything to her; he said to her, 'A razor has never touched my head, because I have been God's nazirite from my mother's womb. If my head were shorn, then my power would leave me and I should lose my strength and become like any other man.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	18	Delilah then realized that he had really confided in her; she sent for the Philistine princes with the message, 'Come just once more: he has confided everything to me.' And the Philistine chiefs came to her with the money in their hands.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	19	She lulled Samson to sleep in her lap, summoned a man and had him shear off the seven locks from his head. Thus for the first time she got control over him, and his strength left him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	20	She cried, 'The Philistines are on you, Samson!' He awoke from sleep, thinking, 'I shall break free as I have done time after time and shake myself clear.' But he did not know that Yahweh had left him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	21	The Philistines seized him, put out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. They fettered him with a double chain of bronze and he spent his time turning the mill in the prison.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	22	But his hair began to grow again when it had been cut off.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	23	The Philistine chiefs assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god. And amid their festivities they said: Into our hands our god has delivered Samson our enemy.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	24	And as soon as the people saw their god, they acclaimed him, shouting his praises: Into our hands our god has delivered Samson our enemy, the man who laid our country waste and killed so many of us.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	25	And as their hearts were full of joy, they shouted, 'Summon Samson out to amuse us.' So Samson was summoned from prison, and he performed feats in front of them; then he was put to stand between the pillars.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	26	Samson then said to the boy who was leading him by the hand, 'Lead me where I can touch the pillars supporting the building, so that I can lean against them.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	27	Now the building was crowded with men and women. All the Philistine chiefs were there, while about three thousand men and women were watching Samson's feats from the terrace.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	28	Samson called on Yahweh and cried out, 'Lord Yahweh, I beg you, remember me; give me strength again this once, O God, and let me be revenged on the Philistines at one blow for my two eyes.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	29	And Samson took hold of the two central pillars supporting the building, and braced himself with his right arm round one and his left round the other;
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	30	and he shouted, 'Let me die with the Philistines!' He then heaved with all his might, and the building fell on the chiefs and on all the people there. Those whom he brought to their death by his death outnumbered those whom he had done to death during his life.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	16	31	His brothers and the whole of his father's family came down and carried him away. They took him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel for twenty years.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	1	In the highlands of Ephraim there was a man called Micayehu.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	2	He said to his mother, 'The eleven hundred silver shekels which were taken from you and concerning which you uttered a curse, having said in my hearing . . . Look, I have got that silver. I was the one who took it.' His mother said, 'May Yahweh bless my boy!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	3	He gave the eleven hundred shekels back to his mother, who said, 'I have indeed vowed to give this silver to Yahweh for my son, to have a statue carved and an idol cast in metal, but now I should like to give it back to you.' He, however, returned the money to his mother.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	4	His mother then took two hundred silver shekels and gave them to the metalworker. With them, he carved a statue (and cast an idol in metal) which was put in Micayehu's house.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	5	This man Micah owned a shrine; he made an ephod and some domestic images, and installed one of his sons to be his priest.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	6	In those days there was no king in Israel, and everyone did as he saw fit.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	7	There was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the clan of Judah, who was a Levite and resided there as a stranger.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	8	This man left the town of Bethlehem in Judah to settle wherever he could find a home. On his travels he came to the highlands of Ephraim and to Micah's house.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	9	Micah asked him, 'Where do you come from?' The other replied, 'I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah. I am travelling, and am going to settle wherever I can find a home.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	10	Micah said to him, 'Stay here with me; be my father and priest and I shall give you ten silver shekels a year, and clothing and food.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	11	The Levite agreed to remain in the man's house, and the young man became like one of his sons to him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	12	Micah installed the Levite; the young man became Micah's priest and stayed in his house.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	17	13	And Micah said, 'Now I know that Yahweh will treat me well, since I have this Levite as priest.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	1	In those days there was no king in Israel. Now in those days the tribe of Dan was in search of a territory to live in, for until then no territory had fallen to them among the tribes of Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	2	From their clan the Danites sent five brave men from Zorah and Eshtaol to reconnoitre the country and explore it. They said to them, 'Go and explore the country.' The five men came to the highlands of Ephraim, as far as Micah's house, and spent the night there.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	3	When they were near Micah's house, they recognised the voice of the young Levite and, going nearer, said to him, 'Who brought you here? What are you doing here? What is keeping you here?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	4	He replied, 'Micah has made certain arrangements with me. He pays me a wage and I act as his priest.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	5	They replied, 'Then consult God, so that we may know whether the journey we are on will lead to success.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	6	The priest replied, 'Go in peace; Yahweh is watching over your journey.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	7	The five men then left and, arriving at Laish, saw that the people living there had an untroubled existence, according to the customs of the Sidonians, peaceful and trusting, that there was no lack or shortage of any sort in the territory, that they were a long way away from the Sidonians and that they had no contact with the Aramaeans.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	8	They then went back to their brothers at Zorah and Eshtaol and, when the latter asked them, 'What have you to report?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	9	they said, 'Up! we must go against them, since we have looked at the country and it is excellent, though you take no action! Waste no time in setting out and taking possession of the country.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	10	When you get there, you will find a trusting people. The country is wide, and God has put it at your mercy. It is a place where there is no lack of anything on earth.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	11	From these places, consequently, from the clan of Danites at Zorah and Eshtaol, six hundred men set out equipped for war.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	12	They went up and camped at Kiriath-Jearim in Judah; and for this reason the place is still called the Camp of Dan today. It lies to the west of Kiriath-Jearim.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	13	From there they entered the highlands of Ephraim and came to Micah's house.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	14	The five men who had been to reconnoitre the country then spoke to their brothers. 'Do you know', they said, 'that in these houses there is an ephod, some domestic images, a carved statue and an idol cast in metal? So now work out what you have got to do!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	15	So, turning off the road, they went to the young Levite's dwelling, to Micah's house, and greeted him peacefully.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	16	While the six hundred men of the Danites, equipped for war, stood at the threshold of the gate,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	17	the five who had been to reconnoitre the country went on into the house and took the carved statue, the ephod, the domestic images and the idol cast in metal; meanwhile the priest remained at the threshold of the gate with the six hundred men equipped for war.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	18	These men, having entered Micah's house, took the carved statue, the ephod, the domestic images and the idol cast in metal. The priest, however, said, 'What are you doing?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	19	'Be quiet,' they replied. 'Put your hand over your mouth and come with us, and become our father and priest. Are you better off as domestic priest to one man, or as priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	20	The priest was delighted; he took the ephod, the domestic images and the carved statue, and went off among the people.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	21	Resuming their original line of march, they set off, having put the women, children, livestock and baggage out in front.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	22	They had gone some distance from Micah's house, when the people living in the houses near Micah's house raised the alarm and set off in pursuit of the Danites.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	23	As they shouted after the Danites, the latter, turning about, said to Micah, 'What is the matter with you, that you are shouting like this?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	24	He replied, 'You have taken away my god, which I have had made, and the priest as well. You are going away, and what have I got left? And now you ask me, "What is the matter?" '
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	25	The Danites said, 'Let us hear no more from you, or quick-tempered men may set about you, and this might cost you your life and the lives of your family!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	26	So the Danites went on their way; and Micah, seeing that they were the stronger, turned and went home.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	27	So, having taken the god made by Micah, and the priest who had been his, the Danites marched on Laish, on a peaceful and trusting people. They put it to the sword and they burned down the town.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	28	There was no one to come to the rescue, since it was a long way from Sidon and had no contact with the Aramaeans. It lay in the valley running towards Beth-Rehob. They rebuilt the town and settled in it
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	29	and called it Dan, from the name of Dan their ancestor who had been born to Israel; originally, however, the town had been called Laish.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	30	The Danites erected the carved statue for themselves. Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Moses, and his sons after him were priests for the tribe of Dan till the day when the inhabitants of the country were carried away into exile.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	18	31	The carved statue made by Micah they installed for their own use, and there it stayed as long as the house of God remained at Shiloh.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	1	In those days, when there was no king in Israel, there was a man, a Levite, whose home was deep in the highlands of Ephraim. He took as concubine a woman from Bethlehem in Judah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	2	In a fit of anger his concubine left him and went back to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah, and she stayed there for some time -- four months.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	3	Her husband then set out after her, to appeal to her affections and fetch her back; he had his servant and two donkeys with him. As he was arriving at the house of the girl's father, the father saw him and came happily to meet him.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	4	His father-in-law, the girl's father, kept him there; and he stayed with him for three days; they ate and drank and spent the nights there.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	5	On the fourth day they got up early, and the Levite was preparing to leave when the girl's father said to his son-in-law, 'Have something to eat to gather strength; you can leave later.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	6	So they sat down and began eating and drinking, the two of them together; then the girl's father said to the young man, 'Please agree to spend tonight here too and enjoy yourself.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	7	And when the man got up to leave, the father-in-law pressed him again, and he spent another night there.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	8	On the fifth day, the Levite got up early to leave, but the girl's father said to him, 'Please gather strength first!' So they stayed on until the sun began to go down, and the two men had a meal together.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	9	The husband was getting up to leave with his concubine and his servant when his father-in-law, the girl's father, said, 'Look, day is fading into evening. Please spend the night here. Look, the day is nearly over. Spend the night here and enjoy yourself. Then, early tomorrow, you can leave on your journey and go back home.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	10	But the man, refusing to stay the night, got up and went on his way, until he arrived within sight of Jebus -- that is, Jerusalem. He had with him two donkeys saddled, his concubine and his servant.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	11	By the time they were near Jebus, the light was going fast. The servant said to his master, 'Come on, please, let us turn off into this Jebusite town and spend the night there.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	12	His master replied, 'We shall not turn off into a town of foreigners, of people who are not Israelites; we shall go on to Gibeah.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	13	He then said to his servant, 'Come on, we shall try to reach one or other of those places, either Gibeah or Ramah, and spend the night there.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	14	So they kept going and went on with their journey. As they approached Gibeah in Benjamin, the sun was setting.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	15	So they turned that way to spend the night in Gibeah. Once inside, the Levite sat down in the town square, but no one offered to take them in for the night.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	16	Eventually, an old man came along at nightfall from his work in the fields. He too was from the highlands of Ephraim, although he was living in Gibeah; the people of the place, however, were Benjaminites.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	17	Looking up, he saw the traveller in the town square. 'Where are you going?' said the old man, 'And where have you come from?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	18	'We are on our way', the other replied, 'from Bethlehem in Judah to a place deep in the highlands of Ephraim. That is where I come from. I have been to Bethlehem in Judah and now I am going home, but no one has offered to take me into his house,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	19	although we have straw and provender for our donkeys, and I also have bread and wine for myself, and this maidservant and the young man who is travelling with your servant; we are short of nothing.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	20	'Welcome,' said the old man. 'I shall see that you have all you want. You cannot spend the night in the square.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	21	So he took him into his house and gave the donkeys provender. The travellers washed their feet, then ate and drank.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	22	While they were enjoying themselves, some townsmen, scoundrels, came crowding round the house; they battered on the door and said to the old man, master of the house, 'Send out the man who went into your house, we should like to have intercourse with him!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	23	The master of the house went out to them and said, 'No, brothers, please, do not be so wicked. Since this man is now under my roof, do not commit such an infamy.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	24	Here is my daughter; she is a virgin; I shall bring her out to you. Ill-treat her, do what you please with her, but do not commit such an infamy against this man.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	25	But the men would not listen to him. So the Levite took hold of his concubine and brought her out to them. They had intercourse with her and ill-treated her all night till morning; when dawn was breaking they let her go.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	26	At daybreak the girl came and fell on the threshold of her husband's host, and she stayed there until it was light.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	27	In the morning her husband got up and, opening the door of the house, was going out to continue his journey when he saw the woman, his concubine, lying at the door of the house with her hands on the threshold.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	28	'Get up,' he said, 'we must leave!' There was no answer. He then loaded her on his donkey and began the journey home.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	29	Having reached his house, he took his knife, took hold of his concubine and cut her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces; he then sent her throughout the territory of Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	19	30	He gave instructions to his messengers, 'This is what you are to say to all the Israelites, "Has anything like this been done since the day when the Israelites came out of Egypt until today? Take this to heart, discuss it; then give your verdict." ' And all who saw it declared, 'Never has such a thing been done or been seen since the Israelites came out of Egypt until today.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	1	The Israelites then all turned out and, as one man, the entire community from Dan to Beersheba, including Gilead, assembled in Yahweh's presence at Mizpah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	2	The leaders of the entire people, of all the tribes of Israel, were present at this assembly of God's people, four hundred thousand trained infantry.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	3	The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah. The Israelites then said, 'Tell us how this crime was committed.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	4	The Levite, husband of the murdered woman, spoke in reply and said,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	5	'The men of Gibeah ganged up against me and, during the night, surrounded the house where I was lodging. They intended to murder me. They raped my concubine to death.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	6	I then took my concubine, cut her up and sent her throughout the entire territory of the heritage of Israel, since these men had committed a shameful act, an infamy, in Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	7	Now, all you Israelites, discuss the matter and give your decision here and now.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	8	The whole people stood up as one man and said, 'None of us will go home, none of us will go back to his house!
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	9	And this is what we are now going to do to Gibeah. We shall draw lots
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	10	and, throughout the tribes of Israel, select ten men out of a hundred, a hundred out of a thousand and a thousand out of ten thousand to collect food for the people, so that, on their arrival, the latter may treat Gibeah in Benjamin as this infamy perpetrated in Israel deserves.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	11	Thus, as one man, all the men of Israel mustered against the town.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	12	The tribes of Israel sent messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin to say, 'What is this crime which has been committed in your territory?
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	13	Now, give up these men, these scoundrels, living in Gibeah, so that we can put them to death and wipe out this evil from Israel.' The Benjaminites, however, would not listen to their brother Israelites.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	14	The Benjaminites left their towns and mustered at Gibeah to fight the Israelites.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	15	At the time, a count was made of the Benjaminites from the various towns: there were twenty-six thousand swordsmen; and the count excluded the inhabitants of Gibeah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	16	In this great army there were seven hundred first-rate left-handers, every man of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss it.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	17	A count was also held of the men of Israel, excluding Benjamin: there were four hundred thousand men, all experienced swordsmen.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	18	They moved off, up to Bethel, to consult God. The Israelites put the question, 'Which of us is to go first into battle against the Benjaminites?' And Yahweh replied, 'Judah is to go first.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	19	In the morning, the Israelites moved off and pitched their camp over against Gibeah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	20	The men of Israel advanced to do battle with Benjamin; they drew up their battle line in front of Gibeah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	21	But the Benjaminites sallied out from Gibeah and that day massacred twenty-two thousand Israelites.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	22	The army of the men of Israel then took fresh heart and again drew up their battle line in the same place as the day before.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	23	The Israelites went and wept before Yahweh until evening; they then consulted Yahweh; they asked, 'Shall we join battle again with the sons of our brother Benjamin?' Yahweh replied, 'March against him!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	24	This second day, the Israelites advanced against the Benjaminites,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	25	and, this second day, Benjamin sallied out from Gibeah to meet them and massacred another eighteen thousand Israelites, all experienced swordsmen.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	26	Then all the Israelites and the whole people went off to Bethel; they wept and sat in Yahweh's presence; they fasted all day till the evening and presented burnt offerings and communion sacrifices before Yahweh.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	27	The Israelites then consulted Yahweh. In those days, the ark of the covenant of God was there,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	28	and Phinehas son of Eleazer, son of Aaron was its minister at the time. They said, 'Ought I to go into battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin again, or should I stop?' Yahweh replied, 'March! For tomorrow I shall deliver him into your hands.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	29	Israel then positioned troops in ambush all round Gibeah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	30	On the third day the Israelites marched against the Benjaminites and, as before, drew up their line in front of Gibeah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	31	The Benjaminites sallied out to engage the people and let themselves be drawn away from the town. As before, they began by killing those of the people who were on the roads, one of which runs up to Bethel, and the other to Gibeah through open country: some thirty men of Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	32	The Benjaminites thought, 'We have beaten them, as we did the first time,' but the Israelites had decided, 'We shall run away and draw them away from the town along the roads.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	33	All the Israelites then retreated and reformed at Baal-Tamar, while the Israelite troops in ambush surged from their positions to the west of Gibeah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	34	Ten thousand picked men, chosen from the whole of Israel, launched their attack on Gibeah. The battle was fierce; and the others knew nothing of the disaster impending.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	35	Yahweh defeated Benjamin before Israel and that day the Israelites killed twenty-five thousand one hundred men of Benjamin, all of them trained swordsmen.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	36	The Benjaminites saw that they were beaten. The Israelites had given ground to Benjamin, since they were relying on the ambush which they had positioned close to Gibeah.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	37	The troops in ambush threw themselves against Gibeah at top speed; fanning out, they put the whole town to the sword.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	38	Now it had been agreed between the Israelites and those of the ambush that the latter should raise a smoke signal from the town,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	39	whereupon the Israelites in the thick of the battle would turn about. Benjamin began by killing some of the Israelites, about thirty men, and thought, 'We have certainly beaten them, as we did in the first battle.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	40	But the signal, a column of smoke, began to rise from the town, and the Benjaminites looking back saw the whole town going up in flames to the sky.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	41	The Israelites then turned about, and the Benjaminites were seized with terror, for they saw that disaster had struck them.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	42	They broke before the Israelite onslaught and made for the desert, but the fighters pressed them hard, while the others coming out of the town took and slaughtered them from the rear.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	43	They hemmed in the Benjaminites, pursued them relentlessly, crushing them opposite Gibeah on the east.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	44	Of Benjamin, eighteen thousand men fell, all of them brave men.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	45	They then turned tail and fled into the desert, towards the Rock of Rimmon. Five thousand of them were picked off on the roads, and the rest were relentlessly pursued as far as Gideon, two thousand of them being killed.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	46	The total number of Benjaminites who fell that day was twenty-five thousand swordsmen, all of them brave men.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	47	Six hundred men, however, turned tail and escaped into the desert, to the Rock of Rimmon, and there they stayed for four months.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	20	48	The men of Israel then went back to the Benjaminites, and put them to the sword-people, livestock and everything else that came their way in the town. And they fired all the towns involved.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	1	The men of Israel had sworn this oath at Mizpah, 'None of us is to give his daughter in marriage to Benjamin.'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	2	The people went to Bethel and stayed there until evening, sitting before God and raising their voices, made a great lament,
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	3	and exclaiming, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, why has this happened in Israel that a tribe should be missing from Israel today?
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	4	The next day the people got up early and built an altar there; they presented burnt offerings and communion sacrifices.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	5	The Israelites then said, 'Out of all the tribes of Israel, who has not come to Yahweh, to the assembly?' -- for they had sworn a solemn oath that anyone who did not come to Yahweh at Mizpah would certainly die.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	6	Now the Israelites felt sorry about Benjamin their brother. 'Today', they said, 'a tribe has been amputated from Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	7	What shall we do to provide wives for those who are left, since we have sworn by Yahweh not to give them any of our own daughters in marriage?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	8	They then asked, 'Out of the tribes of Israel, who is it that has not come to Yahweh at Mizpah?' It was discovered that no one from Jabesh in Gilead had come to the camp for the assembly;
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	9	for, a muster having been called of the people, none of the inhabitants of Jabesh in Gilead was present.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	10	The community then despatched twelve thousand of their bravest men there, with these orders: 'Go and slaughter all the inhabitants of Jabesh in Gilead, including the women and children.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	11	This is what you are to do. All males and all those women who have ever slept with a man, you will put under the curse of destruction, but the lives of the virgins you will spare.' And this they did.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	12	Among the inhabitants of Jabesh in Gilead they found four hundred young virgins who had never slept with a man, and brought them to the camp (to Shiloh in the territory of Canaan).
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	13	The whole community then sent messengers to offer peace to the Benjaminites who were at the Rock of Rimmon.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	14	Benjamin then came home: they were given those of the women of Jabesh in Gilead whose lives had been spared, but there were not enough for all.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	15	The people felt sorry about Benjamin, Yahweh having made a breach in the tribes of Israel.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	16	And the elders of the community said, 'What shall we do to provide wives for the survivors, since the women of Benjamin have been wiped out?'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	17	They went on, 'How can we preserve a remnant for Benjamin so that a tribe may not be lost to Israel?
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	18	We cannot give them our own daughters in marriage' -- for the Israelites had taken an oath, 'Accursed be the man who gives a wife to Benjamin!'
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	19	'However,' they said, 'there is the feast of Yahweh, held every year at Shiloh.' (The town lies north of Bethel, east of the highway that runs from Bethel up to Shechem, and south of Lebonah.)
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	20	So they told the Benjaminites to do as follows, 'Put yourselves in ambush in the vineyards.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	21	Keep watch: when the girls of Shiloh come out in groups to dance, you then come out of the vineyards, each of you seize a wife from the girls of Shiloh and make for Benjaminite territory.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	22	If their fathers or brothers come and complain to us, we shall say, "Let us have them, since we could not take wives for everyone in the battle; and you could not give them to them, or you would then have been guilty." '
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	23	The Benjaminites did this and, from the dancers whom they caught, took as many wives as there were men and then, setting off, went back to their heritage, rebuilt the towns and settled down in them.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	24	The Israelites then dispersed, each man to rejoin his tribe and clan, each leaving that place for his own heritage.
 Judges	Jdgs	7	21	25	In those days there was no king in Israel, and everyone did as he saw fit.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	1	In the days when the Judges were governing, a famine occurred in the country and a certain man from Bethlehem of Judah went-he, his wife and his two sons -- to live in the Plains of Moab.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	2	The man was called Elimelech, his wife Naomi and his two sons Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem of Judah. Going to the Plains of Moab, they settled there.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	3	Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she and her two sons were left.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	4	These married Moabite women: one was called Orpah and the other Ruth. They lived there for about ten years.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	5	Mahlon and Chilion then both died too, and Naomi was thus bereft of her two sons and her husband.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	6	She then decided to come back from the Plains of Moab with her daughters-in-law, having heard in the Plains of Moab that God had visited his people and given them food.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	7	So, with her daughters-in-law, she left the place where she was living and they took the road back to Judah.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	8	Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, 'Go back, each of you to your mother's house.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	9	May Yahweh show you faithful love, as you have done to those who have died and to me. Yahweh grant that you may each find happiness with a husband!' She then kissed them, but they began weeping loudly,
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	10	and said, 'No, we shall go back with you to your people.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	11	'Go home, daughters,' Naomi replied. 'Why come with me? Have I any more sons in my womb to make husbands for you?
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	12	Go home, daughters, go, for I am now too old to marry again. Even if I said, "I still have a hope: I shall take a husband this very night and shall bear more sons,"
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	13	would you be prepared to wait for them until they were grown up? Would you refuse to marry for their sake? No, daughters, I am bitterly sorry for your sakes that the hand of Yahweh should have been raised against me.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	14	They started weeping loudly all over again; Orpah then kissed her mother-in-law and went back to her people. But Ruth stayed with her.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	15	Naomi then said, 'Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her god. Go home, too; follow your sister-in-law.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	16	But Ruth said, 'Do not press me to leave you and to stop going with you, for wherever you go, I shall go, wherever you live, I shall live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	17	Where you die, I shall die and there I shall be buried. Let Yahweh bring unnameable ills on me and worse ills, too, if anything but death should part me from you!'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	18	Seeing that Ruth was determined to go with her, Naomi said no more.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	19	The two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. Their arrival set the whole town astir, and the women said, 'Can this be Naomi?'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	20	To this she replied, 'Do not call me Naomi, call me Mara, for Shaddai has made my lot bitter.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	21	I departed full, and Yahweh has brought me home empty. Why, then, call me Naomi, since Yahweh has pronounced against me and Shaddai has made me wretched?'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	1	22	This was how Naomi came home with her daughter-in-law, Ruth the Moabitess, on returning from the Plains of Moab. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	1	Naomi had a kinsman on her husband's side, well-to-do and of Elimelech's clan. His name was Boaz.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	2	Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, 'Let me go into the fields and glean ears of corn in the footsteps of some man who will look on me with favour.' She replied, 'Go, daughter.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	3	So she set out and went to glean in the fields behind the reapers. Chance led her to a plot of land belonging to Boaz of Elimelech's clan.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	4	Boaz, as it happened, had just come from Bethlehem. 'Yahweh be with you!' he said to the reapers. 'Yahweh bless you!' they replied.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	5	Boaz said to a servant of his who was in charge of the reapers, 'To whom does this young woman belong?'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	6	And the servant in charge of the reapers replied, 'The girl is the Moabitess, the one who came back with Naomi from the Plains of Moab.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	7	She said, "Please let me glean and pick up what falls from the sheaves behind the reapers." Thus she came, and here she stayed, with hardly a rest from morning until now.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	8	Boaz said to Ruth, 'Listen to me, daughter. You must not go gleaning in any other field. You must not go away from here. Stay close to my work-women.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	9	Keep your eyes on whatever part of the field they are reaping and follow behind. I have forbidden my men to molest you. And if you are thirsty, go to the pitchers and drink what the servants have drawn.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	10	Ruth fell on her face, prostrated herself and said, 'How have I attracted your favour, for you to notice me, who am only a foreigner?'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	11	Boaz replied, 'I have been told all about the way you have behaved to your mother-in-law since your husband's death, and how you left your own father and mother and the land where you were born to come to a people of whom you previously knew nothing.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	12	May Yahweh repay you for what you have done, and may you be richly rewarded by Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	13	She said, 'My lord, I hope you will always look on me with favour! You have comforted and encouraged me, though I am not even the equal of one of your work-women.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	14	When it was time to eat, Boaz said to her, 'Come and eat some of this bread and dip your piece in the vinegar.' Ruth sat down beside the reapers and Boaz made a heap of roasted grain for her; she ate till her hunger was satisfied, and she had some left over.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	15	When she had got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his work-people, 'Let her glean among the sheaves themselves. Do not molest her.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	16	And be sure you pull a few ears of corn out of the bundles and drop them. Let her glean them, and do not scold her.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	17	So she gleaned in the field till evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned and it came to about a bushel of barley.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	18	Taking it with her, she went back to the town. Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. Ruth also took out what she had kept after eating all she wanted, and gave that to her.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	19	Her mother-in-law said, 'Where have you been gleaning today? Where have you been working? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!' Ruth told her mother-in-law in whose field she had been working. 'The name of the man with whom I have been working today' she said, 'is Boaz.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	20	Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, 'May he be blessed by Yahweh who does not withhold his faithful love from living or dead! This man', Naomi added, 'is a close relation of ours. He is one of those who have the right of redemption over us.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	21	Ruth the Moabitess said to her mother-in-law, 'He also said, "Stay with my work-people until they have finished my whole harvest." '
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	22	Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, 'It is better for you, daughter, to go with his work-women than to go to some other field where you might be ill-treated.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	2	23	So she stayed with Boaz's work-women, and gleaned until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she went on living with her mother-in-law.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	1	Her mother-in-law Naomi then said, 'Daughter, is it not my duty to see you happily settled?
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	2	And Boaz, the man with whose work-women you were, is he not our kinsman? Tonight he will be winnowing the barley on the threshing-floor.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	3	So wash and perfume yourself, put on your cloak and go down to the threshing-floor. Don't let him recognise you while he is still eating and drinking.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	4	But when he lies down, take note where he lies, then go and turn back the covering at his feet and lie down yourself. He will tell you what to do.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	5	Ruth said, 'I shall do everything you tell me.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	6	So she went down to the threshing-floor and did everything her mother-in-law had told her.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	7	When Boaz had finished eating and drinking, he went off happily and lay down beside the pile of barley. Ruth then quietly went, turned back the covering at his feet and lay down.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	8	In the middle of the night, he woke up with a shock and looked about him; and there lying at his feet was a woman.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	9	'Who are you?' he said; and she replied, 'I am your servant Ruth. Spread the skirt of your cloak over your servant for you have the right of redemption over me.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	10	'May Yahweh bless you, daughter,' he said, 'for this second act of faithful love of yours is greater than the first, since you have not run after young men, poor or rich.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	11	Don't be afraid, daughter, I shall do everything you ask, since the people at the gate of my town all know that you are a woman of great worth.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	12	But, though it is true that I have the right of redemption over you, you have a kinsman closer than myself.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	13	Stay here for tonight and, in the morning, if he wishes to exercise his right over you, very well, let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to do so, then as Yahweh lives, I shall redeem you. Lie here till morning.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	14	So she lay at his feet till morning, but got up before the hour when one man can recognise another; and he thought, 'It must not be known that this woman came to the threshing-floor.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	15	He then said, 'Let me have the cloak you are wearing, hold it out!' She held it out while he put six measures of barley into it and then loaded it on to her; and off she went to the town.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	16	When Ruth got home, her mother-in-law asked her, 'How did things go with you, daughter?' She then told her everything that the man had done for her.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	17	'He gave me these six measures of barley and said, "You must not go home empty-handed to your mother-in-law." '
 Ruth	Ruth	8	3	18	Naomi said, 'Do nothing, daughter, until you see how things have gone; I am sure he will not rest until he has settled the matter this very day.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	1	Boaz, meanwhile, had gone up to the gate and sat down, and the relative of whom he had spoken then came by. Boaz said to him, 'Here, my friend, come and sit down'; the man came and sat down.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	2	Boaz then picked out ten of the town's elders and said, 'Sit down here'; they sat down.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	3	Boaz then said to the man who had the right of redemption, 'Naomi, who has come back from the Plains of Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother, Elimelech.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	4	I thought I should tell you about this and say, "Acquire it in the presence of the men who are sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you want to use your right of redemption, redeem it; if you do not, tell me so that I know, for I am the only person to redeem it besides yourself, and I myself come after you."'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	5	Boaz then said, 'The day you acquire the field from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the man who has died, to perpetuate the dead man's name in his inheritance.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	6	The man with the right of redemption then said, 'I cannot use my right of redemption without jeopardising my own inheritance. Since I cannot use my right of redemption, exercise the right yourself.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	7	Now, in former times, it was the custom in Israel to confirm a transaction in matters of redemption or inheritance by one of the parties taking off his sandal and giving it to the other. This was how agreements were ratified in Israel.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	8	So, when the man with the right of redemption said to Boaz, 'Acquire it for yourself,' he took off his sandal.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	9	Boaz then said to the elders and all the people there, 'Today you are witnesses that from Naomi I acquire everything that used to belong to Elimelech, and everything that used to belong to Mahlon and Chilion
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	10	and that I am also acquiring Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon's widow, to be my wife, to perpetuate the dead man's name in his inheritance, so that the dead man's name will not be lost among his brothers and at the gate of his town. Today you are witnesses to this.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	11	All the people at the gate said, 'We are witnesses'; and the elders said, 'May Yahweh make the woman about to enter your family like Rachel and Leah who together built up the House of Israel. Grow mighty in Ephrathah, be renowned in Bethlehem!
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	12	And through the children Yahweh will give you by this young woman, may your family be like the family of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	13	So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. And when they came together, Yahweh made her conceive and she bore a son.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	14	And the women said to Naomi, 'Blessed be Yahweh who has not left you today without anyone to redeem you. May his name be praised in Israel!
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	15	The child will be a comfort to you and the prop of your old age, for he has been born to the daughter-in-law who loves you and is more to you than seven sons.'
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	16	And Naomi, taking the child, held him to her breast; and she it was who looked after him.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	17	And the women of the neighbourhood gave him a name. 'A son', they said, 'has been born to Naomi,' and they called him Obed. This was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	18	These are the descendants of Perez. Perez fathered Hezron,
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	19	Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab,
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	20	Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon,
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	21	Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed,
 Ruth	Ruth	8	4	22	Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	1	There was a man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the highlands of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	2	He had two wives, one called Hannah, the other Peninnah; Peninnah had children but Hannah had none.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	3	Every year this man used to go up from his town to worship, and to sacrifice to Yahweh Sabaoth at Shiloh. (The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there as priests of Yahweh.)
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	4	One day Elkanah offered a sacrifice. Now he used to give portions to Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	5	to Hannah, however, he would give only one portion: for, although he loved Hannah more, Yahweh had made her barren.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	6	Furthermore, her rival would taunt and provoke her, because Yahweh had made her womb barren.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	7	And this went on year after year; every time they went up to the temple of Yahweh she used to taunt her. On that day she wept and would not eat anything;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	8	so her husband Elkanah said, 'Hannah, why are you crying? Why are you not eating anything? Why are you so sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	9	When they had finished eating in the room, Hannah got up and stood before Yahweh. Eli the priest was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of the temple of Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	10	In the bitterness of her soul she prayed to Yahweh with many tears,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	11	and she made this vow, 'Yahweh Sabaoth! Should you condescend to notice the humiliation of your servant and keep her in mind instead of disregarding your servant, and give her a boy, I will give him to Yahweh for the whole of his life and no razor shall ever touch his head.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	12	While she went on praying to Yahweh, Eli was watching her mouth,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	13	for Hannah was speaking under her breath; her lips were moving but her voice could not be heard, and Eli thought that she was drunk.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	14	Eli said, 'How much longer are you going to stay drunk? Get rid of your wine.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	15	'No, my lord,' Hannah replied, 'I am a woman in great trouble; I have not been drinking wine or strong drink -- I am pouring out my soul before Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	16	Do not take your servant for a worthless woman; all this time I have been speaking from the depth of my grief and my resentment.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	17	Eli then replied, 'Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant what you have asked of him.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	18	To which she said, 'May your servant find favour in your sight.' With that, the woman went away; she began eating and was dejected no longer.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	19	They got up early in the morning and, after worshipping Yahweh, set out and went home to Ramah. Elkanah lay with his wife Hannah, and Yahweh remembered her.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	20	Hannah conceived and, in due course, gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel, 'since', she said, 'I asked Yahweh for him.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	21	Elkanah, the husband, went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to Yahweh and to fulfil his vow.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	22	However, Hannah did not go up, having said to her husband, 'Not before the child has been weaned. Then I shall bring him and present him before Yahweh and he will stay there for ever.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	23	Elkanah her husband then said to her, 'Do what you think fit; wait until you have weaned him. May Yahweh bring about what he has said.' So the woman stayed behind and nursed her child until she weaned him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	24	When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, as well as a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and took him into the temple of Yahweh at Shiloh; the child was very young.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	25	They sacrificed the bull and led the child to Eli.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	26	She said, 'If you please, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood beside you here, praying to Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	27	This is the child for which I was praying, and Yahweh has granted me what I asked of him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	1	28	Now I make him over to Yahweh for the whole of his life. He is made over to Yahweh.' They then worshipped Yahweh there.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	1	Hannah then prayed as follows: My heart exults in Yahweh, in my God is my strength lifted up, my mouth derides my foes, for I rejoice in your deliverance.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	2	There is no Holy One like Yahweh, (indeed, there is none but you) no Rock like our God.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	3	Do not keep talking so proudly, let no arrogance come from your mouth, for Yahweh is a wise God, his to weigh up deeds.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	4	The bow of the mighty has been broken but those who were tottering are now braced with strength.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	5	The full fed are hiring themselves out for bread but the hungry need labour no more; the barren woman bears sevenfold but the mother of many is left desolate.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	6	Yahweh gives death and life, brings down to Sheol and draws up;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	7	Yahweh makes poor and rich, he humbles and also exalts.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	8	He raises the poor from the dust, he lifts the needy from the dunghill to give them a place with princes, to assign them a seat of honour; for to Yahweh belong the pillars of the earth, on these he has poised the world.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	9	He safeguards the steps of his faithful but the wicked vanish in darkness (for human strength can win no victories).
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	10	Yahweh, his enemies are shattered, the Most High thunders in the heavens. Yahweh judges the ends of the earth, he endows his king with power, he raises up the strength of his Anointed.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	11	Elkanah then went home to Ramah, but the child stayed in Yahweh's service, in the presence of Eli the priest.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	12	Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels; they cared nothing for Yahweh
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	13	nor for what was due to the priests from the people. Whenever anyone offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand while the meat was being cooked;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	14	he would thrust this into cauldron or pan, or dish or pot, and the priest claimed for his own whatever the fork brought up. That was how they behaved with all the Israelites who came there to Shiloh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	15	The priest's servant would even come up before the fat had been burnt and say to the person who was making the sacrifice, 'Give the priest some meat for him to roast. He will not accept boiled meat from you, only raw.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	16	Then, if the person replied, 'Let the fat be burnt first, and then take for yourself whatever you choose,' he would retort, 'No! You must give it to me now or I shall take it by force.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	17	The young men's sin was very great in Yahweh's eyes, because they treated with contempt the offering made to Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	18	Samuel was in Yahweh's service, a child wearing a linen loincloth.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	19	His mother used to make him a little coat which she brought him each year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	20	Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, 'May Yahweh grant you an heir by this woman in exchange for the one which she has made over to Yahweh,' and they would go home.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	21	Yahweh visited Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the child Samuel grew up in Yahweh's presence.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	22	Although very old, Eli heard about everything that his sons were doing to all Israel,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	23	and said, 'Why are you behaving as all the people say you are?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	24	No, my sons, what I hear reported by the people of Yahweh is not good.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	25	If one person sins against another, God will be the arbiter, but if he sins against Yahweh, who will intercede for him?' But they did not listen to their father's words, for Yahweh was bent on killing them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	26	Meanwhile, the child Samuel went on growing in stature and in favour both with Yahweh and with people.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	27	A man of God came to Eli and said to him, 'This is what Yahweh says, "Did I not reveal myself to your father's family when they were in Egypt as slaves in Pharaoh's household?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	28	Did I not single him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn the offering, to carry the ephod in my presence; and did I not grant all the burnt offerings made by the Israelites to your father's family?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	29	Why do you trample on the offering and on the sacrifice which I have ordered for my Dwelling, and honour your sons more than me, by growing fat on the best of the offerings of Israel, my people?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	30	Whereas -- this is what Yahweh, God of Israel, declares -- I had promised that your family and your father's family would walk in my presence for ever, now, however -- this is what Yahweh declares -- nothing of the sort! Those who honour me I honour in my turn, and those who despise me will be an object of contempt.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	31	Be sure, the days are coming when I shall cut off your strength and the strength of your father's family, so that no one in your family will live to old age.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	32	Beside the Dwelling, you will see all the benefits that I shall confer on Israel, but no one in your family will ever live to old age.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	33	I shall keep one of you at my altar for his eyes to go blind and his soul to wither, but the bulk of your family will die by the sword.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	34	' "What happens to your two sons Hophni and Phinehas will be a sign for you: on the same day both will die.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	35	I shall raise myself a faithful priest, who will do as I intend and as I desire. I shall build him an enduring House and he will walk in the presence of my Anointed for ever.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	2	36	The members of your House who survive will come and beg him on their knees for a silver coin and a loaf of bread and say: Please give me some priestly work, so that I can have a scrap of bread to eat." '
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	1	Now, the boy Samuel was serving Yahweh in the presence of Eli; in those days it was rare for Yahweh to speak; visions were uncommon.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	2	One day, it happened that Eli was lying down in his room. His eyes were beginning to grow dim; he could no longer see.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	3	The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying in Yahweh's sanctuary, where the ark of God was,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	4	when Yahweh called, 'Samuel! Samuel!' He answered, 'Here I am,'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	5	and, running to Eli, he said, 'Here I am, as you called me.' Eli said, 'I did not call. Go back and lie down.' So he went and lay down.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	6	And again Yahweh called, 'Samuel! Samuel!' He got up and went to Eli and said, 'Here I am, as you called me.' He replied, 'I did not call, my son; go back and lie down.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	7	As yet, Samuel had no knowledge of Yahweh and the word of Yahweh had not yet been revealed to him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	8	Again Yahweh called, the third time. He got up and went to Eli and said, 'Here I am, as you called me.' Eli then understood that Yahweh was calling the child,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	9	and he said to Samuel, 'Go and lie down, and if someone calls say, "Speak, Yahweh; for your servant is listening." ' So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	10	Yahweh then came and stood by, calling as he had done before, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Samuel answered, 'Speak, Yahweh; for your servant is listening.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	11	Yahweh then said to Samuel, 'I am going to do something in Israel which will make the ears of all who hear of it ring.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	12	I shall carry out that day against Eli everything that I have said about his family, from beginning to end.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	13	You are to tell him that I condemn his family for ever, since he is aware that his sons have been cursing God and yet has not corrected them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	14	Therefore -- I swear it to the family of Eli -- no sacrifice or offering shall ever expiate the guilt of Eli's family.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	15	Samuel lay where he was until morning and then opened the doors of Yahweh's temple. Samuel was afraid to tell Eli about the vision,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	16	but Eli called Samuel and said, 'Samuel, my son.' 'Here I am,' he replied.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	17	Eli asked, 'What message did he give you? Please do not hide it from me. May God bring unnameable ills on you and worse ones, too, if you hide from me anything of what he said to you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	18	Samuel then told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Eli said, 'He is Yahweh; let him do what he thinks good.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	19	Samuel grew up. Yahweh was with him and did not let a single word fall to the ground of all that he had told him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	20	All Israel knew, from Dan to Beersheba, that Samuel was attested as a prophet of Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	3	21	Yahweh continued to manifest himself at Shiloh, revealing himself to Samuel there,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	1	and, for all Israel, the word of Samuel was as the word of Yahweh; since Eli was very old and his sons persisted in their wicked behaviour towards Yahweh. It happened at that time that the Philistines mustered to make war on Israel and Israel went out to meet them in war, pitching camp near Ebenezer while the Philistines pitched camp at Aphek.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	2	The Philistines drew up their battle-line against Israel, the fighting was fierce, and Israel was beaten by the Philistines: about four thousand men in their ranks were killed on the field of battle.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	3	When the troops returned to camp, the elders of Israel said, 'Why has Yahweh caused us to be beaten by the Philistines today? Let us fetch the ark of our God from Shiloh so that, when it goes with us, it may save us from the clutches of our enemies.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	4	So the troops sent to Shiloh and brought away the ark of Yahweh Sabaoth enthroned on the winged creatures; the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, came with the ark.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	5	When the ark of Yahweh arrived in the camp, all Israel raised a great war cry so that the earth resounded.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	6	When the Philistines heard the noise of the war cry, they said, 'What can this great war cry in the Hebrew camp mean?' And they realised that the ark of Yahweh had come into the camp.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	7	At this, the Philistines were afraid; for they said, 'God has come into the camp. Disaster!' they said. 'For nothing like this has ever happened before.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	8	Disaster! Who will rescue us from the clutches of this mighty God? This was the God who struck down Egypt with every kind of misfortune in the desert.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	9	But take courage and be men, Philistines, or you will become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been slaves to you. Be men and fight.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	10	So the Philistines gave battle and Israel was defeated, each man fleeing to his tent. The slaughter was very great: on the Israelite side, thirty thousand foot soldiers fell.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	11	The ark of God was captured too, and Hophni and Phinehas the two sons of Eli died.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	12	A Benjaminite ran from the battle-line and reached Shiloh the same day, his clothes torn and dust on his head.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	13	When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat beside the gate watching the road, for his heart was trembling for the ark of God. The man came into the town and told the news, whereupon cries of anguish filled the town.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	14	Eli heard the sound and asked, 'What does this uproar mean?' The man hurried on and told Eli.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	15	Eli was ninety-eight years old; his gaze was fixed; he was blind.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	16	The man said to Eli, 'I have come from the camp. I escaped from the battle-line today.' 'My son,' said Eli, 'what happened?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	17	The messenger replied, 'Israel has fled before the Philistines; the army has been utterly routed. What is worse, your two sons are dead and the ark of God has been captured.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	18	When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backwards off his seat by the gate and broke his neck and died, for he was old and heavy. He had been judge of Israel for forty years.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	19	Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was with child and near her time. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and husband were dead she crouched down and gave birth, for her labour pains had come on.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	20	When she was at the point of death, the women at her side said, 'Do not be afraid; you have given birth to a son.' But she did not answer and took no notice.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	21	She named the child Ichabod, saying, 'The glory has gone from Israel,' alluding to the capture of the ark of God and to her father-in-law and husband.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	4	22	She said, 'The glory has gone from Israel, because the ark of God has been captured.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	5	1	When the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	5	2	Taking the ark of God, the Philistines put it in the temple of Dagon, setting it down beside Dagon.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	5	3	When the people of Ashdod got up the following morning and went to the temple of Dagon, there lay Dagon face down on the ground before the ark of Yahweh. They picked Dagon up and put him back in his place.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	5	4	But when they got up on the following morning, there lay Dagon face down on the ground before the ark of Yahweh, and Dagon's head and two hands lay severed on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left in its place.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	5	5	This is why the priests of Dagon and the people frequenting Dagon's temple never step on Dagon's threshold in Ashdod, even today.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	5	6	Yahweh oppressed the people of Ashdod; he ravaged them and afflicted them with tumours -- Ashdod and its territory. When the people of Ashdod saw what was happening they said,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	5	7	'The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, for he is oppressing us and our god Dagon.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	5	8	So they summoned all the Philistine chiefs to them, and said, 'What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?' They decided, 'The ark of the God of Israel shall be taken away to Gath.' So they took the ark of the God of Israel to Gath.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	5	9	But after they had taken it there, Yahweh oppressed that town and a great panic broke out; afflicting the people of the town from highest to lowest, he brought them out in tumours too.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	5	10	They then sent the ark of God to Ekron, but when it came to Ekron the Ekronites shouted, 'They have brought me the ark of the God of Israel to kill me and my people!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	5	11	They summoned all the Philistine chiefs and said, 'Send the ark of the God of Israel away; let it go back to where it belongs and not kill me and my people' -- for there was mortal panic throughout the town; God was oppressing them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	5	12	The people who did not die were afflicted with tumours, and the wailing from the town rose to the sky.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	1	The ark of Yahweh was in Philistine territory for seven months.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	2	The Philistines then called for their priests and diviners and asked, 'What shall we do with the ark of Yahweh? Tell us how to send it back to where it belongs.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	3	They replied, 'If you send the ark of the God of Israel away, you must certainly not send it away without a gift; you must pay him a guilt offering. You will then recover and will realise why he continually oppressed you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	4	They then asked, 'What guilt offering ought we to pay him?' They replied, 'Corresponding to the number of Philistine chiefs: five golden tumours and five golden rats, since the same plague afflicted your chiefs as the rest of you.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	5	So make models of your tumours and models of your rats ravaging the territory, and pay honour to the God of Israel. Then perhaps he will stop oppressing you, your gods and your country.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	6	Why should you be as stubborn as Egypt and Pharaoh were? After he had brought disasters on them, did they not let the people leave?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	7	Now, then, take and fit out a new cart, and two milch cows that have never borne the yoke. Then harness the cows to the cart and take their calves back to the byre.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	8	Then take the ark of Yahweh, place it on the cart, and put the golden objects which you are paying him as guilt offering in a box beside it; and then send it off on its own.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	9	Watch it; if it goes up the road to its own territory, towards Beth-Shemesh, then he was responsible for this great harm to us; but if not, we shall know that it was not his hand that struck us, and that this has happened to us by chance.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	10	The people did this. They took two milch cows and harnessed them to the cart, shutting their calves in the byre.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	11	They then put the ark of Yahweh on the cart, with the box and the golden rats and the models of their tumours.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	12	The cows made straight for Beth-Shemesh, keeping to the one road, lowing as they went and turning neither to right nor to left. The Philistine chiefs followed them as far as the boundaries of Beth-Shemesh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	13	The people of Beth-Shemesh were reaping the wheat harvest in the plain when they looked up and saw the ark and went joyfully to meet it.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	14	When the cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth-Shemesh, it stopped. There was a large stone there, and they cut up the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	15	The Levites had taken down the ark of Yahweh and the box with it containing the golden objects and put these on the large stone. That day the people of Beth-Shemesh presented burnt offerings and made sacrifices to Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	16	The five chiefs of the Philistines, having witnessed this, went back to Ekron the same day.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	17	The golden tumours paid by the Philistines as a guilt offering to Yahweh were as follows: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, one for Ekron;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	18	and golden rats to the number of all the Philistine towns, those of the five chiefs, from fortified towns down to open villages: still to this day the large stone in the field of Joshua of Beth-Shemesh, on which they put the ark of Yahweh, is a witness.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	19	Of the people of Beth-Shemesh the sons of Jeconiah had not rejoiced when they saw the ark of Yahweh, and Yahweh struck down seventy of them. The people mourned because Yahweh had struck them so fiercely.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	20	The people of Beth-Shemesh then said, 'Who can stand his ground before Yahweh, this holy God? To whom shall he go, so that we are rid of him?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	6	21	So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-Jearim, to say, 'The Philistines have sent back the ark of Yahweh; come down and take it up to your town.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	1	The men of Kiriath-Jearim came and, taking up the ark of Yahweh, brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill, and consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	2	From the day when the ark was installed at Kiriath-Jearim, a long time went by -- twenty years -- and the whole House of Israel longed for Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	3	Samuel then spoke as follows to the whole House of Israel, 'If you are returning to Yahweh with all your heart, banish the foreign gods and Astartes which you now have, and set your heart on Yahweh and serve him alone; and he will deliver you from the power of the Philistines.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	4	And the Israelites banished the Baals and Astartes and served Yahweh alone.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	5	Samuel then said, 'Muster all Israel at Mizpah and I shall plead with Yahweh for you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	6	So they mustered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before Yahweh. They fasted that day and declared, 'We have sinned against Yahweh.' And Samuel was judge over the Israelites at Mizpah.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	7	When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had mustered at Mizpah, the Philistine chiefs marched on Israel; and when the Israelites heard this, they were afraid of the Philistines.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	8	They said to Samuel, 'Do not stop calling on Yahweh our God to rescue us from the power of the Philistines.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	9	Samuel took a sucking lamb and presented it as a burnt offering to Yahweh, and he called on Yahweh on behalf of Israel and Yahweh heard him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	10	While Samuel was in the act of presenting burnt offering, the Philistines joined battle with Israel, but that day Yahweh thundered violently over the Philistines, threw them into panic and Israel defeated them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	11	The men of Israel sallied out from Mizpah in pursuit of the Philistines and beat them all the way to below Beth-Car.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	12	Samuel then took a stone and erected it between Mizpah and the Tooth, and gave it the name Ebenezer, saying, 'Yahweh helped us as far as this.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	13	So the Philistines were humbled and no longer came into Israelite territory; Yahweh oppressed the Philistines throughout the life of Samuel.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	14	The towns which the Philistines had taken from Israel were given back to Israel, from Ekron all the way to Gath, and Israel freed their territory from the power of the Philistines. There was peace, too, between Israel and the Amorites.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	15	Samuel was judge over Israel throughout his life.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	16	Each year he went on circuit through Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah and judged Israel in all these places.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	7	17	He would then return to Ramah, since his home was there; there too he judged Israel. And there he built an altar to Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	1	When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges of Israel.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	2	His eldest son was called Joel and his second one, Abijah; they were judges at Beersheba.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	3	His sons did not follow his example but, seduced by the love of money, took bribes and gave biased verdicts.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	4	The elders of Israel all assembled, went back to Samuel at Ramah, and said,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	5	'Look, you are old, and your sons are not following your example. So give us a king to judge us, like the other nations.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	6	Samuel thought that it was wrong of them to say, 'Let us have a king to judge us,' so he prayed to Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	7	But Yahweh said to Samuel, 'Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you: it is not you they have rejected
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	8	but me, not wishing me to reign over them any more. They are now doing to you exactly what they have done to me since the day I brought them out of Egypt until now, deserting me and serving other gods.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	9	So, do what they ask; only, you must give them a solemn warning, and must tell them what the king who is to reign over them will do.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	10	Everything that Yahweh had said, Samuel then repeated to the people who were asking him for a king.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	11	He said, 'This is what the king who is to reign over you will do. He will take your sons and direct them to his chariotry and cavalry, and they will run in front of his chariot.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	12	He will use them as leaders of a thousand and leaders of fifty; he will make them plough his fields and gather in his harvest and make his weapons of war and the gear for his chariots.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	13	He will take your daughters as perfumers, cooks and bakers.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	14	He will take the best of your fields, your vineyards and your olive groves and give them to his officials.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	15	He will tithe your crops and vineyards to provide for his courtiers and his officials.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	16	He will take the best of your servants, men and women, of your oxen and your donkeys, and make them work for him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	17	He will tithe your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	18	When that day comes, you will cry aloud because of the king you have chosen for yourselves, but on that day Yahweh will not hear you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	19	The people, however, refused to listen to Samuel. They said, 'No! We are determined to have a king,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	20	so that we can be like the other nations, with our own king to rule us and lead us and fight our battles.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	21	Samuel listened to all that the people had to say and repeated it in Yahweh's ear.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	8	22	Yahweh then said to Samuel, 'Do as they ask and give them a king.' Samuel then said to the Israelites, 'Go home, each of you, to his own town.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	1	Among the men of Benjamin was a man called Kish son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah; a Benjaminite and a person of rank.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	2	He had a son called Saul, a handsome man in the prime of life. Of all the Israelites there was no one more handsome than he; he stood head and shoulders taller than anyone else.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	3	Now since the donkeys belonging to Kish, Saul's father, had strayed, Kish said to his son Saul, 'My son, take one of the servants with you and be off; go and look for the donkeys.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	4	They went through the highlands of Ephraim, they went through the territory of Shalishah, and did not find them; they went through the territory of Shaalim but they were not there; they went through the territory of Benjamin and did not find them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	5	When they reached the territory of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, 'Come on, let us go back or my father will stop worrying over the donkeys and start being anxious about us.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	6	The servant, however, replied, 'Look, there is a man of God in this town, a man who is held in honour; everything he says comes true. Let us go there, then; perhaps he will be able to show us the way that we should take.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	7	Saul said to his servant, 'But if we do go, what can we take to the man? The food in our sacks is finished, and we have no present to offer the man of God. What else have we got?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	8	The servant spoke up again and said to Saul, 'Look, I happen to have a quarter of a silver shekel; I shall give that to the man of God, for him to tell us which way to go.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	9	In Israel, in olden days, when anyone used to go to consult God, he would say, 'Come on, let us go to the seer,' for a man who is now called a 'prophet' used to be called a 'seer' in olden days.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	10	Saul then said to his servant, 'Well said! Come on, let us go.' And they went off to the town where the man of God was.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	11	As they were going up the slope to the town they came across some girls going out to draw water, and said to them, 'Is the seer there?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	12	The girls replied, 'He is. He arrived a moment or two ahead of you. You had better hurry: he has just come to town because the people are having a sacrifice today on the high place.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	13	You can catch him as soon as you go into the town, before he goes up to the high place for the meal. The people will not eat until he comes, since he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests will start eating. If you go up now, you will find him straight away.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	14	So they went up to the town and, as they were going through the gate, Samuel came out towards them on his way to the high place.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	15	Now, Yahweh had given Samuel a revelation the day before Saul came, saying,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	16	'About this time tomorrow, I shall send you a man from the territory of Benjamin; you are to anoint him as prince of my people Israel, and he will save my people from the power of the Philistines; for I have seen the misery of my people and their cries of anguish have come to me.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	17	When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh told him, 'That is the man of whom I said to you, "He is to govern my people." '
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	18	Saul accosted Samuel in the gateway and said, 'Tell me, please, where the seer's house is.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	19	Samuel replied to Saul, 'I am the seer. Go up ahead of me to the high place. You must eat with me today. Tomorrow, when I let you go, I shall tell you whatever is on your mind.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	20	As regards your donkeys, however, which strayed three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And for whom is the whole wealth of Israel destined, if not for you and for all the members of your father's family?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	21	To this, Saul replied, 'Am I not a Benjaminite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And is not my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why are you saying a thing like this to me?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	22	Samuel then took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of the guests, of whom there were about thirty.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	23	Samuel then said to the cook, 'Serve the portion which I gave you and told you to put on one side.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	24	The cook then picked up the leg and the tail and put it in front of Saul, saying, 'This is for you. This is what was left. Make a good meal . . .' That day, Saul ate with Samuel.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	25	They came down from the high place into the town. A bed was made for Saul on the roof and he lay down there.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	26	At dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the roof, 'Get up, and I shall send you on your way.' Saul got up, and Samuel and he went outside together.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	9	27	They had walked as far as the end of the town when Samuel said to Saul, 'Tell the servant to go on ahead of us, but you stand still for a moment, so that I can make known to you the word of God.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	1	Samuel took a phial of oil and poured it on Saul's head; he then kissed him and said, 'Has not Yahweh anointed you as leader of his people Israel? You are the man who is to govern Yahweh's people and save them from the power of the enemies surrounding them. The sign for you that Yahweh has anointed you as prince of his heritage is this:
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	2	after leaving me today, you will meet two men near the tomb of Rachel, on the frontier of Benjamin . . . and they will say to you, "The donkeys which you went looking for have been found, and your father has lost interest in the matter of the donkeys and is worrying about you and wondering, What am I to do about my son?"
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	3	Going on from there, you will come to the Oak of Tabor, where you will meet three men going up to God at Bethel; one will be carrying three kids, one three loaves of bread and the third a skin of wine.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	4	They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread which you must accept from them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	5	After this, you will come to Gibeah of God (where the Philistine garrison is) and, when you are just outside the town, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, headed by lyre, tambourine, pipe and harp; they will be in a state of ecstasy.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	6	The spirit of Yahweh will then seize on you, and you will go into ecstasy with them, and be changed into another man.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	7	When these signs have occurred, act as occasion serves, for God is with you.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	8	You will then go down, ahead of me, to Gilgal, and I shall join you there to make burnt offerings and to offer communion sacrifices. You must wait seven days for me to come to you, and I shall then reveal to you what you must do.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	9	As soon as he had turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart. And all these signs occurred that very day . . .
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	10	From there, they came to Gibeah: and there was a group of prophets coming to meet him! The spirit of God seized on him and he fell into ecstasy with them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	11	Seeing him prophesying with the prophets, all the people who had known him previously said to one another, 'What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul one of the prophets too?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	12	And one of the local people retorted, 'But who is their father?' Hence the origin of the proverb: Is Saul one of the prophets too?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	13	When he came out of his ecstasy, he went into Gibeah.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	14	Saul's uncle asked him and his servant, 'Where have you been?' 'Looking for the donkeys,' he replied, 'and when we could not find them anywhere, we went to Samuel.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	15	Saul's uncle said, 'Tell me please what Samuel said to you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	16	Saul said to his uncle, 'He merely told us that the donkeys were already found,' but did not mention anything that Samuel had said about the kingship.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	17	Samuel summoned the people to Yahweh at Mizpah
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	18	and said to the Israelites, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "I brought Israel out of Egypt and delivered you from the power of the Egyptians and of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you."
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	19	But today you have rejected your God, him who saves you from all your difficulties and troubles; and you have said, "No, you must set a king over us." Very well, take your positions before Yahweh, tribe by tribe and clan by clan.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	20	Samuel then made all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the lot indicated the tribe of Benjamin.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	21	He then made the tribe of Benjamin come forward clan by clan, and the lot indicated the clan of Matri; he then made the clan of Matri come forward one by one, and the lot indicated Saul son of Kish, but when they looked for him, he was not to be found.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	22	Again they consulted Yahweh, 'Has the man come here?' Yahweh replied, 'There he is, hiding among the baggage.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	23	So they ran and fetched him out and, as he stood among the people, he was head and shoulders taller than any of them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	24	Samuel then said to all the people, 'You have seen the man whom Yahweh has chosen, and that among the whole people he has no equal.' And all the people acclaimed him, shouting, 'Long live the king!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	25	Samuel then explained the king's constitutional position to the people and inscribed this in a book which he placed before Yahweh. Samuel then sent all the people away, everyone back to his home.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	26	Saul too went home to Gibeah and with him went those strong men whose hearts God had touched.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	10	27	But there were some scoundrels who said, 'How can this fellow save us?' These treated him with contempt and offered him no present.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	1	About a month later, Nahash the Ammonite marched up and laid siege to Jabesh in Gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, 'Make a treaty with us and we will be your subjects.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	2	Nahash the Ammonite replied, 'I shall make a treaty with you only on this condition, that I put out all your right eyes, and I will make it a taunt to the whole of Israel.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	3	The elders of Jabesh said to him, 'Give us seven days' grace while we send messengers throughout the territory of Israel, and if no one comes to our help, we will come out to you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	4	The messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, and reported this to the people, and all the people wept aloud.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	5	Now Saul was just then coming in from the fields behind his oxen, and he said, 'What is wrong? Why are the people weeping?' They explained to him what the men of Jabesh had said.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	6	And the spirit of Yahweh seized on Saul when he heard these words, and he fell into a fury.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	7	He took a yoke of oxen, cut them into pieces and sent these by messengers throughout the territory of Israel with these words, 'Anyone who will not march with Saul will have the same done to his oxen!' At this, a panic from Yahweh swept on the people and they marched out as one man.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	8	Saul inspected them at Bezek; there were three hundred thousand of Israel and thirty thousand of Judah.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	9	Then he said to the messengers who had come, 'This is what you are to say to the people of Jabesh in Gilead, "Tomorrow, by the time that the sun is hot, help will reach you." ' The messengers went and reported this to the people of Jabesh who were overjoyed;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	10	they said to Nahash, 'Tomorrow we shall come out to you and you can do whatever you like to us.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	11	The next day, Saul disposed the army in three contingents, which burst into the middle of the camp during the dawn watch and slaughtered the Ammonites until high noon. The survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	12	The people then said to Samuel, 'Who said, "Must we have Saul reigning over us?" Hand the men over, for us to put them to death.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	13	'No one must be put to death today,' Saul said, 'for today Yahweh has intervened to rescue Israel.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	14	Samuel then said to the people, 'Let us now go to Gilgal and reaffirm the monarchy there.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	11	15	The people then all went to Gilgal. And there, at Gilgal, they proclaimed Saul king before Yahweh; they offered communion sacrifices before Yahweh, and there Saul and all the people of Israel gave themselves over to great rejoicing.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	1	Samuel said to all Israel, 'I have faithfully done all that you asked of me, and have appointed you a king.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	2	In future, the king will lead you. As for me, I am old and grey, and in any case you have my sons. I have been your leader ever since I was young until today.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	3	Here I am. Bear witness against me before Yahweh and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Have I wronged or oppressed anyone? Have I taken a consideration from anyone for looking the other way? If so, I will make amends.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	4	They said, 'You have neither wronged nor oppressed us nor accepted anything from anyone.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	5	He said to them, 'Yahweh is your witness and his anointed is witness today that you have found nothing in my hands?' They replied, 'He is witness.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	6	Samuel then said to the people, 'Yahweh is witness, he who raised up Moses and Aaron and who brought your ancestors out of Egypt.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	7	So now, stay where you are, while I plead with you before Yahweh and remind you of all the saving acts which he has done for you and for your ancestors.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	8	After Jacob had arrived in Egypt, the Egyptians oppressed them, and your ancestors cried to Yahweh. Yahweh then sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your ancestors out of Egypt and gave them a settled home here.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	9	They then forgot Yahweh their God and he sold them into the power of Sisera, general of the army of Hazor, and also into the power of the Philistines and of the king of Moab, who made war on them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	10	They cried to Yahweh, "We have sinned," they said, "for we have deserted Yahweh and served the Baals and the Astartes. Rescue us now from the power of our enemies, and we will serve you."
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	11	Yahweh then sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel. He rescued you from the power of the enemies surrounding you, and you lived in security.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	12	'But when you saw Nahash, king of the Ammonites, marching on you, you said to me, "No, we must have a king to rule us"-although Yahweh your God is your king.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	13	So, here is the king whom you have chosen; Yahweh has appointed you a king.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	14	If you fear and serve Yahweh and obey his voice and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who rules you follow Yahweh your God, all will be well.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	15	But if you do not obey Yahweh's voice but rebel against his commands, Yahweh's hand will be against you and against your king.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	16	'Stay where you are and see the wonder which Yahweh will do before your eyes.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	17	Is it not now the wheat harvest? I shall call on Yahweh and he will send thunder and rain, so that you may clearly understand what a very wicked thing you have done, in Yahweh's eyes, by asking for a king.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	18	Samuel then called on Yahweh, and Yahweh sent thunder and rain the same day, and all the people held Yahweh and Samuel in great awe.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	19	They all said to Samuel, 'Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, to save us from death; for to all our sins we have added this wrong of asking for a king.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	20	Samuel said to the people, 'Do not be afraid. Although you have done all these wicked things, do not withdraw your allegiance from Yahweh. Instead, serve Yahweh with all your heart.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	21	Do not transfer your allegiance to useless idols which, being useless, are futile and cannot save anybody;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	22	Yahweh, for the sake of his great name, will not desert his people, for it has pleased Yahweh to make you his people.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	23	For my part, far be it from me to sin against Yahweh by ceasing to pray for you or to instruct you in the good and right way.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	12	24	Fear none but Yahweh, and serve him faithfully with all your heart, bearing in mind the wonder which he has just performed. But, if you persist in wickedness, you and your king will perish.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	1	Saul was . . . years old when he became king, and reigned over Israel for . . . years.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	2	Saul selected three thousand men of Israel; two thousand of them were with Saul at Michmash and in the highlands of Bethel, and one thousand with Jonathan at Geba of Benjamin; the rest of the people Saul sent home, everyone to his tent.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	3	Jonathan killed the Philistine governor stationed at Gibeah and the Philistines were informed that the Hebrews had risen in revolt. Saul had the trumpet sounded throughout the country,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	4	and all Israel heard the news, 'Saul has killed the Philistine governor, and now Israel has antagonised the Philistines.' So all the people rallied behind Saul at Gilgal.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	5	The Philistines mustered to make war on Israel, three thousand chariots, six thousand horse and a force as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They came up and pitched camp at Michmash, to the east of Beth-Aven.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	6	When the Israelites saw that their plight was desperate, being so hard pressed, the people hid in caves, in holes, in crevices, in vaults, in wells.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	7	Some also crossed the Jordan fords into the territory of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal and all the people who followed him were trembling.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	8	He waited for seven days, the period fixed by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the army, deserting Saul, began dispersing.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	9	Saul then said, 'Bring me the burnt offering and the communion sacrifices.' And he presented the burnt offering.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	10	Just as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to meet and greet him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	11	Samuel said, 'What have you been doing?' Saul replied, 'I saw the army deserting me and dispersing, and you had not come at the time fixed, while the Philistines were mustering at Michmash.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	12	So I thought: Now the Philistines are going to fall on me at Gilgal and I have not implored the favour of Yahweh. So I felt obliged to make the burnt offering myself.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	13	Samuel said to Saul, 'You have acted like a fool. You have not obeyed the order which Yahweh your God gave you. Otherwise, Yahweh would have confirmed your sovereignty over Israel for ever.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	14	But now your sovereignty will not last; Yahweh has discovered a man after his own heart and designated him as leader of his people, since you have not carried out what Yahweh ordered you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	15	Samuel then got up and left Gilgal to continue his journey. Those people remaining followed Saul as he went to join the warriors, and went from Gilgal to Geba of Benjamin. Saul reviewed the force that was with him; there were about six hundred men.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	16	Saul, his son Jonathan, and the force that was with them took up their quarters in Geba of Benjamin while the Philistines camped at Michmash.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	17	The raiding company sallied out of the Philistine camp in three groups: one group made for Ophrah in the territory of Shual;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	18	one group made for Beth-Horon; and one group made for the high ground overlooking the Valley of the Hyenas, in the direction of the desert.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	19	There was not a single blacksmith throughout the territory of Israel, the Philistines' reasoning being, 'We do not want the Hebrews making swords or spears.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	20	Hence, the Israelites were all in the habit of going down individually to the Philistines to sharpen their ploughshares, axes, mattocks and scythes.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	21	The price was two-thirds of a shekel for ploughshares and axes, and one-third for sharpening mattocks and straightening goads.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	22	So it was that on the day of the battle, no one in the army with Saul and Jonathan was equipped with either sword or spear; only Saul and his son Jonathan were so equipped.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	13	23	A Philistine unit set out for the Pass of Michmash.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	1	One day, Jonathan son of Saul said to his armour-bearer, 'Come on, let us go across to the Philistine outpost over on the other side.' But he did not inform his father.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	2	Saul was on the outskirts of Geba, sitting under the pomegranate tree that stands near the threshing-floor; the force with him numbered about six hundred men.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	3	Ahijah son of Ahitub, brother of Ichabod, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh at Shiloh, was carrying the ephod. The force did not know that Jonathan had left.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	4	In the pass that Jonathan was trying to cross to reach the Philistine outpost, there is a rocky spur on one side and a rocky spur on the other; one is called Bozez, the other Seneh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	5	The first spur stands to the north facing Michmash, the other to the south facing Geba.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	6	Jonathan said to his armour-bearer, 'Come on, let us go across to these uncircumcised people's outpost; perhaps Yahweh will do something for us, for Yahweh is free to grant deliverance through a few men, just as much as through many.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	7	His armour-bearer replied, 'Do exactly as you think. I am with you; our hearts are as one.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	8	Jonathan then said, 'Look, we will go across to these people and let ourselves be seen.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	9	If they say, "Do not move until we come to you," we shall stay where we are and not go up to them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	10	But if they say, "Come up to us," we shall go up, for that will be the sign for us that Yahweh has given them into our power.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	11	When the two of them let themselves be seen by the Philistine outpost, the Philistines said, 'Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have been hiding.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	12	The men of the outpost then hailed Jonathan and his armour-bearer. 'Come up to us,' they said, 'we have something to tell you.' Jonathan then said to his armour-bearer, 'Follow me up; Yahweh has given them into the power of Israel.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	13	Jonathan clambered up on hands and feet, with his armour-bearer behind him; the Philistines fell at Jonathan's onslaught, and his armour-bearer, coming behind, finished them off.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	14	This first killing made by Jonathan and his armour-bearer accounted for about twenty men . . .
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	15	There was panic in the camp, in the field and throughout the army; outpost and raiding company too were panic-stricken; the earth quaked: it was a panic from Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	16	Saul's look-out men in Geba of Benjamin could see the camp scattering in all directions.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	17	Saul then said to the force that was with him, 'Call the roll and see who has left us.' So they called the roll, and Jonathan and his armour-bearer were missing.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	18	Saul then said to Ahijah, 'Bring the ephod,' since he was the man who carried the ephod in Israel.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	19	But while Saul was speaking to the priest, the turmoil in the Philistine camp grew worse and worse; and Saul said to the priest, 'Withdraw your hand.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	20	Saul and the whole force with him then formed up and advanced to where the fighting was going on: and there they all were, drawing their swords on one another in wild confusion.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	21	Those Hebrews who had earlier taken service with the Philistines and had accompanied them into camp, now defected to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	22	Similarly, all those Israelites who had been hiding in the highlands of Ephraim, hearing that the Philistines were on the run, chased after them and joined in the fight.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	23	That day Yahweh gave Israel the victory. The fighting reached the other side of Beth-Horon.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	24	As the men of Israel were hard pressed that day, Saul pronounced this imprecation over the people, 'A curse on anyone who eats food before evening, before I have taken revenge on my enemies!' So none of the people so much as tasted food.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	25	Now there was a honeycomb out in the open.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	26	The people came to the honeycomb, the honey was dripping out, but no one put a hand to his mouth, the people being in awe of the oath.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	27	Jonathan, however, not having heard his father bind the people with the oath, reached with the end of the stick which he was carrying, thrust it into the honeycomb and put it to his mouth; whereupon his eyes grew brighter.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	28	One of the people then spoke up. 'Your father', he said, 'has bound the people with this oath: "A curse on anyone who eats anything today." '
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	29	'My father has brought trouble on the country,' Jonathan replied. 'See how much brighter my eyes are for having eaten this mouthful of honey.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	30	By the same token, if the people had been allowed to eat some of the booty which they had captured from the enemy today, would not the defeat of the Philistines have been all the greater?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	31	That day the Philistines were beaten from Michmash all the way to Aijalon, until the people were utterly exhausted.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	32	The people flung themselves on the booty and, taking sheep, bullocks and calves, slaughtered them there on the ground and ate them with the blood.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	33	Saul was informed, 'The people are sinning against Yahweh by eating with the blood!' He said, 'You have not kept faith! Roll me a large stone here!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	34	Saul then said, 'Scatter among the people and say, "Everyone is to bring his bullock or his sheep to me here." You will slaughter them here and eat, and not sin against Yahweh by eating with the blood.' Each individual brought what he happened to have that night, and they all slaughtered in the same place.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	35	Saul built an altar to Yahweh; it was the first altar he had built to Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	36	Saul said, 'Let us go down under cover of dark and plunder the Philistines until dawn; we shall not leave one of them alive.' 'Do whatever you think right,' they replied. But the priest said, 'Let us approach God here.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	37	Saul consulted God, 'Shall I go down and pursue the Philistines? Will you hand them over to Israel?' But he gave him no reply that day.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	38	Saul then said, 'Come forward, all you leaders of the people; consider carefully where today's sin may lie;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	39	for as Yahweh lives who gives victory to Israel, even if the sin lies with Jonathan my son, he shall be put to death.' But not one out of all the people answered.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	40	He then said to all Israel, 'Stand on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will stand on the other.' And the people replied to Saul, 'Do as you think right.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	41	Saul then said, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, why did you not answer your servant today? Yahweh, God of Israel, if the fault lies with me or with my son Jonathan, give urim: if the fault lies with your people Israel, give thummim.' Jonathan and Saul were indicated and the people went free.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	42	Saul said, 'Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan,' and Jonathan was indicated.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	43	'I only tasted a mouthful of honey off the end of the stick which I was carrying. But I am ready to die.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	44	Saul said, 'May God bring unnameable ills on me, and worse ones too, if you do not die, Jonathan!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	45	But the people said to Saul, 'Must Jonathan die after winning this great victory for Israel? We will never allow that! As Yahweh lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for his deeds today have been done with the help of God.' And so the people ransomed Jonathan and he was not put to death.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	46	Saul decided not to pursue the Philistines, and the Philistines retired to their own territory.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	47	Saul consolidated his rule over Israel and made war on all his enemies on all fronts: on Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the king of Zobah and the Philistines; whichever way he turned, he was victorious.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	48	He did great deeds of valour; he defeated the Amalekites and delivered Israel from those who used to pillage him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	49	Saul's sons were: Jonathan, Ishvi and Malchishua. The names of his two daughters were: the elder, Merab, and the younger, Michal.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	50	The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of his army commander was Abner son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	51	Kish father of Saul, and Ner father of Abner were the sons of Abiel.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	14	52	There was fierce warfare with the Philistines throughout Saul's life. Any strong or valiant man who caught Saul's eye, he recruited into his service.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	1	Samuel said to Saul, 'I am the man whom Yahweh sent to anoint you as king of his people Israel, so now listen to the words of Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	2	This is what Yahweh Sabaoth says, "I intend to punish what Amalek did to Israel -- laying a trap for him on the way as he was coming up from Egypt.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	3	Now, go and crush Amalek; put him under the curse of destruction with all that he possesses. Do not spare him, but kill man and woman, babe and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and donkey." '
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	4	Saul summoned the people and reviewed them at Telaim: two hundred thousand foot soldiers (and ten thousand men of Judah).
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	5	Saul advanced on the town of Amalek and lay in ambush in the river bed.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	6	Saul said to the Kenites, 'Go away, leave your homes among the Amalekites, in case I destroy you with them -- you acted with faithful love towards all the Israelites when they were coming up from Egypt.' So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	7	Saul then crushed the Amalekites, beginning at Havilah in the direction of Shur, which is to the east of Egypt.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	8	He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive and, executing the curse of destruction, put all the people to the sword.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	9	But Saul and the army spared Agag with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fatlings and lambs and all that was good. They did not want to consign these to the curse of destruction; they consigned only what was poor and worthless.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	10	The word of Yahweh came to Samuel,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	11	'I regret having made Saul king, since he has broken his allegiance to me and not carried out my orders.' Samuel was appalled and cried to Yahweh all night long.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	12	In the morning, Samuel set off to find Saul. Samuel was told, 'Saul has been to Carmel, to raise himself a monument there, but now has turned about, moved on and gone down to Gilgal.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	13	When Samuel reached Saul, Saul said, 'May you be blessed by Yahweh! I have carried out Yahweh's orders.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	14	Samuel replied, 'Then what is this bleating of sheep in my ears and the lowing of cattle that I hear?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	15	Saul said, 'They have been brought from Amalek, the people having spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice them to Yahweh, your God; the rest we have consigned to the curse of destruction.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	16	Samuel then said to Saul, 'Stop! Let me tell you what Yahweh said to me last night.' He said, 'Go on.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	17	Samuel said, 'Small as you may be in your own eyes, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? Yahweh has anointed you as king of Israel.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	18	When Yahweh sent you on a mission he said to you, "Go and put those sinners, the Amalekites, under the curse of destruction and make war on them until they are exterminated."
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	19	Why then did you not obey Yahweh's voice? Why did you fall on the booty and do what is wrong in Yahweh's eyes?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	20	Saul replied to Samuel, 'But I did obey Yahweh's voice. I went on the mission which Yahweh gave me; I brought back Agag king of the Amalekites; I put Amalek under the curse of destruction;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	21	and from the booty the people have taken the best sheep and cattle of what was under the curse of destruction only to sacrifice them to Yahweh your God in Gilgal.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	22	To which, Samuel said: Is Yahweh pleased by burnt offerings and sacrifices or by obedience to Yahweh's voice? Truly, obedience is better than sacrifice, submissiveness than the fat of rams.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	23	Rebellion is a sin of sorcery, presumption a crime of idolatry! 'Since you have rejected Yahweh's word, he has rejected you as king.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	24	Saul then said to Samuel, 'I have sinned, having broken Yahweh's order and your instructions because I was afraid of the people and yielded to their demands.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	25	Now, please forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I can worship Yahweh.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	26	Samuel said to Saul, 'I will not come back with you, since you have rejected Yahweh's word and Yahweh has rejected you as king of Israel.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	27	As Samuel turned away to leave, Saul caught at the hem of his cloak and it tore,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	28	and Samuel said to him, 'Today Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel from you and given it to a neighbour of yours who is better than you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	29	(The Glory of Israel, however, does not lie or go back on his word, not being human and liable to go back on his word.)
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	30	'I have sinned,' Saul said, 'but please still show me respect in front of my people's elders and in front of Israel, and come back with me, so that I can worship Yahweh your God.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	31	Samuel followed Saul back and Saul worshipped Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	32	Samuel then said, 'Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites!' Agag came towards him unsteadily saying, 'Truly death is bitter!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	33	Samuel said: As your sword has left women childless, so will your mother be left childless among women! Samuel then butchered Agag before Yahweh at Gilgal.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	34	Samuel left for Ramah, and Saul went up home to Gibeah of Saul.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	15	35	Samuel did not see Saul again till his dying day. Samuel indeed mourned over Saul, but Yahweh regretted having made Saul king of Israel.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	1	Yahweh said to Samuel, 'How much longer do you mean to go on mourning over Saul, now that I myself have rejected him as ruler of Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have found myself a king from among his sons.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	2	Samuel replied, 'How can I go? When Saul hears of it he will kill me.' Yahweh then said, 'Take a heifer with you and say, "I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh."
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	3	Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I shall reveal to you what you must do; and you will anoint for me the one I indicate to you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	4	Samuel did what Yahweh ordered and went to Bethlehem. The elders of the town came trembling to meet him and asked, 'Seer, is your coming favourable for us,'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	5	'Yes,' he replied. 'I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.' He purified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	6	When they arrived, he looked at Eliab and thought, 'This must be Yahweh's anointed now before him,'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	7	but Yahweh said to Samuel, 'Take no notice of his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him; God does not see as human beings see; they look at appearances but Yahweh looks at the heart.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	8	Jesse then called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, 'Yahweh has not chosen this one either.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	9	Jesse then presented Shammah, but Samuel said, 'Yahweh has not chosen this one either.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	10	Jesse thus presented seven of his sons to Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, 'Yahweh has not chosen these.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	11	He then asked Jesse, 'Are these all the sons you have?' Jesse replied, 'There is still one left, the youngest; he is looking after the sheep.' Samuel then said to Jesse, 'Send for him, for we shall not sit down to eat until he arrives.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	12	Jesse had him sent for; he had ruddy cheeks, with fine eyes and an attractive appearance. Yahweh said, 'Get up and anoint him: he is the one!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	13	At this, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him, surrounded by his brothers; and the spirit of Yahweh seized on David from that day onwards. Samuel, for his part, set off and went to Ramah.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	14	Now the spirit of Yahweh had withdrawn from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh afflicted him with terrors.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	15	Saul's servants said to him, 'An evil spirit from God is undoubtedly the cause of your terrors.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	16	Let our lord give the order, and your servants who wait on you will look for a skilled harpist; when the evil spirit from God comes over you, he will play and it will do you good.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	17	Saul said to his attendants, 'Find me, please, a man who plays well, and bring him to me.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	18	One of the servants then spoke up and said, 'I have seen one of the sons of Jesse the Bethlehemite: he is a skilled player, a brave man and a fighter, well spoken, good-looking and Yahweh is with him.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	19	So Saul sent messengers to Jesse with the order, 'Send me your son David (who is with the sheep).'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	20	Jesse took five loaves, a skin of wine and a kid, and sent them to Saul by his son David.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	21	David went to Saul and entered his service; Saul became very fond of him and David became his armour-bearer.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	22	Saul then sent a message to Jesse, 'Let David stay in my service, since he has won my favour.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	16	23	And whenever the spirit from God came over Saul, David would take a harp and play; Saul would then be soothed; it would do him good, and the evil spirit would leave him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	1	The Philistines mustered their troops for war; they assembled at Socoh in Judah and pitched camp between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-Dammim.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	2	Saul and the Israelites also mustered, pitching camp in the Valley of the Terebinth, and drew up their battle-line opposite the Philistines.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	3	The Philistines occupied the high ground on one side and the Israelites occupied the high ground on the other side, with the valley between them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	4	A champion stepped out from the Philistine ranks; his name was Goliath, from Gath; he was six cubits and one span tall.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	5	On his head was a bronze helmet and he wore a breastplate of scale-armour; the breastplate weighed five thousand shekels of bronze.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	6	He had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze scimitar slung across his shoulders.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	7	The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron. A shield-bearer walked in front of him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	8	Taking position in front of the Israelite lines, he shouted, 'Why have you come out to range yourselves for battle? Am I not a Philistine and are you not Saul's lackeys? Choose a man and let him come down to me.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	9	If he can fight it out with me and kill me, we will be your servants; but if I can beat him and kill him, you become our servants and serve us.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	10	The Philistine then said, 'I challenge the ranks of Israel today. Give me a man and we will fight it out!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	11	When Saul and all Israel heard what the Philistine said, they were dismayed and terrified.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	12	David was the son of an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah whose name was Jesse; Jesse had eight sons and, by Saul's time, he was old and well on in years.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	13	Jesse's eldest three sons followed Saul to the war. The names of the three sons who went to the war were: the eldest Eliab, the second Abinadab and the third Shammah.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	14	David was the youngest; the eldest three followed Saul.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	15	David alternated between serving Saul and looking after his father's sheep at Bethlehem.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	16	Morning and evening, the Philistine advanced, presenting himself thus for forty days.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	17	Jesse said to his son David, 'Take your brothers this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves, and hurry to the camp, to your brothers.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	18	And take these ten cheeses to their commanding officer; find out how your brothers are and bring some token back from them;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	19	they are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of the Terebinth, fighting the Philistines.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	20	David got up early in the morning and, leaving the sheep with someone to guard them, took up his load and went off as Jesse had ordered; he reached the encampment just as the troops were leaving to take up battle stations and shouting the war cry.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	21	Israel and the Philistines drew up their lines facing one another.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	22	David left his bundle in charge of the baggage guard and, running to the battle-line, went and asked his brothers how they were.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	23	While he was talking to them, the champion (Goliath, the Philistine from Gath) came up from the Philistine ranks and made his usual speech, which David heard.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	24	As soon as the Israelites saw this man, they all ran away from him and were terrified.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	25	The Israelites said, 'You saw that man who just came up? He comes to challenge Israel. The king will lavish riches on the man who kills him, he will give him his daughter in marriage and exempt his father's family from all taxes in Israel.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	26	David asked the men who were standing near him, 'What would be the reward for killing this Philistine and saving Israel from disgrace? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, to challenge the armies of the living God?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	27	The people told him what they had been saying, 'That would be the reward for killing him,' they said.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	28	His eldest brother Eliab heard David talking to the men and grew angry with him. 'Why have you come down here?' he said. 'Whom have you left in charge of those few sheep in the desert? I know how impudent and artful you are; you have come to watch the battle!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	29	David retorted, 'What have I done? May I not even speak?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	30	And he turned away from him to someone else and asked the same question, to which the people replied as before.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	31	David's words were noted, however, and reported to Saul, who sent for him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	32	David said to Saul, 'Let no one be discouraged on his account; your servant will go and fight this Philistine.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	33	Saul said to David, 'You cannot go and fight the Philistine; you are only a boy and he has been a warrior since his youth.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	34	David said to Saul, 'Your servant used to look after the sheep for his father and whenever a lion or a bear came and took a sheep from the flock,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	35	I used to follow it up, lay into it and snatch the sheep out of its jaws. If it turned on me, I would seize it by the beard and batter it to death.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	36	Your servant has killed both lion and bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine will end up like one of them for having challenged the armies of the living God.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	37	'Yahweh,' David went on, 'who delivered me from the claws of lion and bear, will deliver me from the clutches of this Philistine.' Then Saul said to David, 'Go, and Yahweh be with you!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	38	Saul dressed David in his own armour; he put a bronze helmet on his head, dressed him in a breastplate
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	39	and buckled his own sword over David's armour. David tried to walk but, not being used to them, said to Saul, 'I cannot walk in these; I am not used to them.' So they took them off again.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	40	He took his stick in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the river bed and put them in his shepherd's bag, in his pouch; then, sling in hand, he walked towards the Philistine.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	41	The Philistine, preceded by his shield-bearer, came nearer and nearer to David.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	42	When the Philistine looked David up and down, what he saw filled him with scorn, because David was only a lad, with ruddy cheeks and an attractive appearance.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	43	The Philistine said to David, 'Am I a dog for you to come after me with sticks?' And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	44	The Philistine said to David, 'Come over here and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the wild beasts!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	45	David retorted to the Philistine, 'You come to me with sword, spear and scimitar, but I come to you in the name of Yahweh Sabaoth, God of the armies of Israel, whom you have challenged.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	46	Today, Yahweh will deliver you into my hand; I shall kill you, I shall cut off your head; today, I shall give your corpse and the corpses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the wild beasts, so that the whole world may know that there is a God in Israel,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	47	and this whole assembly know that Yahweh does not give victory by means of sword and spear -- for Yahweh is lord of the battle and he will deliver you into our power.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	48	No sooner had the Philistine started forward to confront David than David darted out of the lines and ran to meet the Philistine.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	49	Putting his hand in his bag, he took out a stone, slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead; the stone penetrated his forehead and he fell face downwards on the ground.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	50	Thus David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; he hit the Philistine and killed him, though he had no sword in his hand.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	51	David ran and stood over the Philistine, seized his sword, pulled it from the scabbard, despatched him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	52	The men of Israel and of Judah started forward, shouting their war cry, and pursued the Philistines as far as the approaches of Gath and the gates of Ekron. The Philistine dead lay all along the road from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	53	Turning back from their ferocious pursuit of the Philistines, the Israelites plundered their camp.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	54	And David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem; his weapons, however, he put in his own tent.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	55	When Saul saw David going to engage the Philistine he said to Abner, the army commander, 'Abner, whose son is that boy?' 'On your life, O king,' Abner replied, 'I do not know.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	56	The king said, 'Find out whose son the lad is.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	57	When David came back after killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the Philistine's head in his hand.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	17	58	Saul asked him, 'Whose son are you, young man?' David replied, 'The son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	1	When David had finished talking to Saul, Jonathan felt an instant affection for David; Jonathan loved him like his very self;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	2	Saul engaged him that very day and would not let him go home to his father.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	3	Jonathan made a pact with David, since he loved him like his very self;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	4	Jonathan took off the cloak which he was wearing and gave it to David, and his armour too, even including his sword, his bow and his belt.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	5	Wherever David was sent on a mission by Saul, he was successful, and Saul put him in command of the fighting men; all the people respected him and so did Saul's staff.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	6	On their return, when David was coming back from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel singing and dancing to meet King Saul, with tambourines, sistrums and cries of joy;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	7	and as they danced the women sang: Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	8	Saul was very angry; the incident displeased him. 'They have given David the tens of thousands,' he said, 'but me only the thousands; what more can he have, except the throne?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	9	And Saul watched David jealously from that day onwards.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	10	The following day, an evil spirit from God seized on Saul and he fell into a frenzy while he was indoors. David played the harp as on other occasions; Saul had a spear in his hand.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	11	Saul brandished the spear; he said, 'I will pin David to the wall!' David evaded him twice.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	12	Saul feared David, since Yahweh was with him and had withdrawn from Saul.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	13	So Saul removed him from his presence and appointed him commander of a thousand; he led the people on campaign.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	14	In all his expeditions, David was successful and Yahweh was with him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	15	And Saul, seeing how very successful he was, was afraid of him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	16	All Israel and Judah loved David, however, since he was their leader on campaign.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	17	Saul said to David, 'This is my elder daughter Merab; I shall give her to you in marriage; but you must serve me bravely and fight Yahweh's wars.' Saul thought, 'Better than strike the blow myself, let the Philistines do it!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	18	David replied to Saul, 'Who am I and what is my lineage -- and my father's family -- in Israel, for me to become the king's son-in-law?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	19	When the time came for Merab daughter of Saul to be given to David, she was given to Adriel of Meholah instead.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	20	Now Michal daughter of Saul fell in love with David. When Saul heard this he was pleased.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	21	He thought, 'Yes, I shall give her to him; she can be the snare for him, so that the Philistines will get him.' (On two occasions, Saul told David, 'Today, you shall be my son-in-law.')
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	22	Saul gave instructions to his servants, 'Have a private word with David and say, "Look, the king is fond of you and all his servants love you -- why not be the king's son-in-law?" '
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	23	Saul's servants repeated these words in David's ear, to which David replied, 'Do you think that becoming the king's son-in-law is a trivial matter; I have neither wealth nor position.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	24	Saul's servants then reported back, 'This is what David said.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	25	Saul replied, 'Tell David this, "The king desires no bride-price except one hundred Philistine foreskins, in vengeance on the king's enemies." ' Saul was counting on getting David killed by the Philistines.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	26	When his servants repeated this to David, David thought it would be a fine thing to be the king's son-in-law. And no time was lost
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	27	before David got up to go, he and his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. David brought their foreskins back and counted them out before the king, so that he could be the king's son-in-law. Saul then gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	28	Saul could not but see that Yahweh was with David, and that the whole House of Israel loved him;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	29	Saul became more afraid of David than ever, and became his inveterate enemy.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	18	30	The Philistine chiefs kept mounting their campaigns but, whenever they did so, David proved more successful than any of Saul's staff; consequently he gained great renown.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	1	Saul let his son Jonathan and all his servants know of his intention to kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, held David in great affection;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	2	and Jonathan warned David, 'My father Saul is looking for a way to kill you, so be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding, stay out of sight.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	3	I shall go out and keep my father company in the countryside where you will be, and shall talk to my father about you; I shall see what the situation is and then tell you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	4	Jonathan spoke highly of David to Saul his father and said, 'The king should not harm his servant David; far from harming you, what he has done has been greatly to your advantage.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	5	He took his life in his hands, he killed the Philistine, and Yahweh brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw for yourself. How pleased you were! Why then sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	6	Saul was impressed by Jonathan's words. Saul swore, 'As Yahweh lives, I will not kill him.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	7	Jonathan called David and told him all this. Jonathan then brought him to Saul, and David remained in attendance as before.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	8	War broke out again and David sallied out to fight the Philistines; he inflicted a great defeat on them and they fled before him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	9	An evil spirit from Yahweh came over Saul while he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand; David was playing the harp.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	10	Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear, but he avoided Saul's thrust and the spear stuck in the wall. David fled and made good his escape. That same night
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	11	Saul sent agents to watch David's house, intending to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, warned him, 'If you do not escape tonight, you will be a dead man tomorrow!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	12	Michal then let David down through the window, and he made off, took to flight and so escaped.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	13	Michal then took a domestic image, laid it on the bed, put a tress of goats' hair at the head of the bed and put a cover over it.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	14	When Saul sent the agents to arrest David, she said, 'He is ill.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	15	Saul sent the agents back to see David, with the words, 'Bring him to me on his bed, for me to kill him!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	16	So in the agents went, and there in bed was the image, with the tress of goats' hair on its head!
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	17	Saul then said to Michal, 'Why have you deceived me like this and let my enemy go, and so make his escape?' Michal replied to Saul, 'He said, "Let me go, or I shall kill you!" '
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	18	David, having fled and made his escape, went to Samuel at Ramah and told him exactly how Saul had treated him; he and Samuel went and lived in the huts.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	19	Word was brought to Saul, 'David is in the huts at Ramah.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	20	Saul accordingly sent agents to capture David; when they saw the community of prophets prophesying, and Samuel there as their leader, the spirit of God came over Saul's agents, and they too fell into frenzy.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	21	When Saul was told of this, he sent other agents, and they too fell into frenzy; Saul then sent a third group of agents, and they fell into frenzy too.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	22	He then went to Ramah himself and, arriving at the large storage-well at Seku, asked, 'Where are Samuel and David?' And someone said, 'Why, they are in the huts at Ramah!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	23	Making his way from there to the huts at Ramah, the spirit of God came over him too, and he went along in a frenzy until he arrived at the huts at Ramah.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	19	24	He too stripped off his clothes and he too fell into a frenzy in Samuel's presence, then collapsed naked on the ground for the rest of that day and all night. Hence the saying: Is Saul one of the prophets too?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	1	Fleeing from the huts at Ramah, David went and confronted Jonathan, 'What have I done, what is my guilt, how have I wronged your father, for him to want to take my life?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	2	He replied, 'You must not think that! You are not going to die. My father, you see, does nothing, important or unimportant, without confiding in me, so why should my father hide this from me? It is not true.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	3	In reply, David swore, 'Your father knows very well that I enjoy your favour, and thinks, "Jonathan must not know about this or he will be upset." But, as Yahweh lives and as you yourself live, there is only a step between me and death.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	4	At which, Jonathan said to David, 'Whatever you think best, I will certainly do for you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	5	David replied, 'Look, tomorrow is New Moon and I ought to sit at table with the king, but you must let me go and hide in the countryside until the evening.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	6	If your father notices my absence, you must say, "David insistently asked me for permission to hurry over to Bethlehem, his home town, because they are holding the annual sacrifice there for the whole clan."
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	7	If he says, "Very well," your servant is safe, but if he flies into a rage, you may be sure that he has some evil plan.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	8	Show your servant faithful love, since you have bound your servant to you by a pact in Yahweh's name. But if I am guilty, then kill me yourself -- why take me to your father?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	9	Jonathan replied, 'Perish the thought! If I knew for sure that my father was determined to do you a mischief, would I not have told you?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	10	David then said to Jonathan, 'Who will let me know if your father gives you a harsh answer?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	11	Jonathan then said to David, 'Come on, let us go out into the country,' and the pair of them went out into the country.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	12	Jonathan then said to David, 'By Yahweh, God of Israel! I shall sound my father this time tomorrow; if all is well for David and I do not then send and inform you,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	13	may Yahweh bring unnameable ills to Jonathan and worse ones too! If my father intends to do you a mischief, I shall tell you so and let you get away, so that you can be safe. And may Yahweh be with you as he used to be with my father!
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	14	If I am still alive, show your servant faithful love; if I die,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	15	never withdraw your faithful love from my family. When Yahweh has exterminated every enemy of David's from the face of the earth,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	16	do not let Jonathan's name be exterminated with Saul's family, or may Yahweh call David to account!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	17	Jonathan then renewed his oath to David, since he loved him like his very soul.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	18	Jonathan then said to David, 'Tomorrow is New Moon; your absence will be noticed, since your place will be empty.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	19	The day after tomorrow your absence will be very marked, and you must go to the place where you hid on the day of the deed, and stay beside that mound.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	20	For my part, the day after tomorrow I shall shoot three arrows in that direction, as though at a target.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	21	I shall then send a servant to go and find the arrows. If I say to him, "The arrows are this side of you, get them," come out, since all will be well for you and nothing the matter, as sure as Yahweh lives.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	22	But if I say to him, "The arrows are ahead of you," then be off, for Yahweh himself will be sending you away.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	23	And as regards the agreement we made, you and I, why, Yahweh is witness between us for ever.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	24	So David hid in the country; New Moon came and the king sat down to his meal.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	25	He sat in his usual place with his back to the wall, Jonathan sat facing him and Abner sat next to Saul; but David's place was empty.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	26	Saul said nothing that day, thinking, 'It is sheer chance; he is unclean.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	27	On the day after New Moon, the second day, David's place was still empty.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	28	Saul said to his son Jonathan, 'Why did not the son of Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	29	Jonathan answered Saul, 'David insistently asked me for permission to go to Bethlehem. "Please let me go," he said, "for we are holding the clan sacrifice in the town and my brothers have ordered me to attend. So now, if I enjoy your favour, let me get away and see my brothers." That is why he has not come to the king's table.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	30	Saul flew into a rage with Jonathan and said, 'Son of a rebellious slut! Don't I know that you side with the son of Jesse to your own shame and your mother's dishonour?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	31	As long as the son of Jesse lives on earth, neither you nor your royal rights are secure. Now have him fetched and brought to me; he deserves to die.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	32	Jonathan retorted to his father Saul, 'Why should he die? What has he done?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	33	But Saul brandished his spear at him to strike him, and Jonathan realised that his father was determined that David should die.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	34	Hot with anger, Jonathan got up from the table and ate nothing on the second day of the month, being upset about David -- and because his father had insulted him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	35	Next morning, Jonathan went out into the country at the time agreed with David, taking a young servant with him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	36	He said to his servant, 'Run and find the arrows which I am going to shoot,' and the servant ran while Jonathan shot an arrow ahead of him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	37	When the servant reached the spot to which Jonathan had shot the arrow, Jonathan shouted after him, 'Is not the arrow ahead of you?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	38	Again Jonathan shouted after the servant, 'Quick! Hurry, do not stand around.' Jonathan's servant picked up the arrow and brought it back to his master.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	39	The servant suspected nothing; only Jonathan and David knew what was meant.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	40	Jonathan then gave his weapons to his servant and said, 'Go and carry them to the town.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	41	As soon as the servant had gone, David stood up beside the mound, threw himself to the ground, prostrating himself three times. They then embraced each other, both weeping copiously.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	20	42	Jonathan then said to David, 'Go in peace. And as regards the oath that both of us have sworn by the name of Yahweh, may Yahweh be witness between you and me, between your descendants and mine for ever.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	1	David then got up and left, and Jonathan went back to the town.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	2	David then went to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech came out trembling to meet David and said, 'Why are you alone? Why is nobody with you?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	3	David replied to Ahimelech the priest, 'The king has given me an order and said to me, "Do not let anyone know anything about the mission on which I am sending you, or about the order which I have given you." I have arranged to meet the guards at such and such a place.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	4	Meanwhile, if you have five loaves of bread to hand, give them to me, or whatever there is.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	5	The priest replied to David, 'I have no ordinary bread to hand; there are only consecrated loaves of permanent offering -- provided that the men have kept themselves from women?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	6	David replied to the priest, 'Certainly, women have been forbidden to us, as always when I set off on a campaign. The men's things are clean. Though this is a profane journey, they are certainly clean today as far as their things are concerned.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	7	The priest then gave him what had been consecrated, for the only bread there was the loaves of permanent offering, which is taken out of Yahweh's presence, to be replaced by warm bread on the day when it is removed.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	8	Now one of Saul's servants happened to be there that day, detained in Yahweh's presence; his name was Doeg the Edomite and he was the strongest of Saul's shepherds.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	9	David then said to Ahimelech, 'Have you no spear or sword here to hand? I did not bring either my sword or my weapons with me, because the king's business was urgent.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	10	The priest replied, 'The sword of Goliath the Philistine whom you killed in the Valley of the Terebinth is here, wrapped in a piece of clothing behind the ephod; if you care to take it, do so, for that is the only one here.' David said, 'There is nothing like that one; give it to me.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	11	David journeyed on and that day fled out of Saul's reach, going to Achish king of Gath.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	12	Achish's servants said to him, 'Is not this David, the king of the country? Was it not of him that they sang as they danced: Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	13	David pondered on these words and became very frightened of Achish king of Gath.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	14	When their eyes were on him, he played the madman and, when they held him, he feigned lunacy. He drummed his feet on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	15	Achish said to his servants, 'You can see that this man is mad. Why bring him to me?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	21	16	Have I not enough madmen, without your bringing me this one to weary me with his antics? Is he to join my household?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	1	David left there and took refuge in the Cave of Adullam; his brothers and his father's whole family heard this and joined him there.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	2	All those in distress, all those in debt, all those who had a grievance, gathered round him and he became their leader. There were about four hundred men with him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	3	From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, 'Allow my father and mother to stay with you until I know what God intends to do for me.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	4	He left them with the king of Moab and there they stayed all the time that David was in the stronghold.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	5	The prophet Gad, however, said to David, 'Do not stay in the stronghold; leave and make your way into the territory of Judah.' David then left and went to the forest of Hereth.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	6	When Saul heard that David and the men with him had been discovered, Saul was at Gibeah, seated under the tamarisk on the high place, spear in hand, with all his staff standing round him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	7	'Listen, Benjaminites!' said Saul to them, 'Is the son of Jesse going to give you all fields and vineyards and make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	8	that you all conspire against me? No one warned me when my son made a pact with the son of Jesse; none of you felt sorry for me or warned me when my son incited my servant to become my enemy, as he is now.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	9	Then, up spoke Doeg the Edomite, who was in command of Saul's staff, 'I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech son of Ahitub.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	10	That man consulted Yahweh on his behalf, gave him provisions and also the sword of Goliath the Philistine.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	11	The king then sent for the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub and his whole family, the priests of Nob; they all came to the king.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	12	Saul said, 'Now listen, son of Ahitub!' He replied, 'Here I am, my lord.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	13	'Why have you conspired against me,' said Saul, 'you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and consulting God on his behalf, for him to rebel against me as is now the case?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	14	Ahimelech replied to the king, 'Of all those in your service, who is more loyal than David son-in-law to the king, captain of your bodyguard, honoured in your household?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	15	Was today the first time I ever consulted God on his behalf? Indeed it was not! The king has no grounds for bringing any charge against his servant or against his whole family, for your servant knew nothing whatever about all this.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	16	The king retorted, 'You must die, Ahimelech, you and your whole family.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	17	The king said to the scouts who were standing round him, 'Forward! and put the priests of Yahweh to death, for they too are on David's side, they knew that he was escaping, yet did not warn me of it.' The king's professional soldiers, however, would not lift a hand to strike the priests of Yahweh.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	18	The king then said to Doeg, 'Forward, you! Fall on the priests!' Doeg the Edomite stepped forward and fell on the priests, himself that day killing eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	19	Nob, the town of the priests, Saul put to the sword: men and women, children and infants, cattle, donkeys and sheep.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	20	One son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub alone escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled away to join David.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	21	When Abiathar told David that Saul had slaughtered the priests of Yahweh,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	22	David said to Abiathar, 'I knew, that day when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would be sure to inform Saul. I am responsible for the death of all your kinsmen.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	22	23	Stay with me, do not be afraid, for he who seeks your life seeks mine; you will be safe with me.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	1	News was then brought to David, 'The Philistines are besieging Keilah and plundering the threshing-floors'.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	2	David consulted Yahweh, 'Shall I go and fight these Philistines?' Yahweh replied to David, 'Go and fight the Philistines and save Keilah.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	3	But David's men said to him, 'We are already afraid here in Judah; how much more, then, if we go to Keilah to fight the Philistine troops!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	4	So David consulted Yahweh again and Yahweh replied, 'Be on your way; go down to Keilah, since I shall give the Philistines into your power.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	5	So David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines and carried off their cattle and inflicted a great defeat on them. Thus David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	6	When Abiathar son of Ahimelech took refuge with David, he went down to Keilah with the ephod in his hand.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	7	When word was brought to Saul that David had gone to Keilah he said, 'God has delivered him into my power: he has trapped himself by going into a town with gates and bars.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	8	Saul called all the people to arms, to go down to Keilah and besiege David and his men.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	9	David, however, was aware that Saul was plotting evil against him, and said to Abiathar the priest, 'Bring the ephod.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	10	David said, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, your servant has heard that Saul is preparing to come to Keilah and destroy the town because of me.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	11	Will Saul come down as your servant has heard? Yahweh, God of Israel, I beg you, let your servant know.' Yahweh replied, 'He will come down.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	12	David then went on to ask, 'Will the notables of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?' Yahweh replied, 'They will hand you over.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	13	At this, David made off with his men, about six hundred in number; they left Keilah and went where they could. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he abandoned the expedition.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	14	David stayed in the desert, in the strongholds; he stayed in the mountains, in the desert of Ziph; Saul kept looking for him day after day, but God did not deliver him into his power.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	15	David was aware that Saul had mounted an expedition to take his life. David was then at Horesh in the desert of Ziph.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	16	Jonathan son of Saul set off and went to David at Horesh and encouraged him in the name of God.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	17	'Do not be afraid,' he said, 'for my father Saul's hand will not reach you. You are to reign over Israel, and I shall be second to you. Saul my father is himself aware of this.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	18	And the two made a pact before Yahweh. David stayed at Horesh and Jonathan went home.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	19	Some men from Ziph then went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, 'Look, David is hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the Hill of Hachilah to the south of the wastelands.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	20	Now whenever you wish to go down, my lord king, do so; we shall make it our task to hand him over to the king.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	21	Saul replied, 'May you be blessed by Yahweh for sympathising with me.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	22	Go and make doubly sure, find out exactly what place he frequents, for I have been told that he is very cunning.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	23	Take careful note of all the hiding places where he lurks, and come back to me when you are certain. I shall then come with you and, if he is in the country, I shall track him down through every clan in Judah!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	24	Setting off they went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Meanwhile, David and his men were in the desert of Maon, in the plain to the south of the wastelands.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	25	When Saul and his men set out in search, David was told and went down to the gorge running through the desert of Maon.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	26	Saul and his men proceeded along one side of the mountain, David and his men along the other. David was hurrying to escape from Saul, while Saul and his men were trying to cross over to David and his men's side, to capture them,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	27	when a messenger came to Saul and said, 'Come at once, the Philistines have invaded the country.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	23	28	So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to oppose the Philistines. That is why the place is called the Gorge of Separations.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	1	From there David went up and installed himself in the strongholds of En-Gedi.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	2	Once Saul was back from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, 'David is now in the desert of En-Gedi.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	3	Saul thereupon took three thousand men selected from all Israel and went in search of David and his men east of the Rocks of the Mountain Goats.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	4	He came to the sheepfolds along the route, where there was a cave, and went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were sitting in the recesses of the cave;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	5	David's men said to him, 'Today is the day of which Yahweh said to you, "I shall deliver your enemy into your power; do what you like with him." ' David got up and, unobserved, cut off the border of Saul's cloak.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	6	Afterwards David reproached himself for having cut off the border of Saul's cloak.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	7	He said to his men, 'Yahweh preserve me from doing such a thing to my lord as to raise my hand against him, since he is Yahweh's anointed.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	8	By these words David restrained his men and would not let them attack Saul.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	9	Saul then left the cave and went on his way. After this, David too left the cave and called after Saul, 'My lord king!' Saul looked behind him and David, bowing to the ground, prostrated himself.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	10	David then said to Saul, 'Why do you listen to people who say, "David intends your ruin"?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	11	This very day you have seen for yourself how Yahweh put you in my power in the cave and how, refusing to kill you, I spared you saying, "I will not raise my hand against my lord, since he is Yahweh's anointed."
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	12	Look, father, look at the border of your cloak in my hand. Since, although I cut the border off your cloak, I did not kill you, surely you realise that I intend neither mischief nor crime. I have not wronged you, and yet you hunt me down to take my life.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	13	May Yahweh be judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me on you; but I shall never lay a hand on you!
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	14	(As the old proverb says: Wickedness comes out of wicked people, but I shall never lay a hand on you!)
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	15	On whose trail is the king of Israel campaigning? Whom are you pursuing? On the trail of a dead dog, of a flea!
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	16	May Yahweh be the judge and decide between me and you; may he examine and defend my cause and give judgement for me by rescuing me from your clutches!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	17	When David had finished saying this to Saul, Saul said, 'Is that your voice, my son David?' And Saul began to weep aloud.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	18	'You are upright and I am not,' he said to David, 'since you have behaved well to me, whereas I have behaved badly to you.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	19	And today you have shown how well you have behaved to me, since Yahweh had put me in your power but you did not kill me.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	20	When a man comes on his enemy, does he let him go unmolested? May Yahweh reward you for the good you have done me today!
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	21	Now I know that you will indeed reign and that the sovereignty in Israel will pass into your hands.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	22	Now swear to me by Yahweh that you will not suppress my descendants once I am gone, or blot my name out of my family.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	24	23	This David swore to Saul, and Saul went home while David and his men went back to the stronghold.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	1	Samuel died and all Israel assembled to mourn for him. They buried him at his home in Ramah. David then set off and went down to the desert of Maon.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	2	Now, there was a man in Maon whose business was at Carmel; the man was very rich: he owned three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was then at Carmel, having his sheep shorn.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	3	The man's name was Nabal and his wife's Abigail. She was a woman of intelligence and beauty, but the man was miserly and churlish. He was a Calebite.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	4	When David heard in the desert that Nabal was at his sheepshearing,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	5	he sent ten men off, having said to them, 'Go up to Carmel, visit Nabal and greet him from me.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	6	And this is what you are to say to my brother, "Peace to you, peace to your family, peace to all that is yours!
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	7	I hear that you now have the shearers; your shepherds were with us recently: we did not molest them, nor did they lose anything all the while they were at Carmel.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	8	Ask your young men and they will tell you. I hope that you will give the men a welcome, coming as we do on a festival. Whatever you have to hand please give to your servants and to your son David." '
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	9	David's men went and said all this to Nabal for David, and waited.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	10	Nabal retorted to the men in David's service, 'Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	11	There are many servants nowadays who run away from their masters. Am I to take my bread and my wine and the meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers and give it to men who come from I know not where?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	12	David's men turned on their heels and went back, and on their arrival told him exactly what had been said.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	13	David then said to his men, 'Every man buckle on his sword!' And they buckled on their swords, and David buckled on his too; about four hundred followed David while two hundred stayed with the baggage.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	14	Now one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife. He said, 'David sent messengers from the desert to greet our master, but he flared up at them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	15	Now, these men were very good to us; they did not molest us and we lost nothing all the time we had anything to do with them while we were out in the country.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	16	Night and day, they were like a rampart to us, all the time we were with them, minding the sheep.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	17	So now make up your mind what you should do, for the ruin of our master and his whole family is a certainty, and he is such a brute that no one can say a word to him.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	18	Abigail hastily took two hundred loaves, two skins of wine, five sheep ready prepared, five measures of roasted grain, a hundred bunches of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs and loaded them on donkeys.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	19	She said to her servants, 'Go on ahead, I shall follow you' -- but she did not tell her husband Nabal.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	20	As she was riding her donkey down behind a fold in the mountain, David and his men happened to be coming down in her direction; and she met them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	21	Now, David had decided, 'It was a waste of time my guarding all this man's property in the desert so that he lost nothing at all! He has repaid me bad for good.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	22	May God bring unnameable ills on David and worse ones, too, if by morning I leave a single manjack alive of all who belong to him!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	23	As soon as Abigail saw David, she quickly dismounted from the donkey and, falling on her face in front of David, prostrated herself on the ground.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	24	She fell at his feet and said, 'Let me take the blame, my lord. Let your servant speak in your ear; listen to what your servant has to say!
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	25	My lord, please pay no attention to this brute Nabal for his nature is like his name; "Brute" is his name and brutal he is. But I, your servant, did not see the men whom my lord sent.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	26	And now, my lord, as Yahweh lives and as your soul lives, by Yahweh who kept you from the crime of bloodshed and from taking vengeance with your own hand, may your enemies and all those ill-disposed towards you become like Nabal.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	27	As for the present which your servant has brought my lord, I should like this to be given to the men in your service.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	28	Please forgive your servant for any offence I have given you, for Yahweh will certainly assure you of a lasting dynasty, since you are fighting Yahweh's battles and no fault has been found in you throughout your life.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	29	Should anyone set out to hunt you down and try to kill you, your life will be kept close in the wallet of life with Yahweh your God, while your enemies' lives he will fling out of the pouch of the sling.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	30	Once Yahweh has done for you all the good things which he has said he will do for you, and made you ruler of Israel,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	31	you must have no anxiety, my lord, no remorse, over having wantonly shed blood, over having taken a revenge. When Yahweh has done well by you, then remember your servant.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	32	David said to Abigail, 'Blessed be Yahweh, God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today!
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	33	Blessed be your wisdom and blessed you yourself for today having restrained me from the crime of bloodshed and from exacting revenge!
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	34	But as Yahweh, God of Israel, lives, who prevented me from harming you, had you not hurried out to meet me, I swear Nabal would not have had a single manjack left alive by morning!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	35	David then accepted what she had brought him and said, 'Go home in peace; yes, I have listened to you and have pardoned you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	36	Abigail returned to Nabal. He was holding a feast, a princely feast, in his house; Nabal was in high spirits, and as he was very drunk she told him nothing at all till it was daylight.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	37	In the morning, when Nabal's wine had left him and his wife told him everything that had happened, his heart died within him and he became like a stone.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	38	About ten days later Yahweh struck Nabal, and he died.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	39	When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, 'Blessed be Yahweh for having defended my cause over the insult which I received from Nabal, and for having restrained his servant from doing wrong! Yahweh has made Nabal's wickedness rebound on his own head!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	40	David then sent Abigail an offer of marriage. When the men in David's service came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, 'David has sent us to take you to him, to be his wife.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	41	She stood up, then prostrated herself on the ground. 'Consider your servant a slave', she said, 'to wash the feet of my lord's servants.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	42	Quickly Abigail stood up again and mounted a donkey; followed by five of her servant-girls, she followed David's messengers and became his wife.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	43	David had also married Ahinoam of Jezreel and he kept them both as wives.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	25	44	Saul had given his daughter Michal, David's wife, to Palti son of Laish, from Gallim.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	1	Some men from Ziph went to Saul at Gibeah and said, 'Look, David is hiding on the Hill of Hachilah on the edge of the wastelands!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	2	So Saul set off and went down to the desert of Ziph, accompanied by three thousand picked men of Israel, to search for David in the desert of Ziph.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	3	Saul pitched camp on the Hill of Hachilah, which is on the edge of the wastelands near the road. David was then living in the desert and saw that Saul had come after him into the desert.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	4	Accordingly, David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed arrived.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	5	Setting off, David went to the place where Saul had pitched camp. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, commander of his army, had bedded down. Saul had bedded down inside the camp with the troops bivouacking round him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	6	Speaking to Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah and brother of Joab, David said, 'Who will come down with me to the camp, to Saul?' Abishai answered, 'I will go down with you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	7	So in the dark David and Abishai made their way towards the force, where they found Saul lying asleep inside the camp, his spear stuck in the ground beside his head, with Abner and the troops lying round him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	8	Abishai then said to David, 'Today God has put your enemy in your power; so now let me pin him to the ground with his own spear. Just one stroke! I shall not need to strike him twice.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	9	David said to Abishai, 'Do not kill him, for who could raise his hand against Yahweh's anointed and go unpunished?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	10	As Yahweh lives,' David said, 'Yahweh himself will strike him down: either the day will come for him to die, or he will go into battle and perish then.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	11	Yahweh forbid that I should raise my hand against Yahweh's anointed! But now let us take the spear beside his head and the pitcher of water, and let us go away.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	12	David took the spear and the pitcher of water from beside Saul's head, and they made off. No one saw, no one knew, no one woke up; they were all asleep, because a torpor from Yahweh had fallen on them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	13	David crossed to the other side and halted on the top of the mountain a long way off; there was a wide space between them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	14	David then called out to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, 'Abner, why don't you answer?' Abner replied, 'Who is that calling?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	15	David said to Abner, 'Are you not a man? Who is your equal in Israel? Why, then, did you not guard the king your lord? One of the people came to kill the king your lord.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	16	What you did was not well done. As Yahweh lives, you all deserve to die since you did not guard your lord, Yahweh's anointed. Look where the king's spear is now, and the pitcher of water which was beside his head!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	17	Recognising David's voice, Saul said, 'Is that your voice, my son David?' David replied, 'It is my voice, my lord king.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	18	Why is my lord pursuing his servant?' he said. 'What have I done? What crime have I committed?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	19	May my lord king now listen to his servant's words: if Yahweh has incited you against me, may he be appeased with an offering; but if human beings have done it, may they be accursed before Yahweh, since they have as effectively banished me today from sharing in Yahweh's heritage as if they had said, "Go and serve other gods!"
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	20	So I pray now that my blood shall not be shed on soil remote from Yahweh's presence, when the king of Israel has mounted an expedition to take my life, as one might hunt a partridge in the mountains!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	21	Saul replied, 'I have done wrong! Come back, my son David; I shall never harm you again, since today you have shown respect for my life. Yes, I have behaved like a fool, I have been profoundly in the wrong.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	22	In reply, David said, 'Here is the king's spear. Let one of the men come across and get it.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	23	May Yahweh reward each as each has been upright and loyal. Today Yahweh put you in my power but I would not raise my hand against Yahweh's anointed.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	24	As today I set great value by your life, so may Yahweh set great value by my life and deliver me from every tribulation!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	26	25	Saul then said, 'May you be blessed, my son David! In what you undertake, you will certainly succeed.' David then went on his way and Saul returned home.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	27	1	'One of these days,' David thought, 'I shall perish at the hand of Saul. The best thing that I can do is to get away into the country of the Philistines; then Saul will give up tracking me through the length and breadth of Israel and I shall be safe from him.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	27	2	So David set off and went over, he and his six hundred men, to Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	27	3	He settled at Gath with Achish, he and his men, each with his family and David with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail widow of Nabal of Carmel.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	27	4	When news reached Saul that David had fled to Gath, he stopped searching for him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	27	5	David said to Achish, 'If I have won your favour, let me be given a place in one of the outlying towns, where I can live. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	27	6	That very day Achish gave him Ziklag; and this is why Ziklag has been the property of the kings of Judah to the present day.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	27	7	The time that David stayed in Philistine territory amounted to a year and four months.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	27	8	David and his men went out on raids against the Geshurites, Girzites and Amalekites, for these are the tribes inhabiting the region which, from Telam, goes in the direction of Shur, as far as Egypt.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	27	9	David laid the countryside waste and left neither man nor woman alive; he carried off the sheep and cattle, the donkeys, camels and clothing, and then came back again to Achish.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	27	10	Achish would ask, 'Where did you go raiding today?' David would reply, 'Against the Negeb of Judah,' or 'the Negeb of Jerahmeel,' or 'the Negeb of the Kenites.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	27	11	David spared neither man nor woman to bring back alive to Gath, 'in case', as he thought, 'they inform on us and say, "David did such and such." ' This was the way David conducted his raids all the time he stayed in Philistine territory.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	27	12	Achish trusted David. 'He has made himself detested by his own people Israel,' he thought, 'and so will be my servant for ever.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	1	It then happened that the Philistines mustered their forces for war, to fight Israel, and Achish said to David, 'It is understood that you and your men go into battle with me.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	2	David said to Achish, 'In that case, you will soon see what your servant can do.' Achish replied to David, 'Right, I shall appoint you as my permanent bodyguard.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	3	Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned him and buried him at Ramah, his own town. Saul had expelled the necromancers and wizards from the country.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	4	Meanwhile the Philistines had mustered and had come and pitched camp at Shunem. Saul mustered all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	5	When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid and his heart trembled violently.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	6	Saul consulted Yahweh, but Yahweh gave him no answer, either by dream, divination or prophet.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	7	Saul then said to his servants, 'Find a necromancer for me, so that I can go and consult her.' His servants replied, 'There is a necromancer at En-Dor.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	8	And so Saul, disguising himself and changing his clothes, set out accompanied by two men; their visit to the woman took place at night. 'Disclose the future to me', he said, 'by means of a ghost. Conjure up the one I shall name to you.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	9	The woman replied, 'Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has outlawed necromancers and wizards from the country; why are you setting a trap for my life, then, to have me killed?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	10	But Saul swore to her by Yahweh, 'As Yahweh lives,' he said, 'no blame shall attach to you for this business.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	11	The woman asked, 'Whom shall I conjure up for you?' He replied, 'Conjure up Samuel.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	12	The woman then saw Samuel and, giving a great cry, she said to Saul, 'Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	13	The king said, 'Do not be afraid! What do you see?' The woman replied to Saul, 'I see a ghost rising from the earth.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	14	'What is he like?' he asked. She replied, 'It is an old man coming up; he is wrapped in a cloak.' Saul then knew that it was Samuel and, bowing to the ground, prostrated himself.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	15	Samuel said to Saul, 'Why have you disturbed my rest by conjuring me up?' Saul replied, 'I am in great distress; the Philistines are waging war on me, and God has abandoned me and no longer answers me either by prophet or by dream; and so I have summoned you to tell me what I ought to do.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	16	Samuel said, 'Why consult me, when Yahweh has abandoned you and has become your enemy?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	17	Yahweh has treated you as he foretold through me; he has snatched the sovereignty from your hand and given it to your neighbour, David,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	18	because you disobeyed Yahweh's voice and did not execute his fierce anger against Amalek. That is why Yahweh is treating you like this today.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	19	What is more, Yahweh will deliver Israel and you too, into the power of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me; and Yahweh will hand over the army of Israel into the power of the Philistines.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	20	Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground. He was terrified by what Samuel had said and was also weak from having eaten nothing all that day and night.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	21	The woman went to Saul and, seeing his terror, said, 'Look, your servant has obeyed your order; I have taken my life in my hands and obeyed the command which you gave me.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	22	Now please, you in your turn listen to what your servant has to say. Let me offer you a piece of bread. Eat something and get some strength for your journey.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	23	But he refused. 'I will not eat,' he said. His servants however pressed him, and so did the woman. Allowing himself to be persuaded by them, he got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	24	The woman owned a fattened calf which she quickly slaughtered, and she took some flour and kneaded it and with it baked some unleavened cakes
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	28	25	which she served to Saul and his servants; they ate, and then set off and left the same night.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	29	1	The Philistines mustered all their forces at Aphek while the Israelites pitched camp near the spring in Jezreel.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	29	2	The Philistine commanders marched past with their hundreds and their thousands, and David and his men brought up the rear with Achish.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	29	3	The Philistine chiefs asked, 'What are these Hebrews doing?' Achish replied to them, 'Why, this is David the servant of Saul, king of Israel, who has been with me for the last year or two. I have had no fault to find with him from the day he gave himself up to me until the present time.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	29	4	But the Philistine chiefs were angry with him. 'Send the man back,' they said, 'make him go back to the place which you assigned to him. He cannot go into battle with us, in case he turns on us once battle is joined. Would there be a better way for the man to regain his master's favour than with the heads of these men here?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	29	5	Is not this the David of whom they sang as they danced: Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands'?
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	29	6	So Achish called David and said, 'As Yahweh lives, you are loyal, and I am quite content with all your doings in our campaigning together, since I have found no fault with you from the day you came to me until the present time. But you are not acceptable to the chiefs.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	29	7	So go home, in peace, rather than antagonise them.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	29	8	'But what have I done,' David asked Achish, 'what fault have you had to find with your servant from the day I entered your service to the present time, for me not to be allowed to go and fight the enemies of my lord the king?'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	29	9	In reply, Achish said to David, 'In my opinion, it is true, you are as good as an angel of God; but the Philistine chiefs have said, "He must not go into battle with us."
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	29	10	So get up early tomorrow morning, with your master's servants who came with you, and go to the place which I assigned to you. Do not harbour resentment, since personally I have no fault to find with you. Get up early tomorrow morning and, as soon as it is light, be off.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	29	11	So David and his men got up early to leave at dawn and go back to Philistine territory. And the Philistines marched on Jezreel.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	1	Now by the time David and his men reached Ziklag three days later, the Amalekites had raided the Negeb and Ziklag; they had sacked Ziklag and burnt it down.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	2	They had taken the women prisoner, and everyone who was there, both small and great. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off and gone away.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	3	When David and his men arrived, they found the town burnt down and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	4	Then David and the people with him wept aloud till they were too weak to weep any more.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	5	David's two wives had been captured: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail widow of Nabal of Carmel.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	6	David was in great trouble, since the people were talking of stoning him; the people all felt very bitter, each man for his own sons and daughters. But David took courage from Yahweh his God.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	7	To the priest Abiathar son of Ahimelech, David said, 'Bring me the ephod.' Abiathar brought the ephod to David.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	8	David then consulted Yahweh, 'Shall I go in pursuit of these raiders? Will I overtake them?' The answer was, 'Go in pursuit; you will certainly overtake them and rescue the captives.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	9	David accordingly set off with the six hundred men who were with him and reached the torrent of Besor.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	10	David then continued the pursuit with four hundred men, two hundred staying behind who were too exhausted to cross the torrent of Besor.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	11	Out in the country they found an Egyptian and brought him to David. They gave him some bread to eat and some water to drink;
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	12	they also gave him a piece of fig cake and two bunches of raisins; he ate these and his spirits revived -- he had had nothing to eat or drink for three days and three nights.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	13	David then said to him, 'Whose man are you and where do you come from?' He replied, 'I am a young Egyptian, the slave of an Amalekite; my master abandoned me because I fell sick three days ago.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	14	We raided the Negeb of the Cherethites, and the Negeb of Judah, and the Negeb of Caleb too, and we burnt Ziklag down.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	15	David said, 'Will you guide me to these raiders?' He replied, 'Swear to me by God not to kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will guide you to these raiders.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	16	He guided him to them, and there they were, scattered over the whole countryside, eating, drinking and celebrating, on account of the enormous booty which they had brought back from the territory of the Philistines and the territory of Judah.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	17	David slaughtered them from dawn until the evening of the following day. No one escaped, except four hundred young men who mounted camels and fled.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	18	He rescued everything that the Amalekites had taken -- David also rescued his two wives.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	19	Nothing of theirs was lost, whether small or great, from the booty or sons and daughters -- everything that had been taken from them; David recovered everything.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	20	They captured the flocks and herds as well and drove them in front of him. 'This is David's booty,' they shouted.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	21	When David reached the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and whom he had left at the torrent of Besor, they came out to meet David and the party accompanying him; David approached with his party and greeted them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	22	But all the rogues and scoundrels among the men who had gone with David began saying, 'Since they did not go with us, we shall not give them any of the booty which we have rescued, except that each of them can have his wife and children. Let them take them away and be off.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	23	But David said, 'Do not behave like this, brothers, with what Yahweh has given us; he has protected us and has handed over to us the raiders who attacked us.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	24	Who would agree with you on this? No: As the share of the man who goes into battle, so is the share of the man who stays with the baggage. They will share alike.'
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	25	And from that day on, he made that a rule and custom for Israel, which obtains to the present day.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	26	When David reached Ziklag, he sent parts of the booty to the elders of Judah, town by town, with this message, 'Here is a present for you, taken from the booty of Yahweh's enemies':
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	27	to those in Bethel, to those in Ramoth of the Negeb,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	28	to those in Jattir, to those in Aroer, to those in Siphmoth, to those in Eshtemoa,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	29	to those in Carmel, to those in the towns of Jerahmeel, to those in the towns of the Kenites,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	30	to those in Hormah, to those in Borashan, to those in Athach,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	30	31	to those in Hebron and to all the places which David and his men had frequented.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	1	The Philistines gave battle to Israel, and the Israelites, fleeing from the Philistines, fell and were slaughtered on Mount Gilboa.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	2	The Philistines bore down on Saul and his sons, and they killed Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua, Saul's sons.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	3	The fighting grew fiercer round Saul; the archers came upon him, and he was severely wounded
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	4	by the archers. Saul then said to his armour-bearer, 'Draw your sword and run me through with it; I do not want these uncircumcised men to come and make fun of me.' But his armour-bearer was very much afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	5	His armour-bearer, seeing that Saul was dead, fell on his sword too and died with him.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	6	Thus died Saul, his three sons and his armour-bearer, together on the same day.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	7	When the Israelites who were on the other side of the Jordan saw that the Israelites had been routed and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and fled. The Philistines then came and occupied them.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	8	When the Philistines came on the following day to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons lying on Mount Gilboa.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	9	They cut off his head and, stripping him of his armour, had these carried round the territory of the Philistines to proclaim the good news to their idols and their people.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	10	They put his armour in the temple of Astarte; and his body they fastened to the walls of Beth-Shean.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	11	When the inhabitants of Jabesh in Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	12	the warriors all set out and, having marched all night, took the bodies of Saul and his sons off the walls of Beth-Shean; they brought them to Jabesh and burned them there.
 1 Samuel	1Sm	9	31	13	They then took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk of Jabesh, and fasted for seven days.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	1	Saul was dead and David, returning after his victory over the Amalekites, had been at Ziklag for two days.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	2	On the third day, a man arrived from Saul's camp with his clothes torn and earth on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	3	David asked him, 'Where have you come from?' 'I have escaped from the Israelite camp,' he said.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	4	David said, 'What has happened? Tell me.' He replied, 'The people fled from the battle, and many of them have fallen and are dead. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead too.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	5	Then David asked the young man who brought the news, 'How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	6	The young man replied, 'I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and the cavalry bearing down on him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	7	Glancing behind him and seeing me, he shouted to me. I replied, "Here I am!"
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	8	He said, "Who are you?" I replied, "I am an Amalekite."
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	9	He then said, "Come here and kill me. My head is swimming, although I still have all my strength."
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	10	So I went over to him and killed him, because I knew that once he fell he could not survive. I then took the crown which he had on his head and the bracelet on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	11	David then took hold of his clothes and tore them, and all the men with him did the same.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	12	They mourned and wept and fasted until the evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, for the people of Yahweh and for the House of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	13	David said to the young man who had brought the news, 'Where are you from?' He replied, 'I am the son of a resident foreigner, an Amalekite.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	14	David said, 'How was it that you were not afraid to lift your hand to destroy Yahweh's anointed?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	15	Then David called one of the young men. 'Come here,' he said, 'strike him down.' The man struck him and he died.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	16	David said, 'Your blood be on your own head. You convicted yourself out of your own mouth by saying, "I killed Yahweh's anointed." '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	17	David sang the following lament over Saul and his son Jonathan
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	18	(it is for teaching archery to the children of Judah; it is written in the Book of the Just):
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	19	Does the splendour of Israel lie dead on your heights? How did the heroes fall?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	20	Do not speak of it in Gath, nor broadcast it in the streets of Ashkelon, for fear the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, for fear the daughters of the uncircumcised gloat.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	21	You mountains of Gilboa, no dew, no rain fall on you, O treacherous fields where the heroes' shield lies dishonoured! Not greased with oil, the shield of Saul,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	22	but with the blood of wounded men, the fat of warriors! The bow of Jonathan never turned back, the sword of Saul never came home unsated!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	23	Saul and Jonathan, beloved and handsome, were divided neither in life, nor in death. Swifter than eagles were they, stronger than lions.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	24	O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul who gave you scarlet and fine linen to wear, who pinned golden jewellery on your dresses!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	25	How did the heroes fall in the thick of the battle? Jonathan, by your dying I too am stricken,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	26	I am desolate for you, Jonathan my brother. Very dear you were to me, your love more wonderful to me than the love of a woman.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	1	27	How did the heroes fall and the weapons of war succumb!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	1	After this David consulted Yahweh, asking, 'Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?' Yahweh replied, 'Go up!' 'Which one shall I go to?' David asked. 'To Hebron,' was the reply.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	2	So David went up, with his two wives Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail widow of Nabal of Carmel.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	3	In addition David brought up the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in the towns of Hebron.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	4	The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David as king of the House of Judah. They told David that the people of Jabesh in Gilead had given Saul burial,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	5	so David sent messengers to the people of Jabesh in Gilead. 'May you be blessed by Yahweh,' he said, 'for showing this faithful love to Saul your lord, and for burying him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	6	And now may Yahweh show faithful love and constancy towards you! I too shall treat you well because you have done this.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	7	And now take courage and be men of valour. Saul your lord is dead, but the House of Judah has anointed me to be their king.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	8	Abner son of Ner, Saul's army commander, had taken Ishbaal son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	9	He had made him king of Gilead, of the Asherites, of Jezreel, of Ephraim, of Benjamin and indeed of all Israel.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	10	Ishbaal son of Saul was forty years old when he became king of Israel, and he reigned for two years. Only the House of Judah supported David.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	11	The length of David's reign over Judah in Hebron was seven years and six months.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	12	Abner son of Ner, with the retainers of Ishbaal son of Saul, marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	13	Joab son of Zeruiah, with David's retainers, also took the field, encountering them at the pool of Gibeon. There they halted, one party on one side of the pool, and the other opposite.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	14	Abner then said to Joab, 'Let the men come forward and fight it out between us!' Joab replied, 'Let them come forward.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	15	So they came forward and were numbered off, twelve from Benjamin for Ishbaal son of Saul, and twelve of David's retainers.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	16	Each caught his opponent by the head and drove his sword into his side; and thus they all fell together. Hence the place was called the Field of Sides; it is at Gibeon.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	17	That day a very fierce battle took place, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten by David's retainers.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	18	The three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel could run like a wild gazelle.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	19	Asahel chased Abner, not swerving to the right or left from pursuing him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	20	Abner turned and said, 'Asahel, is that you?' He replied, 'It is.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	21	Abner said, 'Turn to your right or your left, catch one of the men and take his spoil!' But Asahel would not break off the pursuit.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	22	Again Abner spoke to Asahel, 'Stop following me, unless you want me to strike you to the ground; and then how could I look your brother Joab in the face?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	23	But he refused to be diverted, so Abner struck him in the belly with the butt of his spear so that the shaft came out through his back; and he fell at his feet and died on the spot. On coming to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, everyone halted.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	24	Joab and Abishai took up the pursuit of Abner and at sunset reached the Hill of Ammah, which is to the east of Giah on the road through the desert of Gibeon.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	25	The Benjaminites gathered in close formation behind Abner and halted on the top of a hill.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	26	Abner called out to Joab, 'Is the sword to go on devouring for ever? Surely you see that this can only end in bitterness? How long will it be before you order those people to stop pursuing their brothers?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	27	Joab replied, 'As Yahweh lives, if you had not spoken, these men would not have given up the pursuit of their brothers until morning.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	28	Joab then sounded the trumpet and all the troops halted; they pursued Israel no further and fought no more.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	29	All that night Abner and his men made their way through the Arabah; they crossed the Jordan and, marching throughout the morning, came to Mahanaim.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	30	Joab, having stopped pursuing Abner, mustered the whole contingent; David's retainers had lost nineteen men in addition to Asahel,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	31	but had killed three hundred and sixty of Benjamin, Abner's men.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	2	32	They took up Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb, which is at Bethlehem. Joab and his men then marched throughout the night, reaching Hebron at daybreak.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	1	So the war dragged on between the House of Saul and the House of David, but David grew steadily stronger and the House of Saul steadily weaker.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	2	The sons born to David at Hebron were: his first-born Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	3	his second Chileab, by Abigail widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third Absalom son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	4	the fourth Adonijah son of Haggith; the fifth Shephatiah son of Abital;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	5	the sixth Ithream, by David's wife, Eglah. These were born to David at Hebron.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	6	This is what took place during the war between the House of Saul and the House of David. Abner took complete control in the House of Saul.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	7	Now, there was a concubine of Saul's called Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and Abner took her. Ishbaal said to Abner, 'Why have you slept with my father's concubine?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	8	At these words of Ishbaal, Abner flew into a rage. 'Am I a dog's head?' he shouted. 'Here am I, full of faithful love towards the House of Saul your father, his brothers and his friends, not leaving you to the hands of David, and now you find fault with me over a woman!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	9	May God bring unnameable ills on Abner, and worse ones, too, if I do not bring about what Yahweh has sworn to David:
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	10	to take the sovereignty from the House of Saul, and establish David's throne over Israel as well as Judah, from Dan to Beersheba!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	11	Ishbaal dared not say a single word to Abner in reply, as he was afraid of him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	12	Abner sent messengers on his own behalf to say to David, '. . . and furthermore, come to an agreement with me and I will give you my support to win all Israel over to you.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	13	'Very well,' David said, 'I will come to an agreement with you. I impose one condition however; you will not be admitted to my presence unless you bring me Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see me.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	14	David then sent messengers to say to Ishbaal son of Saul, 'Give me back my wife Michal, whom I acquired for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	15	So Ishbaal sent for her to be taken from her husband Paltiel son of Laish.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	16	Her husband set off with her and followed her, weeping as he went, as far as Bahurim; but Abner said to him, 'Go back!' and he went.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	17	Now Abner conferred with the elders of Israel. 'For a long time now,' he said, 'you have wanted David as your king.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	18	Now you must take action, since Yahweh has said of David, "By the hand of my servant David I shall deliver my people Israel from the clutches of the Philistines and all their enemies." '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	19	Abner also spoke to the men of Benjamin and then went to Hebron to tell David everything that had been agreed by Israel and the House of Benjamin.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	20	Abner, accompanied by twenty men, came to David at Hebron, and David held a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	21	Abner then said to David, 'I must get up and go. I am going to rally all Israel to my lord the king, so that they will make an alliance with you, and you will reign over all that you desire.' So David allowed Abner to go, and he went unmolested.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	22	David's retainers were just then coming back with Joab from a raid, bringing a great quantity of booty with them. Abner was no longer with David at Hebron, since David had allowed him to go, and he had gone unmolested.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	23	When Joab and the whole company with him had arrived, Joab was told, 'Abner son of Ner has been to the king, and the king has allowed Abner to go away unmolested.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	24	Joab then went to the king and said, 'What have you done? Abner comes to you and you let him go away and now he has gone-why?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	25	You know Abner son of Ner! He came to trick you, to discover your every move, to find out what you are doing.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	26	Joab left David's presence and sent messengers after Abner and these, unknown to David, brought him back from the storage-well at Sirah.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	27	When Abner reached Hebron, Joab took him aside in the town-gate, as if to have a quiet word with him, and there struck him a mortal blow in the belly to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	28	Afterwards, when David heard of this, he said, 'I and my kingdom are for ever innocent before Yahweh of the blood of Abner son of Ner;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	29	may it fall on the head of Joab and on all his family! May the House of Joab never be free of men afflicted with haemorrhage or a virulent skin-disease, whose strength is in the distaff, who fall by the sword, who lack food.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	30	(Joab and his brother Abishai had murdered Abner because he killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.)
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	31	David then said to Joab and the whole company with him, 'Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn over Abner,' and King David walked behind the bier.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	32	They buried Abner at Hebron, and the king wept aloud on his grave, and the people all wept too.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	33	The king made this lament over Abner: Should Abner have died as a brute dies?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	34	Your hands were not tied, your feet not chained; you fell as a man falls at the hands of criminals. And all the people wept for him louder than ever.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	35	The people then all tried to persuade David to have some food while it was still daylight, but David swore this oath, 'May God bring unnameable ills on me, and worse ills, too, if I taste bread or anything whatever until the sun is down!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	36	All the people took note of this and it pleased them; indeed, everything the king did pleased the people.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	37	That day, all the people and all Israel understood that the king had had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	38	The king said to his retainers, 'Do you not realise that a prince, a great man, has fallen in Israel today?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	3	39	I, though anointed king, am weak at present, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too strong for me. May Yahweh repay the criminal as his crime deserves!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	4	1	When Saul's son heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his heart failed him, and all Israel was alarmed.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	4	2	Now, Saul's son had two freebooting chieftains; one was called Baanah, the other Rechab. They were the sons of Rimmon of Beeroth, and Benjaminites -- for Beeroth is regarded as belonging to Benjamin.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	4	3	The people of Beeroth had taken refuge in Gittaim, where they have remained to this day as resident foreigners.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	4	4	Jonathan son of Saul had a son with crippled feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled but, as she hurried away, he fell and was lamed. His name was Meribbaal.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	4	5	The sons of Rimmon of Beeroth, Rechab and Baanah, set out; they came to Ishbaal's house at the hottest part of the day when he was taking his midday rest.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	4	6	The woman who kept the door had been cleaning wheat and had drowsed off to sleep.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	4	7	Rechab and his brother Baanah stole past her and entered the house, where he was lying on his bed in his bedroom. They struck him and killed him, then cut off his head and, taking the head with them, travelled all night by way of the Arabah.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	4	8	They brought Ishbaal's head to David at Hebron. 'Here', they said to the king, 'is the head of Ishbaal son of Saul, your enemy, who meant to take your life. Yahweh has avenged my lord the king today on Saul and on his offspring.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	4	9	But David answered Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon, by saying, 'As Yahweh lives, who has rescued me from every danger,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	4	10	when someone told me, "Saul is dead!" supposing himself to be bringing me good news, I seized and put him to death at Ziklag, and that was how I rewarded him for his news!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	4	11	How much more when bandits have killed an upright man in his house, and on his bed! Am I not to demand an account of his blood from you, and rid the earth of you?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	4	12	David then gave an order to the men, who put them to death, cut off their hands and feet, and hung them up beside the pool of Hebron. Ishbaal's head they took and buried in Abner's grave at Hebron.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	1	All the tribes of Israel then came to David at Hebron and said, 'Look, we are your own flesh and bone.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	2	In days past when Saul was our king, it was you who led Israel on its campaigns, and to you it was that Yahweh promised, "You are to shepherd my people Israel and be leader of Israel." '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	3	So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a pact with them in Yahweh's presence at Hebron, and they anointed David as king of Israel.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	4	David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty years.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	5	In Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months; then he reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	6	The king and his men then marched on Jerusalem, on the Jebusites living in the territory. These said to David, 'You will not get in here. The blind and the lame will hold you off.' (That is to say: David will never get in here.)
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	7	But David captured the citadel of Zion, that is, the City of David.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	8	That day, David said, 'Whoever gets up the tunnel and kills a Jebusite . . .' As for the blind and the lame, David hated them with his whole being. (Hence the saying: the blind and the lame may not enter the Temple.)
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	9	David went to live in the citadel and called it the City of David. David then built a wall round it, from the Millo inwards.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	10	David grew stronger and stronger, and Yahweh, God of Sabaoth, was with him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	11	Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, with cedar wood, carpenters and stone-cutters, who built David a palace.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	12	David then knew that Yahweh had confirmed him as king of Israel and, for the sake of his people Israel, had extended his sovereignty.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	13	After coming from Hebron, David took other concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and sons and daughters were born to him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	14	These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	15	Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	16	Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	17	When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed as king of Israel, they all went up to seek him out. On hearing this, David went down to the stronghold.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	18	When the Philistines arrived, they deployed in the Valley of the Rephaim.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	19	David consulted Yahweh and asked, 'Shall I attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my power?' Yahweh replied to David, 'Attack! I shall certainly deliver the Philistines into your power.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	20	Accordingly, David went to Baal-Perazim and there David defeated them. He said, 'Yahweh has made a breach in my enemies for me, as though they had been breached by a flood.' This is why the place was given the name Baal-Perazim.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	21	They had left their gods behind them there, and David and his men carried them off.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	22	Again the Philistines invaded and deployed in the Valley of the Rephaim.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	23	David consulted Yahweh, who replied, 'Do not attack them from the front; go round to their rear and engage them opposite the balsam trees.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	24	When you hear the sound of footsteps in the tops of the balsam trees, advance, for that will be Yahweh going out ahead of you to defeat the Philistine army.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	5	25	David did as Yahweh had ordered and beat the Philistines from Gibeon to the Pass of Gezer.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	1	David again mustered all the picked troops of Israel, thirty thousand men.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	2	Setting off with the whole force then with him, David went to Baalah of Judah, from there to bring up the ark of God, who bears the title 'Yahweh Sabaoth, enthroned on the winged creatures'.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	3	They transported the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of Abinadab's house which is on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the cart,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	4	Uzzah walked alongside the ark of God and Ahio went in front.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	5	David and the whole House of Israel danced before Yahweh with all their might, singing to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	6	When they came to Nacon's threshing-floor, Uzzah reached his hand out to the ark of God and steadied it, as the oxen were making it tilt.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	7	This roused Yahweh's anger against Uzzah, and for this crime God struck him down on the spot, and there he died beside the ark of God.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	8	David resented Yahweh's having broken out against Uzzah, and the place was given the name Perez-Uzzah, which it still has today.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	9	That day David felt afraid of Yahweh. 'How can the ark of Yahweh come to be with me?' he said.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	10	So David decided not to take the ark of Yahweh with him into the city of David but diverted it to the house of Obed-Edom of Gath.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	11	The ark of Yahweh remained in the house of Obed-Edom of Gath for three months, and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom and his whole family.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	12	King David was informed that Yahweh had blessed Obed-Edom's family and everything belonging to him on account of the ark of God. David accordingly went and, amid great rejoicing, brought the ark of God up from Obed-Edom's house to the City of David.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	13	When the bearers of the ark of Yahweh had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fat sheep.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	14	And David danced whirling round before Yahweh with all his might, wearing a linen loincloth.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	15	Thus with war cries and blasts on the horn, David and the entire House of Israel brought up the ark of Yahweh.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	16	Now as the ark of Yahweh entered the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul was watching from the window and when she saw King David leaping and whirling round before Yahweh, the sight of him filled her with contempt.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	17	They brought the ark of Yahweh in and put it in position, inside the tent which David had erected for it; and David presented burnt offerings and communion sacrifices in Yahweh's presence.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	18	And when David had finished presenting burnt offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh Sabaoth.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	19	To all the people, to the whole multitude of Israelites, men and women, he then distributed to each a loaf of bread, a portion of dates and a raisin cake. Then the people all went back to their homes.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	20	As David was coming back to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him. 'Much honour the king of Israel has won today,' she said, 'making an exhibition of himself under the eyes of his servant-maids, making an exhibition of himself like a buffoon!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	21	David replied to Michal, 'I was dancing for Yahweh, not for them. As Yahweh lives, who chose me in preference to your father and his whole family to make me leader of Israel, Yahweh's people, I shall dance before Yahweh and
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	22	lower myself even further than that. In your eyes I may be base, but by the maids you speak of, by them, I shall be held in honour!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	6	23	And to the day of her death, Michal, daughter of Saul, had no children.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	1	Once the king had settled into his palace and Yahweh had granted him rest from all the enemies surrounding him,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	2	the king said to the prophet Nathan, 'Look, I am living in a cedar-wood palace, while the ark of God is under awnings.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	3	Nathan said to the king, 'Go and do whatever you have in mind, for Yahweh is with you.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	4	But that very night, the word of Yahweh came to Nathan:
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	5	'Go and tell my servant David, "Yahweh says this: Are you to build me a temple for me to live in?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	6	I have never lived in a house from the day when I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until today, but have kept travelling with a tent for shelter.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	7	In all my travels with all the Israelites, did I say to any of the judges of Israel, whom I had commanded to shepherd my people Israel: Why do you not build me a cedar-wood temple?"
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	8	This is what you must say to my servant David, "Yahweh Sabaoth says this: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader of my people Israel;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	9	I have been with you wherever you went; I have got rid of all your enemies for you. I am going to make your fame as great as the fame of the greatest on earth.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	10	I am going to provide a place for my people Israel; I shall plant them there, and there they will live and never be disturbed again; nor will they be oppressed by the wicked any more, as they were in former times
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	11	ever since the time when I instituted judges to govern my people Israel; and I shall grant you rest from all your enemies. Yahweh furthermore tells you that he will make you a dynasty.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	12	And when your days are over and you fall asleep with your ancestors, I shall appoint your heir, your own son to succeed you (and I shall make his sovereignty secure.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	13	He will build a temple for my name) and I shall make his royal throne secure for ever.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	14	I shall be a father to him and he a son to me; if he does wrong, I shall punish him with a rod such as men use, with blows such as mankind gives.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	15	But my faithful love will never be withdrawn from him as I withdrew it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	16	Your dynasty and your sovereignty will ever stand firm before me and your throne be for ever secure." '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	17	Nathan related all these words and this whole revelation to David.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	18	King David then went in, sat down in Yahweh's presence and said: 'Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my lineage, for you to have led me as far as this?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	19	Yet, to you, Lord Yahweh, this seemed too little, and now you extend your promises for your servant's family into the distant future. Such is human destiny, Lord Yahweh.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	20	What more can David say to you, since you, Lord Yahweh, know all about your servant?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	21	Because of your promise and since you were so inclined, you have had the generosity to reveal this to your servant.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	22	That is why you are great, Lord Yahweh; there is no one like you, no God but you alone, as everything that we have heard confirms.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	23	Is there another people on earth like your people, like Israel, whom a god proceeded to redeem, to make them his people and to make a name for himself by performing great and terrible things on their behalf, by driving out nations and their gods before his people?-
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	24	for you constituted your people Israel your own people for ever and you, Yahweh, became their God.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	25	'Now, Yahweh God, may the promise which you have made for your servant and for his family stand firm forever as you have said,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	26	so that your name will be exalted for ever and people will say, "Israel's God is Yahweh Sabaoth." Your servant David's dynasty will be secure before you,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	27	since you, Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, have disclosed to your servant, "I am going to build you a dynasty." Hence, your servant has ventured to offer this prayer to you.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	28	Yes, Lord Yahweh, you are God indeed, your words are true and you have made this generous promise to your servant.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	7	29	What is more, you have deigned to bless your servant's dynasty, so that it may remain for ever before you; for you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken; and may your servant's dynasty be blessed with your blessing for ever.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	1	After this, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. From the grip of the Philistines he wrested . . .
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	2	He also defeated the Moabites and, making them lie on the ground, measured them off by the line; he measured out two lines to be put to death and one full line to have their lives spared. The Moabites became David's subjects and paid him tribute.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	3	David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when the latter mounted an expedition to extend his power over the River.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	4	David captured one thousand seven hundred charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers from him; David hamstrung all the chariot teams, keeping only a hundred of them.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	5	The Aramaeans of Damascus came to the help of Hadadezer king of Zobah, but David killed twenty-two thousand of the Aramaeans.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	6	David then imposed governors on Aram of Damascus, and the Aramaeans became David's subjects and paid him tribute. Wherever David went, Yahweh gave him victory.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	7	David took the golden shields carried by Hadadezer's guards and brought them to Jerusalem.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	8	From Betah and Berothai, towns belonging to Hadadezer, King David captured a great quantity of bronze.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	9	When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated Hadadezer's entire army,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	10	he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him on having made war on Hadadezer and on having defeated him, since Hadadezer was at war with Tou. Hadoram brought with him objects made of silver, gold and bronze,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	11	which King David also consecrated to Yahweh, as he had already consecrated the silver and gold taken from all the nations which he had subjugated-
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	12	from Aram, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines and Amalek; and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	13	David became famous when he came home from defeating the Edomites in the Valley of Salt -- eighteen thousand of them.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	14	He imposed governors on Edom and all the Edomites became David's subjects. Wherever David went, Yahweh gave him victory.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	15	David ruled over all Israel, administering law and justice to all his people.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	16	Joab son of Zeruiah was in command of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was herald;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	17	Zadok and Abiathar son of Ahimelech, son of Ahitub, were priests; Seraiah was secretary;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	8	18	Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in command of the Cherethites and Pelethites; David's sons were priests.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	1	David asked, 'Is there anyone belonging to Saul's family left, to whom I might show faithful love for Jonathan's sake?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	2	Now Saul's family had a servant whose name was Ziba. When he had been summoned to David, the king said, 'Are you Ziba?' 'At your service,' he replied.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	3	The king said, 'Is there no one left, belonging to Saul's family, for me to treat with God's own faithful love?' Ziba said to the king, 'There is still one of Jonathan's sons. He has crippled feet.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	4	The king asked 'Where is he?' Ziba replied, 'He is living in the household of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-Debar.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	5	So King David sent for him to be fetched from the house of Machir son of Ammiel at Lo-Debar.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	6	On entering David's presence, Meribbaal son of Jonathan, son of Saul, fell on his face and prostrated himself. David said, 'Meribbaal!' He replied, 'Here I am, at your service.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	7	David then said, 'Do not be afraid; I will indeed treat you with faithful love for your father Jonathan's sake. I shall restore all your grandfather Saul's estates to you, and you will always eat at my table.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	8	Meribbaal prostrated himself and said, 'Who is your servant, for you to show favour to a dead dog like me?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	9	The king then summoned Saul's servant Ziba and said, 'Everything belonging to Saul and his family, I give to your master's son.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	10	You must work the land for him, you and your sons and your slaves; you must harvest the produce to provide food for your master's family to eat. But Meribbaal, your master's son, will always take his own meals at my table.' Now, Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty slaves.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	11	Ziba said to the king, 'Your servant will do everything my lord the king has ordered his servant.' So Meribbaal ate at David's table like one of the king's sons.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	12	Meribbaal had a young son whose name was Micha. All the people living in Ziba's household entered Meribbaal's service.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	9	13	Meribbaal lived in Jerusalem, since he always ate at the king's table. He was crippled in both feet.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	1	After this, when the king of the Ammonites died and his son Hanun succeeded him,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	2	David thought, 'I shall show Hanun son of Nahash the same faithful love as his father showed me.' And David sent his representatives to offer him condolences over his father. But, when David's representatives reached the Ammonites' country,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	3	the Ammonite princes said to Hanun their master, 'Do you really think David means to honour your father when he sends you messengers with sympathy? On the contrary, the reason why David has sent his representatives to you is to explore the city, to reconnoitre and so overthrow it.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	4	Whereupon Hanun seized David's representatives, shaved off half their beards, cut their clothes off halfway up, at their buttocks, and sent them away.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	5	When David was told, he sent someone to meet them, since the men were overcome with shame. 'Stay in Jericho', the king said, 'until your beards have grown again, and come back then.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	6	When the Ammonites realised that they had antagonised David, they sent agents to hire twenty thousand foot soldiers from the Aramaeans of Beth-Rehob and the Aramaeans of Zobah, one thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from the prince of Tob.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	7	When David heard this, he sent Joab with the whole army, the champions.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	8	The Ammonites marched out and drew up their line of battle at the city gate, while the Aramaeans of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah kept their distance in the open country.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	9	Joab, seeing that he had to fight on two fronts, to his front and to his rear, chose the best of Israel's picked men and drew them up in line facing the Aramaeans.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	10	He entrusted the rest of the army to his brother Abishai, and drew them up in line facing the Ammonites.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	11	'If the Aramaeans prove too strong for me,' he said, 'you must come to my help; if the Ammonites prove too strong for you, I shall come to yours.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	12	Be brave! Let us acquit ourselves like men for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God. And let Yahweh do as he thinks right!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	13	Joab and the force with him joined battle with the Aramaeans, who fled at his onslaught.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	14	When the Ammonites saw that the Aramaeans had fled, they too fled from Abishai and withdrew into the city. Hence, Joab broke off his campaign against the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	15	The Aramaeans, realising that Israel had got the better of them, concentrated their forces.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	16	Hadadezer sent messengers and mobilised the Aramaeans living on the other side of the river; and these arrived at Helam, with Shobach the commander of Hadadezer's army, at their head.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	17	David, being informed of this, mustered all Israel, crossed the Jordan and arrived at Helam. The Aramaeans drew up in line facing David and engaged him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	18	But the Aramaeans fled from Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their chariot teams and forty thousand men; he also cut down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	10	19	When all Hadadezer's vassal kings saw that Israel had got the better of them, they made peace with the Israelites and became their subjects. The Aramaeans were afraid to give any more help to the Ammonites.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	1	At the turn of the year, at the time when kings go campaigning, David sent Joab and with him his guards and all Israel. They massacred the Ammonites and laid siege to Rabbah-of-the-Ammonites. David, however, remained in Jerusalem.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	2	It happened towards evening when David had got up from resting and was strolling on the palace roof, that from the roof he saw a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	3	David made enquiries about this woman and was told, 'Why, that is Bathsheba daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	4	David then sent messengers to fetch her. She came to him, and he lay with her, just after she had purified herself from her period. She then went home again.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	5	The woman conceived and sent word to David, 'I am pregnant.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	6	David then sent word to Joab, 'Send me Uriah the Hittite,' whereupon Joab sent Uriah to David.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	7	When Uriah reached him, David asked how Joab was and how the army was and how the war was going.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	8	David then said to Uriah, 'Go down to your house and wash your feet.' Uriah left the palace and was followed by a present from the king's table.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	9	Uriah, however, slept at the palace gate with all his master's bodyguard and did not go down to his house.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	10	This was reported to David; 'Uriah', they said 'has not gone down to his house.' So David asked Uriah, 'Haven't you just arrived from the journey? Why didn't you go down to your house?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	11	To which Uriah replied, 'The ark, Israel and Judah are lodged in huts; my master Joab and my lord's guards are camping in the open. Am I to go to my house, then, and eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As Yahweh lives, and as you yourself live, I shall so no such thing!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	12	David then said to Uriah, 'Stay on here today; tomorrow I shall send you off.' So Uriah stayed that day in Jerusalem.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	13	The next day, David invited him to eat and drink in his presence and made him drunk. In the evening, Uriah went out and bedded down with his master's bodyguard, but did not go down to his house.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	14	Next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by Uriah.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	15	In the letter he wrote, 'Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest and then fall back, so that he gets wounded and killed.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	16	Joab, then besieging the city, stationed Uriah at a point where he knew that there would be tough fighters.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	17	The people of the city sallied out and engaged Joab; there were casualties in the army, among David's guards, and Uriah the Hittite was killed as well.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	18	Joab sent David a full account of the battle.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	19	To the messenger he gave this order: 'When you have finished telling the king all about the battle,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	20	if the king's anger is aroused and he says, "Why did you go near the town to give battle? Didn't you know that they would shoot from the ramparts?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	21	Who killed Abimelech son of Jerubbaal? Wasn't it a woman who dropped a millstone on him from the ramparts, causing his death at Thebez? Why did you go near the ramparts?" you are to say, "Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead too." '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	22	So the messenger set off and, on his arrival, told David everything that Joab had instructed him to say. David flew into a rage with Joab and said to the messenger, 'Why did you go near the ramparts? Who killed Abimelech son of Jerubbaal? Wasn't it a woman who dropped a millstone on him fom the ramparts, causing his death at Thebez? Why did you go near the ramparts?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	23	The messenger replied to David, 'Their men had won an initial advantage and then came out to engage us in the open. We then drove them back into the gateway,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	24	but the archers shot at your retainers from the ramparts; some of the king's retainers lost their lives, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead too.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	25	David then said to the messenger, 'Say this to Joab, "Do not take the matter to heart; the sword devours now one and now another. Attack the town in greater force and destroy it." That will encourage him.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	26	When Uriah's wife heard that her husband Uriah was dead, she mourned for her husband.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	11	27	When the period of mourning was over, David sent to have her brought to his house; she became his wife and bore him a son. But what David had done displeased Yahweh.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	1	Yahweh sent the prophet Nathan to David. He came to him and said: In the same town were two men, one rich, the other poor.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	2	The rich man had flocks and herds in great abundance;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	3	the poor man had nothing but a ewe lamb, only a single little one which he had bought. He fostered it and it grew up with him and his children, eating his bread, drinking from his cup, sleeping in his arms; it was like a daughter to him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	4	When a traveller came to stay, the rich man would not take anything from his own flock or herd to provide for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead, he stole the poor man's lamb and prepared that for his guest.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	5	David flew into a great rage with the man. 'As Yahweh lives,' he said to Nathan 'the man who did this deserves to die.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	6	For doing such a thing and for having shown no pity, he shall make fourfold restitution for the lamb.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	7	Nathan then said to David, 'You are the man! Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "I anointed you king of Israel, I saved you from Saul's clutches,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	8	I gave you your master's household and your master's wives into your arms, I gave you the House of Israel and the House of Judah; and, if this is still too little, I shall give you other things as well.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	9	Why did you show contempt for Yahweh, by doing what displeases him? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword, you took his wife to be your wife, causing his death by the sword of the Ammonites.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	10	For this, your household will never be free of the sword, since you showed contempt for me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite, to make her your wife."
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	11	'Yahweh says this, "Out of your own household I shall raise misfortune for you. Before your very eyes I shall take your wives and give them to your neighbour, who will lie with your wives in broad daylight.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	12	You have worked in secret, but I shall work this for all Israel to see, in broad daylight." '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	13	David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against Yahweh.' Nathan then said to David, 'Yahweh, for his part, forgives your sin; you are not to die.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	14	But, since you have outraged Yahweh by doing this, the child born to you will die.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	15	And Nathan went home. Yahweh struck the child which Uriah's wife had borne to David and it fell gravely ill.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	16	David pleaded with Yahweh for the child; he kept a strict fast and went home and spent the night lying on the ground, covered with sacking.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	17	The officials of his household stood round him, intending to get him off the ground, but he refused, nor would he take food with them.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	18	On the seventh day the child died. David's retinue were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. 'Even when the child was alive', they thought, 'we reasoned with him and he would not listen to us. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He will do something desperate.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	19	David, however, noticed that his retinue were whispering among themselves, and realised that the child was dead. 'Is the child dead?' he asked the officers. They replied, 'He is dead.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	20	David got off the ground, bathed and anointed himself and put on fresh clothes. Then he went into Yahweh's sanctuary and prostrated himself. On returning to his house, he asked to be served with food and ate it.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	21	His retinue said, 'Why are you acting like this? When the child was alive, you fasted and wept; now that the child is dead, you get up and take food!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	22	'When the child was alive', he replied, 'I fasted and wept because I kept thinking, "Who knows? Perhaps Yahweh will take pity on me and the child will live."
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	23	But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him but he cannot come back to me.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	24	David consoled his wife Bathsheba. He went to her and slept with her. She conceived and gave birth to a son, whom she called Solomon. Yahweh loved him
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	25	and made this known by means of the prophet Nathan, who named him Jedidiah, as Yahweh had instructed.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	26	Joab assaulted Rabbah-of-the-Ammonites and captured the royal town.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	27	He then sent messengers to tell David, 'I have assaulted Rabbah and captured the water supply.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	28	So now muster the rest of the army, lay siege to the town and take it, or I will take it and the town will be called after me!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	29	So David mustered the whole army and marched on Rabbah; he assaulted the town and captured it.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	30	He took the crown off Milcom's head; it weighed one talent of gold, and in it was set a precious stone which went on David's head instead. He carried off great quantities of booty from the town.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	12	31	And he expelled its inhabitants, setting them to work with saws, iron picks and iron axes, employing them at brickmaking. He treated all the Ammonite towns in the same way. David and the whole army returned to Jerusalem.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	1	After this, the following events took place. Absalom son of David had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar; Amnon son of David fell in love with her.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	2	Amnon was so obsessed with his sister Tamar that it made him ill, since she was a virgin and Amnon thought it impossible to do anything to her.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	3	But Amnon had a friend called Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother, and Jonadab was a very shrewd man.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	4	'Son of the king,' he said, 'tell me why, morning after morning, you look so worn? Won't you tell me?' Amnon replied, 'I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	5	Then Jonadab said, 'Take to your bed, pretend to be ill and, when your father comes to visit you, say, "Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat; let her prepare the food where I can see. What she gives me I shall eat." '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	6	So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. The king then came to visit him and Amnon said to the king, 'Please let my sister Tamar come and make a cake or two where I can watch. What she gives me, I shall eat.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	7	David then sent word to Tamar at the palace, 'Go to your brother Amnon's house and prepare some food for him.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	8	Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon who was lying there in bed. She took dough and kneaded it, and she made some cakes while he watched, and baked the cakes.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	9	She then took the pan and dished them up in front of him, but he refused to eat. Amnon said, 'Let everyone leave me!' So everyone withdrew.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	10	Amnon then said to Tamar, 'Bring the food to the inner room, so that I can eat what you give me.' So Tamar took the cakes which she had made and brought them to her brother Amnon in the inner room.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	11	And as she was offering the food to him, he caught hold of her and said, 'Come to bed with me, sister!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	12	She replied, 'No, brother! Do not force me! This is no way to behave in Israel. Do not do anything so disgraceful!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	13	Wherever should I go? I should be marked with this shame, while you would become disgraced in Israel. Why not go and speak to the king? He will not refuse to give me to you.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	14	But he would not listen to her; he overpowered her and raped her.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	15	Amnon was then seized with extreme hatred for her; the hatred he now felt for her was greater than his earlier love. 'Get up and go!' he said.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	16	She said, 'No, brother! To send me away would be worse than the other wrong you have done me!' But he would not listen to her.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	17	He called his personal servant. 'Rid me of this woman!' he said. 'Throw her out and bolt the door behind her!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	18	(She was wearing a magnificent dress, for this was what the king's unmarried daughters wore in days gone by.) So the servant put her out and bolted the door behind her.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	19	Tamar put dust on her head, tore the magnificent dress which she was wearing, laid her hand on her head, and went away, crying aloud as she went.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	20	Her brother Absalom said to her, 'Has Amnon your brother been with you? Sister, be quiet; he is your brother; do not take the matter to heart!' Tamar, however, went back to her brother Absalom's house inconsolable.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	21	When King David heard the whole story, he was very angry; but he had no wish to harm his son Amnon, whom he loved because he was his first-born.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	22	Absalom, however, would not so much as speak to Amnon, since he hated Amnon for having raped his sister Tamar.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	23	Two years later, when Absalom had the sheep-shearers at Baal-Hazor, which is near Ephraim, he invited all the king's sons.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	24	Absalom went to the king and said, 'Now sir, your servant has the sheep-shearers. Will the king and his retinue be pleased to come with your servant?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	25	'No, my son,' the king replied, 'we must not all come and be a burden to you.' And though Absalom was insistent, he would not go but dismissed him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	26	Absalom persisted, 'Then at least let my brother Amnon come with us.' The king said, 'Why should he go with you?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	27	On Absalom's insistence, however, he let Amnon and all the king's sons to go with him. Absalom prepared a royal banquet
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	28	and then gave this order to the servants, 'Listen carefully; when Amnon's heart is merry with wine and I say, "Strike Amnon down", then kill him. Don't be afraid. Have I not myself given you the order? Use your strength and show your mettle!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	29	Absalom's servants treated Amnon as Absalom had ordered. The king's sons all leapt to their feet, mounted their mules and fled.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	30	While they were on the road, word reached David, 'Absalom has killed all the king's sons; not one of them is left.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	31	The king stood up, tore his clothes and threw himself on the ground. All his officers tore their clothes too.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	32	Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother, then spoke up and said, 'Do not let my lord take to heart the report that all the young men, the king's sons, have been killed, since only Amnon is dead: for Absalom has been promising himself to do this since the day when Amnon raped his sister Tamar.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	33	So my lord the king must not imagine that all the king's sons are dead; only Amnon is dead
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	34	and Absalom has fled.' The man on sentry duty looked up and saw a large troop coming along the road from Bahurim. The sentry came to tell the king, 'I have seen some people coming down the Bahurim road on the mountainside.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	35	Jonadab then said to the king, 'These are the king's sons arriving: what your servant said is exactly what happened.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	36	He had scarcely finished speaking when the king's sons arrived and wept aloud; the king and all his retinue wept aloud too.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	37	Absalom had gone to Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. The king mourned for his son every day.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	38	When Absalom had gone to Geshur, he stayed there for three years.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	13	39	Once the king was consoled over Amnon's death, his anger against Absalom subsided.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	1	Now, Joab son of Zeruiah observed that the king was favourably inclined to Absalom.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	2	Joab therefore sent to Tekoa for a wise woman. 'Pretend to be in mourning,' he said. 'Dress yourself in mourning, do not perfume yourself; act like a woman who has long been mourning for the dead.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	3	Then go to the king and say this to him.' And Joab put the words into her mouth which she was to say.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	4	So the woman of Tekoa went to the king and, falling on her face to the ground, prostrated herself. 'Help, my lord king!' she said.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	5	The king said, 'What is the matter?' 'As you see,' she replied, 'I am a widow; my husband is dead.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	6	Your servant had two sons and out in the fields, where there was no one to intervene, they had a quarrel. And one of them struck the other one and killed him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	7	And now the whole clan has risen against your servant. "Give up the man who killed his brother," they say, "so that we can put him to death, to atone for the life of the brother whom he has murdered; and thus we shall destroy the heir as well." By this means, they will extinguish the ember still left to me, leaving my husband neither name nor survivor on the face of the earth,'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	8	Then the king said to the woman, 'Go home; I myself shall give orders about your case.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	9	The woman of Tekoa said to the king, 'My lord king! May the guilt be on me and on my family; the king and his throne are innocent of it.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	10	'Bring me the man who threatened you,' the king replied, 'and he shall never hurt you again.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	11	She then said, 'Let the king be pleased to pronounce the name of Yahweh your God, so that the avenger of blood may not do greater harm and destroy my son.' 'As Yahweh lives,' he said, 'not one of your son's hairs shall fall to the ground!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	12	Then the woman said, 'Permit your servant to say something else to my lord the king.' 'Go on,' he said.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	13	The woman said, 'Why then has the king, who by giving this verdict has condemned himself, conceived the idea, against God's people's interests, of not bringing home the son whom he has banished?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	14	We are all mortal; we are like water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again, nor does God raise up a corpse; let the king therefore make plans for his banished son not to remain far away from him in exile.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	15	'Now, the reason why I came to speak about this to my lord the king is that I was being intimidated, and your servant thought, "I shall speak to the king; perhaps the king will do what his servant asks.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	16	Surely the king will consent to save his servant from the clutches of the man who is trying to cut both me and my son off from God's heritage.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	17	Let a word from my lord the king, restore the peace!" your servant thought, "for my lord the king is like the Angel of God in understanding good and evil." May Yahweh your God be with you!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	18	Replying to the woman, the king said, 'Now do not evade the question which I am going to ask you.' The woman said, 'Let my lord the king ask his question.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	19	'Is not Joab's hand behind you in all this?' the king asked. The woman replied, 'As you live, my lord king, I cannot escape what my lord the king says, either to right or to left. Yes, it was your servant Joab who gave me my orders; he put all these words into your servant's mouth.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	20	Your servant Joab did this to approach the matter indirectly, but my lord has the wisdom of the Angel of God; he knows everything that happens on earth!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	21	The king then said to Joab, 'Very well, the suit is granted. Go and bring the young man Absalom back.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	22	Joab fell on his face to the ground, prostrated himself and blessed the king. 'My lord king,' Joab said, 'today your servant knows that he has won your favour, since the king has done what his servant asked.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	23	Joab then set off, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	24	The king, however, said, 'Let him retire to his own house; he is not to appear in my presence.' So Absalom retired to his own house and was not received by the king.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	25	In all Israel there was no one more praised for his beauty than Absalom; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, he could not be faulted.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	26	When he cut his hair -- he shaved it once a year because his hair got too heavy -- he would weigh the hair: two hundred shekels, king's weight.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	27	To Absalom were born three sons and one daughter called Tamar; she was a beautiful woman.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	28	Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years without being received by the king.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	29	Absalom then summoned Joab, intending to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. He sent for him a second time, but still he would not come.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	30	At this, Absalom said to his retainers, 'Look, Joab's field is next to mine and he has barley in it; go and set it on fire.' Absalom's retainers set fire to the field.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	31	Joab then stirred himself, went to Absalom in his house and asked, 'Why have your retainers set my field on fire?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	32	Absalom replied to Joab, 'Look, I sent word to you: Come here, so that I can send you to the king to say, "Why come back from Geshur? Better for me to have been there still!" Now I want to be received by the king, and if I am guilty, let him put me to death!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	14	33	Joab went to the king and told him this. He then summoned Absalom, who prostrated himself with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	1	After this, Absalom procured a chariot and horses, with fifty men to run ahead of him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	2	He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate; and whenever a man with some lawsuit had to come before the king's tribunal, Absalom would call out to him and ask, 'Which town are you from?' If he answered, 'Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	3	then Absalom would say, 'Look, your case is sound and just, but not one of the king's deputies will listen to you.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	4	Absalom would say, 'Oh, who will appoint me judge in the land? Then anyone with a lawsuit or a plea could come to me and I should see he had justice!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	5	And whenever anyone came up to him to prostrate himself, he would stretch out his hand, draw him to him and kiss him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	6	Absalom acted like this with every Israelite who appealed to the king's tribunal, and so Absalom won the Israelites' hearts.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	7	When four years had gone by, Absalom said to the king, 'Allow me to go to Hebron and fulfil the vow which I have made to Yahweh;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	8	for, when I was in Geshur, in Aram, your servant made this vow, "If Yahweh brings me back to Jerusalem, I shall pay my devotions to Yahweh in Hebron." '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	9	The king said to him, 'Go in peace.' So he set off and went to Hebron.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	10	Absalom sent couriers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, 'When you hear the trumpet sound, you are to say, "Absalom is king at Hebron!" '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	11	With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem; they had been invited and had gone in all innocence, unaware of what was going on.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	12	Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from Giloh his town, and had him with him while offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy grew in strength, since Absalom's supporters grew in number.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	13	A messenger came and told David, 'The men of Israel have shifted their allegiance to Absalom.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	14	David said to all his retinue then with him in Jerusalem, 'Up, let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom! Leave as quickly as you can, in case he mounts a sudden attack, overcomes us and puts the city to the sword.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	15	The king's retinue replied, 'Whatever my lord the king decides, we are at your service.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	16	The king set out on foot with his whole household, leaving ten concubines to look after the palace.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	17	The king set out on foot with everyone following, and they halted at the last house.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	18	All his officers stood at his side. All the Cherethites and all the Pelethites, with Ittai and all the six hundred Gittites who had come in his retinue from Gath, marched past the king.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	19	The king said to Ittai the Gittite, 'You, why are you coming with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner, indeed an exile from your homeland.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	20	You arrived only yesterday; should I take you wandering with us today, when I do not know myself where I am going? Go back, take your fellow countrymen with you, and may Yahweh show you mercy and faithful love!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	21	Ittai replied to the king, 'As Yahweh lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, for death or life, your servant will be there too.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	22	David then said to Ittai, 'Go ahead, march past!' And Ittai of Gath marched past with all his men and with all his children too.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	23	The entire population was weeping aloud as the king stood in the bed of the Kidron and everyone marched past him, making for the desert.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	24	Zadok was there too, and all the Levites with him, carrying the ark of God. They set the ark of God down beside Abiathar until everyone had finished marching out of the town.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	25	The king then said to Zadok, 'Take the ark of God back into the city. Should I win Yahweh's favour, he will bring me back and allow me to see it and its tent once more.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	26	But should he say, "You displease me," here I am: let him treat me as he sees fit.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	27	The king said to Zadok the priest, 'Look, you and Abiathar go back quietly into the city, with your two sons, your own son Ahimaaz and Jonathan son of Abiathar.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	28	You see, I shall wait in the passes of the desert plain until word comes from you bringing me news.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	29	So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	30	David then made his way up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, his head covered and his feet bare. And all the people with him had their heads covered and made their way up, weeping as they went.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	31	David was then informed that Ahithophel was among the conspirators with Absalom. David said, 'I beg you, Yahweh, turn Ahithophel's advice to folly.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	32	As David reached the summit, where God is worshipped, he saw Hushai the Archite, his friend, coming to meet him with his tunic torn and with earth on his head.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	33	David said, 'If you go along with me, you will be a burden to me.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	34	But if you go back to the city and say to Absalom, "I am at your service, my lord king; once I was in your father's service, but now I shall serve you," you will be able to thwart Ahithophel's advice for me.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	35	Surely the priests Zadok and Abiathar will be with you? Anything you hear from the palace you must report to the priests Zadok and Abiathar.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	36	You see, their two sons are there with them, Zadok's son Ahimaaz, and Abiathar's son Jonathan; through these, you will send me word of everything you hear.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	15	37	Hushai, David's friend, entered the city just as Absalom was reaching Jerusalem.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	1	When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Meribbaal's retainer, Ziba, met him with a pair of donkeys, saddled and laden with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of the season's fruits, and a skin of wine.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	2	The king said to Ziba, 'What are you going to do with that?' 'The donkeys', Ziba replied, 'are for the king's family to ride, the bread and the fruit for the soldiers to eat, the wine is for drinking by those who get exhausted in the desert.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	3	The king asked 'And where is your master's son?' Ziba replied to the king, 'Why, he has stayed in Jerusalem because, he says, "Today, the House of Israel will give me back my father's kingdom." '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	4	Then the king said to Ziba, 'Everything owned by Meribbaal is yours.' Ziba said, 'I prostrate myself! May I be worthy of your favour, my lord king!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	5	As David was reaching Bahurim, out came a man of the same clan as Saul's family. His name was Shimei son of Gera and, as he came, he uttered curse after curse
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	6	and threw stones at David and at all King David's retinue, even though the whole army and all the champions formed an escort round the king on either side.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	7	The words of his curse were these, 'Off with you, off with you, man of blood, scoundrel!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	8	Yahweh has paid you back for all the spilt blood of the House of Saul whose sovereignty you have usurped; and Yahweh has transferred the sovereign power to Absalom your son. Now your wickedness has overtaken you, man of blood that you are.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	9	Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, 'Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut his head off.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	10	But the king replied, 'What concern is my business to you, sons of Zeruiah? Let him curse! If Yahweh has said to him, "Curse David!" what right has anyone to say, "Why have you done so?" '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	11	David said to Abishai and all his retinue, 'Why, the son sprung from my own body is now seeking my life; all the more reason for this Benjaminite to do so! Let him curse on, if Yahweh has told him to!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	12	Perhaps Yahweh will look on my wretchedness and will repay me with good for his curses today.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	13	So David and his men went on their way, and Shimei kept pace with him along the opposite mountainside, cursing as he went, throwing stones and flinging dust.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	14	The king and all the people who were with him arrived exhausted at . . . . . . and there they drew breath.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	15	Absalom entered Jerusalem with all the men of Israel; with him was Ahithophel.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	16	When Hushai the Archite, David's friend, reached Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, 'Long live the king! Long live the king!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	17	Absalom said to Hushai, 'Is this your faithful love for your friend? Why didn't you go away with your friend?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	18	Hushai replied to Absalom, 'No, the man whom Yahweh and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, he is the man for me, and with him will I stay!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	19	Besides, whom should I serve, if not his son? As I served your father, so shall I serve you.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	20	Absalom said to Ahithophel, 'Think carefully. What shall we do?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	21	Ahithophel replied to Absalom, 'Go to your father's concubines whom he left to look after the palace; then all Israel will hear that you have thoroughly antagonised your father, and the resolution of all your supporters will be strengthened.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	22	So a tent was pitched for Absalom on the flat roof and, with all Israel watching, Absalom went to his father's concubines.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	16	23	At the time, whatever advice Ahithophel gave was treated like a decision obtained from God; as by David, so by Absalom, was all Ahithophel's advice regarded.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	1	Ahithophel said to Absalom, 'Let me choose twelve thousand men and set off this very night in pursuit of David.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	2	I shall fall on him while he is tired and dispirited; I shall strike terror into him, and all the people who are with him will run away. I shall kill only the king,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	3	and I shall then bring all the people back to you, like a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of one individual only; the people as a whole will have peace.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	4	The suggestion seemed a good one to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	5	Then Absalom said, 'Now call Hushai the Archite, for us to hear what he too has to say.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	6	When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom said, 'This is what Ahithophel says. Are we to do as he suggests? If not, suggest something yourself.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	7	Hushai said to Absalom, 'On this occasion the advice given by Ahithophel is not good.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	8	You know', Hushai went on, 'that your father and his men are great fighters and that they are now as angry as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Your father is a man of war: he will not let the army rest during the night.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	9	At this moment he is concealed in some hollow or other place. If at the outset there are casualties among our troops, word will go round that the army supporting Absalom has met with disaster.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	10	And then even the valiant, the truly lion-hearted, will be demoralised; for all Israel knows that your father is a champion and that the men with him are valiant.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	11	For my part, I offer this advice: Summon all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, to rally to you, as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and you take the field in person with them.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	12	We shall reach him wherever he is to be found; we shall fall on him as the dew falls on the ground, and not leave him or any one of the men with him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	13	Should he retire into a town, all Israel will bring ropes to that town, and we shall drag it into the river-bed until not a pebble of it is to be found.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	14	Then Absalom and all the people of Israel said, 'Hushai the Arkite's advice is better than Ahithophel's,' Yahweh having resolved to thwart Ahithophel's shrewd advice and so bring disaster on Absalom.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	15	Hushai then told the priests Zadok and Abiathar, 'Ahithophel gave such and such advice to Absalom and the elders of Israel, but I advised so and so.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	16	Send with all speed to David and say, "Do not camp in the desert passes tonight, but get through them as fast as you can, or the king and his whole army may be annihilated." '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	17	Jonathan and Ahimaaz were posted at the Fuller's Spring; a servant-girl was to go and warn them and they in turn were to warn King David, since they could not give themselves away by coming into the city themselves.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	18	A young man saw them nonetheless and told Absalom. The pair of them, however, made off quickly, reaching the house of a man in Bahurim. In his courtyard was a storage-well and they got down into it.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	19	The woman took a piece of canvas and, spreading it over the mouth of the storage-well, scattered crushed grain on it so that nothing showed.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	20	When Absalom's servants reached the woman at the house, they said, 'Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?' The woman said, 'They have gone further on, towards the water.' They searched but, having found nothing, went back to Jerusalem.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	21	When they had gone, the men climbed out of the storage-well and went to warn King David. 'Set out!' they told David. 'Cross the water quickly, for Ahithophel has given such and such advice against you!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	22	So David and all the troops with him set off and crossed the Jordan. By dawn no one was left, all had crossed the Jordan.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	23	When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set off and went home to his own town. Then, having set his house in order, he hanged himself. He was buried in his father's tomb.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	24	David had reached Mahanaim by the time that Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	25	Absalom had put Amasa in command of the army in place of Joab. This Amasa was the son of a man called Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigail, daughter of Jesse and sister of Zeruiah, mother of Joab.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	26	Israel and Absalom pitched their camp in the territory of Gilead.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	27	When David reached Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah-of-the-Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	28	brought bedding, rugs, bowls and crockery; and wheat, barley, meal, roasted grain, beans, lentils,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	17	29	honey, curds and cows' cheese and sheep's cheese, which they presented to David and the people with him for them to eat. 'The army', they said, 'must have been hungry, tired and thirsty in the desert.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	1	David reviewed the troops who were with him and appointed commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds to lead them.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	2	David divided the army into three groups, one under the command of Joab, another under the command of Abishai son of Zeruiah and brother of Joab, and the third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. David then said to the troops, 'I shall take the field in person with you.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	3	But the troops replied, 'You are not to take the field. No one will bother about us if we run away, they will not even bother about us if half of us are killed, but you are ten thousand times more valuable. So it is better if you stay inside the town, in case we need reinforcements.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	4	David said, 'I will do what you think best.' And the king stood beside the gate as the troops marched out by their hundreds and their thousands.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	5	The king gave orders to Joab, Abishai and Ittai, 'For my sake, treat young Absalom gently!' And the troops all heard the king give all the commanders these orders about Absalom.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	6	So the troops marched out into the open to engage Israel, and the battle took place in the Forest of Ephraim.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	7	There, the army of Israel was beaten by David's retainers; it was a great defeat that day, with twenty thousand casualties.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	8	The fighting spread throughout the region and that day the forest claimed more victims than the sword.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	9	Absalom happened to run into some of David's guards. Absalom was riding his mule and the mule passed under the thick branches of a great oak. Absalom's head got caught in the oak and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule he was riding went on.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	10	Someone saw this and reported to Joab, 'I have just seen Absalom hanging from an oak.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	11	Joab said to the man who had informed him, 'If you saw him, why did you not strike him to the ground then and there? I would have made it my business to give you ten silver shekels and a belt!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	12	The man replied to Joab, 'Even if I could feel the weight of a thousand silver shekels in my hand, I would not lift my hand against the king's son. In our own hearing, the king gave you and Abishai and Ittai these orders, "For my sake, spare young Absalom."
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	13	Even if I had deceived myself, nothing stays hidden from the king and you would have dissociated yourself from me.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	14	Joab then said, 'I cannot waste time arguing with you!' And, taking three darts in his hand, he planted them in Absalom's heart, while he was still alive, deep in the oak-tree.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	15	Ten soldiers, Joab's armour-bearers, then came in close, struck Absalom and killed him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	16	Joab then had the trumpet sounded, and the troops left off pursuing Israel, since Joab held the troops back.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	17	They took Absalom, flung him into a deep pit in the forest and raised a huge cairn over him. All the Israelites had fled, dispersing to their homes.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	18	Now, during his lifetime, Absalom had made and erected a pillar to himself, which is in the Valley of the King. 'I have no son', he said, 'to preserve the memory of my name.' He gave his own name to the pillar, and today it is still called Absalom's Monument.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	19	Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, 'Let me run and tell the king the good news that Yahweh has vindicated his cause by ridding him of his enemies.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	20	But Joab said, 'Today you would be no bearer of good news, some other day you may be; but today you would not be bringing good news, since the king's son is dead.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	21	Joab then said to the Cushite, 'Go and tell the king what you have seen.' The Cushite prostrated himself to Joab and ran off.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	22	But Ahimaaz son of Zadok persisted. 'Come what may,' he said to Joab, 'please let me run after the Cushite.' 'My son,' Joab said, 'why run? You will get no reward for your news.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	23	But he replied, 'Come what may, let me run!' and Joab said 'Run, then!' So Ahimaaz ran off along the road through the Plain, outrunning the Cushite.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	24	David was sitting between the two gates. The sentry, having gone up to the roof of the gate, looked out from the ramparts and saw a man running alone.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	25	The sentry called down to the king and told him. The king said, 'If he is alone, he is bringing good news.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	26	As the man drew steadily nearer, the lookout man saw another man running, and the sentry above the gate shouted, 'Here comes another man, running alone!' David said, 'He too is a bearer of good news.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	27	The sentry said, 'I recognise the way the first man runs; Ahimaaz son of Zadok runs like that.' 'He is a good man', said the king, 'and comes with good news.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	28	Ahimaaz went up to the king. 'All hail!' he said, prostrating himself on the ground before the king. 'Blessed be Yahweh your God', he said, 'who has handed over the men who rebelled against my lord the king!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	29	'Is all well with young Absalom?' the king asked. Ahimaaz replied, 'I saw a great commotion when Joab, the king's servant, sent your servant off, but I do not know what it was.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	30	The king said, 'Go and stand over there.' He stood to one side and waited.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	31	Then the Cushite arrived. 'Good news for my lord the king!' the Cushite shouted. 'Today Yahweh has vindicated your cause, by ridding you of all who had risen up against you.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	18	32	'Is all well with young Absalom?' the king asked the Cushite. 'May the enemies of my lord the king', the Cushite answered, 'and all who rise up to harm you, share the fate of that young man!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	1	The king shuddered. He went up to the room over the gate and burst into tears; and, as he wept, he kept saying, 'Oh, my son Absalom! My son! My son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! Oh, Absalom my son, my son!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	2	Word was brought to Joab, 'The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	3	And for the entire army that day, victory was turned to mourning, the troops having learnt that the king was grieving for his son.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	4	And that day the troops came furtively back into town, like troops creeping shamefacedly away when deserting in battle.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	5	The king had covered his face and kept crying aloud, 'My son Absalom! Oh, Absalom my son, my son!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	6	Joab went inside to the king and said, 'Today you have made all your servants feel ashamed-today, when they have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines!-because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	7	Today you have made it plain that commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you -- for today I can see that you would be content if we were all dead, provided that Absalom was alive!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	8	Now get up, come out and reassure your soldiers; for if you do not come out, I swear by Yahweh, not one man will stay with you tonight; and this will be a worse misfortune for you than anything that has happened to you from your youth until now!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	9	The king got up and took his seat at the gate. An announcement was made to the whole army: 'The king is sitting at the gate.' And the whole army assembled in front of the king.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	10	Israel had fled, dispersing to their homes. Throughout the tribes of Israel all was dissension and people began saying, 'The king, having freed us from the clutches of our enemies, having saved us from the clutches of the Philistines, has himself had to flee the country to escape form Absalom;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	11	and now Absalom, whom we had anointed to reign over us, has died in battle. Why does no one suggest that the king should be brought back?'What was being said throughout Israel reached the king.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	12	King David then sent word to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, 'Say to the elders of Judah, "Why should you be the last to bring the king home?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	13	You are my brothers, you are my own flesh and bone: why should you be the last to bring the king back?"
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	14	And say to Amasa, "Are you not my own flesh and bone? May God bring unnameable ills on me and worse ills, too, if you do not become my permanent army commander instead of Joab!" '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	15	Thus he rallied the hearts of the men of Judah to a man and, as a result, they sent word to the king, 'Come back, you and all who serve you.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	16	So the king started home and reached the Jordan. Judah, coming to meet the king to escort him across the Jordan, had arrived at Gilgal.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	17	Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite of Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	18	With him were a thousand men from Benjamin. Ziba, servant of the House of Saul, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants, arrived at the Jordan before the king
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	19	and worked manfully ferrying the king's family across and doing whatever he required. While the king was crossing the Jordan, Shimei son of Gera fell at the king's feet
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	20	and said to the king, 'I hope my lord does not regard me as guilty of a crime! Forget about the wrong your servant did on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Let my lord not hold my guilt against me.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	21	For your servant is aware of having sinned, and that is why I have come today -- the first member of the whole House of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	22	At this, Abishai son of Zeruiah spoke up and said, 'Does Shimei not deserve death for having cursed Yahweh's anointed?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	23	To which David replied, 'What concern is my business to you, sons of Zeruiah, that you should oppose my wishes today? Could anyone be put to death in Israel today? Today I know for sure that I am king of Israel?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	24	'Your life is spared,' the king said. And the king gave him his oath.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	25	Meribbaal son of Saul also went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or hands, he had not trimmed his moustache or washed his clothes from the day of the king's departure till the day of his peaceful return.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	26	When he arrived from Jerusalem to greet the king, the king asked him, 'Why did you not come with me, Meribbaal?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	27	'My lord king,' he replied, 'my retainer deceived me. Your servant said to him, "Saddle the donkey for me to ride, so that I can go with the king," your servant being lame.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	28	He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king, however, is like the Angel of God, so do as you think right.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	29	My father's entire family deserved no better than death from my lord the king, and yet you admitted your servant to the ranks of those who eat at your table. What right have I to make any further appeal to the king?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	30	The king said, 'You need say no more. I rule that you and Ziba divide the property between you.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	31	'Let him take it all,' Meribbaal said to the king, 'since my lord the king has come back home in peace!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	32	Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim and accompanied the king towards the Jordan, intending to take leave of him at the Jordan.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	33	Barzillai was a man of great age; he was eighty years old. He had kept the king in provisions during his stay at Mahanaim, being a very wealthy man.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	34	'Come with me', the king said to Barzillai, 'and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	35	Barzillai replied to the king, 'How many years have I left to live, for me to go up to Jerusalem with the king?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	36	I am now eighty years old; can I tell the good from the bad? Has your servant any taste for his food and drink? Can I still hear the voices of men and women singers? Why should your servant be a further burden to my lord the king?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	37	Your servant will go a little way across the Jordan with the king; but why should the king reward me so generously for that?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	38	Please allow your servant to go home again, so that I can die in my own town near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him go with my lord the king; treat him as you think right.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	39	The king said, 'Let Chimham come along with me then; I shall do whatever you wish for him, and anything you request I shall do for your sake.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	40	The people then all crossed the Jordan, and the king, having crossed, kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and the latter went home.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	41	The king went on to Gilgal and Chimham went with him. All the people of Judah accompanied the king, and also half the people of Israel.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	42	All the men of Israel then came to the king. 'Why', they asked the king, 'have our brothers, the men of Judah, carried you off and brought the king and his family across the Jordan, and all David's men with him?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	43	All the men of Judah retorted to the men of Israel, 'Because the king is more closely related to us. Why do you take offence at this? Have we been eating at the king's expense? Have we taken any position for ourselves?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	19	44	The men of Israel replied to the men of Judah, 'We have ten shares in the king and, what is more, we are your elder brothers, so why have you slighted us? Were we not the first to suggest bringing back our king?' The men of Judah's words were even more intemperate than those of the men of Israel.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	1	Now there happened to be a scoundrel there called Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjaminite, who sounded the trumpet and shouted: We have no share in David, we have no heritage in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, O Israel!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	2	At this all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stuck close to their king, from the Jordan all the way to Jerusalem.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	3	David returned to his palace in Jerusalem. The king took the ten concubines, whom he had left to look after the palace, and put them under guard. He provided for their upkeep but never went near them again; they were shut away until the day they died, widows, as it were, of a living man.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	4	The king said to Amasa, 'Summon me the men of Judah and be here yourself within three days.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	5	Amasa went off to summon Judah, but he took longer than the time fixed by David.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	6	David then said to Abishai, 'Sheba son of Bichri is now in a position to do us more damage even than Absalom. Take your master's retainers and be after him, before he can reach any fortified towns and elude us.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	7	Joab, the Cherethites, the Pelethites and all the champions took the field under Abishai, setting off from Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	8	They were near the great stone at Gibeon when Amasa met them, coming the other way. Joab was wearing his uniform, over which he had buckled on a sword hanging from his waist in its scabbard; the sword came out and fell.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	9	Joab said to Amasa, 'Are you well, brother?' and, with his right hand, took Amasa by the beard to kiss him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	10	Amasa paid no attention to the sword, which Joab had now picked up, and Joab struck him with it in the belly, spilling his entrails all over the ground. He did not need to strike a second blow; and Amasa died, while Joab and Abishai hurried on in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	11	One of Joab's men stood on guard beside Amasa, shouting, 'Whoever is on Joab's side, whoever is for David, follow Joab!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	12	Amasa meanwhile lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road. Seeing that everyone was stopping, the man dragged Amasa off the road into the field and threw a cloak over him, having realised that everyone passing would stop.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	13	Once Amasa had been taken off the road, the men all carried on, following Joab in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	14	Sheba crossed all the tribes of Israel as far as Abel Beth-Maacah, and the Bichrites all . . . They formed up and followed him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	15	Laying siege to him in Abel Beth-Maacah, they threw up a ramp against the outer wall of the town,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	16	while the whole army accompanying Joab undermined the wall to bring it down. A quick-witted woman shouted from the town, 'Listen!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	17	Listen! Say to Joab, "Come here, I want to speak to you." ' He came forward, and the woman said, 'Are you Joab?' 'I am', he replied. She said, 'Listen to what your servant says.' 'I am listening,' he replied.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	18	She then spoke as follows, 'In olden days people used to say, "Abel and Dan are where you should enquire
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	19	whether a tradition established by the faithful of Israel has finally died out." And yet you are trying to destroy a town, a metropolis of Israel. Why do you want to devour Yahweh's heritage?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	20	'The last thing I want to do', said Joab, 'is either to devour or to destroy.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	21	This is not the issue; a man from the highlands of Ephraim, called Sheba son of Bichri, has revolted against the king, against David. Hand that one man over and I will raise the siege of the town.' 'Very well,' the woman said to Joab, 'his head will be thrown over the wall to you.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	22	The woman went and spoke to all the people as her wisdom dictated. They cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it down to Joab. He had the trumpet sounded and they withdrew from the town and all went home, while Joab himself went back to the king in Jerusalem.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	23	Joab commanded the whole army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada commanded the Cherethites and Pelethites;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	24	Adoram was in charge of forced labour; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was herald;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	25	Shiya was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	20	26	also: Ira the Jairite was David's priest.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	1	In the days of David there was a famine which lasted for three years on end. David consulted Yahweh, and Yahweh said, 'Saul and his family have incurred blood-guilt, by putting the Gibeonites to death.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	2	Then the king summoned the Gibeonites and said-now, the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but were a remnant of the Amorites, to whom the Israelites had bound themselves by oath; Saul, however, in his zeal for the Israelites and for Judah, had done his best to exterminate them- hence David said to the Gibeonites,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	3	'What can I do for you? How can I make amends, so that you will call a blessing down on Yahweh's heritage?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	4	The Gibeonites replied, 'Our quarrel with Saul and his family cannot be settled for silver or gold, nor by putting to death one man in Israel.' David said, 'Say what you want and I will do it for you.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	5	Then they replied to the king, 'The man who dismembered us and planned to annihilate us, so that we should not exist anywhere in Israelite territory-
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	6	we want seven of his descendants handed over to us; and we shall dismember them before Yahweh at Gibeon on Yahweh's hill.' 'I shall hand them over,' said the king.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	7	The king, however, spared Meribbaal son of Jonathan, son of Saul, on account of the oath by Yahweh binding them together, binding David and Jonathan son of Saul.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	8	The king took the two sons born to Saul by Rizpah daughter of Aiah: Armoni and Meribbaal; and the five sons borne by Merab daughter of Saul to Adriel son of Barzillai, of Meholah.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	9	He handed these over to the Gibeonites who dismembered them before Yahweh on the hill. The seven of them perished together; they were put to death in the first days of the harvest, at the beginning of the barley harvest.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	10	Rizpah daughter of Aiah, wearing sacking and spreading some out for herself on the rock, from the beginning of the barley harvest until the rain fell on them from heaven, kept the birds of the sky away from them in the daytime, and the wild animals away at night.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	11	David was told of what Saul's concubine, Rizpah daughter of Aiah, had done.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	12	David went and recovered the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the notables of Jabesh in Gilead. The latter had stolen them from the square in Beth-Shean, where the Philistines had hung them, when the Philistines had defeated Saul at Gilboa.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	13	David fetched the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan. The bones of the men who had been dismembered were collected
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	14	and these, with the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan, were buried in the territory of Benjamin, at Zela, in the tomb of Saul's father, Kish. The king's orders were carried out to the letter and after that, God took pity on the country.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	15	Once again the Philistines made war on Israel. David went down with his retainers; they fought the Philistines and David began to tire.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	16	There was a champion, one of the sons of Rapha. His spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze; he was wearing a new sword and was confident of killing David.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	17	Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his rescue, however, attacking the Philistine and killing him. Then it was that David's men swore the following oath to him, 'You are never to go into battle with us again, in case you should extinguish the lamp of Israel!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	18	After this, war with the Philistines broke out again at Gob. This was when Sibbecai of Hushah killed Saph, one of the sons of Rapha.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	19	Again, war with the Philistines broke out at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jair, of Bethlehem, killed Goliath of Gath, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	20	There was further warfare at Gath, where there was a man of huge stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all. He too was a son of Rapha.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	21	When he defied Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, brother of David cut him down.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	21	22	These four were sons of Rapha in Gath and fell at the hands of David and his retainers.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	1	David addressed the words of this song to Yahweh, when Yahweh had delivered him from the clutches of all his enemies and from the clutches of Saul.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	2	He said: Yahweh is my rock and my fortress,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	3	my deliverer is my God. I take refuge in him, my rock, my shield, my saving strength, my stronghold, my place of refuge. My Saviour, you have saved me from violence;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	4	I call to Yahweh, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my foes.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	5	With Death's breakers closing in on me, Belial's torrents ready to swallow me,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	6	Sheol's snares on every side of me, Death's traps lying ahead of me,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	7	I called to Yahweh in my anguish, I cried for help to my God, from his Temple he heard my voice, my cry came to his ears!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	8	Then the earth quaked and rocked, the heavens' foundations shuddered, they quaked at his blazing anger.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	9	Smoke rose from his nostrils, from his mouth devouring fire (coals were kindled at it).
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	10	He parted the heavens and came down, a storm-cloud underneath his feet;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	11	riding one of the winged creatures, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	12	He wrapped himself in darkness, his pavilion dark waters and dense cloud.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	13	A brightness lit up before him, hail and blazing fire.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	14	Yahweh thundered from the heavens, the Most High made his voice heard.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	15	He shot his arrows and scattered them, his lightning flashed and routed them.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	16	The very springs of ocean were exposed, the world's foundations were laid bare, at the roaring of Yahweh, at the blast of breath from his nostrils!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	17	He reached down from on high, snatched me up, pulled me from the watery depths,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	18	rescued me from my mighty foe, from my enemies who were stronger than I.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	19	They assailed me on my day of disaster, but Yahweh was there to support me,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	20	he freed me, set me at large, he rescued me, because he loves me.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	21	Yahweh rewards me for my uprightness, as my hands are pure so he repays me,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	22	since I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and not fallen away from my God.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	23	His judgements are all before me, his statutes I have not put away from me;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	24	I am blameless before him, I keep myself clear of evil.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	25	Hence Yahweh repaid me for acting uprightly because he could see I was pure.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	26	Faithful you are to the faithful, blameless with the blameless,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	27	sincere to the sincere but cunning to the crafty,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	28	you save a people that is humble and humiliate those with haughty looks.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	29	Yahweh, you yourself are my lamp, my God lights up my darkness;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	30	with you I storm the rampart with my God I can scale any wall.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	31	This God, his way is blameless; the word of Yahweh is refined in the furnace, for he alone is the shield of all who take refuge in him.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	32	For who is God but Yahweh, who is a rock but our God:
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	33	this God who girds me with strength, who makes my way free from blame,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	34	who makes me as swift as a deer and sets me firmly on the heights,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	35	who trains my hands for battle my arms to bend a bow of bronze.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	36	You give me your invincible shield, you never cease to listen to me,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	37	you give me the strides of a giant, give me ankles that never weaken-
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	38	I pursue my enemies and exterminate them, not turning back till they are annihilated;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	39	I strike them down, and they cannot rise, they fall, they are under my feet.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	40	You have girded me with strength for the fight, bent down my assailants beneath me,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	41	made my enemies retreat before me; and those who hate me I destroy.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	42	They cry out, there is no one to save, to Yahweh, but no answer comes.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	43	I crumble them like the dust of the squares, trample them like the mud of the streets.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	44	You free me from the quarrels of my people, you place me at the head of the nations, a people I did not know are now my servants,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	45	foreigners come wooing my favour, no sooner do they hear than they obey me,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	46	foreigners grow faint of heart, they come trembling out of their fastnesses.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	47	Life to Yahweh! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be the God of my salvation,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	48	the God who gives me vengeance and crushes the peoples under me,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	49	who takes me away from my enemies. You lift me high above those who attack me, you deliver me from the man of violence.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	50	For this I will praise you, Yahweh, among the nations, and sing praise to your name.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	22	51	He saves his king, time after time, displays faithful love for his anointed, for David and his heirs for ever.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	1	These are the last words of David: Thus speaks David son of Jesse, thus speaks the man raised to eminence, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the singer of the songs of Israel:
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	2	The spirit of Yahweh speaks through me, his word is on my tongue;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	3	the God of Jacob has spoken, the Rock of Israel has said to me: He whose rule is upright on earth, who rules in the fear of God,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	4	is like the morning light at sunrise (on a cloudless morning) making the grass of the earth sparkle after rain.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	5	Yes, my House stands firm with God: he has made an eternal covenant with me, all in order, well assured; does he not bring to fruition my every victory and desire?
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	6	But men of Belial he rejects like thorns, for these are never taken up in the hand:
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	7	no one touches them except with a pitchfork or spear-shaft, and then only to burn them to nothing!
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	8	These are the names of David's champions: Ishbaal the Hachmonite leader of the Three; it was he who brandished his spear over eight hundred men whom he had killed at one time.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	9	Next, there was Eleazar son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three champions. He was with David at Pas-Dammim when the Philistines mustered for battle there and the men of Israel had disbanded.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	10	But he stood his ground and cut down the Philistines until his hand was so stiff that he could not let go of the sword. Yahweh brought about a great victory that day, and the people rallied behind him, although only to plunder.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	11	Next, there was Shamma son of Elah, the Hararite. The Philistines had mustered at Lehi. There was a field full of lentils there; the people fled from the Philistines,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	12	but he took his stand in the middle of the field, held it, and cut down the Philistines; and Yahweh brought about a great victory.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	13	Three members of the Thirty went down at the beginning of the harvest and came to David at the Cave of Adullam while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of the Rephaim.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	14	David was then in the stronghold, and there was a Philistine garrison in Bethlehem.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	15	Longingly David said, 'If only someone would fetch me a drink of water from the well that stands by the gate at Bethlehem!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	16	At this, the three champions, forcing their way through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well that stands by the gate of Bethlehem and, taking it away, presented it to David. He, however, would not drink any of it, but poured it out as a libation to Yahweh.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	17	'Yahweh preserve me', he said, 'from doing such a thing! This is the blood of men who went at risk of their lives.' That was why he would not drink. Such were the deeds of these three champions.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	18	Abishai, brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was leader of the Thirty. It was he who brandished his spear over three hundred men whom he had killed, winning himself a name among the Thirty.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	19	He was a most illustrious member of the Thirty and became their captain, but he was not equal to the Three.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	20	Benaiah of Kabzeel was the son of Jehoiada and hero of many exploits. He it was who slaughtered two formidable Moabites and, one snowy day, climbed down and slaughtered the lion in the storage-well.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	21	He also slaughtered an Egyptian of great stature. The Egyptian was armed with a spear, but he took him on with a staff, tore the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed the man with it.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	22	Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, winning him a name among the thirty champions.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	23	He was a most illustrious member of the Thirty, but he was not equal to the Three. David put him in command of his bodyguard.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	24	Asahel brother of Joab was one of the Thirty; Elhanan son of Dodo, of Bethlehem;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	25	Shammah of Harod; Elika of Harod;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	26	Helez of Beth-Pelet; Ira son of Ikkesh, of Tekoa;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	27	Abiezer of Anathoth; Sibbecai of Hushah;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	28	Zalmon of Ahoh; Maharai of Netophah;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	29	Heled son of Baanah, of Netophah; Ittai son of Ribai, of Gibeah in Benjamin;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	30	Benaiah of Pirathon; Hiddai of the Torrents of Gaash;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	31	Abibaal of Beth-ha-Arabah; Azmaveth of Bahurim;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	32	Eliahba of Shaalbon; Jashen of Gimzo; Jonathan
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	33	son of Shammah, of Harar; Ahiam son of Sharar, of Harar;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	34	Eliphelet son of Ahasbai, of Beth-Maacah; Eliam son of Ahithophel, of Gilo;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	35	Hezro of Carmel; Paarai of Arab;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	36	Igal son of Nathan, of Zobah; Bani the Gadite;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	37	Zelek the Ammonite; Naharai of Beeroth squire to Joab, son of Zeruiah;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	38	Ira of Jattir; Gareb of Jattir;
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	23	39	Uriah the Hittite- thirty-seven in all.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	1	Again, Yahweh's anger was aroused against Israel, and he incited David against them. 'Go,' he said, 'take a census of Israel and Judah.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	2	The king said to Joab and the senior army officers who were with him, 'Now, go through all the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba, and take a census of the people; I wish to know the size of the population.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	3	Joab said to the king, 'May Yahweh your God multiply the people a hundred times -- however many there are -- while my lord the king still has eyes to see it, but why should my lord the king be set on this?'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	4	The king nonetheless enforced his order on Joab and the senior officers, and Joab and the senior officers left the king's presence, to take a census of the people of Israel.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	5	They crossed the Jordan and made a start with Aroer and the town in the middle of the valley, then moved on to the Gadites and to Jazer.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	6	They then went to Gilead and the territory of the Hittites, to Kadesh; they then went to Dan and from Dan cut across to Sidon.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	7	They then went to the fortress of Tyre and to all the towns of the Hittites and Canaanites ending up in the Negeb of Judah at Beersheba.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	8	Having travelled throughout the country, after nine months and twenty days they returned to Jerusalem.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	9	Joab gave the king the census results for the people; Israel had eight hundred thousand fighting men who could wield a sword, and Judah five hundred thousand.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	10	But afterwards David's heart misgave him for having taken a census of the people. David then said to Yahweh, 'I have committed a grave sin by doing this. But now, Yahweh, I beg you to forgive your servant for this fault, for I have acted very foolishly.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	11	When, however, David got up next morning, the following message had come from Yahweh to the prophet Gad, David's seer,
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	12	'Go and say to David, "Yahweh says this: I offer you three things; choose which one of them I am to inflict on you." '
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	13	So Gad went to David and said, 'Which do you prefer: to have three years of famine befall your country; to flee for three months before a pursuing army; or to have three days of epidemic in your country? Now think, and decide how I am to answer him who sends me.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	14	David said to Gad, 'I am very apprehensive . . . Better to fall into Yahweh's hands, since his mercies are great, than to fall into the hands of men!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	15	So David chose the epidemic. It was the time of the wheat harvest. So Yahweh unleashed an epidemic on Israel from that morning until the time determined; plague ravaged the people and, of the people from Dan to Beersheba, seventy thousand died.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	16	But when the angel stretched his hand towards Jerusalem to destroy it, Yahweh felt sorry about the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, 'Enough now! Hold your hand!' The angel of Yahweh was standing by the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	17	When David saw the angel who was ravaging the people, he said to Yahweh, 'I was the one who sinned. I was the one who acted wrongly. But these, the flock, what have they done? Let your hand lie heavy on me and on my family!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	18	Gad went to David that day and said, 'Go up and raise an altar to Yahweh on the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	19	So, at Gad's bidding, David went up, as Yahweh had ordered.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	20	When Araunah looked up and saw the king and his retinue advancing towards him-Araunah was threshing the wheat -- Araunah came forward and prostrated himself on the ground at the king's feet.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	21	'Why has my lord the king come to his servant?' Araunah asked. David replied, 'To buy the threshing-floor from you, to build an altar to Yahweh, so that the plague may be lifted from the people.'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	22	Araunah said to David, 'Let my lord the king take it and make what offerings he thinks fit. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering, the threshing-sleds and the oxen's yokes for the wood.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	23	My lord the king's servant will give the king everything. And', Araunah said to the king, 'may Yahweh your God accept what you offer!'
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	24	'No,' said the king to Araunah, 'I shall give you a price for it; I will not offer Yahweh my God burnt offerings which have cost me nothing.' David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
 2 Samuel	2Sm	10	24	25	David built an altar to Yahweh and offered burnt offerings and communion sacrifices. Yahweh then took pity on the country and the plague was lifted from Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	1	King David was now a very old man, and though wrapped in bedclothes he could not keep warm.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	2	So his servants said to him, 'Let us find a young girl for my lord the king, to wait on the king and look after him; she will lie close beside you and this will keep my lord the king warm.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	3	Having searched for a beautiful girl throughout the territory of Israel, they found Abishag of Shunem and brought her to the king.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	4	The girl was very beautiful. She looked after the king and waited on him but the king did not have intercourse with her.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	5	Now Adonijah son of Haggith was growing pretentious and saying, 'I shall be king!' Accordingly, he procured a chariot and team with fifty guards to run ahead of him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	6	Never once in his life had his father crossed him by saying, 'Why are you behaving like that?' He was very handsome too; his mother had given birth to him after Absalom.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	7	He conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with the priest Abiathar, who both rallied to Adonijah's cause;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	8	but neither Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor the prophet Nathan, nor Shimei and Rei, nor David's champions, supported Adonijah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	9	One day when Adonijah was sacrificing sheep, oxen and fattened calves at the Sliding Stone which is beside the Fuller's Spring, he invited all his brothers, the royal princes, and all the men of Judah in the king's service;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	10	but he did not invite the prophet Nathan, or Benaiah, or the champions, or his brother Solomon.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	11	Nathan then said to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, 'Have you not heard that, unknown to our lord David, Adonijah son of Haggith has become king?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	12	Well, this is my advice to you if you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	13	Go straight in to King David and say, "My lord king, did you not make your servant this promise on oath: Your son Solomon is to be king after me; he is the one who is to sit on my throne? How is it, then, that Adonijah is king?"
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	14	And while you are still there talking to the king, I shall come in after you and confirm what you say.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	15	So Bathsheba went to the king in his room (he was very old and Abishag of Shunem was in attendance on him).
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	16	She knelt, prostrated herself before the king, and the king said, 'What do you want?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	17	'My lord,' she replied, 'you swore to your servant by Yahweh your God, "Your son Solomon is to be king after me; he is the one who is to sit on my throne."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	18	And now here is Adonijah king, and you, my lord king, knowing nothing about it!
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	19	He has sacrificed quantities of oxen, fattened calves and sheep, and invited all the royal princes, the priest Abiathar, and Joab the army commander; but he has not invited your servant Solomon.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	20	Yet you are the man, my lord king, to whom all Israel looks, to tell them who is to succeed my lord the king.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	21	And when my lord the king falls asleep with his ancestors, Solomon and I shall be made to suffer for this.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	22	She was still speaking to the king when the prophet Nathan came in.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	23	The king was told, 'The prophet Nathan is here'; and he came into the king's presence and prostrated himself on his face before the king.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	24	'My lord king,' said Nathan, 'is this, then, your decree, "Adonijah is to be king after me; he is the one who is to sit on my throne"?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	25	For he has gone down today and sacrificed quantities of oxen, fattened calves and sheep, and invited all the royal princes, the army commanders, and the priest Abiathar; and they are there now, eating and drinking in his presence and shouting, "Long live King Adonijah!"
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	26	He has not, however, invited me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, or your servant Solomon.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	27	Can it be that this is done with my lord the king's approval and that you have not told those loyal to you who is to succeed to the throne of my lord the king?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	28	King David then spoke. 'Call Bathsheba to me,' he said. And she came into the king's presence and stood before him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	29	Then the king swore this oath, 'As Yahweh lives, who has delivered me from all adversity,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	30	just as I swore to you by Yahweh, God of Israel, that your son Solomon should be king after me and take my place on my throne, so I shall bring it about this very day.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	31	Bathsheba knelt down, prostrated herself on her face before the king and said, 'May my lord King David live for ever!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	32	Then King David said, 'Summon Zadok the priest, the prophet Nathan and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.' So they came into the king's presence.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	33	'Take the royal guard with you,' said the king, 'mount my son Solomon on my own mule and escort him down to Gihon.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	34	There Zadok the priest and the prophet Nathan are to anoint him king of Israel; then sound the trumpet and shout, "Long live King Solomon!"
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	35	Then you are to escort him back, and he is then to assume my throne and be king in place of me, for he is the man whom I have appointed as ruler of Israel and of Judah.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	36	Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king. 'Amen!' he said. 'And may Yahweh, God of my lord the king, confirm it!
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	37	As Yahweh has been with my lord the king, so may he be with Solomon and make his throne even greater than the throne of my lord King David!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	38	Zadok the priest, the prophet Nathan, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and Pelethites then went down; they mounted Solomon on King David's mule and escorted him to Gihon.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	39	Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the Tent and anointed Solomon. They sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, 'Long live King Solomon!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	40	The people all escorted him back, with pipes playing and loud rejoicing and shouts to split the earth.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	41	Adonijah and his guests, who had by then finished their meal, all heard the noise. Joab too heard the sound of the trumpet and said, 'What is that noise of uproar in the city?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	42	While he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. 'Come in,' Adonijah said, 'you are an honest man, so you must be bringing good news.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	43	'The truth is,' Jonathan answered, 'our lord King David has made Solomon king.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	44	With him, the king sent Zadok the priest, the prophet Nathan, Benaiah son of Jehoiada and the Cherethites and Pelethites; they mounted him on the king's mule,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	45	and Zadok the priest and the prophet Nathan have anointed him king at Gihon; and they have gone back again with shouts of joy and the city is now in an uproar; that was the noise you heard.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	46	What is more, Solomon is seated on the royal throne.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	47	And further, the king's officers have been to congratulate our lord King David with the words, "May your God make the name of Solomon more glorious than yours, and his throne more exalted than your own!" And the king bowed down on his bed,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	48	and then said, "Blessed be Yahweh, God of Israel, for setting one of my own sons on the throne while I am still alive to see it!" '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	49	At this, all Adonijah's guests, taking fright, got up and made off in their several directions.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	50	Adonijah, in terror of Solomon, got up and ran off to cling to the horns of the altar.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	51	Solomon was told, 'You should know that Adonijah is terrified of King Solomon and is now clinging to the horns of the altar, saying, "Let King Solomon first swear to me that he will not have his servant executed." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	52	'Should he bear himself honourably,' Solomon answered, 'not one hair of his shall fall to the ground; but if he proves difficult, he shall die.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	1	53	King Solomon then sent for him to be brought down from the altar; he came and threw himself prostrate before King Solomon; Solomon said to him, 'Go to your house.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	1	As David's life drew to its close he laid this charge on his son Solomon,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	2	'I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong and show yourself a man.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	3	Observe the injunctions of Yahweh your God, following his ways and keeping his laws, his commandments, his ordinances and his decrees, as stands written in the Law of Moses, so that you may be successful in everything you do and undertake,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	4	and that Yahweh may fulfil the promise which he made me, "If your sons are careful how they behave, and walk loyally before me with all their heart and soul, you will never want for a man on the throne of Israel."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	5	'You know too what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the army of Israel, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether; how he murdered them, shedding the blood of war in time of peace and staining the belt round my waist and the sandals on my feet with the blood of war.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	6	You will be wise not to let his grey head go down to Sheol in peace.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	7	As regards the sons of Barzillai of Gilead, treat them with faithful love, let them be among those who eat at your table, for they were as kind to me when I was fleeing from your brother Absalom.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	8	You also have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim. He called down a terrible curse on me the day I left for Mahanaim, but he came down to meet me at the Jordan and I swore to him by Yahweh that I would not put him to death.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	9	But you, you must not let him go unpunished; you are a wise man and will know how to deal with him, to bring his grey head down to Sheol in blood.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	10	So David fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	11	David was king of Israel for a period of forty years: he reigned at Hebron for seven years, and in Jerusalem for thirty-three.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	12	Solomon then sat on the throne of David, and his sovereignty was securely established.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	13	Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba mother of Solomon. 'Do you bring peace?' she asked. He replied, 'Yes, peace.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	14	Then he said, 'I have something to say to you.' 'Say on,' she replied.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	15	'You know', he said, 'that the kingdom should have come to me, and that all Israel expected me to be king; but the crown eluded me and fell to my brother, since it came to him from Yahweh.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	16	Now I have one request to make you; do not refuse me.' 'Go on,' she said.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	17	He went on, 'Please ask King Solomon -- for he will not refuse you -- to give me Abishag of Shunem in marriage.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	18	'Very well,' Bathsheba replied, 'I shall speak to the king about you.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	19	So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him about Adonijah; the king got up to meet her and bowed before her; he then sat down on his throne; a seat was brought for the king's mother, and she sat down on his right.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	20	She said, 'I have one small request to make you; do not refuse me.' 'Mother,' the king replied, 'make your request, for I shall not refuse you.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	21	'Let Abishag of Shunem', she said, 'be given in marriage to your brother Adonijah.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	22	King Solomon replied to his mother, 'And why do you request Abishag of Shunem for Adonijah? You might as well request the kingdom for him, since he is my elder brother and Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah are on his side.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	23	And King Solomon swore by Yahweh: 'May God bring unnameable ills on me, and worse ills, too,' he said, 'if Adonijah does not pay for these words of his with his life!
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	24	As Yahweh lives who has set me securely on the throne of my father David, and who, as he promised, has given him a dynasty, Adonijah shall be put to death this very day.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	25	And King Solomon commissioned Benaiah son of Jehoiada to strike him down, and that was how he died.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	26	As for Abiathar the priest, the king said to him, 'Go to Anathoth to your estate. You deserve to die, but I am not going to put you to death now, since you carried the ark of Yahweh in the presence of my father David and shared all my father's hardships.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	27	Solomon deprived Abiathar of the priesthood of Yahweh, thus fulfilling the prophecy which Yahweh had uttered against the House of Eli at Shiloh.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	28	When the news reached Joab -- for Joab had lent his support to Adonijah, though he had not supported Absalom -- he fled to the Tent of Yahweh and clung to the horns of the altar.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	29	King Solomon was told, 'Joab has fled to the Tent of Yahweh; he is there beside the altar.' On this, Solomon sent word to Joab, 'What reason did you have for fleeing to the altar?' Joab replied, 'I was afraid of you and fled to Yahweh.' Solomon then sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada. 'Go', he said, 'and strike him down.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	30	Accordingly Benaiah went to the Tent of Yahweh. 'By order of the king,' he said, 'come out!' 'No,' he said, 'I will die here.' So Benaiah brought word back to the king, 'This is what Joab said, and the answer he gave me.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	31	'Do as he says,' the king replied. 'Strike him down and bury him, and so rid me and my family today of the innocent blood which Joab has shed.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	32	Yahweh will bring his blood down on his own head, because he struck down two more upright and better men than he, and, without my father David's knowledge, put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	33	May their blood come down on the head of Joab and his descendants for ever, but may David, his descendants, his dynasty, his throne, have peace for ever from Yahweh.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	34	Whereupon Benaiah son of Jehoiada went out, struck Joab down and put him to death; he was buried at his home in the desert.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	35	In his place as head of the army the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada and, in place of Abiathar, the priest Zadok.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	36	The king had Shimei summoned to him. 'Build yourself a house in Jerusalem,' he told him. 'You are to live there; do not leave it to go anywhere at all.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	37	The day you go out and cross the ravine of the Kidron, be sure you will certainly die. Your blood will be on your own head.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	38	'That is a fair demand,' Shimei replied to the king, 'your servant will do as my lord the king orders.' And for a long time Shimei lived in Jerusalem.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	39	But when three years had gone by, it happened that two of Shimei's slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath; Shimei was told, 'Your slaves are in Gath.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	40	On this, Shimei got up and saddled his donkey and went to Akish at Gath to find his slaves. He went off and brought his slaves back from Gath.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	41	Solomon was informed that Shimei had left Jerusalem for Gath and come back again.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	42	The king had Shimei summoned to him. 'Did I not make you swear by Yahweh,' he said, 'and did I not warn you, "The day you leave to go anywhere at all, be sure you will certainly die"? To which you replied, "That is a fair demand."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	43	Why did you not keep the oath to Yahweh and the order which I imposed on you?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	44	The king then said to Shimei, 'You know well all the evil you did to my father David. Yahweh is about to bring your wickedness down on your own head.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	45	But may King Solomon be blessed, and may the throne of David be kept secure before Yahweh for ever!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	2	46	The king gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he went out and struck Shimei down; and that was how he died. And now the kingdom was securely in Solomon's hands.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	1	Solomon became the son-in-law of Pharaoh king of Egypt; he married Pharaoh's daughter, and took her to the City of David until he could complete the building of his palace, the Temple of Yahweh and the ramparts of Jerusalem.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	2	The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places, because at that time a dwelling-place for the name of Yahweh had not yet been built.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	3	Solomon loved Yahweh: he followed the precepts of his father David, except that he offered sacrifice and incense on the high places.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	4	The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, since that was the principal high place -- Solomon presented a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	5	At Gibeon Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream during the night. God said, 'Ask what you would like me to give you.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	6	Solomon replied, 'You showed most faithful love to your servant David, my father, when he lived his life before you in faithfulness and uprightness and integrity of heart; you have continued this most faithful love to him by allowing a son of his to sit on his throne today.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	7	Now, Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king in succession to David my father. But I am a very young man, unskilled in leadership.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	8	And here is your servant, surrounded with your people whom you have chosen, a people so numerous that its number cannot be counted or reckoned.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	9	So give your servant a heart to understand how to govern your people, how to discern between good and evil, for how could one otherwise govern such a great people as yours?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	10	It pleased Yahweh that Solomon should have asked for this.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	11	'Since you have asked for this,' God said, 'and not asked for long life for yourself or riches or the lives of your enemies but have asked for a discerning judgement for yourself,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	12	here and now I do what you ask. I give you a heart wise and shrewd as no one has had before and no one will have after you.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	13	What you have not asked I shall give you too: such riches and glory as no other king can match.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	14	And I shall give you a long life, if you follow my ways, keeping my laws and commandments, as your father David followed them.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	15	Then Solomon woke up; it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; he presented burnt offerings and communion sacrifices and held a banquet for all those in his service.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	16	Later two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	17	'If it please you, my lord,' one of the women said, 'this woman and I live in the same house, and while she was in the house I gave birth to a child.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	18	Now it happened on the third day after my delivery that this woman also gave birth to a child. We were alone together; there was no one else in the house with us; just the two of us in the house.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	19	Now one night this woman's son died; she overlaid him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	20	And in the middle of the night she got up and took my son from beside me while your servant was asleep; she took him in her arms and put her own dead son in mine.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	21	When I got up to suckle my child, there he was, dead. But in the morning I looked at him carefully, and he was not the child I had borne at all.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	22	Then the other woman spoke. 'That is not true! My son is the live one, yours is the dead one'; and the first retorted, 'That is not true! Your son is the dead one, mine is the live one.' And so they wrangled before the king.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	23	'This one says,' the king observed, ' "My son is the one who is alive; your son is dead," while the other says, "That is not true! Your son is the dead one, mine is the live one."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	24	Bring me a sword,' said the king; and a sword was brought into the king's presence.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	25	'Cut the living child in two,' the king said, 'and give half to one, half to the other.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	26	At this the woman who was the mother of the living child addressed the king, for she felt acutely for her son. 'I beg you, my lord,' she said, 'let them give her the live child; on no account let them kill him!' But the other said, 'He shall belong to neither of us. Cut him in half!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	27	Then the king gave his decision. 'Give the live child to the first woman,' he said, 'and do not kill him. She is his mother.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	3	28	All Israel came to hear of the judgement which the king had pronounced and held the king in awe, recognising that he possessed divine wisdom for dispensing justice.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	1	King Solomon was king of all Israel,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	2	and these were his high officials: Azariah son of Zadok, priest;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	3	Elihaph and Ahijah sons of Shisha, secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud, herald.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	4	(Benaiah son of Jehoiada, commander of the army. Zadok and Abiathar, priests);
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	5	Azariah son of Nathan, chief administrator; Zabud son of Nathan, Friend of the King;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	6	Ahishar, master of the palace; Eliab son of Joab, commander of the army; Adoram son of Abda, in charge of forced labour.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	7	Solomon had twelve administrators for all Israel who saw to the provisioning of the king and his household; each had to provide for one month in the year.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	8	These are their names: Son of Hur, in the mountain country of Ephraim.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	9	Son of Deker, in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth-Shemesh, Aijalon, Beth-Hanan.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	10	Son of Hesed, in Arubboth; his district was Socoh and the whole territory of Hepher.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	11	Son of Abinadab, all the Slopes of Dor. Tabaath Solomon's daughter was his wife.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	12	Baana son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo as far as the other side of Jokmeam, and all Beth-Shean below Jezreel, from Beth-Shean as far as Abel-Meholah by Zarethan.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	13	Son of Geber, in Ramoth-Gilead: his district was the Encampments of Jair son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; he had the region of Argob, which is in Bashan: sixty fortified towns, walled and with bolts of bronze.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	14	Ahinadab son of Iddo, in Mahanaim.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	15	Ahimaaz in Naphtali; he too married a daughter of Solomon, Basemath.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	16	Baana son of Hushai, in Asher and in the highlands.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	17	Jehoshaphat son of Paruah, in Issachar.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	18	Shimei son of Ela, in Benjamin.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	19	Geber son of Uri, in the territory of Gad, the territory of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan. In addition, there was one administrator in the country.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	4	20	Judah and Israel were numerous, as numerous as the sand on the sea-shore; they ate and drank and were happy.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	1	Solomon was overlord of all the kingdoms from the River to the territory of the Philistines and the Egyptian border. They brought tribute and served him all his life long.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	2	The daily provisions for Solomon were: thirty measures of fine flour and sixty measures of meal,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	3	ten fattened oxen, twenty free-grazing oxen, one hundred sheep, besides deer and gazelles, roebucks and fattened poultry.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	4	For he was master of all Transeuphrates -- of all the kings of Transeuphrates from Tiphsah to Gaza -- and he enjoyed peace on all his frontiers.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	5	Judah and Israel lived in security, everyone under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan to Beersheba, throughout the lifetime of Solomon.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	6	And Solomon had four thousand stalls of horses for his chariots and twelve thousand cavalrymen.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	7	These administrators provided the food for Solomon and for all those who were admitted by him to the royal table, each for the period of a month; they ensured that nothing was wanting.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	8	They also provided the barley and straw for the horses and draught animals, where required, each according to the quota demanded of him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	9	God gave Solomon immense wisdom and understanding, and a heart as vast as the sand on the sea-shore.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	10	The wisdom of Solomon surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	11	He was wiser than anyone else, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, than the sons of Mahol, Heman, Calcol and Darda; his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	12	He composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	13	He could discourse on plants from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing on the wall; and he could discourse on animals and birds and reptiles and fish.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	14	Men from all nations came to hear Solomon's wisdom, and he received gifts from all the kings in the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	15	Hiram king of Tyre sent an embassy to Solomon, having learnt that he had been anointed king in succession to his father and because Hiram had always been a friend of David.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	16	And Solomon sent this message to Hiram,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	17	'You are aware that my father David was unable to build a temple for the name of Yahweh his God, on account of the wars waged on him from every side, until Yahweh put his enemies under the soles of his feet.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	18	But now Yahweh my God has given me peace on every side: not one enemy, no calamities.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	19	I propose, then, to build a temple for the name of Yahweh my God, in accordance with what Yahweh told my father David, "Your son whom I shall place on your throne to succeed you will be the man to build a temple for my name."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	20	So now have cedars of Lebanon cut down for me; my servants will work with your servants, and I shall pay for the hire of your servants at whatever rate you fix. As you know, we have no one as skilled in felling trees as the Sidonians.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	21	When Hiram heard what Solomon had said, he was delighted. 'Now blessed be Yahweh,' he said, 'who has given David a wise son to rule over this great people!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	22	And Hiram sent word to Solomon, 'I have received your message. For my part, I shall supply you with all you require in the way of cedar wood and juniper.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	23	Your servants will bring these down from Lebanon to the sea, and I shall have them towed by sea to any place you name; I shall discharge them there, and you will take them over. For your part, you will see to the provisioning of my household as I desire.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	24	So Hiram provided Solomon with all the cedar wood and juniper he wanted
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	25	while Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand kor of wheat to feed his household, and twenty thousand kor of pure oil. Solomon gave Hiram this every year.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	26	Yahweh gave Solomon wisdom as he had promised him; good relations persisted between Solomon and Hiram, and the two of them concluded a treaty.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	27	King Solomon raised a levy throughout Israel for forced labour: the levy numbered thirty thousand men.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	28	He sent these to Lebanon in relays, ten thousand a month; they spent one month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoram was in charge of the forced labour.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	29	Solomon also had seventy thousand porters and eighty thousand quarrymen in the mountains,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	30	as well as the administrators, officials who supervised the work, three thousand three hundred of them in charge of the men employed in the work.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	31	At the king's orders they quarried huge stones, special stones for the laying of the temple foundations, dressed stones.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	5	32	Solomon's workmen and Hiram's workmen and the Giblites cut and assembled the wood and stone for the building of the Temple.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	1	In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites came out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, he began building the Temple of Yahweh.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	2	The temple which King Solomon built for Yahweh was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide and twenty-five high.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	3	The portico in front of the Hekal of the Temple was twenty cubits long across the width of the Temple and ten cubits wide along the length of the Temple.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	4	He made windows for the Temple with frames and latticework.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	5	He also built an annex against the Temple wall, right round the Hekal and Debir. He built lateral storeys all round;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	6	the lowest lateral storey was five cubits wide, the middle one six cubits, and the third seven cubits, for he had made the outside of the Temple wall correspondingly stepped back all round, so that the annex was not attached to the Temple walls.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	7	(The building of the Temple was done with quarry -- dressed stone; no sound of hammer or pick or any iron tool was to be heard in the Temple while it was being built.)
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	8	The entrance to the lowest storey was at the right-hand corner of the Temple; access to the middle storey was by a spiral staircase, and so from the middle storey to the third.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	9	Having finished building the Temple, he roofed the Temple with a coffered ceiling of cedar wood.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	10	Round the outside of the Temple he then built the annex which was five cubits high and was joined to the Temple by cedar-wood beams.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	11	And the word of Yahweh came to Solomon,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	12	'With regard to this temple which you are now building, if you follow my statutes and obey my ordinances and faithfully follow my commandments, I shall fulfil the promise which I made about you to your father David.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	13	And I shall make my home among the Israelites and never forsake Israel my people.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	14	Solomon finished building the Temple.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	15	He lined the inside of the Temple walls with panels of cedar wood-panelling them on the inside from the floor of the Temple to the beams of the ceiling -- and laid the floor of the Temple with juniper planks.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	16	The twenty cubits measured from the end of the Temple he built of cedar planks from the floor to the beams, and this part was reserved as the Debir, the Holy of Holies.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	17	The Temple measured forty cubits -- the Hekal -- in front of the Debir.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	18	There was cedar wood round the inside of the Temple, ornamentally carved with gourds and rosettes; all was cedar wood, with no stone showing.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	19	In the inner part of the Temple he designed a Debir, to contain the ark of the covenant of Yahweh.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	20	The Debir was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty high, and he overlaid it on the inside with pure gold. He made an altar of cedar wood
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	21	in front of the Debir and overlaid it with gold.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	22	He overlaid the whole Temple with gold, the whole Temple entirely.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	23	In the Debir he made two great winged creatures of wild-olive wood. . .It was ten cubits high.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	24	One winged creature's wing was five cubits long and the other wing five cubits: ten cubits from wing tip to wing tip.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	25	The other winged creature also measured ten cubits; both had the same measurements and the same shape.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	26	The height of one was the same as the other's.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	27	He placed them in the middle of the inner chamber; their wings were spread out so that the wing of one touched one of the walls and the wing of the other touched the other wall, while their wings met in the middle of the chamber wing to wing.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	28	And he overlaid them with gold.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	29	All round the Temple walls he carved figures of winged creatures, palm trees and rosettes, both inside and outside.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	30	He overlaid the floor of the Temple with gold, both inside and outside.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	31	He made the door of the Debir with uprights of wild-olive wood, and door jambs with five indented sections,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	32	and the two leaves of wild-olive wood. He carved figures of great winged creatures, palm trees and rosettes which he overlaid with gold, and he gilded winged creatures and palm trees.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	33	Similarly, he made uprights of wild-olive wood for the door of the Hekal, and door jambs with four indented sections,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	34	and the two leaves of juniper: one leaf had two ribs binding it, and the other had two ribs binding it.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	35	He carved winged creatures, palm trees and rosettes, which he overlaid with gold laid evenly over the carvings.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	36	He built the wall of the inner court in three courses of dressed stone and one course of cedar beams.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	37	In the fourth year, in the month of Ziv, the foundations of the Temple were laid;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	6	38	in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul -- that is, the eighth month -- the Temple was completed exactly as it had been planned and designed. Solomon took seven years to build it.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	1	As regards his palace, Solomon spent thirteen years on it before the building was completed.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	2	He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon, a hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high, on four rows of cedar-wood pillars,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	3	with lengths of cedar wood laid horizontally on the pillars. The upper part was panelled with cedar right down to the tie-beams on forty-five pillars, fifteen in each row.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	4	There were three rows of window-frames, with the windows corresponding to one another at three levels.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	5	All the doorways and windows were rectangular, with the windows corresponding to one another at three levels.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	6	He also made the Colonnade, fifty cubits long and thirty cubits broad, with a cornice in front.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	7	He also made the Hall of the Throne where he used to dispense justice, that is, the Hall of Justice; it was panelled in cedar from floor to beams.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	8	His own living quarters, in the other court and inwards from the Hall, were of the same construction. And there was a house similar to this Hall for Pharaoh's daughter whom he had taken in marriage.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	9	All these buildings were of special stones cut to measure, trimmed on the inner and outer sides with the saw, from the foundations to the coping-
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	10	the foundations were of special stones, huge stones, of ten and eight cubits,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	11	and, above these, special stones, cut to measure, and cedar wood-
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	12	and, on the outside, the great court had three courses of dressed stone round it and one course of cedar beams; so also had the inner court of the Temple of Yahweh and the vestibule of the Temple.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	13	King Solomon sent for Hiram of Tyre;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	14	he was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, but his father had been a Tyrian, a bronzeworker. He was a highly intelligent craftsman, skilled in all types of bronzework. He came to King Solomon and did all this work for him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	15	He cast the two bronze pillars; the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits, and a cord twelve cubits long gave the measurement of its girth; so also was the second pillar.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	16	He made two capitals of cast bronze for the tops of the pillars; the height of one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other five cubits.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	17	He made two sets of filigree to cover the moulding of the two capitals surmounting the pillars, one filigree for one capital and one filigree for the other.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	18	He also made pomegranates: two rows of them round each filigree,four hundred in all,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	19	The capitals surrounding the pillars were lily-shaped.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	20	applied on the raised moulding behind the filigree; there were two hundred pomegranates round one capital and the same round the other capital.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	21	He erected the pillars in front of the portico of the Temple, he erected the right-hand pillar and named it Jachin; he erected the left-hand pillar and named it Boaz.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	22	Thus, the work on the pillars was completed.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	23	He made the Sea of cast metal, ten cubits from rim to rim, circular in shape and five cubits high; a cord thirty cubits long gave the measurement of its girth.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	24	Under its rim and completely encircling it were gourds surrounding the Sea; over a length of thirty cubits the gourds were in two rows, of one and the same casting with the rest.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	25	It rested on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, three facing east; on these, their hindquarters all turned inwards, stood the Sea.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	26	It was a hand's breadth in thickness, and its rim was shaped like the rim of a cup, lily-shaped. It could hold two thousand measures.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	27	He made the ten bronze stands; each stand was four cubits long, four cubits wide, and three high.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	28	They were designed as follows; they had an undercarriage and crosspieces to the undercarriage.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	29	On the crosspieces of the undercarriage were lions and bulls and winged creatures, and on top of the undercarriage was a support; under the lions and oxen there were scrolls in the style of. . .
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	30	Each stand had four bronze wheels with bronze axles; its four feet had shoulderings under the basin, and the shoulderings were cast. . .
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	31	Its mouth measured one and a half cubits from where the shoulderings met to the top; its mouth was round like a stand for a vessel, and on the mouth there were engravings too; the crosspieces, however, were rectangular and not round.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	32	The four wheels were under the crosspieces. The axles of the wheels were inside the stands; the height of the wheels was one and a half cubits.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	33	The wheels were designed like chariot wheels: their axles, felloes, spokes and naves had all been cast.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	34	There were four shoulderings at the four corners of each stand: the stand and the shoulderings were all of a piece.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	35	At the top of the stand there was a support, circular in shape and half a cubit high; and on top of the stand there were lugs. The crosspieces were of a piece with the stand.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	36	On the bands he engraved winged creatures and lions and palm leaves. . . and scrolls right round.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	37	He made the ten stands like this: the same casting and the same measurements for all.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	38	He made ten bronze basins; each basin held forty measures and each basin measured four cubits, one basin to each of the ten stands.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	39	He arranged the stands, five on the right-hand side of the Temple, five on the left-hand side of the Temple; the Sea he placed on the right-hand side of the Temple, to the south east.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	40	Hiram made the ash containers, the scoops and the sprinkling bowls. He finished all the work that he did for King Solomon on the Temple of Yahweh:
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	41	Two pillars; the two mouldings of the capitals surrounding the pillars; the two sets of filigree to cover the two mouldings of the capitals surmounting the pillars;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	42	the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of filigree -- two rows of pomegranates for each set of filigree;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	43	the ten stands and the ten basins on the stands;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	44	the one Sea and the twelve oxen beneath the Sea;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	45	the ash containers, the scoops, and sprinkling bowls. All these objects made by Hiram for King Solomon for the Temple of Yahweh were of burnished bronze.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	46	He made them by the process of sand casting, in the plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zarethan.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	47	There were so many of them, that the weight of the bronze was never calculated.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	48	Solomon made all the objects designed for the Temple of Yahweh: the golden altar and the gold table for the loaves of permanent offering;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	49	the lamp-stands, five on the right and five on the left in front of the Debir, of pure gold; the floral work, the lamps, the tongs, of gold;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	50	the basins, the snuffers, the sprinkling bowls, the incense ladles and the pans, of real gold; the door panels -- for the inner shrine -- that is, the Holy of Holies -- and for the Hekal, of gold.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	7	51	Thus all the work done by King Solomon for the Temple of Yahweh was completed, and Solomon brought in the gifts which his father David had consecrated; and he had the silver, the gold and the utensils put into the treasuries of the Temple of Yahweh.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	1	Solomon then summoned the elders of Israel to Jerusalem to bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh up from the City of David, that is, Zion.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	2	All the men of Israel assembled round King Solomon in the month of Ethanim, at the time of the feast (that is, the seventh month).
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	3	When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	4	and the Tent of Meeting and all the sacred utensils which were in the Tent.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	5	King Solomon and all Israel, present with him before the ark, sacrificed countless, innumerable sheep and oxen.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	6	The priests brought the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, in the Debir of the Temple, that is, in the Holy of Holies, under the wings of the winged creatures
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	7	for the winged creatures spread their wings over the place where the ark stood, forming a canopy over the ark and its shafts.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	8	These were so long, however, that the ends of the shafts could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the Debir, though they could not be seen from outside. They are still there today.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	9	There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets which Moses had placed in it at Horeb, the tablets of the covenant which Yahweh made with the Israelites when they came out of Egypt.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	10	Now when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the Temple of Yahweh,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	11	and because of the cloud the priests could not stay and perform their duties. For the glory of Yahweh filled the Temple of Yahweh.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	12	Then Solomon said: Yahweh has chosen to dwell in thick cloud.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	13	I have built you a princely dwelling, a residence for you for ever.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	14	The king then turned round and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while the whole assembly of Israel stood.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	15	He said, 'Blessed be Yahweh, God of Israel, who has carried out by his hand what he promised with his mouth to my father David, when he said,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	16	"From the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt I chose no city, in any of the tribes of Israel, to have a temple built where my name should be; but I did choose David to rule my people Israel."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	17	My father David had set his heart on building a temple for the name of Yahweh, God of Israel,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	18	but Yahweh said to my father David, "You have set your heart on building a temple for my name, and in this you have done well;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	19	and yet, you are not the man to build the temple; but your son, yet to be born to you, will be the one to build the temple for my name."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	20	Yahweh has kept the promise which he made: I have succeeded my father David and am seated on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised; I have built the temple for the name of Yahweh, God of Israel,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	21	and in it I have made a place for the ark containing the covenant of Yahweh which he made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	22	Then, in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, Solomon stood facing the altar of Yahweh and, stretching out his hands towards heaven,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	23	said, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, as loyal to the covenant and faithful in love to your servants as long as they walk wholeheartedly in your way.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	24	You have kept the promise you made to your servant, my father David, as you promised him you would. Today you have carried it out by your power.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	25	And now, Yahweh, God of Israel, keep the promise which you made to your servant David when you said, "You will never lack for a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, provided that your sons are careful how they behave, walking before me as you yourself have done."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	26	So now, God of Israel, let the words come true which you spoke to your servant, my father David.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	27	Yet will God really live with human beings on earth? Why, the heavens, the highest of the heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple built by me!
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	28	Even so, listen favourably to the prayer and entreaty of your servant, Yahweh my God; listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant makes to you today:
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	29	day and night may your eyes watch over this temple, over this place of which you have said, "My name will be there." Listen to the prayer which your servant offers in this place.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	30	'Listen to the entreaty of your servant and of your people Israel; whenever they pray in this place, listen from the place where you reside in heaven; and when you hear, forgive.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	31	'If someone has wronged his neighbour and a curse is laid on him to make him swear an oath here before your altar in this Temple,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	32	then listen from the place where you reside in heaven and do justice between your servants: condemning the guilty one by making him suffer for his conduct, and acquitting the upright by rewarding him as his uprightness deserves.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	33	'When your people Israel are defeated by the enemy because they have sinned against you, but then return to you and acknowledge your name, and pray and seek your favours in this Temple,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	34	then listen from the place where you reside in heaven; forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the country which you gave to their ancestors.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	35	'When the heavens are shut and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray in this place and praise your name and, having been humbled by you, desist from their sin,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	36	then listen from the place where you reside in heaven and forgive the sin of your servant and your people Israel -- for you are constantly showing them the good way which they must follow -- and send rain on your country, which you have given to your people as their heritage.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	37	'Should there be famine in the country, or pestilence, wind-blast or mildew, locust or caterpillar; should their enemy lay siege to one of their gates; should there be any plague or any disease:
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	38	whatever be the prayer or entreaty of any individual aware of a particular affliction: when that person stretches out the hands towards this Temple,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	39	then listen from heaven where you reside; forgive and, since you know what is in the heart, deal with each as their conduct deserves -- for you alone know what is in every human heart-
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	40	so that they may reverence you throughout their lives in the country which you gave to our ancestors.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	41	'Even the foreigner, not belonging to your people Israel but coming from a distant country, attracted by your name-
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	42	for they too will hear of your name, of your mighty hand and outstretched arm -- if a foreigner comes and prays in this Temple,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	43	listen from heaven where you reside, and grant all that the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may acknowledge your name and, like your people Israel, revere you and know that this Temple, which I have built, bears your name.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	44	'If your people go out to war against the enemy, on whatever missions you send them, and they pray to Yahweh, turning towards the city which you have chosen and towards the Temple which I have built for your name,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	45	then listen from heaven to their prayer and their entreaty, and uphold their cause.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	46	'When they sin against you -- for there is no one who does not sin -- and you are angry with them and abandon them to the enemy, and their captors carry them off to a hostile country, be it far away or near,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	47	if they come to their senses in the country to which they have been taken as captives and repent and entreat you in the country of their captors, saying, "We have sinned, we have acted perversely and wickedly,"
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	48	and turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the country of the enemies who have taken them captive, and pray to you, turning towards the country which you gave to their ancestors, towards the city which you have chosen and towards the Temple which I have built for your name,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	49	listen to their prayer and their entreaty from the place where you reside in heaven, uphold their case,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	50	forgive your people for having sinned against you and for all the crimes against you of which they have been guilty, and allow them to arouse the pity of their captors so that these may have pity on them:
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	51	for they are your people and your heritage whom you brought out of Egypt, that iron foundry!
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	52	'May your eyes be open to the entreaty of your servant and the entreaty of your people Israel, to listen to them, whatever they ask of you.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	53	For you it was who set them apart from all the peoples of the earth to be your heritage, as you declared through your servant Moses when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt, Lord Yahweh.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	54	When Solomon had finished offering to Yahweh this whole prayer and entreaty, he rose from where he was kneeling with hands stretched out towards heaven before the altar of Yahweh,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	55	and stood upright. And in a loud voice he blessed the whole assembly of Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	56	'Blessed be Yahweh,' he said, 'who has granted rest to his people Israel, keeping all his promises. Of all the promises of good that he made through his servant Moses, not one has failed.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	57	May Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our ancestors; may he never desert us or cast us off.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	58	May he turn our hearts towards him so that we may follow all his ways and keep the commandments and laws and ordinances which he gave to our ancestors.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	59	May these words of mine, of my entreaty before Yahweh, be present with Yahweh our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of Israel his people, as each day requires,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	60	so that all the peoples of the earth may come to know that Yahweh is God indeed and that there is no other.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	61	May your hearts be wholly with Yahweh our God, following his laws and keeping his commandments as at this present day.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	62	The king and all Israel with him offered sacrifice before Yahweh.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	63	Solomon offered a communion sacrifice of twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep to Yahweh; and thus the king and all the Israelites dedicated the Temple of Yahweh.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	64	On the same day the king consecrated the middle part of the court in front of the Temple of Yahweh; for that was where he presented the burnt offerings, oblations and fatty parts of the communion sacrifices, since the bronze altar which stood before Yahweh was too small to hold the burnt offering, oblation and the fatty parts of the communion sacrifice.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	65	And then Solomon and with him all Israel from the Pass of Hamath to the Torrent of Egypt -- a great assembly -- celebrated the feast before Yahweh our God for seven days.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	8	66	On the eighth day he dismissed the people, who bade farewell to the king and went home joyful and happy of heart over all the goodness which Yahweh had shown to his servant and his people Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	1	When Solomon had finished building the Temple of Yahweh, the royal palace and everything else which Solomon had wanted to do,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	2	Yahweh appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	3	Yahweh said to him, 'I have heard your prayer and the entreaty which you have before me. I consecrate this temple which you have built: I place my name there for ever; my eyes and my heart will be there always.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	4	For your part, if you walk before me in innocence of heart and in honesty, like your father David, if you do everything that I command and keep my laws and my ordinances,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	5	I shall make your royal throne secure over Israel for ever, as I promised your father David when I said, "You will never lack for a man on the throne of Israel."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	6	But if you turn away from me, either you or your descendants, and instead of keeping my commandments and laws which I have laid down for you, you go and serve other gods and worship them,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	7	then I shall banish Israel from the country which I have given them, and shall disown this Temple which I have consecrated for my name, and Israel will be a proverb and a byword among all peoples.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	8	As for this once-exalted Temple, everyone who passes by will be appalled, and they will whistle and say, "Why has Yahweh treated this country and this Temple like this?"
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	9	And the answer will be, "Because they deserted Yahweh their God who brought their ancestors out of Egypt, and they adopted other gods and worshipped and served them; that is why Yahweh has brought all these disasters on them." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	10	At the end of the twenty years that it took Solomon to erect the two buildings, the Temple of Yahweh and the royal palace
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	11	(Hiram king of Tyre had provided Solomon with all the cedar wood, juniper wood and gold that he wanted), King Solomon gave Hiram twenty towns in the territory of Galilee.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	12	But when Hiram came from Tyre to view the towns that Solomon had given him, he was not pleased with them.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	13	He said, 'What kind of towns are these you have given me, brother?' And to this day they are known as 'cabul-land'.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	14	Hiram sent the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	15	This is an account of the forced labour levied by King Solomon for building the Temple of Yahweh, his own palace, the Millo and the fortifications of Jerusalem, Hazor, Megiddo, Gezer
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	16	(Pharaoh king of Egypt mounted an expedition, captured Gezer, burnt it down and massacred the Canaanites living there; he then gave the town as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon's wife,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	17	and Solomon rebuilt Gezer), Lower Beth-Horon,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	18	Baalath, Tamar in the desert, inside the country,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	19	all Solomon's storage towns owned by Solomon, all the towns for his chariots and horses, and whatever Solomon was pleased to build in Jerusalem, in the Lebanon and in all the countries under his rule.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	20	All those who survived of the Amorite, Hittite, Perizzite, Hivite and Jebusite peoples, who were not Israelites-
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	21	their descendants still remaining in the country on whom the Israelites had not been able to enforce the curse of destruction -- these Solomon levied as forced labourers, as is still the case today.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	22	Solomon did not, however, impose forced labour on the Israelites; for they were soldiers, his officials, his administrators, his officers and his chariot and cavalry commanders.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	23	There were five hundred and fifty officials in charge of the foremen over Solomon's work, who supervised the people employed on the work.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	24	After Pharaoh's daughter had moved from the City of David up to the palace which he had built for her, he then built the Millo.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	25	Three times a year Solomon presented burnt offerings and communion sacrifices on the altar which he had built for Yahweh and set his burnt offerings smoking before Yahweh. Thus he completed the Temple.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	26	King Solomon equipped a fleet at Ezion-Geber, which is near Elath on the shores of the Red Sea, in Edom.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	27	For this fleet Hiram sent men of his, experienced sailors, to serve with those in Solomon's service.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	9	28	They went to Ophir and took on four hundred and twenty talents of gold, which they brought back to Solomon.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	1	The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame and came to test him with difficult questions.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	2	She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large retinue, with camels laden with spices and an immense quantity of gold and precious stones. Having reached Solomon, she discussed with him everything that she had in mind,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	3	and Solomon had an answer for all her questions; not one of them was too obscure for the king to answer for her.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	4	When the queen of Sheba saw how very wise Solomon was, the palace which he had built,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	5	the food at his table, the accommodation for his officials, the organisation of his staff and the way they were dressed, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings which he presented in the Temple of Yahweh, it left her breathless,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	6	and she said to the king, 'The report I heard in my own country about your wisdom in handling your affairs was true then!
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	7	Until I came and saw for myself, I did not believe the reports, but clearly I was told less than half: for wisdom and prosperity, you surpass what was reported to me.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	8	How fortunate your wives are! How fortunate these courtiers of yours, continually in attendance on you and listening to your wisdom!
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	9	Blessed be Yahweh your God who has shown you his favour by setting you on the throne of Israel! Because of Yahweh's everlasting love for Israel, he has made you king to administer law and justice.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	10	And she presented the king with a hundred and twenty talents of gold and great quantities of spices and precious stones; no such wealth of spices ever came again as those which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	11	Similarly, Hiram's fleet, which brought the gold from Ophir, also brought back great cargoes of almug timber and precious stones.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	12	Of the almug timber the king made supports for the Temple of Yahweh and for the royal palace, and harps and lyres for the musicians; no more of this almug timber has since come or been seen to this day.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	13	And King Solomon, in his turn, presented the queen of Sheba with everything that she expressed a wish for, besides those presents which he gave her with a munificence worthy of King Solomon. After which, she went home to her own country, she and her servants.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	14	The weight of gold received annually by Solomon amounted to six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	15	besides what tolls and foreign trade, as well as everything the Arab kings and the provincial governors brought in.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	16	King Solomon made two hundred great shields of beaten gold, six hundred shekels of gold going into one shield;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	17	also three hundred small shields of beaten gold, three mina of gold going into one shield; and the king put these into the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	18	The king also made a great ivory throne which he overlaid with refined gold.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	19	The throne had six steps, a back with a rounded top, and arms on each side of the seat; two lions stood beside the arms,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	20	and twelve lions stood on each side of the six steps. Nothing like it has ever been made in any other kingdom.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	21	All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the plate in the House of the Forest of Lebanon was of pure gold; silver was little thought of in Solomon's days,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	22	since the king had a fleet of Tarshish at sea with Hiram's fleet, and once every three years the fleet of Tarshish would come back laden with gold and silver, ivory, apes and baboons.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	23	For riches and for wisdom, King Solomon surpassed all kings on earth,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	24	and the whole world consulted Solomon to hear the wisdom which God had implanted in his heart;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	25	and everyone would bring a present with him: things made of silver, things made of gold, robes, armour, spices, horses and mules; and this went on year after year.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	26	Solomon then built up a force of chariots and cavalry; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, these he stationed in the chariot towns and near the king in Jerusalem.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	27	In Jerusalem the king made silver as common as stones, and cedar wood as plentiful as sycamore in the lowlands.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	28	Solomon's horses were imported from Muzur and Cilicia. The king's dealers acquired them from Cilicia at the prevailing price.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	10	29	A chariot was imported from Egypt for six hundred silver shekels and a horse from Cilicia for a hundred and fifty. They also supplied the Hittite and Aramaean kings, who all used them as middlemen.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	1	King Solomon loved many foreign women: not only Pharaoh's daughter but Moabites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	2	from those peoples of whom Yahweh had said to the Israelites, 'You are not to go among them nor they among you, or they will be sure to sway your hearts to their own gods.' But Solomon was deeply attached to them.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	3	He had seven hundred wives of royal rank and three hundred concubines.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	4	When Solomon grew old his wives swayed his heart to other gods; and his heart was not wholly with Yahweh his God as his father David's had been.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	5	Solomon became a follower of Astarte, the goddess of the Sidonians, and of Milcom, the Ammonite abomination.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	6	He did what was displeasing to Yahweh, and was not a wholehearted follower of Yahweh, as his father David had been.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	7	Then it was that Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, on the mountain to the east of Jerusalem, and to Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	8	He did the same for all his foreign wives, who offered incense and sacrifice to their gods.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	9	Yahweh was angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from Yahweh, God of Israel, who had twice appeared to him
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	10	and had forbidden him to follow other gods; but he did not carry out Yahweh's order.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	11	Yahweh therefore said to Solomon, 'Since you have behaved like this and have not kept my covenant or the laws which I laid down for you, I shall tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	12	For your father David's sake, however, I shall not do this during your lifetime, but shall tear it out of your son's hands.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	13	Even so, I shall not tear the whole kingdom from him. For the sake of my servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen, I shall leave your son one tribe.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	14	Yahweh raised an enemy against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite, of the kingly stock of Edom.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	15	After David had crushed Edom, Joab the army commander had gone to bury the dead and had slaughtered the entire male population of Edom
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	16	(Joab stayed there with all Israel for six months until he had exterminated the entire male population of Edom),
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	17	but Hadad with a number of Edomites in his father's service had fled to Egypt. Hadad had been only a boy at the time.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	18	They set out from Midian, and on reaching Paran, took a number of men from Paran with them and went on to Egypt, to Pharaoh the king of Egypt, who provided him with a house, undertook to maintain him, and assigned him an estate.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	19	Hadad became a great favourite of Pharaoh who gave him his own wife's sister in marriage, the sister of the Great Lady Tahpenes.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	20	The sister of Tahpenes bore him his son Genubath whom Tahpenes brought up in Pharaoh's palace, Genubath living in Pharaoh's palace with Pharaoh's own children.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	21	But when news reached Hadad in Egypt that David had fallen asleep with his ancestors and that Joab the army commander was dead, he said to Pharaoh, 'Give me leave to go that I may return to my own country.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	22	'What do you lack here with me,' Pharaoh said, 'for you to want to go back to your country?' 'Nothing,' he replied, 'but please let me go.'Hence the harm which Hadad caused: he loathed Israel and ruled Edom.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	23	God raised a second enemy against Solomon, Rezon son of Eliada. He had fled from his master, Hadadezer king of Zobah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	24	A number of men having rallied to him, he became leader of a marauding band (which was then massacred by David). Rezon captured Damascus and settled there and became king of Damascus.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	25	He was hostile to Israel as long as Solomon lived.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	26	Jeroboam was the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite from Zeredah; the name of his mother, a widow, was Zeruah; he was in Solomon's service but revolted against the king.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	27	This is the account of his revolt. Solomon was building the Millo and closing the breach in the City of David his father.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	28	Now this Jeroboam was a man of great energy; Solomon, noticing how the young man set about his work, put him in charge of all the forced labour of the House of Joseph.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	29	One day when Jeroboam had gone out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah of Shiloh accosted him on the road. Ahijah was wearing a new cloak; the two of them were in the open country by themselves.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	30	Ahijah took the new cloak which he was wearing and tore it into twelve strips,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	31	saying to Jeroboam: 'Take ten strips for yourself, for Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "I am going to tear the kingdom from Solomon's hand and give ten tribes to you.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	32	He will keep one tribe for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	33	for he has forsaken me to worship Astarte the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, Milcom the god of the Ammonites; he has not followed my ways by doing what I regard as right, or by keeping my laws and ordinances as his father David did.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	34	But it is not from his hands that I will take the kingdom, since I have made him a prince for as long as he lives, for the sake of my servant David who kept my commandments and laws.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	35	I shall, however, take the kingdom from the hand of his son, and I shall give it to you, that is, the ten tribes.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	36	I shall give one tribe to his son, so that my servant David may always have a lamp in my presence in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen as a dwelling-place for my name.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	37	You nonetheless I shall appoint to rule over as much as you wish, and you will be king of Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	38	If you listen to all my orders and follow my ways, by doing what I regard as right and by keeping my laws and commandments as my servant David did, then I shall be with you and shall build you as enduring a dynasty as the one which I built for David. I shall give Israel to you,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	39	and I shall humble the descendants of David, but not for ever." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	40	Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam but he made off and fled to Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and he remained in Egypt until Solomon's death.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	41	The rest of the history of Solomon, his entire career, his wisdom, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of Solomon?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	42	Solomon's reign in Jerusalem over all Israel lasted forty years.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	11	43	When Solomon fell asleep with his ancestors, he was buried in the City of David his father; his son Rehoboam succeeded him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	1	Rehoboam then went to Shechem, all Israel having come to Shechem to proclaim him king.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	2	(As soon as Jeroboam son of Nebat heard the news -- he was still in Egypt, where he had taken refuge from King Solomon -- he returned from Egypt.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	3	They now sent for him, and Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel came.) And they spoke as follows to Rehoboam,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	4	'Your father laid a cruel yoke on us; if you will lighten your father's cruel slavery, that heavy yoke which he imposed on us, we are willing to serve you.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	5	He said to them, 'Go away for three days and then come back to me.' And the people went away.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	6	King Rehoboam then consulted the elders who had been in attendance on his father Solomon while he was alive, and said, 'How do you advise me to answer this people?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	7	They replied, 'If you become the servant of this people today, and submit to them and give them a fair reply, then they will remain your servants for ever.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	8	But he rejected the advice given him by the elders and consulted the young men in attendance on him, who had grown up with him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	9	He said, 'How do you advise us to answer these people who have been saying, "Lighten the yoke which your father imposed on us!"? '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	10	The young men who had grown up with him replied, 'This is the way to answer these people who have been saying, "Your father made our yoke heavy, you must lighten it for us!" This is the right thing to say to them, "My little finger is thicker than my father's loins.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	11	Although my father laid a heavy yoke on you, I shall make it heavier still. My father controlled you with the whip, but I shall apply a spiked lash!" '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	12	On the third day Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam in obedience to the king's instruction: 'Come back to me in three days' time.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	13	And the king gave the people a harsh answer, rejecting the advice given him by the elders
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	14	and speaking to them as the young men had recommended, 'My father made your yoke heavy, I shall make it heavier still! My father controlled you with the whip, but I shall apply a spiked lash!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	15	Thus the king refused to listen to the people, and this was brought about by Yahweh to fulfil the promise which he had made through Ahijah of Shiloh to Jeroboam son of Nebat.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	16	When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, the people answered the king thus: What share have we in David? -No heritage in the son of Jesse! Away to your tents, Israel! Now look after your own House, David! So Israel went home again.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	17	Rehoboam, however, reigned over those Israelites who lived in the towns of Judah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	18	When King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was in charge of forced labour, all Israel stoned him to death, while King Rehoboam managed to mount his chariot and escape to Jerusalem.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	19	And Israel has remained in rebellion against the House of David from that day to this.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	20	When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king of all Israel; no one remained loyal to the House of David, except the tribe of Judah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	21	When Rehoboam reached Jerusalem he mustered the whole House of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and eighty thousand picked warriors, to fight the House of Israel and win back the kingdom for Rehoboam son of Solomon.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	22	But the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah, man of God,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	23	'Say this to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, to the whole House of Judah, to Benjamin and to the rest of the people,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	24	"Yahweh says this: Do not go and make war on your brothers, the Israelites; let everyone go home, for this is my doing." ' They obeyed the command of Yahweh and turned back in accordance with his word.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	25	Jeroboam fortified Shechem in the mountain country of Ephraim and made that his residence. Then, leaving there, he fortified Penuel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	26	Jeroboam thought to himself, 'As things are, the kingdom will revert to the House of David.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	27	If this people continues to go up to the Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, the people's heart will turn back again to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will put me to death.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	28	So the king thought this over and then made two golden calves; he said to the people, 'You have been going up to Jerusalem long enough. Here is your God, Israel, who brought you out of Egypt!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	29	He set one up at Bethel,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	30	and the people went in procession in front of the other one all the way to Dan. In Israel this gave rise to sin, for the people went to Bethel to worship the one, and all the way to Dan to worship the other.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	31	He set up shrines on the high places and appointed priests from ordinary families, who were not of levitical descent.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	32	Jeroboam also instituted a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth of the month, like the feast kept in Judah, when he offered sacrifices on the altar. This he did at Bethel, offering sacrifices to the calves which he had made and, at Bethel, installing the priests of the high places which he had set up.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	12	33	On the fifteenth of the eighth month, the month which he had chosen deliberately, he offered sacrifices on the altar which he had made at Bethel; he instituted a feast for the Israelites and himself went up to the altar to burn the sacrifice.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	1	There came to Bethel at Yahweh's command a man of God from Judah, just as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to offer the sacrifice,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	2	and at Yahweh's command this man denounced the altar. 'Altar, altar,' he said, 'Yahweh says this, "A son is to be born to the House of David, Josiah by name, and on you he will slaughter the priests of the high places who have offered sacrifice on you, and on you he will burn human bones."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	3	At the same time he gave a sign. 'This is the sign', he said, 'that Yahweh has spoken, "This altar will burst apart and the ashes which are on it will be spilt." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	4	When the king heard how the man of God denounced the altar of Bethel, he stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, 'Seize him!' But the hand he stretched out against the man withered, and he could not draw it back,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	5	and the altar burst apart and the ashes from the altar were spilt, in accordance with the sign given by the man of God at Yahweh's command.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	6	The king said to the man of God, 'I beg you to placate Yahweh your God, and so restore me the use of my hand.' The man of God placated Yahweh; the king's hand was restored as it had been before.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	7	The king then said to the man of God, 'Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I shall give you a present,'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	8	but the man of God replied to the king, 'Were you to give me half your palace, I would not go with you. I will eat and drink nothing here,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	9	for I have had Yahweh's order, "You are to eat or drink nothing, nor to return by the way you came." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	10	And he left by another road and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	11	Now there was an old prophet living in Bethel, and his sons came to tell him all that the man of God had done in Bethel that day; and the words which he had said to the king, they told these to their father too.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	12	'Which road did he take?' their father asked. His sons showed him the road which the man of God who came from Judah had taken.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	13	'Saddle the donkey for me,' he said to his sons; they saddled the donkey for him and he mounted.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	14	He followed the man of God and found him sitting under a terebinth. 'Are you the man of God', he said, 'who came from Judah?' 'I am,' he replied.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	15	'Come home with me,' he said, 'and take some food.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	16	'I cannot go back with you,' he answered, 'or eat or drink anything here,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	17	for I have received Yahweh's order, "You are to eat or drink nothing there, nor to return by the way you came." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	18	'I too am a prophet like you,' the other replied, 'and an angel told me this by Yahweh's command, "Bring him back with you to your house to eat and drink." ' He was lying to him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	19	The man of God went back with him; he ate and drank at his house.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	20	As they were sitting at table a word of Yahweh came to the prophet who had brought him back,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	21	and he addressed the man of God who came from Judah. 'Yahweh says this,' he said. ' "Since you have defied Yahweh's command and not obeyed the orders which Yahweh your God gave you,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	22	but have come back and eaten and drunk where he forbade you to eat and drink, your corpse will never reach the tomb of your ancestors." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	23	After he had eaten and drunk, the prophet saddled the donkey for him, and he turned about and went away.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	24	A lion met him on the road and killed him; his corpse lay stretched out on the road; the donkey stood there beside it; the lion stood by the corpse too.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	25	People going by saw the corpse lying on the road and the lion standing by the corpse, and went and spoke about it in the town where the old prophet lived.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	26	When the prophet who had made the man turn back heard about it, he said, 'That is the man of God who defied Yahweh's command! Yahweh has handed him over to the lion, which has mauled and killed him, just as Yahweh had foretold it would.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	27	He said to his sons, 'Saddle the donkey for me,' and they saddled it.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	28	He set off and found the man's corpse lying on the road with the donkey and the lion standing beside the corpse; the lion had neither eaten the corpse nor mauled the donkey.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	29	The prophet lifted the corpse of the man of God and put it on the donkey and brought it back to the town where he lived to hold mourning for him and bury him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	30	He laid the corpse in his own tomb, and they raised the mourning cry for him, 'Alas, my brother!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	31	After burying him, the prophet said to his sons, 'When I die, bury me in the same tomb as the man of God, lay my bones beside his.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	32	For the word he uttered at Yahweh's command against the altar of Bethel and against all the shrines of the high places in the towns of Samaria will certainly come true.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	33	Jeroboam did not give up his wicked ways after this incident, but went on appointing priests for the high places from the common people. He consecrated as priests of the high places any who wished to be.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	13	34	Such conduct made the House of Jeroboam a sinful House, and caused its ruin and extinction from the face of the earth.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	1	At that time Abijah, Jeroboam's son, fell sick,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	2	and Jeroboam said to his wife, 'Come, please disguise yourself so that no one will recognise you as Jeroboam's wife, and go to Shiloh; the prophet Ahijah is there, the man who said I was to be king of this people.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	3	Go to him, and take ten loaves and some savoury food and a jar of honey; he will tell you what will happen to the child.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	4	Jeroboam's wife did this: she set out, went to Shiloh and came to Ahijah's house.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	5	Now Ahijah could not see, his eyes were fixed with age, but Yahweh had told him, 'Jeroboam's wife is now on her way to ask you for a prophecy about her son, as he is sick. You will tell her such and such. When she comes, she will pretend to be some other woman.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	6	So when Ahijah heard her footsteps at the door, he called, 'Come in, wife of Jeroboam; why pretend to be someone else? I have bad news for you.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	7	Go and tell Jeroboam, "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: I raised you from the people and made you leader of my people Israel;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	8	I tore the kingdom from the House of David and gave it to you. But you have not been like my servant David who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only what I regard as right;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	9	you have done more evil than all your predecessors, you have gone and made yourself other gods, idols of cast metal, provoking my anger, and you have turned your back on me.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	10	For this I shall bring disaster on the House of Jeroboam, I shall wipe out every manjack of the family of Jeroboam, fettered or free in Israel, I shall sweep away the House of Jeroboam as a man sweeps dung away till none is left.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	11	Those of Jeroboam's family who die in the city, the dogs will eat; and those who die in the open country, the birds of the air will eat, for Yahweh has spoken."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	12	Now get up and go home; at the moment your feet enter the town, the child will die.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	13	All Israel will mourn for him, and bury him; and he alone of Jeroboam's family will have a proper burial, for in him alone of the House of Jeroboam can Yahweh, God of Israel, find anything good.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	14	Yahweh will set a king over Israel, who will put an end to the House of Jeroboam.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	15	Yahweh will make Israel shake, till it quivers like a reed in the water; he will uproot Israel from this prosperous land which he gave to their ancestors and scatter them beyond the River for provoking Yahweh to anger by making their sacred poles.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	16	He will abandon Israel for the sins which Jeroboam has committed and made Israel commit.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	17	Jeroboam's wife rose and left. She arrived at Tirzah, and when she crossed the threshold of the palace, the child was already dead.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	18	They buried him, and all Israel mourned for him, just as Yahweh had foretold through his servant Ahijah the prophet.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	19	The rest of the history of Jeroboam, what wars he waged, how he governed, this is recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	20	Jeroboam's reign lasted twenty-two years. Then he fell asleep with his ancestors; his son Nadab succeeded him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	21	In Judah, Rehoboam son of Solomon became king; he was forty-one years old when he came to the throne and he reigned for seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Yahweh had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to give his name a home there. His mother's name was Naamah, the Ammonite.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	22	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, arousing his resentment more than his ancestors by all the sins which they had committed;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	23	they had built themselves high places, and had set up pillars and sacred poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	24	There were even male sacred prostitutes in the country. He copied all the shameful practices of the nations whom Yahweh had dispossessed for the Israelites.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	25	And so it happened that in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt advanced on Jerusalem
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	26	and carried off all the treasures of the Temple of Yahweh and the treasures of the royal palace; he took everything away, including all the golden shields which Solomon had made.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	27	To replace those King Rehoboam made bronze shields, entrusting them to the commanders of the guard who guarded the king's palace gate.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	28	Whenever the king went to the Temple of Yahweh, the guards would carry them, returning them to the guardroom afterwards.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	29	The rest of the history of Rehoboam, his entire career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	30	Warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam went on throughout the period.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	14	31	When Rehoboam fell asleep with his ancestors, he was buried in the City of David; his son Abijam succeeded him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	1	In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam became king of Judah
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	2	and reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maacah descendant of Absalom.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	3	In everything he followed the sinful example of his father before him; his heart was not wholly with Yahweh his God, as the heart of David his ancestor had been.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	4	However, for David's sake, Yahweh his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, with a son to succeed him, so keeping Jerusalem secure;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	5	for David had done what Yahweh regarded as right and had never in all his life disobeyed whatever he commanded him (except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite).
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	6	The rest of the history of Abijam, his entire career,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	7	is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah? Abijam and Jeroboam made war on each other.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	8	When Abijam fell asleep with his ancestors, he was buried in the City of David; his son Asa succeeded him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	9	In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king of Judah
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	10	and reigned for forty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maacah descendant of Absalom.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	11	Asa did what Yahweh regards as right, as his ancestor David had done.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	12	He drove the male prostitutes out of the country and got rid of all the idols which his ancestors had made.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	13	He even deprived his grandmother Maacah of the dignity of Great Lady for having made an obscenity for Asherah; Asa cut down her obscenity and burnt it in the ravine of the Kidron.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	14	Though the high places were not abolished, Asa's heart was loyal to Yahweh throughout his life.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	15	He deposited his father's and his own dedicated gifts of silver, gold and sacred vessels in the Temple of Yahweh.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	16	Asa and Baasha king of Israel were at war with each other throughout their reigns.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	17	Baasha king of Israel marched on Judah and fortified Ramah to blockade Asa king of Judah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	18	Asa then took all the remaining silver and gold left in the treasuries of the Temple of Yahweh and the royal palace. Entrusting this to his servants, King Asa sent them with the following message to Ben-Hadad son of Tabrimmon, son of Hezion, the king of Aram who lived in Damascus,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	19	'Let us make an alliance between myself and yourself, between my father and your father! Look, I have sent you a gift of silver and gold. Come, break off your alliance with Baasha king of Israel, which will make him withdraw from me.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	20	Ben-Hadad listened favourably to King Asa, and sent the generals of his armies to attack the towns of Israel; he ravaged Ijon, Dan, Abel-Beth-Maacah, all Chinneroth, and the whole territory of Naphtali.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	21	When Baasha heard this he gave up fortifying Ramah and retired to Tirzah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	22	King Asa then summoned all Judah, no one was exempt; they took away the stones and timber with which Baasha had been fortifying Ramah, and King Asa used them to fortify Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	23	The rest of the history of Asa, all his valour, his entire career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah? In his old age, however, he contracted a disease of his feet.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	24	When Asa fell asleep with his ancestors, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of his ancestor David; his son Jehoshaphat succeeded him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	25	Nadab son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel for two years.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	26	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh; he copied his father's example and the sin into which he had led Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	27	Baasha son of Ahijah, of the House of Issachar, plotted against him and murdered him at Gibbethon, a Philistine town which Nadab and all Israel were besieging.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	28	Baasha killed Nadab and succeeded him in the third year of Asa king of Judah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	29	No sooner was he king than he butchered the entire House of Jeroboam, not sparing a soul, and put an end to it, just as Yahweh had foretold through his servant Ahijah of Shiloh,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	30	because of the sins which he had committed and into which he had led Israel, and because he had provoked the anger of Yahweh, God of Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	31	The rest of the history of Nadab, his entire career, is this not recorded in
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	32	the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	33	In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king of Israel at Tirzah for twenty-four years.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	15	34	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh; he copied the example of Jeroboam and the sin into which he had led Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	1	The word of Yahweh came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha:
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	2	'I raised you from the dust and made you leader of my people Israel, but you have followed Jeroboam's example and led my people Israel into sins which provoke my anger.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	3	Now I shall sweep away Baasha and his House; I shall make your House like the House of Jeroboam son of Nebat.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	4	Those of Baasha's family who die in the city, the dogs will eat; and those who die in the open country, the birds of the air will eat.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	5	The rest of the history of Baasha, his career, his valour, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	6	When Baasha fell asleep with his ancestors, he was buried in Tirzah; his son Elah succeeded him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	7	Furthermore, the word of Yahweh was delivered through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha and his House, first because of the many ways in which he had displeased Yahweh, provoking him to anger by his actions and becoming like the House of Jeroboam; secondly because he had destroyed that House.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	8	In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel at Tirzah, for two years.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	9	Zimri, one of his officers, captain of half his chariotry, plotted against him. While he was at Tirzah, drinking himself senseless in the house of Arza who was master of the palace in Tirzah,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	10	Zimri came in, struck him down and killed him in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and succeeded him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	11	On his accession, as soon as he was seated on the throne, he butchered Baasha's entire family, not leaving him one manjack of them alive, neither relative nor friend.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	12	Zimri destroyed the whole House of Baasha, in accordance with the word which Yahweh had spoken against Baasha through the prophet Jehu,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	13	because of all the sins of Baasha and his son Elah into which they had led Israel, provoking the anger of Yahweh, God of Israel, with their worthless idols.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	14	The history of Elah, his entire career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	15	In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri became king for seven days, at Tirzah. The people were then encamped in front of Gibbethon, a Philistine town.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	16	When news reached the camp of how Zimri had not only plotted against but actually killed the king, all Israel proclaimed the army commander Omri as king of Israel in the camp that very day.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	17	Omri, and all Israel with him, raised the siege of Gibbethon and laid siege to Tirzah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	18	When Zimri saw that the town had been captured, he went into the keep of the royal palace, burned the palace over his own head, and died.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	19	This was because of the sin which he had committed in doing what is displeasing to Yahweh, by copying the example of Jeroboam and the sin into which he had led Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	20	The rest of the history of Zimri and of his conspiracy, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	21	The people of Israel then split into two factions: one half following Tibni son of Ginath to make him king, the other half following Omri.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	22	But the faction of Omri proved stronger than that of Tibni son of Ginath; thus Tibni lost his life and Omri became king.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	23	In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri became king of Israel and reigned for twelve years. He reigned for six years at Tirzah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	24	Then for two talents of silver he bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer and on it built a town which he named Samaria after Shemer who had owned the hill.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	25	Omri did what is displeasing to Yahweh, and was worse than all his predecessors.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	26	In every way he copied the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat and the sins into which he had led Israel, provoking the anger of Yahweh, God of Israel, with their worthless idols.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	27	The rest of the history of Omri, his career, his valour, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	28	When Omri fell asleep with his ancestors, he was buried in Samaria; his son Ahab succeeded him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	29	Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel in the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel for twenty-two years in Samaria.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	30	Ahab son of Omri did what is displeasing to Yahweh, and was worse than all his predecessors.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	31	The least that he did was to follow the sinful example of Jeroboam son of Nebat: he married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, and then proceeded to serve Baal and worship him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	32	He erected an altar to him in the temple of Baal which he built in Samaria.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	33	Ahab also put up a sacred pole and committed other crimes as well, provoking the anger of Yahweh, God of Israel, more than all the kings of Israel his predecessors.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	16	34	It was in his time that Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. Laying its foundations cost him his eldest son Abiram and erecting its gates cost him his youngest son Segub, just as Yahweh had foretold through Joshua son of Nun.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	1	Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 'By the life of Yahweh, God of Israel, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain these coming years unless I give the word.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	2	The word of Yahweh came to him,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	3	'Go away from here, go east and hide by the torrent of Cherith, east of the Jordan.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	4	You can drink from the stream, and I have ordered the ravens to bring you food there.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	5	So he set out and did as Yahweh had said; he went and stayed by the torrent of Cherith, east of the Jordan.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	6	The ravens brought him bread in the morning and meat in the evening, and he quenched his thirst at the stream.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	7	But after a while the stream dried up, for the country had had no rain.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	8	And then the word of Yahweh came to him,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	9	'Up and go to Zarephath in Sidonia, and stay there. I have ordered a widow there to give you food.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	10	So he went off to Sidon. And when he reached the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Addressing her he said, 'Please bring a little water in a pitcher for me to drink.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	11	She was on her way to fetch it when he called after her. 'Please', he said, 'bring me a scrap of bread in your hand.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	12	'As Yahweh your God lives,' she replied, 'I have no baked bread, but only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug; I am just gathering a stick or two to go and prepare this for myself and my son to eat, and then we shall die.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	13	But Elijah said to her, 'Do not be afraid, go and do as you have said; but first make a little scone of it for me and bring it to me, and then make some for yourself and for your son.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	14	For Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: Jar of meal shall not be spent, jug of oil shall not be emptied, before the day when Yahweh sends rain on the face of the earth.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	15	The woman went and did as Elijah told her and they ate the food, she, himself and her son.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	16	The jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, just as Yahweh had foretold through Elijah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	17	It happened after this that the son of the mistress of the house fell sick; his illness was so severe that in the end he expired.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	18	And the woman said to Elijah, 'What quarrel have you with me, man of God? Have you come here to bring my sins home to me and to kill my son?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	19	'Give me your son,' he said and, taking him from her lap, he carried him to the upper room where he was staying and laid him on his bed.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	20	He cried out to Yahweh, 'Yahweh my God, by killing her son do you mean to bring grief even to the widow who is looking after me?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	21	He stretched himself on the child three times and cried out to Yahweh, 'Yahweh my God, may the soul of this child, I beg you, come into him again!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	22	Yahweh heard Elijah's prayer and the child's soul came back into his body and he revived.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	23	Elijah took the child, brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. 'Look,' Elijah said, 'your son is alive.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	17	24	And the woman replied, 'Now I know you are a man of God and the word of Yahweh in your mouth is truth itself.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	1	A long time went by, and the word of Yahweh came to Elijah in the third year, 'Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the country.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	2	So Elijah set off to present himself to Ahab. As the famine was particularly severe in Samaria,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	3	Ahab summoned Obadiah, the master of the palace -- Obadiah held Yahweh in great reverence:
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	4	when Jezebel was butchering the prophets of Yahweh, Obadiah took a hundred of them and hid them, fifty at a time, in a cave, and kept them provided with food and water-
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	5	and Ahab said to Obadiah, 'Come along, we must scour the country, all the springs and all the ravines in the hope of finding grass to keep horses and mules alive, or we shall have to slaughter some of our stock.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	6	They divided the country for the purpose of their survey; Ahab went one way by himself and Obadiah went another way by himself.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	7	While Obadiah was on his way, whom should he meet but Elijah. Recognising him he fell on his face and said, 'So it is you, my lord Elijah!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	8	'Yes,' he replied, 'go and tell your master, "Elijah is here." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	9	But Obadiah said, 'What sin I have committed, for you to put your servant into Ahab's power and cause my death?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	10	As Yahweh your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent in search of you; and when they said, "He is not there," he made the kingdom or nation swear an oath that they did not know where you were.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	11	And now you say to me, "Go and tell your master: Elijah is here."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	12	But as soon as I leave you, the spirit of Yahweh will carry you away and I shall not know where; I shall go and tell Ahab; he will not be able to find you, and then he will kill me. Yet from his youth your servant has revered Yahweh.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	13	Has no one told my lord what I did when Jezebel butchered the prophets of Yahweh, how I hid a hundred of them in a cave, fifty at a time, and kept them provided with food and water?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	14	And now you say to me, "Go and tell your master: Elijah is here." Why, he will kill me!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	15	Elijah replied, 'As Yahweh Sabaoth lives, whom I serve, I shall present myself to him today!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	16	Obadiah went to find Ahab and tell him the news, and Ahab then went to find Elijah.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	17	When he saw Elijah, Ahab said, 'So there you are, you scourge of Israel!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	18	'Not I,' he replied, 'I am not the scourge of Israel, you and your family are; because you have deserted Yahweh and followed Baal.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	19	Now give orders for all Israel to gather round me on Mount Carmel, and also the four hundred prophets of Baal who eat at Jezebel's table.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	20	Ahab called all Israel together and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	21	Elijah stepped out in front of all the people. 'How long', he said, 'do you mean to hobble first on one leg then on the other? If Yahweh is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him.' But the people had nothing to say.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	22	Elijah then said to them, 'I, I alone, am left as a prophet of Yahweh, while the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	23	Let two bulls be given us; let them choose one for themselves, dismember it but not set fire to it. I in my turn shall prepare the other bull, but not set fire to it.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	24	You must call on the name of your god, and I shall call on the name of Yahweh; the god who answers with fire, is God indeed.' The people all answered, 'Agreed!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	25	Elijah then said to the prophets of Baal, 'Choose one bull and begin, for there are more of you. Call on the name of your god but light no fire.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	26	They took the bull and prepared it, and from morning to midday they called on the name of Baal. 'O Baal, answer us!' they cried, but there was no voice, no answer, as they performed their hobbling dance round the altar which they had made.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	27	Midday came, and Elijah mocked them. 'Call louder,' he said, 'for he is a god: he is preoccupied or he is busy, or he has gone on a journey; perhaps he is asleep and needs to be woken up!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	28	So they shouted louder and gashed themselves, as their custom was, with swords and spears until the blood flowed down them.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	29	Midday passed, and they ranted on until the time when the offering is presented; but there was no voice, no answer, no sign of attention.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	30	Then Elijah said to all the people, 'Come over to me,' and all the people came over to him. He repaired Yahweh's altar which had been torn down.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	31	Elijah took twelve stones, corresponding to the number of tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of Yahweh had come, 'Israel is to be your name,'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	32	and built an altar in the name of Yahweh. Round the altar he dug a trench of a size to hold two measures of seed.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	33	He then arranged the wood, dismembered the bull, and laid it on the wood.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	34	Then he said, 'Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.' They did this. He said, 'Do it a second time;' they did it a second time. He said, 'Do it a third time;' they did it a third time.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	35	The water flowed round the altar until even the trench itself was full of water.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	36	At the time when the offering is presented, Elijah the prophet stepped forward. 'Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel,' he said, 'let them know today that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, that I have done all these things at your command.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	37	Answer me, Yahweh, answer me, so that this people may know that you, Yahweh, are God and are winning back their hearts.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	38	Then Yahweh's fire fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and licked up the water in the trench.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	39	When all the people saw this they fell on their faces. 'Yahweh is God,' they cried, 'Yahweh is God!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	40	Elijah said, 'Seize the prophets of Baal: do not let one of them escape.' They seized them, and Elijah took them down to the Kishon, and there he slaughtered them.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	41	Elijah said to Ahab, 'Go back now, eat and drink; for I hear the approaching sound of rain.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	42	While Ahab went back to eat and drink, Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel and bowed down to the ground, putting his face between his knees.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	43	'Now go up', he told his servant, 'and look out to sea.' He went up and looked. 'There is nothing at all,' he said. Seven times Elijah told him to go back.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	44	The seventh time, the servant said, 'Now there is a cloud, small as a man's hand, rising from the sea.' Elijah said, 'Go and say to Ahab, "Harness the chariot and go down before the rain stops you." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	45	And with that the sky grew dark with cloud and storm, and rain fell in torrents. Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	18	46	But the hand of Yahweh had come on Elijah and, hitching up his clothes, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	1	When Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done, and how he had put all the prophets to the sword,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	2	Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, 'May the gods bring unnameable ills on me and worse ills too, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like one of theirs!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	3	He was afraid and fled for his life. He came to Beersheba, a town of Judah, where he left his servant.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	4	He himself went on into the desert, a day's journey, and sitting under a furze bush wished he were dead. 'Yahweh,' he said, 'I have had enough. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	5	Then he lay down and went to sleep. Then all of a sudden an angel touched him and said, 'Get up and eat.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	6	He looked round, and there at his head was a scone baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	7	But the angel of Yahweh came back a second time and touched him and said, 'Get up and eat, or the journey will be too long for you.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	8	So he got up and ate and drank, and strengthened by that food he walked for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, God's mountain.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	9	There he went into a cave and spent the night there. Then the word of Yahweh came to him saying, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	10	He replied, 'I am full of jealous zeal for Yahweh Sabaoth, because the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, have torn down your altars and put your prophets to the sword. I am the only one left, and now they want to kill me.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	11	Then he was told, 'Go out and stand on the mountain before Yahweh.' For at that moment Yahweh was going by. A mighty hurricane split the mountains and shattered the rocks before Yahweh. But Yahweh was not in the hurricane. And after the hurricane, an earthquake. But Yahweh was not in the earthquake.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	12	And after the earthquake, fire. But Yahweh was not in the fire. And after the fire, a light murmuring sound.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	13	And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then a voice came to him, which said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	14	He replied, 'I am full of jealous zeal for Yahweh, God Sabaoth, because the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, have torn down your altars and put your prophets to the sword. I am the only one left and now they want to kill me.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	15	'Go,' Yahweh said, 'go back by the same way to the desert of Damascus. You must go and anoint Hazael as king of Aram.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	16	You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat, of Abel-Meholah, as prophet to succeed you.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	17	Anyone who escapes the sword of Hazael will be put to death by Jehu; and anyone who escapes the sword of Jehu will be put to death by Elisha.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	18	But I shall spare seven thousand in Israel; all the knees that have not bent before Baal, all the mouths that have not kissed him.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	19	Leaving there, he came on Elisha son of Shaphat as he was ploughing behind twelve yoke of oxen, he himself being with the twelfth. Elijah passed near to him and threw his cloak over him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	20	Elisha left his oxen and ran after Elijah. 'Let me kiss my father and mother, then I will follow you,' he said. Elijah answered, 'Go, go back; for have I done anything to you?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	19	21	Elisha turned away, took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He used the oxen's tackle for cooking the meat, which he gave the people to eat. He then rose and, following Elijah, became his servant.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	1	Ben-Hadad king of Aram mustered his whole army -- thirty-two kings were with him, and horses and chariots -- and marched on Samaria, to besiege it and take it by assault.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	2	He sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel to tell him, 'Ben-Hadad says this,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	3	"Your silver and gold are mine. Your wives and children remain yours." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	4	The king of Israel replied, 'As you command, my lord king. Myself and all I have are yours.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	5	The messengers came again, this time they said, 'Ben-Hadad says this, "I have already sent you an order to hand over your silver and your gold, your wives and your children;
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	6	but I swear, this time tomorrow, I shall send my servants to ransack your house and your servants' houses and lay hands on everything that they value and take it away." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	7	The king of Israel summoned all the elders of the country and said, 'You can see clearly how this man intends to ruin us. He has already demanded my wives and my children, although I have not refused him my silver and gold.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	8	All the elders and all the people said, 'Take no notice. Do not consent.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	9	So he gave this answer to Ben-Hadad's messengers, 'Say to my lord the king, "All you first required of your servant I will do, but this I cannot do." ' And the messengers went back with the answer.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	10	Ben-Hadad then sent him the following message, 'May the gods bring unnameable ills on me and worse ills too, if there is enough dust in Samaria for each of my followers to have a handful!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	11	But the king of Israel returned this answer, 'Say: the man who puts on his armour is not the one to boast, but the man who takes it off.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	12	When Ben-Hadad heard this message -- he was under the awnings drinking with the kings -- he gave orders to his servants, 'Take up position!' And they took up their positions against the city.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	13	A prophet then arrived, looking for Ahab king of Israel. 'Yahweh says this,' he said. ' "You have seen this huge army? This very day I shall deliver it into your hands, and you will know that I am Yahweh." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	14	'By whose means?' Ahab asked. The prophet replied, 'Yahweh says this, "By means of the guards of the district governors." ' 'Who will co-ordinate the attack?' Ahab asked. 'You will,' the prophet replied.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	15	So Ahab inspected the guards of the district governors: there were two hundred and thirty-two. After these he reviewed the army, all the Israelites: there were seven thousand.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	16	They made a sortie at midday, when Ben-Hadad was drinking himself senseless under the awnings, he and the thirty-two kings who were allies.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	17	The guards of the district governors led the sortie. A report was made to Ben-Hadad: 'Some men have come out of Samaria.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	18	He said, 'If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive too.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	19	So they made a sortie from the city, the district governors' guards and behind them the army,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	20	and each struck down his man. Aram took to flight and Israel pursued; Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	21	The king of Israel then advanced, capturing horses and chariots and inflicting a great defeat on Aram.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	22	The prophet then went to the king of Israel and said, 'Now is the time to be resolute and think carefully about what you should do, for at the turn of the year the king of Aram will march against you.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	23	The servants of the king of Aram said to him, 'Their gods are gods of the mountains; that is why they have proved stronger than we are. But if we fight them on level ground, we shall certainly beat them.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	24	This is what you must do: remove all these kings from their commands and appoint professional soldiers in their place.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	25	You, for your part, must recruit an army as large as the one which deserted you, with as many horses and as many chariots; then if we fight them on level ground, we shall certainly beat them.' He listened to their advice and acted accordingly.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	26	At the turn of the year, Ben-Hadad mustered the Aramaeans and marched on Aphek to fight Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	27	The Israelites were already mobilised and provisioned, and marched out to meet them. Encamped opposite them, the Israelites looked like two herds of goats, whereas the Aramaeans filled the countryside.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	28	The man of God then went to the king of Israel and said, 'Yahweh says this, "Since Aram has said that Yahweh is a god of the mountains and not a god of the plains, I shall put the whole of this huge army into your power, and you will know that I am Yahweh."'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	29	For seven days they were encamped opposite each other. On the seventh day battle was joined and the Israelites slaughtered the Aramaeans, a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	30	The rest fled to Aphek, into the citadel, but the city walls collapsed on twenty-seven thousand of the survivors. Now Ben-Hadad had fled and taken refuge in an inner room inside the citadel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	31	'Look,' his servants said to him, 'we have heard that the kings of Israel are faithful and kind kings. Let us put sackcloth round our waists and cords round our heads and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	32	So they wrapped sackcloth round their waists and put cords round their heads and went to the king of Israel, and said, 'Your servant Ben-Hadad says, "Spare my life." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	33	'So he is still alive?' he replied. 'He is my brother.' The men took this for a good omen and quickly seized on his words. 'Yes,' they said, 'Ben-Hadad is your brother.' Ahab said, 'Go and fetch him.' Then Ben-Hadad came out to him and Ahab made him get up into his chariot.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	34	Ben-Hadad said, 'I shall restore the towns which my father took from your father and you may set up a trading quarter for yourself in Damascus as my father did in Samaria.' 'With a treaty,' Ahab said, 'I shall set you free.' Granting him a treaty, Ahab let him go.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	35	At Yahweh's command a member of the brotherhood of prophets said to a companion of his, 'Strike me,' but the man refused to strike him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	36	So he said to him, 'Since you have disobeyed Yahweh's order, the very moment you leave me a lion will kill you.' And no sooner had he left him than he met a lion, which killed him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	37	The prophet then went to find another man and said, 'Strike me,' and the man struck him and wounded him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	38	The prophet then went and stood waiting for the king on the road, disguising himself with a bandage over his eyes.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	39	As the king passed, he called out to him, 'Your servant was making his way to where the fight was thickest when someone left the fighting to bring a man to me, and said, "Guard this man; if he is found missing, your life will pay for his, or else you will have to pay one talent of silver."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	40	But your servant was busy with one thing and another, the man disappeared.' The king of Israel said, 'That is your sentence then. You have pronounced it yourself.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	41	At this the man quickly pulled off the bandage over his eyes, and the king of Israel recognised him as one of the prophets.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	42	He said to the king, 'Yahweh says this, "Since you have let the man escape who was under my curse of destruction, your life will pay for his, your people for his people." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	20	43	And the king of Israel went home, gloomy and out of temper, back to Samaria.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	1	This is what happened next: Naboth of Jezreel had a vineyard close by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	2	and Ahab said to Naboth, 'Give me your vineyard to be my vegetable garden, since it adjoins my palace; I will give you a better vineyard for it or, if you prefer, I will give you its value in money.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	3	Naboth, however, said to Ahab, 'Yahweh forbid that I should give you my ancestral heritage!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	4	Ahab went home gloomy and out of temper at the words of Naboth of Jezreel, 'I will not give you my heritage from my ancestors.' He lay down on his bed and turned his face away and refused to eat.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	5	His wife Jezebel came to him. 'Why are you so dispirited,' she said, 'that you refuse to eat?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	6	He said, 'I have been talking to Naboth of Jezreel. I said, "Give me your vineyard either for money or, if you prefer, for another vineyard in exchange." But he said, "I will not give you my vineyard." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	7	Then his wife Jezebel said, 'Some king of Israel you make! Get up, eat and take heart; I myself shall get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	8	So she wrote a letter in Ahab's name and sealed it with his seal, sending the letter to the elders and notables of the city where Naboth lived.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	9	In the letter, she wrote, 'Proclaim a fast, and put Naboth in a prominent place among the people.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	10	There confront him with a couple of scoundrels who will accuse him as follows, "You have cursed God and the king." Then take him outside and stone him to death.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	11	The men of Naboth's city, the elders and notables living in his city, did what Jezebel ordered, as was written in the letter which she had sent him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	12	They proclaimed a fast and put Naboth in a prominent place among the people.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	13	The two scoundrels then came and confronted him, and the scoundrels then publicly accused Naboth as follows, 'Naboth has cursed God and the king.' He was then taken outside the city and stoned to death.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	14	They then sent word to Jezebel, 'Naboth has been stoned to death.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	15	When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, 'Get up! Take possession of the vineyard which Naboth of Jezreel refused to sell you, for Naboth is no longer alive, he is dead.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	16	When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth of Jezreel and take possession of it.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	17	Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	18	'Up! Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, in Samaria. You will find him in Naboth's vineyard; he has gone down to take possession of it.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	19	You are to say this to him, "Yahweh says this: You have committed murder and now you usurp as well. For this -- and Yahweh says this -- in the place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth, the dogs will lick your blood too." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	20	Ahab said to Elijah, 'So you have caught me, O my enemy!' Elijah answered, 'I have caught you! For your double dealing, and since you have done what is displeasing to Yahweh,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	21	I shall now bring disaster down on you; I shall sweep away your descendants and wipe out every manjack of the House of Ahab, fettered or free in Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	22	I shall treat your House as I treated the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and of Baasha son of Ahijah, for provoking my anger and leading Israel into sin.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	23	(Against Jezebel too Yahweh spoke these words, "The dogs will eat Jezebel in the Field of Jezreel.")
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	24	Those of Ahab's family who die in the city, the dogs will eat; and those who die in the open country, the birds of the air will eat.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	25	And indeed there never was anyone like Ahab for double dealing and for doing what is displeasing to Yahweh, urged on by Jezebel his wife.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	26	He behaved in the most abominable way, adhering to idols, just as the Amorites had, whom Yahweh had dispossessed for the Israelites.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	27	When Ahab heard these words, he tore his garments and put sackcloth next to his skin and fasted; he slept in the sackcloth; he walked with slow steps.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	28	Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	21	29	'Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Since he has humbled himself before me, I shall not bring the disaster in his days; I shall bring the disaster down on his House in his son's days.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	1	There was a lull of three years, with no fighting between Aram and Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	2	Then, in the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah paid a visit to the king of Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	3	The king of Israel said to his officers, 'You are aware that Ramoth in Gilead belongs to us? And yet we do nothing to wrest it away from the king of Aram.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	4	He said to Jehoshaphat, 'Will you come with me to attack Ramoth in Gilead?' Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, 'I will be as you, my men as yours, my horses as yours.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	5	Jehoshaphat, however, said to the king of Israel, 'First, please enquire what the word of Yahweh is.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	6	The king of Israel then called the prophets together, about four hundred of them. 'Should I go and attack Ramoth in Gilead,' he asked, 'or should I hold back?' 'Go ahead,' they replied, 'for Yahweh has already given it to the king.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	7	Jehoshaphat, however, said, 'Is there no other prophet of Yahweh here, so that we can enquire through him?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	8	The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'There is one more man through whom we can consult Yahweh, but I hate him because he never has a favourable prophecy for me, only unfavourable ones; he is Micaiah son of Imlah.' 'I hope the king's words are unjustified,' said Jehoshaphat.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	9	The king of Israel then summoned a court official and said, 'Bring Micaiah son of Imlah immediately.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	10	The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, wearing their robes, in an open space just outside the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets in a state of ecstasy before them.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	11	Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, who had made himself some iron horns, said, 'Yahweh says, "With horns like these you will gore the Aramaeans till you make an end of them." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	12	And all the prophets cried ecstatically in the same vein, saying, 'March on Ramoth in Gilead! Success is sure, for Yahweh has already given it to the king!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	13	The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, 'Look here, what the prophets are saying is uniformly favourable to the king. I hope you will say the same as they do and speak favourably.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	14	Micaiah said, 'As Yahweh lives, I shall speak as Yahweh tells me!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	15	When he came to the king, the king said, 'Micaiah, should we go and attack Ramoth in Gilead, or should we hold back?' He replied, 'Go ahead! Success is sure, for Yahweh has already given it to the king!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	16	The king then said, 'How often must I put you on oath to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	17	Then he spoke out: I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep without a shepherd. And Yahweh said, 'These have no master, let them all go safely home!'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	18	At this the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'Did I not tell you that he never gives me favourable prophecies, but only unfavourable ones?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	19	Micaiah went on, 'Now listen to the word of Yahweh. I saw Yahweh seated on his throne with the whole array of heaven standing by him, on his right and on his left.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	20	Yahweh said, "Who will entice Ahab into marching to his death at Ramoth in Gilead?" At which some answered one way, and some another.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	21	A spirit then came forward and stood before Yahweh and said, "I will entice him."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	22	"How?" Yahweh asked. He replied, "I shall go and be a deceptive spirit in the mouths of all his prophets." Yahweh said, "You will succeed in enticing him. Go and do it."
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	23	And now, you see, Yahweh has put a deceptive spirit into the mouths of all your prophets here, for in fact Yahweh has pronounced disaster on you.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	24	Zedekiah son of Chenaanah then came up, struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, 'Which way did Yahweh's spirit leave me, to speak to you?'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	25	'That is what you will find out,' Micaiah retorted, 'the day you go from room to room, trying to hide.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	26	The king of Israel said, 'Seize Micaiah and hand him over to Amon, governor of the city, and Joash, the king's son,
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	27	and say, "These are the king's orders: Put this man in prison and feed him on nothing but bread and water until I am safely home." '
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	28	Micaiah said, 'If you ever do get home safely, Yahweh has not spoken through me.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	29	The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah marched on Ramoth in Gilead.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	30	The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'I shall disguise myself to go into battle, but you put on your robes.' So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	31	Now, the king of Aram had given his chariot commanders the following order, 'Do not attack anyone of whatever rank, except the king of Israel.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	32	So, when the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, 'That is obviously the king of Israel,' and surrounded him to attack. But when Jehoshaphat shouted his war cry
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	33	the chariot commanders, realising that he was not the king of Israel, broke off their pursuit.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	34	Someone, however, drawing his bow without any special aim, shot the king of Israel between the joints of his armour. 'Turn about!' said the king to his charioteer. 'Get me out of the fighting; I am collapsing.'
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	35	But the battle grew fiercer as the day went on and the king had to be held upright in his chariot facing the Aramaeans, the blood from the wound running into the bottom of the chariot, until in the evening he died.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	36	At sundown a shout ran through the ranks, 'Every man back to his town, every man back to his country!
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	37	The king is dead.' He was taken to Samaria and in Samaria the king was buried.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	38	They washed the chariot at the Pool of Samaria; the dogs licked up the blood, and the prostitutes washed in it, in accordance with the word which Yahweh had spoken.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	39	The rest of the history of Ahab, his entire career, the ivory house he erected, all the towns he built, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	40	When Ahab fell asleep with his ancestors, his son Ahaziah succeeded him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	41	Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	42	Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	43	In every way he followed the example of his father Asa undeviatingly, doing what is pleasing to Yahweh.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	44	The high places, however, were not abolished; the people still offered sacrifice and incense on the high places.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	45	Jehoshaphat was at peace with the king of Israel.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	46	The rest of the history of Jehoshaphat, the valour he showed, the wars he waged, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	47	The few male sacred prostitutes left over from the days of his father Asa, he expelled from the country.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	48	At the time, Edom had no king, and King
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	49	Jehoshaphat built ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they never made the voyage since the ships were wrecked at Ezion-Geber.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	50	Ahaziah son of Ahab then proposed to Jehoshaphat, 'Let my men go to sea with yours.' But Jehoshaphat would not agree.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	51	When Jehoshaphat fell asleep with his ancestors he was buried in the City of his ancestor, David; his son Jehoram succeeded him.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	52	Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned over Israel for two years.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	53	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, by following the example of his father and mother, and of Jeroboam son of Nebat who had led Israel into sin.
 1 Kings	1Ki	11	22	54	He served Baal and worshipped him, and provoked the anger of Yahweh God of Israel just as his father had done.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	1	After Ahab's death Moab rebelled against Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	2	Ahaziah had fallen from the balcony of his upper room in Samaria, and was lying ill; so he sent messengers, saying to them, 'Go and consult Baal-Zebub god of Ekron and ask whether I shall recover from my illness.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	3	But the angel of Yahweh said to Elijah the Tishbite, 'Up! Go and intercept the king of Samaria's messengers. Say to them, "Is there no God in Israel, for you to go and consult Baal-Zebub god of Ekron?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	4	Yahweh says this: You will never leave the bed you have got into; you are certainly going to die." ' And Elijah set out.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	5	The messengers returned to the king, who said, 'Why have you come back?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	6	'A man came to meet us,' they answered. 'He said, "Go back to the king who sent you and tell him: Yahweh says this: Is there no God in Israel, for you to go and consult Baal-Zebub god of Ekron? For this, you will never leave the bed you have got into; you are certainly going to die."'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	7	He said, 'This man who met you and said all this, what was he like?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	8	'A man wearing a hair cloak', they answered, 'and a leather loincloth.' 'It was Elijah the Tishbite,' he said.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	9	He then sent a captain of fifty soldiers with his fifty men to Elijah, whom they found sitting on top of a hill; the captain went up to him and said, 'Man of God, the king says, "Come down." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	10	Elijah answered the captain, 'If I am a man of God, may fire fall from heaven and destroy both you and your fifty men.' And fire fell from heaven and destroyed him and his fifty men.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	11	The king sent a second captain of fifty to him, again with fifty men, and he too went up and said, 'Man of God, this is the king's order, "Come down at once." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	12	Elijah answered them, 'If I am a man of God, may fire fall from heaven and destroy both you and your fifty men.' And lightning fell from heaven and destroyed him and his fifty men.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	13	The king then sent a third captain of fifty to him, with another fifty men. The third captain of fifty came up to Elijah, fell on his knees before him and pleaded with him. 'Man of God,' he said, 'may my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours count for something in your eyes.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	14	Fire has fallen from heaven and destroyed two captains of fifties and their companies, but this time may my life count for something in your eyes!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	15	The angel of Yahweh said to Elijah, 'Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.' He rose and accompanied him down to the king,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	16	and said to him, 'Yahweh says this, "Since you sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub god of Ekron, you will never leave the bed you have got into; you are certainly going to die." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	17	And, in accordance with the word of Yahweh which Elijah had uttered, he died. Since he had no son, his brother Jehoram succeeded him, in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	1	18	The rest of the history of Ahaziah, and his career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	1	This is what happened when Yahweh took Elijah up to heaven in the whirlwind: Elijah and Elisha set out from Gilgal,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	2	and Elijah said to Elisha, 'You stay here, for Yahweh is only sending me to Bethel.' But Elisha replied, 'As Yahweh lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you!' and they went down to Bethel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	3	The brotherhood of prophets living at Bethel came out to meet Elisha and said, 'Do you know that Yahweh will carry your lord and master away today?' 'Yes, I know,' he said, 'be quiet.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	4	Elijah said, 'Elisha, you stay here, Yahweh is only sending me to Jericho.' But he replied, 'As Yahweh lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you!' and they went on to Jericho.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	5	The brotherhood of prophets living at Jericho went up to Elisha and said, 'Do you know that Yahweh will carry your lord and master away today?' 'Yes, I know,' he said, 'be quiet.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	6	Elijah said, 'Elisha, you stay here, Yahweh is only sending me to the Jordan.' But he replied, 'As Yahweh lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you!' And they went on together.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	7	Fifty of the brotherhood of prophets followed them, halting some distance away as the two of them stood beside the Jordan.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	8	Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water; and the water divided to left and right, and the two of them crossed over dry-shod.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	9	When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Make your request. What can I do for you before I am snatched away from you?' Elisha answered, 'Let me inherit a double share of your spirit.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	10	'Your request is difficult,' Elijah said. 'If you see me while I am being snatched away from you, it will be as you ask; if not, it will not be so.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	11	Now as they walked on, talking as they went, a chariot of fire appeared and horses of fire coming between the two of them; and Elijah went up to heaven in the whirlwind.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	12	Elisha saw it, and shouted, 'My father! My father! Chariot of Israel and its chargers!' Then he lost sight of him, and taking hold of his own clothes he tore them in half.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	13	He picked up Elijah's cloak which had fallen, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	14	He took Elijah's cloak and struck the water. 'Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?' he cried. As he struck the water it divided to right and left, and Elisha crossed over.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	15	The brotherhood of prophets saw him in the distance, and said, 'The spirit of Elijah has come to rest on Elisha'; they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	16	'Look,' they said, 'your servants have fifty strong men with them, let them go and look for your master; the Spirit of Yahweh may have taken him up and thrown him down on a mountain or into a valley.' 'Send no one,' he replied.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	17	But they so shamed him with their insistence that he consented. So they sent fifty men who searched for three days without finding him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	18	They then came back to Elisha who had stayed in Jericho; he said, 'Didn't I tell you not to go?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	19	The people of the city said to Elisha, 'The city is pleasant to live in, as my lord indeed can see, but the water is foul and the country suffers from miscarriages.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	20	'Bring me a new bowl,' he said, 'and put some salt in it.' They brought it to him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	21	Then he went to the source of the water, threw salt into it and said, 'Yahweh says this, "I make this water wholesome: neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it any more." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	22	And the water became wholesome, as it is today, exactly as Elisha had said it would.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	23	From there he went up to Bethel, and while he was on the road, some small boys came out of the town and jeered at him. 'Hurry up, baldy!' they shouted. 'Come on up, baldy!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	24	He turned round and looked at them; and he cursed them in the name of Yahweh. And two bears came out of the forest and savaged forty-two of the boys.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	2	25	From there he went on to Mount Carmel and then returned to Samaria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	1	Jehoram son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned for twelve years.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	2	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, though not like his father and mother, for he did away with the pillar to Baal which his father had made.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	3	Nonetheless, he continued to practise the sins into which Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel and did not give them up.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	4	Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-breeder and used to pay the king of Israel in tribute a hundred thousand lambs and a hundred thousand rams with their wool.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	5	But when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	6	At once King Jehoram left Samaria and mustered all Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	7	After this he sent word to the king of Judah, 'The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go to war with me against Moab?' 'I will,' he replied. 'I will be as you, my men as yours, my horses as yours,'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	8	and added, 'Which way are we to attack?' 'Through the desert of Edom,' the other answered.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	9	So they set out, the king of Israel, the king of Judah and the king of Edom. They carried out a flanking movement for seven days, until there was no water left for the troops or for the beasts of their baggage train.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	10	'Alas!' the king of Israel exclaimed, 'Yahweh has summoned us three kings, only to put us into the power of Moab.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	11	But the king of Judah said, 'Is there no prophet of Yahweh here for us to consult Yahweh through him?' One of the king of Israel's servants answered, 'Elisha son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	12	'The word of Yahweh is with him,' the king of Judah said. So the king of Israel, the king of Judah and the king of Edom went to consult him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	13	But Elisha said to the king of Israel, 'What business have you with me? Go to your father's and your mother's prophets.' 'No,' the king of Israel answered, 'Yahweh is the one who has summoned us three kings, only to put us into the power of Moab.' Elisha replied,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	14	'By the life of Yahweh Sabaoth whom I serve, if I did not respect the king of Judah, I would take no notice of you, nor so much as look at you.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	15	Now bring me someone who can play the lyre.' And as the musician played, the hand of Yahweh came on him
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	16	and he said, 'Yahweh says this, "Dig in this valley ditch after ditch,"
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	17	for Yahweh says, "You will see no wind, you will see no rain, but this valley will become full of water, and you and your troops and your baggage animals will drink."
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	18	But this is only a trifle in Yahweh's eyes, for he will put Moab itself into your power.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	19	You will storm every fortified town, fell every productive tree, block every water-hole, ruin all the best fields with stones.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	20	Next morning at the time when the oblation was being offered, water came from the direction of Edom, and the whole terrain was flooded.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	21	When the Moabites learned that the kings were advancing to fight them, all those of an age to bear arms were mobilised; they took up position on the frontier.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	22	In the morning when they got up, the sun was shining on the water; and in the distance the Moabites saw the water as red as blood.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	23	'This is blood!' they said. 'The kings must have fought among themselves and killed one another. So now for the booty, Moab!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	24	But when they reached the Israelite camp, the Israelites launched their attack and the Moabites fled before them, and as they advanced they cut the Moabites to pieces.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	25	They laid the towns in ruins, and each man threw a stone into all the best fields to fill them up, and they blocked every water-hole and felled every productive tree. In the end, there was only Kir-Hareseth left, which the slingers surrounded and bombarded.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	26	When the king of Moab saw that the battle had turned against him, he mustered seven hundred swordsmen in the hope of breaking a way out and going to the king of Aram, but he failed.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	3	27	Then he took his eldest son who was to succeed him and offered him as a sacrifice on the city wall. Alarmed at this, the Israelites withdrew and retired to their own territory.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	1	The wife of a member of the prophetic brotherhood appealed to Elisha. 'Your servant my husband is dead,' she said, 'and you know how your servant revered Yahweh. A creditor has now come to take my two children and make them his slaves.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	2	Elisha said, 'What can I do for you? Tell me, what have you got in the house?' 'Your servant has nothing in the house,' she replied, 'except a flask of oil.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	3	Then he said, 'Go outside and borrow jars from all your neighbours, empty jars and not too few.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	4	When you come back, shut the door on yourself and your sons, and pour the oil into all these jars, putting each aside when it is full.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	5	So she left him; and she shut the door on herself and her sons; they passed her the jars and she went on pouring.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	6	When the jars were full, she said to her son, 'Pass me another jar.' 'There are no more,' he replied. Then the oil stopped flowing.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	7	She went and told the man of God, who said, 'Go and sell the oil and redeem your pledge; you and your children can live on the remainder.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	8	One day as Elisha was on his way to Shunem, a woman of rank who lived there pressed him to stay and eat there. After this he always broke his journey for a meal when he passed that way.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	9	She said to her husband, 'Look, I am sure the man who is constantly passing our way must be a holy man of God.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	10	Let us build him a small walled room, and put him a bed in it, and a table and chair and lamp; whenever he comes to us he can rest there.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	11	One day when he came, he retired to the upper room and lay down.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	12	He said to his servant Gehazi, 'Call our Shunammite.' He called her and when she appeared, Elisha said,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	13	'Tell her this: "Look, you have gone to all this trouble for us, what can we do for you? Is there anything you would like said for you to the king or to the commander of the army?" ' But she replied, 'I live with my own people about me.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	14	'What can I do for you then?' he asked. Gehazi replied, 'Well, she has no son and her husband is old.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	15	Elisha said, 'Call her.' The servant called her and she stood at the door.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	16	'This time next year', he said, 'you will hold a son in your arms.' But she said, 'No, my lord, do not deceive your servant.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	17	But the woman did conceive, and she gave birth to a son at the time that Elisha had said she would.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	18	The child grew up; one day he went to his father who was with the reapers,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	19	and exclaimed to his father, 'Oh, my head! My head!' The father told a servant to carry him to his mother.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	20	He lifted him up and took him to his mother, and the boy lay on her lap until midday, when he died.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	21	She went upstairs, laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door on him and went out.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	22	She called her husband and said, 'Send me one of the servants with a donkey. I must hurry to the man of God and back.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	23	'Why go to him today?' he asked. 'It is not New Moon or Sabbath.' But she replied, 'Never mind.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	24	She had the donkey saddled and said to her servant, 'Lead on, go! Do not draw rein until I give the order.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	25	She set off and made her way to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her in the distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, 'Look, here comes our Shunammite!
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	26	Now run and meet her and ask her, "Are you well? Is your husband well? Your child well?" ' 'Yes,' she replied.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	27	When she came to the man of God there on the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi stepped forward to push her away, but the man of God said, 'Leave her; there is bitterness in her soul and Yahweh has hidden it from me, he has not told me.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	28	She said, 'Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say: Don't deceive me?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	29	Elisha said to Gehazi, 'Hitch up your clothes, take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him; if anyone greets you, do not answer him. You are to stretch out my staff over the child.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	30	But the child's mother said, 'As Yahweh lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.' Then he stood up and followed her.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	31	Gehazi had gone ahead of them and had stretched out the staff over the child, but there was no sound or response. He went back to meet Elisha and told him. 'The child has not woken up,' he said.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	32	Elisha then went to the house, and there on his bed lay the child, dead.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	33	He went in and shut the door on the two of them and prayed to Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	34	Then he climbed on to the bed and stretched himself on top of the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes to his eyes, and his hands on his hands, and as he lowered himself on to him, the child's flesh grew warm.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	35	Then he got up and walked to and fro inside the house, and then climbed on to the bed again and lowered himself on to the child seven times in all; then the child sneezed and opened his eyes.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	36	He then summoned Gehazi. 'Call our Shunammite,' he said. He called her. When she came to him, he said, 'Pick up your son.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	37	She went in and, falling at his feet, prostrated herself on the floor and then picked up her son and went out.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	38	Elisha went back to Gilgal while there was famine in the country. As the brotherhood of prophets were sitting with him, he said to his servant, 'Put the large pot on the fire and cook some soup for the brotherhood.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	39	One of them went into the fields to gather herbs and came on some wild vine, off which he gathered enough gourds to fill his lap. On his return, he cut them up into the pot of soup; they did not know what they were.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	40	They then poured the soup out for the men to eat, but they had no sooner tasted the soup than they cried, 'Man of God, there is death in the pot!' And they could not eat it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	41	'Bring some meal then,' Elisha said. This he threw into the pot, and said, 'Pour out, for the company to eat!' And there was nothing harmful in the pot.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	42	A man came from Baal-Shalishah, bringing the man of God bread from the first-fruits, twenty barley loaves and fresh grain still in the husk. 'Give it to the company to eat,' Elisha said.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	43	But his servant replied, 'How can I serve this to a hundred men?' 'Give it to the company to eat,' he insisted, 'for Yahweh says this, "They will eat and have some left over." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	4	44	He served them; they ate and had some left over, as Yahweh had said.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	1	Naaman, army commander to the king of Aram, was a man who enjoyed his master's respect and favour, since through him Yahweh had granted victory to the Aramaeans.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	2	But the man suffered from a virulent skin-disease. Now, on one of their raids into Israelite territory, the Aramaeans had carried off a little girl, who became a servant of Naaman's wife.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	3	She said to her mistress, 'If only my master would approach the prophet of Samaria! He would cure him of his skin-disease.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	4	Naaman went and told his master. 'This and this', he reported, 'is what the girl from Israel has said.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	5	'Go by all means,' said the king of Aram, 'I shall send a letter to the king of Israel.' So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten festal robes.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	6	He presented the letter to the king of Israel. It read, 'With this letter, I am sending my servant Naaman to you for you to cure him of his skin-disease.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	7	When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes. 'Am I a god to give death and life,' he said, 'for him to send a man to me and ask me to cure him of his skin-disease? Listen to this and take note of it and see how he intends to pick a quarrel with me.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	8	When Elisha heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent word to the king, 'Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, and he will find there is a prophet in Israel.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	9	So Naaman came with his team and chariot and drew up at the door of Elisha's house.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	10	And Elisha sent him a messenger to say, 'Go and bathe seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will become clean once more.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	11	But Naaman was indignant and went off, saying, 'Here was I, thinking he would be sure to come out to me, and stand there, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the spot and cure the part that was diseased.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	12	Surely, Abana and Parpar, the rivers of Damascus, are better than any water in Israel? Could I not bathe in them and become clean?' And he turned round and went off in a rage.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	13	But his servants approached him and said, 'Father, if the prophet had asked you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? All the more reason, then, when he says to you, "Bathe, and you will become clean." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	14	So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, as Elisha had told him to do. And his flesh became clean once more like the flesh of a little child.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	15	Returning to Elisha with his whole escort, he went in and, presenting himself, said, 'Now I know that there is no God anywhere on earth except in Israel. Now, please, accept a present from your servant.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	16	But Elisha replied, 'As Yahweh lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing.' Naaman pressed him to accept, but he refused.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	17	Then Naaman said, 'Since your answer is "No," allow your servant to be given as much earth as two mules may carry, since your servant will no longer make burnt offerings or sacrifice to any god except Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	18	Only -- and may Yahweh forgive your servant for this -- when my master goes to the temple of Rimmon to worship there, he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon when he does; may Yahweh forgive your servant for doing this!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	19	'Go in peace,' Elisha replied.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	20	Naaman had gone a small distance, when Gehazi, Elisha's servant, said to himself, 'My master has let this Aramaean Naaman off lightly, by not accepting what he offered. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him and get something out of him.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	21	So Gehazi set off in pursuit of Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he jumped down from his chariot to meet him. 'Is all well?' he asked.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	22	'All is well,' he said. 'My master has sent me to say, "This very moment two young men of the prophetic brotherhood have arrived from the highlands of Ephraim. Be kind enough to give them a talent of silver and two festal robes." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	23	'Please accept two talents,' Naaman replied, and pressed him, tying up the two talents of silver in two bags with the two festal robes and consigning them to two of his servants who carried them ahead of Gehazi.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	24	When he reached Ophel, he took these from them and put them away in the house. He then dismissed the men, who went away.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	25	He, for his part, went and presented himself to his master. Elisha said, 'Gehazi, where have you been?' 'Your servant has not been anywhere,' he replied.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	26	But Elisha said to him, 'Was not my heart present there when someone left his chariot to meet you? Now you have taken the money, you can buy gardens with it, and olive groves, sheep and oxen, male and female slaves.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	5	27	But Naaman's disease of the skin will cling to you and your descendants for ever.' And Gehazi left his presence white as snow from skin-disease.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	1	The brotherhood of prophets said to Elisha, 'Look, the place where we are living with you is too small for us.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	2	Let us go to the Jordan, then, and each of us cut a beam there, and we will make our living quarters there.' He replied, 'Go.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	3	'Be good enough to go with your servants,' one of them said. 'I will go,' he replied,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	4	and went with them. On reaching the Jordan they began cutting down timber.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	5	But, as one of them was felling his beam, the iron axehead fell into the water. 'Alas, my lord,' he exclaimed, 'and it was a borrowed one too!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	6	'Where did it fall?' the man of God asked; and he showed him the spot. Then, cutting a stick, Elisha threw it in at that point and made the iron axehead float.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	7	'Lift it out,' he said; and the man stretched out his hand and took it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	8	The king of Aram was at war with Israel. He conferred with his officers and said, 'You must attack at such and such a place.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	9	Elisha, however, sent word to the king of Israel, 'Be on your guard about such and such a place, because the Aramaeans are going to attack it.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	10	The king of Israel accordingly sent men to the place which Elisha had named. And he kept warning the king, and the king stayed on the alert; and this happened more than once or twice.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	11	The king of Aram grew very much disturbed over this. He summoned his officers, and said, 'Tell me which of you is betraying us to the king of Israel.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	12	'No one, my lord king,' one of his officers replied. 'It is Elisha, the prophet in Israel. The words you utter in your bedchamber, he reveals to the king of Israel.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	13	'Go and find out where he is,' the king said, 'so that I can send people to capture him.' Word was brought to him, 'He is now in Dothan.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	14	So he sent horses and chariots there, and a large force; and these, arriving during the night, surrounded the town.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	15	Next day, Elisha got up early and went out; and there surrounding the town was an armed force with horses and chariots. 'Oh, my lord,' his servant said, 'what are we to do?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	16	'Do not be afraid,' he replied, 'for there are more on our side than on theirs.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	17	And Elisha prayed. 'Yahweh,' he said, 'open his eyes and make him see.' Yahweh opened the servant's eyes, and he saw the mountain covered in fiery horses and chariots surrounding Elisha.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	18	As the Aramaeans came down towards him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, 'I beg you to strike these people sun-blind.' And, at Elisha's word, he struck them sun-blind.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	19	Then Elisha said to them, 'This is not the road, nor is this the town. Follow me; I shall lead you to the man you are looking for.' But he led them to Samaria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	20	As they entered Samaria, Elisha said, 'Yahweh, open these people's eyes, and let them see.' Yahweh opened their eyes and they saw; they were inside Samaria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	21	When the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, 'Shall I kill them, father?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	22	'Do not kill them,' he replied. 'Do you kill your own prisoners with sword and bow? Offer them food and water, so that they can eat and drink, and then let them go back to their master.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	23	So the king provided a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them off and they went back to their master. Aramaean raiding parties never invaded the territory of Israel again.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	24	It happened after this that Ben-Hadad king of Aram, mustering his whole army, marched on and laid siege to Samaria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	25	In Samaria there was great famine, and so strict was the siege that the head of a donkey sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one quarter-kab of wild onions for five shekels of silver.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	26	Now as the king was passing along the city wall, a woman shouted, 'Help, my lord king!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	27	'If Yahweh does not help you,' he retorted, 'where can I find help for you? From the threshing-floor? From the winepress?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	28	Then the king asked, 'What is the matter?' 'This woman here', she answered, 'said to me, "Give up your son; we will eat him today, and eat my son tomorrow."
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	29	So we cooked my son and ate him. Next day, I said to her, "Give up your son for us to eat." But she has hidden her son.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	30	On hearing the woman's words, the king tore his clothes; the king was walking on the wall, and the people saw that underneath he was wearing sackcloth next his body.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	31	'May God bring unnameable ills on me, and worse ills, too,' he said, 'if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders today!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	32	Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead but, before the man arrived, Elisha had said to the elders, 'Do you see how this son of a murderer has given orders to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door; hold the door against him. Isn't that the sound of his master's step behind him?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	6	33	He was still actually speaking, when the king arrived and said, 'This misery plainly comes from Yahweh. Why should I still trust in Yahweh?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	1	'Listen to the word of Yahweh,' Elisha said. 'Yahweh says this, "By this time tomorrow a measure of finest flour will sell for one shekel, and two measures of barley for one shekel, at the gate of Samaria." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	2	The equerry on whose arm the king was leaning retorted to Elisha, 'Even if Yahweh made windows in the sky, could this word come true?' 'You will see it with your own eyes,' Elisha replied, 'though you will eat none of it.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	3	Now at the entrance to the gate -- for they were afflicted with virulent skin-disease -- there were four men and they debated among themselves, 'Why sit here waiting for death?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	4	If we decide to go into the city, what with the famine in it, we shall die there; if we stay where we are, we shall die just the same. Come on, let us go over to the Aramaean camp; if they spare our lives, we live; if they kill us, well, then we die.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	5	So at dusk they set out and made for the Aramaean camp, but when they reached the confines of the camp there was not a soul there.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	6	For Yahweh had caused the Aramaeans in their camp to hear a noise of chariots and horses, the noise of a great army; and they had said to one another, 'Listen! The king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings against us, to attack us.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	7	So in the dusk they had made off and fled, abandoning their tents, their horses and their donkeys; leaving the camp just as it was, they had fled for their lives.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	8	The men with skin-disease, then, reached the confines of the camp. They went into one of the tents and ate and drank, and from it carried off silver and gold and clothing; these they took and hid. Then they came back and, entering another tent, looted it too, and took and hid their booty.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	9	Then they said to one another, 'We are doing wrong. This is a day of good news, yet we are holding our tongues! If we wait till morning, we shall certainly be punished. Come on, let us go and take the news to the palace.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	10	Off they went and shouted out to the guards on the city gate, 'We have been to the Aramaean camp. There was not a soul there, no sound of anyone, only tethered horses and tethered donkeys, and their tents just as they were.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	11	The gatekeepers shouted the news, which was reported inside the palace.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	12	The king got up while it was still dark and said to his officers, 'I can tell you what the Aramaeans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the open country. "They will come out of the city," they think, "we shall catch them alive and get into the city."'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	13	One of his officers replied, 'Five of the surviving horses still left us had better be taken -- they would die in any case like all the rest. Let us send them and see.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	14	So they took two chariot teams and the king sent them after the Aramaean army, saying, 'Go and see.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	15	They followed them as far as the Jordan, finding the whole way strewn with clothes and gear which the Aramaeans had thrown away in their panic. The scouts returned and informed the king.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	16	Then the people went out and plundered the Aramaean camp: a measure of finest flour sold for one shekel, and two measures of barley for one shekel, as Yahweh had promised they would.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	17	The king had detailed the equerry, on whose arm he leaned, as commander of the guard on the gate, but the people trampled on him in the gateway and he died, as the man of God had foretold when the king had come down to him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	18	(What Elisha had said to the king came true, 'Two measures of barley will sell for one shekel, and a measure of finest flour for one shekel, by this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	19	And the equerry in question had replied to the man of God, 'Even if Yahweh made windows in the sky, could this word come true?' 'You will see it with your own eyes,' Elisha had answered, 'though you will eat none of it.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	7	20	And that was what happened to him: for the people trampled on him in the gateway and he died.)
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	1	Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had raised to life, 'Move away with your family, and live where you can in some foreign country, for Yahweh has called up a famine -- it is already coming on the country -- for seven years.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	2	The woman hurried to do what the man of God had told her: she set out, she and her family, and for seven years she lived in Philistine territory.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	3	When the seven years were over, the woman returned from Philistine territory and went to lodge a claim with the king for her house and land.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	4	Now the king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God. 'Tell me', he was saying, 'all about the marvels which Elisha did.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	5	Gehazi was just telling the king how Elisha had raised the dead child to life, when the woman whose son Elisha had raised lodged her claim with the king for her house and land. 'My lord king,' Gehazi said, 'this is the very woman, and that is her son whom Elisha raised to life.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	6	The king questioned the woman, who told him the story. The king then delegated one of the officials to her with this order, 'See that all her property is restored to her, and all the revenue from her land from the day she left the country until now.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	7	Elisha went to Damascus. Ben-Hadad king of Aram was ill, and was told, 'The man of God has come all the way to us.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	8	Then the king said to Hazael, 'Take a present with you and go and meet the man of God; consult Yahweh through him, and find out if I shall recover from my illness.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	9	So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him as a present the best that Damascus could offer, a load for forty camels. He arrived and, presenting himself, said, 'Your son Ben-Hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask you, "Shall I recover from my illness?"
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	10	Elisha replied, 'Go and tell him, "You might recover," though Yahweh has shown me that he will certainly die.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	11	Then the face of the man of God went rigid, and his look grew strangely fixed, and he wept.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	12	'Why', Hazael asked, 'does my lord weep?' 'Because I know', Elisha replied, 'what harm you will do to the Israelites: you will burn down their fortresses, put their picked warriors to the sword, dash their little children to pieces, disembowel their pregnant women.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	13	'But what is your servant?' Hazael said. 'How could this dog achieve anything so great?' 'In a vision from Yahweh,' Elisha replied, 'I have seen you king of Aram.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	14	Leaving Elisha, Hazael went back to his master who asked, 'What did Elisha say to you?' He replied, 'He told me that you might recover.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	15	Next day he took a blanket, soaked it in water, and spread it over his face. So died Ben-Hadad, and Hazael succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	16	In the fifth year of Jehoram son of Ahab, king of Israel, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	17	He was thirty-two years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	18	He followed the example of the kings of Israel as the House of Ahab were doing; he had married one of Ahab's daughters; and he did what is displeasing to Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	19	But Yahweh was unwilling to destroy Judah, because of his servant David, and was faithful to the promise which he had made him to leave him a lamp for ever in his presence.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	20	In his time Edom threw off the domination of Judah and set up a king for itself.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	21	Jehoram crossed to Zair, and with him all the chariots . . . Under cover of dark, he and his chariot commanders broke through the Edomites surrounding him; the people fled to their tents.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	22	Even so, Edom threw off the domination of Judah, remaining free to the present day. Libnah also revolted at that time.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	23	The rest of the history of Jehoram, his entire career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	24	Then Jehoram fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried with them in the City of David; his son Ahaziah succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	25	In the twelfth year of Jehoram son of Ahab, king of Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, became king.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	26	Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah granddaughter of Omri king of Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	27	He followed the example of the House of Ahab and did what is displeasing to Yahweh, as the House of Ahab were doing, to whom he was related by marriage.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	28	He went with Jehoram son of Ahab to make war on Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth in Gilead, but the Aramaeans wounded Jehoram.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	8	29	King Jehoram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds which he had received at Ramah, fighting against Hazael king of Aram. Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to Jezreel to visit Jehoram son of Ahab because he was ailing.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	1	The prophet Elisha summoned a member of the prophetic brotherhood to him, 'Hitch up your clothes, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth in Gilead.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	2	When you arrive there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. Then, when you find him, tell him to get up and leave his companions, and take him into an inner room.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	3	Take the flask of oil then and pour it over his head, and say, "Yahweh says this: I have anointed you king of Israel." Then open the door and flee as fast as you can.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	4	The young man left for Ramoth in Gilead
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	5	and when he arrived, found the senior officers of the army sitting together. 'I have a message for you, commander,' he said. 'For which of us?' asked Jehu. 'For you, commander,' he answered.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	6	Jehu then got up and went into the house. And the young man poured the oil on his head, saying, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "I have anointed you king of Yahweh's people, of Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	7	You will strike down the family of Ahab your master, and I shall avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and all of Yahweh's servants, on Jezebel
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	8	and on the whole family of Ahab. I shall destroy every manjack of Ahab's family, fettered or free in Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	9	I shall make the House of Ahab like the House of Jeroboam son of Nebat and of Baasha son of Ahijah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	10	As for Jezebel, the dogs will eat her in the field of Jezreel; no one will bury her." ' With this, he opened the door and made his escape.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	11	Jehu came out to his master's officers. 'Is all well?' they asked him. 'Why did this madman come to you?' 'You know the fellow and how he talks,' he answered.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	12	'Evasion!' they cried, 'Come on, tell us.' He replied, 'He said this and that to me. He said, "Yahweh says this: I have anointed you king of Israel." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	13	Whereupon they all took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps; they sounded the trumpet and shouted, 'Jehu is king!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	14	Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi plotted against Jehoram. (At the time, Jehoram, with all Israel, was holding Ramoth in Gilead against an attack by Hazael king of Aram,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	15	but King Jehoram had gone back to Jezreel to recover from the wounds which he had received from the Aramaeans while he was fighting against Hazael king of Aram.) 'If you agree,' Jehu said, 'let no one leave the town to go and take the news to Jezreel.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	16	Jehu then mounted his chariot and left for Jezreel; Jehoram had taken to his bed there, and Ahaziah king of Judah had gone down to visit him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	17	The lookout posted on the tower of Jezreel saw Jehu's troop approaching. 'I can see a body of men,' he shouted. Jehoram gave the order: 'Have a horseman sent to meet them and ask, "Is all well?" '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	18	The horseman went to meet Jehu and said, 'The king says, "Is all well?" ' 'What has it to do with you whether all is well?' Jehu replied. 'Fall in behind me.' The lookout reported, 'The messenger has reached them and is not coming back.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	19	The king sent a second horseman who reached them and said, 'The king says, "Is all well?" ' 'What has it to do with you whether all is well?' Jehu replied. 'Fall in behind me.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	20	The lookout reported, 'He has reached them and is not coming back. The manner of driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi: he drives like a madman.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	21	'Harness!' Jehoram cried; and they harnessed his chariot. Then Jehoram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah, each in his chariot, set out to meet Jehu. They reached him in the field of Naboth of Jezreel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	22	As soon as Jehoram saw Jehu he asked, 'Is all well, Jehu?' 'What a question!' he replied, 'when all the while the prostitutions and countless sorceries of your mother Jezebel go on.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	23	At this, Jehoram wheeled and fled, saying to Ahaziah, 'Treason, Ahaziah!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	24	But Jehu had drawn his bow; he struck Jehoram between the shoulder-blades, the arrow went through the king's heart, and he sank down in his chariot.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	25	'Pick him up,' Jehu said to Bidkar, his equerry, 'and throw him into the field of Naboth of Jezreel. Remember how, when you and I manned a chariot together behind Ahab his father, Yahweh pronounced this sentence against him,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	26	"This I swear. Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons -- Yahweh says this. And in this same field I shall requite you -- Yahweh says this." So pick him up, and throw him into the field, as Yahweh declared should happen!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	27	When Ahaziah king of Judah saw this, he fled along the Beth-ha-Gan road, but Jehu went in pursuit of him. 'Strike him down too,' he said. And they wounded him in his chariot at the slope of Gur, which is near Ibleam, and he took refuge in Megiddo, where he died.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	28	His servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem and buried him in his tomb in the City of David.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	29	Ahaziah had become king of Judah in the eleventh year of Jehoram son of Ahab.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	30	When Jehu went back to Jezreel, Jezebel was told. She made up her eyes with mascara, adorned her head and appeared at the window.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	31	As Jehu came through the gateway she said, 'How did Zimri get on after killing his master?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	32	Jehu looked up to the window and said, 'Who is on my side? Who?' And two or three officials looked down at him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	33	'Throw her down,' he said. They threw her down and her blood spattered the walls and the horses; and Jehu rode over her.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	34	He went in and ate and drank, then said, 'See to this accursed woman, and give her burial; after all, she was a king's daughter.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	35	But when they went to bury her, they found nothing but her skull, feet and hands.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	36	They came back and told Jehu, who said, 'This is the word of Yahweh which he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite, "The dogs will eat the flesh of Jezebel in the field of Jezreel;
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	9	37	the corpse of Jezebel will be like dung spread on the fields, so that no one will be able to say: This was Jezebel." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	1	There were seventy of Ahab's sons in Samaria. Jehu sent to Samaria, to the authorities of the city, to the elders and to the guardians of Ahab's children. He said,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	2	'Now, when this letter reaches you, you have your master's sons with you; you also have chariots and horses, a fortified city and weapons.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	3	See which of your master's sons is the best and worthiest, put him on his father's throne and fight for your master's dynasty!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	4	They were utterly terrified. 'We have seen how the two kings could not stand up to him,' they said, 'so how could we?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	5	Consequently the master of the palace, the governor of the city, the elders and the guardians sent word to Jehu, 'We are your servants. We shall do whatever you order us. We shall not proclaim a king; act as you think best.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	6	Jehu then wrote them a second letter. He said, 'If you are for me and if you are prepared to accept orders from me, take the heads of the men of your master's family and come to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.' (There were seventy of Ahab's sons being educated there by the leading men of the city.)
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	7	When this letter reached them, they took the king's sons and butchered all seventy of them, put their heads in baskets and sent them to him at Jezreel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	8	The messenger came and told Jehu, 'They have brought the heads of the king's sons.' 'Leave them in two heaps at the entrance to the gate until morning,' he replied.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	9	When morning came, he went out and, standing, said to all the people, 'No guilt attaches to you! I did indeed plot against my master and have killed him; but what about all these? Who struck them?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	10	Know, then, that nothing will fail to be fulfilled of the prophecy uttered by Yahweh against the House of Ahab; Yahweh has done what he said through his servant Elijah.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	11	Jehu then killed every member of the House of Ahab surviving in Jezreel, all his leading men, his close friends, his priests; he did not leave a single one alive.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	12	Jehu then set out for Samaria. As he was on his way, at Beth-Eked of the Shepherds,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	13	he met the brothers of Ahaziah king of Judah. 'Who are you?' he asked. 'We are Ahaziah's brothers,' they replied, 'and we are on our way to pay our respects to the king's sons and the queen mother's sons.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	14	'Take them alive,' he said. They took them alive, and he slaughtered them at the storage-well of Beth-Eked, forty-two of them; he did not spare a single one.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	15	Leaving there, he came on Jehonadab son of Rechab who was on his way to meet him. He greeted him and said, 'Is your heart true to mine, as my heart is to yours?' Jehonadab replied, 'Yes.' 'If so,' Jehu said, 'give me your hand.' Jehonadab gave him his hand, and Jehu took him up beside him in his chariot.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	16	'Come with me,' he said, 'and witness my zeal for Yahweh,' and took him along in his chariot.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	17	When he entered Samaria, he killed all the survivors of Ahab's family there; he destroyed it, as Yahweh had told Elijah it would happen.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	18	Then Jehu assembled all the people. 'Ahab did Baal some small service,' he said, 'but Jehu will do him a great one.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	19	Now call me all the prophets of Baal and all his priests. Not one is to be absent: I have a great sacrifice to offer to Baal. If anyone is absent, he will forfeit his life.' This was a trick on Jehu's part to destroy the devotees of Baal.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	20	'Summon a sacred assembly for Baal,' he commanded; and they summoned it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	21	Jehu sent messengers throughout Israel, and all the devotees of Baal arrived, not a man was left who did not attend. They crowded into the temple of Baal until it was full from wall to wall.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	22	Jehu then said to the keeper of the wardrobe, 'Bring out vestments for all the devotees of Baal'; he brought out the vestments for them.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	23	Jehu then went into the temple of Baal with Jehonadab son of Rechab and said to Baal's devotees, 'Make quite sure that there are no devotees of Yahweh in here with you, but only devotees of Baal.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	24	He then proceeded to present sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty of his men outside, having said, 'Whoever lets one of the people go whom I am now putting within your clutches, will pay for it with his life.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	25	When he had finished making the burnt offering, he gave the order to the guards and equerries, 'Go in, strike them down! Let no one out!' The guards and equerries went in, putting everyone to the sword all the way to the sanctuary of Baal's temple.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	26	They took the sacred pole out of Baal's temple and burned it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	27	They demolished Baal's image and demolished Baal's temple too, making it into a latrine, which it still is today.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	28	Thus Jehu rid Israel of Baal.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	29	Even so, Jehu did not give up the sins into which Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel, the golden calves of Bethel and Dan.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	30	Yahweh said to Jehu, 'Since you have done well in carrying out what pleases me, and have done everything I required to be done to the House of Ahab, your sons will occupy the throne of Israel down to the fourth generation.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	31	Jehu, however, did not faithfully and wholeheartedly follow the law of Yahweh, God of Israel; he did not give up the sins into which Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	32	At that time Yahweh began to whittle Israel down, and Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout the territory east of the Jordan:
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	33	the whole territory of Gilead -- of the Gadites, the Reubenites and the Manassehites -- from Aroer on the River Arnon: Gilead and Bashan.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	34	The rest of the history of Jehu, his entire career, all his prowess, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	35	Then he fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria; his son Jehoahaz succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	10	36	Jehu's reign over Israel in Samaria lasted twenty-eight years.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	1	When Athaliah mother of Ahaziah learned that her son was dead, she promptly murdered all those of royal stock.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	2	But Jehosheba, daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, surreptitiously rescued Jehoash son of Ahaziah from among the princes who were to be murdered, and put him with his nurse in the sleeping quarters; in this way she hid him from Athaliah, and he was not killed.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	3	He stayed, hidden with her in the Temple of Yahweh for six years, while Athaliah governed the country.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	4	In the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the regimental commanders of the Carians and the guards, and had them brought to him in the Temple of Yahweh. He made a pact with them, put them on oath, then showed them the king's son. He gave them this order,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	5	'This is what you must do: a third of
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	6	you who come on duty on the Sabbath must mount guard at the royal palace,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	7	and your two other sections who come off duty on the Sabbath and mount guard at the Temple of Yahweh
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	8	must surround the king, each man with his weapons in his hand; anyone forcing his way through the ranks is to be killed. And you will escort the king as he leaves and as he comes in.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	9	The regimental commanders did everything as Jehoiada the priest had ordered, and each one brought his men, those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty on the Sabbath, and reported to Jehoiada the priest.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	10	The priest then issued the regimental commanders with King David's spears and shields, which were kept in the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	11	The guards then took position, each man with his weapons in his hand, from the south corner of the Temple to the north corner of the Temple, all round the altar and the Temple.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	12	Then Jehoiada brought the king's son out -- crowned him and gave him a copy of the covenant; and they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and shouted, 'Long live the king!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	13	On hearing the people shouting, Athaliah joined the people in the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	14	When she looked, there stood the king on a dais, as the custom was, with the officers and trumpeters at the king's side, and all the people of the country rejoicing and blowing the trumpets; then Athaliah tore her clothes and shouted, 'Treason, treason!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	15	Jehoiada the priest then gave the orders to the commanders in charge of the troops, 'Take her out under guard and put to death anyone who follows her.' 'For', the priest had already said, 'she must not be killed inside the Temple of Yahweh.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	16	They seized her, and when she reached the horses' entry to the palace, she was killed there.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	17	Jehoiada made a covenant between Yahweh, the king and the people that they would remain Yahweh's people; and another one between the king and the people.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	18	All the people of the country then went to the temple of Baal and demolished it; they smashed its altars and its images and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. The priest made arrangements for the security of the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	19	He then took the regimental commanders, the Carians, the guards and all the people of the country, and they escorted the king down from the Temple of Yahweh, entering the palace through the Gate of the Guards. Jehoash took his seat on the throne of the kings.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	11	20	All the people of the country were delighted; the city, however, made no move. And Athaliah was put to death inside the palace.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	1	Jehoash was seven years old when he came to the throne.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	2	Jehoash became king in the seventh year of Jehu, and reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	3	All his life Jehoash did what Yahweh regards as right, having been instructed by Jehoiada the priest.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	4	The high places, however, were not abolished, and the people still offered sacrifices and incense on the high places.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	5	Jehoash said to the priests, 'All the money from the sacred revenues brought to the Temple of Yahweh, the money from personal taxes, and all the money voluntarily offered to the Temple-
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	6	the priests are to receive this individually from people of their acquaintance and will carry out all the repairs to the Temple which need to be made.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	7	Now in the twenty-third year of King Jehoash the priests had done no repairs to the Temple;
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	8	so King Jehoash summoned Jehoiada the priest and the other priests. 'Why are you not repairing the Temple?' he asked. 'You are no longer to accept money from people of your acquaintance but are to hand it over for the Temple repairs.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	9	The priests agreed to accept no money from the people and no longer to be responsible for repairs to the Temple.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	10	Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in the lid and placed it beside the pillar, to the right of the entry to the Temple of Yahweh; in it the priests who guarded the threshold put all the money which was given for the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	11	Whenever they saw that there was a great deal of money in the chest, the king's secretary would come, and they would empty it out and reckon the money then in the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	12	Once checked, they paid this money over to the masters of works attached to the Temple of Yahweh, and these in turn spent it on carpenters and builders working on the Temple of Yahweh,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	13	on masons and stonecutters, and on buying timber and dressed stone to be used for repairs to the Temple of Yahweh; in short, for all the costs of the Temple repairs.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	14	But no silver basins, knives, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or gold or silver objects were made for the Temple of Yahweh out of the money presented,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	15	which was all given to the masters of works for repairing the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	16	No accounts were kept with the men to whom the money was paid over to be spent on the workmen, since they were honest in their work.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	17	Money offered in expiation of an offence or of a sin was not given to the Temple of Yahweh; that was for the priests.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	18	At that time Hazael king of Aram went to war against Gath, and captured it; he then prepared to attack Jerusalem.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	19	Jehoash king of Judah took all the sacred offerings dedicated by his ancestors, the kings of Judah, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram and Ahaziah, with those which he himself had dedicated, and all the gold which was to be found in the treasuries of the Temple of Yahweh and of the palace; he sen it all to Hazael king of Aram, who retired from Jerusalem.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	20	The rest of the history of Joash, his entire career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	21	His own retainers rebelled and hatched a plot; they murdered Joash in the palace of the Millo . . .
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	12	22	Jozacar son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer were the retainers who struck the blows from which he died. He was buried with his ancestors in the City of David; his son Amaziah succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	1	In the twenty-third year of Joash son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel in Samaria. He reigned for seventeen years.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	2	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh and copied the sin into which Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel; he did not give it up.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	3	This aroused Yahweh's anger against the Israelites, and he delivered them without respite into the power of Hazael king of Aram and of Ben-Hadad son of Hazael.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	4	Jehoahaz, however, tried to placate Yahweh, and Yahweh heard him, for he had seen the oppression which the king of Aram was inflicting on Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	5	Yahweh gave Israel a saviour who freed them from the grip of Aram, and the Israelites lived in their tents as in the past.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	6	But they did not give up the sin into which Jeroboam had led Israel; they persisted in it, and even the sacred pole stayed standing in Samaria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	7	Of Jehoahaz's army Yahweh left only fifty horsemen, ten chariots and ten thousand foot soldiers. The king of Aram had destroyed them, making them like dust trampled under foot.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	8	The rest of the history of Jehoahaz, his entire career, his prowess, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	9	Then Jehoahaz fell asleep with his ancestors, and was buried in Samaria; his son Joash succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	10	In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, became king of Israel in Samaria. He reigned for sixteen years.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	11	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, he did not give up the sin into which Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel; he persisted in it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	12	The rest of the history of Joash, his entire career, his prowess, how he waged war on Amaziah king of Judah, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	13	Then Joash fell asleep with his ancestors, and Jeroboam ascended his throne. Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	14	When Elisha had fallen ill of the illness of which he was to die, Joash king of Israel went down to him and shedding tears over him said, 'Father! Father! Chariot of Israel and its chargers!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	15	Elisha said to him, 'Bring bow and arrows,' and he sent for a bow and arrows.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	16	Then Elisha said to the king, 'Draw the bow,' and he drew it. Elisha put his hands over the hands of the king,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	17	then he said, 'Open the window towards the east,' and he opened it. Then Elisha said, 'Shoot!' And he shot. Elisha said, 'Arrow of victory over Aram! You will defeat Aram at Aphek-completely.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	18	Elisha said, 'Take the arrows,' and he took them. Then he said to the king, 'Strike the ground,' and he struck it three times, then stopped.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	19	At this the man of God grew angry with him. 'You should have struck half a dozen times,' he said, 'and you would have beaten Aram completely; now you will beat Aram only three times.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	20	Elisha died and was buried. Bands of Moabites were making incursions into the country every year.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	21	Some people happened to be carrying a man out for burial; at the sight of one of these bands, they flung the man into the tomb of Elisha and made off. The man had no sooner touched the bones of Elisha than he came to life and stood up on his feet.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	22	Hazael king of Aram had oppressed the Israelites throughout the lifetime of Jehoahaz,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	23	but Yahweh was kind and took pity on them. Because of the covenant which he had made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, he relented towards them; he had no wish to destroy them, he did not cast them out of his presence.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	24	Hazael king of Aram died, and his son Ben-Hadad succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	13	25	From Ben-Hadad son of Hazael, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz recaptured the towns which Hazael had seized from his father Jehoahaz by force of arms. Joash defeated him three times and recovered the Israelite towns.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	1	In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash became king of Judah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	2	He was twenty-five years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	3	He did what Yahweh regards as right, though not like his ancestor David; he imitated his father Joash in all respects.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	4	The high places, however, were not abolished, and the people still offered sacrifices and incense on the high places.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	5	Once the kingdom was firmly under his control, he killed those of his retainers who had murdered the king his father.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	6	But he did not put the murderers' sons to death, in accordance with what is written in the Book of Moses, where Yahweh has commanded: 'Parents may not be put to death for their children, nor children for parents, but each must be put to death for his own crime.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	7	It was he who slaughtered the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, ten thousand of them, and captured the Rock; he gave it the name Joktheel, which it bears to the present day.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	8	Amaziah then sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, saying, 'Come and make a trial of strength!'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	9	Jehoash king of Israel sent back word to Amaziah king of Judah, 'The thistle of Lebanon sent a message to the cedar of Lebanon, saying, "Give my son your daughter in marriage"; but a wild animal of the Lebanon ran over the thistle and squashed it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	10	You have conquered Edom and now aspire to even greater glory. Stay where you belong! Why provoke disaster, to your own and Judah's ruin?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	11	But Amaziah would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel marched to the attack. And at Beth-Shemesh, which belongs to Judah, he and Amaziah king of Judah made their trial of strength.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	12	Judah was defeated by Israel, and everyone fled to his tent.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	13	The king of Judah, Amaziah son of Jehoash, son of Ahaziah, was taken prisoner at Beth-Shemesh by Jehoash king of Israel who led him off to Jerusalem, where he demolished four hundred cubits of the city wall between the Ephraim Gate and the Corner Gate;
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	14	all the gold and silver, and all the vessels to be found in the Temple of Yahweh and in the palace treasury, and hostages besides, he then took back with him to Samaria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	15	The rest of the history of Jehoash, his entire career, his prowess, how he waged war on Amaziah king of Judah, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	16	Then Joash fell asleep with his ancestors, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; his son Jeroboam succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	17	Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, lived for fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	18	The rest of the history of Amaziah, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	19	A plot having been hatched against him in Jerusalem, he fled to Lachish; but he was followed to Lachish where he was murdered.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	20	He was then transported by horse and buried in Jerusalem with his ancestors in the City of David.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	21	All the people of Judah then chose Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in succession to his father Amaziah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	22	It was he who rebuilt Elath, recovering it for Judah, after the king had fallen asleep with his ancestors.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	23	In the fifteenth year of Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam son of Joash became king of Israel in Samaria. He reigned for forty-one years.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	24	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh and did not give up any of the sins into which Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	25	It was he who recovered the territory of Israel from the Pass of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, in accordance with the word which Yahweh, God of Israel, had spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-Hepher.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	26	For Yahweh had seen how very bitter the affliction of Israel was, with no one, either fettered or free, to come to Israel's help.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	27	But Yahweh had resolved not to blot out the name of Israel under heaven; he rescued them by means of Jeroboam son of Joash.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	28	The rest of the history of Jeroboam, his entire career, his prowess, what wars he waged, how he brought Damascus and Hamath back to their allegiance to Judah and Israel, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	14	29	Then Jeroboam fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; his son Zechariah succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	1	In the seventeenth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Uzziah son of Amaziah became king of Judah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	2	He was sixteen years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	3	He did what Yahweh regards as right, just as his father Amaziah had done.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	4	The high places, however, were not abolished, and the people still offered sacrifices and incense on the high places.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	5	But Yahweh struck the king, and he was afflicted with a virulent skin-disease till his dying day. He lived confined to his room, while Jotham the king's son, who was master of the palace, governed the country.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	6	The rest of the history of Uzziah, his entire career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	7	Then Uzziah fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David; his son Jotham then succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	8	In the thirty-eighth year of Uzziah king of Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in Samaria for six months.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	9	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, as his fathers had done; he did not give up the sins into which Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel. Shallum son of Jabesh plotted against him, murdered him at Ibleam,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	10	and succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	11	The rest of the history of Zechariah is recorded in the Book of Annals of the Kings of Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	12	This was the word which Yahweh had spoken to Jehu, 'Your sons will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.' And so it turned out.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	13	Shallum son of Jabesh became king in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah and reigned for one month in Samaria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	14	Then Menahem son of Gadi marched from Tirzah, entered Samaria, murdered Shallum son of Jabesh there and succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	15	The rest of the history of Shallum, and the plot he hatched, is recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	16	Menahem then sacked Tappuah -- killing all who were in it -- and its territory from Tirzah onwards, because it had not opened its gates to him; he sacked the town and disembowelled all the pregnant women.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	17	In the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel. He reigned for ten years in Samaria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	18	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, he did not give up the sins into which Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel. In his days
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	19	Pul king of Assyria invaded the country. Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver in return for his support in strengthening his hold on the royal power.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	20	Menahem levied this sum from Israel, from all the men of rank, at the rate of fifty shekels a head, to be given to the king of Assyria, who then withdrew and did not stay in the country.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	21	The rest of the history of Menahem, his entire career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	22	Then Menahem fell asleep with his ancestors; his son Pekahiah succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	23	In the fiftieth year of Uzziah king of Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel in Samaria. He reigned for two years.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	24	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh; he did not give up the sins into which Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	25	Pekah son of Remaliah, his equerry, plotted against him and assassinated him in the palace keep . . . He had fifty Gileadites with him. He killed the king and succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	26	The rest of the history of Pekahiah, his entire career, is recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	27	In the fifty-second year of Uzziah king of Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel in Samaria. He reigned for twenty years.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	28	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh; he did not give up the sins into which Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	29	In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-Beth-Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead and Galilee -- the whole territory of Naphtali and deported the population to Assyria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	30	Hoshea son of Elah hatched a plot against Pekah son of Remaliah; he murdered the king and succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	31	The rest of the history of Pekah, his entire career, is recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	32	In the second year of Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah became king of Judah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	33	He was twenty-five years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	34	He did what Yahweh regards as right, just as his father Uzziah had done.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	35	The high places, however, were not abolished, and the people still offered sacrifices and incense on the high places. It was he who built the Upper Gate of the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	36	The rest of the history of Jotham, his entire career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	37	At that time Yahweh began sending Razon king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah against Judah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	15	38	Then Jotham fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David, his ancestor; his son Ahaz succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	1	In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham became king of Judah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	2	Ahaz was twenty years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what Yahweh his God regards as right, as his ancestor David had done.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	3	He followed the example of the kings of Israel, even causing his son to pass through the fire of sacrifice, also copying the disgusting practices of the nations whom Yahweh had dispossessed for the Israelites.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	4	He offered sacrifices and incense on the high places, on the hills and under every luxuriant tree.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	5	Then it was that Razon king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, launched their campaign against Jerusalem. They besieged it but could not reduce it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	6	(At that time, the king of Edom recovered Elath for Edom; he drove the Judaeans out of Elath, and the Edomites occupied it and have been there ever since.)
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	7	Ahaz then sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria to say, 'I am your servant and your son. Come and rescue me from the king of Aram and the king of Israel who are making war on me.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	8	And Ahaz took what silver and gold was to be found in the Temple of Yahweh and in the palace treasury, and sent this as a present to the king of Assyria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	9	The king of Assyria granted his request and, marching on Damascus, captured it; he deported its population to Kir and put Razon to death.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	10	When King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, he saw the altar which was in Damascus. King Ahaz then sent a picture and model of the altar, with details of its construction, to Uriah the priest.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	11	Uriah the priest constructed the altar; all the instructions sent by King Ahaz from Damascus were carried out by Uriah the priest before King Ahaz returned from Damascus.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	12	When the king arrived from Damascus, he inspected the altar, he approached it and ascended it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	13	And on the altar he made his burnt offering and his oblation; he poured out his libation and sprinkled the blood of his communion sacrifices.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	14	The altar which used to stand before Yahweh he removed from the front of the Temple, where it had stood between the new altar and the Temple of Yahweh, and placed it at the north side of the new altar.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	15	King Ahaz gave this order to Uriah the priest, 'In future you will present the morning burnt offering, the evening oblation, the king's burnt offering and oblation, the burnt offering, the oblation and the libations of all the people of the country on the large altar; on it you will pour out all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. As regards the bronze altar, I shall see to that.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	16	Uriah the priest did everything that King Ahaz had ordered.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	17	King Ahaz broke up the wheeled stands; removed the crosspieces and the basins from them, and took the bronze Sea off the oxen supporting it, and rested it on the stone pavement.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	18	And from the Temple of Yahweh, in deference to the king of Assyria, he removed the dais for the throne which had been built inside, and the royal entrance on the outside.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	19	The rest of the history of Ahaz, his entire career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	16	20	Then Ahaz fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David; his son Hezekiah succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	1	In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel in Samaria, and reigned for nine years.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	2	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, though not like the preceding kings of Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	3	Shalmaneser king of Assyria made war on Hoshea who submitted to him and paid him tribute.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	4	But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea was playing a double game with him; he had sent messengers to Sais, to the king of Egypt, and had not, as in previous years, handed over the tribute to the king of Assyria. For this the king of Assyria imprisoned him in chains.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	5	The king of Assyria invaded the whole country and, coming to Samaria, laid siege to it for three years.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	6	In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah on the Habor, a river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	7	This happened because the Israelites had sinned against Yahweh their God who had brought them out of Egypt, out of the grip of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshipped other gods,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	8	they followed the practices of the nations which Yahweh had dispossessed for them.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	9	The Israelites spoke slightingly of Yahweh their God. They built themselves high places wherever they lived, from watchtower to fortified town.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	10	They set up pillars and sacred poles for themselves on every high hill and under every luxuriant tree.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	11	They sacrificed on all the high places like the nations which Yahweh had expelled for them, and did wicked things there, provoking Yahweh's anger.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	12	They served idols, although Yahweh had told them, 'This you must not do.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	13	And yet through all the prophets and the seers, Yahweh had given Israel and Judah this warning, 'Turn from your wicked ways and keep my commandments and my laws in accordance with the entire Law which I laid down for your fathers and delivered to them through my servants the prophets.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	14	But they would not listen, they were as stubborn as their ancestors, who had no faith in Yahweh their God.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	15	They despised his laws and the covenant which he had made with their ancestors and the warnings which he had given them. Pursuing futility, they themselves became futile through copying the nations round them, although Yahweh had ordered them not to act as they did.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	16	They rejected all the commandments of Yahweh their God and cast themselves metal idols, two calves; they made themselves sacred poles, they worshipped the whole array of heaven, and they served Baal.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	17	They caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire of sacrifice, also they practised divination and sorcery, they sold themselves to doing what displeases Yahweh, provoking his anger.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	18	Because of which, Yahweh became enraged with Israel and thrust them away from him. The tribe of Judah was the only one left.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	19	Judah did not keep the commandments of Yahweh their God either but copied the practices which Israel had introduced.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	20	Yahweh rejected the whole race of Israel; he brought them low, delivering them into the hands of marauders, until at length he thrust them away from him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	21	And indeed he had torn Israel away from the House of David, and they had made Jeroboam son of Nebat king; Jeroboam had drawn Israel away from Yahweh and led them into a great sin.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	22	The Israelites copied the sin which Jeroboam had committed; they did not give it up,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	23	until at length Yahweh thrust Israel away from him, as he had foretold through all his servants the prophets; he deported the Israelites from their own country to Assyria, where they have been ever since.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	24	The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim, and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites; these took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	25	When they first came to live there, they did not worship Yahweh; hence, Yahweh set lions on them, which killed a number of them.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	26	Consequently, the king of Assyria was informed as follows, 'The nations whom you deported and settled in the towns of Samaria do not know how to worship the local god, and he has set lions on them; and now these are killing them because they do not know how to worship the local god.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	27	So the king of Assyria gave this order, 'Send back one of the priests whom I deported from there; let him go and live there and teach them how to worship the local god.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	28	Accordingly, one of the priests who had been deported from Samaria came to live in Bethel; he taught them how to worship Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	29	Each nationality made gods of its own and put them in the shrines on the high places built by the Samaritans; each nationality did this in the towns where it lived.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	30	The people from Babylon had made a Succoth-Benoth, the people from Cuthah a Nergal, the people from Hamath an Ashima,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	31	the Avvites a Nibhaz and a Tartak; while the Sepharvites caused their children to pass through the fire of sacrifice to Adrammelech and Anammelech, gods of Sepharvaim.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	32	They worshipped Yahweh as well, and they appointed priests out of their own number for the high places, and these officiated in the shrines on the high places.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	33	They worshipped Yahweh and served their own gods at the same time, with the rites of the countries from which they had been deported.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	34	They still follow their old rites even now. They did not worship Yahweh and did not conform to his statutes or ritual, or the law or the commandments, which Yahweh had laid down for the sons of Jacob to whom he gave the name Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	35	Yahweh had made a covenant with them and had given them this command, 'You are not to worship alien gods, you are not to bow down to them or serve them or offer them sacrifices.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	36	You are to bow down and offer sacrifice only to Yahweh who brought you out of Egypt with great power and outstretched arm.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	37	You are to observe the statutes and ritual, the law and the commandments which he has given you in writing and to which you are always to conform; you are not to worship alien gods.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	38	Do not forget the covenant which I have made with you, and do not venerate alien gods.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	39	But venerate Yahweh your God, and he will deliver you from the clutches of all your enemies.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	40	But they would not listen and still followed their old rites.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	17	41	These nationalities, then, worshipped Yahweh and served their idols as well, as did their children; and their children's children still behave today as their ancestors behaved in the past.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	1	In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz became king of Judah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	2	He was twenty-five years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	3	He did what Yahweh regards as right, just as his ancestor David had done.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	4	He abolished the high places, broke the pillars, cut down the sacred poles and smashed the bronze serpent which Moses had made; for up to that time the Israelites had offered sacrifices to it; it was called Nehushtan.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	5	He put his trust in Yahweh, God of Israel. No king of Judah after him could be compared with him -- nor any of those before him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	6	He was devoted to Yahweh, never turning from him, but keeping the commandments which Yahweh had laid down for Moses.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	7	And so Yahweh was with him, and he was successful in all that he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to serve him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	8	He beat the Philistines back to Gaza, laying their territory waste from watchtower to fortified town.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	9	In the fourth year of Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched on Samaria and laid siege to it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	10	He captured it after three years. Samaria fell in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	11	The king of Assyria deported the Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah on the Habor, a river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	12	This happened because they had not obeyed the voice of Yahweh their God and had broken his covenant, everything that Moses servant of Yahweh had laid down. They neither listened to it nor put it into practice.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	13	In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria advanced on all the fortified towns of Judah and captured them.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	14	Then Hezekiah king of Judah sent this message to the king of Assyria at Lachish, 'I have been at fault. Call off the attack, and I will submit to whatever you impose on me.' The king of Assyria exacted three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold from Hezekiah king of Judah,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	15	and Hezekiah gave him all the silver in the Temple of Yahweh and in the palace treasury.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	16	At which time, Hezekiah stripped the facing from the leaves and jambs of the doors of the Temple of Yahweh, which an earlier king of Judah had put on, and gave it to the king of Assyria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	17	From Lachish the king of Assyria sent the cupbearer-in-chief with a large force to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. He marched on Jerusalem and, on his arrival, took up position near the conduit of the upper pool which is on the road to the Fuller's Field.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	18	He summoned the king. The master of the palace, Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Shebnah the secretary and the herald Joah son of Asaph went out to him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	19	The cupbearer-in-chief said to them, 'Say to Hezekiah, "The great king, the king of Assyria, says this: What makes you so confident?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	20	Do you think empty words are as good as strategy and military strength? Who are you relying on, to dare to rebel against me?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	21	There you are, relying on that broken reed Egypt, which pricks and pierces the hand of whoever leans on it. That is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is like to all who rely on him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	22	You may say to me: We rely on Yahweh our God. But have his high places and altars not been suppressed by Hezekiah who told Judah and Jerusalem: Here, in Jerusalem, is the altar before which you must worship?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	23	Very well, then, make a wager with my lord the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses if you can find horsemen to ride them.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	24	How could you repel a single one of the least of my master's soldiers? And yet you have relied on Egypt for chariots and horsemen.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	25	And lastly, have I marched on this place to lay it waste without warrant from Yahweh? Yahweh himself said to me: March on this country and lay it waste." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	26	Eliakim, Shebnah and Joah said to the cupbearer-in-chief, 'Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it; do not speak to us in the Judaean language within earshot of the people on the ramparts.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	27	But the cupbearer-in-chief said, 'Do you think my lord sent me here to say these things to your master or to you? On the contrary, it was to the people sitting on the ramparts who, like you, are doomed to eat their own dung and drink their own urine.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	28	The cupbearer-in-chief then drew himself up and shouted loudly in the Judaean language, 'Listen to the word of the great king, the king of Assyria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	29	The king says this, "Do not let Hezekiah delude you. He will be powerless to save you from my clutches.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	30	Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to rely on Yahweh by saying: Yahweh is sure to save us; this city will not fall into the king of Assyria's clutches.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	31	Do not listen to Hezekiah, for the king of Assyria says this: Make peace with me, surrender to me, and every one of you will be free to eat the fruit of his own vine and of his own fig tree and to drink the water of his own storage-well
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	32	until I come and take you away to a country like your own, a land of corn and good wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil and honey: and so you will survive and not die. Do not listen to Hezekiah; he is deluding you when he says: Yahweh will save us.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	33	Has any god of any nation been able to save his country from the king of Assyria's clutches?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	34	Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim and Hena and Ivvah? Where are the local gods of Samaria? Did they save Samaria from my clutches?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	35	Of all the local gods, which ones have saved their countries from my clutches, for Yahweh to be able to save Jerusalem from my clutches?" '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	36	The people, however, kept quiet and said nothing in reply, since the king had given the order, 'You are not to answer him.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	18	37	The master of the palace, Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Shebnah the secretary and the herald Joah son of Asaph, with their clothes torn, went to Hezekiah and reported what the cupbearer-in-chief had said.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	1	On hearing this, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and went to the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	2	He sent Eliakim master of the palace, Shebnah the secretary and the elders of the priests, wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	3	They said to him, 'This is what Hezekiah says, "Today is a day of suffering, of punishment, of disgrace. Children come to birth, and there is no strength to bring them forth.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	4	May Yahweh your God hear the words of the cupbearer-in-chief whom his master, the king of Assyria, has sent to insult the living God, and may Yahweh your God punish the words he has heard. Offer your prayer for the remnant still remaining." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	5	King Hezekiah's ministers went to Isaiah,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	6	and Isaiah said to them, 'Say to your master, "Yahweh says this: Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard or the blasphemies which the king of Assyria's minions have uttered against me.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	7	Look, I am going to put a spirit in him and, on the strength of a rumour, he will go back to his own country, and in that country I shall make him fall by the sword." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	8	The cupbearer turned about and rejoined the king of Assyria, who was then attacking Libnah, as the cupbearer had learnt that the king had already left Lachish
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	9	on hearing that Tirhakah king of Cush was on his way to attack him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	10	Sennacherib again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, 'Tell Hezekiah king of Judah this, "Do not let your God on whom you are relying deceive you with the promise: Jerusalem will not fall into the king of Assyria's clutches.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	11	You have learnt by now what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Are you likely to be saved?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	12	Did the gods of the nations whom my ancestors devastated save them -- Gozan, Haran, Rezeph and the Edenites who were in Tel Basar?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	13	Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of Lair, of Sepharvaim, of Hena, of Ivvah?" '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	14	Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers' hands and read it; he then went up to the Temple of Yahweh and spread it out before Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	15	Hezekiah said this prayer in the presence of Yahweh, 'Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, enthroned on the winged creatures, you alone are God of all the kingdoms of the world, you made heaven and earth.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	16	Give ear, Yahweh, and listen; open your eyes, Yahweh, and see! Hear the words of Sennacherib, who has sent to insult the living God.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	17	It is true, Yahweh, that the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	18	they have thrown their gods on the fire, for these were not gods but human artefacts -- wood and stone -- and hence they have destroyed them.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	19	But now, Yahweh our God, save us from his clutches, I beg you, and let all the kingdoms of the world know that you alone are God, Yahweh.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	20	Isaiah son of Amoz then sent the following message to Hezekiah, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "I have heard the prayer which you have addressed to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria."
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	21	Here is the pronouncement which Yahweh has made about him: "She despises you, she scorns you, the virgin daughter of Zion; she tosses her head at you, the daughter of Jerusalem!
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	22	Whom have you insulted, whom have you blasphemed? Against whom raised your voice and lifted your haughty eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel!
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	23	Through your envoys you have insulted the Lord, thinking: With my many chariots I have climbed the mountain-tops, the utmost peaks of Lebanon. I have felled its mighty cedars, its finest cypresses, have reached its furthest recesses, its forest garden.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	24	Yes, I have dug and drunk of foreign waters; under the soles of my feet I have dried up all Egypt's rivers.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	25	"Do you hear? Long ago I prepared this, from days of old I actually planned it, now I carry it out. You were to lay walled cities in heaps of ruins;
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	26	that was why their inhabitants, feeble of hand, were dismayed and discomfited, were weak as grass, were frail as plants, were like grass of housetop and meadow under the east wind.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	27	But whether you stand up or you sit down, whether you go out or you come in, I know it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	28	Because you have raved against me, and your arrogance has reached my ears, I shall put a hook through your nostrils and a muzzle on your lips, and make you return by the road by which you came.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	29	"And this will be the sign for you: this year will be eaten the self-sown grain, next year what sprouts in the fallow; but in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	30	The surviving remnant of the House of Judah will bring forth new roots below and fruits above;
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	31	for a remnant will issue from Jerusalem, and survivors from Mount Zion. Yahweh Sabaoth's jealous love will accomplish this.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	32	"This, then, is what Yahweh says about the king of Assyria: "He will not enter this city, will shoot no arrow at it, confront it with no shield, throw up no earthwork against it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	33	By the road by which he came, by that he will return; he will not enter this city, declares Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	34	I shall protect this city and save it for my sake and my servant David's sake." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	35	That same night the angel of Yahweh went out and struck down a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. In the early morning when it was time to get up, there they lay, so many corpses.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	36	Sennacherib struck camp and left; he returned home and stayed in Nineveh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	19	37	One day when he was worshipping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword and escaped into the territory of Ararat. His son Esarhaddon succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	1	About then Hezekiah fell ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came and said to him, 'Yahweh says this, "Put your affairs in order, for you are going to die, you will not live." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	2	Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and addressed this prayer to Yahweh,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	3	'Ah, Yahweh, remember, I beg you, that I have behaved faithfully and with sincerity of heart in your presence and done what you regard as right.' And Hezekiah shed many tears.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	4	Isaiah had not left the middle court, before the word of Yahweh came to him,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	5	'Go back and say to Hezekiah, prince of my people, "Yahweh, the God of your ancestor David, says this: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I shall cure you: in three days' time you will go up to the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	6	I shall add fifteen years to your life. I shall save you and this city from the king of Assyria's clutches and defend this city for my sake and my servant David's sake." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	7	'Bring a fig poultice,' Isaiah said; they brought one, applied it to the ulcer, and the king recovered.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	8	Hezekiah said to Isaiah, 'What is the sign to tell me that Yahweh will cure me and that I shall be going up to the Temple of Yahweh in three days' time?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	9	'Here', Isaiah replied, 'is the sign from Yahweh that he will do what he has said; would you like the shadow to go forward ten steps, or to go back ten steps?'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	10	'It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,' Hezekiah replied. 'No, I would rather the shadow went back ten steps.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	11	The prophet Isaiah then called on Yahweh, who made the shadow cast by the declining sun on the steps -- the steps to Ahaz's roof-room -- go back ten steps.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	12	At that time the king of Babylon, Merodach-Baladan son of Baladan, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he had heard of his illness and his recovery.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	13	Hezekiah was delighted at this and showed the ambassadors his entire treasury, the silver, gold, spices, precious oil, his armoury too, and everything to be seen in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in his whole domain that Hezekiah did not show them.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	14	The prophet Isaiah then came to King Hezekiah and asked him, 'What have these men said, and where have they come from?' Hezekiah answered, 'They have come from a distant country, from Babylon.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	15	Isaiah said, 'What have they seen in your palace?' 'They have seen everything in my palace,' Hezekiah answered. 'There is nothing in my storehouses that I have not shown them.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	16	Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Listen to the word of Yahweh,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	17	"The days are coming when everything in your palace, everything that your ancestors have amassed until now, will be carried off to Babylon. Not a thing will be left," Yahweh says.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	18	"Sons sprung from you, sons fathered by you, will be abducted to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	19	Hezekiah said to Isaiah, 'This word of Yahweh that you announce is reassuring,' for he was thinking, 'And why not? So long as there is peace and security during my lifetime.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	20	The rest of the history of Hezekiah, all his prowess, how he constructed the pool and the conduit to bring water into the city, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	20	21	Then Hezekiah fell asleep with his ancestors; his son Manasseh succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	1	Manasseh was twelve years old when he came to the throne and he reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	2	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, copying the disgusting practices of the nations whom Yahweh had dispossessed for the Israelites.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	3	He rebuilt the high places which his father Hezekiah had destroyed, he set up altars to Baal and made a sacred pole as Ahab king of Israel had done, he worshipped the whole array of heaven and served it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	4	He built altars in the Temple of Yahweh of which Yahweh had said, 'Jerusalem is where I shall put my name.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	5	He built altars to the whole array of heaven in the two courts of the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	6	He caused his son to pass through the fire of sacrifice, he also practised soothsaying and divination and set up mediums and spirit guides. He did very many more things displeasing to Yahweh, thus provoking his anger.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	7	He had an image of Asherah carved and placed it inside the Temple of which Yahweh had said to David and his son Solomon, 'In this Temple and in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I shall put my Name for ever.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	8	Nor shall I ever again set Israel's footsteps wandering outside the country which I gave to their ancestors, provided they are careful to observe all I have commanded them as laid down in the whole Law which my servant Moses prescribed for them.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	9	But they would not listen, and Manasseh misled them into doing worse things than the nations whom Yahweh had destroyed for the Israelites.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	10	Then Yahweh spoke through his servants the prophets as follows,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	11	'Since Manasseh king of Judah has done these shameful deeds, doing more wicked deeds than anything which the Amorites did before him, and has led Judah too into sin with his idols,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	12	Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "Look, I shall bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah as will make the ears of all who hear of it tingle.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	13	Over Jerusalem I shall stretch the same measuring line as over Samaria, the same plumb-rule as for the House of Ahab; I shall scour Jerusalem as someone scours a dish and, having scoured it, turns it upside down.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	14	I shall cast away the remnant of my heritage, delivering them into the clutches of their enemies and making them the prey and booty of all their enemies,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	15	because they have done what is displeasing to me and have provoked my anger from the day their ancestors came out of Egypt until now." '
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	16	Manasseh shed innocent blood, too, in such great quantity that he flooded Jerusalem from one end to the other, besides the sins into which he led Judah by doing what is displeasing to Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	17	The rest of the history of Manasseh, his entire career, the sins he committed, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	18	Then Manasseh fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried in the garden of his palace, the Garden of Uzza; his son Amon succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	19	Amon was twenty-two years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Meshullemeth daughter of Haruz, of Jotbah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	20	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had done.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	21	In every respect he followed the example of his father, serving the idols which his father had served, and worshipping them.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	22	He abandoned Yahweh, God of his ancestors; he did not follow the way of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	23	Amon's retinue plotted against the king and killed him in his own palace.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	24	The people of the country, however, slaughtered all those who had plotted against King Amon and proclaimed his son Josiah as his successor.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	25	The rest of the history of Amon, his entire career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	21	26	He was buried in his father's tomb in the Garden of Uzza; his son Josiah succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	1	Josiah was eight years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah, of Bozkath.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	2	He did what Yahweh regards as right, and in every respect followed the example of his ancestor David, not deviating from it to right or left.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	3	In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent the secretary Shaphan son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam to the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	4	'Go to Hilkiah the high priest,' he told him, 'and tell him to melt down the silver contributed to the Temple of Yahweh and collected by the guardians of the threshold from the people.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	5	He is to hand it over to the masters of works attached to the Temple of Yahweh, for them to pay it over to men working on the Temple of Yahweh, to repair the damaged parts of the Temple:
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	6	to the carpenters, builders and masons, and for buying timber and dressed stone for the Temple repairs.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	7	The latter were not required to render account of the money handed over to them, since they were conscientious in their work.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	8	The high priest Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, 'I have found the Book of the Law in the Temple of Yahweh.' And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, who read it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	9	Shaphan the secretary went to the king, reporting furthermore to him as follows, 'Your servants have melted down the silver which was in the Temple and have handed it over to the masters of works attached to the Temple of Yahweh.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	10	Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, 'The priest Hilkiah has given me a book'; and Shaphan read it aloud in the king's presence.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	11	On hearing the words of the Book of the Law he tore his clothes.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	12	Then the king gave the following order to the priest Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's minister:
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	13	'Go and consult Yahweh on behalf of me and the people about the words of the book that has been discovered; for Yahweh's furious wrath has been kindled against us because our ancestors disobeyed the word of Yahweh by not doing what this book says they ought to have done.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	14	The priest Hilkiah, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to the prophetess Huldah wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas the keeper of the wardrobe; she lived in Jerusalem in the new town. They put the matter to her,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	15	and she replied, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "To the man who sent you to me say this:
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	16	Yahweh says this: I am going to bring disaster on this place and the people who live in it -- all the words of the book read by the king of Judah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	17	Because they have abandoned me and sacrificed to other gods, so as to provoke my anger by their every action, my wrath is kindled against this place, and nothing can stop it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	18	As for the king of Judah who sent you to consult Yahweh, say this to him: As regards the words you have heard . . .
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	19	But since your heart has been touched and you have humbled yourself before Yahweh on hearing what I have decreed against this place and the people who live in it, how they will become an object of horror and cursing, and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I too have heard- Yahweh says this.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	22	20	So look, when I gather you to your ancestors, you will be gathered into your grave in peace; you will not live to see the great disaster that I am going to bring on this place." ' They took this answer to the king.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	1	The king then had all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem summoned to him,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	2	and the king went up to the Temple of Yahweh with all the people of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, priests, prophets and the whole populace, high and low. In their hearing he read out the entire contents of the Book of the Covenant discovered in the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	3	The king then, standing on the dais, bound himself by the covenant before Yahweh, to follow Yahweh, to keep his commandments, decrees and laws with all his heart and soul, and to carry out the terms of the covenant as written in this book. All the people pledged their allegiance to the covenant.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	4	The king ordered Hilkiah with the priest next in rank and the guardians of the threshold to remove all the cult objects which had been made for Baal, Asherah and the whole array of heaven; he burnt them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and had the ashes taken to Bethel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	5	He exterminated the spurious priests whom the kings of Judah had appointed and who offered sacrifice on the high places, in the towns of Judah and the neighbourhood of Jerusalem; also those who offered sacrifice to Baal, to the sun, the moon, the constellations and the whole array of heaven.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	6	And from the Temple of Yahweh he took the sacred pole outside Jerusalem to the Kidron valley and in the Kidron valley he burnt it, reducing it to ashes and throwing its ashes on the common burial-ground.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	7	He pulled down the house of the sacred male prostitutes which was in the Temple of Yahweh and where the women wove veils for Asherah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	8	He brought all the priests in from the towns of Judah, and from Geba to Beersheba he rendered unsanctified the high places where these priests had offered sacrifice. He pulled down the High Place of the Gates, which stood at the gate of Joshua, the governor of the city, to the left of the entry to the city.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	9	The priests of the high places, however, did not officiate at the altar of Yahweh in Jerusalem, although they did share the unleavened bread of their brother-priests.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	10	He rendered unsanctified Tophet in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, so that no one could pass his son or daughter through the fire of sacrifice to Molech.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	11	He destroyed the horses which the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun at the entrance to the Temple of Yahweh, near the apartment of Nathan-Melech the official, in the precincts, and he burned the solar chariot.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	12	The king pulled down altars which the kings of Judah had built on the roof and those which Manasseh had built in the two courts of the Temple of Yahweh, and broke them to pieces on the spot, throwing their rubble into the Kidron valley.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	13	The king rendered unsanctified the high places facing Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Olives, which Solomon king of Israel had built for Astarte the Sidonian abomination, for Chemosh the Moabite abomination, and for Milcom the Ammonite abomination.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	14	He also smashed the sacred pillars, cut down the sacred poles, and covered with human bones the places where they had stood.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	15	As for the altar which was at Bethel, the high place built by Jeroboam son of Nebat who had led Israel into sin, he demolished this altar and this high place as well, in the same way, breaking up its stones and reducing them to powder. The sacred pole he burned.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	16	On looking round, Josiah saw the tombs there on the hillside; he had the bones fetched from the tombs and burned them on the altar. This he rendered unsanctified, in accordance with the word of Yahweh which the man of God had proclaimed when Jeroboam was standing by the altar at the time of the feast. On looking round, Josiah caught sight of the tomb of the man of God who had foretold these things.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	17	'What is that monument I see?' he asked. The townspeople replied, 'It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and foretold what you have done to the altar.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	18	'Let him rest,' the king said, 'and let no one disturb his bones.' So they left his bones untouched, with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	19	Josiah also destroyed all the shrines on the high places which were in the towns of Samaria and which the kings of Israel had built to provoke Yahweh's anger; he treated these places exactly as he had treated the one at Bethel.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	20	All the priests of the high places who were there he slaughtered on the altars, and on those altars burned human bones. Then he returned to Jerusalem.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	21	The king gave this order to the whole people: 'Celebrate a Passover to Yahweh your God, as prescribed in this Book of the Covenant.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	22	No Passover like this had ever been celebrated since the days when the judges ruled Israel, nor throughout the entire period of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	23	The eighteenth year of King Josiah was the only time when such a Passover was celebrated in Yahweh's honour in Jerusalem.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	24	What is more, the spirit-guides and mediums, the household gods and idols, and all the abominations to be seen in the country of Judah and in Jerusalem, were swept away by Josiah to give effect to the words of the Law written in the book found by the priest Hilkiah in the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	25	No king before him turned to Yahweh as he did, with all his heart, all his soul, all his strength, in perfect loyalty to the Law of Moses; nor did any king like him arise again.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	26	Yet Yahweh did not renounce the heat of his great anger which had been aroused against Judah by all the provocations which Manasseh had caused him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	27	Yahweh said, 'I shall thrust Judah away from me too, as I have already thrust Israel; I shall cast off Jerusalem, this city which I have chosen, and the Temple of which I have said: My Name shall be there.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	28	The rest of the history of Josiah, his entire career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	29	In his times, Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt was advancing to meet the king of Assyria at the River Euphrates, and King Josiah went to intercept him; but Necho killed him at Megiddo in the first encounter.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	30	His retainers carried his body from Megiddo by chariot; they brought him to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. The people of the country then took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and anointed him, proclaiming him king in succession to his father.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	31	Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah, of Libnah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	32	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, just as his ancestors had done.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	33	Pharaoh Necho put him in chains at Riblah in Hamath, to prevent his reigning any longer in Jerusalem, and imposed a levy of a hundred talents of silver and ten talents of gold on the country.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	34	Pharaoh Necho then made Eliakim son of Josiah king in succession to Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. Carrying off Jehoahaz, he took him to Egypt, where he died.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	35	Jehoiakim paid over the silver and gold to Pharaoh, but first had to tax the people of the country before he could raise the sum which Pharaoh demanded: he levied the silver and gold to be paid over to Pharaoh Necho from each according to his means.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	36	Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zebidah daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	23	37	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, just as his ancestors had done.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	1	In his times, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years, but then rebelled against him a second time.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	2	So he sent armed bands of Chaldaeans, Aramaeans, Moabites and Ammonites against him; he sent these against Judah to destroy it, in accordance with the word which Yahweh had spoken through his servants the prophets.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	3	It was entirely due to Yahweh's anger that this happened to Judah; he had resolved to thrust them away from him because of Manasseh's sins and all that he had done,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	4	and also because of the innocent blood which he had shed, flooding Jerusalem with innocent blood. Yahweh would not forgive.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	5	The rest of the history of Jehoiakim, his entire career, is this not recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah?
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	6	Then Jehoiakim fell asleep with his ancestors; his son Jehoiachin succeeded him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	7	The king of Egypt did not leave his own country again, because the king of Babylon had conquered everywhere belonging to the king of Egypt, from the Torrent of Egypt to the River Euphrates.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	8	Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	9	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, just as his father had done.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	10	At that time the troops of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	11	Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on the city and his generals laid siege to it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	12	Jehoiachin king of Judah-he, his mother, his retinue, his nobles and his officials -- then surrendered to the king of Babylon, and the king of Babylon took them prisoner in the eighth year of his reign.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	13	The latter carried off all the treasures of the Temple of Yahweh and the treasures of the palace and broke up all the golden furnishings which Solomon king of Israel had made for the sanctuary of Yahweh, as Yahweh had foretold.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	14	He carried all Jerusalem off into exile, all the nobles and all the notables, ten thousand of these were exiled, with all the blacksmiths and metalworkers; only the poorest people in the country were left behind.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	15	He deported Jehoiachin to Babylon, as also the king's mother, his officials and the nobility of the country; he made them all leave Jerusalem for exile in Babylon.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	16	All the men of distinction, seven thousand of them, the blacksmiths and metalworkers, one thousand of them, all the men capable of bearing arms, were led off into exile in Babylon by the king of Babylon.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	17	The king of Babylon deposed Jehoiachin in favour of his paternal uncle Mattaniah, whose name he changed to Zedekiah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	18	Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamital daughter of Jeremiah, of Libnah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	19	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, just as Jehoiakim had done.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	24	20	It was entirely due to Yahweh's anger that this happened to Jerusalem and Judah. It resulted in his casting them from his presence. Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	1	In the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem with his entire army; he pitched camp in front of the city and threw up earthworks round it.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	2	The city lay under siege till the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	3	In the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, when famine was raging in the city and there was no food for the populace,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	4	a breach was made in the city wall. The king then made his escape under cover of dark, with all the fighting men, by way of the gate between the two walls, which is near the king's garden -- the Chaldaeans had surrounded the city -- and made his way towards the Arabah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	5	The Chaldaean troops pursued the king and caught up with him in the Plains of Jericho, where all his troops deserted.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	6	The Chaldaeans captured the king and took him to the king of Babylon at Riblah, who passed sentence on him.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	7	He had Zedekiah's sons slaughtered before his eyes, then put out Zedekiah's eyes and, loading him with chains, carried him off to Babylon.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	8	In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month -- it was in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon -- Nebuzaradan commander of the guard, a member of the king of Babylon's staff, entered Jerusalem.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	9	He burned down the Temple of Yahweh, the royal palace and all the houses in Jerusalem.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	10	The Chaldaean troops who accompanied the commander of the guard demolished the walls surrounding Jerusalem.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	11	Nebuzaradan commander of the guard deported the remainder of the population left in the city, the deserters who had gone over to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the common people.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	12	But the commander of the guard left some of the poor country people behind as vineyard workers and ploughmen.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	13	The Chaldaeans broke up the bronze pillars from the Temple of Yahweh, the wheeled stands and the bronze Sea, which were in the Temple of Yahweh, and took the bronze away to Babylon.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	14	They also took the ash containers, the scoops, the knives, the incense boats, and all the bronze furnishings used in worship.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	15	The commander of the guard also took the censers and the sprinkling bowls, everything made of gold and everything made of silver.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	16	As regards the two pillars, the one Sea and the wheeled stands, which Solomon of bronze in all these objects.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	17	The height of one pillar was eighteen cubits, and on it stood a capital of bronze, the height of the capital being five cubits; round the capital were filigree and pomegranates, all in bronze. So also for the second pillar.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	18	The commander of the guard took prisoner Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest next in rank, and the three guardians of the threshold.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	19	In the city he took prisoner an official who was in command of the fighting men, five of the king's personal friends who were discovered in the city, the secretary to the army commander, responsible for military conscription, and sixty men of distinction discovered in the city.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	20	Nebuzaradan commander of the guard took these men and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah,
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	21	and at Riblah in the territory of Hamath the king of Babylon had them put to death. Thus Judah was deported from its country.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	22	For the people remaining in the country of Judah whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left behind, he appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan as governor.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	23	When the military leaders and their men all heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they went to him at Mizpah: Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, Jaazaniah the Maacathite, they and their men.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	24	To them and to their men Gedaliah swore an oath. 'Do not be afraid of the Chaldaeans,' he said, 'stay in the country, serve the king of Babylon, and all will go well with you.'
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	25	But in the seventh month, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, who was of royal descent, and ten men with him, came and murdered Gedaliah, as well as the Judaeans and Chaldaeans who were with him at Mizpah.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	26	Then all the people, high and low, with the military leaders, set off and went to Egypt, being afraid of the Chaldaeans.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	27	In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year he came to the throne, pardoned Jehoiachin king of Judah and released him from prison.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	28	He treated him with kindness and allotted him a seat above those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	29	So Jehoiachin laid aside his prisoner's garb, and for the rest of his life always ate at the king's table.
 2 Kings	2Ki	12	25	30	And his upkeep was permanently ensured by the king, day after day, for the rest of his life.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	1	Adam, Seth, Enosh,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	2	Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	3	Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	4	Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	5	Sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, the Medes, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, Tiras.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	6	Sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, Togarmah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	7	Sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittim, the Dananites.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	8	Sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, Canaan.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	9	Sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, Sabeteca. Sons of Raamah: Sheba, Dedan.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	10	Cush fathered Nimrod, the first mighty warrior on earth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	11	Mizraim fathered the people of Lud, of Anam, of Lehab, of Naphtuh,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	12	of Pathros, Casluh and Caphtor, from which the Philistines came.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	13	Canaan fathered Sidon, his first-born, then Heth,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	14	and the Jebusites, the Amorites, Girgashites,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	15	Hivites, Arkites, Sinites,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	16	Arvadites, Zemarites, Hamathites.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	17	Sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram. Sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshech.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	18	Arpachshad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	19	To Eber were born two sons; the first was called Peleg, because it was in his time that the earth was divided into districts, and his brother was called Joktan.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	20	Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	21	Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	22	Ebal, Abimael, Sheba,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	23	Ophir, Havilah, Jobab; all these are sons of Joktan.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	24	Arpachshad, Shelah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	25	Eber, Peleg, Reu,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	26	Serug, Nahor, Terah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	27	Abram, that is, Abraham.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	28	Sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	29	These are their descendants: The first-born of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	30	Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hada, Tema,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	31	Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	32	Sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she gave birth to Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	33	Sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, Eldaah. All these are sons of Keturah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	34	Abraham fathered Isaac. Sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	35	Sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam and Korah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	36	Sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, Amalek.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	37	Sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, Mizzah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	38	Sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, Dishan.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	39	Sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam. Sister of Lotan: Timma.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	40	Sons of Shobal: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, Onam. Sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	41	Son of Anah: Dishon. Sons of Dishon: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, Cheran.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	42	Sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, Jaakan. Sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	43	These are the kings who ruled in Edom before an Israelite king ruled: Bela son of Beor; his city was called Dinhabah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	44	Bela died and Jobab son of Zerah, from Bozrah, succeeded.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	45	Jobab died and Husham from the territory of the Temanites succeeded.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	46	Husham died and Hada son of Bedad succeeded; he defeated the Midianites in Moab, and his city was called Avith.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	47	Hadad died and Samlah of Masrekah succeeded.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	48	Samlah died and Shaul of Rehoboth-ha-Nahar succeeded.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	49	Shaul died and Baal-Hanan son of Achbor succeeded.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	50	Baal-Hanan died and Hadad succeeded. His city was called Pai; his wife's name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	51	Hadad died, and then there were chiefs in Edom: Chief Timna, Chief Aliah, Chief Jetheth,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	52	Chief Oholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	53	Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	1	54	Chief Magdiel, Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	1	These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	2	Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	3	Sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite woman. Er, Judah's first-born, displeased Yahweh who put him to death.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	4	Tamar, Judah's daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	5	Sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	6	Sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol and Dara, five in all.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	7	Sons of Carmi: Achar, who brought trouble on Israel by being unfaithful to the curse of destruction.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	8	Sons of Ethan: Azariah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	9	Sons of Hezron: there were born to him Jerahmeel, Ram, Chelubai.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	10	Ram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon chief of the sons of Judah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	11	Nahshon fathered Salma, Salma fathered Boaz.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	12	Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	13	Jesse fathered Eliab, his first-born, Abinadab second, Shimea third,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	14	Nethanel fourth, Raddai fifth,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	15	Ozem sixth, David seventh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	16	Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab and Asahel: three.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	17	Abigail gave birth to Amasa; father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	18	Caleb son of Hezron fathered Jerioth by Azubah his wife; these are her sons: Jesher, Shobab and Ardon.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	19	Azubah died, and Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	20	Hur fathered Uri, Uri fathered Bezalel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	21	Afterwards, Hezron married the daughter of Machir, father of Gilead; he married her when he was sixty years old and she bore him Segub.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	22	Segub fathered Jair who held twenty-three towns in the territory of Gilead.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	23	From them, however, Geshur and Aram took the Encampments of Jair and Kenath with its dependencies: sixty towns. All these used to belong to the sons of Machir father of Gilead.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	24	After Hezron's death, Caleb married Ephrathah, wife of Hezron his father, who bore him Ashhur father of Tekoa.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	25	Jerahmeel, Hezron's eldest son, fathered Hezron, his first-born, Ram, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, Ahijah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	26	Jerahmeel had another wife called Atarah; she was the mother of Onam.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	27	Sons of Ram, Jerahmeel's first-born: Maaz, Jamin and Eker.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	28	Sons of Onam: Shammai and Jada. Sons of Shammai: Nadab and Abishur.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	29	Abishur's wife was called Abihail; she bore him Ahban and Molid.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	30	Sons of Nadab: Seled and Ephraim. Seled died leaving no son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	31	Son of Ephraim: Ishi; son of Ishi: Sheshan; son of Sheshan: Ahlai.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	32	Sons of Jada, Shammai's brother: Jether and Jonathan. Jether died leaving no sons.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	33	Sons of Jonathan: Peleth and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	34	Sheshan had no sons, only daughters. He had an Egyptian slave Jarha
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	35	to whom Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage. She bore him Attai.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	36	Attai fathered Nathan, Nathan fathered Zabad,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	37	Zabad fathered Ephlal, Ephlal fathered Obed,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	38	Obed fathered Jehu, Jehu fathered Azariah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	39	Azariah fathered Helez, Helez fathered Eleasah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	40	Eleasah fathered Sismai, Sismai fathered Shallum,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	41	Shallum fathered Jekamiah, Jekamiah fathered Elishama.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	42	Sons of Caleb, Jerahmeel's brother: Mesha, his first-born, who fathered Ziph. His son was Mareshah, father of Hebron.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	43	Sons of Hebron: Korah, Tappuah, Rekem and Shema.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	44	Shema fathered Raham, father of Jorkeam. Rekem fathered Shammai.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	45	Shammai's son was Maon, and Maon fathered Beth-Zur.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	46	Ephah, Caleb's concubine, gave birth to Haran, Moza and Gazez. Haran fathered Gazez.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	47	Sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah and Shaaph.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	48	Maacah, Caleb's concubine, gave birth to Sheber and Tirhanah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	49	She gave birth to Shaaph, who fathered Madmannah, and Sheva, who fathered Machbenah and Gibea. The daughter of Caleb was Achsah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	50	These were the sons of Caleb. Sons of Hur, the first-born of Ephrathah: Shobal fathered Kiriath-Jearim;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	51	Salma fathered Bethlehem; Hareph fathered Beth-Gader.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	52	Shobal, father of Kiriath-Jearim, had sons: Haroeh, that is, half of the Manahathites,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	53	and the clans of Kiriath-Jearim: the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites and Mishraites. Their descendants are the people of Zorah and Eshtaol.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	54	Sons of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth-Joab, half of the Manahathites, the Zorathites,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	2	55	the Sophrite clans living at Jabez, the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, the Sucathites. They were the Kenites descended from Hammath, father of the House of Rechab.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	1	These are the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the first-born Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel; second, Daniel, by Abigail of Carmel;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	2	third, Absalom son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; fourth, Adonijah son of Haggith;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	3	fifth, Shephatiah by Abital, sixth, Ithream by his wife Eglah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	4	Six, therefore, were born to him in Hebron, where he reigned for three years and six months. He reigned for thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	5	These are the sons who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, the four of them children of Bath-Shua daughter of Ammiel;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	6	Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	7	Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	8	Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet: nine.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	9	All these were sons of David, not counting the sons of the concubines. Tamar was their sister.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	10	Sons of Solomon: Rehoboam; Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	11	Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	12	Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	13	Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	14	Amon his son, Josiah his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	15	Sons of Josiah: Johanan, the first-born, Jehoiakim second, Zedekiah third, Shallum fourth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	16	The sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	17	Sons of Jeconiah the captive: Shealtiel his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	18	then Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jechamiah, Hoshama, Nedabiah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	19	Sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei. Sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah; Shelomith was their sister.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	20	Sons of Meshullam: Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, Jushab-Hesed: five.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	21	Sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah; Jeshaiah his son, Rephaiah his son, Arnan his son, Obadiah his son, Shecaniah his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	22	Sons of Shecaniah: Shemaiah, Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, Shaphat: six.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	23	Sons of Neariah: Elioenai, Hizkiah, Azrikam: three.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	3	24	Sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, Anani: seven.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	1	Sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, Shobal.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	2	Reaiah son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These are the Zoreathite clans.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	3	These are Abi-Etam, Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash, whose sister was called Hazzelelponi.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	4	Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, first-born of Ephrathah and father of Bethlehem.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	5	Ashhur, father of Tekoa, had two wives: Helah and Naarah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	6	Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, the Timnites, and the Ahashtarites -- these were the sons of Naarah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	7	Sons of Helah: Zereth, Zohar, Ethnan.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	8	Koz fathered Anub, Hazzobebah and the clans of Aharhel son of Harum.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	9	Jabez was better known than his brothers. His mother gave him the name Jabez, 'because', she said, 'in distress I gave birth to him.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	10	Jabez called on the God of Israel. 'If you truly bless me,' he said, 'you will extend my lands, your hand will be with me, you will keep harm away and my distress will cease.' God granted him what he had asked.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	11	Chelub, Shuhah's brother, fathered Mehir, who fathered Eshton.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	12	Eshton fathered Bethrapha, Paseah and Tehinnah father of Irnahash. These were the men of Recab.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	13	Sons of Kenaz: Othniel and Seraiah. Sons of Othniel: Hathath and Meonothai;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	14	Meonothai fathered Ophrah. Seraiah fathered Joab, father of Geharashim -- for they were craftsmen.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	15	Sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah and Naam. Sons of Elah: Kenaz.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	16	Sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, Asarel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	17	Sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, Jalon. She conceived Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah, the father of Eshtemoa,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	18	whose Judaean wife gave birth to Jered father of Gedor, Heber father of Soco, and Jekuthiel, father of Zanoah. These were the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh whom Mered had married.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	19	The sons of Hodiah's wife, sister of Naham father of Keilah the Garmite and of Eshtemoa the Maacathite . . .
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	20	Sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-Hanan, Tilon. Sons of Ishi: Zoheth and Ben-Zoheth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	21	Sons of Shelah son of Judah: Er father of Lecah, Laadah father of Mareshah, and the clans of linenworkers at Beth-Ashbea,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	22	Jokim, the men of Cozeba, Joash and Saraph where Moab found wives and then returned to Bethlehem. (These are old traditions.)
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	23	These were potters and lived at Netaim and Gederah; they resided there, working for the king.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	24	Sons of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Saul;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	25	Shallum was his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	26	The sons of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	27	Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children, and the sum of their clans did not multiply as the sons of Judah did.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	28	They lived in Beersheba, Moladah and Hazar-Shual,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	29	Bilhah, Ezem and Tolad,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	30	Bethuel, Hormah and Ziklag,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	31	Beth-Marcaboth, Hazar-Susim, Beth-Biri, Shaaraim.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	32	These were their towns until the reign of David. Their settlements were: Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen and Ashan, five towns,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	33	and all the dependencies surrounding these towns as far as Baalath. That was where they lived and they had an official genealogy.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	34	Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	35	Joel, Jehu son of Joshibiah, son of Seraiah, son of Asiel,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	36	Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	37	Ziza, Ben-Shiphi, Ben-Allon, Ben-Jedaiah, Ben-Shimri, Ben-Shemaiah-
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	38	these above named were princes in their clans in their ancestral home. Their numbers increased enormously.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	39	In search of pasture for their flocks, they spread from the Pass of Gerar to the eastern end of the valley,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	40	where they found good, fat pasture; the land was broad, untroubled, peaceful. Hamites had been living there before them.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	41	These Simeonites, recorded by name, arrived there in the time of Hezekiah king of Judah; they overran their tents and the dwellings which they found there. They put them under a curse of destruction still in force today and settled in their place, since there was pasturage for their flocks.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	42	Five hundred of them, of the Simeonites, went to Mount Seir, their leaders being Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	4	43	They defeated the surviving fugitives of Amalek and still live there today.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	1	Sons of Reuben, first-born of Israel. He was indeed the first-born but, when he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, and he was no longer reckoned as the eldest son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	2	Although Judah grew greater than his brothers and a leader came from him, the birthright was Joseph's.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	3	Sons of Reuben, first-born of Israel: Henoch, Pallu, Hezron, Carmi.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	4	Sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	5	Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	6	Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria carried off into exile, was the chief of the Reubenites.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	7	His brothers, by families, were grouped according to relationship. Jeiel was first, then Zechariah
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	8	and Bela son of Azaz, son of Shema, son of Joel. It was Reuben who lived in Aroer and his territory extended as far as Nebo and Baal-Meon.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	9	To eastward, what he occupied extended to the edge of the desert and the River Euphrates, for they had many herds in Gilead.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	10	In the time of Saul, they made war on the Hagrites, whom they defeated and who were then living in their tents throughout the eastern front of Gilead.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	11	Next to them, in Bashan as far as Salecah, lived the sons of Gad.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	12	Joel was the first, Shapham the second, then Janai and Shaphat in Bashan.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	13	Their brothers, by families, were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, Eber: seven.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	14	These were the sons of Abihail: Ben-Huri, Ben-Jaroah, Ben-Gilead, Ben-Michael, Ben-Jeshishai, Ben-Jahdo, Ben-Buz.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	15	Ahi son of Abdiel, son of Guni, was the head of their families.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	16	They inhabited Gilead, Bashan and its dependencies, as well as all the pasture lands of Sharon on their extremities.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	17	In the time of Jotham king of Judah and in the time of Jeroboam king of Israel, all of them were included in the official genealogy.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	18	The sons of Reuben, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had warriors, men armed with shield and sword who could handle the bow and were trained for war, to the number of forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty fit for service.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	19	They made war on the Hagrites, on Jetur, Naphish and Nodab.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	20	God came to their help, and the Hagrites and all their allies fell into their hands, for they called on God as they fought, and because they put their trust in him he heard their prayer.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	21	Of their livestock they carried off fifty thousand camels, two hundred and fifty thousand sheep, two thousand donkeys and a hundred thousand people.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	22	Because the war was of God, the slaughter was great. They continued to live in their territory until the exile.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	23	The sons of the half-tribe of Manasseh lived in the territory between Bashan and Baal-Hermon, Senir and Mount Hermon. They were numerous.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	24	These were the heads of their families: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, Jahdiel -- stout fighting men, men of renown, heads of their families.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	25	But since they were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the country whom God had destroyed before them,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	26	the God of Israel roused the hostility of Pul, king of Assyria, that is the wrath of Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria who deported them -- the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh -- taking them off to Halah, Habor, Hara and the river of Gozan. They are still there today.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	27	Sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath and Merari.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	28	Sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, Uzziel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	29	Children of Amram: Aaron, Moses and Miriam. Sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	30	Eleazar fathered Phinehas, Phinehas fathered Abishua,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	31	Abishua fathered Bukki, Bukki fathered Uzzi.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	32	Uzzi fathered Zerahiah, Zerahiah fathered Meraioth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	33	Meraioth fathered Amariah, Amariah fathered Ahitub,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	34	Ahitub fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Ahimaaz.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	35	Ahimaaz fathered Azariah, Azariah fathered Johanan.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	36	Johanan fathered Azariah. He it was who officiated as priest in the Temple which Solomon built in Jerusalem.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	37	Azariah fathered Amariah, Amariah fathered Ahitub,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	38	Ahitub fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Shallum,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	39	Shallum fathered Hilkiah, Hilkiah fathered Azariah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	40	Azariah fathered Seraiah, Seraiah fathered Jehozadak,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	5	41	and Jehozadak went into exile when, at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, Yahweh exiled Judah and Jerusalem.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	1	Sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath and Merari.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	2	These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	3	Sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, Uzziel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	4	Sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the levitical clans according to their father.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	5	Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	6	Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	7	Sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	8	Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	9	Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, Shaul his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	10	Sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	11	Elkanah his son, Zophai his son, Nahath his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	12	Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	13	Sons of Elkanah: Samuel his first-born, the second Abijah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	14	Sons of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	15	Shimei his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	16	These are the men whom David nominated to lead the singing in the Temple of Yahweh after the ark had come to rest there.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	17	They were responsible for the singing before the Dwelling, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon had built the Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem and then continued their customary duties.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	18	These were the persons in office, with their sons: Of the sons of Kohath: Heman the singer, son of Joel, son of Samuel,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	19	son of Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Eliel, son of Toah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	20	son of Zuph, son of Elkanah, son of Mahath, son of Amasai,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	21	son of Elkanah, son of Joel, son of Azariah, son of Zephaniah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	22	son of Tahath, son of Assir, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	23	son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, son of Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	24	His brother Asaph stood on his right: Asaph son of Berechiah, son of Shimea,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	25	son of Michael, son of Baaseiah, son of Malchijah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	26	son of Ethni, son of Zerah, son of Adaiah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	27	son of Ethan, son of Zimmah, son of Shimei,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	28	son of Jahath, son of Gershom, son of Levi.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	29	On the left, the sons of Merari: Ethan son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	30	son of Hashabiah, son of Amaziah, son of Hilkiah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	31	son of Amzi, son of Bani, son of Shemer,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	32	son of Mahli, son of Mushi, son of Merari, son of Levi.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	33	Their brother Levites were dedicated for all the other duties of the Dwelling, the Temple of God,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	34	but Aaron and his sons burned the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense; they were entirely responsible for the most holy things and for the ritual of expiation for Israel, in accordance with all that Moses, servant of God, had commanded.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	35	These were the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	36	Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	37	Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	38	Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	39	These were their places of settlement within their prescribed territory: The sons of Aaron of the Kohathite clan -- for to these the first lot fell-
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	40	were given Hebron in the territory of Judah with its surrounding pasture lands.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	41	But the open country of the town and its dependencies were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	42	The sons of Aaron were also given the cities of refuge, Hebron, Libnah with its pasture lands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its pasture lands.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	43	Hilen with its pasture lands, Debir with its pasture lands,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	44	Ashan with its pasture lands and Beth-Shemesh with its pasture lands;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	45	and, from the tribe of Benjamin, Geba with its pasture lands, Alemeth with its pasture lands and Anathoth with its pasture lands. In all, the towns distributed among their clans numbered thirteen.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	46	The remaining sons of Kohath were allotted ten towns from the clans of the tribe, that is, from the half-tribe of Manasseh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	47	The sons of Gershom and their clans were allotted thirteen towns from the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali and from the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	48	The sons of Merari and their clans were allotted twelve towns from the tribe of Reuben, from the tribe of Gad and from the tribe of Zebulun.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	49	The Israelites gave these towns with their pasture lands to the Levites.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	50	From the tribe of the sons of Judah, from the tribe of the sons of Simeon and from the tribe of the sons of Benjamin, they also allotted them those towns to which they gave their names.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	51	Towns from the tribe of Ephraim were also assigned to the territory of some clans of the sons of Kohath.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	52	They were given the cities of refuge: Shechem in the highlands of Ephraim with its pasture lands, Gezer and its pasture lands,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	53	Jokmeam with its pasture lands, Beth-Horon with its pasture lands,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	54	Aijalon with its pasture lands and Gath-Rimmon with its pasture lands
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	55	and from the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its pasture lands and Bileam with its pasture lands. So much was given to the remaining families of the sons of Kohath.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	56	From the half-tribe of Manasseh, the sons of Gershom according to family were given Golan in Bashan with its pasture lands and Ashtaroth with its pasture lands;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	57	from the tribe of Issachar, Kedesh with its pasture lands, Daberath with its pasture lands,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	58	Ramoth with its pasture lands and Anem with its pasture lands;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	59	from the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its pasture lands, Abdon with its pasture lands.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	60	Hukok with its pasture lands and Rehob with its pasture lands;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	61	from the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its pasture lands, Hammon with its pasture lands and Kiriataim with its pasture lands.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	62	To the remainder of the sons of Merari: from the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with its pasture lands and Tabor with its pasture lands;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	63	in Transjordan, near Jericho, east of the Jordan, from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the desert with its pasture lands, Jahzah with its pasture lands,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	64	Kedemoth with its pasture lands and Mephaath with its pasture lands;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	65	from the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its pasture lands, Mahanaim with its pasture lands,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	6	66	Heshbon with its pasture lands and Jazer with its pasture lands.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	1	For the sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, Shimron: four.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	2	Sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, Shemuel, heads of their families of Tola. In the time of David, these numbered twenty-two thousand six hundred stout fighting men, grouped according to their kinship.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	3	Sons of Uzzi: Izrahiah. Sons of Izrahiah: Michael, Obadiah, Joel, Isshiah. In all five chiefs,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	4	responsible for fighting companies amounting to thirty-six thousand troops, according to relationship and family, for they had many women and children.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	5	They had kinsmen belonging to all the clans of Issachar, eighty-seven thousand stout fighting men, all belonging to one related group.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	6	Sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Jediael: three.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	7	Sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth and Iri: five, chiefs of families and warriors. Their official genealogy included twenty-two thousand and thirty-four members.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	8	Sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezar, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, Alemeth, all these were the sons of Becher.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	9	The official genealogy of the descendants of the chiefs of their families included twenty thousand two hundred warriors.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	10	Sons of Jediael: Bilhan. Sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, Ahishahar.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	11	All these sons of Jediael, became heads of families, stout fighting men, numbering seventeen thousand two hundred men fit for active service.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	12	Shuppim and Huppim. Son of Ir: Hushim; his son: Aher.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	13	Sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, Shallum. These were the sons of Bilhah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	14	Sons of Manasseh: Asriel, born of his Aramaean concubine. She gave birth to Machir, father of Gilead.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	15	Machir took a wife for Huppim and Shuppim. His sister's name was Maacah. The name of the second son was Zelophehad. Zelophehad had daughters.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	16	Maacah the wife of Machir gave birth to a son whom she called Peresh. His brother was called Sheresh and his sons Ulam and Rakem.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	17	Sons of Ulam: Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead son of Machir, son of Manasseh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	18	His sister Hammoleketh gave birth to Ishod, Abiezer and Mahlah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	19	Shemida had sons: Ahian, Shechem, Likhi and Aniam.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	20	Sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	21	Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son and Ezer and Elead whom the men of Gath, natives of the country, killed when they came down to raid their cattle.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	22	Their father Ephraim mourned for a long time and his brothers came to comfort him.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	23	He had intercourse with his wife, who conceived and gave birth to a son whom he called Beriah because his house was in misfortune.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	24	He had a daughter, Sheerah, who built Upper and Lower Beth-Horon and Uzzen-Sheerah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	25	Rephah was his son, Shuthelah his son, Tahan his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	26	Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	27	Nun his son, Joshua his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	28	They had lands and settlements in Bethel and its dependencies from Naaran on the east to Gezer and its dependencies on the west, as well as Shechem and its dependencies as far as Ayyah and its dependencies.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	29	Beth-Shean with its dependencies, Taanach and its dependencies, Megiddo and its dependencies and Dor with its dependencies were in the hands of the sons of Manasseh. There lived the sons of Joseph son of Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	30	Sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah; their sister Serah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	31	Sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel. He fathered Birzaith.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	32	Heber fathered Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham and their sister Shua.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	33	Sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal and Ashvath. These were the sons of Japhlet.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	34	Sons of Shomer his brother: Rohgah, Hubbah and Aram.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	35	Sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh and Amal.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	36	Sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri and Imrah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	37	Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran and Beerah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	38	Sons of Ithran: Jephunneh, Pispa, Ara.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	39	Sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel, Rizia.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	7	40	All these were the sons of Asher, heads of families, picked men, warriors and senior princes. They were registered in fighting companies to the number of twenty-six thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	1	Benjamin was father of Bela, his first-born, Ashbel second, Ahiram third,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	2	Nohah fourth, Rapha fifth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	3	Bela had sons: Addar, Gera father of Ehud,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	4	Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	5	Gera, Shephuphan and Huram.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	6	These are the sons of Ehud. They were heads of families of the inhabitants of Geba and led them into exile at Manahath:
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	7	Naaman, Ahijah and Gera. It was he who led them into exile; he became the father of Uzza and Ahihud.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	8	Shaharaim had children in the Plains of Moab after he had dismissed his wives, Hushim and Baara.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	9	By his new wife he had sons: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	10	Jeuz, Sachia, Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of families.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	11	By Hushim he had sons: Abitub and Elpaal.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	12	The sons of Elpaal were Eber, Misham and Shemed, who built Ono and Lud and its dependencies.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	13	Beriah and Shema were the chiefs of the families who lived at Aijalon; they routed the inhabitants of Gath.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	14	His brother was Shashak. Jeremoth,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	15	Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	16	Michael, Ishpah, Joha were the sons of Beriah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	17	Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Haber,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	18	Ishmerai, Izliah, Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	19	Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	20	Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	21	Adaiah, Beraiah, Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	22	Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	23	Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	24	Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	25	Iphdeiah, Penuel were the sons of Shashak.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	26	Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	27	Jaareshaiah, Elijah, Zichri were the sons of Jeroham.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	28	These were chiefs of families according to their relationship. They lived in Jerusalem.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	29	At Gibeon lived Jeiel the father of Gibeon, whose wife was called Maacah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	30	His first-born son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	31	Gedor, Ahio, Zecher
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	32	and Mikloth. Mikloth fathered Shimeah. But they, unlike their brothers, lived at Jerusalem with their brothers.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	33	Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab and Eshbaal.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	34	Son of Jonathan: Meribbaal. Meribbaal fathered Micah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	35	Sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, Ahaz.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	36	Ahaz fathered Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri. Zimri fathered Moza,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	37	Moza fathered Binea, Raphah his son, Eleasah his son and Azel his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	38	Azel had six sons, whose names were these: Azrikam, his first-born, then Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, Hanan. All these were sons of Azel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	39	Sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam, his first-born, Jeush second, Eliphelet third.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	8	40	The sons of Ulam were warriors-archers. They had as many as a hundred and fifty sons and grandsons. All these belonged to the sons of Benjamin.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	1	Thus, all Israel's official genealogies had been entered in the records of the kings of Israel and Judah before they were deported to Babylon for their infidelity.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	2	Now the first citizens to return to their property in their cities were the Israelites, the priests, the Levites and the temple slaves.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	3	In Jerusalem, there settled Judaeans, Benjaminites, Ephraimites and Manassehites.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	4	Uthai son of Ammihud, son of Omri, son of Imri, son of Bani, one of the sons of Perez son of Judah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	5	Of the descendants of Shelah: Asaiah, the first-born, and his sons.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	6	Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel. And six hundred and ninety of their kinsmen.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	7	And of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Hodaviah, son of Hassenuah;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	8	Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi, son of Michri; and Meshullam son of Shephatiah, son of Reuel, son of Ibnijah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	9	Their kinsmen, according to their relationship, numbered nine hundred and fifty-six. All these men were chiefs of their families.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	10	Of the priests there were Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	11	Azariah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the chief of the Temple of God;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	12	Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah; and Maasai son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	13	Their kinsmen, heads of families, numbered one thousand seven hundred and sixty-men expert in the ministerial service of the Temple of God.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	14	Of the Levites there were Shemaiah son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah of the sons of Merari,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	15	Bakbakar, Heresh, Galai, Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zichri, son of Asaph.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	16	Obadiah son of Shemaiah, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun and Berechiah son of Asa, son of Elkanah, who lived in the dependencies of the Netophathites.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	17	The gatekeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman and their kinsmen. Shallum was the chief
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	18	and is still gatekeeper of the King's Gate to the east. They were the gatekeepers of the camps of the sons of Levi.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	19	Shallum son of Kore, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah, and his brothers belonging to his family, the Korahites, were also in charge of the ministerial service as doorkeepers of the Tent, as their ancestors had been keepers of the entrance to the camp of Yahweh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	20	Formerly, Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of them -- Yahweh be with him!
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	21	Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	22	All the keepers of the gate at the thresholds were picked men; there were two hundred and twelve of them. They were grouped by relationship in their various villages. These were confirmed in office by David and Samuel the seer because of their dependability.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	23	They and their sons continued in charge as guards of the gates of the Temple of Yahweh, the house of the Tent.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	24	The gatekeepers were assigned to the four sides, east, west, north and south,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	25	and their brothers in their villages were required to assist them from time to time for a week,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	26	since the four head gatekeepers were permanently on duty. They were Levites and were in charge of the accommodation and supplies of the Temple of God.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	27	They spent the night in the precincts of the Temple of God, their duties being to guard it and open it every morning.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	28	Some of them were in charge of the implements of worship, having to count them when they took them out and when they put them away.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	29	Others of them were put in charge of the implements, of all the objects in the sanctuary and of the flour, the wine, the oil, the incense and the perfume.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	30	Members of the priestly caste, however, mixed the ointment for the perfume.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	31	One of the Levites, Mattithiah -- he was the first-born of Shallum the Korahite -- had regular charge of baking operations.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	32	Some of their kinsmen the Kohathites were responsible for the loaves to be set out in rows Sabbath by Sabbath.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	33	In addition, there were the singers, the heads of the levitical families, who were accommodated in the Temple, free of other responsibilities because they were on duty day and night.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	34	Such were the chiefs of the levitical families, according to their relationship; these lived in Jerusalem.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	35	Jeiel father of Gibeon lived at Gibeon and his wife was called Maacah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	36	His first-born son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	37	Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah and Mikloth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	38	Mikloth fathered Shimeam. But they, unlike their brothers, lived at Jerusalem with their brothers.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	39	Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab and Eshbaal.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	40	Son of Jonathan: Meribbaal. Meribbaal fathered Micah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	41	Sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	42	Ahaz fathered Jarah, Jarah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri; Zimri fathered Moza,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	43	Moza fathered Binea, Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son and Azel his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	9	44	Azel had six sons; their names were these: Azrikam his first-born, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	1	The Philistines gave battle to Israel and the Israelites, fleeing from the Philistines, fell and were slaughtered on Mount Gilboa.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	2	The Philistines bore down on Saul and his sons, and they killed Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua, Saul's sons.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	3	The fighting grew fiercer round Saul; the archers came upon him, and he was wounded by the archers.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	4	Saul then said to his armour-bearer, 'Draw your sword and run me through with it. I do not want these uncircumcised men to come and make fun of me.' But his armour-bearer was very much afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	5	His armour-bearer, seeing that Saul was dead, fell on his sword too and died with him.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	6	Thus died Saul, his three sons and his entire household together.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	7	When all the Israelites who were in the valley saw that the Israelites had been routed and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and fled. The Philistines then came and occupied them.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	8	When the Philistines came on the following day to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons lying on Mount Gilboa.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	9	They stripped him and, taking his head and his armour, had these carried round the territory of the Philistines to proclaim the good news to their idols and their people.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	10	They placed his armour in the temple of their gods and nailed his head up in the temple of Dagon.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	11	When all the inhabitants of Jabesh in Gilead heard everything that the Philistines had done to Saul,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	12	the warriors all set out and took the bodies of Saul and his sons away; they brought them to Jabesh and buried their bones under the tamarisk of Jabesh and fasted for seven days.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	13	Thus died Saul in the infidelity of which he had been guilty towards Yahweh, in that he had not obeyed the word of Yahweh and because he had consulted a necromancer for guidance.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	10	14	He had not consulted Yahweh, who therefore caused his death and transferred the monarchy to David son of Jesse.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	1	All Israel then rallied to David at Hebron and said, 'Look, we are your own flesh and bone.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	2	In days past when Saul was king, it was you who led Israel on its campaigns, and Yahweh your God promised you, "You are to shepherd my people Israel and be leader of my people Israel." '
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	3	So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a pact with them in Yahweh's presence at Hebron, and they anointed David as king of Israel, in accordance with the word of Yahweh through Samuel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	4	David and all Israel then marched on Jerusalem (that is to say, Jebus); the inhabitants of the territory were the Jebusites.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	5	The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, 'You will not get in here.' But David captured the citadel of Zion, that is, the City of David.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	6	David said, 'The first man to kill a Jebusite will be made army commander and chief.' Joab son of Zeruiah was the first man to go up, and was made commander of the army.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	7	David went to live in the citadel, and that is how it came to be called the City of David.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	8	He then built a wall round the city, all round, beginning from the Millo, and Joab restored the rest of the city.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	9	Thus David grew stronger and stronger, for Yahweh Sabaoth was with him.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	10	These are David's principal champions who joined forces with him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to make him king in accordance with the word of Yahweh concerning Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	11	This is the roll of David's champions: Jashobeam son of Hachmoni, head of the Three; he it was who brandished his spear over three hundred men whom he had killed at one time.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	12	Next, there was Eleazar son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three champions.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	13	He was with David at Pas-Dammim when the Philistines mustered for battle there. There was a field full of barley there; and the people fled from the Philistines.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	14	And they took their stand in the middle of the field, held it and cut down the Philistines; and Yahweh brought about a great victory.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	15	Three members of the Thirty went down to David at the rock near the Cave of Adullam while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of the Rephaim.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	16	David was then in the stronghold and there was a Philistine garrison in Bethlehem.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	17	Longingly, David said, 'If only someone would fetch me a drink of water from the well that stands by the gate at Bethlehem!'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	18	At this the three champions, forcing their way through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well that stands by the gate of Bethlehem and, bringing it away, presented it to David. David, however, would not drink any of it, but poured it out as a libation to Yahweh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	19	'God preserve me', he said, 'from doing such a thing! Am I to drink these men's blood? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.' And so he would not drink. Such were the deeds of the three champions.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	20	Abishai, brother of Joab, was leader of the Thirty. He it was who brandished his spear over three hundred men whom he had killed, winning himself a name among the Thirty.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	21	He was a most illustrious member of the Thirty and became their captain, but he was not equal to the Three.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	22	Benaiah son of Jehoiada from Kabzeel was the hero of many exploits; he it was who slaughtered two formidable Moabites and, one snowy day, climbed down and slaughtered the lion in the storage-well.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	23	He also slaughtered an Egyptian, a man who was seven and a half feet tall. The Egyptian was armed with a spear in his hand like a weaver's beam, but he took him on with a staff, tore the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed the man with it.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	24	Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, winning him a name among the thirty champions.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	25	He was a most illustrious member of the Thirty, but he was not equal to the Three. David put him in command of his bodyguard.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	26	The military champions were: Asahel brother of Joab; Elhanan son of Dodo, of Bethlehem;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	27	Shammoth of Haror; Helez the Pelonite;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	28	Ira son of Ikkesh, of Tekoa; Abiezer of Anathoth;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	29	Sibbecai of Hushah; Ilai of Ahoh;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	30	Maharai of Netophah; Heled son of Baanah, of Netophah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	31	Ithai son of Ribai, of Gibeah in Benjamin. Benaiah of Pirathon;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	32	Hurai of the Torrents of Gaash; Abiel of Beth-ha-Arabah;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	33	Azmaveth of Bahurim; Eliahba of Shaalbon;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	34	the sons of Hashem of Gizon; Jonathan son of Shagee, of Harar;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	35	Ahiam son of Sachar, of Harar; Eliphelet son of Ur;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	36	Hepher of Mecherah; Ahijah the Pelonite;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	37	Hezro of Carmel; Naarai son of Ezbai;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	38	Joel brother of Nathan; Mibhar son of Hagri;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	39	Zelek the Ammonite; Naharai of Beeroth, armour-bearer to Joab son of Zeruiah;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	40	Ira of Jattir; Gareb of Jattir;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	41	Uriah the Hittite; Zabad son of Ahlai;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	42	Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, chief of the Reubenites and commander of the Thirty;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	43	Hanan son of Maacah; Joshaphat the Mithnite;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	44	Uzzia of Ashteroth; Shama and Jeiel sons of Hotham of Aroer;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	45	Jediael son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	46	Eliel the Mahavite; Jeribai and Joshaviah sons of Elnaam; Ithmah the Moabite;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	11	47	Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel of Zobah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	1	These are the men who rallied to David at Ziklag while he was still being kept away from Saul son of Kish; they were among the champions, the warriors.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	2	They were equipped with bows and could sling stones or shoot arrows from the bow with either right hand or left. Of Saul's fellow-tribesmen from Benjamin:
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	3	Ahiezer the leader, and Joash, sons of Hassemar of Gibeah, Jeziel and Peleth, sons of Azmaveth, Berachah and Jehu of Anathoth,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	4	Ishmaiah of Gibeon, one of the champions in the Thirty and commander of the Thirty,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	5	Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan and Jozabed of Gederoth,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	6	Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah of Hariph,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	7	Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer and Jashobeam the Korahites,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	8	Joelah, Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham of Gedor.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	9	From the Gadites, some good, capable fighting men defected and came to David at the stronghold in the desert -- all skilled with shield and spear, fierce as lions and nimble as mountain gazelles.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	10	Ezer was the leader, Obadiah second, Eliab third,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	11	Mishmannah fourth, Jeremiah fifth,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	12	Attai sixth, Eliel seventh,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	13	Johanan eighth, Elzabad ninth,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	14	Jeremiah tenth, Machbannai eleventh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	15	These Gadites were the leaders of the troops, the least of them a match for a hundred men and the greatest a match for a thousand.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	16	These were the men who once crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed its banks and had driven out all the lowlanders to east and west.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	17	Some of the Benjaminites and Judahites also joined David at the stronghold.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	18	When David came forward to meet them, he responded to them by saying, 'If you have come to me with peaceful intent to help me, you will find me a good friend. But if it is to betray me to my enemies, seeing that I have done nothing wrong, may the God of our ancestors take note and condemn you.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	19	Then the Spirit invested Amasai the leader of the Thirty: 'We are your men, David; with you, son of Jesse! Peace be with you, peace be with you; peace be with those who help you! For your God has helped you!' And David accepted them, including them among his more senior officers.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	20	Some Manassehites also defected to David as he was setting out with the Philistines to fight Saul. But he did not help the Philistines because, after consultation, their chiefs sent him away, saying, 'He will defect to his master Saul and it will cost us our heads!'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	21	He was on his way to Ziklag when these Manassehites deserted to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	22	They helped David and his band, since they were all men of standing and became officers in the army.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	23	Indeed reinforcements reached David day after day, so that his camp grew into a camp of prodigious size.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	24	These are the numbers of fully armed men who joined David at Hebron to transfer Saul's kingdom to him in accordance with the order of Yahweh:
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	25	Judahites carrying shield and spear: six thousand eight hundred fully armed warriors;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	26	Simeonites; seven thousand one hundred champions valiant in war;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	27	Levites: four thousand six hundred,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	28	in addition to Jehoiada, in command of the Aaronites, with three thousand seven hundred of these,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	29	Zadok, a young and valiant champion, and twenty-two commanders of his family;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	30	Benjaminites: three thousand kinsmen of Saul, most of them hitherto in the service of the House of Saul;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	31	Ephraimites: twenty thousand eight hundred valiant champions, men famous in their families;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	32	of the half-tribe of Manasseh: eighteen thousand men assigned by name to go and proclaim David king;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	33	Issacharites, sound judges of the times when Israel should take action, and the way to do it: two hundred chiefs and all their kinsmen under their command;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	34	Zebulunites: fifty thousand men fit for service, marshalled for battle, with warlike weapons of every kind, staunch-hearted auxiliaries;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	35	Naphtalites: a thousand commanders, and with them thirty-seven thousand men armed with shield and spear;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	36	Danites: twenty-eight thousand six hundred men marshalled for battle;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	37	Asherites: forty thousand men fit for service, marshalled for battle;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	38	from Transjordan: a hundred and twenty thousand men of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, with warlike weapons of every kind.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	39	All these warriors in battle array came to David at Hebron with the firm determination of making David king of all Israel; and the rest of Israel, too, was of one mind in wanting to make David king.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	40	For three days they stayed there with David, eating and drinking, their fellow-tribesmen having made preparations for them;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	12	41	their neighbours too, from as far away as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules and oxen-supplies of flour, fig cakes, bunches of raisins, wine, oil, quantities of oxen and sheep -- for there was joy in Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	1	David conferred with the commanders of the thousands and the hundreds, in fact with all the leaders.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	2	Then, to the whole assembly of Israel, David said, 'If this has your approval, and if Yahweh our God wills it so, we shall send messengers to the rest of our brothers throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites in their towns and pasture lands, bidding them join us.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	3	And then we will go and recover the ark of our God, for in the days of Saul we neglected to do it.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	4	The whole assembly agreed to this, because all the people thought that this was the right thing to do.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	5	So David summoned all Israel from the Shihor of Egypt to the Pass of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-Jearim.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	6	David and all Israel then went up to Baalah, to Kiriath-Jearim in Judah, from there to bring up the ark of God, which bears the title 'Yahweh enthroned on the winged creatures'.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	7	They transported the ark of God out of Abinadab's house on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio drove the cart.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	8	David and all Israel danced before God with all their might, singing to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	9	When they came to the threshing-floor of the Javelin, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, as the oxen were making it tilt.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	10	This roused Yahweh's anger against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had laid his hand on the Ark, and there he died before God.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	11	David resented Yahweh's having broken out against Uzzah, and the place was given the name Perez-Uzzah, which it still has today.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	12	That day David felt afraid of God. 'How can I bring the ark of God to be with me?' he said.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	13	So David did not take the ark with him into the City of David but had it put in the house of Obed-Edom of Gath.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	13	14	The ark of God remained with Obed-Edom, in his house, for three months, and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom's family and everything that belonged to him.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	1	Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, with cedar wood, stone-cutters and carpenters, to build him a palace.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	2	David then knew that Yahweh had confirmed him as king of Israel and, for the sake of his people, had extended his sovereignty.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	3	David took more wives in Jerusalem and fathered more sons and daughters.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	4	These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	5	Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	6	Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	7	Elishama, Beeliada, Eliphelet.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	8	When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed as king of all Israel, they all invaded to seek him out. On hearing this, David marched out towards them.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	9	When the Philistines arrived, they deployed in the Valley of the Rephaim.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	10	David consulted God and asked, 'Shall I attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my power?' Yahweh replied to him, 'Attack! I shall deliver them into your power.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	11	Accordingly, they went up to Baal-Perazim and there David defeated them. David said, 'Through me God has made a breach in my enemies, as though they had been breached by a flood.' This is why the place was given the name Baal-Perazim.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	12	They had left their gods behind there, and David ordered them to be burnt.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	13	Again the Philistines deployed in the valley.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	14	David again consulted God, and God replied, 'Do not attack them from the front; go round and engage them opposite the balsam trees.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	15	When you hear the sound of footsteps in the tops of the balsam trees, launch your attack, for that will be God going out ahead of you to defeat the Philistine army.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	16	David did as God had ordered, and they beat the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	14	17	David's fame then spread to every country, and Yahweh made him feared by every nation.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	1	After he had put up buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	2	David then said, 'No one but the Levites should carry the ark of God, since Yahweh has chosen them to carry the ark of Yahweh and to minister to him for ever.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	3	David then summoned all Israel to Jerusalem, to move the ark of Yahweh to the place which he had prepared for it.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	4	David also called the sons of Aaron and the Levites together:
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	5	of the sons of Kohath: Uriel the chief and his hundred and twenty kinsmen;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	6	of the sons of Merari: Asaiah the chief and his two hundred and twenty kinsmen;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	7	of the sons of Gershom: Joel the chief and his hundred and thirty kinsmen;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	8	of the sons of Elizaphan: Shemaiah the chief and his two hundred kinsmen;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	9	of the sons of Hebron: Eliel the chief and eighty kinsmen;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	10	of the sons of Uzziel: Amminadab the chief and his hundred and twelve kinsmen.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	11	David then sent for the priests Zadok and Abiathar, and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	12	To them he said, 'You are the heads of the levitical families. Sanctify yourselves, you and your kinsmen, so that you can move the ark of Yahweh, God of Israel, to the place which I have prepared for it.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	13	Because you were not there the first time, Yahweh our God broke out at us because we did not handle it properly.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	14	So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves, to move the ark of Yahweh, God of Israel,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	15	and the Levites carried the ark of God with the shafts on their shoulders, as Moses had ordered in accordance with the word of Yahweh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	16	David also told the heads of the Levites to appoint their kinsmen as singers with the accompaniment of musical instruments, lyres, harps, and cymbals to play joyfully.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	17	The Levites then appointed Heman son of Joel, Asaph son of Berechiah, one of his brothers, Ethan son of Kushaiah, one of their Merarite kinsmen;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	18	and with them their kinsmen of the second rank: Zechariah, Uzziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom and Jehiel the gatekeepers.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	19	The singers, Heman, Asaph and Ethan, were to play the bronze cymbals.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	20	Zechariah, Uzziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah were to play the lyre.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	21	Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jehiel and Azaziah, giving the beat, were to play the harp.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	22	Chenaniah, the levitical director of transport was in charge of the transport, being skilful at it.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	23	Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	24	The priests Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer blew trumpets before the ark of God, while Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also gatekeepers for the ark.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	25	David, the elders of Israel and the commanders of the thousands accordingly went, amid great rejoicing, to bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh up from Obed-Edom's house,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	26	and since God was helping the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	27	David, all the Levites who carried the ark, the singers and Chenaniah, director of transport, wore cloaks of fine linen. David also wore a linen ephod.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	28	Thus, with war-cries and the sounding of the horn, the trumpets and the cymbals, and the music of lyres and harps, all Israel transported the ark of the covenant of Yahweh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	15	29	Now, as the ark of the covenant of Yahweh entered the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul was watching from the window and, when she saw King David dancing and playing, the sight of him filled her with contempt.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	1	They brought the ark of God in and put it inside the tent which David had erected for it, and brought burnt offerings and made communion sacrifices in God's presence.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	2	And when David had finished making burnt offerings and communion sacrifices, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	3	To all the Israelites, both men and women, to each, he then distributed a loaf of bread, a portion of meat and a raisin cake.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	4	He appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of Yahweh, to extol, glorify and praise Yahweh, God of Israel;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	5	first Asaph, second Zechariah, then Uzziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel, who played the lyre and harp, while Asaph played the cymbals.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	6	The priests Benaiah and Jahaziel continually blew the trumpet before the ark of the covenant of God.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	7	On that day, David was the first to assign to Asaph and his kinsmen the giving of thanks to Yahweh:
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	8	Give thanks to Yahweh, call his name aloud, proclaim his deeds to the peoples.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	9	Chant to him, play to him, sing about all his wonders!
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	10	Take pride in his holy name, let your heart rejoice, you seekers of Yahweh!
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	11	Seek out Yahweh, seek his strength, continually seek out his presence!
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	12	Remember what wonders he has done, what miracles, what rulings he has given,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	13	you offspring of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob his chosen one!
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	14	For he is Yahweh our God, his authority extends throughout the world.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	15	For ever remember his covenant, the pact imposed for a thousand generations,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	16	which he concluded with Abraham, which was sworn by him to Isaac,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	17	since he confirmed it as a law for Jacob, as an eternal covenant for Israel,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	18	saying, 'I will give you the country; Canaan is the measure of your inheritance,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	19	'though you are few in number, only a few strangers there!'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	20	As they wandered from nation to nation, from this kingdom to that people,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	21	he would not let anyone oppress them and on their account he admonished kings,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	22	'You are not to touch my anointed ones, my prophets are not to be harmed!'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	23	Sing to Yahweh, all the earth, day after day proclaim his salvation!
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	24	Declare his glory among the nations, his marvels to every people!
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	25	Great is Yahweh, worthy of all praise, more awesome than any of the gods.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	26	Nothingness, all the gods of the nations. Yahweh it was who made the heavens,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	27	in his presence are splendour and majesty, in his sanctuary strength and joy.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	28	Give Yahweh his due, families of peoples, give Yahweh his due of glory and power,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	29	give Yahweh the glory due to his name! Bring an offering and enter his courts, bow down to Yahweh in his sacred court,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	30	tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firm, it cannot be moved,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	31	let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad! Say among the nations, 'Yahweh is king!'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	32	Let the sea thunder and all it holds, the countryside exult and everything that is in it,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	33	and all the trees of the forest cry out for joy at Yahweh's approach, for he is coming to judge the earth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	34	Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his faithful love lasts for ever!
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	35	Say, 'Save us, God of our salvation, gather us together and free us from the nations, so that we may give thanks to your holy name -- to be extolled whenever you are praised!'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	36	Blessed be Yahweh, God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! To which all the people said, 'Amen, Alleluia!'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	37	There before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh David left Asaph and his kinsmen to maintain a permanent ministry before the ark as each day's ritual required,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	38	and also Obed-Edom with his sixty-eight kinsmen. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and Hosah were gatekeepers.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	39	Zadok the priest and the priests, his kinsmen, he left before the dwelling of Yahweh on the high place at Gibeon
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	40	to bring burnt offerings to Yahweh unfailingly, morning and evening, on the altar of burnt offering, and to carry out all that is written in the Law of Yahweh laid down for Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	41	With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those who were chosen and assigned by name to give thanks to Yahweh, 'for his faithful love lasts for ever'.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	42	With them were Heman and Jeduthun to play trumpets and cymbals, as well as instruments for accompanying sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were in charge of the gates.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	16	43	Then all the people went back to their homes, and David went back to bless his household.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	1	It happened, once David had settled into his palace, that David said to the prophet Nathan, 'Here am I living in a cedar-wood palace, while the ark of the covenant of Yahweh is under awnings.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	2	Nathan said to David, 'Do whatever you have in mind, for God is with you.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	3	But that very night the word of God came to Nathan, as follows:
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	4	'Go and tell my servant David, "Yahweh says this: You must not build a temple for me to live in.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	5	I have never lived in a house from the day when I brought Israel out until today, but have kept travelling from tent to tent and from shelter to shelter.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	6	In all my travels with all Israel, did I say to any of the judges of Israel, whom I had commanded to shepherd my people: Why do you not build me a cedar-wood temple?
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	7	This is what you must say to my servant David: Yahweh Sabaoth says this: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader of my people Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	8	I have been with you wherever you went; I have got rid of all your enemies for you. I am going to make your fame like that of the greatest men on earth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	9	I am going to provide a place for my people Israel; I shall plant them there and there they will live and never be disturbed again; nor will they be oppressed by the wicked as they were in former times
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	10	ever since I instituted judges to govern my people Israel; I shall subdue all your enemies. Yahweh moreover tells you that he will build you a dynasty.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	11	And when your days are over and you have gone to join your ancestors, I shall appoint your heir -- who will be one of your sons -- to succeed you, and I shall make his sovereignty secure.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	12	He will build a temple for me and I shall make his throne secure for ever.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	13	I shall be his father and he will be my son, and I shall not withdraw my favour from him, as I withdrew it from your predecessor.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	14	I shall set him over my temple and kingdom for ever and his throne will be for ever secure." '
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	15	Nathan related all these words and this whole revelation to David.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	16	King David then went in, sat down in Yahweh's presence and said: 'Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my lineage, that you have led me as far as this?
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	17	Yet, to you, O God, this seemed too little, and now you extend your promises for your servant's family into the distant future, making me see as it were a whole succession of men, and it is Yahweh God himself who raises it up.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	18	What more can David reply to you for the honour you have given to your servant? You yourself have singled out your servant.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	19	For your servant, and since you were so inclined, you have had the generosity to reveal all this greatness to come.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	20	Yahweh, there is no one like you, no God but you alone, as everything that we have heard confirms.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	21	Is there another people on earth like your people Israel, whom a god has proceeded to redeem, to make them his people and to make them famous and do for them great and terrible deeds, by driving out nations before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt?-
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	22	for you made your people Israel your own people for ever and you, Yahweh, became their God.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	23	'Now, Yahweh, may the promise which you have made for your servant and as regards his family hold good for ever, and do as you have said.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	24	May it hold good, so your name will be exalted for ever and people will say, "Israel's God is Yahweh Sabaoth; he is God for Israel." Your servant David's dynasty will be secure before you
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	25	since you, my God, have disclosed to your servant that you are going to build him a dynasty. Hence, your servant has ventured to offer this prayer to you.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	26	Yes, Yahweh, you are God indeed, and you have made this generous promise to your servant.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	17	27	What is more, you have deigned to bless your servant's dynasty, so that it may remain for ever before you; and since you, Yahweh, have blessed it, blessed will it be for ever.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	1	After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. From the grip of the Philistines he wrested Gath and its dependencies.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	2	He also defeated the Moabites; the Moabites became David's subjects and paid him tribute.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	3	David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah, which lies in the direction of Hamath, when the latter mounted an expedition to assert his rule on the River Euphrates.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	4	David captured one thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers from him; David hamstrung all the chariot teams, keeping only a hundred of them.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	5	The Aramaeans of Damascus came to the help of Hadadezer king of Zobah, but David killed twenty-two thousand of the Aramaeans.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	6	David then imposed governors in Aram of Damascus, and the Aramaeans became David's subjects and paid him tribute. Wherever David went, Yahweh gave him victory.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	7	David took the golden shields carried by Hadadezer's guards and brought them to Jerusalem.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	8	From Tibhath and from Cun, towns belonging to Hadadezer, David captured a great quantity of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze Sea, the pillars and the bronze implements.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	9	When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	10	he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him on having made war on Hadadezer and on having defeated him, since Hadadezer was at war with Tou. He also sent all sorts of objects made of gold, silver and bronze,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	11	which King David also consecrated to Yahweh, as well as the silver and gold which he had levied from all the nations, from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines and Amalek.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	12	Abishai son of Zeruiah defeated the Edomites in the Valley of Salt -- eighteen thousand of them.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	13	He stationed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David's subjects. Wherever David went, Yahweh gave him victory.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	14	David ruled over all Israel, administering law and justice to all his people.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	15	Joab son of Zeruiah was in command of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was herald;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	16	Zadok son of Ahitub and Abiathar son of Ahimelech were priests; Shusha was secretary;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	18	17	Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in command of the Cherethites and Pelethites; David's sons took first place after the king.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	1	After this, when Nahash king of the Ammonites died and his son Hanun succeeded him,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	2	David thought, 'I shall show Hanun son of Nahash the same faithful love as his father showed me.' And David sent representatives to offer him condolences over his father. But when David's representatives reached Hanun in the Ammonites' country to present these condolences,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	3	the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun, 'Do you really think David means to honour your father when he sends you messengers with sympathy? On the contrary, the reason why his representatives have come to you is to explore, overthrow and reconnoitre the country.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	4	Whereupon Hanun seized David's representatives, shaved them, cut their clothes off half-way up, right by their buttocks, and sent them away.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	5	As soon as David was told how the men had been treated, he sent someone to meet them, since the men were overcome with shame. 'Stay in Jericho,' the king said, 'until your beards have grown, and come back then.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	6	When the Ammonites realised that they had antagonised David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and cavalry from the Aramaeans of Upper Mesopotamia, of Maacah and of Zobah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	7	They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah with his people, who came and encamped before Medeba, while the Ammonites, having left their towns and mustered, were advancing to the war.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	8	When David heard this, he sent Joab with the whole army, the champions.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	9	The Ammonites marched out and drew up their line of battle at the city gate, while the kings who had come kept their distance in the open country.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	10	Joab, seeing that he had to fight on two fronts, to his front and to his rear, chose the best of Israel's picked men and drew them up in line facing the Aramaeans.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	11	He entrusted the rest of the army to his brother Abishai, and drew them up in line facing the Ammonites.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	12	'If the Aramaeans prove too strong for me,' he said, 'you must come to my help; if the Ammonites prove too strong for you, I shall come to yours.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	13	Be brave and let us fight valiantly, for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God! And let Yahweh dispose as he thinks fit!'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	14	Joab and the force with him joined battle with the Aramaeans, who fled at his onslaught.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	15	When the Ammonites saw that the Aramaeans had fled, they too fled from his brother Abishai and withdrew into the city. Joab then returned to Jerusalem.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	16	The Aramaeans, realising that Israel had got the better of them, sent messengers and mobilised the Aramaeans living on the other side of the River, with Shophach, commander of Hadadezer's army, at their head.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	17	David, being informed of this, mustered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, made contact with them and took up position near them. David drew up his line of battle facing the Aramaeans, who then engaged him.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	18	But the Aramaeans fled from Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their chariot teams and forty thousand men; and also Shophach, the commander of the army.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	19	19	When Hadadezer's vassals saw that Israel had got the better of them, they made peace with David and became his subjects. The Aramaeans were unwilling to give any more help to the Ammonites.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	20	1	At the turn of the year, at the time when kings go campaigning, Joab led out the troops and, having ravaged the Ammonites' territory, proceeded to lay siege to Rabbah. David, however, remained in Jerusalem. Joab reduced Rabbah and dismantled it.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	20	2	David took the crown off Milcom's head and found that it weighed a talent of gold, and in it was set a precious stone which went on David's head instead. He carried off great quantities of booty from the city.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	20	3	And he expelled its inhabitants, setting them to work with saws, iron picks and axes. David treated all the Ammonite towns in the same way. David and all the people then returned to Jerusalem.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	20	4	After this war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. This was when Sibbecai of Hushah killed Sippai, one of the Rephaim, and the Philistines were subdued.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	20	5	Again, war with the Philistines broke out, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi brother of Goliath of Gath, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	20	6	There was further warfare at Gath, where there was a man of huge stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all. He too was a son of Rapha.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	20	7	When he defied Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, brother of David cut him down.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	20	8	These men were sons of Rapha in Gath and fell at the hands of David and his guards.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	1	Satan took his stand against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	2	David said to Joab and the people's princes, 'Go, and take a census of Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, then bring it back to me and let me know the total.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	3	Joab replied, 'May Yahweh multiply his people to a hundred times what they are today! But my lord king, are they not all my lord's servants in any case? Why should my lord insist on this? Why should he involve Israel in guilt?'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	4	But the king enforced his order on Joab, and Joab set out, travelled throughout all Israel, and then returned to Jerusalem.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	5	Joab gave David the census results for the people: all Israel had eleven hundred thousand men who could wield a sword; Judah had four hundred and seventy thousand men who could wield a sword.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	6	Joab had found the king's command so distasteful that he did not include Levi and Benjamin.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	7	God looked with displeasure on this and punished Israel in consequence.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	8	David then said to God, 'I have committed a grave sin by doing this. But now I beg you to forgive your servant for this fault, for I have acted very foolishly.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	9	Yahweh then spoke to Gad, David's seer,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	10	'Go and say to David, "Yahweh says this: I offer you three things; choose which one of them I am to inflict on you." '
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	11	So Gad went to David and said, 'Yahweh says this,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	12	"Take your choice between three years of famine; or three months of disaster at the hands of your enemies, with your enemies' sword overtaking you; or three days of Yahweh's sword, an epidemic in the country, while the angel of Yahweh wreaks havoc throughout the territory of Israel."
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	13	David said to Gad, 'I am very apprehensive. Better for me to fall into Yahweh's hand, since his mercies are very great, than for me to fall into the hands of human enemies.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	14	So Yahweh unleashed an epidemic on Israel, and seventy thousand Israelites succumbed.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	15	Next, God sent the angel to Jerusalem to destroy it, but as he was about to destroy it, Yahweh looked down and felt sorry about the calamity; and he said to the destroying angel, 'Enough now! Hold your hand!' The angel of Yahweh was standing by the thresh-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	16	David, raising his eyes, saw the angel of Yahweh standing between earth and heaven, a drawn sword in his hand stretched out towards Jerusalem. David and the elders then put on sackcloth and fell on their faces,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	17	and David said to God, 'Did I not order the people to be counted? I was the one who sinned and actually committed the wrong. But these, the flock, what have they done? Yahweh my God, let your hand lie heavy on me and on my family; but spare your people from the plague!'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	18	The angel of Yahweh then ordered Gad to tell David that David should go up and erect an altar to Yahweh on the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	19	So, at Gad's bidding, given in Yahweh's name, David went up.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	20	Ornan had turned round and seen the angel, and he and his four sons with him had hidden.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	21	When David arrived Ornan was threshing wheat. He looked up and saw David and came off the threshing-floor and prostrated himself on the ground at David's feet.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	22	David then said to Ornan, 'Let me have the site of the threshing-floor, so that I can build an altar to Yahweh on it; let me have it at the full price -- so that the plague may be lifted from the people.' Ornan said to David,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	23	'Take it, and let my lord the king do what he thinks fit. Look, I shall give you the oxen for burnt offerings, the threshing-sleds for the wood and the wheat for the oblation. I shall give everything.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	24	'No,' said King David to Ornan, 'I insist on buying it at the full price. I will not offer Yahweh what belongs to you or bring burnt offerings which have cost me nothing.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	25	So David gave Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the site.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	26	There David built an altar to Yahweh and brought burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called on Yahweh, and Yahweh answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	27	Then Yahweh ordered the angel to sheathe his sword.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	28	Whereupon, seeing that Yahweh had answered him on the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite, David offered sacrifice there.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	29	The Dwelling which Moses had made in the desert and the altar of burnt offering were at that time on the high place at Gibeon,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	21	30	but David could not go there to consult God because he was terrified of the angel's sword.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	1	David then said, 'This is to be the house of Yahweh God and this the altar of burnt offering for Israel.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	2	David then gave orders for all foreigners in Israel to be rounded up, and appointed quarrymen to cut dressed stone for building the house of God.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	3	David also prepared great quantities of iron to make nails for the leaves of the doors and for the clamps, and more bronze than could be weighed,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	4	as well as innumerable cedar-wood logs, as the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought cedar logs to David in great quantities.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	5	David then said, 'My son Solomon is young and immature, and the house to be built for Yahweh must be superlatively fine, the most famous and splendid in any country. I shall now make the preparations for it.' And so, before he died, David made ample preparations.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	6	He then summoned his son Solomon and commanded him to build a house for Yahweh, God of Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	7	'My son,' David said to Solomon, 'my heart was set on building a house for the name of Yahweh my God.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	8	But the word of Yahweh came to me, "You have shed much blood and fought great wars; it is not for you to build a house for my name, since you have shed much blood in my sight on earth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	9	Look, a son will be born to you. He will be a man of peace, and I shall give him peace from his enemies on all sides; for Solomon is to be his name, and in his days I shall give Israel peace and tranquillity.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	10	He must build a house for my name; he will be my son and I shall be his father, and I shall make the throne of his kingdom secure over Israel for ever."
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	11	Now, my son, may Yahweh be with you and give you success in building a house for Yahweh your God, as he has promised about you.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	12	And especially, may Yahweh give you discretion and discernment, may he give you his orders for Israel, so that you may observe the Law of Yahweh your God.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	13	Success will be yours, only if you observe the statutes and ordinances which Yahweh gave Moses as regulations for Israel. Be strong and stand fast, be fearless, be dauntless.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	14	Now, poor as I am, I have set aside for the house of Yahweh a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver and more bronze and iron than can be weighed, there being so much. I have also provided timber and stone, to which you may add more.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	15	Furthermore, you have a large number of workmen, quarrymen, masons, carpenters and all sorts of craftsmen for every kind of work,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	16	while your gold and silver, bronze and iron will be beyond reckoning. Set to work, then, and may Yahweh be with you!'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	17	David then commanded all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	18	'Has not Yahweh your God been with you and given you peace on all sides, having put the inhabitants of the country into my power and the country now having been subdued for Yahweh and his people?
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	22	19	So now devote heart and soul to searching for Yahweh your God. Set to and build the sanctuary of Yahweh God, so that you can bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh and the holy vessels of God into the house built for the name of Yahweh.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	1	When David had become old and full of days, he made his son Solomon king of Israel,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	2	and then summoned all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and Levites.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	3	A census was taken of those Levites thirty years old and upwards. On a count of heads, they numbered thirty-eight thousand men;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	4	twenty-four thousand were responsible for the service of the House of Yahweh, six thousand were officials and judges,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	5	four thousand were gatekeepers and four thousand praised Yahweh on the instruments which David had made for praising him.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	6	David then divided the Levites into classes: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	7	Of the Gershonites there were Ladan and Shimei.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	8	Sons of Ladan: Jehiel first, Zetham, Joel; three in all.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	9	Sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, Haziel, Haran; three in all. These are the heads of families of Ladan.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	10	Sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, Jeush, Beriah; these were the sons of Shimei; four in all.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	11	Jahath was the eldest, Zizah the second, then Jeush and Beriah, who had not many children and were reckoned as one family.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	12	Sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, Uzziel; four in all.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	13	Sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to consecrate the things that were especially holy, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense in the presence of Yahweh, to serve him and to bless in his name for ever.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	14	Moses, man of God, and his sons were reckoned with the tribe of Levi.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	15	Sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	16	Sons of Gershom: Shebuel, the first.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	17	Of the sons of Eliezer, Rehabiah was the first. Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very numerous.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	18	Sons of Izhar: Shelomith, the first.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	19	Sons of Hebron: Jeriah first, Amariah second, Jahaziel third, Jekameam fourth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	20	Sons of Uzziel: Micah first, Isshiah second.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	21	Sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. Sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	22	Eleazar died without sons, but he did have daughters, whom their cousins, the sons of Kish, married.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	23	Sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, Jeremoth: three in all.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	24	These were the sons of Levi by their families, the heads of families, and those registered by name, individually; whoever was twenty years old or upwards had his function in the service of the Temple of Yahweh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	25	For David said, 'Since Yahweh, God of Israel, has given rest to his people Israel and has taken up residence in Jerusalem for ever,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	26	the Levites need no longer carry the Dwelling or any of the objects required for its service.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	27	For, according to the last words of David, the Levites who had been registered were of twenty years and upwards.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	28	Their duty now is to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the House of Yahweh, in the care of the courts and rooms, the purification of all the holy things, the work for the service of the House of God,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	29	the loaves of permanent offering, the flour for the oblation, the wafers of unleavened bread, the pan-baked materials, the unmixed materials and all measures of volume and length.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	30	Furthermore, they have to be present every morning to give thanks and praise to Yahweh, and also in the evening,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	31	and at the bringing of every burnt offering to Yahweh on Sabbath, New Moon or solemn feast, appearing regularly before Yahweh in accordance with the numbers required of them.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	23	32	In serving the Temple of Yahweh they observe the ritual of the Tent of Meeting, the ritual of the sanctuary and the ritual of their kinsmen, the sons of Aaron.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	1	Orders of the sons of Aaron: Sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	2	Nadab and Abihu died in their father's lifetime leaving no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar filled the office of priest.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	3	With Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David allocated them according to the classification of their duties.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	4	Since the sons of Eleazar were found to have more headmen than the sons of Ithamar, they allocated sixteen heads of families to the sons of Eleazar and eight heads of families to the sons of Ithamar.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	5	They allocated them by lot, both alike, there being religious officials and officials of God among the sons of Eleazar, as among the sons of Ithamar.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	6	The levitical scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, recorded them in the presence of the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar and the heads of the priestly and levitical families, so that two families were selected for Eleazar for each one selected for Ithamar.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	7	The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	8	the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	9	the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	10	the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	11	the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	12	the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	13	the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Ishbaal,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	14	the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	15	the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	16	the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	17	the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	18	the twenty- third to Delaiah and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	19	These were their classifications for their duties when they entered the House of Yahweh in accordance with their prescriptions laid down by Aaron their ancestor as Yahweh, God of Israel, had commanded him.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	20	As regards the rest of the sons of Levi: Of the sons of Amram: Shubael. Of the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	21	As regards Rehabiah, of the sons of Rehabiah: Isshiah, the first one.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	22	Of the sons of Izhar: Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth: Jahath.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	23	Of the sons of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	24	The son of Uzziel was Micah; of the sons of Micah: Shamir.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	25	The brother of Micah was Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	26	The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi; of his sons: Jaaziah his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	27	The sons of Merari by his son Jaaziah were Shoham, Zaccur and Ibri.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	28	Of Mahli, there was Eleazar who had no sons,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	29	and Kish; and of the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	30	The sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth. These were the Levites according to families.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	24	31	Like their kinsmen, the sons of Aaron, these heads of families, senior and junior alike, also drew lots in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the priestly and levitical families.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	1	For the liturgy, David and the religious officials selected the sons of Asaph, of Heman and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy to the accompaniment of harps, lyres and cymbals. The list of ministrants for this service was as follows:
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	2	Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph who prophesied at the king's direction.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	3	Of Jeduthun there were the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun who, with the harp, prophesied when thanks and praise were to be given to Yahweh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	4	Of Heman there were the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	5	All these were sons of Heman, the king's seer; at God's word they blew the horn. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	6	Under the king's direction all these had the duty of singing to the accompaniment of cymbal, lyre and harp for the liturgy of the house of God under the direction of their fathers. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	7	trained in the songs of Yahweh, with their brothers, numbered two hundred and eighty-eight, all expert.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	8	Junior and senior, master and pupil alike, they drew lots for their term of duty.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	9	The first to whom the lot fell was the Asaphite, Joseph. The second was Gedaliah, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	10	The third was Zaccur, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	11	The fourth was Izri, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	12	The fifth was Nethaniah, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	13	The sixth was Bukkiah, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	14	The seventh was Jesharelah, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	15	The eighth was Jeshaiah, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	16	The ninth was Mattaniah, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	17	The tenth was Shimei, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	18	The eleventh was Azarel, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	19	The twelfth was Hashabiah, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	20	The thirteenth was Shubael, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	21	The fourteenth was Mattithiah, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	22	The fifteenth was Jeremoth, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	23	The sixteenth was Hananiah, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	24	The seventeenth was Joshbekashah, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	25	The eighteenth was Hanani, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	26	The nineteenth was Mallothi, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	27	The twentieth was Eliathah, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	28	The twenty-first was Hothir, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	29	The twenty-second was Giddalti, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	30	The twenty-third was Mahazioth, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	25	31	The twenty-fourth was Romamti-Ezer, who with his sons and brothers made twelve.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	1	As regards the orders of the gatekeepers: Of the Korahites there was Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Ebiasaph,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	2	and Meshelemiah's sons: Zechariah the first-born, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	3	Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	4	Obed-Edom's sons were: Shemaiah the first-born, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	5	Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth; God had indeed blessed him.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	6	His son Shemaiah also had sons who wielded authority in their family, because they were men of outstanding quality.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	7	The sons of Shemaiah were: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers Elihu and Semachiah were outstanding men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	8	All these were sons of Obed-Edom, who with their sons and brothers were men of standing, well fitted for their task. Obed-Edom had sixty-two.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	9	Meshelemiah had eighteen outstanding sons and brothers.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	10	Hosah, one of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri was the first, for although he was not the first-born his father had made him the chief.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	11	Hilkiah was the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: Hosah had thirteen sons and brothers in all.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	12	These orders of gatekeepers, allocated according to their headmen, had duties, just like their brothers, of serving in the house of Yahweh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	13	Similarly, they drew lots for each gate, whether their families were large or small.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	14	For the eastern one, the lot fell to Shelemiah; and when they drew lots for Zechariah his son, a shrewd counsellor, his lot came out for the north.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	15	To Obed-Edom went the south, and to his sons the storehouses.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	16	To Shuppim and Hosah went the west with the Gate of the Felled Tree-trunk on the upper road. The corresponding guards were as follows:
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	17	for the east gate, six per day; for the north gate, four per day; for the south gate, four per day; for the storehouses, two each;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	18	for the Parbar at the west gate, four by the road and two for the Parbar.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	19	These were the orders of the gatekeepers of the sons of Korah and the sons of Merari.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	20	The Levites, their brothers, who were responsible for the treasures of the house of God and for the treasures of consecrated gifts,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	21	were the sons of Ladan and belonged to the Gershonites -- the heads of the families of Ladan were descended from Ladan the Gershonite -- that is to say, the Jehielites.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	22	The sons of the Jehielites, Zetham and Joel his brother, were responsible for the treasures of the house of Yahweh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	23	Over the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	24	was Shebuel son of Gershom, son of Moses, who was governor of the treasures;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	25	and his brothers of the line of Eliezer were Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son and Shelomoth his son.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	26	This Shelomoth and his kinsmen were responsible for all the consecrated treasures dedicated by King David, by the heads of families, by the commanders of the thousands and hundreds and by the commanders of the army,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	27	who had dedicated a part of the spoils of war to the service of the house of Yahweh,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	28	and also for all that Samuel the seer, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner and Joab son of Zeruiah had dedicated. In fact, whatever was dedicated was the responsibility of Shelomoth and his kinsmen.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	29	Of the Izharites, Chananiah and his sons were assigned to secular duties for Israel as officials and judges.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	30	Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his kinsmen, one thousand seven hundred outstanding men were in charge of Israel west of Jordan in everything pertaining to Yahweh and to the service of the king.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	31	Of the Hebronites, Jerijah was the head. In the fortieth year of David's reign research was done on the lineage and relationships of the Hebronites, and men of outstanding quality from among them were found at Jazer in Gilead.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	26	32	There were twenty-seven hundred outstanding men, heads of families, whom King David put in charge of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh in all matters pertaining to God and the king.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	1	The Israelites listed according to heads of families, commanders of thousands and hundreds, with their officials in the king's service who dealt with all matters affecting the companies on monthly duty, month by month throughout the year, each company consisting of twenty-four thousand men:
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	2	The commander of the first company detailed for the first month was Jashobeam son of Zabdiel, whose company consisted of twenty-four thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	3	He belonged to the family of Perez and was the senior military officer of all those detailed for the first month.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	4	The commander of the company for the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, whose company consisted of twenty-four thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	5	The officer commanding the third body of men for the third month was Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the chief priest, whose company consisted of twenty-four thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	6	This was the Benaiah who was an important member of the Thirty and his company. His son was Ammizabad.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	7	The fourth for the fourth month was Asahel brother of Joab, and his son Zebadiah after him, whose company consisted of twenty-four thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	8	The fifth officer commanding for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Zerahite, whose company consisted of twenty-four thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	9	The sixth for the sixth month was Ira son of Ikkesh of Tekoa, whose company consisted of twenty-four thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	10	The seventh for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, one of the Ephraimites, whose company consisted of twenty-four thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	11	The eighth for the eighth month was Sibbecai of Hushah, a Zerahite, whose company consisted of twenty-four thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	12	The ninth for the ninth month was Abiezer of Anathoth, a Benjaminite, whose company consisted of twenty-four thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	13	The tenth for the tenth month was Maharai of Netophah, a Zerahite, whose company consisted of twenty-four thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	14	The eleventh for the eleventh month was Benaiah of Pirathon, an Ephraimite, whose company consisted of twenty-four thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	15	The twelfth for the twelfth month was Heldai of Netophah, of Othniel, whose company consisted of twenty-four thousand men.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	16	Responsible for the tribes of Israel were chief Eliezer son of Zichri for the Reubenites, Shephatiah son of Maacah for the Simeonites,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	17	Hashabiah son of Kemuel for the Levites, Zadok for the Aaronites,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	18	Elihu, one of David's brothers, for Judah, Omri son of Michael for Issachar,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	19	Ishmaiah son of Obadiah for Zebulun, Jerimoth son of Azriel for Naphtali,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	20	Hoshea son of Azaziah for the Ephraimites, Joel son of Pedaiah for the half-tribe of Manasseh,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	21	Iddo son of Zechariah for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Jaasiel son of Abner for Benjamin,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	22	and Azarel son of Jeroham for Dan. These were the tribal chiefs of Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	23	Now in the census David did not include those who were twenty years old and under, since Yahweh had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars of heaven.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	24	Joab son of Zeruiah began the count but never finished. This is why retribution came upon Israel, and the number did not come up to that recorded in the annals of King David.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	25	Overseer of the king's supplies: Azmaveth son of Adiel. Overseer of supplies in the countryside, towns, villages and fortresses: Jonathan son of Uzziah.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	26	Overseer of the farmers who tilled the land: Ezri son of Chelub.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	27	Overseer of vineyards: Shimei of Ramah. Overseer of those in the vineyards who looked after the wine cellars: Zabdi of Shepham.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	28	Overseer of olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah: Baal-Hanan of Geder. Overseer of oil supplies: Joash.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	29	Overseer of cattle at pasture in the plains of Sharon: Shitrai of Sharon. Overseer of cattle in the valleys: Shaphat son of Adlai.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	30	Overseer of camels: Obil the Ishmaelite.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	31	Overseer of donkeys: Jehdeiah of Meranoth. Overseer of flocks: Jaziz the Hagrite. All the above supervised the property belonging to King David.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	32	Jonathan, David's uncle, a councillor, wise man and scribe, and Jehiel son of Hachmoni took care of the king's sons.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	33	Ahitophel was the king's counsellor and Hushai, the Archite, was Friend of the King.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	27	34	Jehoiada son of Benaiah and Abiathar succeeded Ahitophel -- Joab was commander of the king's army.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	1	David then summoned to Jerusalem all the officials of Israel -- the tribal chiefs, the senior officials in the royal service, the commanders of the thousands, the commanders of the hundreds and the overseers of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and to his sons-including the court officials, the champions and all the men of standing.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	2	King David then rose to his feet and said: 'My brothers and my people, listen to me. I have set my heart on building a settled home for the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, for the footstool for our God, but when I was ready to build it,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	3	God said to me, "You must not build a house for my name, for you have been a man of war and have shed blood."
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	4	'Even so, out of my entire family, it was I whom Yahweh, God of Israel, chose to reign over Israel for ever. Having chosen Judah as leader, and my family out of the House of Judah, it pleased him out of all my father's sons to make me king of all Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	5	Out of all my sons -- for Yahweh has given me many -- he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on Yahweh's sovereign throne over Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	6	Furthermore, he has told me, "Solomon your son is the man to build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son and I shall be his father.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	7	I shall make his sovereignty secure for ever if he sturdily carries out my commandments and ordinances as he does now."
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	8	'So now in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Yahweh, and in the hearing of our God, I charge you to observe and adhere strictly to all the commandments of Yahweh your God, so that you may retain possession of this fine country and leave it to your sons after you as a heritage for ever.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	9	'And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with an undivided heart and willing mind; for Yahweh scrutinises all hearts and understands whatever plans they may devise. If you seek him, he will let you find him; but forsake him and he will cast you off for ever.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	10	So, since Yahweh has chosen you to build a house for his sanctuary, go resolutely to work!'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	11	David then gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico, the plans for the buildings, its storehouses, its upper rooms, its inner rooms and the room for the throne of mercy
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	12	as well as the plans for everything that he had in mind: for the courts of the house of Yahweh, for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the house of God and for the sacred treasuries,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	13	for the orders of priests and Levites, for all the duties to be carried out in the service of the house of Yahweh, and for all the liturgical objects to be used in the house of Yahweh;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	14	for the gold bullion, for all the golden liturgical objects of various uses; for the silver bullion, for all the silver liturgical objects of various uses;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	15	for the gold bullion for the golden lamp-stands and for their lamps, and for the silver bullion for the silver lamp-stands and their lights, depending on the function of each lamp-stand;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	16	for the gold bullion for each of the tables for the loaves of permanent offering and the silver for the silver tables;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	17	for the pure gold for the forks, the bowls and the jars, for the gold bullion for each of the golden basins and for the silver bullion for each of the silver basins;
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	18	and for the refined gold bullion for the altar of incense; also for the gold for the model of the chariot and of the great winged creatures which cover the ark of the covenant of Yahweh with wings outspread-
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	19	all this was in the document conveying Yahweh's instructions, by which he revealed the pattern of what was to be done.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	20	David then said to his son Solomon, 'Be resolute and courageous in your work, do not be afraid or disheartened, because Yahweh God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you before you have finished all the work to be done for the house of Yahweh.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	28	21	And besides, there are the orders of priests and Levites for whatever is needed in connection with the house of God, and you have at your disposal every kind of craftsman for whatever has to be done, as well as the officials and all the people entirely at your command.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	1	David then addressed the whole assembly, 'Solomon my son, whom Yahweh has specifically chosen, is young and immature, and the work is great; this palace is not for any human being but for Yahweh God.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	2	With all the resources I can command, for the house of my God I have provided gold for what must be made of gold, silver for what must be made of silver, bronze for what must be made of bronze, iron for what must be made of iron, wood for what must be made of wood, as well as cornelian for inlay work, slabs of multicoloured mosaic, every kind of precious stone and quantities of alabaster.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	3	Furthermore, because my affections are set on the house of my God, I have also given what gold and silver I personally own for the house of my God, over and above everything which I have already provided for the holy Temple-
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	4	that is to say, three thousand talents of gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the buildings,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	5	the gold being for what must be made of gold, and the silver for what must be made of silver: and for whatever the craftsmen must make. Who, then, is willing to devote himself to Yahweh's service today?'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	6	At this, the heads of families, the tribal chiefs of Israel, the commanders of the thousands and the hundreds and those who managed the king's affairs,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	7	volunteered a gift of five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	8	while those who owned precious stones presented them to the treasury of the house of Yahweh in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	9	The people rejoiced at what these had given so readily, since they had presented their freewill offerings wholeheartedly to Yahweh. King David too was filled with joy.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	10	Hence, in the presence of the whole assembly David blessed Yahweh. David said: 'May you be blessed, Yahweh, God of Israel our ancestor, for ever and for ever!
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	11	Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the splendour, length of days and glory, everything in heaven and on earth is yours. Yours is the sovereignty, Yahweh; you are exalted, supreme over all.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	12	Wealth and riches come from you, you are ruler of all, in your hand lie strength and power, and you bestow greatness and might on whomsoever you please.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	13	So now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your majestic name,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	14	for who am I and what is my people, for us to be able to volunteer offerings like this? - since everything has come from you and we have given you only what you bestowed in the first place,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	15	and we are guests before you, and passing visitors as were all our ancestors, our days on earth fleeting as a shadow and without hope.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	16	Yahweh our God, all this wealth, which we have provided to build a house for your holy name, has come from you and all belongs to you.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	17	'Knowing, my God, how you examine our motives and how you delight in integrity, with integrity of motive I have willingly given all this and have been overjoyed to see your people, now present here, willingly offering their gifts to you.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	18	Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel our ancestors, watch over this for ever, shape the purpose of your people's heart and direct their hearts to you,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	19	and give an undivided heart to Solomon my son to keep your commandments, your decrees and your statutes, to put them all into effect and to build the palace for which I have made provision.'
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	20	David then addressed the whole assembly: 'Now bless Yahweh your God!' And the whole assembly blessed Yahweh, God of their ancestors, bowing down in homage to Yahweh, and to the king.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	21	On the day following this, they slaughtered sacrifices and brought burnt offerings to Yahweh on behalf of Israel -- a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, a thousand lambs with their libations, as well as many other sacrifices-
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	22	and they ate and drank that day in Yahweh's presence with great joy. They then made Solomon son of David king a second time, anointing him as leader for Yahweh, and Zadok as priest.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	23	Solomon took his seat on Yahweh's throne, to reign in succession to David his father. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	24	All the chiefs, all the leading citizens and all King David's other sons pledged allegiance to King Solomon.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	25	Yahweh made Solomon exceedingly powerful, as all Israel could see, and gave him a reign of such splendour as no previous king of Israel ever had.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	26	David son of Jesse was king of all Israel.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	27	He was king of Israel for a period of forty years; he reigned at Hebron for seven years, and in Jerusalem for thirty-three.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	28	He died at a good old age, full of days, riches and honour. Then his son Solomon succeeded him.
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	29	The history of King David, from first to last, is all written down in the records of Samuel the seer, the records of Nathan the prophet and the records of Gad the seer,
 1 Chronicles	1Chr	13	29	30	with his entire reign, his mighty deeds and the times which he, Israel and all the kings of other countries, had experienced.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	1	Solomon son of David then made himself secure over his kingdom. Yahweh his God was with him, making him more and more powerful.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	2	Solomon then spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of families.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	3	Solomon, and the whole assembly with him, then went to the high place at Gibeon, where God's Tent of Meeting was, which Moses, servant of God, had made in the desert.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	4	The ark of the covenant, however, David had brought from Kiriath-Jearim to the place which he had prepared for it, having pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	5	The bronze altar which Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, had made was there, in front of Yahweh's Dwelling, where Solomon and the assembly consulted him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	6	There Solomon presented a burnt offering before Yahweh on the bronze altar of the Tent of Meeting, making on it one thousand burnt offerings.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	7	That night God appeared to Solomon and said, 'Ask what you would like me to give you.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	8	Solomon replied to God, 'You showed most faithful love to David my father, and you have made me king in succession to him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	9	Yahweh God, the promise you made to David my father has now been fulfilled, since you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	10	Therefore give me wisdom and knowledge to act as leader of this people, for how otherwise could such a great people as yours be governed?'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	11	'Since that is what you want,' God said to Solomon, 'since you have asked, not for riches, treasure, honour, the lives of your enemies, or even for a long life, but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people of whom I have made you king,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	12	therefore wisdom and knowledge are granted you. I give you riches too, and treasure, and honour such as no king had before you and none will have after you.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	13	So Solomon came away from the high place at Gibeon, from the Tent of Meeting, to Jerusalem and reigned over Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	14	Solomon then built up a force of chariots and cavalry; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses; these he kept in the chariot towns and near the king at Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	15	In Jerusalem the king made silver and gold as common as stones, and cedar wood as plentiful as sycamore in the lowlands.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	16	Solomon's horses were imported from Muzur and Cilicia. The king's dealers acquired them in Cilicia at the prevailing price.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	17	A chariot was imported from Egypt for six hundred silver shekels and a horse from Cilicia for a hundred and fifty. They also supplied the Hittite and Aramaean kings, who all used them as middlemen.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	1	18	Solomon then gave the order to build a house for the name of Yahweh and a palace in which to reign.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	1	And Solomon allocated seventy thousand men to be porters and eighty thousand to quarry in the hills and three thousand six hundred overseers for them.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	2	And Solomon sent this message to Huram king of Tyre, 'Do as you did for my father David when you sent him cedars for him to build himself a palace to live in.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	3	You see, I am building a house for the name of Yahweh my God, to acknowledge his holiness so that perfumed incense may be burnt before him, the loaves of permanent offering be perpetually laid out and the burnt offerings be made morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, New Moons and solemn festivals of Yahweh our God, as prescribed to Israel for ever;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	4	and the house which I am building must be large, for our God is greater than all gods;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	5	even so, who would not find it an impossible task to build a house for him, when the heavens and the heavens of the heavens cannot contain him? And who am I to build a house for him except to burn incense before him?
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	6	So now send me a man skilled at working in gold, silver, bronze, iron, scarlet, crimson and violet materials, and who knows the art of engraving too; he is to work with my skilled men in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David has provided.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	7	Also send me cedar, juniper and algum trunks from the Lebanon, for I know that your servants know the art of felling timber in the Lebanon. And, my servants will work with your servants
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	8	in preparing a vast quantity of timber for me, since the house which I intend to build is to be of a size to marvel at.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	9	Furthermore, for the upkeep of the woodcutters whom you employ to cut the timber, I shall provide twenty thousand kor of wheat, twenty thousand kor of barley, twenty thousand bat of wine and twenty thousand bat of oil.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	10	In a letter sent to King Solomon, Huram king of Tyre replied, 'Because Yahweh loves his people he has made you their king!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	11	Huram went on to say, 'Praised be Yahweh, God of Israel, who made heaven and earth and has given King David a wise son, endowed with discretion and discernment, to build a house for Yahweh and a palace in which to reign!-
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	12	I am now sending you a skilled and intelligent man, Huram-Abi
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	13	the son of a Danite woman by a Tyrian father. He knows the arts of working in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, wood, scarlet, violet, fine linen and crimson materials, and is competent to carry out any kind of engraving and to execute any design which may be entrusted to him, in collaboration with your skilled men and those of my lord David, your father.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	14	'So now let my lord send his servants the wheat, barley, oil and wine as promised
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	15	and we will fell all the wood you need from Lebanon, and bring it you in rafts by sea to Jaffa; and it will be your responsibility to transport it to Jerusalem.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	16	Solomon then took a census of all the aliens resident in Israel similar to the census which his father David had taken; it was found that there were a hundred and fifty-three thousand six hundred.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	2	17	He impressed seventy thousand of them as porters, eighty thousand as quarrymen in the hills and three thousand six hundred as overseers to make sure the people worked.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	1	Solomon then began building the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah where David his father had had a vision -- on the site which David had prepared -- on the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	2	He began building it on the second day of the second month of the fourth year of his reign.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	3	These are the dimensions which Solomon fixed for the structure of the house of God: its length in cubits, according to the old standard, was sixty cubits and its width twenty cubits;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	4	and the portico in front of the house was the full width of the house, that is, twenty cubits, and its height was a hundred and twenty cubits; on the inside he overlaid it with pure gold.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	5	The Great Hall he lined with juniper, which he overlaid with fine gold and ornamented with palm trees and festoons,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	6	and he decorated the hall beautifully with precious stones and with gold from Parvaim,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	7	overlaying the hall, its beams and its thresholds, its walls and its doors, with gold and engraving the walls with great winged creatures.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	8	He also made the Holy of Holies, the length of which corresponded to the width of the Great Hall, being twenty cubits, with a width of twenty cubits, and this he overlaid with fine gold weighing six hundred talents,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	9	while the weight of the gold nails was fifty shekels. He also overlaid the upper rooms with gold.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	10	In the Holy of Holies he modelled two winged creatures of wrought metal work and overlaid them with gold.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	11	The total span of their wings was twenty cubits; one wing, being five cubits long, touched the wall of the house and the other wing, being five cubits long, touched the wing of the other winged creature;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	12	while one wing of the other, five cubits long, touched the other wall of the house and the other wing, five cubits long, touched the wing of the other winged creature.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	13	The spread of these creatures' wings was twenty cubits. They stood in an upright position, with their faces towards the Hall.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	14	He also made the Curtain of violet, scarlet, crimson and fine linen, working a design of winged creatures on it.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	15	In front of the Hall he made two pillars thirty-five cubits high, and on the top of each a capital measuring five cubits.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	16	He made festoons, in the Debir, to go at the tops of the pillars, and made a hundred pomegranates to go on the festoons.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	3	17	He erected the pillars in front of the Temple, one on the right, the other on the left; the one on the right he called Jachin and the one on the left, Boaz.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	1	He made a bronze altar, twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide and ten cubits high.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	2	He made the Sea of cast metal, ten cubits from rim to rim, circular in shape and five cubits high; a cord thirty cubits long gave the measurement of its girth.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	3	Under it and completely encircling it were things like oxen, ten to the cubit round the entire Sea; the oxen were in two rows, of one and the same casting with the rest.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	4	It rested on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, three facing east; on these, their hindquarters all turned inwards, stood the Sea.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	5	It was a hand's breadth in thickness, and its rim was shaped like the rim of a cup-lily-shaped. It could hold three thousand bat.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	6	He made ten basins, putting five on the right and five on the left, for washing in; the things to be offered as burnt offerings were to be rinsed in these, but the Sea was for the priests to wash in.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	7	He made the ten golden lamp-stands according to the pattern and placed them in the Hekal, five on the right and five on the left.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	8	He made ten tables which he set up in the Hekal, five on the right and five on the left. He also made a hundred golden sprinkling bowls.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	9	He made the court of the priests and the great court with its gates and plated the gates with bronze.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	10	The Sea he placed on the right-hand side of the Temple, to the south-east.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	11	Huram made the ash containers, the scoops and the sprinkling bowls. Thus Huram completed all the work done for King Solomon for the Temple of God:
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	12	the two pillars; the mouldings of the capitals surmounting the two pillars; the two sets of filigree to cover the two mouldings of the capitals surmounting the pillars;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	13	the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of filigree -- two rows of pomegranates for each set of filigree;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	14	the ten stands and the ten basins on the stands;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	15	the one Sea and the twelve oxen beneath it;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	16	the ash containers, scoops and forks. All these utensils made by Huram-Abi for King Solomon for the Temple of Yahweh were of burnished bronze.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	17	The King made them by the process of sand casting, in the plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zeredah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	18	There was such an enormous quantity of them that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	19	Solomon made all the objects designed for the Temple of God, as well as the golden altar and the tables for the loaves of permanent offering;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	20	the lamp-stands with their lamps to burn, as prescribed, in front of the Debir, of pure gold;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	21	the floral work, the lamps, the tongs, of gold (and it was pure gold);
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	4	22	the snuffers, the sprinkling bowls, incense ladles and the pans, of real gold; and the entrance to the Temple, the inner doors (for the Holy of Holies) and the doors of the Temple itself, that is of the Hekal, were also made of gold.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	1	Thus all the work done by Solomon for the Temple of Yahweh was completed, and Solomon brought in the gifts which his father David had consecrated; and he had the silver, the gold and all the utensils put into the treasuries of the Temple of God.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	2	Solomon then assembled the elders of Israel to Jerusalem, all the tribal chiefs, the princes of the families of Israel, to bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh up from the City of David, that is, Zion.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	3	All the men of Israel assembled round the king at the time of the feast, that is, in the seventh month.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	4	When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the Levites took up the ark;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	5	they brought up the ark and the Tent of Meeting and all the sacred utensils which were in the Tent; the levitical priests brought them up.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	6	King Solomon and the whole assembly of Israel present with him before the ark sacrificed countless, innumerable sheep and oxen.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	7	The priests brought the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, in the Debir of the Temple, that is, in the Holy of Holies, under the wings of the winged creatures;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	8	for they spread their wings over the place where the ark stood, forming a canopy over the ark and its shafts.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	9	The shafts were so long, however, that the ends of the shafts of the ark could be seen in front of the Holy Place in front of the Debir, though they could not be seen from outside. They are still there today.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	10	There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses had placed in it at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the Israelites when they came out of Egypt.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	11	Now when the priests came out of the Holy Place -- for all the priests present had sanctified themselves regardless of the orders to which they belonged,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	12	and all the levitical singers, Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun with their sons and brothers, dressed in linen, were standing to the east of the altar with cymbals, lyres and harps and with them one hundred and twenty priests blowing the trumpets,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	13	and the harmony between trumpeters and singers was such that only one melody could be heard as they praised and gave thanks to Yahweh -- and the singing began, to the accompaniment of trumpets, cymbals and musical instruments, and they praised Yahweh 'for his faithful love is everlasting'- then the Temple was filled with the cloud of the glory of Yahweh,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	5	14	and because of the cloud the priests could not stay and perform their duties. For the glory of Yahweh filled the Temple of God.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	1	Then Solomon said: Yahweh has chosen to dwell in thick cloud,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	2	and I have built you a princely dwelling, a residence for you for ever.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	3	Then the king turned round and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while the whole assembly of Israel stood.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	4	He said, 'Blessed be Yahweh, God of Israel, who has carried out by his hand what he promised verbally to my father David, when he said,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	5	"From the day I brought my people out of Egypt I chose no city, in any of the tribes of Israel, to have a temple built where my name should be, nor did I choose anyone to be prince of my people Israel;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	6	but I did choose Jerusalem for my name to be there, and I did choose David to rule my people Israel."
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	7	My father David had set his heart on building a temple for the name of Yahweh, God of Israel,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	8	but Yahweh said to my father David, "You have set your heart on building a temple for my name, and in this you have done well;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	9	and yet, you are not the man to build the temple; but your son, yet to be born to you, will be the one to build the temple for my name."
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	10	Yahweh has kept the promise which he made: I have succeeded my father David and am seated on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised; I have built the temple for the name of Yahweh, God of Israel,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	11	and I have placed in it the ark containing the covenant of Yahweh, which he made with the Israelites.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	12	Then in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, he stood facing the altar of Yahweh and stretched out his hands-
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	13	for Solomon had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and five cubits high, which he had placed in the middle of the court and on which he was standing; he knelt down in front of the whole assembly of Israel, stretched out his hands to heaven-
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	14	and said, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or on earth, you who are loyal to the covenant and show faithful love to your servants as long as they walk wholeheartedly in your way.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	15	You have kept it with your servant, my father David, as you promised him you would. What you promised verbally today you have carried out by your hand.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	16	And now, Yahweh, God of Israel, keep the promise which you made to your servant David when you said, "You will never lack for a man to sit in my presence before me on the throne of Israel, provided that your sons are careful how they behave, following my law as you yourself have done."
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	17	So now, God of Israel, let the words come true which you spoke to your servant, my father David.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	18	Yet will God really live with the people on earth? Why, the heavens and the heavens of the heavens cannot contain you! How much less this temple built by me!
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	19	Even so, listen favourably to the prayer and entreaty of your servant, Yahweh my God; listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant makes to you:
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	20	Day and night, may your eyes watch over this temple, over this place in which you have promised to put your name. Listen to the prayer which your servant offers in this place.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	21	'Listen to the entreaties of your servant and of your people Israel; whenever they pray in this place, listen from the place where you reside in heaven; and when you hear, forgive.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	22	'If someone has wronged his neighbour and a curse is laid on him to make him swear here before your altar in this Temple,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	23	then listen from heaven and do justice between your servants, paying back the guilty one by making him suffer for his conduct, and acquitting the upright by rewarding him as his uprightness deserves.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	24	'If your people Israel are defeated by the enemy because they have sinned against you, but then return to you and acknowledge your name, and pray and seek your favour in this temple,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	25	then listen from heaven; forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the country which you gave to them and their ancestors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	26	'When the heavens are shut and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray in this place and praise your name and, having been humbled by you, desist from their sin,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	27	then listen from heaven and forgive the sin of your servant and of your people Israel -- for you are constantly showing them the good way which they must follow -- and send rain on your country, which you have given to your people as their heritage.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	28	'Should there be famine in the country, or pestilence, wind-blast or mildew, locust or caterpillar; should their enemy lay siege to their territory; should there be any plague or any disease;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	29	whatever be the prayer or entreaty of any individual, or of all your people Israel, each being aware of his own affliction and pain; when he stretches out his hands towards this Temple,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	30	then listen from heaven where you reside; forgive and, since you know what is in his heart, deal with each as his conduct deserves -- for you alone know what is in the human heart-
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	31	so that they may revere you by following your directions, which you gave to our ancestors, throughout their lives on earth.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	32	'Even the foreigner, not belonging to your people Israel but coming from a distant country, attracted by your great name, your mighty hand and outstretched arm, if he comes and prays in this Temple,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	33	then listen from heaven where you reside, and grant all that the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may acknowledge your name and, like your people Israel, revere you, and know that this Temple, which I have built, bears your name.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	34	'If your people go out to war against their enemies, on whatever mission you send them, and they pray to you, turning towards this city which you have chosen and towards the Temple which I have built for your name,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	35	then listen from heaven to their prayer and their entreaty, and uphold their cause.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	36	'When they sin against you -- for there is no one who does not sin -- and you are angry with them and abandon them to the enemy, and their captors carry them off to a country be it far away or near,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	37	if they come to their senses in the country to which they have been taken as captives and pray to you once again in the country of their captivity, saying, "We have sinned, we have acted wrongly and wickedly,"
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	38	and turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the country of their captivity to which they have been carried away as captives, and pray, turning towards the country which you gave to their ancestors, towards the city you have chosen, and towards the Temple which I have built for your name,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	39	then listen from heaven where you reside, hear their prayer and entreaties, uphold their cause and forgive your people for having sinned against you.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	40	'Now, O my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to prayer offered in this place.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	41	And now Yahweh God, go up to your resting-place, you and your fortress, the Ark! Let your priests, Yahweh God, be robed in salvation, let your faithful rejoice in what is good!
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	6	42	Yahweh God, do not rebuff your Anointed -- remember the faithful love of your servant David!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	1	When Solomon had finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of Yahweh filled the Temple.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	2	The priests could not enter the Temple of Yahweh, because the glory of Yahweh filled the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	3	When all the Israelites saw the fire come down and the glory of Yahweh resting on the Temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the earth, worshipping and praising Yahweh with 'For he is good, for his faithful love lasts for ever!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	4	Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	5	King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep; and thus the king and all the people dedicated the Temple of God.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	6	The priests stood in their places, as did the Levites with Yahweh's musical instruments which King David had provided, to render 'Give thanks to Yahweh, for his faithful love lasts for ever!' whenever David offered praise to their accompaniment. Opposite them, the priests blew trumpets, while all Israel stood.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	7	Solomon also consecrated the middle part of the court in front of the Temple of Yahweh; for that was where he presented the burnt offerings and the fatty parts of the communion sacrifices, since the bronze altar which Solomon had made could not hold the burnt offering, the oblation and the fatty parts.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	8	And then Solomon and with him all Israel from the Pass of Hamath to the Torrent of Egypt -- a very great assembly -- celebrated the feast for seven days.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	9	On the eighth day they held the assembly, for they had devoted seven days to the dedication of the altar and seven days to the feast.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	10	On the twenty-third day of the seventh month Solomon dismissed the people to their homes, rejoicing and happy of heart over the goodness which Yahweh had shown to David, to Solomon and to his people Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	11	Thus Solomon finished the Temple of Yahweh and the royal palace, and he successfully concluded everything that he was of a mind to do in the Temple of Yahweh and in his own palace.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	12	Then Yahweh appeared to Solomon in the night and said, 'I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	13	If I shut the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the country, or if I send pestilence among my people,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	14	if my people who bear my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my presence and turn from their wicked ways, then I will listen from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their country.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	15	Now and for the future my eyes are open and my ears attentive to prayer offered in this place,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	16	for now I have chosen and consecrated this Temple, for my name to be there for ever; my eyes and my heart will constantly be there.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	17	And if, for your part, you walk before me as your father David did, and do everything that I have commanded you to do, and keep my laws and my ordinances,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	18	I shall make your royal throne secure, as I covenanted with your father David when I said: You will never lack for a male to rule in Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	19	But if you turn away and forsake my laws and commandments which I have laid down for you, and go and serve other gods and worship them,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	20	then I shall uproot them from the country which I have given them, and shall disown this Temple which I have consecrated for my name and make it a proverb and a byword among all the peoples.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	21	And at this once-exalted Temple, everyone who passes by will be appalled, and will say, "Why has Yahweh treated this country and this Temple like this?"
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	7	22	And the answer will be, "Because they deserted Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and adopted other gods and worshipped and served them; that is why he has brought all these disasters on them." '
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	1	At the end of the twenty years which it took Solomon to build the Temple of Yahweh and his own palace,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	2	and to rebuild the towns which Huram had given him and settle them with Israelites,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	3	Solomon mounted an expedition against Hamath-Zobah and captured it.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	4	He also fortified Tadmor in the desert and all the storage towns which he had built in Hamath.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	5	He also built Upper Beth-Horon and Lower Beth-Horon as fortified towns with walls and gates and bars,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	6	also Baalath and all Solomon's storage towns, all the towns for his chariots and horses, and everything which Solomon was pleased to build in Jerusalem, in the Lebanon and throughout the territory under his rule.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	7	All those who survived of the Hittite, Amorite, Perizzite, Hivite and Jebusite peoples, who did not belong to Israel-
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	8	those of their descendants still remaining in the country, whom the Israelites had not exterminated, these Solomon levied for forced labour, as is still the case today.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	9	Solomon did not, however, impose forced labour on the Israelites for his work -- for they were soldiers, his senior officers and his chariot and cavalry commanders.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	10	There were two hundred and fifty of King Solomon's officials in charge of the foremen who supervised the people.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	11	Solomon moved Pharaoh's daughter up from the City of David to the palace which he had built for her. 'I must not be responsible', he said, 'for a woman living in the palace of David king of Israel, for these buildings to which the ark of Yahweh has come are sacred.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	12	Thereafter, Solomon made burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of Yahweh which he had built in front of the portico,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	13	in accordance with the regular prescriptions for burnt sacrifice as commanded by Moses, on the Sabbaths, New Moons and the three annual feasts; the feast of Unleavened Bread, the feast of Weeks and the feast of Shelters.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	14	Following the prescriptions of his father David, he assigned the orders of priests to their duties and the Levites to their tasks of praise and of assisting the priests in accordance with day-to-day requirements; as also the gatekeepers in their various orders to each gate- for cush was the command of David, man of God.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	15	Nor was there deviation on any point from the king's command as regards the priests, the Levites or even the storehouses.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	16	Thus, all the work was over which Solomon had put in hand when the Temple of Yahweh was founded until it was finished. The Temple of Yahweh was complete in every detail.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	17	Solomon then mounted an expedition to Ezion-Geber and Elath on the sea-coast of Edom.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	8	18	Huram sent him ships through his agents, as well as experienced sailors, who went to Ophir with men in Solomon's service, where they took on four hundred and fifty talents of gold, which they brought back to King Solomon.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	1	The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame and came to Jerusalem to test Solomon with difficult questions, with a very large retinue with camels laden with spices and an immense quantity of gold and precious stones. Having reached Solomon, she discussed everything that she had in mind with him,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	2	and Solomon had an answer for all her questions; not one of them was too obscure for Solomon to answer for her.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	3	When the queen of Sheba saw how wise Solomon was, the palace which he had built,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	4	the food at his table, the accommodation for his officials, the organisation of his staff and the way they were dressed, his cupbearers and the way they were dressed, and the burnt offerings, which he made in the Temple of Yahweh, it left her breathless,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	5	and she said to the king, 'The report I heard in my own country about you and about your wisdom in handling your affairs was true, then!
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	6	Until I came and saw for myself, I did not believe the reports, but clearly I was told less than half about the true extent of your wisdom. You surpass what was reported to me.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	7	How fortunate your people are! How fortunate your courtiers, continually in attendance on you and listening to your wisdom!
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	8	Blessed be Yahweh your God. Because your God loved Israel and meant to keep it secure for ever, he has made you its king to administer law and justice.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	9	And she presented the king with a hundred and twenty talents of gold and great quantities of spices and precious stones. There never were such spices as those which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	10	Similarly, the men employed by Huram and the men employed by Solomon, who brought the gold from Ophir, also brought back algum wood and precious stones.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	11	Of the algum wood the king made steps for the Temple of Yahweh and for the royal palace, and harps and lyres for the musicians, the like of which had never before been seen in Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	12	And King Solomon, in his turn, presented the queen of Sheba with everything that she expressed a wish for, besides what he gave her in exchange for what she had brought to the king. After which, she went home to her own country, she and her servants.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	13	The weight of the gold received annually by Solomon amounted to six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	14	besides what tolls and foreign trade brought in; all the Arab kings and the provincial governors also brought gold and silver to Solomon.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	15	King Solomon made two hundred great shields of beaten gold, six hundred shekels of beaten gold going into one shield;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	16	also three hundred small shields of beaten gold, three hundred shekels of gold going into one shield; and the king put these into the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	17	The king also made a great ivory throne which he overlaid with refined gold.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	18	The throne had six steps with a golden foot-rest attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat and two lions standing beside the arms,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	19	and twelve lions stood on either side of the six steps. Nothing like it had ever been made in any other kingdom.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	20	All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the plate in the House of the Forest of Lebanon was of pure gold; silver was little thought of in Solomon's days,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	21	since the king's ships went to Tarshish with Huram's employees, and once every three years the merchantmen would come back laden with gold and silver, ivory, apes and baboons.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	22	For riches and for wisdom, King Solomon surpassed all kings on earth,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	23	and all the kings in the world consulted Solomon to hear the wisdom which God had implanted in his heart,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	24	and everyone would bring a present with him: objects of silver and of gold, robes, armour, spices, horses and mules; and this went on year after year.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	25	Solomon also had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand cavalrymen; these he stationed in the chariot towns and near the king in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	26	He was overlord of all the kings from the River to the territory of the Philistines and the Egyptian border.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	27	In Jerusalem the king made silver as common as stones, and cedar wood as plentiful as sycamore in the Lowlands.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	28	Horses were imported for Solomon from Muzur and all the other countries too.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	29	The rest of the history of Solomon, from first to last, is this not all written down in the records of Nathan the prophet, in the Prophecy of Ahijah of Shiloh, and in the Vision of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam son of Nebat?
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	30	Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	9	31	When Solomon fell asleep with his ancestors, he was buried in the City of his father David; Rehoboam his son succeeded him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	1	Rehoboam then went to Shechem, all Israel having come to Shechem to proclaim him king.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	2	As soon as Jeroboam son of Nebat heard the news -- he was in Egypt, where he had taken refuge from King Solomon -- he returned from Egypt.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	3	They now sent for him, so Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke as follows to Rehoboam,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	4	'Your father laid a cruel yoke on us; if you will lighten your father's cruel slavery, that heavy yoke which he imposed on us, we are willing to serve you.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	5	He said to them, 'Come back to me in three days' time.' And the people went away.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	6	King Rehoboam then consulted the elders, who had been in attendance on his father Solomon while he was alive, and said, 'How do you advise me to answer this people?'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	7	They replied, 'If you are fair to these people, pleasant to them and give them a fair reply, they will remain your servants for ever.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	8	But he rejected the advice given him by the elders and consulted the young men in attendance on him, who had grown up with him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	9	He said, 'How do you advise us to answer these people who have been saying, "Lighten the yoke which your father imposed on us"?'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	10	The young men who had grown up with him replied, 'This is the way to answer the people who have been saying, "Your father made our yoke heavy, you must lighten it for us!" This is the right thing to say to them, "My little finger is thicker than my father's loins!
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	11	Although my father laid a heavy yoke on you, I shall make it heavier still! My father controlled you with the whip, but I shall apply a spiked lash!" '
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	12	On the third day, Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam in obedience to the king's instructions, 'Come back to me in three days' time.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	13	And the king gave them a harsh answer. King Rehoboam, rejecting the advice of the elders,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	14	spoke to them as the young men had recommended, 'My father made your yoke heavy, but I shall add to it. My father controlled you with the whip, but I shall apply a spiked lash.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	15	Thus the king refused to listen to the people, and this was brought about by God, so that Yahweh might fulfil the promise which he had made through Ahijah of Shiloh to Jeroboam son of Nebat.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	16	When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, the people answered the king thus: What share have we in David? -no heritage in the son of Jesse! Each of you, to your tents, Israel! Now look to your own house, David! So Israel went home again.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	17	Rehoboam, however, reigned over those Israelites who lived in the towns of Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	18	When King Rehoboam sent Adoram who was in charge of forced labour, the Israelites stoned him to death, while King Rehoboam managed to mount his chariot and escape to Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	10	19	And Israel has remained in rebellion against the House of David from that day to this.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	1	When Rehoboam reached Jerusalem, he mustered a hundred and eighty thousand picked warriors of the House of Judah and Benjamin to fight Israel and win back the kingdom for Rehoboam.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	2	But the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah, man of God,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	3	'Say this to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	4	"Yahweh says this: Do not go and make war on your brothers; let everyone go home, for this is my doing." ' They obeyed Yahweh's command and went back instead of marching against Jeroboam.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	5	Rehoboam, residing in Jerusalem, fortified a number of towns for the defence of Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	6	He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	7	Beth-Zur, Soco, Adullam,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	8	Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	9	Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	10	Zorah, Aijalon, Hebron, these being the fortified towns in Judah and Benjamin.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	11	He equipped these fortresses, stationing commanders in them, with supplies of food, oil and wine,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	12	and shields and spears in each of these towns, making them extremely strong and thus retaining control of Judah and Benjamin.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	13	The priests and the Levites from all over Israel left their districts to put themselves at his disposal.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	14	The Levites, indeed, abandoned their pasture lands and their holdings and came to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his sons had excluded them from the priesthood of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	15	Jeroboam had appointed his own priests for the high places dedicated to the satyrs and calves which he had made.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	16	And those members of all the tribes of Israel who were determined to seek Yahweh, God of Israel, followed those priests and Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to Yahweh, God of their ancestors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	17	These added strength to the kingdom of Judah and gave their support to Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years. For three years they remained loyal to David and Solomon.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	18	Rehoboam married Mahalath daughter of Jerimoth, son of David, and of Abihail daughter of Eliab son of Jesse,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	19	and she bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah and Zaham.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	20	After her, he married Maacah daughter of Absalom, who bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza and Shelomith.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	21	Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom, more than all his other wives and concubines. He had in fact a total of eighteen wives and sixty concubines and fathered twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	22	Rehoboam named Abijah son of Maacah as head, hence leader, of his brothers, with a view to making him king,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	11	23	and acted wisely by distributing his sons throughout the territories of Judah and Benjamin, some in each fortified town, where he provided plenty of food for them and found them wives.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	1	When Rehoboam had consolidated the kingdom and become strong, he, and all Israel with him, abandoned the Law of Yahweh;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	2	and thus it happened that in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt marched on Jerusalem, because they had been unfaithful to Yahweh,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	3	with twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand cavalry and countless hordes of Libyans, Sukkiim and Cushites who came from Egypt with him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	4	They captured the fortified towns of Judah and reached Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	5	The prophet Shemaiah then came to Rehoboam and the generals of Judah, who had fallen back on Jerusalem before Shishak's advance, and said to them, 'Yahweh says this, "You have abandoned me and so I have abandoned you into Shishak's clutches." '
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	6	At this, the Israelite generals and the king humbled themselves and said, 'Yahweh is just!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	7	When Yahweh saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah as follows, 'They have humbled themselves. I shall not destroy them but shall grant them some degree of deliverance. My retribution will not be poured out on Jerusalem by means of Shishak;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	8	they are nonetheless to become his slaves, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving kings of other countries.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	9	So Shishak king of Egypt advanced on Jerusalem and carried off the treasures of the Temple and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything away, including the golden shields which Solomon had made.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	10	To replace these, King Rehoboam made bronze shields, entrusting them to the commanders of the guard who guarded the king's palace gate.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	11	Whenever the king went to the Temple of Yahweh, the guards would come out carrying them, returning them to the guardroom afterwards.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	12	Because King Rehoboam had humbled himself, the retribution of Yahweh turned away from him so as not to destroy him completely; and there were also some good features in Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	13	Thus he was able to strengthen his position in Jerusalem and continue as king; for Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he came to the throne and remained king for seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city chosen by Yahweh from all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	14	But he did wrong in not setting his heart on seeking Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	15	The history of Rehoboam, from first to last, is this not all written down in the records of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer? Warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam went on throughout the period.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	12	16	When Rehoboam fell asleep with his ancestors, he was buried in the City of David; his son Abijah succeeded him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	1	In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah became king of Judah
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	2	and reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Micaiah daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. When war broke out between Abijah and Jeroboam,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	3	Abijah took the field with an army of four hundred thousand picked warriors, while Jeroboam took the field against him with eight hundred thousand picked warriors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	4	Abijah took position on Mount Zemaraim, in the highlands of Ephraim. 'Jeroboam and all Israel,' he cried, 'listen to me!
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	5	Do you not know that Yahweh, God of Israel, has given eternal sovereignty of Israel to David and his sons by an inviolable covenant?
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	6	Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, the slave of Solomon son of David, rose in revolt against his master.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	7	Worthless men, scoundrels, rallied to him, proving too strong for Rehoboam son of Solomon, as Rehoboam was then inexperienced and timid and unable to resist them.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	8	And now you propose to resist Yahweh's sovereignty as exercised by the sons of David because there is a great number of you and you have the golden calves that Jeroboam made you for gods!
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	9	Have you not driven out the priests of Yahweh, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, to make priests of your own like the peoples of foreign countries? Anyone who comes with a bull and seven rams to get himself consecrated can become priest of these gods that are no gods.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	10	But for our part, our God is Yahweh, and we have not abandoned him; our priests are sons of Aaron who minister to Yahweh, and those who serve are Levites;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	11	morning after morning, evening after evening, they present burnt offerings and perfumed incense to Yahweh, they put the bread of permanent offering on the clean table and nightly light the lamps on the golden lamp-stand; for we keep the decree of Yahweh our God, although you have abandoned him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	12	See how God is with us, at our head, and his priests with trumpets to sound the alarm against you! Israelites, do not make war on Yahweh, God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	13	Now Jeroboam had sent a party round to ambush them from the rear; thus the main force confronted Judah and the ambush lay to their rear.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	14	And when Judah looked round, they found themselves being attacked from front and rear. They called on Yahweh, the priests sounded the trumpets,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	15	and the men of Judah raised the war cry and, as they raised the cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	16	So the Israelites fled before Judah, because God had given Judah the upper hand,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	17	and Abijah and his army inflicted a great slaughter on them: five hundred thousand of Israel's picked men fell, killed.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	18	So the Israelites were humbled on that occasion, while the Judaeans won, since they had relied on Yahweh, God of their ancestors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	19	Abijah pursued Jeroboam, taking from him the towns of Bethel with its dependencies, Jeshanah with its dependencies and Ephron with its dependencies,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	20	nor did Jeroboam regain strength during Abijah's lifetime. Eventually Yahweh struck him and he died,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	21	but Abijah grew stronger than ever; he married fourteen wives and fathered twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	22	The rest of the history of Abijah, his conduct and his sayings, are recorded in the midrash of the prophet Iddo.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	13	23	When Abijah fell asleep with his ancestors, he was buried in the City of David; his son Asa succeeded him. In his time the country was at peace for ten years.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	1	Asa did what Yahweh his God regards as good and right.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	2	He abolished the foreign altars and the high places, broke the pillars, cut down the sacred poles,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	3	and urged Judah to seek Yahweh, God of their ancestors, and to observe the law and commandment.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	4	Because he abolished the high places and incense altars through the towns of Judah, the kingdom under him was undisturbed.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	5	He rebuilt the fortified towns of Judah, since the country was at peace and free of war during those years, because Yahweh had granted him peace.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	6	'Let us rebuild these towns,' he told Judah, 'let us surround them with wall and tower, with gate and bar while the country is still ours, for we have sought Yahweh our God and he has sought us and given us peace all around.' They built and prospered.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	7	Asa had an army of three hundred thousand men of Judah armed with shields and spears and two hundred and eighty thousand men of Benjamin armed with shields and bows, all of them outstanding soldiers.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	8	Zerah the Cushite took the field against them with an army a million strong and three hundred chariots, and penetrated to Mareshah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	9	Asa took the field against him and the battle-lines were drawn up in the Valley of Zephathah, at Mareshah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	10	Asa then called on Yahweh his God and said, 'Yahweh, numbers and strength make no difference to you when you give your help. Help us, Yahweh our God, for, relying on you, we are confronting this horde in your name. Yahweh, you are our God. Human strength cannot prevail against you!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	11	Yahweh routed the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	12	and Asa pursued them with his army as far as Gerar. So many of the Cushites fell that they were unable to survive. They were cut to pieces by Yahweh and his army. They carried off a great deal of booty,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	13	they destroyed all the towns round Gerar -- for a panic from Yahweh had seized the towns -- and plundered all the towns since they were full of loot.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	14	14	They also routed the cattle-owners and carried off great numbers of sheep and camels; then they returned to Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	1	The spirit of God then came on Azariah son of Oded;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	2	he went out to meet Asa and said, 'Listen to me, Asa, and all you in Judah and in Benjamin: Yahweh will be with you so long as you are with him. If you seek him, he will let you find him; but if you desert him, he will desert you.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	3	For a long time Israel did not have the true God or a teacher-priest or a law,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	4	but when in their distress they turned to Yahweh, God of Israel, and sought him, he let them find him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	5	In those times there was no security for people as they went about their business, but great unrest affecting the inhabitants of all countries,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	6	nation being crushed by nation and city by city, since God caused confusion among them by every kind of distress.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	7	So be strong, do not be discouraged, for your deeds will be rewarded.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	8	When Asa heard these words and the prophecy, he took courage and removed the abominable idols throughout the land of Judah and Benjamin as well as from the towns which he had captured in the highlands of Ephraim, and repaired the altar of Yahweh which stood in front of the portico of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	9	He summoned all Judah and Benjamin as well as those Ephraimites, Manassehites and Simeonites who had settled with them -- for a great many people from Israel had gone over to Asa when they saw that Yahweh his God was with him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	10	They assembled in Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa's reign,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	11	that day sacrificing to Yahweh seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep from the booty which they had brought back.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	12	They then made a covenant to seek Yahweh, God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	13	anyone who would not seek Yahweh, God of Israel, was to be put to death, whether high or low, man or woman.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	14	They pledged their oath to Yahweh in ringing tones, with shouts of joy, to the sound of trumpet and horn;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	15	all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn it wholeheartedly, and sought him so earnestly that he allowed them to find him; Yahweh gave them peace all round.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	16	King Asa even deprived his mother Maacah of the dignity of Great Lady for having made an obscenity for Asherah; Asa cut down her obscenity, smashed it and burnt it in the ravine of the Kidron.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	17	Though the high places were not abolished in Israel, Asa's heart was loyal throughout his life.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	18	He deposited his father's and his own dedicated gifts of silver, gold and sacred vessels, in the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	15	19	Up to the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign there was no war.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	1	In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, Baasha king of Israel marched on Judah and fortified Ramah to block the communications of Asa king of Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	2	Asa then took silver and gold from the treasuries of the Temple of Yahweh and the royal palace and sent this with the following message to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who lived in Damascus,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	3	'Let us make an alliance between me and you, between my father and your father! Look, I have sent you silver and gold. Come, break off your alliance with Baasha king of Israel, which will make him withdraw from me.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	4	Ben-Hadad listened favourably to King Asa and sent the generals of his armies to attack the towns of Israel; he ravaged Ijon, Dan, Abel-Maim and all the storage towns of Naphtali.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	5	When Baasha heard this he gave up fortifying Ramah, abandoning this work.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	6	King Asa then had all Judah carry away the stones and timber with which Baasha had been fortifying Ramah, and used them to fortify Geba and Mizpah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	7	Then it was that Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said, 'Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on Yahweh your God, the king of Aram's army will slip through your fingers.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	8	Did not the Cushites and Libyans form a vast army with great numbers of chariots and cavalry? Even so, because you relied on Yahweh, he gave you the upper hand;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	9	for Yahweh's eyes rove to and fro across the whole world to support those whose hearts are loyal to him. You have acted like a fool in this respect; hence, from now on you will have wars.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	10	Enraged with the seer, Asa had him put in the stocks in prison, being angry with him over this; at the same time Asa ill-treated some of the people too.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	11	The history of Asa, from first to last, is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	12	In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa contracted a disease in his feet, which became very severe; in his illness, however, he consulted not Yahweh but the doctors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	13	Asa then fell asleep with his ancestors, dying in the forty-first year of his reign.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	16	14	He was buried in the tomb which he had ordered to be cut for him in the City of David. He was laid in the burial chamber which was filled with perfume blended from all sorts of oils, and a very great funeral fire was made for him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	1	When his son Jehoshaphat succeeded him, he made himself stronger against Israel
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	2	by stationing troops in all the fortified towns in Judah and by garrisoning Judah and the towns of Ephraim which his father Asa had captured.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	3	Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father's earlier days and did not have recourse to Baal,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	4	but sought Yahweh, the God of his father, following his commandments and not behaving as Israel did.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	5	Because of this, Yahweh put him in secure control of the kingdom, while all Judah gave Jehoshaphat presents until ample riches and honour were his.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	6	He was so enthusiastic about obeying Yahweh that once again he abolished the high places and sacred poles in Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	7	In the third year of his reign he sent his leading men-Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah, to give instruction in the towns of Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	8	With them went the Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah and Tobijah, the Levites; Elishama and Jehoram the priests went with them.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	9	They gave instruction in Judah, having with them the book of the Law of Yahweh, and went round all the towns of Judah instructing the people.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	10	A panic from Yahweh seized all the kings of the countries surrounding Judah, as a result of which they did not make war on Jehoshaphat.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	11	Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and a load of silver and the Arabs brought him seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred he-goats.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	12	Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and storage towns in Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	13	He accumulated ample supplies in the towns of Judah. He also had warriors, outstanding men, in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	14	According to family, this is how they were classified: Over the commanders of the thousands of Judah was General Adnah, who had three hundred thousand outstanding men;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	15	Under him was General Jehohanan, who had two hundred and eighty thousand;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	16	Under him was Amasiah son of Zichri, who had volunteered for Yahweh and who had two hundred thousand outstanding men;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	17	That outstanding soldier, Eliada, represented Benjamin, and he had two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	18	And under him Jehozabad, who had one hundred and eighty thousand equipped for war.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	17	19	These were in attendance on the king, apart from those whom the king had stationed in the fortified towns all over Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	1	Although Jehoshaphat enjoyed great wealth and honour, he allied himself by marriage to Ahab.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	2	After some years he paid a visit to Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered an immense number of sheep and oxen for him and his retinue, to induce him to attack Ramoth-Gilead.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	3	Ahab king of Israel then said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, 'Will you come with me to Ramoth-Gilead?' He replied, 'I will share in battle with you, my men with yours.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	4	Jehoshaphat, however, said to the king of Israel, 'First, please consult the word of Yahweh.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	5	So the king of Israel called the prophets together, four hundred of them. 'Should we go and attack Ramoth-Gilead,' he asked, 'or should I hold back?' 'March,' they replied, 'for God will deliver it into the king's power.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	6	Jehoshaphat, however, said, 'Is there no other prophet of Yahweh here, for us to consult?'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	7	The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, 'There is one more man through whom we can consult Yahweh, but I hate him because he never has a favourable prophecy for me, always unfavourable ones; he is Micaiah son of Imlah.' 'The king should not say such things,' said Jehoshaphat.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	8	The king of Israel then summoned a court official and said, 'Bring Micaiah son of Imlah immediately.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	9	The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, wearing their robes; in an open space just outside the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	10	Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, who had made himself some iron horns, said, 'Yahweh says, "With horns like these, you will gore the Aramaeans till you make an end of them." '
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	11	And all the prophets prophesied in the same vein, saying, 'March on Ramoth-Gilead! Success is sure, for Yahweh has already given it to the king!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	12	The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, 'Look! What the prophets are saying is uniformly favourable to the king. So I hope you will say the same as they do and speak favourably.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	13	Micaiah said, 'As Yahweh lives, I shall speak exactly as Yahweh tells me!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	14	When he came to the king, the king said, 'Micaiah, should we march to attack Ramoth-Gilead, or should I hold back?' He replied, 'Go and conquer, Yahweh will deliver them into your power!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	15	The king went on, 'How often must I put you on oath to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	16	Then he spoke out. I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep without a shepherd. And Yahweh said, 'These have no master, let them all go peacefully home!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	17	At this the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'Did I not tell you that he never gives me favourable prophecies, but only unfavourable ones?'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	18	Micaiah went on, 'Now listen to the word of Yahweh. I saw Yahweh seated on his throne with the whole array of heaven standing on his right and on his left.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	19	Yahweh said, "Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into marching to his death at Ramoth-Gilead?" At which some answered one way, and some another.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	20	A spirit then came forward and stood before Yahweh and said, "I will entice him." "How?" Yahweh asked.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	21	He replied, "I shall go and be a deceptive spirit in the mouths of all his prophets." Yahweh said, "You will succeed in enticing him. Go and do it."
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	22	And now, you see, Yahweh has put a deceptive spirit into the mouths of your prophets here, for in fact Yahweh has pronounced disaster on you.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	23	Zedekiah son of Chenaanah then came up, struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, 'Which way did Yahweh's spirit leave me, to speak to you?'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	24	'That is what you will find out,' Micaiah retorted, 'the day you go from room to room, trying to hide.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	25	The king of Israel said, 'Seize Micaiah and hand him over to Amon governor of the city, and Joash the king's son,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	26	and say, "These are the king's orders: Put this man in prison and feed him on nothing but bread and water until I am safely home." '
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	27	Micaiah said, 'If you ever do get home safely, Yahweh has not spoken through me.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	28	The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah marched on Ramoth-Gilead.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	29	The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'I shall disguise myself to go into battle, but you put on your robes.' So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	30	Now, the king of Aram had given his chariot commanders the following order, 'Do not attack anyone of whatever rank, except the king of Israel.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	31	So, when the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, 'That is the king of Israel,' and surrounded him to attack. But when Jehoshaphat shouted his war cry, Yahweh came to his help, God drew them away from him,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	32	for the chariot commanders, realising that he was not the king of Israel, broke off their pursuit.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	33	Someone, however, drawing his bow without any special aim, shot the king of Israel between the joints of his armour. 'Turn about!' he said to his charioteer. 'Get me out of the fighting; I am collapsing.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	18	34	But the battle grew fiercer as the day went on, and the king of Israel had to be held upright in his chariot facing the Aramaeans until the evening, and at sunset he died.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	19	1	Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned home safely, however, to Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	19	2	Jehu son of Hanani the seer went to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, 'Should a man give help to the wicked? Should you love those who hate Yahweh and so bring his retribution on yourself?
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	19	3	All the same, there are good things to your credit, since you have removed the sacred poles from the country and have set your heart on seeking God.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	19	4	Jehoshaphat resided in Jerusalem but regularly went on progress among the people, from Beersheba to the highlands of Ephraim, to convert them to Yahweh, God of their ancestors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	19	5	He also appointed judges in the country in every one of the fortified towns of Judah,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	19	6	saying to the judges, 'Be careful what you do, since you are judging not by any human power but in the name of Yahweh, who will be with you when you pronounce sentence.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	19	7	This being so, let fear of Yahweh govern you; be careful what you do, for Yahweh our God will not tolerate malpractice, partiality or the taking of bribes.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	19	8	Jehoshaphat also appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families in Jerusalem to settle disputes. They lived in Jerusalem
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	19	9	and Jehoshaphat gave them the following charge: 'In fear of Yahweh and with conscientious integrity, this is how you are to act:
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	19	10	whatever case your brothers living in other towns refer to you, whether involving blood feuds or law and commandment, statutes and judgements, you are to instruct them in such manner that they do not incur guilt before Yahweh and that you and your brothers do not incur his anger. If you act thus, you will not incur guilt.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	19	11	Amariah the chief priest himself will be your president in all religious cases, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, leader of the House of Judah, in all civil ones, while the Levites will act as officers of the court. Be firm, put this into practice and may Yahweh protect the right!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	1	Some time later, the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them the Meunites, advanced to war against Jehoshaphat.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	2	Jehoshaphat received the following intelligence, 'A vast horde is advancing on you from the other side of the Sea, from Edom; they are already at Hazazon-Tamar, that is, En-Gedi.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	3	Jehoshaphat was alarmed and resolved to have recourse to Yahweh; he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	4	So Judah assembled to seek help from Yahweh; to seek Yahweh they came from every town in Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	5	Then, standing in the Temple of Yahweh in front of the new court among the assembled people of Judah and Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	6	said, 'Yahweh, God of our ancestors, are you not God in heaven, and do you not rule all the kingdoms of the nations? Your power and might are such that no one can resist you.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	7	Did not you, our God, dispossess the inhabitants of this country for your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, for ever?
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	8	They have lived in it and built you a sanctuary there for your name,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	9	saying, "If disaster, war, flood, pestilence or famine befall us, and we stand in front of this Temple, before you -- for your name is in this Temple -- and cry to you in our distress, then you will listen and rescue us."
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	10	'Now see, the Ammonites and Moabites and the people of Mount Seir, whom you would not allow Israel to invade when they came out of Egypt -- on the contrary, Israel avoided them, and did not destroy them-
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	11	see how they reward us, by coming to drive us out of your possession which you allotted to us!
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	12	Our God, will you not pass sentence on them, since we are helpless against this vast horde about to attack us? Because we do not know what to do, we look to you.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	13	All Judah, including their families, wives and children, were standing before Yahweh,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	14	when, in the middle of the assembly, the spirit of Yahweh came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah the Levite, a member of the clan of Asaph,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	15	who then cried, 'Listen, all Judah and you citizens of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Yahweh says this to you, "Do not be afraid, do not be daunted by this vast horde, for the war is not your affair but God's.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	16	Go down against them tomorrow; they are coming up by the Slope of Ziz and you will encounter them at the end of the ravine near the desert of Jeruel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	17	You will not need to fight in this battle. Take up your position, stand firm, and see what salvation Yahweh has in store for you. Judah and Jerusalem, be fearless, be dauntless; march out against them tomorrow and Yahweh will be with you." '
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	18	Jehoshaphat bowed his head, his face to the ground, and all Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh to worship Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	19	Then the Levites -- both the Kohathites and Korahites -- stood up to praise Yahweh, God of Israel, at the top of their voices.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	20	Early next morning they prepared to set out for the desert of Tekoa. As they were setting out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, 'Listen to me, Judah and you citizens of Jerusalem! Believe in Yahweh your God and you will be secure; believe in his prophets and you will be successful.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	21	Then, having conferred with the people, he appointed singers who were to praise Yahweh and go out ahead of the army in sacred vestments, singing Praise Yahweh, for his faithful love endures for ever!
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	22	The moment they began their shouts of praise, Yahweh sprang an ambush on the Ammonites, Moabites and the people of Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and that was the end of them,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	23	for the Ammonites and Moabites turned on the people of Mount Seir, and put them under the curse of destruction and then, having finished off the people of Seir, set to work slaughtering one another.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	24	When Judah reached the point overlooking the desert and looked towards the horde, there were nothing but corpses lying on the ground; no one escaped.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	25	When Jehoshaphat arrived to take the booty, they found quantities of cattle and innumerable possessions, clothes and valuables, which they seized for themselves; it was impossible to carry it, and it took them three days to collect it.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	26	On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they blessed Yahweh -- hence the place was given the name Valley of Beracah, which it still has today.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	27	Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem with Jehoshaphat at their head as Yahweh had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	28	To the sound of lyre, harp and trumpet they came to Jerusalem, to the Temple of Yahweh,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	29	and a panic from Yahweh seized all the neighbouring kings when they heard how Yahweh had fought against the enemies of Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	30	And henceforth Jehoshaphat's reign was undisturbed, for his God gave him peace all round.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	31	So Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he came to the throne and he reigned for twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	32	He followed the example of his father Asa undeviatingly, doing what Yahweh regards as right.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	33	The high places, however, were not abolished; the people had still not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	34	The rest of the history of Jehoshaphat, from first to last, is written down in the records of Jehu son of Hanani, which are quoted in the Book of the Kings of Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	35	Afterwards, Jehoshaphat formed a partnership with Ahaziah king of Israel, which was very wrong of him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	36	He joined him in building some ships to go to Tarshish; they built them at Ezion-Geber.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	20	37	Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah then prophesied against Jehoshaphat as follows, 'Because you have become Ahaziah's partner, Yahweh has wrecked your efforts.' The ships were wrecked and were never fit to sail for Tarshish.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	1	Then Jehoshaphat fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David; his son Jehoram succeeded him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	2	Jehoram's brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat, were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael and Shephatiah -- all of them sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	3	Their father had lavishly given them presents of silver, gold and other valuables as well as fortified towns in Judah; but the throne he bequeathed to Jehoram since he was the first-born.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	4	Jehoram, having taken control of his father's kingdom and secured his own position, put all his brothers to the sword and some officials of Israel too.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	5	Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	6	He followed the example of the kings of Israel as the House of Ahab were doing, he having married one of Ahab's daughters; and he did what is displeasing to Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	7	But Yahweh would not destroy the House of David, because of the covenant which he had made with David, promising to provide him and his sons with a lamp for ever.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	8	In his time Edom threw off the domination of Judah and set up a king for itself.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	9	Jehoram crossed the frontier, and with him his commanders and all his chariots. Under cover of dark, he and his chariot commanders broke through the Edomites surrounding him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	10	Thus Edom threw off the domination of Judah and has remained free to the present day. Libnah revolted against him at the same time, because he had abandoned Yahweh, God of his ancestors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	11	What is more, he set up high places in the highlands of Judah, leading the citizens of Jerusalem and the people of Judah into apostasy.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	12	Something written by the prophet Elijah then came into his hands. It said, 'Yahweh, God of your ancestor David, says this, "Since you have not followed the example of your father Jehoshaphat or of Asa king of Judah,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	13	but have followed the example of the kings of Israel and have led Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem into apostasy, just as the House of Ahab has led Israel into apostasy, and have even murdered your brothers, your own family, who were better men than you,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	14	Yahweh is going to afflict your people, your sons, your wives and all your property with a great calamity,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	15	and you yourself with a severe disease affecting your bowels, as a result of which disease, continuing day after day, you will suffer protrusion of your bowels." '
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	16	Yahweh then roused the hostility of the Philistines and of the Arabs living near the Cushites against Jehoram.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	17	They invaded Judah, forcing their way into it and carrying off all the property to be found in the king's palace, as well as his sons and his wives, so that he was left no sons at all except his youngest son Jehoahaz.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	18	And after all this, Yahweh afflicted him with an incurable disease of the bowels;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	19	in due time, after about two years, his bowels protruded as a result of his disease and he died in acute pain. His people did not make a funeral pyre for him, as they had for his ancestors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	21	20	He was thirty-two years old when he came to the throne and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. He passed away unlamented and was buried in the City of David, though not in the tombs of the kings.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	22	1	The inhabitants of Jerusalem then made his youngest son Ahaziah king in succession to him, since the marauders who had attacked the camp with the Arabs had killed all the older ones. That was why Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah became king.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	22	2	Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he came to the throne and he reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah, descendant of Omri.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	22	3	He too followed the example of the House of Ahab, for his mother being his adviser brought about his condemnation.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	22	4	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh as the House of Ahab did, for they were his advisers after his father's death, to his undoing.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	22	5	He followed their advice and went with Jehoram son of Ahab, king of Israel, to make war on Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-Gilead. But the Aramaeans wounded Jehoram,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	22	6	who returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds which he had received at Ramoth, fighting against Hazael king of Aram. Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to Jezreel to visit Jehoram son of Ahab because he was ailing.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	22	7	Through this visit to Jehoram God brought ruin on Ahaziah. On his arrival he went out with Jehoram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi whom Yahweh had anointed to make an end of the House of Ahab.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	22	8	While Jehu was executing sentence on the House of Ahab and came across the officers of Judah and Ahaziah's nephews who were in attendance on Ahaziah, he killed them,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	22	9	and then went in search of Ahaziah. The latter was captured while hiding in Samaria, and taken to Jehu who put him to death. But they gave him burial because, they said, 'He was the grandson of Jehoshaphat who sought Yahweh with all his heart.' As a result, there was no member of Ahaziah's family left who was strong enough to rule the kingdom.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	22	10	When Athaliah mother of Ahaziah learned that her son was dead, she promptly did away with all the royal stock of the House of Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	22	11	But Jehosheba the king's daughter, surreptitiously rescued Joash son of Ahaziah from among the chiefs who were to be murdered, and put him with his nurse in the sleeping quarters; in this way Jehosheba daughter of King Joram and wife of Jehoiada the priest-she was the sister of Ahaziah-hid him from Athaliah, and he was not put to death.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	22	12	He stayed hidden with them in the Temple of God for six years while Athaliah governed the country.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	1	In the seventh year Jehoiada decided to take action and made a pact with the regimental commanders, Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah and Elishaphat son of Zichri.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	2	These went all over Judah, gathering the Levites from all the towns of Judah, and the heads of the Israelite families, who then came to Jerusalem,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	3	and the whole assembly made a pact with the king in the Temple of God. Jehoiada said to them, 'Look, the king's son is now to be king, as Yahweh has promised of the sons of David!
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	4	This is what you must do: a third of you priests and Levites who come on duty on the Sabbath must guard the gates,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	5	a third the royal palace, a third the Foundation Gate, while the people must all stay in the courts of the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	6	No one must enter the Temple of Yahweh except the priests and the ministering Levites; they may come in because they are consecrated. But the people must all observe Yahweh's regulations.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	7	The Levites must surround the king, each man with his weapons in his hands; anyone who enters the Temple must be killed. And you will escort the king when he comes in and when he leaves.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	8	The Levites and all Judah did everything as Jehoiada the priest had ordered, and each one brought his men, those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty on the Sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest had not released any of the divisions from duty.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	9	Jehoiada the priest then issued the regimental commanders with King David's spears and large and small shields, which were kept in the Temple of God.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	10	He then positioned all the people, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the south side of the Temple to the north side of the Temple, close to the altar and the Temple, to form a circle round the king.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	11	Then they brought the king's son out, crowned him, gave him a copy of the covenant and made him king. When Jehoiada and his sons had anointed him, they shouted, 'Long live the king!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	12	On hearing the people shouting as they ran to acclaim the king, Athaliah joined the people in the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	13	When she looked, there stood the king on his dais by the entrance, with the officers and trumpeters at the king's side, and all the people of the country rejoicing and blowing the trumpets, and the singers with their musical instruments leading the hymns of praise. Then Athaliah tore her cloths and shouted, 'Treason, treason!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	14	Jehoiada the priest then gave the order to the regimental commanders in charge of the troops, 'Take her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.' For the priest had already said, 'Do not kill her inside the Temple of Yahweh.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	15	So they made way for her, and when she reached the entrance to the Horses' Gate of the palace, they killed her there.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	16	Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, all the people and the king to remain Yahweh's people.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	17	All the people then went to the temple of Baal and demolished it; they smashed its altars and its images and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	18	Jehoiada entrusted the security of the Temple of Yahweh to the priests and Levites, whom David had put in charge of the Temple of Yahweh to present the burnt offerings of Yahweh as laid down in the Law of Moses, with joy and song as ordained by David.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	19	He also appointed gatekeepers for the gates of the Temple of Yahweh, so that no one who was unclean might enter for any purpose at all.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	20	He then took the regimental commanders, the nobles, the government officials and all the people of the land and he escorted the king down from the Temple of Yahweh. Entering the palace through the Upper Gate, they placed the king on the royal throne.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	23	21	All the people of the land were delighted, and the city made no move after Athaliah had been put to death.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	1	Joash was seven years old when he came to the throne and he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	2	Joash did what Yahweh regards as right throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	3	Jehoiada found him two wives and he fathered several sons and daughters.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	4	Later, Joash made up his mind to repair the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	5	Calling the priests and the Levites together, he said, 'Go out to the towns of Judah and collect money from all Israel for annual repairs to the Temple of Yahweh. Do this quickly.' But the Levites were in no hurry,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	6	so the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said, 'Why have you not insisted on the Levites' bringing in the tax from Judah and Jerusalem for the Tent of Witness, as imposed by Moses servant of Yahweh and the community of Israel?' --
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	7	Athaliah and her sons, whom she corrupted, despoiled the Temple of God and even assigned all the sacred revenues of the Temple of Yahweh to Baal.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	8	So, at the king's order, a chest was made and put outside the gate of the Temple of Yahweh,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	9	and a proclamation was issued throughout Judah and Jerusalem that the tax, which Moses servant of God had imposed on Israel in the desert, was to be brought to Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	10	Then all the officials and all the people gladly brought in their contributions, depositing them in the chest until the payment was complete.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	11	Whenever the chest was brought by the Levites for royal inspection and found to contain a large sum of money, the king's secretary and the chief priest's representative would come and empty the chest and then have it returned to its place. This was done day after day and a great deal of money was collected.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	12	The king and Jehoiada handed it over to the foreman attached to the Temple of Yahweh, and the hired masons and carpenters set about repairing the Temple of Yahweh; and iron-workers and bronze-workers laboured to repair the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	13	The workmen got on with the task -- the repair work made good progress at their hands -- until they had restored the Temple of God to its former state and reconditioned it.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	14	When they had finished, they brought the balance of the money to the king and Jehoiada, and with this vessels were made for the Temple of Yahweh, vessels for the liturgy and for the burnt offerings, bowls and other gold and silver vessels. And the perpetual burnt offering was offered in the Temple of Yahweh throughout Jehoiada's lifetime.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	15	But Jehoiada, growing old, had his fill of days and died. He died at the age of a hundred and thirty years,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	16	and was buried with the kings in the City of David because he had served Israel and God and his Temple well.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	17	After Jehoiada's death the officials of Judah came to pay court to the king, and the king listened to their advice,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	18	and they abandoned the Temple of Yahweh, God of their ancestors, for the worship of sacred poles and idols. Judah and Jerusalem incurred wrath because of this guilt of theirs.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	19	He sent their prophets to lead them back to Yahweh; these put the case against them, but they would not listen.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	20	The spirit of God then invested Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood up before the people and said, 'God says this, "Why transgress Yahweh's commands to your certain ruin? For if you abandon Yahweh, he will abandon you."
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	21	They then plotted against him and, at the king's order, stoned him in the court of the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	22	Thus King Joash, forgetful of the devotion which Jehoiada father of Zechariah had displayed on his behalf, murdered his son, who cried out as he died, 'Yahweh will see this and avenge it!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	23	At the turn of the year, the Aramaean army made war on Joash. When they reached Judah and Jerusalem, they massacred all the nation's government officials and sent all their booty to the king of Damascus.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	24	Although the invading Aramaean army was only a small body of men, Yahweh allowed them to defeat a very large army because they had abandoned Yahweh, God of their ancestors; thus they executed judgement on Joash. After they had retired -- for they left him seriously wounded--
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	25	his own retainers plotted against him to avenge the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest and murdered him in his bed. When he died he was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	26	These were the conspirators: Zabad son of Shimeath the Ammonite and Jehozabad son of Shimrith the Moabite.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	24	27	As regards his sons, the heavy tribute imposed on him, and the restoration of the Temple of God, this is recorded in the Commentary on the Book of the Kings. His son Amaziah succeeded him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	1	Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he came to the throne and he reigned for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	2	He did what Yahweh regards as right, though not wholeheartedly.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	3	Once the kingdom was firmly under his control, he killed those of his retainers who had murdered the king his father.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	4	But he did not put their sons to death; this was in accordance with what is written in the Law, in the book of Moses, where Yahweh had commanded, 'Parents may not be put to death for children, nor children for parents, but each must be put to death for his own crime.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	5	Amaziah summoned Judah and organised all Judah and Benjamin by families under commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. He also made a register of those who were twenty years old and upwards, and found there were three hundred thousand picked men, ready for service and capable of wielding spear and shield.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	6	Furthermore, he hired a hundred thousand tough fighting men from Israel for a hundred talents of silver.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	7	A man of God then came to him and said, 'My lord king, do not let the Israelite troops march with you, for Yahweh is not with Israel or with any of the Ephraimites.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	8	For however valiantly you act in war, God will bring you down before the enemy, for God has the power to uphold or to throw down.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	9	Amaziah said to the man of God, 'But what about the hundred talents which I have paid for the Israelite troops?' 'Yahweh can give you far more than that,' said the man of God.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	10	At this, Amaziah dismissed the troops who had come to him from Ephraim and sent them home again. They were furious with Judah and went home in a great rage.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	11	Amaziah then, coming to a decision, led out his own troops and, having reached the Valley of Salt, struck down ten thousand Seirites.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	12	The men of Judah captured ten thousand more alive and, taking them to the summit of the Rock, threw them off the summit of the Rock so that they were all dashed to pieces.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	13	Meanwhile, the troops whom Amaziah had dismissed and not allowed to go into battle with him rased the towns of Judah, from Samaria to Beth-Horon, killing three thousand of their inhabitants and capturing great quantities of plunder.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	14	On returning from his slaughter of the Edomites, Amaziah brought the gods of the Seirites with him; he set these up as his gods, bowing down before them and burning incense to them.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	15	Yahweh's anger was aroused by Amaziah and he sent him a prophet, who said to him, 'Why do you consult those people's gods when they could not save their own people from your clutches?'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	16	He was still speaking when Amaziah interrupted him. 'Have we appointed you a royal counsellor? Stop, as you value your life!' So the prophet stopped, and then said, 'I know that God has decided to destroy you for having done this and for not listening to my advice.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	17	After consultation, Amaziah king of Judah then sent a message to Joash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, 'Come and make a trial of strength!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	18	Joash king of Israel sent back word to Amaziah king of Judah, 'The thistle of Lebanon sent a message to the cedar of Lebanon, saying, "Give my son your daughter in marriage"; but a wild animal of the Lebanon ran over the thistle and squashed it.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	19	"Look at me, the conqueror of Edom," you say, and now aspire to even greater glory. But stay where you belong! Why challenge disaster, to your own and Judah's ruin?'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	20	But Amaziah would not listen, for this was an act of God to deliver them up for having consulted the gods of Edom.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	21	So Joash king of Israel marched to the attack. And at Beth-Shemesh, which belongs to Judah, he and Amaziah king of Judah made their trial of strength.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	22	Judah was defeated by Israel, and everyone fled to his tent.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	23	The king of Judah, Amaziah son of Joash, son of Ahaziah, was taken prisoner at Beth-Shemesh by Joash king of Israel who led him off to Jerusalem, where he demolished four hundred cubits of the city wall between the Ephraim Gate and the Corner Gate;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	24	he then took back with him to Samaria all the gold and silver, and all the vessels to be found in the Temple of God in the care of Obed-Edom, the treasures in the palace, and hostages besides.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	25	Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, lived for fifteen years after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	26	The rest of the history of Amaziah, from first to last, is this not recorded in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel?
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	27	Some time after Amaziah had defected from Yahweh, a plot having been hatched against him in Jerusalem, he fled to Lachish where he was murdered.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	25	28	He was then transported by horse and buried with his ancestors in the city of David.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	1	All the people then chose Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in succession to his father Amaziah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	2	It was he who rebuilt Elath, recovering it for Judah, after the king had fallen asleep with his ancestors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	3	Uzziah was sixteen years old when he came to the throne and he reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	4	He did what is pleasing to Yahweh, just as his father Amaziah had done;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	5	he consulted God throughout the lifetime of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. And as long as he consulted Yahweh, God gave him success.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	6	He went on campaign against the Philistines, demolished the walls of Gath, the walls of Jabneh and the walls of Ashdod, and built towns in the area of Ashdod and elsewhere in Philistine territory.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	7	God helped him against the Philistines, the Arabs living at Gur-Baal and the Meunites.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	8	The Meunites paid tribute to Uzziah and his fame spread as far as the frontier of Egypt, since he kept growing stronger and stronger.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	9	Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem, at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate and at the Angle, and fortified them.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	10	He built towers in the desert too, and dug many storage-wells, for he had large herds in the lowlands and on the tableland, and farmers and vine dressers in the hills and fertile lands: for he loved the land.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	11	Uzziah had a trained army ready to go on campaign, organised in companies manned as detailed by the scribe Jeiel and the staff-officer Maaseiah, and commanded by Hananiah one of the king's generals.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	12	The heads of families of the military champions numbered in all two thousand six hundred.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	13	Under them was an army of three hundred and seven thousand five hundred men ready for war, a powerful force to support the king against the enemy.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	14	Uzziah provided shields, spears, helmets, armour, bows and sling-stones for the entire army.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	15	He also erected expertly contrived devices for the towers and angles of Jerusalem from which to shoot arrows and drop large stones. His fame spread far and wide, for he was miraculously helped to become strong.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	16	But once he was strong, his arrogance was such that it led to his downfall; he was unfaithful to Yahweh his God by entering the Temple of Yahweh to burn incense on the altar of incense.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	17	Azariah the priest with eight brave priests of Yahweh followed him in;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	18	confronting King Uzziah, they said to him, 'Uzziah, you are not allowed to burn incense to Yahweh; only the Aaronite priests consecrated for the purpose may burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honour from Yahweh God.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	19	Uzziah, censer in hand to burn incense, flew into a rage. But while he was raging at the priests, a virulent skin-disease broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests, in the Temple of Yahweh, there by the altar of incense.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	20	When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests turned towards him, there was skin-disease on his forehead and they hurried him outside, and he himself was equally anxious to get out, because Yahweh had struck him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	21	King Uzziah was afflicted with skin-disease till his dying day. Because of this, he lived confined to his room and was excluded from the Temple of Yahweh, while Jotham his son, who was master of the palace, governed the people of the country.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	22	The rest of the history of Uzziah, from first to last, has been written by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	26	23	Then Uzziah fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried with them in the field beside the burial ground of the kings since, it was reasoned, he was afflicted with virulent skin-disease. His son Jotham then succeeded him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	27	1	Jotham was twenty-five years old when he came to the throne and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah daughter of Zadok.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	27	2	He did what Yahweh regards as right, just as his father Uzziah had done. Only he did not enter Yahweh's sanctuary. But the people continued to do wrong.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	27	3	It was he who built the Upper Gate of the Temple of Yahweh and carried out considerable work on the wall of the Ophel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	27	4	He also built towns in the highlands of Judah and built forts and towers in the wooded areas.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	27	5	He also went to war against the king of the Ammonites and defeated them; and the Ammonites had to give him a hundred talents of silver, ten thousand kor of wheat and ten thousand of barley that year. And the Ammonites paid him the same amount, the second and third years afterwords.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	27	6	Jotham became powerful because he kept an unswerving course before Yahweh his God.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	27	7	The rest of the history of Jotham, all his wars and his policy, are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	27	8	He was twenty-five years old when he came to the throne and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	27	9	Then Jotham fell asleep with his ancestors, and was buried in the City of David; his son Ahaz succeeded him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	1	Ahaz was twenty years old when he came to the throne and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what Yahweh regards as right, as his ancestor David had done.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	2	He followed the example of the kings of Israel, even having images cast for the Baals;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	3	he burned incense in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, caused his sons to pass through the fire of sacrifice, copying the disgusting practices of the nations whom Yahweh had dispossessed for the Israelites.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	4	He offered sacrifices and incense on the high places, on the hills and under every green tree.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	5	So Yahweh his God put him at the mercy of the king of Aram, who defeated him and took large numbers of captives, carrying them off to Damascus. He also put him at the mercy of the king of Israel, who inflicted heavy casualties on him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	6	In a single day, Pekah son of Remaliah killed a hundred and twenty thousand in Judah, all of them prominent men, because they had abandoned Yahweh, God of their ancestors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	7	Zichri, an Ephraimite champion, killed Maaseiah the king's son, Azrikam the controller of the household and Elkanah the king's second-in-command.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	8	Of their brothers, the Israelites took two hundred thousand captive including wives, sons, daughters; they also took quantities of booty, carrying everything off to Samaria.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	9	Now there was a prophet of Yahweh there by the name of Oded, who went out to meet the troops returning to Samaria and said, 'Look, because Yahweh, God of your ancestors, was angry with Judah, he put them at your mercy, but you have slaughtered them with such fury as reached to heaven,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	10	and now you propose to reduce the children of Judah and Jerusalem to being your male and female slaves! Have you not yourselves committed sins against Yahweh your God?
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	11	Now listen to me: release the captives you have taken from your brothers, for the fierce anger of Yahweh hangs over you.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	12	Some of the Ephraimite chieftains -- Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berechaiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum and Amasa son of Hadlai -- then protested to those returning from the war
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	13	and said to them, 'You must not bring the captives here, for we have already sinned against Yahweh and you propose to add to our sin and guilt, although our guilt is already great, and fierce anger is hanging over Israel.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	14	So in the presence of the officials and whole assembly, the soldiers gave up the captives and the booty.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	15	Men nominated for the purpose then took charge of the captives. From the booty they clothed all those of them who were naked; they gave them clothing and sandals, provided them with food and drink, mounted on donkeys all those who were infirm and took them back to Jericho, the city of palm trees, tho their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	16	This was when King Ahaz sent asking the king of Assyria to come to his assistance.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	17	The Edomites again invaded, defeated Judah, and carried off captives,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	18	while the Philistines raided the towns in the lowlands and in the Negeb of Judah, capturing Beth-Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soco and its dependencies, Timnah and its dependencies and Gimzo and its dependencies, and settled there.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	19	For Yahweh brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, since he behaved without restraint in Judah and had been unfaithful to Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	20	Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria attacked and besieged him; but he could not overpower him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	21	Although Ahaz robbed the Temple of Yahweh and the palaces of the king and princes and gave the proceeds to the king of Assyria, he received no help from him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	22	During the time when he was under siege he disobeyed Yahweh even more grossly, this King Ahaz.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	23	For he offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus who had defeated him. 'Since the gods of the kings of Aram', he thought, 'have supported them, I shall sacrifice to them, and perhaps they will help me.' But they proved to be his and all Israel's downfall.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	24	Ahaz then collected the equipment of the Temple of God, broke up the equipment of the Temple of God, sealed the doors of the Temple of Yahweh and put his own altars in every corner of Jerusalem;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	25	he set up high places in every town of Judah to burn incense to other gods, thus provoking the anger of Yahweh, God of his ancestors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	26	The rest of his history, his whole policy, from first to last, is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	28	27	Then Ahaz fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried in the City, in Jerusalem, though he was not taken to the tombs of the kings of Israel. His son Hezekiah succeeded him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	1	Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he came to the throne and he reigned for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	2	He did what Yahweh regards as right, just as his ancestor David had done.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	3	In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the Temple of Yahweh, having repaired them.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	4	He then brought in the priests and the Levites, assembled them in the eastern square,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	5	and said to them, 'Listen to me, Levites! First sanctify yourselves, then sanctify the Temple of Yahweh, God of your ancestors, and remove the filth from the sanctuary.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	6	Our ancestors were unfaithful, and did what is displeasing to Yahweh our God. They abandoned him, turned their faces away from Yahweh's home and turned their backs on him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	7	They even closed the doors of the portico, put out the lamps and stopped burning incense and making burnt offerings in the sanctuary of the God of Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	8	This was why Yahweh's anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem and he made them an object of terror, astonishment and derision, as you can see for yourselves.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	9	Yes, our ancestors were put to the sword, and our sons, our daughters and our wives were taken captive because of this.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	10	I am now determined to make a covenant with Yahweh, God of Israel, so that his fierce anger may turn away from us.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	11	Now, my sons, do not be remiss, for Yahweh has chosen you to stand in his presence and serve him by conducting his worship and offering him incense.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	12	The Levites set about it -- Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah, from the Kohathites; Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallel, from the Merarites; Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah, from the Gershonites;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	13	Shimri and Jeuel, of the sons of Elizaphan; Zechariah and Mattaniah of the sons of Asaph;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	14	Jehiel and Shimei of the sons of Heman; Shemaiah and Uzziel of the sons of Jeduthun-
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	15	and gathered their brothers together; they sanctified themselves, and in obedience to the king's order, in accordance with the words of Yahweh, they came to purify the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	16	The priests went into the inner part of the Temple of Yahweh to purify it. They brought all the unclean things which they found in Yahweh's sanctuary, out into the court of the Temple of Yahweh, where the Levites collected them and took them out to the Kidron Valley.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	17	They began sanctifying on the first day of the first month, and by the eighth day of the month had reached Yahweh's portico; thus they took eight days to sanctify the Temple of Yahweh, and by the sixteenth day of the first month everything was finished.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	18	They then waited on King Hezekiah and said, 'We have purified the whole Temple of Yahweh, the altar of burnt offering with all its equipment and the table for the loaves of permanent offering with all their equipment.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	19	We have also got ready and sanctified all the equipment which King Ahaz in his infidelity had removed during his reign. It is all ready in front of Yahweh's altar.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	20	King Hezekiah lost no time but called the officials of the city together and went up to the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	21	They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs and seven goats as a sin sacrifice for the royal house, for the sanctuary and for Judah, and he ordered the Aaronite priests to offer them on Yahweh's altar.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	22	So they slaughtered the bulls and the priests took the blood and sprinkled it over the altar. They then slaughtered the rams and sprinkled the blood over the altar; and they slaughtered the lambs and sprinkled the blood over the altar.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	23	Then they brought the goats, the sacrifice for sin, before the king and the assembly who laid their hands on them.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	24	The priests slaughtered them and made a sacrifice for sin with their blood at the altar to expiate for all Israel, since the king had ordered the burnt offering and the sacrifice for sin on behalf of all Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	25	He positioned the Levites in the Temple of Yahweh with cymbals, lyres and harps, in accordance with the ordinance of David, of Gad the king's seer and of Nathan the prophet, for such was Yahweh's order conveyed through his prophets.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	26	When the Levites stood with David's musical instruments, and the priests with the trumpets,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	27	Hezekiah ordered the burnt offering to be presented on the altar. And as the burnt offering began, the hymns of Yahweh began too, and the trumpets sounded, to the accompaniment of the instruments of David king of Israel,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	28	while the whole congregation worshipped, the singers singing and the trumpeters sounding the trumpets, continuously until the burnt offering was over.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	29	When the burnt offering was finished, the king and all those present with him fell to their knees and worshipped.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	30	Then King Hezekiah and the officials told the Levites to sing praise to Yahweh in the words of David and Asaph the seer; and joyfully they sang their praises, then knelt in worship.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	31	Hezekiah spoke again, 'Now that you have consecrated yourselves to Yahweh, come forward and bring thanksgiving sacrifices to the Temple of Yahweh.' Then the congregation brought thanksgiving sacrifices and those who were generous brought burnt offerings.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	32	The number of burnt offerings brought by the congregation was seventy bulls, a hundred rams and two hundred lambs, all as burnt offerings for Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	33	The consecrated gifts amounted to six hundred bulls and three thousand sheep.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	34	The priests were too few, however, and were unable to dismember all the burnt offerings, so their brothers, the Levites, helped them until the work was finished and the priests had sanctified themselves; for the Levites had been more conscientious about sanctifying themselves than the priests had.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	35	In addition to the abundance of burnt offerings, there were also the fatty pieces for communion sacrifices and the libations for the burnt offerings. And so the liturgy of Yahweh's Temple was restored,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	29	36	and Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over what God had provided for the people, since everything had happened so suddenly.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	1	Hezekiah sent messengers to all Israel and Judah, and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, bidding them come to the Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover in honour of Yahweh, God of Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	2	For the king and his officials and the whole congregation in Jerusalem had agreed to celebrate the Passover in the second month,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	3	having been unable to celebrate it at the proper time, since the priests had not purified themselves in sufficient number, and the people were not assembled in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	4	And since this arrangement seemed fitting to the king and the whole congregation,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	5	they resolved to send a proclamation throughout Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, calling on the people to come to Jerusalem and celebrate a Passover in honour of Yahweh, God of Israel, since they had not celebrated it in a body as prescribed.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	6	So, by order of the king, courtiers set out with letters from the king and his officials for every part of Israel and Judah, saying, 'Israelites, return to Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and he will return to those of you who are left and have escaped the grasp of the kings of Assyria.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	7	Do not be like your fathers and brothers who were unfaithful to Yahweh, God of their ancestors; he brought them to ruin, as you can see.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	8	Do not be stubborn like your ancestors. Submit to Yahweh, come to his sanctuary which he has consecrated for ever, and serve Yahweh your God, so that his fierce anger may turn away from you.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	9	For if you return to Yahweh, your brothers and your sons will be treated mercifully by their captors and be allowed to return to this country; for Yahweh your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn his face away from you, if you return to him.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	10	The courtiers went from town to town through the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh and as far as Zebulon but the people laughed and scoffed at them;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	11	even so, some people from Asher and Manasseh and Zebulon were humble enough to come to Jerusalem,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	12	while in Judah the hand of God was also at work inspiring a unanimous desire to obey the order of the king and the officials in accordance with the word of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	13	A huge crowd assembled in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month. An immense crowd
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	14	set to work removing the altars then in Jerusalem; they also removed all the incense altars and threw them into the Kidron Valley.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	15	They then slaughtered the Passover victims on the fourteenth day of the second month. Ashamed of themselves, the priests and Levites had in the meanwhile sanctified themselves and brought burnt offerings to the Temple of Yahweh,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	16	so they now stood in their positions prescribed in the Law of Moses man of God, the priests sprinkling the blood handed to them by the Levites.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	17	Since many people in the congregation had not sanctified themselves, the Levites took care of the slaughter of the Passover victims to consecrate them to Yahweh for all who were not clean.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	18	For a great many people, especially from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulon, had not purified themselves, since they did not eat the Passover as prescribed. But Hezekiah prayed for them as follows, 'May Yahweh in his goodness pardon
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	19	everyone whose heart is set on seeking God, Yahweh, God of his ancestors, even if he has not been purified as holy things demand.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	20	Yahweh listened to Hezekiah and left the people unharmed.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	21	Amid great rejoicing, the Israelites present in Jerusalem celebrated the feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days, while day after day the Levites and the priests praised Yahweh with all their might.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	22	Hezekiah then encouraged all the Levites who had such understanding of Yahweh. Having finished the seven-day festival, during which they sacrificed communion sacrifices and praised Yahweh, God of their ancestors,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	23	the whole congregation decided to celebrate for a further seven days. So they joyfully celebrated for another seven days,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	24	Hezekiah king of Judah contributing a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep for the congregation, and the officials another thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep. And a large number of priests sanctified themselves.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	25	The whole congregation of Judah, the priests, the Levites, the whole congregation coming from Israel and the foreigners coming from the territory of Israel as well as those resident in Judah, rejoiced.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	26	There was great rejoicing in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon son of David, king of Israel, nothing comparable had ever occurred in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	30	27	The levitical priests then stood up and blessed the people and their voice was heard, and their prayer reached his holy dwelling in heaven.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	1	When all this was complete, all Israel present went out to the towns of Judah, broke the pillars, cut down the sacred poles, wrecked the high places and the altars, and did away with them entirely throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh. Then all the Israelites returned to their towns, everyone to his property.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	2	Hezekiah re-established the priestly and levitical orders, each man in his proper order according to his duties, whether priest or Levite, to bring burnt offerings and communion sacrifices, to serve and to give thanks and praise within the gates of Yahweh's camp.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	3	He also established a king's portion from his possessions for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, New Moons and festivals, as laid down in the Law of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	4	He furthermore requested the people living in Jerusalem to present the portion for the priests and Levites so that they might devote themselves to the Law of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	5	As soon as the order had been promulgated, the Israelites provided the first fruits of grain, new wine, olive oil, honey and every other kind of agricultural produce in abundance; they brought in an abundant tithe of everything.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	6	The Israelites and Judaeans living in the towns of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of sacred gifts consecrated to Yahweh their God, laying them in heaps.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	7	They began accumulating the heaps in the third month and had finished them by the seventh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	8	When Hezekiah and the officials came to inspect the heaps they praised Yahweh and his people Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	9	While Hezekiah was questioning the priests and Levites about the heaps,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	10	Azariah, the chief priest, of the family of Zadok, replied as follows, 'Since they began bringing the contributions to the Temple of Yahweh,' he said, 'we have had enough to eat and quantities left over, for Yahweh has blessed his people; this mass of stuff is left.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	11	Hezekiah then ordered them to have storerooms prepared in the Temple of Yahweh and, when they had got them ready,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	12	they conscientiously brought in the contributions, tithes and consecrated gifts, Conaniah the Levite was put in charge of them, with Shimei his brother as his assistant,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	13	and with Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jeremith, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah as overseers under Conaniah and his brother Shimei, by order of King Hezekiah and of Azariah, the chief of the Temple of God.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	14	Kore son of Jimnah the Levite, keeper of the eastern gate, was made responsible for the voluntary offerings to God and for providing the portion set aside for Yahweh and the most holy gifts.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	15	Supporting him loyally in the priestly towns were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah and Shechaniah, who made the distributions to their brothers in their various orders, whether high or low,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	16	irrespective of their official genealogy, to the males of thirty years and upwards -- to each one who attended the Temple of Yahweh to fulfil his daily obligations -- for the performance of their duties appropriate to their orders:
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	17	the priests being registered according to family and the Levites of twenty years and upwards according to their duties within their orders.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	18	And the official genealogy included all their household, their wives, their sons and their daughters, throughout the community, since these men were obliged to keep sanctifying themselves anew.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	19	The Aaronite priests who lived on the pasture lands belonging to their towns, had men named in every town to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to everyone included in the official genealogy of the Levites.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	20	Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what Yahweh his God regards as good and right and loyal.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	31	21	Everything that he undertook, whether in the service of the Temple of God or in connection with the law or the commandments, he did in absolute devotion to his God, and so succeeded.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	1	After these loyal actions, Sennacherib king of Assyria advanced and invaded Judah, and laid siege to the fortified towns, intending to demolish them.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	2	Hezekiah, realising that Sennacherib's advance was the preliminary to an attack on Jerusalem,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	3	consulted his officers and warriors about sealing off the waters of the springs outside the city, and they supported him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	4	So a large number of people were called out to block all the springs and cut off the watercourse flowing through the country. 'Why', they said, 'should the kings of Assyria find plenty of water when they arrive?'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	5	Acting with determination, he also repaired all the damaged parts of the wall, built towers on it, constructed a second wall on the outer side, strengthened the Millo of the City of David and made quantities of missiles and shields.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	6	He then appointed generals to command the people, summoned them to him in the square by the city gate and spoke as follows to encourage them,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	7	'Be strong and brave; do not be afraid or tremble when you face the king of Assyria and the whole horde he brings with him, for there are more on our side than on his.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	8	He has only human strength, but we have Yahweh our God to help us and fight our battles.' The people took heart at the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	9	Next, Sennacherib king of Assyria, who was then besieging Lachish with all his forces, sent his representatives to Jerusalem, to Hezekiah king of Judah, and all Judah at Jerusalem, with the following message,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	10	'Sennacherib king of Assyria says this, "What gives you the confidence to remain in the fortress of Jerusalem?
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	11	Isn't Hezekiah deluding you, only to condemn you to die of famine and thirst, when he says: Yahweh our God will save us from the King of Assyria's clutches?
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	12	Isn't Hezekiah the very man who has suppressed his high places and altars, and given the order to Judah and to Jerusalem: You must worship before one altar and on that alone offer incense?
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	13	Don't you know what I and my ancestors have done to all the peoples of the other countries? Have the national gods of those countries had the slightest success in saving their countries from my clutches?
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	14	Of all the gods of those nations whom my ancestors devoted to destruction, which one has been able to save his people from my clutches, for your god to be able to save you from my clutches?
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	15	Do not let Hezekiah mislead you. Do not let him delude you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to save his people from me or from my ancestors' clutches. No more will your god be able to save you from my clutches."'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	16	And his representatives said a great deal more, maligning Yahweh God, and his servant Hezekiah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	17	He also wrote a letter to insult Yahweh, God of Israel, maligning him as follows, 'Just as the national gods of the other countries could not save their peoples from my clutches, so Hezekiah's god cannot save his people from my clutches.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	18	They then shouted loudly in the Judaean language to the people of Jerusalem on the ramparts to frighten and confuse them, in the hope of capturing the city,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	19	maligning the God of Jerusalem as though he were one of the man-made gods of other peoples in the world.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	20	Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed and cried out to Heaven about this,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	21	and Yahweh sent an angel who destroyed every warrior, commander and officer in the king of Assyria's camp. So he had to retire shamefacedly to his own country and when he went into the temple of his god, some of his own sons there struck him down with the sword.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	22	So Yahweh saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the clutches of Sennacherib king of Assyria and of everyone else, and gave them peace on every side.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	23	Many people then brought gifts to Yahweh in Jerusalem and valuable presents to Hezekiah king of Judah; from then on, all the other nations held him in high esteem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	24	About then Hezekiah fell ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to Yahweh, who heard him and granted him a sign.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	25	But Hezekiah made no return for the benefit which he had received; he became proud and brought retribution on himself and on Judah and Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	26	Then, however, Hezekiah did humble himself in his pride, and so did the inhabitants of Jerusalem; as a result of which, Yahweh's retribution did not overtake them during Hezekiah's lifetime.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	27	Hezekiah enjoyed immense riches and honour. He built himself treasuries for gold, silver, precious stones, spices, jewels and every kind of desirable object,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	28	as well as storehouses for his returns of grain, new wine and olive oil, and stalls for all kinds of cattle and pens for the flocks.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	29	He also provided himself with donkeys in addition to his immense wealth of flocks and herds, since God had made him immensely wealthy.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	30	It was Hezekiah who stopped the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and directed them straight down on the west side of the City of David. Hezekiah succeeded in all that he undertook,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	31	although when the envoys were sent to him by the rulers of Babylon to enquire about the extraordinary thing which had taken place in the country, God left him alone to test him and discover what lay in his heart.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	32	The rest of the history of Hezekiah, and his deeds of faithful love, are recorded in the Vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	32	33	Then Hezekiah fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried in the upper section of the tombs of the sons of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem paid him honours at his death. His son Manasseh succeeded him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	1	Manasseh was twelve years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	2	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, copying the disgusting practices of the nations whom Yahweh had dispossessed for the Israelites.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	3	He rebuilt the high places which his father Hezekiah had demolished, he set up altars to Baal and made sacred poles, he worshipped the whole array of heaven and served it.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	4	He built altars in the Temple of Yahweh, of which Yahweh had said, 'My name will be in Jerusalem for ever.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	5	He built altars to the whole array of heaven in the two courts of the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	6	He caused his sons to pass through the fire of sacrifice in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom. He practised soothsaying, divination and sorcery, and had dealings with mediums and spirit-guides. He did very many more things displeasing to Yahweh, thus provoking his anger.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	7	He put a sculpted image, an idol which he had had made, inside the Temple of which God had said to David and his son Solomon, 'In this Temple and in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I shall put my name for ever.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	8	Nor shall I ever again remove Israel's foot from the soil on which I established your ancestors on condition that they were careful to observe all I commanded them as laid down in the whole Law, the statutes and the ordinances, given through Moses.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	9	But Manasseh misled Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem into doing worse things than the nations which Yahweh had destroyed for the Israelites.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	10	When Yahweh spoke to Manasseh and his people, they would not listen.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	11	Yahweh then brought down on them the generals of the king of Assyria's army who captured Manasseh with hooks, put him in chains and took him to Babylon.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	12	While in his distress, he placated Yahweh his God by genuinely humbling himself before the God of his ancestors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	13	When he prayed to him, he was moved by his entreaty, heard his supplication and brought him back to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Manasseh realised then that Yahweh is God.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	14	Afterwards, he rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, to the west of Gihon, in the valley, up to the Fish Gate and round the Ophel, and made it very much higher. And he stationed military governors in all the fortified towns of Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	15	He also removed the foreign gods and the idol from the Temple of Yahweh, as well as all the altars which he had built on the mountain of the Temple of Yahweh and in Jerusalem, and threw them out of the city.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	16	He repaired the altar of Yahweh and offered communion sacrifices and thanksgiving offerings on it, and commanded Judah to serve Yahweh, God of Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	17	The people, however, went on sacrificing at the high places, although only to Yahweh their God.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	18	The rest of the history of Manasseh, his prayer to his God, and the prophecies of the seers who spoke to him in the name of Yahweh, God of Israel, can be found in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	19	His prayer and how God was moved by his entreaty, all his sins, his infidelity, the sites where he built high places and set up sacred poles and idols before humbling himself, are set down in the records of Hozai.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	20	Then Manasseh fell asleep with his ancestors and was buried in the garden of his palace. His son Amon succeeded him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	21	Amon was twenty-two years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for two years in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	22	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, as his father Manasseh had done, for Amon sacrificed to all the images which his father Manasseh had made, and served them.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	23	He did not humble himself before Yahweh as his father Manasseh had done; on the contrary, Amon wilfully added to his guilt.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	24	His retinue plotted against him and killed him in his own palace.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	33	25	The people of the country, however, slaughtered all those who had plotted against King Amon and proclaimed his son Josiah as his successor.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	1	Josiah was eight years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	2	He did what is pleasing to Yahweh, and followed the example of his ancestor David, not deviating from it to right or to left.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	3	In the eighth year of his reign, when he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his ancestor David. In the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the sacred poles and the sculpted and cast images.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	4	He superintended the smashing of the altars of Baal, he broke up the incense altars standing above them, he shattered the sacred poles and the sculpted and cast images and reduced them to powder, scattering the powder on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	5	He burned the bones of their priests on their altars and so purified Judah and Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	6	In the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and round their open spaces,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	7	he smashed the altars and sacred poles, reduced the sculpted images to powder and broke up all the incense altars throughout the territory of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	8	In the eighteenth year of his reign, after purging the country and the Temple, he commissioned Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah governor of the city and the herald Joah son of Joahaz, to repair the Temple of Yahweh his God.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	9	When they came to the high priest Hilkiah, they handed over the money contributed to the Temple of God and collected by the levitical guardians of the threshold from Manasseh and Ephraim, from all the rest of Israel, from all Judah and Benjamin, and from the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	10	They handed it over to the masters of works attached to the Temple of Yahweh, and these gave it to the men working on the Temple of Yahweh to repair and restore the Temple;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	11	they gave it to the craftsmen and builders for buying dressed stone and timber for beams, to underpin the buildings which the kings of Judah had allowed to fall into decay.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	12	The men were conscientious in doing their work; their foremen were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites descended from Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descended from Kohath, who supervised. The Levites -- all of whom were skilled instrumentalists-
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	13	were in charge of the carriers and supervised all the workmen at their various jobs, while some of the Levites acted as secretaries, book-keepers and gatekeepers.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	14	While bringing out the money contributed to the Temple of Yahweh, the priest Hilkiah found the book of the Law of Yahweh given through Moses.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	15	Hilkiah then said to Shaphan the secretary, 'I have found the Book of the Law in the Temple of Yahweh.' And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	16	Shaphan took the book to the king, reporting furthermore to him as follows, 'Your servants have done everything entrusted to them.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	17	They have melted down the silver which was in the Temple of Yahweh and have handed it over to the supervisors and the masters of works.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	18	Shaphan the secretary also informed the king, 'The priest Hilkiah has given me a book'; and Shaphan read extracts from it in the king's presence.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	19	On hearing the words of the Law, the king tore his clothes.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	20	Then the king gave the following order to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's minister,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	21	'Go and consult Yahweh on behalf of me and of those left in Israel and Judah about the words of the book that has been discovered: for Yahweh's furious wrath has been pouring down on us because our ancestors did not obey the word of Yahweh by doing what this book says they ought to have done.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	22	Hilkiah and those whom the king had designated went to the prophetess Huldah wife of Shallum, son of Tokhath, son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe; she lived in Jerusalem in the new town. They spoke to her about this,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	23	and she replied, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "To the man who sent you to me reply:
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	24	Yahweh says this: I am going to bring disaster on this place and the people who live in it -- all the curses set down in the book read in the king of Judah's presence.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	25	Because they have abandoned me and burnt incense to other gods, so as to provoke my anger by their every action, my wrath is about to be poured down on this place, and nothing can stop it.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	26	As for the king of Judah who sent you to consult Yahweh, say this to him: Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: The words you have heard . . .
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	27	But since your heart has been touched and you have humbled yourself before God on hearing what he has decreed against this place and the people who live in it, have torn your clothes and wept before me, I too have heard"-Yahweh says this.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	28	"Look, when I gather you to your ancestors, you will be gathered into your grave in peace; you will not live to see the great disaster that I am going to bring on this place and on the people who live in it." ' They took this answer to the king.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	29	The king then had all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem summoned,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	30	and the king went up to the temple of Yahweh, with all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, priests, Levites and all the people, high and low. In their hearing he read out the entire contents of the Book of the Covenant discovered in the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	31	The king then, standing on the dais, bound himself by the covenant before Yahweh, to follow Yahweh, to keep his commandments, decrees and laws with all his heart and soul and to carry out the terms of the covenant as written in this book.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	32	He made all those present in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge their allegiance to it. The citizens of Jerusalem took action in keeping with the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	34	33	while Josiah removed all the abominations throughout the territories belonging to the Israelites and required all inhabitants of Israel to serve Yahweh their God; throughout his lifetime they did not deviate from following Yahweh, God of their ancestors.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	1	Josiah then celebrated a Passover to Yahweh in Jerusalem. The Passover victims were slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	2	He assigned the priests to their posts, encouraging them to do their duty in the Temple of Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	3	Then he said to the Levites, who had understanding for all Israel and were consecrated to Yahweh, 'Put the sacred ark in the Temple built by Solomon son of David, king of Israel. You need not carry it about on your shoulders any more. Now serve Yahweh your God and Israel his people!
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	4	Prepare yourselves by families according to your orders, as laid down in the decree of David king of Israel and that of Solomon his son,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	5	and take up positions in the sanctuary corresponding to the family divisions of your brothers the laity, so that there are Levites for each family division.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	6	Slaughter the Passover, sanctify yourselves and prepare it so that your brothers can observe it in the way the word of Yahweh through Moses requires.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	7	For the laity Josiah provided small livestock, that is, lambs and young goats -- everything for the Passover offerings for all who attended -- to the number of thirty thousand, as well as three thousand bullocks; these were from the king's own possessions.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	8	His officials also made voluntary contributions for the people, the priests and the Levites; and Hilkiah, Zechariah and Jehiel, the chiefs of the Temple of God, gave two thousand six hundred lambs and three hundred bullocks to the priests for the Passover offerings;
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	9	while Conaniah, Shemaiah, Nethanel his brother, Hashabiah, Jeiel and Jozabad, the head Levites, provided five thousand lambs and five hundred bullocks as Passover offerings for the Levites.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	10	So the service was arranged, the priests stood in their places and the Levites in their orders as the king had commanded.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	11	Then they slaughtered the Passover victims and while the priests sprinkled the blood as they received it from the Levites, the latter did the skinning.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	12	Next they put the burnt offering aside for presentation to the family divisions of the laity, so that they could offer it to Yahweh in the way prescribed in the Book of Moses; they did the same with the bullocks.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	13	They roasted the Passover victim over an open fire in accordance with the regulation and boiled the consecrated offerings in pots, kettles and pans, which they then distributed to all the laity as quickly as they could.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	14	Afterwards they provided for themselves and the priests, since the Aaronite priests were kept busy till nightfall making the burnt offerings and offering the fat; that was why the Levites prepared the Passover for themselves and for the Aaronite priests.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	15	The Asaphite singers were at their places, in accordance with the command of David and Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun the king's seer; so were the gatekeepers at each gate. Because they could not leave their duties, their brothers the Levites prepared the Passover for them.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	16	So the whole service of Yahweh was arranged that day to celebrate the Passover and to bring burnt offerings on the altar of Yahweh, in accordance with King Josiah's command.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	17	On that occasion the Israelites who were present celebrated the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	18	No Passover like this one had ever been celebrated in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel, nor had any of the kings of Israel ever celebrated a Passover like the one celebrated by Josiah, the priests, the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	19	This Passover was celebrated in the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	20	After all this, when Josiah had provided for the Temple, Necho king of Egypt advanced to give battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates and Josiah went to intercept him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	21	Necho however sent him messengers to say, 'Why be concerned about me, king of Judah? I have not come today to attack you; my quarrel is with another dynasty. God has commanded me to move quickly, so keep well clear of the god who is with me!'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	22	But Josiah was not to be deflected from his determination to fight him, and would not listen to Necho's words, which came from the mouth of God. He gave battle in the plain of Megiddo.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	23	The archers shot King Josiah. The king then said to his retainers, 'Take me away; I am badly wounded.'
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	24	So his retainers lifted him out of his own chariot, transferred him to one which he had in reserve and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died and was buried in the tombs of his ancestors. All Judah and Jerusalem held mourning for Josiah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	25	Jeremiah composed a lament for Josiah and all the male and female singers to this day lament Josiah in their dirges; they have made it a rule in Israel; they are recorded in the Lamentations.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	26	The rest of the history of Josiah, his deeds of faithful love conforming to what is prescribed in the Law of Yahweh,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	35	27	his history from first to last, are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	1	The people of the land then took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and proclaimed him king of Jerusalem in succession to his father.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	2	Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for three months in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	3	The king of Egypt deposed him in Jerusalem and imposed a levy of a hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold on the country.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	4	The king of Egypt then made his brother Eliakim king of Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. Carrying off his brother Jehoahaz, Necho took him to Egypt.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	5	Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what is displeasing to Yahweh his God.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	6	Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked him, loaded him with chains and took him to Babylon.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	7	To Babylon Nebuchadnezzar also took some of the objects belonging to the Temple of Yahweh and put them in his palace in Babylon.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	8	The rest of the history of Jehoiakim, the shameful things that he did and what happened to him in consequence, these are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. His son Jehoiachin succeeded him.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	9	Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did what is displeasing to Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	10	At the turn of the year, King Nebuchadnezzar sent for him and had him taken to Babylon, with the valuables belonging to the Temple of Yahweh, and made his brother Zedekiah king of Judah and Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	11	Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	12	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh his God. He did not listen humbly to the prophet Jeremiah who spoke for Yahweh.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	13	Furthermore, he rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear allegiance to him by God. He became stubborn, and obstinately refused to return to Yahweh, God of Israel.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	14	Furthermore, all the leaders of Judah, the priests and the people too, added infidelity to infidelity, copying all the shameful practices of the nations and defiling the Temple of Yahweh which he himself had consecrated in Jerusalem.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	15	Yahweh, God of their ancestors, continuously sent them word through his messengers because he felt sorry for his people and his dwelling,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	16	but they ridiculed the messengers of God, they despised his words, they laughed at his prophets, until Yahweh's wrath with his people became so fierce that there was no further remedy.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	17	So against them he summoned the king of the Chaldaeans and he put their young men to the sword within the very building of their Temple, not sparing young man or girl, or the old and infirm; he put them all at his mercy.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	18	All the things belonging to the Temple of God, whether large or small, the treasures of the Temple of Yahweh, the treasures of the king and his officials, everything he took to Babylon.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	19	He burned down the temple of God, demolished the walls of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces to the ground and destroyed everything of value in it.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	20	And those who had escaped the sword he deported to Babylon, where they were enslaved by him and his descendants until the rise of the kingdom of Persia,
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	21	to fulfil Yahweh's prophecy through Jeremiah: Until the country has paid off its Sabbaths, it will lie fallow for all the days of its desolation -- until the seventy years are complete.
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	22	In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia -- to fulfil the word of Yahweh through Jeremiah -- Yahweh roused the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to issue a proclamation and to have it publicly displayed throughout his kingdom:
 2 Chronicles	2Chr	14	36	23	'Cyrus king of Persia says this, "Yahweh, the God of Heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build him a Temple in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all his people, may his God be with him! Let him go up."'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	1	1	In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia -- to fulfil the word of Yahweh spoken through Jeremiah -Yahweh roused the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to issue a proclamation and to have it publicly displayed throughout his kingdom:
 Ezra	Ezra	15	1	2	'Cyrus king of Persia says this, "Yahweh, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build him a Temple in Jerusalem, in Judah.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	1	3	Whoever among you belongs to the full tally of his people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem, in Judah, and build the Temple of Yahweh, God of Israel, who is the God in Jerusalem.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	1	4	And let each survivor, wherever he lives, be helped by the people of his locality with silver, gold, equipment and riding beasts, as well as voluntary offerings for the Temple of God which is in Jerusalem." '
 Ezra	Ezra	15	1	5	Then the heads of families of Judah and of Benjamin, the priests and the Levites, in fact all whose spirit had been roused by God, prepared to go and rebuild the Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	1	6	and all their neighbours gave them every kind of help: silver, gold, equipment, riding beasts and valuable presents, in addition to their voluntary offerings.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	1	7	Furthermore, King Cyrus handed over the articles belonging to the Temple of Yahweh which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and put in the temple of his god.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	1	8	Cyrus king of Persia handed them over to Mithredath the treasurer who checked them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	1	9	The inventory was as follows: thirty gold dishes; one thousand silver dishes, twenty-nine repaired;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	1	10	thirty gold bowls; a thousand silver bowls, four hundred and ten damaged; one thousand other articles.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	1	11	In all, five thousand four hundred articles of gold and silver. Sheshbazzar took all these with him when he led the exiles back from Babylon to Jerusalem.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	1	These were the people of the province who returned from the captivity of the Exile, those whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had deported to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	2	They were the ones who arrived with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of the country of Israel:
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	3	sons of Parosh, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	4	sons of Shephatiah, three hundred and seventy-two;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	5	sons of Arah, seven hundred and seventy-five;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	6	sons of Pahath-Moab, that is to say the sons of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	7	sons of Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	8	sons of Zattu, nine hundred and forty-five;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	9	sons of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	10	sons of Bani, six hundred and forty-two;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	11	sons of Bebai, six hundred and twenty-three;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	12	sons of Azgad, one thousand two hundred and twenty-two;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	13	sons of Adonikam, six hundred and sixty-six;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	14	sons of Bigvai, two thousand and fifty-six;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	15	sons of Adin, four hundred and fifty-four;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	16	sons of Ater, that is to say of Hezekiah, ninety-eight;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	17	sons of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-three;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	18	sons of Jorah, one hundred and twelve;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	19	sons of Hashum, two hundred and twenty-three;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	20	sons of Gibbar, ninety-five;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	21	sons of Bethlehem, one hundred and twenty-three;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	22	men of Netophah, fifty-six;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	23	men of Anathoth, one hundred and twenty-eight;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	24	sons of Azmaveth, forty-two;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	25	sons of Kiriath-Jearim, Chephirah and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty-three;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	26	sons of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	27	men of Michmas, one hundred and twenty-two;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	28	men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	29	sons of Nebo, fifty-two;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	30	of Magbish, one hundred and fifty-six;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	31	sons of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	32	sons of Harim, three hundred and twenty;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	33	sons of Lod, Hadid and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-five;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	34	sons of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	35	sons of Senaah, three thousand six hundred and thirty.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	36	The priests: sons of Jedaiah, of the House of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	37	sons of Immer, one thousand and fifty-two;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	38	sons of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	39	sons of Harim, one thousand and seventeen.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	40	The Levites: sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the line of Hodaviah, seventy-four.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	41	The singers: sons of Asaph, one hundred and twenty-eight.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	42	The sons of the gatekeepers: sons of Shallum, sons of Ater, sons of Talmon, sons of Akkub, sons of Hatita, sons of Shobai: in all, one hundred and thirty-nine.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	43	The temple slaves: sons of Ziha, sons of Hasupha, sons of Tabbaoth,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	44	sons of Keros, sons of Siaha, sons of Padon,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	45	sons of Lebanah, sons of Hagabah, sons of Akkub,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	46	sons of Hagab, sons of Shamlai, sons of Hanan,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	47	sons of Giddel, sons of Gahar, sons of Reaiah,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	48	sons of Rezin, sons of Nekoda, sons of Gazzam,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	49	sons of Uzza, sons of Paseah, sons of Besai,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	50	sons of Asnah, sons of the Meunites, sons of the Nephisites,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	51	sons of Bakbuk, sons of Hakupha, sons of Harhur,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	52	sons of Bazluth, sons of Mehida, sons of Harsha,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	53	sons of Barkos, sons of Sisera, sons of Temah,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	54	sons of Neziah, sons of Hatipha.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	55	The sons of Solomon's slaves: sons of Sotai, sons of Hassophereth, sons of Peruda,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	56	sons of Jaalah, sons of Darkon, sons of Giddel,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	57	sons of Shephatiah, sons of Hattil, sons of Pochereth-ha-Zebaim, sons of Ami.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	58	The total of the temple slaves and the sons of Solomon's slaves: three hundred and ninety-two.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	59	The following, who came from Tel-Melah, Tel-Harsha, Cherub, Addan and Immer, could not prove that their families and ancestry were of Israelite origin:
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	60	the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda: six hundred and fifty-two.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	61	And among the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai -- who had married one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, whose name he adopted.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	62	These had looked for their entries in the official genealogies but were not to be found there, and were hence disqualified from the priesthood.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	63	Consequently, His Excellency forbade them to eat any of the consecrated food until a priest appeared who could consult urim and thummim.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	64	The whole assembly numbered forty-two thousand, three hundred and sixty people,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	65	not counting their male and female slaves to the number of seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven. They also had two hundred male and female singers.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	66	Their horses numbered seven hundred and thirty-six, their mules two hundred and forty-five,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	67	their camels four hundred and thirty-five and their donkeys six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	68	When they arrived at the Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem, a certain number of heads of families made voluntary offerings for the Temple of God, for its rebuilding on its site.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	69	In accordance with their means they gave sixty-one thousand gold drachmas, five thousand silver minas and one hundred priestly robes to the sacred treasury.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	2	70	The priests, the Levites and some of the people settled in Jerusalem; the singers, the gatekeepers and the temple slaves in their appropriate towns; and all the other Israelites in their own towns.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	1	When the seventh month came after the Israelites had been resettled in their towns, the people gathered as one person in Jerusalem.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	2	Then Jeshua son of Jozadak, with his brother priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, with his brothers, set about rebuilding the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it as prescribed in the Law of Moses man of God.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	3	They erected the altar on its old site, despite their fear of the people of the country, and on it they presented burnt offerings to Yahweh, burnt offerings morning and evening;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	4	they celebrated the feast of Shelters as prescribed, offering daily the number of burnt offerings required from day to day,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	5	and in addition presented the continual burnt offerings prescribed for the Sabbaths, for the New Moons and for all the festivals sacred to Yahweh, as well as those voluntary offerings made by individuals to Yahweh.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	6	From the first day of the seventh month they began presenting burnt offerings to Yahweh, though the foundations of the Temple of Yahweh had not yet been laid.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	7	They also contributed money for the masons and carpenters, and food, drink and oil for the Sidonians and Tyrians for bringing cedar wood from Lebanon by sea to Jaffa, for which Cyrus king of Persia had given permission.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	8	It was in the second month of the second year after their arrival at the Temple of God in Jerusalem that Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak, with the rest of their brothers, the priests, the Levites and all the people who had returned to Jerusalem from captivity, began the work by appointing some of the Levites who were twenty years old or more to superintend the work on the Temple of Yahweh.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	9	The Levites, Jeshua, his sons and his brothers, with Kadmiel, Binnui and his sons, the sons of Hodaviah, agreed to superintend the men working on the Temple of God.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	10	When the builders had laid the foundations of the Temple of Yahweh, the priests in their robes stood forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise Yahweh according to the ordinances of David king of Israel.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	11	They chanted praise and thanksgiving to Yahweh because for Israel, they said, 'he is good, and everlasting in his faithful love.' Then all the people raised a mighty shout of praise to Yahweh, since the foundations of the Temple of Yahweh had now been laid.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	12	Many of the older priests, Levites and heads of families, who had seen the first temple, wept very loudly when the foundations of this one were laid before their eyes, but many others shouted aloud for joy,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	3	13	so that nobody could distinguish the noise of the joyful shout from the noise of the people's weeping; for the people shouted so loudly that the noise could be heard far away.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	1	When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building the Temple of Yahweh, God of Israel,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	2	they came to Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the heads of families and said, 'Let us help you build, for we resort to your God as you do and we have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	3	Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of Israelite families replied, 'It is out of the question that you should join us in building a Temple for our God. We shall build for Yahweh, God of Israel, on our own, as King Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us.'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	4	The people of the country then set about demoralising the people of Judah and deterring them from building;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	5	they also bribed counsellors against them to frustrate their purpose throughout the lifetime of Cyrus king of Persia right on into the reign of Darius king of Persia.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	6	In the reign of Xerxes, at the beginning of his reign, they drew up an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	7	In the days of Artaxerxes, Mithredath, Tabeel and their other associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia against Jerusalem; the text of the letter was written in Aramaic writing and dialect.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	8	Then Rehum the governor and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes, denouncing Jerusalem as follows:
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	9	'From Rehum the governor and Shimshai the secretary and their other associates, the judges, the legates, the Persian officials, the people of Uruk, Babylon and Susa -- that is, the Elamites-
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	10	and the other peoples whom the great and illustrious Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the towns of Samaria and in the rest of Transeuphrates.'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	11	This is the text of the letter which they sent him: 'To King Artaxerxes, from your servants the people of Transeuphrates:
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	12	'May the king now please be informed that the Jews, who have come up from you to us, have arrived in Jerusalem and are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city; they have begun rebuilding the walls and are laying the foundations;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	13	and now the king should be informed that once this city is rebuilt and the walls are restored, they will refuse to pay tribute, tax or toll, thus the king will incur a loss;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	14	and now, because we eat the palace salt, it is not proper for us to see this affront offered to the king; we therefore send this information to the king
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	15	so that a search may be made in the archives of your ancestors: in which archives you will find and learn that this city is a rebellious city, the bane of kings and provinces, and that sedition has been stirred up there from ancient times; that is why this city was destroyed.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	16	We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will soon have no territories left in Transeuphrates.'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	17	The king sent this reply: 'To Rehum the governor, to Shimshai the secretary, and to their other associates resident in Samaria and elsewhere in Transeuphrates: Greetings!
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	18	'And now, the document which you sent us has been accurately translated for me,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	19	and by my orders search has been made, and it has been found that this city has rebelled against the kings in the past and that revolt and sedition have been contrived in it;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	20	and that powerful kings have reigned in Jerusalem, governing the whole of Transeuphrates and exacting tribute, tax and toll;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	21	now give orders for these men to cease work; this city is not to be rebuilt until I give the order.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	22	Beware of acting negligently in this matter. Why should the harm grow, to endanger the king?'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	23	As soon as the text of King Artaxerxes' document had been read to Rehum the governor, Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they hurried to the Jews in Jerusalem and stopped their work by force of arms.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	4	24	Work on the Temple of God in Jerusalem then ceased, and was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius King of Persia.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	1	When the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel who was over them,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	2	Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak began rebuilding the Temple of God in Jerusalem; with them were the prophets of God, supporting them.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	3	It was then that Tattenai governor of Transeuphrates, Shethar-Bozenai and their associates came to them and asked, 'Who gave you the order to rebuild this Temple and complete this structure?
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	4	What are the names of the men putting up this building?'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	5	But the eyes of their God were watching over the elders of the Jews, so they were not forced to stop until a report could reach Darius and an official reply about the matter could be received from him.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	6	A copy of the letter which Tattenai, governor of Transeuphrates, Shethar-Bozenai and his associates, the officials in Transeuphrates, sent to King Darius.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	7	They sent him a report which ran as follows: 'To King Darius, hearty greetings!
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	8	'The king should be informed that we went to the province of Judah, to the Temple of the great God, which is being rebuilt with large stones; beams are being embedded in the walls; the work is being carried out energetically and is making good progress.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	9	Questioning these elders, we asked them, "Who gave you permission to rebuild this Temple and complete this structure?"
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	10	We also asked them their names, to inform you, so that we could record the names of the men who were their leaders.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	11	'They gave us the following answer, "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth; we are rebuilding the Temple built many years ago, which a great king of Israel had built and completed.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	12	But because our ancestors angered the God of heaven, he handed them over to Nebuchadnezzar the Chaldaean king of Babylon who destroyed this Temple and deported the people to Babylon.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	13	In the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, however, King Cyrus issued an official order that this Temple of God should be rebuilt;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	14	furthermore, those gold and silver articles belonging to the Temple of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had removed from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to the temple of Babylon, King Cyrus in turn removed from the temple of Babylon and handed back to a certain Sheshbazzar whom he had appointed governor.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	15	He said to him, 'Take these articles; go and return them to the Temple which is in Jerusalem and let the Temple of God be rebuilt on its original site;'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	16	this Sheshbazzar then came and laid the foundations of the Temple of God in Jerusalem, and it has been under construction ever since, and is not yet finished."
 Ezra	Ezra	15	5	17	'Hence, if it please the king, let search be made in the royal treasuries in Babylon, to find out if it is true that an official order was issued by King Cyrus for this temple of God in Jerusalem to be rebuilt; and let the king's decision on this matter be sent to us.'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	1	Then, on the order of King Darius, search was made in the archives deposited in the treasuries in Babylon
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	2	and a scroll was found in the fortress of Ecbatana, which ran as follows: 'Memorandum.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	3	'In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued this order: "Temple of God in Jerusalem. "The Temple is to be rebuilt as a place of offering sacrifice and its foundations retained. Its height is to be sixty cubits, its width sixty cubits,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	4	with three layers of large stones and one layer of timber. The cost is to be met by the royal treasury.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	5	Furthermore, the gold and silver articles belonging to the Temple of God which Nebuchadnezzar took from the Temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon are to be given back and returned to the temple in Jerusalem, each to its proper place, and deposited in the Temple of God."
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	6	'Hence, Tattenai governor of Transeuphrates, Shethar-Bozenai and your associates, the officials of Transeuphrates, keep away from there!
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	7	Leave the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews alone, to get on with their work on that Temple of God; they are permitted to rebuild that Temple of God on that site.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	8	And herewith are my instructions as to how you will assist these elders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that Temple of God: the cost is to be paid in full to these men from the royal revenue, that is, from the taxes of Transeuphrates, and without interruption.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	9	And whatever is required -- young bulls, rams, lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, oil, as the priests in Jerusalem request -- is to be given them day by day without fail,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	10	so that they may offer sacrifices acceptable to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	11	Furthermore I have issued an instruction that if anyone disobeys this order, a beam is to be torn from his house, he is to be impaled on it and his house is to be reduced to a rubbish-heap for his offence;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	12	and may the God who has caused his name to live there overthrow the king of any people who dares to defy this and destroy that Temple of God in Jerusalem! I, Darius, have issued this order. Let it be punctiliously obeyed!'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	13	Tattenai governor of Transeuphrates, Shethar-Bozenai and their associates punctiliously obeyed the instructions sent by King Darius;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	14	and the elders of the Jews made good progress over their building, thanks to the prophetic activity of the prophet Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo, completing the reconstruction in accordance with the command of the God of Israel and the order of Cyrus and of Darius.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	15	This Temple was completed on the twenty-third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	16	The Israelites -- the priests, the Levites and the remainder of the exiles -- joyfully celebrated the dedication of this Temple of God;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	17	for the dedication of this Temple of God they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs and, as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	18	Then they installed the priests in their orders and the Levites in their positions for the ministry of the Temple of God in Jerusalem, as prescribed in the Book of Moses.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	19	The exiles celebrated the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	20	The Levites, as one man, had purified themselves; all were pure, so they sacrificed the Passover for all the exiles, for their brothers the priests and for themselves.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	21	So the Israelites who had returned from exile and all those who had renounced the filthy practices of the people of the country to join them in resorting to Yahweh, God of Israel, ate the Passover.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	6	22	For seven days they joyfully celebrated the feast of Unleavened Bread, for Yahweh had given them cause to rejoice, having moved the heart of the king of Assyria in their favour to support them in their work on the Temple of God, the God of Israel.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	1	After these events, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	2	son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	3	son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	4	son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	5	son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of the chief priest Aaron-
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	6	this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a scribe versed in the Law of Moses, which Yahweh, God of Israel, had given. The king gave him everything that he asked for, since the hand of Yahweh his God was over him.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	7	A number of Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and temple slaves went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of the reign of King Artaxerxes.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	8	Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month, in the seventh year of the king's reign;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	9	for he had ordered the departure from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, since the kindly hand of his God was over him.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	10	For Ezra had devoted himself to studying the Law of Yahweh so as to put into practice and teach its statutes and rulings.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	11	This is the text of the document which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra, the priest-scribe, a student of matters pertaining to Yahweh's commandments and statutes relating to Israel:
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	12	'Artaxerxes, king of kings, to the priest Ezra, Secretary of the Law of the God of heaven: greetings!
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	13	'Now here are my orders. All members of the people of Israel in my kingdom, including their priests and Levites, who freely choose to go to Jerusalem, may go with you,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	14	for you are being sent by the king and his seven counsellors to investigate how the Law of your God, in which you are expert, is being applied in Judah and Jerusalem,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	15	and to transport the silver and gold which the king and his counsellors have voluntarily offered to the God of Israel who resides in Jerusalem,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	16	as well as all the silver and gold which you receive throughout the province of Babylon and the voluntary offerings freely contributed by the people and the priests for the Temple of their God in Jerusalem.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	17	'This money you will punctiliously use for the purchase of bulls, rams, lambs and the materials for the oblations and libations which go with them, offering these on the altar of the Temple of your God in Jerusalem,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	18	and using the remainder of the silver and gold in accordance with the will of your God as you and your brothers may think fit.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	19	'You will deliver the articles which have been given you for the ministry of the Temple of your God, to the God of Jerusalem,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	20	and whatever else is needed and you are obliged to supply for the Temple of your God, you will supply from the royal treasury.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	21	'I, King Artaxerxes, have issued the following instruction to all the treasurers of Transeuphrates: Whatever the priest Ezra, Secretary of the Law of the God of heaven, may request of you is to be punctiliously complied with:
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	22	up to one hundred talents of silver, one hundred kor of wheat, one hundred bat of wine, one hundred bat of oil, and unlimited salt.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	23	Whatever the God of heaven demands for the Temple of the God of heaven must be diligently provided; why should retribution come on the realm of the king and of his sons?
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	24	You are further informed that it is against the law to impose tribute, tax or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple slaves or other servants of this temple of God.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	25	'And you, Ezra, by virtue of the wisdom of your God, which you possess, are to appoint magistrates and scribes to administer justice for the whole people of Transeuphrates, that is, for all who know the Law of your God; and you are to teach it to those who do not know it.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	26	And on anyone who will not comply with the Law of your God and the Law of the king let sentence be swiftly executed, whether it be death, banishment, fine or imprisonment.'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	27	Blessed be Yahweh, God of our ancestors, who moved the king's heart in this way to restore the beauty of the Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	7	28	won for me the faithful love of the king, his counsellors and all the most powerful of the king's officials! Taking heart since the hand of Yahweh my God was over me, I assembled those Israelite heads of families who were to go with me.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	1	These, with their genealogies, were the heads of families who set out from Babylon with me in the reign of King Artaxerxes:
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	2	Of the sons of Phinehas: Gershom; of the sons of Ithamar: Daniel; of the sons of David: Hattush
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	3	son of Shechaniah; of the sons of Parosh: Zechariah, and with him a hundred and fifty males officially registered;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	4	of the sons of Pahath-Moab: Elioenai son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	5	of the sons of Zattu: Shechaniah son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	6	of the sons of Adin: Ebed son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	7	of the sons of Elam: Jeshaiah son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	8	of the sons of Shephatiah: Zebadiah son of Michael, and with him eighty males;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	9	of the sons of Joab: Obadiah son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	10	of the sons of Bani: Shelomith son of Josiphiah, and with him a hundred and sixty males;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	11	of the sons of Bebai: Zechariah son of Bebai, and with him twenty-eight males;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	12	of the sons of Azgad: Johanan son of Hakkatan, and with him a hundred and ten males;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	13	of the sons of Adonikam: the younger sons, whose names are: Eliphelet, Jeiel and Shemaiah, and with them sixty males;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	14	and of the sons of Bigvai: Uthai son of Zabud, and with him seventy males.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	15	I assembled them near the canal which runs to Ahava, where we camped for three days. I noticed laymen and priests, but I could not discover any Levites there.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	16	I then sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah and Meshullam, judicious men,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	17	and sent them to Iddo, the leading man of a place called Casiphia; I told them what they were to say to Iddo and his kinsmen, living at the place called Casiphia, that is, to provide us with people to serve the Temple of our God.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	18	And because the hand of God was good to us, they sent us a wise man of the sons of Mahli son of Levi, son of Israel, a certain Sherebiah with his sons and kinsmen: eighteen men;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	19	also Hashabiah and with him his brother Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari with his kinsmen and sons: twenty men;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	20	and two hundred and twenty temple slaves -- descendants of the temple slaves whom David and the princes had assigned to serve the Levites -- all of them designated by name.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	21	There, beside the Ahava Canal, I then proclaimed a fast, to humble ourselves before our God and to pray to him for a successful journey for us, our dependants and all our belongings.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	22	For I should have been ashamed to ask the king for a company of cavalry to protect us from hostile people on our road, as we had already said to the king, 'The hand of our God is over all who seek him for their protection, but his mighty retribution befalls all those who forsake him.'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	23	So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and he heard us.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	24	I next chose twelve of the leading priests, and also Sherebiah and Hashabiah with ten of their kinsmen.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	25	To them I weighed out the silver, the gold and the utensils, the contributions which the king, his counsellors, his notables and all the Israelites there present had made for the Temple of our God.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	26	To them I weighed out and handed over six hundred and fifty talents of silver, one hundred utensils of silver valued at two talents, one hundred talents of gold,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	27	twenty golden bowls valued at a thousand darics and two utensils of fine burnished copper as precious as gold.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	28	I said to them, 'You are consecrated to Yahweh; these utensils are consecrated too; the silver and gold are a voluntary offering to Yahweh, God of your ancestors.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	29	Guard them carefully until you weigh them out to the leading priests, the Levites, and the heads of families of Israel in Jerusalem in the rooms of the Temple of Yahweh.'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	30	The priests and Levites then took charge of the silver, the gold and the utensils thus weighed, to bring them to Jerusalem to the Temple of our God.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	31	On the twelfth day of the first month we left the Ahava Canal to make our way to Jerusalem; the hand of our God was over us and protected us from enemies and surprise attacks on our way.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	32	When we arrived in Jerusalem, we rested for three days.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	33	On the fourth day the silver, the gold and the utensils were weighed in the Temple of our God and handed over to the priest Meremoth son of Uriah and, with him, Eleazar son of Phinehas; with them were the Levites Jozabad son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	34	By number and weight all was there. The total weight was recorded at the same time.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	35	When the exiles arrived from their captivity, they offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel -- twelve bulls on behalf of all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-two lambs, and as a sin offering twelve he-goats: the whole of this as a burnt offering to Yahweh.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	8	36	They also delivered the king's instructions to the king's satraps and the governors of Transeuphrates, who then supported the people and the Temple of God.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	1	Once this was done, the officials approached me to say, 'The people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, have not renounced the disgusting practices of the people of the country -- the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites--
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	2	since they and their sons have married some of their women, as a result of which the holy race has been contaminated by the people of the country. The officials and leaders have been the worst offenders in this act of infidelity.'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	3	On hearing this, I tore my clothes and my cloak; I pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down in horror.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	4	All who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered round me, when faced with the infidelity of the exiles, while I went on sitting there in horror until the evening sacrifice.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	5	At the evening sacrifice I came out of my stupor and, falling on my knees in my torn clothes and cloak, stretched out my hands to Yahweh my God,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	6	and said: 'My God, I am ashamed, I blush to lift my face to you, my God. For our iniquities have increased, until they are higher than our heads, and our guilt has risen as high as heaven.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	7	From the days of our ancestors until now we have been deeply guilty and, because of our iniquities, we, our kings and our priests, have been handed over to the kings of other countries, to the sword, to captivity, to pillage, to shame, as is the case today.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	8	And now, for a brief moment, the favour of Yahweh our God has allowed a remnant of us to escape and given us a stable home in his holy place, so that our God can raise our spirits and revive us a little in our slavery.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	9	For we are slaves; but God has not forgotten us in our slavery; he has extended his faithful love to us even under the kings of Persia and revived us to rebuild the Temple of our God, restore its ruins and provide us with a refuge in Judah and in Jerusalem.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	10	But now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have abandoned your commandments,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	11	which you gave through your servants the prophets in these terms, "The country which you are about to possess is a polluted country, polluted by the people of the country and their disgusting practices, which have filled it with their filth from end to end.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	12	Hence you are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, or let their daughters marry your sons, or ever concern yourselves about peace or good relations with them, if you want to grow stronger, to live off the fat of the land and bequeath it to your sons for ever."
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	13	'After all that has befallen us because of our evil deeds and our deep guilt -- though you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have allowed us to escape like this-
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	14	are we to break your commandments again and intermarry with people with these disgusting practices? Would you not be enraged with us to the point of destroying us, leaving neither remnant nor survivor?
 Ezra	Ezra	15	9	15	Yahweh, God of Israel, you are upright. We survive only as the remnant we are today. We come before you in our guilt; because of it we cannot stand in your presence.'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	1	While Ezra, weeping and prostrating himself in front of the Temple of God, was praying and making confession, a very large crowd of men, women and children of Israel gathered round him, the people weeping bitterly.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	2	Then Shechaniah son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, spoke up and said to Ezra, 'We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the country. But, in spite of this, there is still some hope for Israel.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	3	We will make a covenant with our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children in obedience to the advice of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God. Let us act in accordance with the Law.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	4	Go ahead, do your duty; we support you. Be brave, take action!'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	5	Then Ezra stood up and put the leading priests and Levites and all Israel on oath to do what had been said. They took the oath.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	6	Ezra then left his place in front of the Temple of God and went to the room of Jehohanan son of Eliashib, where he spent the night without eating food or drinking water, because he was still mourning over the exiles' infidelity.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	7	A proclamation was issued throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles were to assemble in Jerusalem,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	8	and that anyone who failed within three days to answer the summons of the officials and elders was to forfeit all his possessions and himself be excluded from the community of the exiles.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	9	As a result, all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled in Jerusalem within the three days; it was the twentieth day of the ninth month. All the people sat down in the square in front of the Temple of God, trembling because of the matter in hand and because of the heavy rain.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	10	The priest Ezra then stood up and said to them, 'You have been unfaithful and have married foreign wives, thus adding to Israel's guilt.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	11	So now give thanks to Yahweh, God of your ancestors, and do his will by holding aloof from the people of the country and from foreign wives.'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	12	In ringing tones, the whole assembly answered, 'Yes, our duty is to do as you say.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	13	But there are many people here and it is the rainy season; we cannot stay out in the open; besides, this is not something that can be dealt with in one or two days, since many of us have been unfaithful over this.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	14	Let our officials deputise for the whole community, and all the people in our towns who have married foreign wives can come at stated times, accompanied by elders and judges from each town, until our God's fierce anger over this is turned away from us.'
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	15	Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah, supported by Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite, were opposed to this.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	16	The exiles did as had been proposed. And the priest Ezra selected the family heads of the various families, all of them by name, who began their sittings on the first day of the tenth month to look into the matter.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	17	And by the first day of the first month they had dealt with all the men who had married foreign women.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	18	Among the priests who were found to have married foreign wives were: of the sons of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib and Gedaliah,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	19	who agreed to send their wives away; their guilt offering was a ram from the flock for their guilt;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	20	of the sons of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	21	of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel and Uzziah;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	22	of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad and Elasah;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	23	of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah -- that is, Kelita-Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	24	of the singers: Eliashib and Zaccur; of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem and Uri;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	25	and of the Israelites: of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah and Benaiah;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	26	of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth and Elijah;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	27	of the sons of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad and Aziza;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	28	of the sons of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, Atlai;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	29	of the sons of Bigvai: Meshullam, Malluch, Jedaiah, Jashub, Sheal, Jeremoth;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	30	of the sons of Pahath-Moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui and Manasseh;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	31	of the sons of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	32	Benjamin, Malluch, Shemariah;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	33	of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	34	of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	35	Benaiah, Bediah, Jeluhi,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	36	Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	37	Mattaniah, Mattenai and Jaasau;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	38	of the sons of Binnui: Shimei,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	39	Shelemiah, Nathan and Adaiah;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	40	of the sons of Zaccai: Shashai, Sharai,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	41	Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah,
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	42	Shallum, Amariah, Joseph;
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	43	of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, Benaiah.
 Ezra	Ezra	15	10	44	All these had married foreign wives but sent them away with their children.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	1	1	The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. It happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	1	2	that Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with some men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews -- those who had escaped and those who survived from the captivity -- and about Jerusalem.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	1	3	They replied, 'The survivors remaining there in the province since the captivity are in a very bad and demoralised condition: the walls of Jerusalem are in ruins and its gates have been burnt down.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	1	4	On hearing this I sat down and wept; for some days I mourned, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	1	5	I said, 'Yahweh, God of heaven -- the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps a covenant of faithful love with those who love him and obey his commandments-
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	1	6	let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to listen to your servant's prayer, which I now offer to you day and night on behalf of your servants the Israelites. I admit the sins of the Israelites, which we have committed against you. Both I and my father's House have sinned;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	1	7	we have acted very wickedly towards you by not keeping the commandments, laws and rulings which you enjoined on your servant Moses.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	1	8	Remember, I beg you, the promise which you solemnly made to your servant Moses, "If you are unfaithful, I shall scatter you among the peoples;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	1	9	but if you come back to me and keep my commandments and practise them, even though those who have been banished are at the very sky's end, I shall gather them from there and bring them back to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling-place for my name."
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	1	10	Since they are your servants, your people, whom you have redeemed with your mighty power and strong hand,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	1	11	O Lord, let your ear now be attentive to your servant's prayer and to the prayer of your servants who want to revere your name. I beg you let your servant be successful today and win this man's compassion.' At the time I was cupbearer to the king.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	1	In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, since I was in charge of the wine, I took the wine and offered it to the king. Now, he had never seen me looking depressed before.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	2	So the king said to me, 'Why are you looking depressed? You are not sick! This must be a sadness of the heart.' Thoroughly alarmed by this,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	3	I said to the king, 'May the king live for ever! How can I not look depressed when the city where the tombs of my ancestors are lies in ruins and its gates have been burnt down?'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	4	The king then said to me, 'What would you like me to do?' Praying to the God of heaven,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	5	I said to the king, 'If the king approves and your servant enjoys your favour, send me to Judah, to the city of the tombs of my ancestors, so that I can rebuild it.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	6	The king -- with the queen sitting beside him-said, 'How long will your journey take, and when will you come back?' Once I had given him a definite time, the king approved my mission.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	7	I then said to the king, 'If the king approves, may I be given orders for the governors of Transeuphrates to let me pass through on my way to Judah?
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	8	Also an order for Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, to supply me with timber for the beams of the gates of the citadel of the Temple, for the city walls and for the house which I am to occupy?' These the king granted me because the kindly hand of my God was over me.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	9	When I reached the governors of Transeuphrates, I gave them the king's orders. The king had sent an escort of army officers and cavalry along with me.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	10	When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the official of Ammon heard about this, they were exceedingly displeased that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	11	And so I reached Jerusalem. After I had been there three days,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	12	I got up during the night with a few other men -- I had not told anyone what my God had inspired me to do for Jerusalem -- taking no animal with me other than my own mount.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	13	Under cover of dark I went out through the Valley Gate towards the Dragon's Fountain as far as the Dung Gate, and examined the wall of Jerusalem where it was broken down and its gates burnt out.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	14	I then crossed to the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but it was impassable to my mount.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	15	So I went up the Valley in the dark, examining the wall; I then went in again through the Valley Gate, coming back
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	16	without the officials knowing where I had gone or what I had been doing. So far I had said nothing to the Jews: neither to the priests, the nobles, the officials nor any other persons involved in the undertaking.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	17	I then said to them, 'You see what a sorry state we are in: Jerusalem is in ruins and its gates have been burnt down. Come on, we must rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and put an end to our humiliating position!'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	18	And I told them how the kindly hand of my God had been over me, and the words which the king had said to me. At this they said, 'Let us start building at once!' and they set their hands to the good work.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	19	When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the official of Ammon, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they laughed at us and jeered. They said, 'What is this you are doing? Are you going to revolt against the king?'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	2	20	But I gave them this answer, 'The God of heaven will grant us success and we, his servants, mean to start building; as for you, you have neither share nor right nor memorial in Jerusalem.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	1	Eliashib the high priest with his brother priests then set to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate; they made the framework, hung its doors, fixed its bolts and bars and proceeded as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	2	The men of Jericho built next to him; Zaccur son of Imri built next to them.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	3	The sons of Ha-Senaah rebuilt the Fish Gate; they made the framework, hung its doors and fixed its bolts and bars.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	4	Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, carried out repairs next to them; Meshullam son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel, carried out repairs next to him; and Zadok son of Baana carried out repairs next to him.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	5	The men of Tekoa carried out repairs next to him, though their nobles would not demean themselves to help their masters.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	6	Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the gate of the New Quarter; they made the framework, hung its doors and fixed its bolts and bars.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	7	Next to them repairs were carried out by Melatiah of Gibeon, Jadon of Meronoth, and the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, for the sake of the governor of Transeuphrates.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	8	Next to them repairs were carried out by Uzziel son of Harhaiah, a member of the metal-workers' guild, and next to him repairs were carried out by Hananiah of the perfumers' guild. These renovated the wall of Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	9	Next to them repairs were carried out by Rephaiah son of Hur, who was head of one half of the district of Jerusalem.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	10	Next to them Jedaiah son of Harumaph carried out repairs opposite his own house; next to him repairs were carried out by Hattush son of Hashabneiah.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	11	Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section as far as the Furnace Tower.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	12	Next to them repairs were carried out by Shallum son of Hallohesh, head of the other half of the district of Jerusalem, by him and his sons.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	13	Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate: they rebuilt it, hung its doors and fixed its bolts and bars; they also repaired a thousand cubits of wall up to the Dung Gate.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	14	Malchijah son of Rechab, head of the district of Beth-ha-Cherem, repaired the Dung Gate; he rebuilt it, hung its doors and fixed its bolts and bars.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	15	Shallum son of Col-Hozeh, head of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he rebuilt it, roofed it, hung its doors and fixed its bolts and bars. He also rebuilt the wall of the Pool of Siloah, adjoining the king's garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	16	After him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, head of half the district of Beth-Zur, carried out repairs from a point opposite the Davidic Tombs to the artificial pool and the House of the Champions.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	17	After him, repairs were carried out by the Levites: Rehum son of Bani; and next to him Hashabiah, head of one half of the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his own district.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	18	After him, repairs were carried out by their brothers: Binnui son of Henadad, head of the other half of the district of Keilah.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	19	Next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, headman of Mizpah, repaired another section in front of the ascent to the armoury at the Angle.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	20	After him, Baruch son of Zabbai repaired another section from the Angle to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	21	After him, Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, repaired another section from the door of Eliashib's house as far as the end of Eliashib's house.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	22	And after him repairs were carried out by the priests who lived in the district.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	23	After them repairs were carried out by Benjamin and Hasshub, opposite their own house. After them repairs were carried out by Azariah son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah, beside his own house.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	24	After him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section from Azariah's house as far as the Angle at the corner.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	25	After him, Palal son of Uzai carried out repairs in front of the Angle and the tower projecting from the king's Upper Palace by the Court of the Guard; and after him, Pedaiah son of Parosh carried out the repairs
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	26	to a point by the Water Gate to the east and the projecting tower.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	27	After him, the men of Tekoa repaired another section from in front of the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	28	From the Horse Gate onwards repairs were carried out by the priests, each in front of his own house.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	29	After them repairs were carried out by Zadok son of Immer in front of his house, and after him repairs were carried out by Shemaiah son of Shechaniah, keeper of the East Gate.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	30	After him Hananiah son of Shelemiah and Hanun sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section, after whom repairs were carried out by Meshullam son of Berechiah in front of his room.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	31	After him Malchijah, of the metal-workers' guild, repaired as far as the Hall of the temple slaves and merchants, in front of the Muster Gate, as far as the upper room at the corner.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	32	And between the upper room at the corner and the Sheep Gate repairs were carried out by the goldsmiths and the merchants.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	33	When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furiously angry.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	34	He ridiculed the Jews and in front of his kinsmen and the aristocracy of Samaria he exclaimed, 'What are these pathetic Jews doing . . . ? Are they going to give up? Or offer sacrifices? Or complete the work in a day? Can they put new life into stones taken from rubbish heaps and even charred?'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	35	And beside him Tobiah of Ammon remarked, 'If a jackal were to jump on what they are building, it would knock their stone wall down!'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	36	Listen, our God, for we are despised! Make their sneers fall back on their own heads! Send them as booty to a land of captivity!
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	37	Do not pardon their wickedness, may their sin never be erased before you, for they have insulted the builders to their face!
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	3	38	Meanwhile we were rebuilding the wall, which was soon joined up all the way round to mid-height; the people put their hearts into the work.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	1	When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that repairs to the walls of Jerusalem were going forward -- that the gaps were beginning to fill up -- they became very angry,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	2	and they all plotted to come and attack Jerusalem and upset my plans.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	3	We, however, prayed to our God and organised a guard day and night to protect the city from them.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	4	But in Judah the saying went, 'The strength of the carrier falters, the rubbish heap is so vast that by ourselves we cannot rebuild the wall!'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	5	And our opponents said, 'They will never know or see a thing, until we are in there among them, and then we shall massacre them and put a stop to the work.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	6	Now when the Jews who lived near them had warned us ten times over, 'They are coming up against us from every place they live in,'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	7	men took up position in the space behind the wall at those points where it was lowest, and I organised the people by families with their swords, spears and bows.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	8	Aware of their anxiety, I then addressed the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, 'Do not be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord and fight for your kinsmen, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your homes.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	9	Once our enemies heard that we were forewarned and that God had thwarted their plan, they withdrew and we all went back to the wall, each one to his work.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	10	From then on, half my own retainers went on working, while the other half stood by, armed with spears, shields, bows and armour to protect the whole House of Judah as they rebuilt the wall.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	11	The carriers were armed, working with one hand and holding a spear in the other.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	12	Each builder had his sword strapped to his side as he built. Beside me stood a trumpeter.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	13	I then said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, 'The work is great and widely spread out, and we are deployed along the wall some way from one another.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	14	Rally to us wherever you hear the trumpet sounding; our God will fight for us.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	15	And so we went on with the work from break of day until the stars came out.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	16	At the same time I also told the people, 'Let every man, with his attendant, spend the night inside Jerusalem; we shall spend the night on guard and the day at work.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	4	17	Neither I, nor my brothers, nor my attendants, nor my bodyguards, ever took off our clothes; each one kept his spear in his right hand.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	1	There was a great outcry from the people, and from their wives, against their brother Jews.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	2	Some said, 'We are having to pledge our sons and daughters to get enough grain to eat and keep us alive.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	3	Others said, 'We are having to mortgage our fields, our vineyards and our houses to get grain because of the shortage.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	4	Still others said, 'We have had to borrow money on our fields and our vineyards to pay the royal tax;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	5	and though we belong to the same race as our brothers, and our children are as good as theirs, we shall have to sell our sons and our daughters into slavery; some of our daughters have been sold into slavery already. We can do nothing about it, since our fields and our vineyards now belong to others.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	6	When I heard their complaints and these words I was very angry.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	7	Having turned the matter over in my mind, I reprimanded the nobles and the officials as follows, 'Each of you is imposing a burden on his brother.' Summoning a great assembly to deal with them,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	8	I said to them, 'To the best of our power, we have redeemed our brother Jews who were forced to sell themselves to foreigners, and now you in turn are selling your brothers, for them to be bought back by us!' They were silent and could find nothing to say.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	9	'What you are doing', I went on, 'is wrong. Do you not want to walk in the fear of our God and escape the sneers of the nations, our enemies?
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	10	I too, with my brothers and retainers, have lent them money and grain. Let us cancel these pledges.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	11	This very day return them their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves and their houses, and cancel the claim on the money, grain, new wine and olive oil, which you have lent them.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	12	'We shall make restitution,' they replied, 'we shall claim nothing more from them; we shall do as you say.' Summoning the priests, I then made them swear to do as they had promised.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	13	Then, shaking out the fold of my garment, I said, 'May God thus shake out of house and possessions anyone who does not make good this promise; may he be shaken out thus and left empty!' And the whole assembly answered, 'Amen' and praised Yahweh. And the people kept this promise.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	14	What is more, from the time when the king appointed me to be their governor in Judah, from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, for twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ever levied the governor's subsistence allowance,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	15	whereas the former governors, my predecessors, had been a burden on the people, from whom they took forty silver shekels a day for food and wine, while their attendants oppressed the people too. But I, fearing God, never did this.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	16	Also, not acquiring any land, I concentrated on the work of this wall and all my attendants joined in the work together, too.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	17	Furthermore, magistrates and officials to the number of a hundred and fifty ate at my table, not to mention those who came to us from the surrounding nations.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	18	Every day, one ox, six fine sheep, as well as poultry, were prepared for me; every ten days, skins of wine were brought in bulk. But even so, I never claimed the governor's subsistence allowance, since the people already had burden enough to bear.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	5	19	To my credit, my God, remember all I have done for this people.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	1	When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and our other enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that not a single gap was left -- though at that time I had not fixed the doors to the gates-
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	2	Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message, 'Come and meet us at Ha-Chephirim in the Vale of Ono.' But they had evil designs on me.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	3	So I sent messengers to them to say, 'I am engaged in a great undertaking, so I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	4	Four times they sent me the same invitation and I made them the same reply.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	5	The fifth time, with the same purpose in mind, Sanballat sent me his servant bearing an open letter.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	6	It ran, 'There is a rumour among the nations -- and Gashmu confirms it -- that you and the Jews are thinking of rebelling, which is why you are rebuilding the wall, and you intend to become their king;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	7	and that you have even briefed prophets to acclaim you in Jerusalem with the cry, "There is a king in Judah!" Now, these rumours are going to reach the king; so you had better come and discuss them with us.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	8	To this I sent him the following reply, 'As regards what you say, nothing of the sort has occurred; it is a figment of your own imagination.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	9	For they were all trying to terrorise us, thinking, 'They will become demoralised over the work and it will not get finished.' But my morale rose even higher.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	10	Then, when I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, since he was prevented from coming to me, he said: We must gather at the Temple of God, inside the sanctuary itself; we must shut the sanctuary doors, for they are coming to kill you, they are coming to kill you tonight!
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	11	But I retorted, 'Should a man like me run away? Would a man like me go into the Temple to save his life? I shall not go in!'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	12	I realised that God had not sent him to say this, but that he had produced this prophecy for me because Tobiah was paying him
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	13	to terrorise me into doing as he said and committing a sin, so that they would have grounds for blackening my reputation and blaming me.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	14	Remember Tobiah, my God, for what he did; and Noadiah the prophetess, and the other prophets who tried to terrorise me.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	15	The wall was finished within fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	16	When all our enemies heard about it and all the surrounding nations saw it, they thought it a wonderful thing, because they realised that this work had been accomplished by the power of our God.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	17	During this same period, the nobles of Judah kept sending letter after letter to Tobiah, and letters from Tobiah kept arriving for them;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	18	for he had many sworn to his interest in Judah, since he was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	6	19	They even cried up his good deeds in my presence, and they reported what I said back to him. And Tobiah kept sending letters to terrorise me.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	1	Now, when the wall had been rebuilt and I had hung the doors, the gatekeepers (the singers and the Levites) were then appointed.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	2	I entrusted the administration of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and to Hananiah the commander of the citadel, for he was a more trustworthy, God-fearing man than many others.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	3	I said to them, 'The gates of Jerusalem must not be opened until the sun gets hot; and the doors must be shut and barred before it begins to go down. Detail guards from the residents of Jerusalem, each to his post, in front of his own house.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	4	The city was large and spacious but the population was small, and the houses had not been rebuilt.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	5	My God then inspired me to assemble the nobles, the officials and the people for the purpose of taking a census by families. I discovered the genealogical register of those who had returned in the first group, and there I found entered:
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	6	These are the people of the province who returned from the captivity of the Exile, those whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had deported, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	7	They were the ones who arrived with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	8	sons of Parosh, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	9	sons of Shephatiah, three hundred and seventy-two;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	10	sons of Arah, six hundred and fifty-two;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	11	sons of Pahath-Moab, that is to say sons of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and eighteen;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	12	sons of Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	13	sons of Zattu, eight hundred and forty-five;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	14	sons of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	15	sons of Binnui, six hundred and forty-eight;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	16	sons of Bebai, six hundred and twenty-eight;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	17	sons of Azgad, two thousand three hundred and twenty-two;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	18	sons of Adonikam, six hundred and sixty-seven;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	19	sons of Bigvai, two thousand and sixty-seven;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	20	sons of Adin, six hundred and fifty-five;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	21	sons of Ater, that is to say of Hezekiah, ninety-eight;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	22	sons of Hashum, three hundred and twenty-eight;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	23	sons of Bezai, three hundred and twenty-four;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	24	sons of Hariph, one hundred and twelve;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	25	sons of Gibeon, ninety-five;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	26	men of Bethlehem and Netophah, one hundred and eighty-eight;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	27	men of Anathoth, one hundred and twenty-eight;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	28	men of Beth-Azmaveth, forty-two;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	29	men of Kiriath-Jearim, Chephirah and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty-three;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	30	men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	31	men of Michmas, one hundred and twenty-two;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	32	men of Bethel and Ai, one hundred and twenty-three;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	33	men of the other Nebo, fifty-two;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	34	sons of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	35	sons of Harim, three hundred and twenty;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	36	sons of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	37	sons of Lod, Hadid and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-one;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	38	sons of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	39	The priests: sons of Jedaiah, of the House of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	40	sons of Immer, one thousand and fifty-two;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	41	sons of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	42	sons of Harim, one thousand and seventeen.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	43	The Levites: sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodiah, seventy-four.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	44	The singers: sons of Asaph, one hundred and forty-eight.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	45	The gatekeepers: sons of Shallum, sons of Ater, sons of Talmon, sons of Akkub, sons of Hatita, sons of Shobai, one hundred and thirty-eight.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	46	The temple slaves: sons of Ziha, sons of Hasupha, sons of Tabbaoth,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	47	sons of Keros, sons of Sia, sons of Padon,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	48	sons of Lebana, sons of Hagaba, sons of Shalmai,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	49	sons of Hanan, sons of Giddel, sons of Gahar,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	50	sons of Reaiah, sons of Rezin, sons of Nekoda,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	51	sons of Gazzam, sons of Uzza, sons of Paseah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	52	sons of Besai, sons of the Meunites, sons of the Nephusites,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	53	sons of Bakbuk, sons of Hakupha, sons of Harhur,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	54	sons of Bazlith, sons of Mehida, sons of Harsha,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	55	sons of Barkos, sons of Sisera, sons of Temah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	56	sons of Nezaiah, sons of Hatipha.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	57	The sons of Solomon's slaves: sons of Sotai, sons of Sophereth, sons of Perida,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	58	sons of Jaala, sons of Darkon, sons of Giddel,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	59	sons of Shephatiah, sons of Hattil, sons of Pochereth-ha-Zebaim, sons of Amon.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	60	The total of the temple slaves and the sons of Solomon's slaves: three hundred and ninety-two.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	61	The following, who came from Tel-Melah, Tel-Harsha, Cherub, Addon and Immer, could not prove that their families and ancestry were of Israelite origin:
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	62	the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda: six hundred and forty-two.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	63	And among the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai -- who had married one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, whose name he adopted.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	64	These had looked for their entries in the official genealogies but were not to be found there, and were hence disqualified from the priesthood.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	65	Consequently, His Excellency forbade them to eat any of the consecrated food until a priest appeared who could consult urim and thummim.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	66	The whole assembly numbered forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty people,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	67	not counting their slaves and maidservants to the number of seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven. They also had two hundred and forty-five male and female singers.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	68	They had four hundred and thirty-five camels and six thousand seven hundred and twenty donkeys.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	69	A certain number of heads of families contributed to the work. His Excellency contributed one thousand gold drachmas, fifty bowls, and thirty priestly robes to the fund.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	70	And heads of families gave twenty thousand gold drachmas and two thousand two hundred silver minas to the work fund.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	71	The gifts made by the rest of the people amounted to twenty thousand gold drachmas, two thousand silver minas, and sixty-seven priestly robes.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	7	72	The priests, the Levites and some of the people lived in Jerusalem and thereabouts; the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple slaves in their appropriate towns; and all the other Israelites, in their own towns. Now when the seventh month came round --
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	1	all the people gathered as one man in the square in front of the Water Gate, and asked the scribe Ezra to bring the Book of the Law of Moses which Yahweh had prescribed for Israel.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	2	Accordingly, on the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the Law before the assembly, consisting of men, women and all those old enough to understand.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	3	In the square in front of the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women, and of those old enough to understand, he read from the book from dawn till noon; all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	4	The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose; beside him stood, on his right, Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; on his left, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	5	In full view of all the people -- since he stood higher than them all -- Ezra opened the book; and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	6	Then Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and answered, 'Amen! Amen!'; then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before Yahweh.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	7	And Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabab, Hanan, Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the Law to the people, while the people all kept their places.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	8	Ezra read from the book of the Law of God, translating and giving the sense; so the reading was understood.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	9	Then His Excellency Nehemiah and the priest-scribe Ezra and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people, 'Today is sacred to Yahweh your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.' For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	10	He then said, 'You may go; eat what is rich, drink what is sweet and send a helping to the man who has nothing prepared. For today is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of Yahweh is your stronghold.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	11	And the Levites calmed all the people down, saying, 'Keep quiet; this is a sacred day. Do not be sad.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	12	Then all the people went off to eat and drink and give helpings away and enjoy themselves to the full, since they had understood the meaning of what had been proclaimed to them.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	13	On the second day, the heads of families of the whole people, and the priests and Levites, gathered round the scribe Ezra to study the words of the Law.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	14	And written in the Law that Yahweh had prescribed through Moses they found that the Israelites were to live in shelters during the feast of the seventh month.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	15	So they issued a proclamation and had it circulated in all their towns and in Jerusalem: 'Go into the hills and bring branches of olive, pine, myrtle, palm and other leafy trees to make shelters, as it says in the book.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	16	The people went out; they brought branches and made shelters for themselves, each man on his roof, in their courtyards, in the precincts of the Temple of God, in the square of the Water Gate and in the square of the Ephraim Gate.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	17	The whole assembly, all who had returned from the captivity, put up shelters and lived in them; this the Israelites had not done from the days of Joshua son of Nun till that day, and there was very great merrymaking.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	8	18	Each day, from the first day to the last one, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the feast for seven days; on the eighth day, as prescribed, they held a solemn assembly.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	1	On the twenty-fourth day of this month the Israelites, in sackcloth and with dust on their heads, assembled for a fast.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	2	Then those of Israelite stock who had severed relations with all foreigners stood up and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their ancestors.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	3	Standing, each man in his place, they read from the Book of the Law of Yahweh their God for one quarter of the day; for another quarter they confessed their sins and worshipped Yahweh their God.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	4	On the Levites' platform stood Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Chenani, calling to Yahweh their God in ringing tones.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	5	The Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah said, 'Stand up and bless Yahweh your God! 'Blessed are you, Yahweh our God from everlasting to everlasting, and blessed be your glorious name, surpassing all blessing and praise!
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	6	'You, Yahweh, are the one, only Yahweh, you have created the heavens, the heaven of heavens and all their array, the earth and all it bears, the seas and all they hold. To all of them you give life, and the array of heaven worships you.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	7	'You are Yahweh God, who chose Abram, brought him out of Ur in Chaldaea and changed his name to Abraham.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	8	Finding his heart was faithful to you, you made a covenant with him, to give the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites and the Girgashites to him and his descendants. And you have made good your promises, for you are upright.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	9	'You saw the distress of our ancestors in Egypt, you heard their cry by the Sea of Reeds.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	10	You displayed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his servants and all the people of his land; for you knew how arrogantly they treated them. You won a reputation which you keep to this day.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	11	You opened up the sea in front of them: they walked on dry ground right through the sea. Into the depths you hurled their pursuers like a stone into the raging waters.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	12	With a pillar of cloud you led them by day, with a pillar of fire by night: to light the way ahead of them by which they were to go.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	13	You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven; you gave them right rules, reliable laws, good statutes and commandments;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	14	you revealed your holy Sabbath to them; you laid down commandments, statutes and law for them through your servant Moses.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	15	For their hunger you gave them bread from heaven, for their thirst you brought them water out of a rock, and you told them to go in and take possession of the country which you had sworn to give them.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	16	'But they and our ancestors acted arrogantly, grew obstinate and flouted your commands.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	17	They refused to obey, forgetful of the wonders which you had worked for them; they grew obstinate and made up their minds to return to their slavery in Egypt. But because you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, patient and rich in faithful love, you did not abandon them!
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	18	'Even when they cast themselves a calf out of molten metal and said, "This is your God who brought you up from Egypt!" and committed monstrous impieties,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	19	you, in your great compassion, did not abandon them in the desert: the pillar of cloud did not leave them, leading them on their path by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, lighting the way ahead of them by which they were to go.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	20	You gave them your good spirit to instruct them, you did not withhold your manna from their mouths, you gave them water for their thirst.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	21	For forty years you cared for them in the desert, so that they went short of nothing, their clothes did not wear out, nor were their feet swollen.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	22	'You gave them kingdoms and peoples, allotting them these as frontier lands; they occupied the country of Sihon king of Heshbon, and the country of Og king of Bashan.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	23	You gave them as many children as there are stars in the sky, and brought them into the country which you had promised their ancestors that they would enter and possess.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	24	The children entered and took possession of the country and before them you subdued the country's inhabitants, the Canaanites, whom you put at their mercy, with their kings and the peoples of the country, for them to treat as they pleased;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	25	they captured fortified towns and a fertile countryside, they took possession of houses stocked with all kinds of goods, of storage-wells ready-hewn, of vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in profusion; so they ate, were full, grew fat and revelled in your great goodness.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	26	'But they grew disobedient, rebelled against you and thrust your law behind their backs; they slaughtered your prophets who had reproved them to bring them back to you, and committed monstrous impieties.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	27	So you put them at the mercy of their enemies who oppressed them. But when they were being oppressed and called to you, you heard them from heaven and because of your great compassion you gave them deliverers who rescued them from their oppressors' clutches.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	28	But once at peace again, again they did what was wrong before you; so you put them at the mercy of their enemies who then became their rulers. When they called to you again, you heard them from heaven and, because of your compassion, rescued them many times.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	29	You warned them, to bring them back to your law, but they became arrogant, did not obey your commandments and sinned against your rules, in whose observance is life; they turned a stubborn shoulder, were obstinate, and disobeyed.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	30	You were patient with them for many years and warned them by your spirit through your prophets, but they would not listen; so you put them at the mercy of the people of the country.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	31	But, because of your great compassion, you did not destroy them completely nor abandon them, for you are a gracious, compassionate God.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	32	Now, our God -- the great God, the Mighty and Awe-inspiring One, maintaining the covenant and your faithful love- count as no small thing this misery which has befallen us, our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, and all your people from the times of the Assyrian kings to the present day.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	33	You have been upright in all that has happened to us, for you acted faithfully, while we did wrong.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	34	Our kings, our princes, our priests and our ancestors did not keep your law or pay attention to your commandments and obligations which you imposed upon them.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	35	Even in their own kingdom, despite your great goodness which you bestowed on them, despite the wide and fertile country which you had lavished on them, they did not serve you or renounce their evil deeds.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	36	See, we are slaves today, slaves in the country which you gave to our ancestors for them to eat the good things it produces.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	9	37	Its abundant produce goes to the kings whom, for our sins, you have set over us, who rule over our persons and over our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	1	In view of all this we make a firm agreement, in writing. Our princes, our Levites, our priests and the rest of the people have put their names to the document under seal.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	2	On the sealed document were the names of: Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	3	Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	4	Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	5	Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	6	Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	7	Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	8	Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	9	Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these were the priests.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	10	The Levites were: Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	11	and their kinsmen Shebaniah, Hodaviah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	12	Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	13	Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	14	Hodiah, Bani, Chenani.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	15	The leaders of the people were: Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	16	Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	17	Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	18	Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	19	Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	20	Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	21	Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	22	Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	23	Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	24	Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	25	Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	26	Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	27	Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	28	Malluch, Harim, Baanah.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	29	And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple slaves and all those who had severed relations with the people of the country to adhere to the law of God, as also their wives, their sons, their daughters, that is, all those who had reached the age of discretion,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	30	have joined their esteemed brothers in a solemn oath to follow the law of God given through Moses, servant of God, and to observe and practise all the commandments of Yahweh our Lord, with his rules and his statutes.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	31	We will not give our daughters in marriage to the peoples of the country, nor allow their daughters to marry our sons.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	32	If the people of the country bring goods or foodstuff of any kind to sell on the Sabbath day, we will buy nothing from them on Sabbath or holy day. In the seventh year, we will forgo the produce of the soil and the exaction of all debts.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	33	We recognise the following obligations: to give one-third of a shekel yearly for the service of the Temple of our God:
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	34	for the loaves of permanent offering, for the perpetual oblation, for the perpetual burnt offering, for the sacrifices on Sabbaths, on New Moons and on festivals, for the consecrated gifts, the sin offerings to expiate for Israel, in short, for the whole work of the Temple of our God;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	35	Furthermore, as regards deliveries of wood for burning on the altar of our God as the law prescribes, we have arranged, by drawing lots, how these deliveries are to be made at the Temple of our God by the priests, the Levites and the people by families, at stated times every year.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	36	and further, to bring yearly to the Temple of our God the first-fruits of our soil and the first-fruits of all our orchards,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	37	also the first-born of our sons and of our cattle, as the law prescribes, the first-born of our herds and flocks should be taken to the Temple of our God for the priests officiating in the Temple of our God.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	38	Furthermore, we shall bring the best of our dough, of every kind of fruit, of the new wine and of the oil to the priests, to the storerooms of the Temple of our God, and the tithe on our soil to the Levites -- the Levites will themselves collect the tithes from all the towns of our religion.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	39	An Aaronite priest will accompany the Levites when they collect the tithes, and the Levites will bring a tenth part
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	10	40	a,b of the tithes to the Temple of our God, into the treasury storerooms; for these rooms are where the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of corn, wine and oil, and where the vessels of the sanctuary are, and the officiating priests, the gatekeepers and the singers.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	1	Now the leaders of the people took up residence in Jerusalem; so the rest of the people drew lots: one man in ten was to come and live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine were to stay in the towns outside.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	2	The people praised all those who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	3	In the towns of Judah each man lived on his own property, but these are the provincial leaders, the Israelites, the priests, the Levites, the temple slaves and the descendants of Solomon's slaves, who made their homes in Jerusalem:
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	4	Of the sons of Judah and the sons of Benjamin who made their homes in Jerusalem there were: Of the sons of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mehalalel, of the descendants of Perez;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	5	and Maaseiah son of Baruch, son of Col-Hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of Zechariah, descendant of Shelah.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	6	The total number of the descendants of Perez living in Jerusalem was four hundred and sixty-eight outstanding people.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	7	These are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	8	and his brothers Gabbai and Sallai; nine hundred and twenty-eight.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	9	Joel son of Zichri was their chief, and Judah son of Hassenuah was second in command of the city.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	10	Of the priests there were Jedaiah son of Joiakim, son of
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	11	Seraiah, son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the chief of the Temple of God,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	12	and their kinsmen who performed the Temple liturgy: eight hundred and twenty-two; Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	13	and his kinsfolk, heads of families: two hundred and forty-two; and Amashai son of Azarel, son of Ahzai, son of Meshillemoth, son of Immer,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	14	and his kinsfolk, outstanding people: one hundred and twenty-eight. Their chief was Zabdiel son of Haggadol.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	15	Of the Levites there were Shemaiah son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	16	Shabbethai and Jozabad, the levitical leaders responsible for work outside the Temple of God;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	17	Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, who led the praises and intoned the thanksgiving associated with the prayer, Bakbukiah being his junior colleague; and Obadiah son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	18	The total number of Levites in the holy city was two hundred and eighty-four.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	19	The gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon and their kinsmen, who kept watch at the gates: one hundred and seventy-two.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	20	The rest of Israel, including the priests and Levites, made their homes throughout the towns of Judah, each man on his own inheritance,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	21	The temple slaves lived on Ophel; Ziha and Gishpa were in charge of the temple slaves.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	22	The official in charge of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, who led the singing in the liturgy of the Temple of God;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	23	for the singers were under royal orders, with regulations laying down what was required of them day by day.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	24	Petahiah son of Meshezabel, of the sons of Zerah son of Judah, was the king's minister for all matters connected with the people.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	25	and in the villages near their lands. Some of the sons of Judah made their homes in Kiriath-Arba and its dependencies, Dibon and its dependencies, Jekabzeel and its dependencies,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	26	Jeshua, Moladah, Beth-Pelet,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	27	Hazar-Shual, Beersheba and its dependencies,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	28	Ziklag, Meconah and its dependencies,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	29	En-Rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	30	Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, Lachish and its lands, and Azekah and its dependencies; thus, they settled from Beersheba as far as the Valley of Hinnom.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	31	And some Benjaminites made their homes in Geba, Michmash, Aija, Bethel and its dependencies,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	32	Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	33	Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	34	Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	35	Lod, Ono and the Valley of Craftsmen.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	11	36	Some levitical groups lived in Judah, some in Benjamin.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	1	These are the priests and the Levites who came back with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua:
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	2	Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	3	Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	4	Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	5	Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	6	Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	7	Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah -- these were the heads of the priests and their kinsmen in the days of Jeshua.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	8	The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, Mattaniah -- this last, with his brothers, was in charge of the songs of praise,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	9	while Bakbukiah and Unno, their colleagues, formed the alternate choir to theirs.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	10	Jeshua fathered Joiakim, Joiakim fathered Eliashib, Eliashib fathered Joiada,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	11	Joiada fathered Johanan, and Johanan fathered Jaddua.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	12	In the days of Joiakim the heads of the priestly families were: family of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	13	of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	14	of Malluch, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	15	of Harim, Adna; of Meremoth, Helkai;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	16	of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	17	of Abijah, Zichri; of Minjamin, . . .; of Moadiah, Piltai;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	18	of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	19	and of Jojarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	20	of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	21	of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	22	In the time of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua, the heads of the families of priests were registered in the Book of Chronicles, up to the reign of Darius the Persian.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	23	The Levites who were heads of families were registered in the Book of Chronicles up to the time of Johanan, grandson of Eliashib.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	24	The heads of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, while their brothers who formed an alternate choir for the hymns of praise and thanksgiving, as David, man of God, had prescribed, section corresponding to section,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	25	were Mattaniah, Bakbukiah and Obadiah. Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were the gatekeepers guarding the stores at the gates.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	26	These lived in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest-scribe.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	27	At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem the Levites were sent for, wherever they lived, to come to Jerusalem and joyfully perform the dedication with hymns of thanksgiving and songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, lyres and harps.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	28	Accordingly, the levitical singers assembled from the district round Jerusalem, from the villages of the Netophathites,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	29	from Beth-Gilgal and from their farms at Geba and Azmaveth -- for the singers had built themselves villages all round Jerusalem.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	30	When the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they then purified the people, the gates and the wall.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	31	I then made the leaders of Judah come on to the top of the wall and appointed two large choirs. One made its way along the top of the wall, to the right, towards the Dung Gate;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	32	bringing up the rear were Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	33	and also Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	34	Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah and Jeremiah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	35	of the priests, with trumpets; then Zechariah son of Jonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micaiah, son of Zaccur, son of Asaph,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	36	with his kinsmen, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Juda, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David, man of God. The scribe Ezra walked at their head.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	37	At the Fountain Gate they went straight on up the steps of the City of David, along the top of the rampart by the stairway of the wall, above the Palace of David as far as the Water Gate, on the east.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	38	The other choir made its way to the left; I and half the leaders of the people followed them along the top of the wall from the Tower of the Furnaces to the Broad Wall,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	39	from the Ephraim Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred as far as the Sheep Gate, and they came to a halt at the Prison Gate.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	40	The two choirs then took their places in the Temple of God. But I had half the magistrates with me
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	41	as well as the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, Hananiah with the trumpets,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	42	and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam and Ezer. The singers sang loudly under the direction of Jezrahiah.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	43	There were great sacrifices offered that day and the people rejoiced, God having given them good cause for rejoicing; the women and children rejoiced too, and the joy of Jerusalem could be heard from far away.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	44	For the rooms intended for the treasures, contributions, first-fruits and tithes, supervisors were then appointed whose business it was to collect in them those portions from the town lands awarded by the Law to the priests and Levites. For Judah rejoiced in the officiating priests and Levites,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	45	since they -- with the singers and gatekeepers -- performed the liturgy of their God and the rites of purification as ordained by David and his son Solomon.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	46	For from ancient times, from the days of David and Asaph, they had been the leaders in rendering hymns of praise and thanksgiving to God.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	12	47	In the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, all Israel supplied regular daily portions for the singers and gatekeepers, and gave the dedicated contributions to the Levites; and the Levites gave the dedicated contributions to the Aaronites.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	1	At that time they were reading to the people from the Book of Moses, when they found this written in it, 'No Ammonite or Moabite is to be admitted to the assembly of God, and this is for all time,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	2	since they did not come to meet the Israelites with bread and water, and even hired Balaam to oppose them by cursing them; but our God turned the curse into a blessing.'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	3	Having heard the Law, they excluded all foreigners from Israel.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	4	Earlier, Eliashib the priest, who was in charge of the rooms of the Temple of our God, and who was close to Tobiah,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	5	had provided him with a large room where they previously used to store the meal offerings, incense, utensils, tithes of corn, wine and oil, that is, the part of the Levites, singers and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	6	While all this was going on I was away from Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had gone to see the king. But after some time I asked the king for permission to leave,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	7	and returned to Jerusalem, where I learned about the crime which Eliashib had committed for Tobiah's benefit, by providing him with a room in the courts of the Temple of God.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	8	I was extremely displeased and threw all Tobiah's household goods out of the room and into the street.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	9	I then gave orders for the room to be purified, and had the utensils of the Temple of God, the meal offerings and the incense, all replaced.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	10	I also learned that the Levites had not been receiving their allocations, as a result of which the Levites and singers who performed the liturgy had all withdrawn to their farms.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	11	I then reprimanded the officials. 'Why is the Temple of God deserted?' I asked. And I collected them together again and brought them back to their posts;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	12	and all Judah then delivered the tithe of corn, wine and oil to the storehouses.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	13	As supervisors of the storehouses I appointed Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, Pedaiah one of the Levites and, as their assistant, Hanan son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah, since they were considered reliable people; their duty was to make the distributions to their kinsmen.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	14	Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out the good deeds which I have done for the Temple of my God and its observances!
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	15	At the same time I saw people in Judah treading the winepress, bringing in sacks of grain and loading donkeys on the Sabbath; they were also bringing wine, grapes, figs and every kind of merchandise into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I forbade them to sell the food.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	16	Tyrians living there were bringing in fish and every kind of merchandise which they were selling to the Judaeans on the Sabbath in Jerusalem itself.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	17	So I also reprimanded the leading men of Judah, saying to them, 'What a wicked way to behave, profaning the Sabbath day!
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	18	Was this not exactly what your ancestors did, with the result that our God brought all this misery down on us and on this city? And now you are adding to the wrath hanging over Israel by profaning the Sabbath yourselves!'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	19	So when the gates of Jerusalem were getting dark at the approach of the Sabbath, I gave orders for the doors to be shut and directed that they were not to be opened again until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my attendants at the gates to make sure that no merchandise was brought in on the Sabbath day.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	20	So the traders and dealers in goods of all kinds spent the night outside Jerusalem once or twice,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	21	until I reprimanded them. I said to them, 'Why are you spending the night in front of the wall? Do it again, and I shall use force on you.' After this, they did not come on the Sabbath.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	22	I then ordered the Levites to purify themselves and act as guards at the gates, so that the Sabbath day might be kept holy. Remember this also to my credit, have pity on me in the greatness of your faithful love.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	23	At that time too, I saw Jews who had married wives from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab;
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	24	as regards their children, half of them spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, but could no longer speak the language of Judah.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	25	I reprimanded them, I cursed them, I struck several of them and tore out their hair and adjured them by God, 'You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons or let their daughters marry your sons, or marry them yourselves!
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	26	Was it not because of women like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Although among many nations there was no king like him and he was loved by his God, and God made him king of all Israel, even then foreign women led him into sinning!
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	27	Were you obedient when you committed this very grave crime: breaking faith with our God by marrying foreign wives?'
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	28	One of the sons of Jehoiada, son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite; I drove him from my presence.
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	29	Remember them, my God, for having defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priests and Levites!
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	30	And so I purged them of everything foreign; I drew up regulations for the priests and Levites, defining each man's duty,
 Nehemiah	Neh	16	13	31	as well as for the deliveries of wood at the proper times, and for the first-fruits. Remember this, my God, to my credit!
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	1	The tale of Tobit son of Tobiel, son of Ananiel, son of Aduel, son of Gabael, of the lineage of Asiel and tribe of Naphtali.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	2	In the days of Shalmaneser king of Assyria, he was exiled from Thisbe, which is south of Kedesh-Naphtali in Upper Galilee, above Hazor, some distance to the west, north of Shephat.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	3	I, Tobit, have walked in paths of truth and in good works all the days of my life. I have given much in alms to my brothers and fellow country-folk, exiled like me to Nineveh in the country of Assyria.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	4	In my young days, when I was still at home in the land of Israel, the whole tribe of Naphtali my ancestor broke away from the House of David and from Jerusalem, though this was the city chosen out of all the tribes of Israel for their sacrifices; here, the Temple-- God's dwelling-place-- had been built and hollowed for all generations to come.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	5	All my brothers and the House of Naphtali sacrificed on every hill-top in Galilee to the calf that Jeroboam king of Israel had made at Dan.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	6	Often I was quite alone in making the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, fulfilling the Law that binds all Israel perpetually. I would hurry to Jerusalem with the first yield of fruits and beasts, the tithe of cattle and the sheep's first shearings.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	7	I would give these to the priests, the sons of Aaron, for the altar. To the Levites ministering at Jerusalem I would give my tithe of wine and corn, olives, pomegranates and other fruits. Six years in succession I took the second tithe in money and went and paid it annually at Jerusalem.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	8	I gave the third to orphans and widows and to the strangers who live among the Israelites; I brought it them as a gift every three years. When we ate, we obeyed both the ordinances of the law of Moses and the exhortations of Deborah the mother of our ancestor Ananiel; for my father had dies and left me an orphan.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	9	When I came to man's estate, I married a woman from our kinsfolk whose name was Anna; she bore me a son whom I called Tobias.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	10	When the banishment into Assyria came, I was taken away and went to Nineveh. All my brothers and the people of my race ate the food of the heathen,
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	11	but for my part I was careful not to eat the food of the heathen.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	12	And because I had kept faith with my God with my whole heart,
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	13	the Most High granted me the favour of Shalmaneser, and I became the king's purveyor.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	14	Until his death I used to travel to Media, where I transacted business on his behalf, and I deposited sacks of silver worth ten talents with Gabael the brother of Gabrias at Rhages in Media.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	15	On the death of Shalmaneser his son Sennacherib succeeded; the roads into Media were barred, and I could no longer go there.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	16	In the days of Shalmaneser I had often given alms to the people of my race;
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	17	I gave my bread to the hungry and clothes to those who lacked them; and I buried, when I saw them, the bodies of my country-folk thrown over the walls of Nineveh.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	18	I also buried those who were killed by Sennacherib. When Sennacherib was beating a disorderly retreat from Judaea after the King of heaven had punished his blasphemies, he killed a great number of Israelites in his rage. So I stole their bodies to bury them; Sennacherib looked for them and could not find them.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	19	A Ninevite went and told the king it was I who had buried them secretly. When I knew that the king had been told about me and saw myself being hunted by men who would put me to death, I was afraid and fled.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	20	All my goods were seized; they were all confiscated by the treasury; nothing was left me but my wife Anna and my son Tobias.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	21	Less than forty days after this, the king was murdered by his two sons, who then fled to the mountains of Ararat. His son Esarhaddon succeeded. Ahikar the son of my brother Anael, was appointed chancellor of the exchequer for the kingdom and given the main ordering of affairs.
 Tobit	Tob	17	1	22	Ahikar then interceded for me and I was allowed to return to Nineveh, since Ahikar had been chief cupbearer, keeper of the signet, administrator and treasurer under Sennacherib king of Assyria, and Esarhaddon had kept him in office. He was a relation of mine; he was my nephew.
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	1	In the reign of Esarhaddon, therefore, I returned home, and my wife Anna was restored to me with my son Tobias. At our feast of Pentecost (the feast of Weeks) there was a good dinner. I took my place for the meal;
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	2	the table was brought to me and various dishes were brought. I then said to my son Tobias, 'Go, my child, and seek out some poor, loyal-hearted man among our brothers exiled in Nineveh, and bring him to share my meal. I will wait until you come back, my child.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	3	So Tobias went out to look for some poor man among our brothers, but he came back again and said, 'Father!' I replied, 'What is it, my child?' He went on, 'Father, one of our nation has just been murdered; he has been strangled and then thrown down in the market place; he is there still.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	4	I sprang up at once, left my meal untouched, took the man from the market place and laid him in one of my rooms, waiting until sunset to bury him.
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	5	I came in again and washed myself and ate my bread in sorrow,
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	6	remembering the words of the prophet Amos concerning Bethel: I shall turn your festivals into mourning and all your singing into lamentation.
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	7	And I wept. When the sun was down, I went and dug a grave and buried him.
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	8	My neighbours laughed and said, 'See! He is not afraid any more.' (You must remember that a price had been set on my head earlier for this very thing.) 'Once before he had to flee, yet here he is, beginning to bury the dead again.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	9	That night I took a bath; then I went into the courtyard and lay down by the courtyard wall. Since it was hot I left my face uncovered.
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	10	I did not know that there were sparrows in the wall above my head; their hot droppings fell into my eyes. This caused white spots to form, which I went to have treated by the doctors. But the more ointments they tried me with, the more the spots blinded me, and in the end, I become completely blind. I remained without sight four years; all my brothers were distressed on my behalf; and Ahikar provided for my upkeep for two years, until he left for Elymais.
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	11	My wife Anna then undertook woman's work; she would spin wool and take cloth to weave;
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	12	she used to deliver whatever had been ordered from her and then receive payment. Now on the seventh day of the month of Dystros, she finished a piece of work and delivered it to her customers. They paid her all that was due, and into the bargain presented her with a kid for a meal.
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	13	When the kid came into my house, it began to bleat. I called to my wife and said, 'Where does this creature come from? Suppose it has been stolen! Let the owners have it back; we have no right to eat stolen goods'.
 Tobit	Tob	17	2	14	She said, 'No, it was a present given me over and above my wages.' I did not believe her, and told her to give it back to the owners (I felt deeply ashamed of her). To which, she replied, 'What about your own alms? What about your own good works? Everyone knows what return you have had for them.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	1	Then, sad at heart, I sighed and wept, and began this prayer of lamentation:
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	2	You are just, O Lord, and just are all your works. All your ways are grace and truth, and you are the Judge of the world.
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	3	Therefore, Lord, remember me, look on me. Do not punish me for my sins or for my needless faults or those of my ancestors.
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	4	For we have sinned against you and broken your commandments; and you have given us over to be plundered, to captivity and death, to be the talk, the laughing-stock and scorn of all the nations among whom you have dispersed us.
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	5	And now all your decrees are true when you deal with me as my faults deserve, and those of my ancestors. For we have neither kept your commandments nor walked in truth before you.
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	6	So now, do with me as you will; be pleased to take my life from me; so that I may be delivered from earth and become earth again. Better death than life for me, for I have endured groundless insult and am in deepest sorrow. Lord, be pleased to deliver me from this affliction. Let me go away to my everlasting home; do not turn your face from me, O Lord. Better death for me than life prolonged in the face of unrelenting misery: I can no longer bear to listen to insults.
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	7	It chanced on the same day that Sarah the daughter of Raguel, who lived in Media at Ecbatana, also heard insults from one of her father's maids.
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	8	For she had been given in marriage seven times, and Asmodeus, the worst of demons, had killed her bridegrooms one after another before ever they had slept with her as man with wife. The servant-girl said, 'Yes, you kill your bridegrooms yourself. That makes seven already to whom you have been given, and you have not once been in luck yet.
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	9	Just because your bridegrooms have died, that is no reason for punishing us. Go and join them, and may we be spared the sight of any child of yours!'
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	10	That day, she grieved, she sobbed, and she went up to her father's room intending to hang herself. But then she thought, 'Suppose they were to blame my father! They would say, "You had an only daughter whom you loved, and now she has hanged herself for grief." I cannot cause my father a sorrow which would bring down his old age to the dwelling of the dead. I should do better not to hang myself, but to beg the Lord to let my die and not live to hear any more insults.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	11	And at this, by the window, with outstretched arms she said this prayer: You are blessed, O God of mercy! May your name be blessed for ever, and may all things you have made bless you everlastingly.
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	12	And now I turn my face and I raise my eyes to you.
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	13	Let your word deliver me from earth; I can hear myself insulted no longer.
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	14	O Lord, you know that I have remained pure; no man has touched me;
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	15	I have not dishonoured your name or my father's name in this land of exile. I am my father's only daughter, he has no other child as heir; he has no brother at his side, nor has he any kinsman left for whom I ought to keep myself. I have lost seven husbands already; why should I live any longer? If it does not please you to take my life, then look on me with pity; I can no longer bear to hear myself defamed.
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	16	This time the prayer of each of them found favour before the glory of God,
 Tobit	Tob	17	3	17	and Raphael was sent to bring remedy to them both. He was to take the white spots from the eyes of Tobit, so that he might see God's light with his own eyes; and he was to give Sarah the daughter of Raguel as bride to Tobias son of Tobit, and to rid her of Asmodeus, that worst of demons. for it was to Tobias before all other suitors that she belonged by right. Tobit was coming back from the courtyard into the house at the same moment as Sarah the daughter of Raguel was coming down from the upper room.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	1	The same day Tobit remembered the silver that he had left with Gabael at Rhages in Media
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	2	and thought, 'I have come to the point of praying for death; I should do well to call my son Tobias and tell him about the money before I die.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	3	He summoned his son Tobias and told him, 'When I die, give me an honourable burial. Honour your mother, and never abandon her all the days of your life. Do all that she wants, and give her no reason for sorrow.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	4	Remember, my child, all the risks she ran for your sake when you were in her womb. And when she dies, bury her at my side in the same grave.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	5	'My child, be faithful to the Lord all your days. Never entertain the will to sin or to transgress his laws. Do good works all the days of your life, never follow ways that are not upright;
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	6	for if you act in truthfulness, you will be successful in all your actions, as everyone is who practises what is upright.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	7	'Set aside part of your goods for almsgiving. Never turn your face from the poor and God will never turn his from you.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	8	Measure your alms by what you have; if you have much, give more; if you have little, do not be afraid to give less in alms.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	9	So doing, you will lay up for yourself a great treasure for the day of necessity.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	10	For almsgiving delivers from death and saves people from passing down to darkness.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	11	Almsgiving is a most effective offering for all those who do it in the presence of the Most High.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	12	'My child, avoid all loose conduct. Choose a wife of your father's stock. Do not take a foreign wife outside your father's tribe, because we are the children of the prophets. Remember Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, our ancestors from the beginning. All of them took wives from their own kindred, and they were blessed in their children, and their race will inherit the earth.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	13	You, too, my child, must love your own brothers; never presume to despise your brothers, the sons and daughters of your people; choose your wife from among them. For pride brings ruin and much worry; idleness causes need and poverty, for the mother of famine is idleness.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	14	'Do not keep back until next day the wages of those who work for you; pay them at once. If you serve God you will be rewarded. Be careful, my child, in all you do, well-disciplined in all your behaviour.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	15	Do to no one what you would not want done to you. Do not drink wine to the point of drunkenness; do not let excess be your travelling companion.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	16	'Give your bread to those who are hungry, and your clothes to those who lack clothing. Of whatever you own in plenty, devote a proportion to almsgiving; and when you give alms, do it ungrudgingly.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	17	Be generous with bread and wine on the graves of upright people, but not for the sinner.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	18	'Ask advice of every wise person; never scorn any profitable advice.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	19	Bless the Lord God in everything; beg him to guide your ways and bring your paths and purposes to their end. For wisdom is not the property of every nation; their desire for what is good is conferred by the Lord. At his will he lifts up or he casts down to the depths of the dwelling of the dead. So now, my child, remember these precepts and never let hem fade from your heart.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	20	'Now, my child, I must tell you I have left ten talents of silver with Gabael son of Gabrias, at Rhages in Media.
 Tobit	Tob	17	4	21	Do not be afraid, my child, if we have grown poor. You have great wealth if you fear God, if you shun every kind of sin and if you do what is pleasing to the Lord your God.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	1	Tobias then replied to his father Tobit, 'Father, I shall do everything you have told me.
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	2	But how am I to recover the silver from him? He does not know me, nor I him. What token am I to give him for him to believe me and hand the silver over to me? And besides, I do not know what roads to take for this journey into Media.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	3	Then Tobit answered his son Tobias, 'Each of us set his signature to a note which I cut in two, so that each could keep half of it. I took one piece, and put the other with the silver. To think it was twenty years ago I left this silver in his keeping! And now, my child, find a trustworthy travelling companion-- we shall pay him for his time until you arrive back-- and then go and collect the silver from Gabael.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	4	Tobias went out to look for a man who knew the way to go with him to Media. Outside he found Raphael the angel standing facing him, though he did not guess he was an angel of God.
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	5	He said, 'Where do you come from, friend?' The angel replied, 'I am one of your brother Israelites; I have come to these parts to look for work.' Tobias asked, 'Do you know the road to Media?'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	6	The other replied, 'Certainly I do, I have been there many times; I have knowledge and experience of all the ways. I have often been to Media and stayed with Gabael one of our kinsmen who lives at Rhages in Media. It usually takes two full days to get from Ecbatana to Rhages; Rhages lies in the mountains, and Ecbatana is in the middle of the plain.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	7	Tobias said, 'Wait for me, friend, while I go and tell my father; I need you to come with me; I shall pay you for your time.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	8	The other replied, 'Good, I shall wait; but do not be long.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	9	Tobias went in and told his father that he had found one of their brother Israelites. And the father said, 'Fetch him in; I want to find out about his family and tribe. I must see if he is going to be a reliable companion for you, my child.' So Tobias went out and called him,'Friend,' he said,'my father wants you,'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	10	The angel came into the house; Tobit greeted him, and the other answered, wishing him happiness in plenty. Tobit replied, 'Can I ever be happy again? I am a blind man; I no longer see the light of heaven; I am sunk in darkness like the dead who see the light no more. I am a man buried alive; I hear people speak but cannot see them.' The angel said,' Take comfort; before long God will heal you. Take comfort.' Tobit said, 'My son Tobias wishes to go to Media. Will you join him as his guide? Brother, I will pay you.' He replied,' I am willing to go with him; I know all the ways; I have often been to Media, I have crossed all its plains and mountains, and I know all its roads.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	11	Tobit said, 'Brother, what family and what tribe do you belong to? Will you tell me, brother?'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	12	'What does my tribe matter to you?' the angel said. Tobit said, 'I want to be quite sure whose son you are and what your name is.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	13	The angel said, 'I am Azarias, son of the great Ananias, one of your kinsmen.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	14	'Welcome and greetings, brother! Do not be offended at my wanting to know the name of your family; I find you are my kinsman of a good and honourable line. I know Ananias and Nathan, the two sons of the great Shemaiah. They used to go to Jerusalem with me; we have worshipped together there and they have never strayed from the right path. Your brothers are worthy men; you come of good stock; welcome.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	15	He went on, 'I engage you at a drachma a day, with the same expenses as my own son's. Complete the journey with my son
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	16	and I shall go beyond the agreed wage.' The angel replied, 'I shall complete the journey with him. Do not be afraid. On the journey outward all will be well; on the journey back all will be well; the road is safe.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	17	Tobit said, 'Blessings on you, brother!' Then he turned to his son. 'My child', he said, 'prepare what you need for the journey, and set off with your brother. May God in heaven protect you abroad and bring you both back to me safe and sound! May his angel go with you and protect you, my child!' Tobias left the house to set out and kissed his father and mother. Tobit said,' A happy journey!'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	18	His mother burst into tears and said to Tobit, 'Why must you send my child away? Is he not the staff of our hands, as he goes about before us?
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	19	Surely money is not the only thing that matters? Surely it is not as precious as our child?
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	20	The way of life God had already given us was good enough.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	21	He said, 'Do not think such thoughts. Going away and coming back, all will be well with our child. You will see for yourself when he comes back safe and sound! Do not think such thoughts; do not worry on their account, my sister.
 Tobit	Tob	17	5	22	A good angel will go with him; he will have a good journey and come back to us well and happy.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	1	And she dried her tears.
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	2	The boy left with the angel, and the dog followed behind. The two walked on, and when the first evening came they camped beside the Tigris.
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	3	The boy had gone down to the river to wash his feet, when a great fish leapt out of the water and tried to swallow his foot. The boy gave a shout
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	4	and the angel said, 'Catch the fish; do not let it go.' The boy mastered the fish and pulled it onto the bank.
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	5	The angel said, 'Cut it open; take out gall, heart and liver; set these aside and throw the entrails away, for gall and heart and liver have curative properties.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	6	The boy cut the fish open and took out gall and heart and liver. He fried part of the fish for his meal and kept some for salting. Then they walked on again together until they were nearly in Media.
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	7	Then the boy asked the angel this question, 'Brother Azarias, what can the fish's heart, liver and gall cure?'
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	8	He replied, 'You burn the fish's heart and liver, and their smoke is used in the case of a man or woman plagued by a demon or evil spirit; any such affliction disappears for good, leaving no trace.
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	9	As regards the gall, this is used as an eye ointment for anyone having white spots on his eyes; after using it, you have only to blow on the spots to cure them.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	10	They entered Media and had nearly reached Ecbatana
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	11	when Raphael said to the boy, 'Brother Tobias.' 'Yes?' he replied. The angel went on, 'Tonight we are to stay with Raguel, who is a kinsman of yours. He has a daughter called Sarah,
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	12	but apart from Sarah he has no other son or daughter. Now you are her next of kin; she belongs to you before anyone else and you may claim her father's inheritance. She is a thoughtful, courageous and very lovely girl, and her father loves her dearly.
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	13	You have the right to marry her. Listen, brother; this very evening I shall speak about the girl to her father and arrange for her to be betrothed to you, and when we come back from Rhages we can celebrate the marriage. I assure you, Raguel has no right whatever to refuse you or to betroth her to anyone else. That would be asking for death, as prescribed in the Book of Moses, once he is aware that kinship gives you the pre-eminent right to marry his daughter. So listen, brother. This very evening we shall speak about the girl and ask for her hand in marriage. When we come back from Rhages we shall fetch her and take her home with us.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	14	Tobias replied to Raphael, 'Brother Azarias, I have been told that she has already been given in marriage seven times and that each time her bridegroom has died in the bridal room. He died the same night as he entered her room; and I have heard people say it was a demon that killed them,
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	15	and this makes me afraid. To her the demon does no harm because he loves her, but as soon as a man tries to approach her, he kills him. I am my father's only son, and I have no wish to die. I do not want my father and mother to grieve over me for the rest of their lives; they have no other son to bury them,'
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	16	The angel said, 'Have you forgotten your father's advice? After all, he urged you to choose a wife from your father's family. Listen then, brother. Do not worry about the demon; take her. This very evening, I promise, she will be given you as your wife.
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	17	Then once you are in the bridal room, take the heart and liver of the fish and lay a little of it on the burning incense. The reek will rise,
 Tobit	Tob	17	6	18	the demon will smell it and flee, and there is no danger that he will ever be found near the girl again. Then, before you sleep together, first stand up, both of you, and pray. Ask the Lord of heaven to grant you his grace and protection. Do not be afraid; she was destined for you from the beginning, and you are the one to save her. She will follow you, and I pledge my word she will give you children who will be like brothers to you. Do not worry.' And when Tobias heard Raphael say this, when he understood that Sarah was his sister, a kinswoman of his father's family, he fell so deeply in love with her that he could no longer call his heart his won.
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	1	As they entered Ecbatana, Tobias said, 'Brother Azarias, take me at once to our brother Raguel's.' And he showed him the way to the house of Raguel, whom they found sitting beside his courtyard door. They greeted him first, and he replied, 'Welcome and greetings, brothers.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	2	He said to his wife Edna, 'How like my brother Tobit this young man is!'
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	3	Edna asked them where they came from; they said, 'We are sons of Naphtali exiled in Nineveh.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	4	'Do you know our brother Tobit?' 'Yes.' 'How is he?'
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	5	'He is alive and well.' And Tobias added, 'He is my father.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	6	Raguel leapt to his feet and kissed him and wept.
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	7	Then, finding words, he said, 'Blessings on you, child! You are the son of a noble father. How sad it is that someone so bright and full of good deeds should have gone blind!' He fell on the neck of his kinsman Tobias and wept.
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	8	And his wife Edna wept for him, and so did his daughter Sarah.
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	9	Raguel killed a ram from the flock, and they gave them a warm welcome. They washed and bathed and sat down to table. Then Tobias said to Raphael, 'Brother Azarias, will you ask Raguel to give me my sister Sarah?'
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	10	Raguel overheard the words, and said to the young man, 'Eat and drink, and make the most of your evening; no one else has the right to take my daughter Sarah -- no one but you, my brother. In any case even I am not at liberty to give her to anyone else, since you are her next of kin. However, my boy, I must be frank with you:
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	11	I have tried to find a husband for her seven times among our kinsmen, and all of them have died the first evening, on going to her room. But for the present, my boy, eat and drink; the Lord will grant you his grace and peace.' Tobias spoke out, 'I will not hear of eating and drinking till you have come to a decision about me.' Raguel answered, 'Very well. Since, by the prescription of the Book of Moses she is given to you, Heaven itself decrees she shall be yours. I therefore entrust your sister to you. From now on you are her brother and she is your sister. She is given to you from today for ever. The Lord of heaven favour you tonight, my child, and grant you his grace and peace.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	12	Raguel called for his daughter Sarah, took her by the hand and gave her to Tobias with these words, 'I entrust her to you; the law and the ruling recorded in the Book of Moses assign her to you as your wife. Take her; bring her home safe and sound to your father's house. The God of heaven grant you a good journey in peace.
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	13	Then he turned to her mother and asked her to fetch him writing paper. He drew up the marriage contract, and so he gave his daughter as bride to Tobias according to the ordinance of the Law of Moses.
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	14	After this they began to eat and drink.
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	15	Raguel called his wife Edna and said, 'My sister, prepare the second room and take her there.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	7	16	She went and made the bed in this room as he had ordered, and took her daughter to it. She wept over her, then wiped away her tears and said, 'Courage, daughter! May the Lord of heaven turn your grief to joy! Courage, daughter!' And she went out.
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	1	When they had finished eating and drinking and it seemed time to go to bed, the young man was taken from the dining room to the bedroom.
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	2	Tobias remembered Raphael's advice; he went to his bag, took the fish's heart and liver out of it and put some on the burning incense.
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	3	The reek of the fish distressed the demon, who fled through the air to Egypt. Raphael pursued him there, shackled him and strangled him forthwith.
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	4	The parents meanwhile had gone out and shut the door behind them. Tobias rose from the bed, and said to Sarah, 'Get up, my sister! You and I must pray and petition our Lord to win his grace and his protection.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	5	She stood up, and they began praying for protection, and this was how he began: You are blessed, O God of our fathers; blessed too is your name for ever and ever. Let the heavens bless you and all things you have made for evermore.
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	6	You it was who created Adam, you who created Eve his wife to be his help and support; and from these two the human race was born. You it was who said, 'It is not right that the man should be alone; let us make him a helper like him.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	7	And so I take my sister not for any lustful motive, but I do it in singleness of heart. Be kind enough to have pity on her and on me and bring us to old age together.
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	8	And together they said, 'Amen, Amen,'
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	9	and lay down for the night. But Raguel rose and called his servants, who came and helped him dig a grave.
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	10	He had thought, 'Heaven grant he does not die! We should be overwhelmed with ridicule and shame.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	11	When the grave was ready, Raguel went back to the house, called his wife
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	12	and said, 'Will you send a maid to the room to see if Tobias is still alive? For if he is dead, we may be able to bury him without anyone else knowing.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	13	They sent the maid, lit the lamp, opened the door and the maid went in. She found the two fast asleep together;
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	14	she came out again and whispered, 'He is not dead; all is well.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	15	Then Raguel blessed the God of heaven with these words: You are blessed, my God, with every blessing that is pure; may you be blessed for evermore!
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	16	You are blessed for having made me glad. What I feared has not happened, instead you have shown us your boundless mercy.
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	17	You are blessed for taking pity on this only son, this only daughter. Grant them, Master, your mercy and your protection; let them live out their lives in happiness and in mercy.
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	18	And he made his servants fill the grave in before dawn broke.
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	19	He told his wife to make an ovenful of bread; he went to his flock, brought back two oxen and four sheep and gave orders for them to be cooked; and preparations began.
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	20	He called Tobias and said, 'I will not hear of your leaving here for a fortnight. You are to stay where you are, eating and drinking, with me. You will make my daughter happy again after all her troubles.
 Tobit	Tob	17	8	21	After that, take away a half of all I have, and take her safe and sound back to your father. When my wife and I are dead you shall have the other half. Courage, my boy! I am your father, and Edna is your mother. We are your parents in future, as we are your sister's. Courage, my son!'
 Tobit	Tob	17	9	1	Then Tobias turned to Raphael.
 Tobit	Tob	17	9	2	'Brother Azarias,' he said, 'take four servants and two camels and leave for Rhages.
 Tobit	Tob	17	9	3	Go to Gabael's house, give him the receipt and see about the money; then invite him to come with you to my wedding feast.
 Tobit	Tob	17	9	4	You know that my father must be counting the days and that I cannot lose a single one without worrying him.
 Tobit	Tob	17	9	5	You see what Raguel has pledged himself to do; I am bound by his oath.' So Raphael left for Rhages in Media with the four servants and two camels. They stayed with Gabael, and Raphael showed him the receipt. He told him about the marriage of Tobias son of Tobit and gave him his invitation to the wedding feast. Gabael started counting out the sacks to him-- the seals were intact-- and they loaded them on to the camels.
 Tobit	Tob	17	9	6	Early in the morning they set off together for the feast, and reached Raguel's house where they found Tobias dining. He rose to greet Gabael, who burst into tears and blessed him with the words, 'Excellent son of a father beyond reproach, just and generous in his dealings! The Lord give heaven's blessing to you, to your wife, to your wife's father and mother! Blessed be God for granting me the sight of this living image of my cousin Tobit!'
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	1	Every day, meanwhile, Tobit kept reckoning the days required for the journey there and the journey back. The full number went by, and still his son had not come.
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	2	Then he thought, 'I hope he has not been delayed there! I hope Gabael is not dead, so that no one will give him the silver.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	3	And he began to worry.
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	4	His wife Anna kept saying, 'My son is dead! He is no longer among the living!' And she began to weep and mourn over her son. She kept saying,
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	5	'Alas! I should never have let you leave me, my child, you, the light of my eyes.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	6	And Tobit would reply, 'Hush, my sister! Do not worry. All is well with him. Something has happened there to delay them. His companion is someone we can trust, one of our kinsmen at that. Do not lose heart, my sister.
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	7	He will soon be here.' But all she would say was, 'Leave me alone; do not try to deceive me. My child is dead.' And every day she would go abruptly out to watch the road by which her son had left. She trusted no eyes but her own. Once the sun had set she would come home again, only to weep and moan all night, unable to sleep. After the fourteen days of feasting that Raguel had sworn to keep for his daughter's marriage, Tobias came to him and said,' Let me go now; my father and mother must have lost all hope of seeing me again. So I beg you father, to let me return to my father's house; I have told you the plight he was in when I left him.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	8	Raguel said to Tobias, 'Stay, my son, stay with me. I shall send messengers to your father Tobit to give him news of you.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	9	But Tobias pressed him, 'No, I beg you to let me go back to my father's house.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	10	Without more ado, Raguel committed Sarah his bride into his keeping. He gave Tobias half his wealth, slaves, men and women, oxen and sheep, donkeys and camels, clothes and money and household things.
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	11	And so he let them leave happily. To Tobias he said these parting words, 'Good health, my son, and a happy journey! May the Lord of heaven be gracious to you and to your wife Sarah! I hope to see your children before I die.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	12	To his daughter Sarah he said, 'Go now to your father-in-law's house, since henceforward they are as much your parents as those who gave you life. Go in peace, my daughter, I hope to hear nothing but good of you, as long as I live.' He said goodbye to them and let them go. Edna in her turn said to Tobias, 'Dear son and brother, may it please the Lord to bring you back again! I hope to live long enough to see the children of you and my daughter Sarah before I die. In the sight of the Lord I give my daughter into your keeping. Never make her unhappy as long as you live. Go in peace, my son. Henceforward I am your mother and Sarah is your sister. May we all live happily for the rest of our lives!' And she kissed them both and saw them set out happily.
 Tobit	Tob	17	10	13	Tobias left Raguel's house with his mind at ease. In his gladness he blessed the Lord of heaven and earth, the King of all that is, for the happy issue of his travels. He gave this blessing to Raguel and his wife Edna, 'May it be my happiness to honour you for the rest of my life!'
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	1	They were nearly at Kaserin, opposite Nineveh,
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	2	when Raphael said, 'You know the plight in which we left your father;
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	3	let us go on ahead of your wife and prepare the house ourselves while she travels behind with the others.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	4	They went on together (Raphael warned Tobias to take the gall with him) and the dog followed them.
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	5	Anna was sitting, watching the road by which her son would come.
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	6	She was sure at once it must be he and said to the father, 'Here comes your son, with his companion.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	7	Raphael said to Tobias before he reached his father, 'I give you my word that your father's eyes will open.
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	8	You must put the fish's gall to his eyes; the medicine will smart and will draw a filmy white skin off his eyes. And your father will no more be blind but will be able to see the light.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	9	The mother ran forward and threw her arms round her son's neck. 'Now I can die,' she said, 'I have seen you again.' And she wept.
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	10	Tobit rose to his feet and stumbled across the courtyard through the door. Tobias came on towards him
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	11	(he had the fish's gall in his hand). He blew into his eyes and said, steadying him, 'Take courage, father!' With this he applied the medicine, left it there a while,
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	12	then with both hands peeled away a filmy skin from the corners of his eyes.
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	13	Then his father fell on his neck
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	14	and wept. He exclaimed, 'I can see you, my son, the light of my eyes!' And he said: Blessed be God! Blessed be his great name! Blessed be all his holy angels! Blessed be his great name for evermore!
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	15	For, having afflicted me, he has had pity on me and now I see my son Tobias! Tobias went indoors, joyfully blessing God at the top of his voice. Then he told his father everything; how his journey had been successful and he had brought the silver back; how he had married Sarah the daughter of Raguel; how she was following him now, close behind, and could not be far from the gates of Nineveh.
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	16	Tobit set off to the gates of Nineveh to meet his daughter-in-law, giving joyful praise to God as he went. When the people of Nineveh saw him walking without a guide and stepping forward as briskly as of old, they were astonished.
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	17	Tobit described to them how God had taken pity on him and had opened his eyes. Then Tobit met Sarah the bride of his son Tobias, and blessed her in these words. 'Welcome, daughter! Blessed be your God for sending you to us, my daughter. Blessings on your father, blessings on my son Tobias, blessings on yourself, my daughter. Welcome now to your won house in joyfulness an din blessedness. Come in, my daughter.' That day brought joy to the Jews of Nineveh,
 Tobit	Tob	17	11	18	and his cousins Ahikar and Nadab came to share in Tobit's happiness.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	1	When the wedding feast was over, Tobit called his son Tobias and said, 'My son, you ought to think about paying the amount due to your fellow traveller; give him more than the figure agreed on.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	2	'Father,' he replied, 'how much am I to give him for his help? Even if I give him half the goods he brought back with me, I shall not be the loser.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	3	He has brought me back safe and sound, he has cured my wife, he has brought the money back too, and now he has cured you as well. How much am I to give him for all this?'
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	4	Tobit said, 'He has richly earned half what he brought back'.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	5	So Tobias called his companion and said, 'Take half of what you brought back, in payment for all you have done, and go in peace.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	6	Then Raphael took them both aside and said, 'Bless God, utter his praise before all the living for the favour he has shown you. Bless and extol his name. Proclaim before all people the deeds of God as they deserve, and never tire of giving him thanks.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	7	It is right to keep the secret of a king, yet right to reveal and publish the works of God as they deserve. Do what is good, and no evil can befall you.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	8	'Prayer with fasting and alms with uprightness are better than riches with iniquity. Better to practise almsgiving than to hoard up gold.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	9	Almsgiving saves from death and purges every kind of sin. Those who give alms have their fill of days;
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	10	those who commit sin and do evil bring harm on themselves.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	11	'I am going to tell you the whole truth, hiding nothing from you. I have already told you that it is right to keep the secret of a king, yet right too to reveal in a worthy way the words of God.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	12	So you must know that when you and Sarah were at prayer, it was I who offered your supplications before the glory of the Lord and who read them; so too when you were burying the dead.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	13	When you did not hesitate to get up and leave the table to go and bury a dead man, I was sent to test your faith,
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	14	and at the same time God sent me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	15	I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand ever ready to enter the presence of the glory of the Lord.'
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	16	They were both overwhelmed with awe; they fell on their faces in terror.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	17	But the angel said, 'Do not be afraid; peace be with you. Bless God for ever.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	18	As far as I was concerned, when I was with you, my presence was not by any decision of mine, but by the will of God; he is the one whom you must bless as long as you live, he the one that you must praise.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	19	You thought you saw me eating, but that was appearance and no more.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	20	Now bless the Lord on earth and give thanks to God. I am about to return to him who sent me from above. Write down all that has happened.' And he rose in the air.
 Tobit	Tob	17	12	21	When they stood up again, he was no longer visible. They praised God with hymns; they thanked him for having performed such wonders; had not an angel of God appeared to them?
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	1	And he said: Blessed be God who lives for ever, for his reign endures throughout all ages!
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	2	For he both punishes and pardons; he sends people down to the depths of the underworld and draws them up from utter Destruction; no one can escape his hand.
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	3	Declare his praise before the nations, you who are the children of Israel! For if he has scattered you among them,
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	4	there too he has shown you his greatness. Extol him before all the living; he is our Lord and he is our God; he is our Father, and he is God for ever and ever.
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	5	Though he punishes you for your iniquities, he will take pity on you all; he will gather you from every nation wherever you have been scattered.
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	6	If you return to him with all your heart and all your soul, behaving honestly towards him, then he will return to you and hide his face from you no longer. Consider how well he has treated you; loudly give him thanks. Bless the Lord of justice and extol the King of the ages. I for my part sing his praise in the country of my exile; I make his power and greatness known to a nation that has sinned. Sinners, return to him; let your conduct be upright before him; perhaps he will be gracious to you and take pity on you.
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	7	I for my part extol God and my soul rejoices in the King of heaven. Let his greatness
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	8	be on every tongue, his praises be sung in Jerusalem.
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	9	Jerusalem, Holy City, God has scourged you for what you have done but will still take pity on the children of the upright.
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	10	Thank the Lord as he deserves and bless the King of the ages, that your Temple may be rebuilt with joy within you; within you he may comfort every exile, and within you he may love all those who are distressed, for all generations to come.
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	11	A bright light will shine over all the regions of the earth; many nations will come from far away, from all the ends of the earth, to dwell close to the holy name of the Lord God, with gifts in their hands for the King of heaven. Within you, generation after generation will proclaim their joy, and the name of her who is Elect will endure through the generations to come.
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	12	Cursed be any who affront you, cursed be any who destroy you, who throw down your walls, who rase your towers, who burn your houses! Eternally blessed be he who rebuilds you!
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	13	Then you will exult, and rejoice over the children of the upright, for they will all have been gathered in and will bless the Lord of the ages.
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	14	Blessed are those who love you, blessed those who rejoice over your peace, blessed those who have mourned over all your punishment! For they will soon rejoice within you, witness all your blessedness in days to come.
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	15	My soul blesses the Lord, the great King
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	16	because Jerusalem will be built anew and his house for ever and ever. What bliss, if one of my family be left to see your glory and praise the King of heaven! The gates of Jerusalem will be built of sapphire and of emerald, and all your walls of precious stone, the towers of Jerusalem will built of gold and their battlements of pure gold.
 Tobit	Tob	17	13	17	The streets of Jerusalem will be paved with ruby and with stones from Ophir; the gates of Jerusalem will resound with songs of exultation; and all her houses will say, 'Alleluia! Blessed be the God of Israel.' Within you they will bless the holy name for ever and ever.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	1	The end of the hymns of Tobit. Tobit died when he was a hundred and twelve years old and received an honourable burial in Nineveh.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	2	He had been sixty-two when he went blind; and after his cure, he lived in comfort, practising almsgiving and continually praising God and extolling his greatness.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	3	When he was at the point of death he summoned his son Tobias and gave him these instructions,
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	4	'My son, take your children and hurry away to Media, since I believe the word of God pronounced over Nineveh by Nahum. Everything will come true, everything happen that the emissaries of God, the prophets of Israel, have predicted against Assyria and Nineveh; not one of their words will prove empty. It will all take place in due time. you will be safer in Media than in Assyria or in Babylonia. Since I for my part know and believe that everything God has said will come true; so it will be, and not a word of the prophecies will fail. 'A census will be taken of our brothers living in the land of Israel and they will be exiled far from their own fair country. The entire territory of Israel will become a desert, and Samaria and Jerusalem will become a desert, and the house of God for a time, will be laid wasted and burnt.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	5	Then once again God will take pity on them and bring them back to the land of Israel. They will rebuild his house, although it will be less beautiful than the first, until the time is fulfilled. But after this, all will return from captivity and rebuild Jerusalem in all her glory, and the house of God will be rebuilt within her as the prophets of Israel have foretold.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	6	And all the people of the whole earth will be converted and will reverence God with all sincerity. All will renounce their false gods who have led them astray into error,
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	7	and will bless the God of ages in uprightness. All the Israelites spared in those days will remember God in sincerity of heart. They will come and gather in Jerusalem and thereafter dwell securely in the land of Abraham, which will be theirs. And those wherusalem in all her glory, and the house of God will be rebuilt within her as the prophets of Israel have foretold.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	8	'And now, my children, I lay this duty on you; serve God sincerely, and do what is pleasing to him. And lay on your children the obligation to behave uprightly, to give alms, to keep God in mind and to bless his name always, sincerely and with all their might.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	9	'So then, my son, leave Nineveh, do not stay here.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	10	As soon as you have buried your mother next to me, go the same day, whenever it may be, and do not linger in this country where I see wickedness and perfidy unashamedly triumphant. Consider, my child, all the things done by Nadab to his foster-father Ahikar. Was not Ahikar forced to go underground, though still a living man? But God mad e the criminal pay for his outrage before his victim's eyes, since Ahikar came back to the light of day, while Nadab went down to everlasting darkness in punishment for plotting against Ahikar's life. Because of his good works Ahikar escaped the deadly snare Nadab had laid for him, and Nadab fell into it to his own ruin.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	11	So, my children, you see what comes of almsgiving, and what wickedness leads to, I mean to death. But now breath fails me.' They laid him back on his bed; he died and was buried with honour.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	12	When his mother died, Tobias buried her beside his father. Then he left for Media with his wife and children. He lived in Ecbatana with Raguel, his father-in-law.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	13	He treated the ageing parents of his wife with every care and respect, and later buried them in Ecbatana in Media. Tobias inherited the patrimony of Raguel besides that of his father Tobit.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	14	Much honoured, he lived to the age of a hundred and seventeen years.
 Tobit	Tob	17	14	15	Before he died he witnessed the ruin of Nineveh. He saw the Ninevites taken prisoner and deported to Media by Cyaxares king of Media. He blessed God for everything he inflicted on the Ninevites and Assyrians. Before his death he had the opportunity of rejoicing over the fate of Nineveh, and he blessed the Lord God for ever and ever. Amen.
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	1	It was the twelfth year of Nebuchadnezzar who reigned over the Assyrians in the great city of Nineveh. Arphaxad was then reigning over the Medes in Ecbatana.
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	2	He surrounded this city with walls of dressed stones three cubits thick and six cubits long, making the rampart seventy cubits high and fifty cubits wide.
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	3	At the gates he placed towers one hundred cubits high and, at the foundations, sixty cubits wide,
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	4	the gates themselves being seventy cubits high and forty wide to allow his forces to march out in a body and his infantry to parade freely.
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	5	About this time King Nebuchadnezzar gave battle to King Arphaxad in the great plain lying in the territory of Ragae.
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	6	Supporting him were all the peoples from the highlands, all from the Euphrates and Tigris and Hydaspes, and those from the plains who were subject to Arioch, king of the Elymaeans. Thus many nations had mustered to take part in the battle of the Cheleoudites.
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	7	Nebuchadnezzar king of the Assyrians sent a message to all the inhabitants of Persia, to all the inhabitants of the western countries, Cilicia, Damascus, Lebanon, Anti-Lebanon, to all those along the coast,
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	8	to the peoples of Carmel, Gilead, Upper Galilee, the great plain of Esdraelon,
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	9	to the people of Samaria and its outlying towns, to those beyond Jordan, as far away as Jerusalem, Bethany, Chelous, Kadesh, the river of Egypt, Tahpanhes, Rameses and the whole territory of Goshen,
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	10	beyond Tanis too and Memphis, and to all the inhabitants of Egypt as far as the frontiers of Ethiopia.
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	11	But the inhabitants of these countries ignored the summons of Nebuchadnezzar king of the Assyrians and did not rally to him to make war. They were not afraid of him, since in their view he appeared isolated. Hence they sent his ambassadors back with nothing achieved and in disgrace.
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	12	Nebuchadnezzar was furious with all these countries. He swore by his throne and kingdom to take revenge on all the territories of Cilicia, Damascus and Syria, of the Moabites and of the Ammonites, of Judaea and Egypt as far as the limits of the two seas, and to ravage them with the sword.
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	13	In the seventeenth year, he gave battle with his whole army to King Arphaxad and in this battle defeated him. He routed Arphaxad's entire army and all his cavalry and chariots;
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	14	he occupied his towns and advanced on Ecbatana; he seized its towers and plundered its market places, reducing its former magnificence to a mockery.
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	15	He later captured Arphaxad in the mountains of Ragae and, thrusting him through with his spears, destroyed him once and for all.
 Judith	Jdt	18	1	16	He then retired with his troops and all who had joined forces with him: a vast horde of armed men. Then he and his army gave themselves up to carefree feasting for a hundred and twenty days.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	1	In the eighteenth year, on the twenty-second day of the first month, a rumour ran through the palace that Nebuchadnezzar king of the Assyrians was to have his revenge on all the countries, as he had threatened.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	2	Summoning his general staff and senior officers, he held a secret conference with them, and with his own lips pronounced utter destruction on the entire area.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	3	It was then decreed that everyone should be put to death who had not answered the king's appeal.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	4	When the council was over, Nebuchadnezzar king of the Assyrians sent for Holofernes, general-in-chief of his armies and subordinate only to himself. He said to him,
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	5	'Thus speaks the Great King, lord of the whole world, "Go; take men of proven valour, about a hundred and twenty thousand foot soldiers and a strong company of horse with twelve thousand cavalrymen;
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	6	then advance against all the western lands, since these people have disregarded my call.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	7	Bid them have earth and water ready, because in my rage I am about to march on them; the feet of my soldiers will cover the whole face of the earth, and I shall plunder it.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	8	Their wounded will fill the valleys and the torrents, and rivers, blocked with their dead, will overflow.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	9	I shall lead them captive to the ends of the earth.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	10	Now go! Begin by conquering this whole region for me. If they surrender to you, hold them for me until the time comes to punish them.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	11	But if they resist, look on no one with clemency, hand them over to slaughter and plunder throughout the territory entrusted to you.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	12	For by my life and by the living power of my kingdom I have spoken. All this I shall do by my power.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	13	And you, neglect none of your master's commands, act strictly according to my orders without further delay." '
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	14	Leaving the presence of his sovereign, Holofernes immediately summoned all the marshals, generals and officers of the Assyrian army
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	15	and detailed the picked troops as his master had ordered, about a hundred and twenty thousand men and a further twelve thousand mounted archers.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	16	He organised these in the normal battle formation.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	17	He then secured vast numbers of camels, donkeys and mules to carry the baggage, and innumerable sheep, oxen and goats for food supplies.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	18	Every man received full rations and a generous sum of gold and silver from the king's purse.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	19	He then set out for the campaign with his whole army, in advance of King Nebuchadnezzar, to overwhelm the whole western region with his chariots, his horsemen and his picked body of foot.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	20	A motley gathering followed in his rear, as numerous as locusts or the grains of sand on the ground; there was no counting their multitude.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	21	Thus they set out from Nineveh and marched for three days towards the Plain of Bectileth. From Bectileth they went on to pitch camp near the mountains that lie to the north of Upper Cilicia.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	22	From there Holofernes advanced into the highlands with his whole army, infantry, horsemen, chariots.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	23	He cut his way through Put and Lud, carried away captive all the sons of Rassis and sons of Ishmael living on the verge of the desert south of Cheleon,
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	24	marched along the Euphrates, crossed Mesopotamia, rased all the fortified towns controlling the Wadi Abron and reached the sea.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	25	Next he attacked the territories of Cilicia, butchering all who offered him resistance, advanced on the southern frontiers of Japheth, facing Arabia,
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	26	completely encircled the Midianites, burned their tents and plundered their sheep-folds,
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	27	made his way down to the Damascus plain at the time of the wheat harvest, set fire to the fields, destroyed the flocks and herds, sacked the towns, laid the countryside waste and put all the young men to the sword.
 Judith	Jdt	18	2	28	Fear and trembling seized all the coastal peoples; those of Sidon and Tyre, those of Sur, Ocina and Jamnia. The populations of Azotos and Ascalon were panic-stricken.
 Judith	Jdt	18	3	1	They therefore sent envoys to him to sue for peace, to say,
 Judith	Jdt	18	3	2	'We are servants of the great King Nebuchadnezzar; we lie prostrate before you. Treat us as you think fit.
 Judith	Jdt	18	3	3	Our cattle-farms, all our land, all our wheat fields, our flocks and herds, all the sheep-folds in our encampments are at your disposal. Do with them as you please.
 Judith	Jdt	18	3	4	Our towns and their inhabitants too are at your service; go and treat them as you think fit.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	3	5	These men came to Holofernes and delivered the message as above.
 Judith	Jdt	18	3	6	He then made his way down to the coast with his army and stationed garrisons in all the fortified towns, levying outstanding men there as auxiliaries.
 Judith	Jdt	18	3	7	The people of these cities and of all the other towns in the neighbourhood welcomed him, wearing garlands and dancing to the sound of tambourines.
 Judith	Jdt	18	3	8	But he demolished their shrines and cut down their sacred trees, carrying out his commission to destroy all local gods so that the nations should worship Nebuchadnezzar alone and people of every language and nationality should hail him as a god.
 Judith	Jdt	18	3	9	Thus he reached the edge of Esdraelon, in the neighbourhood of Dothan, a village facing the great ridge of Judaea.
 Judith	Jdt	18	3	10	He pitched camp between Geba and Scythopolis and stayed there a full month to re-provision his forces.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	1	When the Israelites living in Judaea heard how Holofernes, general-in-chief of Nebuchadnezzar king of the Assyrians, had treated the various nations, plundering their temples and destroying them,
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	2	they were thoroughly alarmed at his approach and trembled for Jerusalem and the Temple of the Lord their God.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	3	They had returned from captivity only a short time before, and the resettlement of the people in Judaea and the reconsecration of the sacred furnishings, of the altar, and of the Temple, which had been profaned, were of recent date.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	4	They therefore alerted the whole of Samaria, Kona, Beth-Horon, Belmain, Jericho, Choba, Aesora and the Salem valley.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	5	They occupied the summits of the highest mountains and fortified the villages on them; they laid in supplies for the coming war, as the fields had just been harvested.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	6	Joakim the high priest, resident in Jerusalem at the time, wrote to the inhabitants of Bethulia and of Betomesthaim, two towns facing Esdraelon, towards the plain of Dothan.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	7	He ordered them to occupy the mountain passes, the only means of access to Judaea, for there it would be easy for them to halt an attacking force, the narrowness of the approach not allowing men to advance more than two abreast.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	8	The Israelites carried out the orders of Joakim the high priest and of the people's Council of Elders in session at Jerusalem.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	9	All the men of Israel cried most fervently to God and humbled themselves before him.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	10	They, their wives, their children, their cattle, all their resident aliens, hired or slave, wrapped sackcloth round their loins.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	11	All the Israelites in Jerusalem, including women and children, lay prostrate in front of the Temple, and with ashes on their heads stretched out their hands before the Lord.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	12	They draped the altar itself in sackcloth and fervently joined together in begging the God of Israel not to let their children be carried off, their wives distributed as booty, the towns of their heritage destroyed, the Temple profaned and desecrated for the heathen to gloat over.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	13	The Lord heard them and looked kindly on their distress. The people fasted for many days throughout Judaea as well as in Jerusalem before the sanctuary of the Lord Almighty.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	14	Joakim the high priest and all who stood before the Lord, the Lord's priests and ministers, wore sackcloth round their loins as they offered the perpetual burnt offering and the votive and voluntary offerings of the people.
 Judith	Jdt	18	4	15	With ashes on their turbans they earnestly called on the Lord to look kindly on the House of Israel.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	1	Holofernes, general-in-chief of the Assyrian army, received the intelligence that the Israelites were preparing for war, that they had closed the mountain passes, fortified all the high peaks and laid obstructions in the plains.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	2	Holofernes was furious. He summoned all the princes of Moab, all the generals of Ammon and all the satraps of the coastal regions.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	3	'Men of Canaan,' he said, 'tell me: what people is this that occupies the hill-country? What towns does it inhabit? How large is its army? What are the sources of its power and strength? Who is the king who rules it and commands its army?
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	4	Why have they disdained to wait on me, as all the western peoples have?'
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	5	Achior, leader of all the Ammonites, replied, 'May my lord be pleased to listen to what your servant is going to say. I shall give you the facts about these mountain folk whose home lies close to you. You will hear no lie from the mouth of your servant.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	6	These people are descended from the Chaldaeans.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	7	They once came to live in Mesopotamia, because they did not want to follow the gods of their ancestors who lived in Chaldaea.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	8	They abandoned the way of their ancestors to worship the God of heaven, the God they learnt to acknowledge. Banished from the presence of their own gods, they fled to Mesopotamia where they lived for a long time.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	9	When God told them to leave their home and set out for Canaan, they settled there and accumulated gold and silver and great herds of cattle.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	10	Next, famine having overwhelmed the land of Canaan, they went down to Egypt where they stayed till they were well nourished. There they became a great multitude, a race beyond counting.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	11	But the king of Egypt turned against them and exploited them by forcing them to make bricks; he degraded them, reducing them to slavery.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	12	They cried to their God, who struck the entire land of Egypt with incurable plagues, and the Egyptians expelled them.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	13	God dried up the Red Sea before them
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	14	and led them forward by way of Sinai and Kadesh-Barnea. Having driven off all the inhabitants of the desert,
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	15	they settled in the land of the Amorites and in their strength exterminated the entire population of Heshbon. Then, having crossed the Jordan, they took possession of all the hill-country,
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	16	driving out the Canaanites before them and the Perizzites, Jebusites, Shechemites and all the Girgashites, and lived there for many years.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	17	All the while they did not sin before their God, prosperity was theirs, for they have a God who hates wickedness.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	18	But when they turned from the path he had marked out for them some were exterminated in a series of battles, others were taken captive to a foreign land. The Temple of their God was rased to the ground and their towns were seized by their enemies.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	19	Then having turned once again to their God, they came back from the places to which they had been dispersed and scattered, regained possession of Jerusalem, where they have their Temple, and reoccupied the hill-country which had been left deserted.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	20	So, now, master and lord, if this people has committed any fault, if they have sinned against their God, let us first be sure that they really have this reason to fail, then advance and attack them.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	21	But if their nation is guiltless, my lord would do better to abstain, for fear that their Lord and God should protect them. We should then become the laughing-stock of the whole world.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	22	When Achior had ended this speech, all the people crowding round the tent began protesting. Holofernes' own senior officers, as well as all the coastal peoples and the Moabites, threatened to tear him limb from limb.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	23	'Why should we be afraid of the Israelites? They are a weak and powerless people, quite unable to stand a stiff attack.
 Judith	Jdt	18	5	24	Forward! Advance! Your army, Holofernes our master, will swallow them in one mouthful!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	1	When the uproar of those crowding round the council had subsided, Holofernes, general-in-chief of the Assyrian army, reprimanded Achior in front of the whole crowd of foreigners and Ammonites.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	2	'Achior, who do you think you are, you and the Ephraimite mercenaries, playing the prophet like this with us today, and trying to dissuade us from making war on the people of Israel? You claim their God will protect them. And who is God if not Nebuchadnezzar? He himself will display his power and wipe them off the face of the earth, and their God will certainly not save them.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	3	But we, his servants, shall destroy them as easily as a single individual. They can never resist the strength of our cavalry.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	4	We shall burn them all. Their mountains will be drunk with their blood and their plains filled with their corpses. Far from being able to resist us, every one of them will die; thus says King Nebuchadnezzar, lord of the whole world. For he has spoken, and his words will not prove empty.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	5	As for you, Achior, you Ammonite mercenary, who in a rash moment said these words, you will not see my face again until the day when I have taken my revenge on this brood from Egypt.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	6	And then the swords of my soldiers and the spears of my officers will pierce your sides. You will fall among their wounded, the moment I turn on Israel.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	7	My servants will now take you into the hill-country and leave you near one of the towns in the passes;
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	8	you will not die, until you share their ruin.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	9	No need to look so sad if you cherish the secret hope that they will not be captured! I have spoken; none of my words will prove idle.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	10	Holofernes having commanded his tent-orderlies to seize Achior, to take him to Bethulia and to hand him over to the Israelites,
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	11	the orderlies took him, escorted him out of the camp and across the plain, and then, making for the hill-country, reached the springs below Bethulia.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	12	As soon as the men of the town sighted them, they snatched up their weapons, left the town and made for the mountain tops, while all the slingers pelted them with stones to prevent them from coming up.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	13	However, they managed to take cover at the foot of the slope, where they bound Achior and left him lying at the bottom of the mountain and returned to their master.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	14	The Israelites then came down from their town, stopped by him, unbound him and took him to Bethulia, where they brought him before the chief men of the town,
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	15	who at that time were Uzziah son of Micah of the tribe of Simeon, Chabris son of Gothoniel and Charmis son of Melchiel.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	16	These summoned all the elders of the town. The young men and the women also hurried to the assembly. Achior was made to stand with all the people surrounding him, and Uzziah questioned him about what had happened.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	17	He answered by telling them what had been said at Holofernes' council, and what he himself had said in the presence of the Assyrian leaders, and how Holofernes had bragged of what he would do to the House of Israel.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	18	At this the people fell to the ground and worshipped God.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	19	'Lord God of heaven,' they cried, 'take notice of their arrogance and have pity on the humiliation of our race. Look kindly today on those who are consecrated to you.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	20	They then spoke reassuringly to Achior and praised him warmly.
 Judith	Jdt	18	6	21	After the assembly Uzziah took him home and gave a banquet for the elders; all that night they called on the God of Israel for help.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	1	The following day Holofernes issued orders to his whole army and to the whole host of auxiliaries who had joined him, to break camp and march on Bethulia, to occupy the mountain passes and so open the campaign against the Israelites.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	2	The troops broke camp that same day. The actual fighting force numbered one hundred and twenty thousand infantry and twelve thousand cavalry, not to mention the baggage train with the vast number of men on foot concerned with that.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	3	They penetrated the valley in the neighbourhood of Bethulia, near the spring, and deployed on a wide front from Dothan to Balbaim and, in depth, from Bethulia to Cyamon, which faces Esdraelon.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	4	When the Israelites saw this horde, they were all appalled and said to each other, 'Now they will lick the whole country clean. Not even the loftiest peaks, the gorges or the hills will be able to stand the weight of them.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	5	Each man snatched up his arms; they lit beacons on their towers and spent the whole night on watch.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	6	On the second day Holofernes deployed his entire cavalry in sight of the Israelites in Bethulia.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	7	He reconnoitred the slopes leading up to the town, located the water-points, seized them and posted pickets over them and returned to the main body.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	8	The chieftains of the sons of Esau, all the leaders of the Moabites and the generals of the coastal district then came to him and said,
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	9	'If our master will be pleased to listen to us, his forces will not sustain a single wound.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	10	These Israelites do not rely so much on their spears as on the height of the mountains where they live. And admittedly it is not at all easy to scale these heights of theirs.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	11	'This being the case, master, avoid engaging them in a pitched battle and then you will not lose a single man.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	12	Stay in camp, keep all your troops there too, while your servants seize the spring which rises at the foot of the mountain,
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	13	since that is what provides the population of Bethulia with their water supply. Thirst will then force them to surrender their town. Meanwhile, we and our men will climb the nearest mountain tops and form advance posts there to prevent anyone from leaving the town.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	14	Hunger will waste them, with their wives and children, and before the sword can reach them they will already be lying in the streets outside their houses.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	15	And you will make them pay dearly for their defiance and their refusal to meet you peaceably.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	16	Their words pleased Holofernes as well as all his officers, and he decided to do as they suggested.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	17	Accordingly, a troop of Moabites moved forward with a further five thousand Assyrians. They penetrated the valley and seized the Israelites' waterpoints and springs.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	18	Meanwhile the Edomites and Ammonites went and took up positions in the highlands opposite Dothan, sending some of their men to the south-east opposite Egrebel near Chous on the Wadi Mochmur. The rest of the Assyrian army took up positions in the plain, covering every inch of the ground; their tents and equipment made an immense encampment, so vast were their numbers.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	19	The Israelites called on the Lord their God, dispirited because the enemy had surrounded them and cut all line of retreat.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	20	For thirty-four days the Assyrian army, infantry, chariots, cavalrymen, had them surrounded. Every water-jar the inhabitants of Bethulia had was empty,
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	21	their storage-wells were drying up; on no day could a man drink his fill, since their water was rationed.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	22	Their little children pined away, the women and young men grew weak with thirst; they collapsed in the streets and gateways of the town; they had no strength left.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	23	Young men, women, children, the whole people thronged clamouring round Uzziah and the chief men of the town, shouting in the presence of the assembled elders,
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	24	'May God be judge between you and us! For you have done us great harm, by not suing for peace with the Assyrians.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	25	And now there is no one to help us. God has delivered us into their hands to be prostrated before them in thirst and utter helplessness.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	26	Call them in at once; hand the whole town over to be sacked by Holofernes' men and all his army.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	27	After all, we should be much better off as their booty than we are now; no doubt we shall be enslaved, but at least we shall be alive and not see our little ones dying before our eyes or our wives and children perishing.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	28	By heaven and earth and by our God, the Lord of our fathers, who is punishing us for our sins and the sins of our ancestors, we implore you to take this course now, today.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	29	Bitter lamentations rose from the whole assembly, and they all cried loudly to the Lord God.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	30	Then Uzziah spoke to them, 'Take heart, brothers! Let us hold out five days more. By then the Lord our God will take pity on us, for he will not desert us altogether.
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	31	At the end of this time, if no help is forthcoming, I shall do as you have said.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	7	32	With that he dismissed the people to their various quarters. The men went to man the walls and towers of the town, sending the women and children home. The town was full of despondency.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	1	Judith was informed at the time of what had happened. She was the daughter of Merari son of Ox, son of Joseph, son of Oziel, son of Elkiah, son of Ananias, son of Gideon, son of Raphaim, son of Ahitub, son of Elijah, son of Hilkiah, son of Eliab, son of Nathanael, son of Salamiel, son of Sarasadai, son of Israel.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	2	Her husband Manasseh, of her own tribe and family, had died at the time of the barley harvest.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	3	He was supervising the men as they bound up the sheaves in the field when he caught sunstroke and had to take to his bed. He died in Bethulia, his home town, and was buried with his ancestors in the field that lies between Dothan and Balamon.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	4	As a widow, Judith stayed inside her home for three years and four months.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	5	She had had an upper room built for herself on the roof. She wore sackcloth next to the skin and dressed in widow's weeds.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	6	She fasted every day of her widowhood except for the Sabbath eve, the Sabbath itself, the eve of New Moon, the feast of New Moon and the joyful festivals of the House of Israel.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	7	Now she was very beautiful, charming to see. Her husband Manasseh had left her gold and silver, menservants and maidservants, herds and land; and she lived among all her possessions
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	8	without anyone finding a word to say against her, so devoutly did she fear God.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	9	Hearing how the water shortage had demoralised the people and how they had complained bitterly to the headman of the town, and being also told what Uzziah had said to them and how he had given them his oath to surrender the town to the Assyrians in five days' time,
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	10	Judith immediately sent the serving-woman who ran her household to summon Chabris and Charmis, two elders of the town.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	11	When these came in she said: 'Listen to me, leaders of the people of Bethulia. You were wrong to speak to the people as you did today and to bind yourself by oath, in defiance of God, to surrender the town to our enemies if the Lord did not come to your help within a set number of days.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	12	Who are you, to put God to the test today, you, of all people, to set yourselves above him?
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	13	You put the Lord Almighty to the test! You do not understand anything, and never will.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	14	If you cannot sound the depths of the human heart or unravel the arguments of the human mind, how can you fathom the God who made all things, or sound his mind or unravel his purposes? No, brothers, do not provoke the anger of the Lord our God.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	15	Although it may not be his will to help us within the next five days, he has the power to protect us for as many days as he pleases, just as he has the power to destroy us before our enemies.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	16	But you have no right to demand guarantees where the designs of the Lord our God are concerned. For God is not to be threatened as a human being is, nor is he, like a mere human, to be cajoled.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	17	Rather, as we wait patiently for him to save, let us plead with him to help us. He will hear our voice if such is his good pleasure.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	18	'And indeed of recent times and still today there is not one tribe of ours, or family, or village, or town that has worshipped gods made by human hand, as once was done,
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	19	which was the reason why our ancestors were delivered over to sword and sack, and perished in misery at the hands of our enemies.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	20	We for our part acknowledge no other God but him; and so we may hope he will not look on us disdainfully or desert our nation.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	21	'If indeed they capture us, as you expect, then all Judaea will be captured too, and our holy places plundered, and we shall answer with our blood for their profanation.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	22	The slaughter of our brothers, the captivity of our country, the unpeopling of our heritage, will recoil on our own heads among the nations whose slaves we shall become, and our new masters will look down on us as an outrage and a disgrace;
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	23	for our surrender will not reinstate us in their favour; no, the Lord our God will make it a thing to be ashamed of.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	24	So now, brothers, let us set an example to our brothers, since their lives depend on us, and the sanctuary -- Temple and altar -- rests on us.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	25	'All this being so, let us rather give thanks to the Lord our God who, as he tested our ancestors, is now testing us.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	26	Remember how he treated Abraham, all the ordeals of Isaac, all that happened to Jacob in Syrian Mesopotamia while he kept the sheep of Laban, his mother's brother.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	27	For as these ordeals were intended by him to search their hearts, so now this is not vengeance that God is exacting on us, but a warning inflicted by the Lord on those who are near his heart.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	28	Uzziah replied, 'Everything you have just said comes from an honest heart and no one will contradict a word of it.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	29	Not that today is the first time your wisdom has been displayed; from your earliest years all the people have known how shrewd you are and of how sound a heart.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	30	But, parched with thirst, the people forced us to act as we had promised them and to bind ourselves by an inviolable oath.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	31	You are a devout woman; pray to the Lord, then, to send us a downpour to fill our storage-wells, so that our faintness may pass.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	32	Judith replied, 'Listen to me, I intend to do something, the memory of which will be handed down to the children of our race from age to age.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	33	Tonight you must be at the gate of the town. I shall make my way out with my attendant. Before the time fixed by you for surrendering the town to our enemies, the Lord will make use of me to rescue Israel.
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	34	You must not ask what I intend to do; I shall not tell you until I have done it.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	35	Uzziah and the chief men said, 'Go in peace. May the Lord show you a way to take revenge on our enemies.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	8	36	And leaving the upper room they went back to their posts.
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	1	Judith threw herself face to the ground, scattered ashes on her head, undressed as far as the sackcloth she was wearing and cried loudly to the Lord. At the same time in Jerusalem the evening incense was being offered in the Temple of God. Judith said:
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	2	Lord, God of my ancestor Simeon, you armed him with a sword to take vengeance on the foreigners who had undone a virgin's belt to her shame, laid bare her thigh to her confusion, violated her womb to her dishonour, since, though you said, 'This must not be,' they did it.
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	3	For this you handed their leaders over to slaughter, and their bed, defiled by their treachery, was itself betrayed in blood. You struck the slaves with the chieftains and the chieftains with their retainers.
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	4	You left their wives to be carried off, their daughters to be taken captive, and their spoils to be shared out among the sons you loved, who had been so zealous for you, had loathed the stain put on their blood and called on you for help. O God, my God, now heat this widow too;
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	5	for you have made the past, and what is happening now, and what will follow. What is, what will be, you have planned; what has been, you designed.
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	6	Your purposes stood forward; 'See, here we are!' they said. For all your ways are prepared and your judgements delivered with foreknowledge.
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	7	See the Assyrians, with their army abounding glorying in their horses and their riders, exulting in the strength of their infantry. Trust as they may in shield and spear, in bow and sling, in you they have not recognised the Lord, the breaker of battle-lines;
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	8	yours alone is the title of Lord. Break their violence with your might, in your anger bring down their strength. For they plan to profane your holy places, to defile the tabernacle, the resting place of your glorious name, and to hack down the horn of your altar.
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	9	Observe their arrogance, send your fury on their heads, give the strength I have in mind to this widow's hand.
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	10	By guile of my lips strike down slave with master, and master with retainer. Break their pride by a woman's hand.
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	11	Your strength does not lie in numbers, nor your might in strong men; since you are the God of the humble, the help of the oppressed, the support of the weak, the refuge of the forsaken, the Saviour of the despairing.
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	12	Please, please, God of my father, God of the heritage of Israel, Master of heaven and earth, Creator of the waters, King of your whole creation, hear my prayer.
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	13	Give me a beguiling tongue to wound and kill those who have formed such cruel designs against your covenant, against your holy dwelling-place, against Mount Zion, against the house belonging to your sons.
 Judith	Jdt	18	9	14	And demonstrate to every nation, every tribe, that you are the Lord, God of all power, all might, and that the race of Israel has no protector but you.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	1	Thus Judith called on the God of Israel. When she had finished praying,
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	2	she got up from the floor, summoned her maid and went down into the rooms which she used on Sabbath days and festivals.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	3	There she removed the sackcloth she was wearing and taking off her widow's dress, she washed all over, anointed herself plentifully with perfumes, dressed her hair, wrapped a turban round it and put on the robe of joy she used to wear when her husband Manasseh was alive.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	4	She put sandals on her feet, put on her necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and all her jewellery, and made herself beautiful enough to beguile the eye of any man who saw her.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	5	Then she handed her maid a skin of wine and a flask of oil, filled a bag with barley girdle-cakes, cakes of dried fruit and pure loaves, and wrapping all these provisions up gave them to her as well.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	6	They then went out, making for the town gate of Bethulia. There they found Uzziah waiting with the two elders of the town, Chabris and Charmis.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	7	When they saw Judith, her face so changed and her clothes so different, they were lost in admiration of her beauty. They said to her:
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	8	May the God of our ancestors keep you in his favour! May he crown your designs with success to the glory of the children of Israel, to the greater glory of Jerusalem!
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	9	Judith worshipped God, and then she said, 'Have the town gate opened for me so that I can go out and fulfil all the wishes you expressed to me.' They did as she asked and gave orders to the young men to open the gate for her.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	10	This done, Judith went out accompanied by her maid, while the men of the town watched her all the way down the mountain and across the valley, until they lost sight of her.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	11	As the women were making straight through the valley, an advance unit of Assyrians intercepted them,
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	12	and, seizing Judith, began to question her. 'Which side are you on? Where do you come from? Where are you going?' 'I am a daughter of the Hebrews,' she replied, 'and I am fleeing from them since they will soon be your prey.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	13	I am on my way to see Holofernes, the general of your army, to give him trustworthy information. I shall show him the road to take if he wants to capture all the hill-country without losing one man or one life.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	14	As the men listened to what she was saying, they stared in astonishment at the sight of such a beautiful woman.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	15	'It will prove the saving of you,' they said to her, 'coming down to see our master of your own accord. You had better go to his tent; some of our men will escort you and hand you over to him.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	16	Once you are in his presence do not be afraid. Tell him what you have just told us and you will be well treated.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	17	They then detailed a hundred of their men as escort for herself and her attendant, and these led them to the tent of Holofernes.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	18	News of her coming had already spread through the tents, and there was a general stir in the camp. She was still outside the tent of Holofernes waiting to be announced, when a crowd began forming round her.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	19	They were immediately impressed by her beauty and impressed with the Israelites because of her. 'Who could despise a people who have women like this?' they kept saying. 'Better not leave one of them alive; let any go and they could twist the whole world round their fingers!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	20	The bodyguard and adjutants of Holofernes then came out and led Judith into the tent.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	21	Holofernes was resting on his bed under a canopy of purple and gold studded with emeralds and precious stones.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	22	The men announced her and he came out to the entrance to the tent, with silver torches carried before him.
 Judith	Jdt	18	10	23	When Judith confronted the general and his adjutant, the beauty of her face astonished them all. She fell on her face and did homage to him, but his servants raised her from the ground.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	1	'Courage, woman,' Holofernes said, 'do not be afraid. I have never hurt anyone who chose to serve Nebuchadnezzar, king of the whole world.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	2	Even now, if your nation of mountain dwellers had not insulted me, I would not have raised a spear against them. This was their fault, not mine.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	3	But tell me, why have you fled from them and come to us? . . . Anyhow, this will prove the saving of you. Courage! You will live through this night, and many after.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	4	No one will hurt you. On the contrary, you will be treated as well as any who serve my lord King Nebuchadnezzar.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	5	Judith said, 'Please listen favourably to what your slave has to say. Permit your servant to speak in your presence, I shall speak no word of a lie to my lord tonight.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	6	You have only to follow your servant's advice and God will bring your work to a successful conclusion; in what my lord undertakes he will not fail.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	7	Long life to Nebuchadnezzar, king of the whole world, who has sent you to set every living soul to rights; may his power endure! Since, thanks to you, he is served not only by human beings, but because of your might the wild animals themselves, the cattle, and the birds of the air are to live in the service of Nebuchadnezzar and his whole House.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	8	'We have indeed heard of your genius and adroitness of mind. It is known everywhere in the world that throughout the empire you have no rival for ability, wealth of experience and brilliance in waging war.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	9	We have also heard what Achior said in his speech to your council. The men of Bethulia having spared him, he has told them everything that he said to you.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	10	Now, master and lord, do not disregard what he said; keep it in your mind, since it is true; our nation will not be punished, the sword will indeed have no power over them, unless they sin against their God.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	11	But as it is, my lord need expect no repulse or setback, since death is about to fall on their heads, for sin has gained a hold over them, provoking the anger of their God each time that they commit it.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	12	As they are short of food and their water is giving out, they have resolved to fall back on their cattle and decided to make use of all the things that God has, by his laws, forbidden them to eat.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	13	Not only have they made up their minds to eat the first-fruits of corn and the tithes of wine and oil, though these have been consecrated by them and set apart for the priests who serve in Jerusalem in the presence of our God, and may not lawfully even be handled by ordinary people,
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	14	but they have sent men to Jerusalem -- where the inhabitants are doing much the same -- to bring them back authorisation from the Council of Elders.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	15	Now this will be the outcome: when the permission arrives and they act on it, that very day they will be delivered over to you for destruction.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	16	'When I, your servant, came to know all this, I fled from them. God has sent me to do things with you at which the world will be astonished when it hears.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	17	Your servant is a devout woman; she honours the God of heaven day and night. I therefore propose, my lord, to stay with you. I, your servant, shall go out every night into the valley and pray to God to let me know when they have committed their sin.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	18	I shall then come and tell you, so that you can march out with your whole army; and none of them will be able to resist you.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	19	I shall be your guide right across Judaea until you reach Jerusalem; there I shall enthrone you in the very middle of the city. And then you can round them up like shepherd-less sheep, with never a dog daring to bark at you. Foreknowledge tells me this; this had been foretold to me and I have been sent to reveal it to you.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	20	Her words pleased Holofernes, and all his adjutants. Full of admiration at her wisdom they exclaimed,
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	21	'There is no woman like her from one end of the earth to the other, so lovely of face and so wise of speech!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	22	Holofernes said, 'God has done well to send you ahead of the others. Strength will be ours, and ruin theirs who have insulted my lord.
 Judith	Jdt	18	11	23	As for you, you are as beautiful as you are eloquent; if you do as you have promised, your God shall be my God, and you yourself shall make your home in the palace of King Nebuchadnezzar and be famous throughout the world.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	1	With that he had her brought in to where his silver dinner service was already laid, and had his own food served to her and his own wine poured out for her.
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	2	But Judith said, 'I would rather not eat this, in case I incur some fault. What I have brought will be enough for me.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	3	'Suppose your provisions run out,' Holofernes asked, 'how could we get more of the same sort? We have no one belonging to your race here.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	4	'May your soul live, my lord,' Judith answered, 'the Lord will have used me to accomplish his plan, before your servant has finished these provisions.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	5	Holofernes' adjutants then took her to a tent where she slept until midnight. A little before the morning watch, she got up.
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	6	She had already sent this request to Holofernes, 'Let my lord kindly give orders for your servant to be allowed to go out and pray,'
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	7	and Holofernes had ordered his guards not to prevent her. She stayed in the camp for three days; she went out each night to the valley of Bethulia and washed at the spring where the picket had been posted.
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	8	As she went she prayed to the Lord God of Israel to guide her in her plan to relieve the children of her people.
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	9	Having purified herself, she would return and stay in her tent until her meal was brought her in the evening.
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	10	On the fourth day Holofernes gave a banquet, inviting only his own staff and none of the other officers.
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	11	He said to Bagoas, the officer in charge of his personal affairs, 'Go and persuade that Hebrew woman you are looking after to come and join us and eat and drink in our company.
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	12	We shall be disgraced if we let a woman like this go without seducing her. If we do not seduce her, everyone will laugh at us!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	13	Bagoas then left Holofernes and went to see Judith. 'Would this young and lovely woman condescend to come to my lord?' he asked. 'She will occupy the seat of honour opposite him, drink the joyful wine with us and be treated today like one of the Assyrian ladies who stand in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	14	'Who am I', Judith replied, 'to resist my lord? I shall not hesitate to do whatever he wishes, and doing this will be my joy to my dying day.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	15	So she got up and put on her dress and all her feminine adornments. Her maid preceded her, and on the floor in front of Holofernes spread the fleece which Bagoas had given Judith for her daily use to lie on as she ate.
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	16	Judith came in and took her place. The heart of Holofernes was ravished at the sight; his very soul was stirred. He was seized with a violent desire to sleep with her; and indeed since the first day he saw her, he had been waiting for an opportunity to seduce her.
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	17	'Drink then!' Holofernes said. 'Enjoy yourself with us!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	18	'I am delighted to do so, my lord, for since my birth I have never felt my life more worthwhile than today.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	19	She took what her maid had prepared, and ate and drank facing him.
 Judith	Jdt	18	12	20	Holofernes was so enchanted with her that he drank far more wine than he had drunk on any other day in his life.
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	1	It grew late and his staff hurried away. Bagoas closed the tent from the outside, having shown out those who still lingered in his lord's presence. They went to their beds wearied with too much drinking,
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	2	and Judith was left alone in the tent with Holofernes who had collapsed wine-sodden on his bed.
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	3	Judith then told her maid to stay just outside the bedroom and wait for her to come out, as she did every morning. She had let it be understood she would be going out to her prayers and had also spoken of her intention to Bagoas.
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	4	By now everyone had left Holofernes, and no one, either important or unimportant, was left in the bedroom. Standing beside the bed, Judith murmured to herself: Lord God, to whom all strength belongs, prosper what my hands are now to do for the greater glory of Jerusalem;
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	5	now is the time to recover your heritage and to further my plans to crush the enemies arrayed against us.
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	6	With that she went up to the bedpost by Holofernes' head and took down his scimitar;
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	7	coming closer to the bed she caught him by the hair and said, 'Make me strong today, Lord God of Israel!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	8	Twice she struck at his neck with all her might, and cut off his head.
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	9	She then rolled his body off the bed and pulled down the canopy from the bedposts. After which, she went out and gave the head of Holofernes to her maid
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	10	who put it in her food bag. The two then left the camp together, as they always did when they went to pray. Once they were out of the camp, they skirted the ravine, climbed the slope to Bethulia and made for the gates.
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	11	From a distance, Judith shouted to the guards on the gates, 'Open the gate! Open! For the Lord our God is with us still, displaying his strength in Israel and his might against our enemies, as he has done today!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	12	Hearing her voice, the townsmen hurried down to the town gate and summoned the elders.
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	13	Everyone, great and small, came running down, since her arrival was unexpected. They threw the gate open, welcomed the women, lit a fire to see by and crowded round them.
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	14	Then Judith raised her voice and said, 'Praise God! Praise him! Praise the God who has not withdrawn his mercy from the House of Israel, but has shattered our enemies by my hand tonight!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	15	She pulled the head out of the bag and held it for them to see. 'This is the head of Holofernes, general-in-chief of the Assyrian army; here is the canopy under which he lay drunk! The Lord has struck him down by the hand of a woman!
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	16	Glory to the Lord who has protected me in the course I took! My face seduced him, only to his own undoing; he committed no sin with me to shame me or disgrace me.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	17	Overcome with emotion, the people all prostrated themselves and worshipped God, exclaiming with one voice, 'Blessings on you, our God, for confounding your people's enemies today!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	18	Uzziah then said to Judith: May you be blessed, my daughter, by God Most High, beyond all women on earth; and blessed be the Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth, who guided you to cut off the head of the leader of our enemies!
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	19	The trust which you have shown will not pass from human hearts, as they commemorate the power of God for evermore.
 Judith	Jdt	18	13	20	God grant you may be always held in honour and rewarded with blessings, since you did not consider your own life when our nation was brought to its knees, but warded off our ruin, walking in the right path before our God. And the people all said, 'Amen! Amen!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	1	Judith said, 'Listen to me, brothers. Take this head and hang it on your battlements.
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	2	When morning comes and the sun is up, let every man take his arms and every able-bodied man leave the town. Appoint a leader for them, as if you meant to march down to the plain against the Assyrian advanced post. But you must not do this.
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	3	The Assyrians will gather up their equipment, make for their camp and wake up their commanders; they in turn will rush to the tent of Holofernes and not be able to find him. They will then be seized with panic and flee at your advance.
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	4	All you and the others who live in the territory of Israel will have to do is to give chase and slaughter them as they retreat.
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	5	'But before you do this, call me Achior the Ammonite, for him to see and identify the man who held the House of Israel in contempt, the man who sent him to us as someone already doomed to die.'
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	6	So they had Achior brought from Uzziah's house. No sooner had he arrived and seen the head of Holofernes held by a member of the people's assembly than he fell on his face in a faint.
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	7	They lifted him up. He then threw himself at Judith's feet and, prostrate before her, exclaimed: May you be blessed in all the tents of Judah and in every nation; those who hear your name will be seized with dread!
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	8	'Now tell me everything that you have done in these past few days.' And surrounded by the people, Judith told him everything she had done from the day she left Bethulia to the moment when she was speaking.
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	9	When she came to the end, the people cheered at the top of their voices until the town echoed.
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	10	Achior, recognising all that the God of Israel had done, believed ardently in him and, accepting circumcision, was permanently incorporated into the House of Israel.
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	11	At daybreak they hung the head of Holofernes on the ramparts. Every man took his arms and they all went out in groups to the slopes of the mountain.
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	12	Seeing this, the Assyrians sent word to their leaders, who in turn reported to the generals, the captains of thousands and all the other officers;
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	13	and these in their turn reported to the tent of Holofernes. 'Rouse our master,' they said to his major-domo, 'these slaves have dared to march down on us to attack -- and to be wiped out to a man!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	14	Bagoas went inside and struck the curtain dividing the tent, thinking that Holofernes was sleeping with Judith.
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	15	But as no one seemed to hear, he drew the curtain and went into the bedroom, to find him thrown down dead on the threshold, with his head cut off.
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	16	He gave a great shout, wept, sobbed, shrieked and rent his clothes.
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	17	He then went into the tent which Judith had occupied and could not find her either. Then, rushing out to the men, he shouted,
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	18	'The slaves have rebelled! A single Hebrew woman has brought shame on the House of Nebuchadnezzar. Holofernes is lying dead on the ground, without his head!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	14	19	When they heard this, the leaders of the Assyrian army tore their tunics in consternation, and the camp rang with their wild cries and their shouting.
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	1	When the men who were still in their tents heard the news they were appalled.
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	2	Panic-stricken and trembling, no two of them could keep together, the rout was complete, with one accord they fled along every track across the plain or through the mountains.
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	3	The men who had been bivouacking in the mountains round Bethulia were fleeing too. Then all the Israelite warriors charged down on them.
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	4	Uzziah sent messengers to Betomasthaim, Bebai, Choba, Kola, throughout the whole territory of Israel, to inform them of what had happened and to urge them all to hurl themselves on the enemy and annihilate them.
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	5	As soon as the Israelites heard the news, they fell on them as one man and massacred them all the way to Choba. The men of Jerusalem and the entire mountain country also rallied to them, once they had been informed of the events in the enemy camp. Then the men of Gilead and Galilee attacked them on the flank and struck at them fiercely till they neared Damascus and its territory.
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	6	All the other inhabitants of Bethulia fell on the Assyrian camp and looted it to their great profit.
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	7	The Israelites returning from the slaughter seized what was left. The hamlets and villages of the mountain country and the plain also captured a great deal of booty, since there were vast stores of it.
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	8	Joakim the high priest and the entire Council of Elders of Israel, who were in Jerusalem, came to gaze on the benefits that the Lord had lavished on Israel and to see Judith and congratulate her.
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	9	On coming to her house, they blessed her with one accord, saying: You are the glory of Jerusalem! You are the great pride of Israel! You are the highest honour of our race!
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	10	By doing all this with your own hand you have deserved well of Israel, and God has approved what you have done. May you be blessed by the Lord Almighty in all the days to come! And the people all said, 'Amen!'
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	11	The people looted the camp for thirty days. They gave Judith the tent of Holofernes, all his silver plate, his divans, his drinking bowls and all his furniture. She took this, loaded her mule, harnessed her carts and heaped the things into them.
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	12	All the women of Israel, hurrying to see her, formed choirs of dancers in her honour. Judith took wands of vine-leaves in her hand and distributed them to the women who accompanied her;
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	13	she and her companions put on wreaths of olive. Then she took her place at the head of the procession and led the women as they danced. All the men of Israel, armed and garlanded, followed them, singing hymns.
 Judith	Jdt	18	15	14	With all Israel round her, Judith broke into this song of thanksgiving and the whole people sang this hymn:
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	1	Break into song for my God, to the tambourine, sing in honour of the Lord, to the cymbal, let psalm and canticle mingle for him, extol his name, invoke it!
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	2	For the Lord is a God who breaks battle-lines; he has pitched his camp in the middle of his people to deliver me from the hands of my oppressors.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	3	Assyria came down from the mountains of the north, came with tens of thousands of his army. Their multitude blocked the ravines, their horses covered the hills.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	4	He threatened to burn up my country, destroy my young men with the sword, dash my sucklings to the ground, make prey of my little ones, carry off my maidens;
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	5	but the Lord Almighty has thwarted them by a woman's hand.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	6	For their hero did not fall at the young men's hands, it was not the sons of Titans struck him down, no proud giants made that attack, but Judith, the daughter of Merari, who disarmed him with the beauty of her face.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	7	She laid aside her widow's dress to raise up those who were oppressed in Israel; she anointed her face with perfume,
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	8	bound her hair under a turban, put on a linen gown to seduce him.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	9	Her sandal ravished his eye, her beauty took his soul prisoner and the scimitar cut through his neck!
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	10	The Persians trembled at her boldness, the Medes were daunted by her daring.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	11	These were struck with fear when my lowly ones raised the war cry, these were seized with terror when my weak ones shouted, and when they raised their voices these gave ground.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	12	The children of mere girls ran them through, pierced them like the offspring of deserters. They perished in the battle of my Lord!
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	13	I shall sing a new song to my God. Lord, you are great, you are glorious, wonderfully strong, unconquerable.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	14	May your whole creation serve you! For you spoke and things came into being, you sent your breath and they were put together, and no one can resist your voice.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	15	Should mountains be tossed from their foundations to mingle with the waves, should rocks melt like wax before your face, to those who fear you, you would still be merciful.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	16	A little thing indeed is a sweetly smelling sacrifice, still less the fat burned for you in burnt offering; but whoever fears the Lord is great for ever.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	17	Woe to the nations who rise against my race! The Lord Almighty will punish them on judgement day. He will send fire and worms in their flesh and they will weep with pain for evermore.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	18	When they reached Jerusalem they fell on their faces before God and, once the people had been purified, they presented their burnt offerings, voluntary offerings and gifts.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	19	All Holofernes' property given her by the people, and the canopy she herself had stripped from his bed, Judith vowed to God as a dedicated offering.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	20	For three months the people gave themselves up to rejoicings in front of the Temple in Jerusalem, where Judith stayed with them.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	21	When this was over, everyone returned home. Judith went back to Bethulia and lived on her property; as long as she lived, she enjoyed a great reputation throughout the country.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	22	She had many suitors, but all her days, from the time her husband Manasseh died and was gathered to his people, she never gave herself to another man.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	23	Her fame spread more and more, the older she grew in her husband's house; she lived to the age of one hundred and five. She emancipated her maid, then died in Bethulia and was buried in the cave where Manasseh her husband lay.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	24	The House of Israel mourned her for seven days. Before her death she had distributed her property among her own relations and those of her husband Manasseh.
 Judith	Jdt	18	16	25	Never again during the lifetime of Judith, nor indeed for a long time after her death, did anyone trouble the Israelites.
 Esther	Est	19	1	1	It was in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus whose empire stretched from India to Ethiopia and comprised one hundred and twenty-seven provinces.
 Esther	Est	19	1	2	In those days, when King Ahasuerus was sitting on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa,
 Esther	Est	19	1	3	in the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet at his court for all his officers-of-state and ministers, Persian and Median army-commanders, nobles and provincial governors.
 Esther	Est	19	1	4	Thus he displayed the riches and splendour of his empire and the pomp and glory of his majesty; the festivities went on for a long time, a hundred and eighty days.
 Esther	Est	19	1	5	When this period was over, for seven days the king gave a banquet for all the people living in the citadel of Susa, to high and low alike, on the esplanade in the gardens of the royal palace.
 Esther	Est	19	1	6	There were white and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple thread to silver rings on marble columns, couches of gold and silver on a pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and precious stones.
 Esther	Est	19	1	7	For drinking there were golden cups of various design and plenty of wine provided by the king with royal liberality.
 Esther	Est	19	1	8	The royal edict did not, however, make drinking obligatory, the king having instructed the officials of his household to treat each guest according to the guest's own wishes.
 Esther	Est	19	1	9	Queen Vashti, for her part, gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Ahasuerus.
 Esther	Est	19	1	10	On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven officers in attendance on the person of King Ahasuerus,
 Esther	Est	19	1	11	to bring Queen Vashti before the king, crowned with her royal diadem, in order to display her beauty to the people and the officers-of-state, since she was very beautiful.
 Esther	Est	19	1	12	But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the officers. The king was very angry at this and his rage grew hot.
 Esther	Est	19	1	13	Addressing himself to the wise men who were versed in the law -- it being the practice to refer matters affecting the king to expert lawyers and jurists-
 Esther	Est	19	1	14	he summoned Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, seven Persian and Median officers-of-state who had privileged access to the royal presence and occupied the leading positions in the kingdom.
 Esther	Est	19	1	15	'According to law,' he said, 'what is to be done to Queen Vashti for not obeying the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the officers?'
 Esther	Est	19	1	16	In the presence of the king and the officers-of-state, Memucan replied, 'Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the officers-of-state and all the peoples inhabiting the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
 Esther	Est	19	1	17	The queen's conduct will soon become known to all the women, who will adopt a contemptuous attitude towards their own husbands. They will say, "King Ahasuerus himself commanded Queen Vashti to appear before him and she did not come."
 Esther	Est	19	1	18	Before the day is out, the wives of the Persian and Median officers-of-state will be telling every one of the king's officers-of-state what they have heard about the queen's behaviour; and that will mean contempt and anger all round.
 Esther	Est	19	1	19	If it is the king's pleasure, let him issue a royal edict, to be irrevocably incorporated into the laws of the Persians and Medes, to the effect that Vashti is never to appear again before King Ahasuerus, and let the king confer her royal dignity on a worthier woman.
 Esther	Est	19	1	20	Let this edict issued by the king be proclaimed throughout his empire -- which is great -- and all the women will henceforth bow to the authority of their husbands, both high and low alike.'
 Esther	Est	19	1	21	This speech pleased the king and the officers-of-state, and the king did as Memucan advised.
 Esther	Est	19	1	22	He sent letters to all the provinces of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each nation in its own language, ensuring that every husband should be master in his own house.
 Esther	Est	19	2	1	Some time after this, when the king's wrath had subsided, Ahasuerus remembered Vashti, how she had behaved, and the measures taken against her.
 Esther	Est	19	2	2	The king's gentlemen-in-waiting said, 'A search should be made on the king's behalf for beautiful young virgins,
 Esther	Est	19	2	3	and the king appoint commissioners throughout the provinces of his realm to bring all these beautiful young virgins to the citadel of Susa, to the harem under the authority of Hegai the king's eunuch, custodian of the women. Here he will give them whatever they need for enhancing their beauty,
 Esther	Est	19	2	4	and the girl who pleases the king can take Vashti's place as queen.' This advice pleased the king and he acted on it.
 Esther	Est	19	2	5	Now in the citadel of Susa there lived a Jew called Mordecai son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin,
 Esther	Est	19	2	6	who had been deported from Jerusalem among the captives taken away with Jeconiah king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,
 Esther	Est	19	2	7	and was now bringing up a certain Hadassah, otherwise called Esther, his uncle's daughter, who had lost both father and mother; the girl had a good figure and a beautiful face, and on the death of her parents Mordecai had adopted her as his daughter.
 Esther	Est	19	2	8	On the promulgation of the royal command and edict a great number of girls were brought to the citadel of Susa where they were entrusted to Hegai. Esther, too, was taken to the king's palace and entrusted to Hegai, the custodian of the women.
 Esther	Est	19	2	9	The girl pleased him and won his favour. Not only did he quickly provide her with all she needed for her dressing room and her meals, but he gave her seven special maids from the king's household and transferred her and her maids to the best part of the harem.
 Esther	Est	19	2	10	Esther had not divulged her race or parentage, since Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.
 Esther	Est	19	2	11	Mordecai walked up and down in front of the courtyard of the harem all day and every day, to learn how Esther was and how she was being treated.
 Esther	Est	19	2	12	Each girl had to appear in turn before King Ahasuerus after a delay of twelve months fixed by the regulations for the women; this preparatory period was occupied as follows: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with spices and lotions commonly use for feminine beauty treatment.
 Esther	Est	19	2	13	When each girl went to the king, she was given whatever she wanted to take with her, since she then moved from the harem into the royal household.
 Esther	Est	19	2	14	She went there in the evening, and the following morning returned to another harem entrusted to the care of Shaashgaz, the king's officer, custodian of the concubines. She did not go to the king any more, unless he was particularly pleased with her and had her summoned by name.
 Esther	Est	19	2	15	But when it was the turn of Esther the daughter of Abihail, whose nephew Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter, to go into the king's presence, she did not ask for anything beyond what had been assigned her by Hegai, the king's officer, custodian of the women. Esther won the approval of all who saw her.
 Esther	Est	19	2	16	She was brought to King Ahasuerus in his royal apartments in the tenth month, which is called Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign;
 Esther	Est	19	2	17	and the king liked Esther better than any of the other women; none of the other girls found so much favour and approval with him. So he set the royal diadem on her head and proclaimed her queen instead of Vashti.
 Esther	Est	19	2	18	The king then gave a great banquet, Esther's banquet, for all his officers-of-state and ministers, decreed a holiday for all the provinces and distributed largesse with royal prodigality.
 Esther	Est	19	2	19	When Esther, like the other girls, had been transferred to the second harem,
 Esther	Est	19	2	20	she did not divulge her parentage or race, in obedience to the orders of Mordecai, whose instructions she continued to follow as when she had been under his care.
 Esther	Est	19	2	21	At this time Mordecai was attached to the Chancellery and two malcontents, Bigthan and Teresh, officers in the king's service as Guards of the Threshold, plotted to assassinate King Ahasuerus.
 Esther	Est	19	2	22	Mordecai came to hear of this and informed Queen Esther, who in turn, on Mordecai's authority, told the king.
 Esther	Est	19	2	23	The matter was investigated and proved to be true. The two conspirators were sent to the gallows, and the incident was recorded in the Annals, in the royal presence.
 Esther	Est	19	3	1	Shortly afterwards, King Ahasuerus singled out Haman son of Hammedatha, a native of Agag, for promotion. He raised him in rank, granting him precedence over all his colleagues, the other officers-of-state,
 Esther	Est	19	3	2	and all the royal officials employed at the Chancellery used to bow low and prostrate themselves whenever Haman appeared -- such was the king's command. Mordecai refused either to bow or to prostrate himself.
 Esther	Est	19	3	3	'Why do you flout the royal command?' the officials of the Chancellery asked Mordecai.
 Esther	Est	19	3	4	Day after day they asked him this, but he took no notice of them. In the end they reported the matter to Haman, to see whether Mordecai would persist in his attitude, since he had told them that he was a Jew.
 Esther	Est	19	3	5	Haman could see for himself that Mordecai did not bow or prostrate himself in his presence; he became furiously angry.
 Esther	Est	19	3	6	And, on being told what race Mordecai belonged to, he thought it beneath him merely to get rid of Mordecai, but made up his mind to wipe out all the members of Mordecai's race, the Jews, living in Ahasuerus' entire empire.
 Esther	Est	19	3	7	In the first month, that is the month of Nisan, of the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in Haman's presence, to determine the day and the month. The lot falling on the twelfth month, which is Adar,
 Esther	Est	19	3	8	Haman said to King Ahasuerus, 'There is a certain unassimilated nation scattered among the other nations throughout the provinces of your realm; their laws are different from those of all the other nations, and the royal laws they ignore; hence it is not in the king's interests to tolerate them.
 Esther	Est	19	3	9	If their destruction be signed, so please the king, I am ready to pay ten thousand talents of silver to the king's receivers, to be credited to the royal treasury.'
 Esther	Est	19	3	10	The king then took his signet ring off his hand and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the persecutor of the Jews.
 Esther	Est	19	3	11	'Keep the money,' he said, 'and you can have the people too; do what you like with them.'
 Esther	Est	19	3	12	The royal scribes were therefore summoned for the thirteenth day of the first month, when they wrote out the orders addressed by Haman to the king's satraps, to the governors ruling each province and to the principal officials of each people, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language. The edict was signed in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with his ring,
 Esther	Est	19	3	13	and letters were sent by runners to every province of the realm, ordering the destruction, slaughter and annihilation of all Jews, young and old, including women and children, on the same day -- the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is Adar -- and the seizing of their possessions.
 Esther	Est	19	3	14	Copies of this decree, to be promulgated as law in each province, were published to the various peoples, so that each might be ready for the day aforementioned.
 Esther	Est	19	3	15	At the king's command, the runners set out with all speed; the decree was first promulgated in the citadel of Susa. While the king and Haman gave themselves up to feasting and drinking, consternation reigned in the city of Susa.
 Esther	Est	19	4	1	When Mordecai learned what had happened, he tore his garments and put on sackcloth and ashes. Then he walked into the centre of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly,
 Esther	Est	19	4	2	until he arrived in front of the Chancellery, which no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter.
 Esther	Est	19	4	3	And in every province, no sooner had the royal command and edict arrived, than among the Jews there was great mourning, fasting, weeping and wailing, and many lay on sackcloth and ashes.
 Esther	Est	19	4	4	When Queen Esther's maids and officers came and told her, she was overcome with grief. She sent clothes for Mordecai to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he refused them.
 Esther	Est	19	4	5	Esther then summoned Hathach, an officer whom the king had appointed to wait on her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai and enquire what the matter was and why he was acting in this way.
 Esther	Est	19	4	6	Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square in front of the Chancellery,
 Esther	Est	19	4	7	and Mordecai told him what had happened to him personally, and also about the sum of money which Haman had offered to pay into the royal treasury to procure the destruction of the Jews.
 Esther	Est	19	4	8	He also gave him a copy of the edict of extermination published in Susa for him to show Esther for her information, with the message that she was to go to the king and implore his favour and plead with him for the race to which she belonged.
 Esther	Est	19	4	9	Hathach came back and told Esther what Mordecai had said;
 Esther	Est	19	4	10	and she replied with the following message for Mordecai,
 Esther	Est	19	4	11	'Royal officials and people living in the provinces alike all know that for anyone, man or woman, who approaches the king in the private apartments without having been summoned there, there is only one law: he must die, unless the king, by pointing his golden sceptre towards him, grants him his life. And I have not been summoned to the king for the last thirty days.'
 Esther	Est	19	4	12	These words of Esther were reported to Mordecai,
 Esther	Est	19	4	13	who sent back the following reply, 'Do not suppose that, because you are in the king's palace, you are going to be the one Jew to escape.
 Esther	Est	19	4	14	No; if you persist in remaining silent at such a time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another quarter, but both you and your father's whole family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to the throne for just such a time as this.'
 Esther	Est	19	4	15	Whereupon Esther sent this reply to Mordecai,
 Esther	Est	19	4	16	'Go and assemble all the Jews now in Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink day or night for three days. For my part, I and my waiting-women shall keep the same fast, after which I shall go to the king in spite of the law; and if I perish, I perish.'
 Esther	Est	19	4	17	Mordecai went away and carried out Esther's instructions.
 Esther	Est	19	5	1	(a) On the third day, when she had finished praying, she took off her suppliant's mourning attire and dressed herself in her full splendour. Radiant as she then appeared, she invoked God who watches over all people and saves them. With her, she took two ladies-in-waiting. With a delicate air she learned on one, while the other accompanied her carrying her train. Rosy with the full flush of her beauty, her face radiated joy and love: but her heart shrank with hear. Having passed through door after door, she found herself in the presence of the king. He was sitting on his royal throne, dressed in all his robes of state, glittering with gold and precious stones-- a formidable sight. He looked up, afire with majesty and, blazing with anger, saw her. The queen sank to the floor. As she fainted, the colour drained from her face and her head fell against the lady-in-waiting beside her. But God changed the king's heart, inducing a milder spirit. He sprang from his throne in alarm and took her in his arms until she recovered, comforting her with soothing words. 'What is the matter, Esther?' he said. 'I am your brother. Take heart, you are not going to die; our order applies only to ordinary people. Come to me.'
 Esther	Est	19	5	2	(a) 'Sire,' she said, 'to me you looked like one of God's angels, and my heart was moved with fear of your majesty. For you are a figure of wonder, my lord, and your face is full of graciousness.' (b) But as she spoke she fell down in a faint. The king grrew more agitated, and his courtiers all set about reviving her.
 Esther	Est	19	5	3	'What is the matter, Queen Esther?' the king said. 'Tell me what you want; even if it is half my kingdom, I grant it you.'
 Esther	Est	19	5	4	'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared for him?'
 Esther	Est	19	5	5	The king said, 'Tell Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'
 Esther	Est	19	5	6	So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared and, during the banquet, the king again said to Esther, 'Tell me your request; I grant it to you. Tell me what you want; even if it is half my kingdom, it is yours for the asking.'
 Esther	Est	19	5	7	'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.
 Esther	Est	19	5	8	'If I have found favour in the king's eyes, and if it is his pleasure to grant what I ask and to agree to my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet I intend to give them tomorrow, and then I shall do as the king says.'
 Esther	Est	19	5	9	Haman left full of joy and high spirits that day; but when he saw Mordecai at the Chancellery, neither standing up nor stirring at his approach, he felt a gust of anger.
 Esther	Est	19	5	10	He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife
 Esther	Est	19	5	11	and held forth to them about his dazzling wealth, his many children, how the king had raised him to a position of honour and promoted him over the heads of the king's officers-of-state and ministers.
 Esther	Est	19	5	12	'What is more,' he added, 'Queen Esther has just invited me and the king -- no one else except me -- to a banquet she was giving, and better still she has invited me and the king again tomorrow.
 Esther	Est	19	5	13	But what do I care about all this when all the while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting there at the Chancellery?'
 Esther	Est	19	5	14	'Have a fifty-cubit gallows run up,' said Zeresh his wife and all his friends, 'and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then you can go with the king to the banquet, without a care in the world!' Delighted with this advice, Haman had the gallows erected.
 Esther	Est	19	6	1	That night the king could not sleep; he called for the Record Book, or Annals, to be brought and read to him.
 Esther	Est	19	6	2	They contained an account of how Mordecai had denounced Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs serving as Guards of the Threshold, who had plotted to assassinate King Ahasuerus.
 Esther	Est	19	6	3	'And what honour and dignity', the king asked, 'was conferred on Mordecai for this?' 'Nothing has been done for him,' the gentlemen-in-waiting replied.
 Esther	Est	19	6	4	The king then said, 'Who is outside in the antechamber?' Haman had, that very moment, entered the outer antechamber of the private apartments, to ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on the gallows which he had just put up for the purpose.
 Esther	Est	19	6	5	So the king's gentlemen-in-waiting replied, 'It is Haman out in the antechamber.' 'Bring him in,' the king said,
 Esther	Est	19	6	6	and, as soon as Haman came in, went on to ask, 'What is the right way to treat a man whom the king wishes to honour?' 'Whom', thought Haman, 'would the king wish to honour, if not me?'
 Esther	Est	19	6	7	So he replied, 'If the king wishes to honour someone,
 Esther	Est	19	6	8	royal robes should be brought from the king's wardrobe, and a horse from the king's stable, sporting a royal diadem on its head.
 Esther	Est	19	6	9	The robes and horse should be entrusted to one of the noblest of the king's officers-of-state, who should then array the man whom the king wishes to honour and lead him on horseback through the city square, proclaiming before him: "This is the way a man shall be treated whom the king wished to honour."'
 Esther	Est	19	6	10	'Hurry,' the king said to Haman, 'take the robes and the horse, and do everything you have just said to Mordecai the Jew, who works at the Chancellery. On no account leave out anything that you have mentioned.'
 Esther	Est	19	6	11	So taking the robes and the horse, Haman arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square, proclaiming before him: 'This is the way a man shall be treated whom the king wishes to honour.'
 Esther	Est	19	6	12	After this Mordecai returned to the Chancellery, while Haman went hurrying home in dejection and covering his face.
 Esther	Est	19	6	13	He told his wife Zeresh and all his friends what had just happened. His wife Zeresh and his friends said, 'You are beginning to fall, and Mordecai to rise; if he is Jewish, you will never get the better of him. With him against you, your fall is certain.'
 Esther	Est	19	6	14	While they were still talking, the king's officers arrived in a hurry to escort Haman to the banquet that Esther was giving.
 Esther	Est	19	7	1	The king and Haman went to Queen Esther's banquet,
 Esther	Est	19	7	2	and this second day, during the banquet, the king again said to Esther, 'Tell me your request, Queen Esther. I grant it to you. Whatever you want; even if it is half my kingdom, it is yours for the asking.'
 Esther	Est	19	7	3	'If I have found favour in your eyes, O king,' Queen Esther replied, 'and if it please your majesty, grant me my life -- that is my request; and the lives of my people -- that is what I want.
 Esther	Est	19	7	4	For we have been handed over, my people and I, to destruction, slaughter and annihilation; had we merely been sold as slaves and servant-girls, I should not have said anything; but in the present case, it will be beyond the persecutor's means to make good the loss that the king is about to sustain.'
 Esther	Est	19	7	5	King Ahasuerus interrupted Queen Esther, 'Who is this man?' he exclaimed. 'Where is the man who has thought of doing such a thing?'
 Esther	Est	19	7	6	Esther replied, 'The persecutor, the enemy? Why, this wretch Haman!' Haman quaked with terror in the presence of the king and queen.
 Esther	Est	19	7	7	In a rage the king got up from the banquet and went into the palace garden; while Haman, realising that the king was determined on his ruin, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.
 Esther	Est	19	7	8	When the king came back from the palace garden into the banqueting hall, he found Haman sprawled across the couch where Esther was reclining. 'What!' the king exclaimed. 'Is he going to rape the queen in my own palace?' The words were scarcely out of his mouth than a veil was thrown over Haman's face.
 Esther	Est	19	7	9	In the royal presence, Harbona, one of the officers, said, 'There is that fifty-cubit gallows, too, which Haman ran up for Mordecai, who spoke up to the king's great advantage. It is all ready at his house.' 'Hang him on it,' said the king.
 Esther	Est	19	7	10	So Haman was hanged on the gallows which he had erected for Mordecai, and the king's wrath subsided.
 Esther	Est	19	8	1	That same day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the house of Haman, the persecutor of the Jews. Mordecai was presented to the king, Esther having revealed their mutual relationship.
 Esther	Est	19	8	2	The king, who had recovered his signet ring from Haman, took it off and gave it to Mordecai, while Esther gave Mordecai charge of Haman's house.
 Esther	Est	19	8	3	Esther again went to speak to the king. She fell at his feet, weeping and imploring his favour, to frustrate the malice that Haman the Agagite had been plotting against the Jews.
 Esther	Est	19	8	4	The king held out the golden sceptre to her, whereupon Esther stood up and faced him.
 Esther	Est	19	8	5	'If such is the king's good pleasure,' she said, 'and if I have found favour before him, if my petition seems proper to him and if I myself am pleasing to his eyes, may he be pleased to issue a written revocation of the letters which Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, has had written, ordering the destruction of the Jews throughout the royal provinces.
 Esther	Est	19	8	6	For how can I look on, while my people suffer what is proposed for them? How can I bear to witness the extermination of my relatives?'
 Esther	Est	19	8	7	King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, 'I for my part have given Esther Haman's house, and have had him hanged on the gallows for planning to destroy the Jews.
 Esther	Est	19	8	8	You, for your part, write what you please as regards the Jews, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's signet; for any edict written in the king's name and sealed with his signet is irrevocable.'
 Esther	Est	19	8	9	The royal scribes were summoned at once -- it was the third month, the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day -- and at Mordecai's dictation an order was written to the Jews, the satraps, governors and principal officials of the provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia, a hundred and twenty-seven provinces, to each provinces in its own script, and to each people in its own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language.
 Esther	Est	19	8	10	These letters, written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king's signet, were carried by couriers mounted on horses from the king's own stud-farms.
 Esther	Est	19	8	11	In them the king granted the Jews, in whatever city they lived, the right to assemble in self-defence, with permission to destroy, slaughter and annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, together with their women and children, and to plunder their possessions,
 Esther	Est	19	8	12	with effect from the same day throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus -- the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is Adar, 'Every city and, more generally, every country,which does not follow these instructions, will be mercilessly devastated with fire and sword, and made not only inaccessible to human beings but hateful to wild animals and even birds for ever.'
 Esther	Est	19	8	13	Copies of this edict, to be promulgated as law in each province, were published to the various peoples, so that the Jews could be ready on the day stated to avenge themselves on their enemies.
 Esther	Est	19	8	14	The couriers, mounted on the king's horses, set out in great haste and urgency at the king's command. The edict was also published in the citadel of Susa.
 Esther	Est	19	8	15	Mordecai left the royal presence in a princely gown of violet and white, with a great golden crown and a cloak of fine linen and purple. The city of Susa shouted for joy.
 Esther	Est	19	8	16	For the Jews there was light and gladness, joy and honour.
 Esther	Est	19	8	17	In every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and decree arrived, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and holiday-making. Of the country's population many became Jews, since now the Jews were feared.
 Esther	Est	19	9	1	The king's command and decree came into force on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, and the day on which the enemies of the Jews had hoped to crush them produced the very opposite effect: the Jews it was who crushed their enemies.
 Esther	Est	19	9	2	In their towns throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus, the Jews assembled to strike at those who had planned to injure them. No one resisted them, since the various peoples were now all afraid of them.
 Esther	Est	19	9	3	Provincial officers-of-state, satraps, governors and royal officials, all supported the Jews for fear of Mordecai.
 Esther	Est	19	9	4	And indeed Mordecai was a power in the palace and his fame was spreading through all the provinces; Mordecai was steadily growing more powerful.
 Esther	Est	19	9	5	So the Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, with resulting slaughter and destruction, and worked their will on their opponents.
 Esther	Est	19	9	6	In the citadel of Susa alone, the Jews put to death and slaughtered five hundred men,
 Esther	Est	19	9	7	notably Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,
 Esther	Est	19	9	8	Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,
 Esther	Est	19	9	9	Parmashtha, Arisai, Aridai and Jezatha,
 Esther	Est	19	9	10	the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the persecutor of the Jews. But they took no plunder.
 Esther	Est	19	9	11	The number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king that same day.
 Esther	Est	19	9	12	The king said to Queen Esther, 'In the citadel of Susa the Jews have killed five hundred men and also the ten sons of Haman. What must they have done in the other provinces of the realm? Tell me your request; I grant it to you. Tell me what else you would like; it is yours for the asking.'
 Esther	Est	19	9	13	'If such is the king's pleasure,' Esther replied, 'let the Jews of Susa be allowed to enforce today's decree tomorrow as well. And as for the ten sons of Haman, let their bodies be hanged on the gallows.'
 Esther	Est	19	9	14	Whereupon, the king having given the order, the edict was promulgated in Susa and the ten sons of Haman were hanged.
 Esther	Est	19	9	15	Thus the Jews of Susa reassembled on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men in the city. But they took no plunder.
 Esther	Est	19	9	16	The other Jews who lived in the king's provinces also assembled to defend their lives and rid themselves of their enemies. They slaughtered seventy-five thousand of their opponents. But they took no plunder.
 Esther	Est	19	9	17	This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. On the fourteenth day they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
 Esther	Est	19	9	18	But for the Jews of Susa, who had assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth days, the fifteenth was the day they rested, making that a day of feasting and gladness.
 Esther	Est	19	9	19	This is why Jewish country people, those who live in undefended villages, keep the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day of gladness, feasting and holiday-making, and the exchanging of presents with one another, (a) whereas for those who live in cities the day of rejoicing and exchanging presents with their neighbours is the fifteenth day of Adar.
 Esther	Est	19	9	20	Mordecai committed these events to writing. Then he sent letters to all the Jews living in the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far,
 Esther	Est	19	9	21	enjoining them to celebrate the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar every year,
 Esther	Est	19	9	22	as the days on which the Jews had rid themselves of their enemies, and the month in which their sorrow had been turned into gladness, and mourning into a holiday. He therefore told them to keep these as days of festivity and gladness when they were to exchange presents and make gifts to the poor.
 Esther	Est	19	9	23	Once having begun, the Jews continued observing these practices, Mordecai having written them an account
 Esther	Est	19	9	24	of how Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the persecutor of all the Jews, had plotted their destruction and had cast the pur, that is, the lot, for their overthrow and ruin;
 Esther	Est	19	9	25	but how, when he went back to the king to ask him to order the hanging of Mordecai, the wicked scheme which he had devised against the Jews recoiled on his own head, and both he and his sons were hanged on the gallows;
 Esther	Est	19	9	26	and that, hence, these days were called Purim, from the word pur. And so, because of what was written in this letter, and because of what they had seen for themselves and of what had happened to them,
 Esther	Est	19	9	27	the Jews willingly bound themselves, their descendants and all who should join them, to celebrate these two days without fail, in the manner prescribed and at the time appointed, year after year.
 Esther	Est	19	9	28	Thus commemorated and celebrated from generation to generation, in every family, in every province, in every city, these days of Purim will never be abrogated among the Jews, nor will their memory perish from their race.
 Esther	Est	19	9	29	Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, wrote with full authority to ratify this second letter,
 Esther	Est	19	9	30	and sent letters to all the Jews of the hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the realm of Ahasuerus, in terms of peace and loyalty
 Esther	Est	19	9	31	enjoining them to observe these days of Purim at the appointed time, as Mordecai the Jew had recommended, and in the manner prescribed for themselves and their descendants, with additional ordinances for fasts and lamentations.
 Esther	Est	19	9	32	The ordinance of Esther fixed the law of Purim, which was then recorded in a book.
 Esther	Est	19	10	1	King Ahasuerus put not only the mainland under tribute but the Mediterranean islands as well.
 Esther	Est	19	10	2	All his feats of power and valour, and the account of the high honour to which he raised Mordecai: all this is recorded in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Media and Persia.
 Esther	Est	19	10	3	And Mordecai the Jew was next in rank to King Ahasuerus. He was a man held in respect among the Jews, esteemed by thousands of his brothers, a man who sought the good of his people and cared for the welfare of his entire race.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	1	Alexander of Macedon son of Philip had come from the land of Kittim and defeated Darius king of the Persians and Medes, whom he succeeded as ruler, at first of Hellas.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	2	He undertook many campaigns, gained possession of many fortresses, and put the local kings to death.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	3	So he advanced to the ends of the earth, plundering nation after nation; the earth grew silent before him, and his ambitious heart swelled with pride.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	4	He assembled very powerful forces and subdued provinces, nations and princes, and they became his tributaries.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	5	But the time came when Alexander took to his bed, in the knowledge that he was dying.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	6	He summoned his officers, noblemen who had been brought up with him from his youth, and divided his kingdom among them while he was still alive.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	7	Alexander had reigned twelve years when he died.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	8	Each of his officers established himself in his own region.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	9	All assumed crowns after his death, they and their heirs after them for many years, bringing increasing evils on the world.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	10	From these there grew a wicked offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes son of King Antiochus; once a hostage in Rome, he became king in the 107th year of the kingdom of the Greeks.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	11	It was then that there emerged from Israel a set of renegades who led many people astray. 'Come,' they said, 'let us ally ourselves with the gentiles surrounding us, for since we separated ourselves from them many misfortunes have overtaken us.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	12	This proposal proved acceptable,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	13	and a number of the people eagerly approached the king, who authorised them to practise the gentiles' observances.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	14	So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, such as the gentiles have,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	15	disguised their circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant, submitting to gentile rule as willing slaves of impiety.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	16	Once Antiochus had seen his authority established, he determined to make himself king of Egypt and the ruler of both kingdoms.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	17	He invaded Egypt in massive strength, with chariots and elephants (and cavalry) and a large fleet.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	18	He engaged Ptolemy king of Egypt in battle, and Ptolemy turned back and fled before his advance, leaving many casualties.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	19	The fortified cities of Egypt were captured, and Antiochus plundered the country.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	20	After his conquest of Egypt, in the year 143,	Antiochus turned about and advanced on Israel and Jerusalem in massive strength.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	21	Insolently breaking into the sanctuary, he removed the golden altar and the lamp-stand for the light with all its fittings,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	22	together with the table for the loaves of permanent offering, the libation vessels, the cups, the golden censers, the veil, the crowns, and the golden decoration on the front of the Temple, which he stripped of everything.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	23	He made off with the silver and gold and precious vessels; he discovered the secret treasures and seized them
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	24	and, removing all these, he went back to his own country, having shed much blood and uttered words of extreme arrogance.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	25	There was deep mourning for Israel throughout the country:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	26	Rulers and elders groaned; girls and young men wasted away; the women's beauty suffered a change;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	27	every bridegroom took up a dirge, the bride sat grief-stricken on her marriage-bed.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	28	The earth quaked because of its inhabitants and the whole House of Jacob was clothed with shame.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	29	Two years later the king sent the Mysarch through the cities of Judah. He came to Jerusalem with an impressive force,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	30	and addressing them with what appeared to be peaceful words, he gained their confidence; then suddenly he fell on the city, dealing it a terrible blow, and destroying many of the people of Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	31	He pillaged the city and set it on fire, tore down its houses and encircling wall,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	32	took the women and children captive and commandeered the cattle.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	33	They then rebuilt the City of David with a great strong wall and strong towers and made this their Citadel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	34	There they installed a brood of sinners, of renegades, who fortified themselves inside it,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	35	storing arms and provisions, and depositing there the loot they had collected from Jerusalem; they were to prove a great trouble.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	36	It became an ambush for the sanctuary, an evil adversary for Israel at all times.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	37	They shed innocent blood all round the sanctuary and defiled the sanctuary itself.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	38	The citizens of Jerusalem fled because of them, she became a dwelling-place of strangers; estranged from her own offspring, her children forsook her.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	39	Her sanctuary became as forsaken as a desert, her feasts were turned into mourning, her Sabbaths into a mockery, her honour into reproach.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	40	Her dishonour now fully matched her former glory, her greatness was turned into grief.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	41	The king then issued a proclamation to his whole kingdom that all were to become a single people, each nation renouncing its particular customs.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	42	All the gentiles conformed to the king's decree,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	43	and many Israelites chose to accept his religion, sacrificing to idols and profaning the Sabbath.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	44	The king also sent edicts by messenger to Jerusalem and the towns of Judah, directing them to adopt customs foreign to the country,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	45	banning burnt offerings, sacrifices and libations from the sanctuary, profaning Sabbaths and feasts,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	46	defiling the sanctuary and everything holy,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	47	building altars, shrines and temples for idols, sacrificing pigs and unclean beasts,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	48	leaving their sons uncircumcised, and prostituting themselves to all kinds of impurity and abomination,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	49	so that they should forget the Law and revoke all observance of it.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	50	Anyone not obeying the king's command was to be put to death.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	51	Writing in such terms to every part of his kingdom, the king appointed inspectors for the whole people and directed all the towns of Judah to offer sacrifice city by city.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	52	Many of the people -- that is, every apostate from the Law -- rallied to them and so committed evil in the country,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	53	forcing Israel into hiding in any possible place of refuge.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	54	On the fifteenth day of Chislev in the year
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	145	the king built the appalling abomination on top of the altar of burnt offering; and altars were built in the surrounding towns of Judah
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	55	and incense offered at the doors of houses and in the streets.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	56	Any books of the Law that came to light were torn up and burned.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	57	Whenever anyone was discovered possessing a copy of the covenant or practising the Law, the king's decree sentenced him to death.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	58	Month after month they took harsh action against any offenders they discovered in the towns of Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	59	On the twenty-fifth day of each month, sacrifice was offered on the altar erected on top of the altar of burnt offering.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	60	Women who had had their children circumcised were put to death according to the edict
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	61	with their babies hung round their necks, and the members of their household and those who had performed the circumcision were executed with them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	62	Yet there were many in Israel who stood firm and found the courage to refuse unclean food.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	63	They chose death rather than contamination by such fare or profanation of the holy covenant, and they were executed.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	1	64	It was a truly dreadful retribution that visited Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	1	About then, Mattathias son of John, son of Simeon, a priest of the line of Joarib, left Jerusalem and settled in Modein.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	2	He had five sons, John known as Gaddi,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	3	Simon called Thassi,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	4	Judas called Maccabaeus,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	5	Eleazar, called Avaran, and Jonathan called Apphus.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	6	When he saw the blasphemies being committed in Judah and Jerusalem,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	7	he said, 'Alas that I should have been born to witness the ruin of my people and the ruin of the Holy City, and to sit by while she is delivered over to her enemies, and the sanctuary into the hand of foreigners.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	8	'Her Temple has become like someone of no repute,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	9	the vessels that were her glory have been carried off as booty, her babies have been slaughtered in her streets, her young men by the enemy's sword.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	10	Is there a nation that has not claimed a share of her royal prerogatives, that has not taken some of her spoils?
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	11	All her ornaments have been snatched from her, her former freedom has become slavery.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	12	See how the Holy Place, our beauty, our glory, is now laid waste, see how the gentiles have profaned it!
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	13	What have we left to live for?'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	14	Mattathias and his sons tore their garments, put on sackcloth, and observed deep mourning.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	15	The king's commissioners who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modein for the sacrifices.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	16	Many Israelites gathered round them, but Mattathias and his sons drew apart.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	17	The king's commissioners then addressed Mattathias as follows, 'You are a respected leader, a great man in this town; you have sons and brothers to support you.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	18	Be the first to step forward and conform to the king's decree, as all the nations have done, and the leaders of Judah and the survivors in Jerusalem; you and your sons shall be reckoned among the Friends of the King, you and your sons will be honoured with gold and silver and many presents.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	19	Raising his voice, Mattathias retorted, 'Even if every nation living in the king's dominions obeys him, each forsaking its ancestral religion to conform to his decrees,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	20	I, my sons and my brothers will still follow the covenant of our ancestors.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	21	May Heaven preserve us from forsaking the Law and its observances.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	22	As for the king's orders, we will not follow them: we shall not swerve from our own religion either to right or to left.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	23	As he finished speaking, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein as the royal edict required.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	24	When Mattathias saw this, he was fired with zeal; stirred to the depth of his being, he gave vent to his legitimate anger, threw himself on the man and slaughtered him on the altar.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	25	At the same time he killed the king's commissioner who was there to enforce the sacrifice, and tore down the altar.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	26	In his zeal for the Law he acted as Phinehas had against Zimri son of Salu.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	27	Then Mattathias went through the town, shouting at the top of his voice, 'Let everyone who has any zeal for the Law and takes his stand on the covenant come out and follow me.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	28	Then he fled with his sons into the hills, leaving all their possessions behind in the town.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	29	Many people who were concerned for virtue and justice went down to the desert and stayed there,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	30	taking with them their sons, their wives and their cattle, so oppressive had their sufferings become.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	31	Word was brought to the royal officials and forces stationed in Jerusalem, in the City of David, that those who had repudiated the king's edict had gone down to the hiding places in the desert.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	32	A strong detachment went after them, and when it came up with them ranged itself against them in battle formation, preparing to attack them on the Sabbath day,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	33	and said, 'Enough of this! Come out and do as the king orders and you will be spared.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	34	The others, however, replied, 'We refuse to come out, and we will not obey the king's orders and profane the Sabbath day.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	35	The royal forces at once went into action,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	36	but the others offered no opposition; not a stone was thrown, there was no barricading of the hiding places.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	37	They only said, 'Let us all die innocent; let heaven and earth bear witness that you are massacring us with no pretence of justice.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	38	The attack was pressed home on the Sabbath itself, and they were slaughtered, with their wives and children and cattle, to the number of one thousand persons.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	39	When the news reached Mattathias and his friends, they mourned them bitterly
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	40	and said to one another, 'If we all do as our brothers have done, and refuse to fight the gentiles for our lives and institutions, they will only destroy us the sooner from the earth.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	41	So then and there they came to this decision, 'If anyone attacks us on the Sabbath day, whoever he may be, we shall resist him; we must not all be killed, as our brothers were in the hiding places.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	42	Soon they were joined by the Hasidaean party, stout fighting men of Israel, each one a volunteer on the side of the Law.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	43	All the refugees from the persecution rallied to them, giving them added support.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	44	They organised themselves into an armed force, striking down the sinners in their anger, and the renegades in their fury, and those who escaped them fled to the gentiles for safety.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	45	Mattathias and his friends made a tour, overthrowing the altars
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	46	and forcibly circumcising all the boys they found uncircumcised in the territories of Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	47	They hunted down the upstarts and managed their campaign to good effect.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	48	They wrested the Law out of the control of the gentiles and the kings and reduced the sinners to impotence.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	49	As the days of Mattathias were drawing to a close, he said to his sons, 'Arrogance and outrage are now in the ascendant; it is a period of turmoil and bitter hatred.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	50	This is the time, my children, for you to have a burning zeal for the Law and to give your lives for the covenant of our ancestors.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	51	Remember the deeds performed by our ancestors, each in his generation, and you will win great honour and everlasting renown.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	52	Was not Abraham tested and found faithful, was that not considered as justifying him?
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	53	Joseph in the time of his distress maintained the Law, and so became lord of Egypt.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	54	Phinehas, our father, in return for his burning zeal, received the covenant of everlasting priesthood.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	55	Joshua, for carrying out his task, became judge of Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	56	Caleb, for his testimony before the assembled people, received an inheritance in the land.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	57	David for his generous heart inherited the throne of an everlasting kingdom.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	58	Elijah for his consuming fervour for the Law was caught up to heaven itself.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	59	Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael, for their fidelity, were saved from the flame.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	60	Daniel for his singleness of heart was rescued from the lion's jaws.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	61	Know then that, generation after generation, no one who hopes in him will be overcome.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	62	Do not fear the threats of the sinner, all his brave show must come to the dunghill and the worms.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	63	Exalted today, tomorrow he is nowhere to be found, for he has returned to the dust he came from and his scheming is brought to nothing.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	64	My children, be resolute and courageous for the Law, for it will bring you glory.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	65	'Here is your brother Simeon, I know he is a man of sound judgement. Listen to him all your lives; let him take your father's place.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	66	Judas Maccabaeus, strong and brave from his youth, let him be your general and conduct the war against the gentiles.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	67	The rest of you are to enrol in your ranks all those who keep the Law, and to assure the vengeance of your people.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	68	Pay back the gentiles to the full, and hold fast to the ordinance of the Law.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	69	Then he blessed them and was joined to his ancestors.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	70	He died in the year
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	2	146	and was buried in his ancestral tomb at Modein, and all Israel mourned him deeply.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	1	His son, Judas, known as Maccabaeus, then took his place.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	2	All his brothers, and all who had attached themselves to his father, supported him, and they fought for Israel with a will.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	3	He extended the fame of his people. Like a giant, he put on the breastplate and buckled on his war harness; he engaged in battle after battle, protecting the ranks with his sword.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	4	He was like a lion in his exploits, like a young lion roaring over its prey.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	5	He pursued and tracked down the renegades, he consigned those who troubled his people to the flames.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	6	The renegades quailed with the terror he inspired, all evil-doers were utterly confounded, and deliverance went forward under his leadership.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	7	He brought bitterness to many a king and rejoicing to Jacob by his deeds, his memory is blessed for ever and ever.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	8	He went through the towns of Judah eliminating the irreligious from them, and diverted the Retribution from Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	9	His name resounded to the ends of the earth, he rallied those who were on the point of perishing.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	10	Next, Apollonius mustered the gentiles and a large force from Samaria to make war on Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	11	When Judas learned of it, he went out to meet him and routed and killed him. Many fell wounded, and the survivors took to flight.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	12	Their spoils were seized and the sword of Apollonius was taken by Judas, who used it to fight with throughout his life.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	13	On hearing that Judas had raised a mixed force of believers and seasoned fighters,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	14	Seron, commander of the Syrian troops, said, 'I shall make a name for myself and gain honour in the kingdom if I fight Judas and those supporters of his who are so contemptuous of the king's orders.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	15	He therefore launched another expedition, with a strong army of unbelievers to support him in taking revenge on the Israelites.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	16	He had nearly reached the descent of Beth-Horon when Judas went out to confront him with a handful of men.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	17	But as soon as these saw the force advancing to meet them, they said to Judas, 'How can we, few as we are, engage such overwhelming numbers? We are exhausted as it is, not having had anything to eat today.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	18	'It is easy', Judas answered, 'for a great number to be defeated by a few; indeed, in the sight of Heaven, deliverance, whether by many or by few, is all one;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	19	for victory in war does not depend on the size of the fighting force: Heaven accords the strength.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	20	They are coming against us in full-blown insolence and lawlessness to destroy us, our wives and our children, and to plunder us;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	21	but we are fighting for our lives and our laws,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	22	and he will crush them before our eyes; do not be afraid of them.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	23	When he had finished speaking, he made a sudden sally against Seron and his force and overwhelmed them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	24	Judas pursued them down from Beth-Horon as far as the plain. About eight hundred of their men fell, and the rest took refuge in the country of the Philistines.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	25	Judas and his brothers began to be feared, and alarm seized the surrounding peoples.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	26	His name even reached the king's ears, and among the nations there was talk of Judas and his battles.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	27	The news of these events infuriated Antiochus, and he ordered mobilisation of all the forces in his kingdom, a very powerful army.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	28	Opening his treasury, he distributed a year's pay to his troops, telling them to be prepared for any eventuality.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	29	He then found that the money in his coffers had run short and that the tribute of the province had decreased, as a result of the dissension and disaster brought on the country by his own abrogation of laws that had been in force from antiquity.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	30	He began to fear that, as had happened more than once, he would not have enough to cover the expenses and the lavish bounties he had previously been accustomed to make on a larger scale than his predecessors on the throne.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	31	In this grave quandary he resolved to invade Persia, there to levy tribute on the provinces and so accumulate substantial funds.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	32	He therefore left Lysias, a nobleman and member of the royal family, to manage the royal affairs between the River Euphrates and the Egyptian frontier,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	33	making him responsible for the education of his son Antiochus, until he should come back.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	34	To him Antiochus made over half his forces, with the elephants, giving him instructions about what he wanted done, particularly with regard to the inhabitants of Judaea and Jerusalem,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	35	against whom he was to send a force, to crush and destroy the power of Israel and the remnant of Jerusalem, to wipe out their very memory from the place,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	36	to settle foreigners in all parts of their territory and to distribute their land into lots.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	37	The king took the remaining half of his troops with him and set out from Antioch, the capital of his kingdom, in the year 147, he crossed the River Euphrates and made his way through the Upper Provinces.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	38	Lysias chose Ptolemy son of Dorymenes, with Nicanor and Gorgias, influential men from among the Friends of the King,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	39	and, under their command, despatched forty thousand foot and seven thousand horse to invade the land of Judah and devastate it, as the king had ordered.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	40	The entire force set out and reached the neighbourhood of Emmaus in the lowlands, where they pitched camp.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	41	The local merchants, hearing the news of this, arrived at the camp, bringing with them a large amount of gold and silver, and fetters as well, proposing to buy the Israelites as slaves; they were accompanied by a company from Idumaea and the Philistine country.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	42	Judas and his brothers saw that the situation was going from bad to worse and that armies were camping in their territory; they were also well aware that the king had ordered the people's total destruction.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	43	So they said to each other, 'Let us restore the ruins of our people and fight for our people and our sanctuary.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	44	The Assembly was summoned, to prepare for war, to offer prayer and to implore compassion and mercy.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	45	Jerusalem was as empty as a desert, none of her children to go in and out. The sanctuary was trodden underfoot, men of an alien race held the Citadel, which had become a lodging for gentiles. There was no more rejoicing for Jacob, the flute and lyre were mute.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	46	After mustering, they made their way to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, since Mizpah was traditionally a place of prayer for Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	47	That day they fasted and put on sackcloth, covering their heads with ashes and tearing their garments.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	48	For the guidance that the gentiles would have sought from the images of their false gods, they opened the Book of the Law.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	49	They also brought out the priestly vestments, with first-fruits and tithes, and marshalled the Nazirites who had completed the period of their vow.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	50	Then, raising their voices to Heaven, they cried, 'What shall we do with these people, and where are we to take them?
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	51	Your holy place has been trampled underfoot and defiled, your priests mourn in their humiliation,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	52	and now the gentiles are in alliance to destroy us: you know what they have in mind for us.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	53	How can we stand up and face them if you do not come to our aid?'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	54	Then they sounded the trumpets and raised a great shout.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	55	Next, Judas appointed leaders for the people, to command a thousand, a hundred, fifty or ten men.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	56	Those who were in the middle of building a house, or were about to be married, or were planting a vineyard, or were afraid, he told to go home again, as the Law allowed.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	57	The column then marched off and took up a position south of Emmaus.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	58	'Stand to your arms,' Judas told them, 'acquit yourselves bravely, in the morning be ready to fight these gentiles massed against us to destroy us and our sanctuary.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	59	Better for us to die in battle than to watch the ruin of our nation and our Holy Place.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	3	60	Whatever be the will of Heaven, he will perform it.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	1	Gorgias took with him five thousand foot and a thousand picked cavalry, and the force moved off by night
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	2	with the object of attacking the Jewish position and dealing them an unexpected blow; the men from the Citadel were there to guide him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	3	Judas got wind of it and himself moved off with his fighters to strike at the royal army at Emmaus,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	4	while its fighting troops were still dispersed outside the camp.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	5	Hence, when Gorgias reached Judas' camp, he found no one and began looking for the Jews in the mountains. 'For', he said, 'we have got them on the run.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	6	First light found Judas in the plain with three thousand men, although these lacked the armour and swords they would have wished.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	7	They could now see the gentile encampment with its strong fortifications and cavalry surrounding it, clearly people who understood warfare.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	8	Judas said to his men, 'Do not be afraid of their numbers, and do not flinch at their attack.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	9	Remember how our ancestors were delivered at the Red Sea when Pharaoh was pursuing them in force.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	10	And now let us call on Heaven: if he cares for us, he will remember his covenant with our ancestors and will destroy this army confronting us today;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	11	then all the nations will know for certain that there is One who ransoms and saves Israel.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	12	The foreigners looked up and, seeing the Jews advancing against them,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	13	came out of the camp to join battle. Judas' men sounded the trumpet
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	14	and engaged them. The gentiles were defeated and fled towards the plain
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	15	and all the stragglers fell by the sword. The pursuit continued as far as Gezer and the plains of Idumaea, Azotus and Jamnia, and the enemy lost about three thousand men.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	16	Breaking off the pursuit, Judas returned with his men
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	17	and said to the people, 'Never mind the booty, for we have another battle ahead of us.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	18	Gorgias and his troops are still near us in the mountains. First stand up to our enemies and fight them, and then you can safely collect the booty.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	19	The words were hardly out of Judas' mouth, when a detachment came into view, peering down from the mountain.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	20	Observing that their own troops had been routed and that the camp had been fired -- since the smoke, which they could see, attested the fact-
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	21	they were panic-stricken at the sight; and when, furthermore, they saw Judas' troops drawn up for battle on the plain,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	22	they all fled into Philistine territory.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	23	Judas then turned back to plunder the camp, and a large sum in gold and silver, with violet and sea-purple stuffs, and many other valuables were carried off.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	24	On their return, the Jews chanted praises to Heaven, singing, 'He is kind and his love is everlasting!'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	25	That day had seen a remarkable deliverance in Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	26	Those of the foreigners who had escaped came and gave Lysias an account of all that had happened.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	27	The news shocked and dismayed him, for affairs in Israel had not gone as he intended, and the result was quite the opposite to what the king had ordered.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	28	The next year he mobilised sixty thousand picked troops and five thousand cavalry with the intention of finishing off the Jews.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	29	They advanced into Idumaea and made their base at Beth-Zur, where Judas met them with ten thousand men.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	30	When he saw their military strength he offered this prayer, 'Blessed are you, Saviour of Israel, who shattered the mighty warrior's attack at the hand of your servant David, and delivered the Philistine camp into the hands of Jonathan son of Saul, and his armourbearer.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	31	Crush this expedition in the same way at the hands of your people Israel; let their troops and cavalry bring them nothing but shame.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	32	Sow panic in their ranks, confound the confidence they put in their numbers and send them reeling in defeat.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	33	Overthrow them by the sword of those who love you, and all who acknowledge your name will sing your praises.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	34	The two forces engaged, and five thousand men of Lysias' troops fell in hand-to-hand fighting.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	35	Seeing the rout of his army and the courage of Judas' troops and their readiness to live or die nobly, Lysias withdrew to Antioch, where he recruited mercenaries for a further invasion of Judaea in even greater strength.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	36	Judas and his brothers then said, 'Now that our enemies have been defeated, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and dedicate it.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	37	So they marshalled the whole army, and went up to Mount Zion.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	38	There they found the sanctuary deserted, the altar desecrated, the gates burnt down, and vegetation growing in the courts as it might in a wood or on some mountain, while the storerooms were in ruins.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	39	They tore their garments and mourned bitterly, putting dust on their heads.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	40	They prostrated themselves on the ground, and when the trumpets gave the signal they cried aloud to Heaven.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	41	Judas then ordered his men to keep the Citadel garrison engaged until he had purified the sanctuary.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	42	Next, he selected priests who were blameless and zealous for the Law
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	43	to purify the sanctuary and remove the stones of the 'Pollution' to some unclean place.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	44	They discussed what should be done about the altar of burnt offering which had been profaned,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	45	and very properly decided to pull it down, rather than later be embarrassed about it since it had been defiled by the gentiles. They therefore demolished it
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	46	and deposited the stones in a suitable place on the hill of the Dwelling to await the appearance of a prophet who should give a ruling about them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	47	They took unhewn stones, as the Law prescribed, and built a new altar on the lines of the old one.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	48	They restored the Holy Place and the interior of the Dwelling, and purified the courts.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	49	They made new sacred vessels, and brought the lamp-stand, the altar of incense, and the table into the Temple.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	50	They burned incense on the altar and lit the lamps on the lamp-stand, and these shone inside the Temple.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	51	They placed the loaves on the table and hung the curtains and completed all the tasks they had undertaken.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	52	On the twenty-fifth of the ninth month, Chislev, in the year
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	148	they rose at dawn
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	53	and offered a lawful sacrifice on the new altar of burnt offering which they had made.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	54	The altar was dedicated, to the sound of hymns, zithers, lyres and cymbals, at the same time of year and on the same day on which the gentiles had originally profaned it.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	55	The whole people fell prostrate in adoration and then praised Heaven who had granted them success.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	56	For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar, joyfully offering burnt offerings, communion and thanksgiving sacrifices.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	57	They ornamented the front of the Temple with crowns and bosses of gold, renovated the gates and storerooms, providing the latter with doors.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	58	There was no end to the rejoicing among the people, since the disgrace inflicted by the gentiles had been effaced.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	59	Judas, with his brothers and the whole assembly of Israel, made it a law that the days of the dedication of the altar should be celebrated yearly at the proper season, for eight days beginning on the twenty-fifth of the month of Chislev, with rejoicing and gladness.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	60	They then proceeded to build high walls with strong towers round Mount Zion, to prevent the gentiles from coming and riding roughshod over it as in the past.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	4	61	Judas stationed a garrison there to guard it; he also fortified Beth-Zur, so that the people would have a fortress confronting Idumaea.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	1	When the surrounding nations heard that the altar had been rebuilt and the sanctuary restored to what it had been before, they became very angry
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	2	and decided to destroy the descendants of Jacob living among them; they began to murder and evict our people.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	3	Judas made war on the sons of Esau in Idumaea, in the region of Acrabattene where they were besieging the Israelites. He dealt them a serious blow, drove them off and despoiled them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	4	He also remembered the wickedness of the sons of Baean, who were a menace and a trap for the people with their ambushes on the roads.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	5	Having blockaded them in their town and besieged them, he put them under the curse of destruction; he then set fire to their towers and burned them down with everyone inside.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	6	Next, he crossed over to the Ammonites where he found a strong fighting force and a numerous people, commanded by Timotheus.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	7	He fought many battles with them, defeated them and cut them to pieces.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	8	Having captured Jazer and its dependent villages, he retired to Judaea.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	9	Next, the gentiles of Gilead banded together to destroy the Israelites living in their territory. The latter, however, took refuge in the fortress of Dathema,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	10	and sent the following letter to Judas and his brothers: 'The gentiles round us have banded themselves together against us to destroy us,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	11	and they are preparing to storm the fortress in which we have taken refuge; Timotheus is in command of their forces.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	12	Come at once and rescue us from their clutches, for we have already suffered great losses.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	13	All our countrymen living in Tobias' country have been killed, their women and children have been taken into captivity, their property has been seized, and about a thousand men have been destroyed there.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	14	While the letter was being read, other messengers arrived from Galilee with their garments torn, bearing similar news,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	15	'The people of Ptolemais, Tyre and Sidon have joined forces with the whole of gentile Galilee to destroy us!'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	16	When Judas and the people heard this, they held a great assembly to decide what should be done for their oppressed countrymen who were under attack from their enemies.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	17	Judas said to his brother Simon, 'Pick your men and go and relieve your countrymen in Galilee, while my brother Jonathan and I make our way into Gilead.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	18	He left Joseph son of Zechariah and the people's leader Azariah with the remainder of the army in Judaea to keep guard, and gave them these orders,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	19	'You are to be responsible for our people. Do not engage the gentiles until we return.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	20	Simon was allotted three thousand men for the expedition into Galilee, Judas eight thousand for Gilead.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	21	Simon advanced into Galilee, engaged the gentiles in several battles and swept all before him;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	22	he pursued them to the gate of Ptolemais, and they lost about three thousand men, whose spoils he collected.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	23	With him, he took away the Jews of Galilee and Arbatta, with their wives and children and all their possessions, and brought them into Judaea with great rejoicing.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	24	Meanwhile Judas Maccabaeus and his brother Jonathan crossed the Jordan and made a three-days' march through the desert,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	25	where they encountered the Nabataeans, who gave them a friendly reception and told them everything that had been happening to their brothers in Gilead,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	26	many of whom, they said, were shut up in Bozrah and Bosor, Alema, Chaspho, Maked and Carnaim, all large fortified towns.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	27	Others were blockaded in the other towns of Gilead, and the enemy planned to attack and capture these strongholds the very next day, and destroy all the people inside them on one day.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	28	Judas and his army at once turned off by the desert road to Bozrah. He took the town and, having put all the males to the sword and collected the booty, burned it down.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	29	When night came, he left the place, and they continued their march until they reached the fortress.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	30	In the light of dawn they looked, and there was an innumerable horde, setting up ladders and engines to capture the fortress; the assault was just beginning.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	31	When Judas saw that the attack had begun and that the war cry was rising to heaven from the city, mingled with trumpet calls and a great clamour,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	32	he said to the men of his army, 'Into battle today for your brothers!'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	33	Dividing them into three commands, he advanced on the enemy's rear, with trumpets sounding and prayers shouted aloud.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	34	The troops of Timotheus, recognising that this was Maccabaeus, fled before his advance; Maccabaeus dealt them a crushing defeat; about eight thousand of their men fell that day.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	35	Then, wheeling on Alema, he attacked and captured it and, having killed all the males and collected the booty, burned the place down.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	36	From there he moved on and took Chaspho, Maked, Bosor and the remaining towns of Gilead.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	37	After these events, Timotheus mustered another force and pitched camp opposite Raphon, on the far side of the stream-bed.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	38	Judas sent men to reconnoitre the camp, and these reported back as follows, 'With him are massed all the gentiles surrounding us, making a very numerous army,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	39	with Arab mercenaries as auxiliaries; they are encamped on the far side of the stream-bed, and ready to launch an attack on you.' Judas then advanced to engage them,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	40	and was approaching the watercourse with his troops when Timotheus told the commanders of his army, 'If he crosses first we shall not be able to resist him, because he will have a great advantage over us;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	41	but if he is afraid and camps on the other side of the stream, we shall cross over to him and the advantage will then be ours.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	42	As soon as Judas reached the watercourse, he posted people's scribes along it, giving them this order: 'Do not let anyone pitch his tent; all are to go into battle!'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	43	He was himself the first across to the enemy side, with all the people following. He defeated all the opposing gentiles, who threw down their arms and ran for refuge in the sanctuary of Carnaim.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	44	The Jews first captured the town and then burned down the temple with everyone inside. And so Carnaim was overthrown, and the enemy could offer no further resistance to Judas.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	45	Next, Judas assembled all the Israelites living in Gilead, from the least to the greatest, with their wives, children and belongings, an enormous muster, to take them to Judaea.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	46	They reached Ephron, a large town straddling the road and strongly fortified. As it was impossible to by-pass it either to right or to left, there was nothing for it but to march straight through.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	47	But the people of the town denied them passage and barricaded the gates with stones.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	48	Judas sent them a conciliatory message in these terms, 'We want to pass through your territory to reach our own; no one will do you any harm, we only want to go through on foot.' But they would not open up for him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	49	So Judas sent an order down the column for everyone to halt where he stood.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	50	The fighting men took up their positions; Judas attacked the town all day and night, and the town fell to him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	51	He put all the males to the sword, rased the town to the ground, plundered it and marched through the town square over the bodies of the dead.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	52	They then crossed the Jordan into the Great Plain, opposite Beth-Shean,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	53	Judas all the time rallying the stragglers and encouraging the people the whole way until they reached Judaea.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	54	They climbed Mount Zion in joy and gladness and presented burnt offerings because they had returned safe and sound without having lost a single man.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	55	While Judas and Jonathan were in Gilead and Simon his brother in Galilee outside Ptolemais,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	56	Joseph son of Zechariah, and Azariah, who were in command of the army, heard of their valiant deeds and of the battles they had been fighting,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	57	and said, 'Let us make a name for ourselves too and go and fight the nations around us.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	58	So they issued orders to the men under their command and marched on Jamnia.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	59	Gorgias and his men came out of the town and gave battle.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	60	Joseph and Azariah were routed and pursued as far as the frontiers of Judaea. That day about two thousand Israelites lost their lives.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	61	Our people thus met with a great reverse, because they had not listened to Judas and his brothers, thinking that they would do something equally valiant.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	62	They were not, however, of the same breed of men as those to whom the deliverance of Israel was entrusted.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	63	The noble Judas and his brothers, however, were held in high honour throughout Israel and among all the nations wherever their name was heard,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	64	and people thronged round to acclaim them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	65	Judas marched out with his brothers to fight the Edomites in the country towards the south; he stormed Hebron and its dependent villages, threw down its fortifications and burned down its encircling towers.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	66	Leaving there, he made for the country of the Philistines and passed through Marisa.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	67	Among the fallen in that day's fighting were some priests who sought to prove their courage there by joining in the battle, a foolhardy venture.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	5	68	Judas next turned on Azotus, which belonged to the Philistines; he overthrew their altars, burned the statues of their gods and, having pillaged their towns, withdrew to Judaea.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	1	King Antiochus, meanwhile, was making his way through the Upper Provinces; he had heard that in Persia there was a city called Elymais, renowned for its riches, its silver and gold,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	2	and its very wealthy temple containing golden armour, breastplates and weapons, left there by Alexander son of Philip, the king of Macedon, the first to reign over the Greeks.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	3	He therefore went and attempted to take the city and pillage it, but without success, the citizens having been forewarned.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	4	They resisted him by force of arms. He was routed, and began retreating, very gloomily, towards Babylon.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	5	But, while he was still in Persia, news reached him that the armies which had invaded Judaea had been routed,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	6	and that Lysias in particular had advanced in massive strength, only to be forced to turn and flee before the Jews; that the latter were now stronger than ever, thanks to the arms, supplies and abundant spoils acquired from the armies they had cut to pieces,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	7	and that they had pulled down the abomination which he had erected on the altar in Jerusalem, had encircled the sanctuary with high walls as in the past, and had fortified Beth-Zur, one of his cities.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	8	When the king heard this news he was amazed and profoundly shaken; he threw himself on his bed and fell sick with grief, since things had not turned out for him as he had planned.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	9	And there he remained for many days, subject to deep and recurrent fits of melancholy, until he realised that he was dying.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	10	Then, summoning all his Friends, he said to them, 'Sleep evades my eyes, and my heart is cowed by anxiety.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	11	I have been wondering how I could have come to such a pitch of distress, so great a flood as that which now engulfs me -- I who was so generous and well-loved in my heyday.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	12	But now I recall how wrongly I acted in Jerusalem when I seized all the vessels of silver and gold there and ordered the extermination of the inhabitants of Judah for no reason at all.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	13	This, I am convinced, is why these misfortunes have overtaken me, and why I am dying of melancholy in a foreign land.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	14	He summoned Philip, one of his Friends, and made him regent of the whole kingdom.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	15	He entrusted him with his diadem, his robe and his signet, on the understanding that he was to educate his son Antiochus and train him for the throne.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	16	King Antiochus then died, in the year 149.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	17	Lysias, learning that the king was dead, established on the throne in succession to him his son Antiochus, whom he had brought up from childhood -- and styled him Eupator.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	18	The people in the Citadel at the time were blockading Israel round the sanctuary and were taking every opportunity to harm them and to support the gentiles.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	19	Judas decided that they must be destroyed, and he mobilised the whole people to besiege them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	20	They assembled and laid siege to the Citadel in the year 150, building batteries and siege-engines.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	21	But some of the besieged broke through the blockade, and to these a number of renegades from Israel attached themselves.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	22	They made their way to the king and said, 'How much longer are you going to wait before you see justice done and avenge our fellows?
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	23	We were content to serve your father, to comply with his orders, and to obey his edicts.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	24	As a result our own people will have nothing to do with us; what is more, they have killed all those of us they could catch, and looted our family property.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	25	Nor is it on us alone that their blows have fallen, but on all your territories.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	26	At this moment, they are laying siege to the Citadel of Jerusalem, to capture it, and they have fortified the sanctuary and Beth-Zur.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	27	Unless you forestall them at once, they will go on to even bigger things, and then you will never be able to control them.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	28	The king was furious when he heard this and summoned all his Friends, the generals of his forces and the marshals of horse.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	29	He recruited mercenaries from other kingdoms and the Mediterranean islands.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	30	His forces numbered a hundred thousand foot soldiers, twenty thousand cavalry and thirty-two elephants with experience of battle conditions.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	31	They advanced through Idumaea and besieged Beth-Zur, pressing the attack for days on end; they also constructed siege-engines, but the defenders made a sortie and set these on fire, putting up a brave resistance.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	32	At this, Judas left the Citadel and pitched camp at Beth-Zechariah opposite the royal encampment.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	33	The king rose at daybreak and marched his army at top speed down the road to Beth-Zechariah, where his forces took up their battle formations and sounded the trumpets.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	34	The elephants were given a syrup of grapes and mulberries to prepare them for the battle.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	35	These animals were distributed among the phalanxes, to each elephant being allocated a thousand men dressed in coats of mail with bronze helmets on their heads; five hundred picked horsemen were also assigned to each beast.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	36	The horsemen anticipated every move their elephant made; wherever it went they went with it, never quitting it.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	37	On each elephant, to protect it, was a stout wooden tower, kept in position by girths, each with its three combatants, as well as its mahout.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	38	The remainder of the cavalry was stationed on one or other of the two flanks of the army, to harass the enemy and cover the phalanxes.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	39	When the sun glinted on the bronze and golden shields, the mountains caught the glint and gleamed like fiery torches.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	40	One part of the royal army was deployed on the upper slopes of the mountain and the other in the valley below; they advanced in solid, well-disciplined formation.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	41	Everyone trembled at the noise made by this vast multitude, the thunder of the troops on the march and the clanking of their armour, for it was an immense and mighty army.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	42	Judas and his army advanced to give battle, and six hundred of the king's army were killed.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	43	Eleazar, called Avaran, noticing that one of the elephants was royally caparisoned and was also taller than all the others, and supposing that the king was mounted on it,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	44	sacrificed himself to save his people and win an imperishable name.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	45	Boldly charging towards the creature through the thick of the phalanx, dealing death to right and left, so that the enemy scattered on either side at his onslaught,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	46	he darted in under the elephant, thrust at it from underneath, and killed it. The beast collapsed on top of him, and he died on the spot.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	47	The Jews however realising how strong the king was and how ferocious his army, retreated ahead of them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	48	The royal army moved up to encounter them outside Jerusalem, and the king began to blockade Judaea and Mount Zion.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	49	He granted peace terms to the people of Beth-Zur, who evacuated the town; it lacked store of provisions to withstand a siege, since the land was enjoying a sabbatical year.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	50	Having occupied Beth-Zur, the king stationed a garrison there to hold it.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	51	He besieged the sanctuary for a long time, erecting batteries and siege-engines, flame-throwers and ballistas, scorpions to discharge arrows, and catapults.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	52	The defenders countered these by constructing their own engines and were thus able to prolong their resistance.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	53	But they had no food in their stores since it was the seventh year, and because those who had taken refuge in Judaea from the gentiles had eaten up the last of their reserves.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	54	Only a few men were left in the Holy Place, owing to the severity of the famine; the rest had dispersed and gone home.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	55	Meanwhile Philip, whom King Antiochus before his death had appointed to train his son Antiochus for the throne,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	56	had returned from Persia and Media with the forces that had accompanied the king, and was planning to seize control of affairs.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	57	On hearing this, Lysias at once decided to leave, and said to the king, the generals of the army and the men, 'We are growing weaker every day, we are short of food, and the place we are besieging is well fortified; moreover the affairs of the kingdom demand our attention.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	58	Let us offer the hand of friendship to these men and make peace with them and with their whole nation.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	59	Let us grant them permission to follow their own customs as before, since it is our abolition of these customs that has provoked them into acting like this.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	60	The king and his commanders approved this argument, and he offered the Jews peace terms, which they accepted.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	61	The king and the generals ratified the treaty by oath, and the besieged accordingly left the fortress.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	62	The king then entered Mount Zion, but on seeing how impregnable the place was, he broke the oath he had sworn and gave orders for the encircling wall to be demolished.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	6	63	He then hurriedly withdrew, making off for Antioch, where he found Philip already master of the city. Antiochus gave battle and captured the city by force of arms.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	1	In the year 151, Demetrius son of Seleucus left Rome and arrived with a few men at a town on the coast, where he inaugurated his reign.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	2	It so happened that, as he was entering the royal residence of his ancestors, the army captured Antiochus and Lysias, and intended to bring them to him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	3	On hearing this, he said, 'Keep them out of my sight.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	4	The army put them to death, and Demetrius ascended his throne.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	5	Next, all those Israelites without law or piety, led by Alcimus, whose ambition was to become high priest,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	6	approached the king and denounced our people to him. 'Judas and his brothers', they said, 'have killed all your friends, and he has driven us out of our country.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	7	Send someone now whom you can trust; let him go and see the wholesale ruin Judas has brought on us and on the king's dominions, and let him punish the wretches and all who assist them.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	8	The king chose Bacchides, one of the Friends of the King, governor of Transeuphrates, an important personage in the kingdom and loyal to the king.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	9	He sent him with the godless Alcimus, whom he confirmed in the high priesthood, with orders to exact retribution from the Israelites.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	10	So they set out with a large force and, on reaching Judaea, sent emissaries to Judas and his brothers with proposals peaceable yet treacherous.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	11	The latter, however, did not put any faith in their words, aware that they had come with a large force.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	12	Nevertheless, a commission of scribes presented themselves before Alcimus and Bacchides, to sue for just terms.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	13	The first among the Israelites to ask them for peace terms were the Hasidaeans,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	14	who reasoned thus, 'This is a priest of Aaron's line who has come with the armed forces; he will not wrong us.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	15	He did in fact discuss peace terms with them and gave them his oath, 'We shall not attempt to injure you or your friends.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	16	They believed him, but he arrested sixty of them and put them to death on one day, fulfilling the words of scripture:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	17	They have scattered the bodies of your faithful, and shed their blood all round Jerusalem, leaving no one to bury them!
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	18	At this, fear and dread gripped the whole people. 'There is no truth or virtue in them,' they said, 'they have broken their agreement and their sworn oath.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	19	Bacchides then left Jerusalem and encamped at Beth-Zeth, and from there sent and arrested many of the men who had deserted him and a few of our people too; he had them killed and thrown down the great well.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	20	He then put Alcimus in charge of the province, leaving an army with him to support him; Bacchides himself returned to the king.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	21	Alcimus continued his struggle to become high priest,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	22	and all who were disturbing the peace of their own people rallied to him, and, having won control of Judaea, did much harm in Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	23	Seeing that all the wrongs done to the Israelites by Alcimus and his supporters exceeded what the gentiles had done,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	24	Judas went right round the whole territory of Judaea to take vengeance on those who had deserted him and to prevent their free movement about the country.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	25	When Alcimus saw how strong Judas and his supporters had grown and realised that he was powerless to resist them, he went back to the king, to whom he made malicious accusations against them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	26	The king sent Nicanor, one of his generals ranking as Illustrious and a bitter enemy of Israel, with orders to exterminate the people.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	27	Reaching Jerusalem with a large force, Nicanor sent a friendly, yet treacherous, message to Judas and his brothers, as follows:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	28	'Let us have no fighting between you and me; I shall come with a small escort for a peaceful meeting with you.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	29	He met Judas and they exchanged friendly greetings; the enemy, however, had made preparations to abduct Judas.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	30	When Judas became aware of Nicanor's treacherous purpose in coming to see him, he took fright and refused any further meeting.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	31	Nicanor then realised that his plan had been discovered, and took the field against Judas, to give battle near Caphar-Salama.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	32	About five hundred of Nicanor's men fell; the rest took refuge in the City of David.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	33	After these events Nicanor went up to Mount Zion. Some of the priests came out of the Holy Place with some elders, to give him a friendly welcome and show him the burnt offering being presented for the king.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	34	But he ridiculed them, laughed at them, defiled them and used insolent language, swearing in his rage,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	35	'Unless Judas is handed over to me this time with his army, as soon as I am safely back, I promise you, I shall burn this building down!'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	36	Then he went off in a fury. At this, the priests went in again, and stood weeping in front of the altar and the Temple, saying,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	37	'You have chosen this house to be called by your name, to be a house of prayer and petition for your people.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	38	Take vengeance on this man and on his army, and let them fall by the sword; remember their blasphemies and give them no respite.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	39	Nicanor left Jerusalem and encamped at Beth-Horon, where he was joined by an army from Syria.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	40	Judas, meanwhile, camped at Adasa with three thousand men, and offered this prayer,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	41	'When the king's envoys blasphemed, your angel went out and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand of his men.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	42	In the same way let us see you crush this army today, so that everyone else may know that this man has spoken blasphemously against your sanctuary: pass judgement on him as his wickedness deserves!'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	43	The armies met in battle on the thirteenth of the month Adar, and Nicanor's army was crushed, he himself being the first to fall in the battle.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	44	When Nicanor's soldiers saw him fall, they threw down their arms and fled.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	45	The Jews pursued them a day's journey, from Adasa to the approaches of Gezer; they sounded their trumpets in warning as they followed them,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	46	and people came out of all the surrounding Judaean villages to encircle the fugitives, who then turned back on their own men. All fell by the sword, not one being left alive.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	47	Having collected the spoils and booty, they cut off Nicanor's head and the right hand he had stretched out in a display of insolence; these were taken and displayed within sight of Jerusalem.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	48	The people were overjoyed and kept that day as a great holiday:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	49	indeed they decided to celebrate it annually on the thirteenth of Adar.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	7	50	For a short while Judaea enjoyed peace.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	1	Now Judas had heard of the reputation of the Romans: how strong they were, and how well disposed towards any who made common cause with them, making a treaty of friendship with anyone who approached them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	2	(And, indeed, they were extremely powerful.) He had been told of their wars and of their prowess among the Gauls, whom they had conquered and put under tribute;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	3	and of all they had done in the province of Spain to gain possession of the silver and gold mines there,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	4	making themselves masters of the whole country by their determination and perseverance, despite its great distance from their own; of the kings who came from the ends of the earth to attack them, only to be crushed by them and overwhelmed with disaster, and of others who paid them annual tribute;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	5	Philip, Perseus king of the Kittim, and others who had dared to make war on them, had been defeated and reduced to subjection,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	6	while Antiochus the Great, king of Asia, who had advanced to attack them with a hundred and twenty elephants, cavalry, chariots and a very large army, had also suffered defeat at their hands;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	7	they had taken him alive and imposed on him and his successors, on agreed terms, the payment of an enormous tribute, the surrender of hostages, and the cession
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	8	of the Indian territory, with Media, Lydia, and some of their best provinces, which they took from him and gave to King Eumenes.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	9	Judas had also heard how, when the Greeks planned an expedition to destroy the Romans,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	10	the latter had got wind of it and, sending a single general against them, had fought a campaign in which they inflicted heavy casualties, carried their women and children away into captivity, pillaged their goods, subdued their country, tore down their fortresses and reduced them to a slavery lasting to the present day;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	11	and how they had destroyed and subjugated all the other kingdoms and islands that resisted them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	12	But where their friends and those who relied on them were concerned, they had always stood by their friendship. They had subdued kings far and near, and all who heard their name went in terror of them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	13	One man, if they determined to help him and advance him to a throne, would certainly occupy it, while another, if they so determined, would find himself deposed; their influence was paramount.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	14	In spite of all this, no single one of them had assumed a crown or put on the purple for his own aggrandisement.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	15	They had set up a senate, where three hundred and twenty councillors deliberated daily, constantly debating how best to regulate public affairs.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	16	They entrusted their government to one man for a year at a time, with absolute power over their whole empire, and this man was obeyed by all without envy or jealousy.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	17	Having chosen Eupolemus son of John, of the family of Accos, and Jason son of Eleazar, Judas sent them to Rome to make a treaty of friendship and alliance with these people,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	18	in the hope of being rid of the yoke, for they could see that Greek rule was reducing Israel to slavery.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	19	The envoys made the lengthy journey to Rome and presented themselves before the Senate with their formal proposal:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	20	'Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers, with the Jewish people, have sent us to you to conclude a treaty of alliance and peace with you, and to enrol ourselves as your allies and friends.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	21	The proposal met with the approval of the senators.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	22	Here is a copy of the rescript which they engraved on bronze tablets and sent to Jerusalem to be kept there by the Jews as a record of peace and alliance:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	23	'Good fortune attend the Romans and the Jewish nation by sea and land for ever; may sword or enemy be far from them!
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	24	'If war comes first to Rome or any of her allies throughout her dominions,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	25	the Jewish nation will take action as her ally, as occasion may require, and do it wholeheartedly.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	26	They will not give or supply to the enemy any grain, arms, money or ships: thus has Rome decided, and they are to honour their obligations without guarantees.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	27	In the same way, if war comes first to the Jewish nation, the Romans will support them energetically as occasion may offer,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	28	and the aggressor will not be furnished with grain, arms, money or ships: such is the Roman decision, and they will honour these obligations without treachery.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	29	Such are the articles under which the Romans have concluded their treaty with the Jewish people.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	30	If, later, either party should decide to make any addition or deletion, they will be free to do so, and any such addition or deletion will be binding.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	31	'As regards the wrongs done to them by King Demetrius, we have written to him in these terms: Why have you made your yoke lie heavy on our friends and allies the Jews?
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	8	32	If they appeal against you again, we shall uphold their rights and make war on you by sea and land.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	1	Demetrius, hearing that Nicanor and his army had fallen in battle, sent Bacchides and Alcimus a second time into Judaea, and with them the right wing of his army.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	2	They took the road to Galilee and besieged Mesaloth in Arbela, and captured it, putting many people to death.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	3	In the first month of the year 152, they encamped outside Jerusalem;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	4	they then moved on, making their way to Beer-Zaith with twenty thousand foot and two thousand horse.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	5	Judas lay in camp at Elasa, with three thousand picked men.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	6	When they saw the huge size of the enemy forces they were terrified, and many slipped out of the camp, until no more than eight hundred of the force were left.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	7	With battle now inevitable, Judas realised that his army had melted away; he was aghast, for he had no time to rally them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	8	Yet, dismayed as he was, he said to those who were left, 'Up! Let us face the enemy; we may yet have the strength to fight them.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	9	His men tried to dissuade him, declaring, 'We have no strength for anything but to escape with our lives this time; then we can come back with our brothers to fight them; by ourselves we are too few.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	10	Judas retorted, 'That I should do such a thing as run away from them! If our time has come, at least let us die like men for our countrymen, and leave nothing to tarnish our reputation.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	11	The army marched out of camp and drew up, facing the enemy. The cavalry was drawn up in two squadrons; the slingers and archers marched in the van of the army, and all the best fighters were put in the front rank;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	12	Bacchides was on the right wing. The phalanx advanced from between the two squadrons, sounding the trumpets; the men on Judas' side also blew their trumpets,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	13	and the earth shook with the noise of the armies. The engagement lasted from morning until evening.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	14	Judas saw that Bacchides and the main strength of his army lay on the right; all the stout-hearted rallied to him,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	15	and they crushed the right wing, pursuing them as far as the Azara Hills.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	16	But when the Syrians on the left wing saw that the right had been broken, they turned and followed hot on the heels of Judas and his men to take them in the rear.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	17	The fight became desperate, and there were many casualties on both sides.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	18	Judas himself fell, and the remnant fled.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	19	Jonathan and Simon took up their brother Judas and buried him in his ancestral tomb at Modein.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	20	All Israel wept and mourned him deeply and for many days they repeated this dirge.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	21	'What a downfall for the strong man, the man who kept Israel safe!'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	22	The other deeds of Judas, the battles he fought, the exploits he performed, and all his titles to greatness have not been recorded; but they were very many.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	23	After the death of Judas, the renegades came out of hiding throughout Israel and all the evil-doers reappeared.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	24	At that time there was a severe famine, and the country went over to their side.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	25	Bacchides deliberately chose the enemies of religion to administer the country.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	26	These traced and searched out the friends of Judas and brought them before Bacchides, who ill-treated and mocked them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	27	A terrible oppression began in Israel; there had been nothing like it since the disappearance of prophecy among them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	28	The friends of Judas then all united in saying to Jonathan,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	29	'Since your brother Judas died, there has been no one like him to head the resistance against our enemies, people like Bacchides and others who hate our nation.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	30	Accordingly, we have today chosen you to take his place as our ruler and leader and to fight our campaigns.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	31	Whereupon, Jonathan took command, in succession to his brother Judas.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	32	Bacchides, when he heard the news, made plans to kill Jonathan.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	33	But this became known to Jonathan, his brother Simon and all his supporters, and they took refuge in the desert of Tekoa, camping by the water-supply at Asphar storage-well.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	34	(Bacchides came to know of this on the Sabbath day, and he too crossed the Jordan with his entire army.)
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	35	Jonathan sent his brother, who was one of his commanders, to ask his friends the Nabataeans to store their considerable baggage for them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	36	The sons of Amrai, however, those of Medeba, intercepted them, captured John and everything he had and made off with their prize.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	37	Later, Jonathan and his brother Simon were told that the sons of Amrai were celebrating an important wedding, and were escorting the bride, a daughter of one of the great notables of Canaan, from Nabata with a large retinue.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	38	Remembering the bloody end of their brother John, they went up and hid under cover of the mountain.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	39	As they were keeping watch, a noisy procession came into sight with a great deal of baggage, and the bridegroom, with his groomsmen and his family, came out to meet it with tambourines and a band, and rich, warlike display.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	40	The Jews rushed down on them from their ambush and killed them, inflicting heavy casualties; the survivors escaped to the mountain, leaving their entire baggage train to be captured.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	41	Thus, the wedding was turned into mourning and the music of their band into lamentation.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	42	Having in this way avenged in full the blood of their brother, they returned to the marshes of the Jordan.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	43	As soon as Bacchides heard this, he came on the Sabbath day with a considerable force to the steep banks of the Jordan.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	44	Jonathan said to his men, 'Up! Let us fight for our lives, for today it is not as in the old days.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	45	You can see, we shall have to fight on our front and to our rear; we have the waters of the Jordan on one side, the marsh and scrub on the other, and we have no line of withdrawal.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	46	This is the moment to call on Heaven, to deliver you from the clutches of your enemies.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	47	The engagement was begun by Jonathan, who aimed a blow at Bacchides, but the Syrian disengaged himself and withdrew,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	48	whereupon Jonathan and his men leapt into the Jordan and swam to the other bank; the enemy did not, however, cross the Jordan in pursuit.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	49	That day, Bacchides lost about a thousand men.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	50	Bacchides went back to Jerusalem and began fortifying some of the Judaean towns: the fortresses of Jericho, Emmaus, Beth-Horon, Bethel, Timnath, Pharathon and Tephon, with high walls and barred gates,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	51	and stationed a garrison in each of them to harass Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	52	He also fortified the town of Beth-Zur, Gezer and the Citadel, and placed troops in them with supplies of provisions.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	53	He took the sons of the leading men of the country as hostages, and had them placed under guard in the Citadel of Jerusalem.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	54	In the year 153, in the second month, Alcimus ordered the demolition of the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary, destroying the work of the prophets. Alcimus had just begun the demolition
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	55	when he suffered a stroke, and his work was interrupted. His mouth became obstructed, and his paralysis made him incapable of speaking at all or giving directions to his household;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	56	it was not long before he died in great agony.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	57	On the death of Alcimus, Bacchides went back to the king, and Judaea was left in peace for two years.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	58	The renegades then all agreed on a plan. 'Now is the time,' they said, 'while Jonathan and his supporters are living in peace and are full of confidence, for us to bring back Bacchides, and he will arrest the lot of them in one night.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	59	So they went to him and reached an understanding.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	60	Bacchides at once set out with a large force, and sent secret instructions to all his allies in Judaea to seize Jonathan and his supporters. But they were unable to do this because their plan became known,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	61	and Jonathan and his men arrested some fifty of the men of the country who were ringleaders in the plot, and put them to death.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	62	Jonathan and Simon then retired with their partisans to Beth-Bassi in the desert; they rebuilt the ruinous parts of the place and fortified it.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	63	When Bacchides heard this, he mustered his whole force and notified his adherents in Judaea.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	64	He then proceeded to lay siege to Beth-Bassi, the fighting was protracted, and he constructed siege-engines.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	65	Jonathan, however, leaving his brother Simon in the town, broke out into the countryside with a handful of men.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	66	He launched a blow at Odomera and his brothers, and at the sons of Phasiron in their encampment; whereupon, these too came into the struggle, joining forces with him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	67	Simon and his people, meanwhile, made a sortie from the town and set fire to the siege-engines.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	68	Taking the offensive against Bacchides, they defeated him. He was greatly disconcerted to find that his plan and his assault had come to nothing,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	69	and vented his anger on those renegades who had induced him to enter the country, putting many of them to death; he then decided to take his own troops home.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	70	Discovering this, Jonathan sent envoys to negotiate peace terms and the release of prisoners with him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	71	Bacchides agreed to this, accepting his proposals and swearing never to seek occasion to harm him for the rest of his life.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	72	Having surrendered to Jonathan those prisoners he had earlier taken in Judaea, he turned about and withdrew to his own country, and never again came near their frontiers.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	9	73	The sword no longer hung over Israel, and Jonathan settled in Michmash, where he began to judge the people and to rid Israel of the godless.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	1	In the year 160, Alexander, son of Antiochus Epiphanes, raised an army and occupied Ptolemais. He was well received, and there inaugurated his reign.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	2	On hearing this, King Demetrius assembled a very large army and marched off to do battle with him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	3	Demetrius furthermore sent Jonathan a most conciliatory letter, promising to promote him in rank,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	4	for, as he said, 'We had better move first to come to terms with these people before he makes common cause with Alexander against us;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	5	he will not have forgotten all the wrongs we inflicted on him and his brothers, and on his nation.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	6	He even authorised him to raise an army, to manufacture arms, and to describe himself as his ally, and ordered the hostages in the Citadel to be surrendered to him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	7	Jonathan went straight to Jerusalem and read the letter in the hearing of the whole people and of the men in the Citadel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	8	They were terrified when they heard that the king had given him authority to raise an army.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	9	The men in the Citadel surrendered the hostages to Jonathan, who handed them back to their parents.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	10	Jonathan then took up residence in Jerusalem and began the rebuilding and restoration of the city.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	11	He ordered those responsible for the work to build the walls and the defences round Mount Zion of squared stone blocks to make them stronger, and this was done.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	12	The foreigners in the fortresses built by Bacchides abandoned them,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	13	one after another leaving his post to go back to his own country.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	14	Only at Beth-Zur were a few left of those who had forsaken the Law and the precepts, since this was their refuge.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	15	King Alexander heard of all the promises Demetrius had sent to Jonathan, and he was also given an account of the battles and exploits of this man and his brothers and of the hardships they had endured.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	16	'Shall we ever find another man like him?' he exclaimed. 'We must make him our friend and ally!'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	17	He therefore wrote him a letter, addressing him in these terms:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	18	'King Alexander to his brother Jonathan, greetings.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	19	'You have been brought to our notice as a strong man of action and as someone who deserves to be our friend.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	20	Accordingly, we have today appointed you high priest of your nation, with the title of "Friend of the King" ' -- he also sent him a purple robe and a golden crown-'and you are to study our interests and maintain friendly relations with us.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	21	Jonathan put on the sacred vestments in the seventh month of the year 160, on the feast of Shelters; he then set about raising troops and manufacturing arms in quantity. 22, Demetrius was displeased when he heard what had happened.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	23	'What have we been doing,' he said, 'for Alexander to forestall us in winning the friendship of the Jews and so improving his own position?
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	24	I too shall address an appeal to them, offering them advancement and riches as an inducement to support me.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	25	And he wrote to them as follows: 'King Demetrius to the Jewish nation, greetings.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	26	'We have heard how you have kept your agreement with us and have maintained friendly relations with us and have not gone over to our enemies, and it has given us great satisfaction.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	27	If you now continue to keep faith with us, we shall make you a handsome return for what you do on our behalf.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	28	We shall accord you many exemptions and grant you privileges.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	29	'Henceforth I release you and exempt all the Jews from the tribute, the salt dues and the crown levies,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	30	and whereas I am entitled to one-third of the grain and one-half of the fruit of the trees, I release from this levy, from today and for the future, Judaea and the three districts annexed to it from Samaria-Galilee, from this day henceforth in perpetuity.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	31	Jerusalem will be sacred and exempt, with its territory, from tithes and dues.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	32	I relinquish control of the Citadel in Jerusalem and make it over to the high priest, so that he may man it with a garrison of his own choosing.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	33	Every Jewish person taken from Judaea into captivity in any part of my kingdom I set free without ransom, and decree that all will be exempt from taxes, even on their livestock.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	34	All festivals, Sabbaths, New Moons and days of special observance, and the three days before and three days after a festival, will be days of exemption and quittance for all the Jews in my kingdom,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	35	and no one will have the right to exact payment from, or to molest, any of them for any matter whatsoever.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	36	'Jews will be enrolled in the king's forces to the number of thirty thousand men and receive maintenance on the same scale as the rest of the king's forces.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	37	Some of them will be stationed in the king's major fortresses, and from among others appointments will be made to positions of trust in the kingdom. Their officers and commanders will be appointed from their own number and will live under their own laws, as the king has prescribed for Judaea.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	38	'As regards the three districts annexed to Judaea from the province of Samaria, these will be integrated into Judaea and considered as coming under one governor, obeying the high priest's authority and no other.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	39	Ptolemais and the land thereto pertaining I present to the sanctuary in Jerusalem, to meet the necessary expenses of public worship.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	40	And I make a personal grant of fifteen thousand silver shekels annually chargeable to the royal revenue from appropriate places.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	41	And the entire surplus, which has not been paid in by the officials as in previous years, will henceforth be paid over by them for work on the Temple.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	42	In addition, the sum of five thousand silver shekels, levied annually on the profits of the sanctuary, as shown in the annual accounts, is also relinquished as the perquisite of the priests who perform the liturgy.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	43	Anyone who takes refuge in the Temple in Jerusalem or any of its precincts, when in debt to the royal exchequer or otherwise, will be discharged in full possession of all the goods he owns in my kingdom.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	44	As regards the building and restoration of the sanctuary, the expense of the work will be met from the royal exchequer.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	45	The reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem and the fortification of the perimeter will also be a charge on the royal exchequer, as also the reconstruction of other city walls in Judaea.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	46	When Jonathan and the people heard these proposals, they put no faith in them and refused to accept them, remembering what great wrongs Demetrius had done to Israel and how cruelly he had oppressed them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	47	They decided in favour of Alexander, since he seemed to offer the better inducements of the two, and they became his constant allies.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	48	King Alexander now mustered large forces and advanced against Demetrius.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	49	The two kings met in battle. Alexander's army was routed, and Demetrius pursued him and defeated his troops.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	50	He continued the battle with vigour until sunset. Demetrius himself, however, was killed the same day.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	51	Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemy king of Egypt, with this message:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	52	'Since I have returned to my kingdom, have ascended the throne of my ancestors, have gained control by crushing Demetrius, and so recovered our country-
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	53	for I fought him and we crushed both him and his army, and I now occupy his royal throne-
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	54	let us now make a treaty of friendship. Give me your daughter in marriage: as your son-in-law, I shall give you, and her, presents which are worthy of you.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	55	King Ptolemy replied as follows: 'Happy the day when you returned to the land of your ancestors and ascended their royal throne!
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	56	I shall at once do for you what your letter proposes; but meet me at Ptolemais, so that we can see one another, and I shall become your father-in-law, as you have asked.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	57	Ptolemy left Egypt with his daughter Cleopatra and reached Ptolemais in the year 162.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	58	King Alexander went to meet him, and Ptolemy gave him the hand of his daughter Cleopatra and celebrated her wedding in Ptolemais with great magnificence, as kings do.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	59	King Alexander then wrote to Jonathan to come and meet him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	60	Jonathan made his way in state to Ptolemais and met the two kings; he gave them and their friends silver and gold, and many gifts, and made a favourable impression on them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	61	A number of scoundrels, the pest of Israel, combined to denounce him, but the king paid no attention to them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	62	In fact, the king commanded that Jonathan should be divested of his own garments and clothed in the purple, which was done.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	63	The king then seated him by his side and said to his officers, 'Escort him into the centre of the city and proclaim that no one is to bring charges against him on any count; no one is to molest him for any reason.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	64	And so, when his accusers saw the honour done him by this proclamation, and Jonathan himself invested in the purple, they all fled.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	65	The king did him the honour of enrolling him among the First Friends, and appointed him commander-in-chief and governor-general.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	66	Jonathan then returned to Jerusalem in peace and gladness.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	67	In the year 165, Demetrius son of Demetrius came from Crete to the land of his ancestors.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	68	When King Alexander heard of it he was plunged into gloom, and retired to Antioch.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	69	Demetrius confirmed Apollonius as governor of Coele-Syria; the latter assembled a large force, encamped at Jamnia and sent the following message to Jonathan the high priest:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	70	'You are entirely alone in rising against us, and now I find myself ridiculed and reproached on your account. Why do you use your authority to our disadvantage in the mountains?
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	71	If you are so confident in your forces, come down now to meet us on the plain and let us take each other's measure there; on my side I have the strength of the towns.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	72	Ask and learn who I am and who the others supporting us are. You will hear that you cannot stand up to us, since your ancestors were twice routed on their own ground,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	73	nor will you now be able to withstand the cavalry or so great an army on the plain, where there is neither rock, nor stone, nor refuge of any kind.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	74	On hearing Apollonius' words, Jonathan's spirit was roused; he picked ten thousand men and left Jerusalem, and his brother Simon joined him with reinforcements.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	75	He drew up his forces outside Joppa, the citizens having shut him out, since Apollonius had a garrison in Joppa. When they began the attack,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	76	the citizens took fright and opened the gates, and Jonathan occupied Joppa.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	77	Hearing this, Apollonius marshalled three thousand cavalry and a large army and made his way to Azotus as though intending to march through, while in fact pressing on into the plain, since he had a great number of cavalry on which he was relying.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	78	Jonathan pursued him as far as Azotus, where the armies joined battle.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	79	Now, Apollonius had left a thousand horsemen in concealment behind them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	80	Jonathan knew of this enemy position behind him; the horsemen surrounded his army, firing their arrows into his men from morning till evening.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	81	But the troops stood firm, as Jonathan had ordered. Once the cavalry was exhausted,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	82	Simon sent his own troops into attack against the phalanx, which he cut to pieces and routed.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	83	The cavalry scattered over the plain and fled to Azotus, where they took sanctuary in Beth-Dagon, the temple of their idol.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	84	Jonathan, however, set fire to Azotus and the surrounding towns, plundered them, and burned down the temple of Dagon, with all the fugitives who had crowded into it.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	85	The enemy losses, counting those who fell by the sword and those burnt to death, totalled about eight thousand men.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	86	Jonathan then left and pitched camp outside Ascalon, where the citizens came out to meet him with great ceremony.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	87	Jonathan then returned to Jerusalem with his followers, laden with booty.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	88	In the event, when King Alexander heard what had happened, he awarded Jonathan further honours:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	10	89	he sent him the golden brooch, of the kind customarily presented to the King's Cousins, and gave him proprietary rights over Ekron and the land adjoining it.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	1	The king of Egypt then assembled an army as numerous as the sands of the seashore, with many ships, and set out to take possession of Alexander's kingdom by a ruse and add it to his own kingdom.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	2	He set off for Syria with protestations of peace, and the people of the towns opened their gates to him and came out to meet him, since King Alexander's orders were to welcome him, Ptolemy being his father-in-law.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	3	On entering the towns, however, Ptolemy quartered troops as a garrison in each one.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	4	When he reached Azotus he was shown the burnt-out temple of Dagon, with Azotus and its suburbs in ruins, corpses scattered here and there, and the charred remains of those whom Jonathan had burnt to death in the battle, piled into heaps along his route.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	5	They explained to the king what Jonathan had done, hoping for his disapproval; but the king said nothing.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	6	Jonathan went in state to meet the king at Joppa, where they greeted each other and spent the night.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	7	Jonathan accompanied the king as far as the river called Eleutherus, and then returned to Jerusalem.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	8	King Ptolemy for his part occupied the coastal towns as far as Seleucia on the coast, all the while maturing his wicked designs against Alexander.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	9	He sent envoys to King Demetrius to say, 'Come and let us make a treaty; I shall give you my daughter, whom Alexander now has, and you shall rule your father's kingdom.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	10	I regret having given my daughter to that man, since he has tried to kill me.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	11	He made this accusation because he coveted his kingdom.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	12	Having carried off his daughter and bestowed her on Demetrius, he broke with Alexander, and their enmity became open.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	13	Ptolemy next entered Antioch and assumed the crown of Asia; he now wore on his head the two crowns of Egypt and Asia.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	14	King Alexander was in Cilicia at the time, since the people of those parts had risen in revolt,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	15	but when he heard the news, he advanced on his rival to give battle, while Ptolemy for his part also took the field, met him with a strong force and routed him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	16	Alexander fled to Arabia for refuge, and King Ptolemy reigned supreme.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	17	Zabdiel the Arab cut off Alexander's head and sent it to Ptolemy.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	18	Three days later King Ptolemy died, and the Egyptian garrisons in the strongholds were killed by the local inhabitants.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	19	So Demetrius became king in the year 167.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	20	At the same time, Jonathan mustered the men of Judaea for an assault on the Citadel of Jerusalem, and they set up numerous siege-engines against it.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	21	But some renegades who hated their nation made their way to the king and told him that Jonathan was besieging the Citadel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	22	The king was angered by the news. No sooner had he been informed than he set out and came to Ptolemais. He wrote to Jonathan, telling him to raise the siege and to meet him for a conference in Ptolemais as soon as possible.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	23	When Jonathan heard this, he gave orders for the siege to continue; he then selected a deputation from the elders of Israel and the priests, and took the deliberate risk
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	24	of himself taking silver and gold, clothing and numerous other presents, and going to Ptolemais to face the king, whose favour he succeeded in winning;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	25	and although one or two renegades of his nation brought charges against him,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	26	the king treated him as his predecessors had treated him, and promoted him in the presence of all his friends.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	27	He confirmed him in the high-priesthood and whatever other distinctions he already held, and had him ranked among the First Friends.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	28	Jonathan asked the king to exempt Judaea and the three Samaritan districts from taxation, promising him three hundred talents in return.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	29	The king consented, and wrote Jonathan a rescript covering the whole matter, in these terms:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	30	'King Demetrius to Jonathan his brother, and to the Jewish nation, greetings.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	31	'We have written to Lasthenes our cousin concerning you, and now send you this copy of our rescript for your own information:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	32	"King Demetrius to his father Lasthenes, greetings.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	33	"The nation of the Jews is our ally; they fulfil their obligations to us, and in view of their goodwill towards us we have decided to show them our bounty.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	34	We confirm them in their possession of the territory of Judaea and the three districts of Aphairema, Lydda and Ramathaim; these were annexed to Judaea from Samaritan territory, with all their dependencies, in favour of all who offer sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the royal dues which the king formerly received from them every year, from the yield of the soil and the fruit crops.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	35	As regards our other rights over the tithes and taxes due to us, over the salt marshes, and the crown taxes due to us, as from today we release them from them all.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	36	None of these grants will be revoked henceforth or anywhere.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	37	You will make yourself responsible for having a copy of this made, to be given to Jonathan and displayed on the holy mountain in a conspicuous place." '
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	38	When King Demetrius saw that the country was at peace under his rule and that no resistance was offered him, he dismissed his forces, and sent all the men home, except for the foreign troops that he had recruited in the foreign island, thus incurring the enmity of the veterans who had served his ancestors.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	39	Now Trypho, one of Alexander's former supporters, noting that all the troops were muttering against Demetrius, went to see Iamleku, the Arab who was bringing up Antiochus, Alexander's young son,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	40	and repeatedly urged him to let him have the boy, so that he might succeed his father as king; he told him of Demetrius' decision and of the resentment it had aroused among his troops. He spent a long time there.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	41	Jonathan, meanwhile, sent to ask King Demetrius to withdraw the garrisons from the Citadel in Jerusalem and from the other fortresses, since they were constantly fighting Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	42	Demetrius sent word back to Jonathan, 'Not only will I do this for you and for your nation, but I shall heap honours on you and your nation if I find a favourable opportunity.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	43	For the present, you would do well to send me reinforcements, since all my troops have deserted.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	44	Jonathan sent three thousand experienced soldiers to him in Antioch; when they reached the king, he was delighted at their arrival.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	45	The citizens crowded together in the centre of the city, to the number of some hundred and twenty thousand, intending to kill the king.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	46	The king took refuge in the palace, while the citizens occupied the thoroughfares of the city and began to attack.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	47	The king then called on the Jews for help; and these all rallied round him, then fanned out through the city, and that day killed about a hundred thousand of its inhabitants.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	48	They fired the city, seizing a great deal of plunder at the same time, and secured the king's safety.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	49	When the citizens saw that the Jews had the city at their mercy, their courage failed them, and they made an abject appeal to the king,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	50	'Give us the right hand of peace, and let the Jews stop their fight against us and the city.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	51	They threw down their arms and made peace. The Jews were covered in glory, in the eyes of the king and of everyone else in his kingdom. Having won renown in his kingdom, they returned to Jerusalem laden with booty.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	52	Thus, King Demetrius sat all the more securely on his royal throne, and the country was quiet under his government.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	53	But he gave the lie to all the promises he had made, and changed his attitude to Jonathan, giving nothing in return for the services Jonathan had rendered him, but thwarting him at every turn.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	54	After this, Trypho came back with the little boy Antiochus, who became king and was crowned.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	55	All the troops that Demetrius had summarily dismissed rallied to Antiochus, and made war on Demetrius, who turned tail and fled.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	56	Trypho captured the elephants and seized Antioch.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	57	Young Antiochus then wrote as follows to Jonathan: 'I confirm you in the high-priesthood and set you over the four districts and appoint you one of the Friends of the King.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	58	He sent him a service of gold plate, and granted him the right to drink from gold vessels, and to wear the purple and the golden brooch.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	59	He appointed his brother Simon commander-in-chief of the region from the Ladder of Tyre to the frontiers of Egypt.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	60	Jonathan then set out and made a progress through Transeuphrates and its towns, and the entire Syrian army rallied to his support. He came to Ascalon and was received in state by the inhabitants.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	61	From there he proceeded to Gaza, but the people of Gaza shut him out, so he laid siege to it, burning down its suburbs and plundering them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	62	The people of Gaza then pleaded with Jonathan, and he made peace with them; but he took the sons of their chief men as hostages and sent them away to Jerusalem. He then travelled through the country as far as Damascus.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	63	Jonathan now learned that Demetrius' generals had arrived at Kadesh in Galilee with a large army, intending to remove him from office,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	64	and went to engage them, leaving his brother Simon inside the country.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	65	Simon laid siege to Beth-Zur, attacking it day after day, and blockading the inhabitants
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	66	till they sued for peace, which he granted them, though he expelled them from the town and occupied it, stationing a garrison there.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	67	Jonathan and his army, meanwhile, having pitched camp by the Lake of Gennesar, rose early, and by morning were already in the plain of Hazor.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	68	The foreigners' army advanced to fight them on the plain, having first positioned an ambush for him in the mountains. While the main body was advancing directly towards the Jews,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	69	the troops in ambush broke cover and attacked first.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	70	All the men with Jonathan fled; no one was left, except Mattathias son of Absalom and Judas son of Chalphi, the generals of his army.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	71	At this, Jonathan tore his garments, put dust on his head, and prayed.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	72	Then he returned to the fight and routed the enemy, who fled.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	73	When the fugitives from his own forces saw this, they came back to him and joined in the pursuit as far as Kadesh where the enemy encampment was, and there they themselves pitched camp.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	11	74	About three thousand of the foreign troops fell that day. Jonathan then returned to Jerusalem.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	1	When Jonathan saw that circumstances were working in his favour, he sent a select mission to Rome to confirm and renew his treaty of friendship with the Romans.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	2	He also sent letters to the same effect to the Spartans and to other places.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	3	The envoys made their way to Rome, entered the Senate and said, 'Jonathan the high priest and the Jewish nation have sent us to renew your treaty of friendship and alliance with them as before.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	4	The Senate gave them letters to the authorities of each place, to procure their safe conduct to Judaea.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	5	The following is the copy of the letter Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	6	'Jonathan the high priest, the senate of the nation, the priests and the rest of the Jewish people to the Spartans their brothers, greetings.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	7	'In the past, a letter was sent to Onias, the high priest, from Areios, one of your kings, stating that you are indeed our brothers, as the copy subjoined attests.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	8	Onias received the envoy with honour, and accepted the letter, in which a clear declaration was made of friendship and alliance.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	9	For our part, though we have no need of these, having the consolation of the holy books in our possession,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	10	we venture to send to renew our fraternal friendship with you, so that we may not become strangers to you, a long time having elapsed since you last wrote to us.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	11	We, for our part, on every occasion, at our festivals and on other appointed days, unfailingly remember you in the sacrifices we offer and in our prayers, as it is right and fitting to remember brothers.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	12	We rejoice in your renown.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	13	'We ourselves, however, have had many trials and many wars, the neighbouring kings making war on us.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	14	We were unwilling to trouble you or our other allies and friends during these wars,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	15	since we have the support of Heaven to help us, thanks to which we have been delivered from our enemies, and they are the ones who have been brought low.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	16	We have therefore chosen Numenius son of Antiochus, and Antipater son of Jason, and sent them to the Romans to renew our former treaty of friendship and alliance,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	17	and we have ordered them also to visit you, to greet you and deliver you this letter of ours concerning the renewal of our brotherhood;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	18	we shall be grateful for an answer to it.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	19	The following is the copy of the letter sent to Onias:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	20	'Areios king of the Spartans, to Onias the high priest, greetings.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	21	'It has been discovered in records regarding the Spartans and Jews that they are brothers, and of the race of Abraham.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	22	Now that this has come to our knowledge, we shall be obliged if you will send us news of your welfare.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	23	Our own message to you is this: your flocks and your possessions are ours, and ours are yours, and we are instructing our envoys to give you a message to this effect.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	24	Jonathan learned that Demetrius' generals had returned with a larger army than before to make war on him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	25	He therefore left Jerusalem and went to engage them in the area of Hamath, not giving them the time to invade his own territory.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	26	He sent spies into their camp, who told him on their return that the enemy were taking up positions for a night attack on the Jews.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	27	At sunset, Jonathan ordered his men to keep watch with their weapons at hand, in readiness to fight at any time during the night, and posted advance guards all round the camp.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	28	On learning that Jonathan and his men were ready to fight, the enemy took fright and, with quaking hearts, lit fires in their bivouac and decamped.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	29	Jonathan and his men, watching the glow of the fires, were unaware of their withdrawal until morning,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	30	and although Jonathan pursued them, he failed to overtake them, for they had already crossed the river Eleutherus.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	31	So Jonathan wheeled round on the Arabs called Zabadaeans, beat them and plundered them;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	32	then, breaking camp, he went to Damascus, thus crossing the whole province.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	33	Simon, meanwhile, had also set out and had penetrated as far as Ascalon and the neighbouring towns. He then turned on Joppa and moved quickly to occupy it,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	34	for he had heard of their intention to hand over this strong point to the supporters of Demetrius; he stationed a garrison there to hold it.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	35	Jonathan, on his return, called a meeting of the elders of the people and decided with them to build fortresses in Judaea
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	36	and to heighten the walls of Jerusalem and erect a high barrier between the Citadel and the city, to cut the former off from the city and isolate it, to prevent the occupants from buying or selling.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	37	Rebuilding the city was a co-operative effort: part of the wall over the eastern ravine had fallen down; he restored the quarter called Chaphenatha.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	38	Simon, meanwhile, rebuilt Adida in the lowlands, fortifying it, and erecting gates with bolts.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	39	Trypho's ambition was to become king of Asia, assume the crown, and overpower King Antiochus.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	40	He was apprehensive that Jonathan might not allow him to do this, and might even make war on him, so he set out and came to Beth-Shean, in the hopes of finding some pretext for having him arrested and put to death.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	41	Jonathan went out to intercept him, with forty thousand picked men in battle order, and arrived at Beth-Shean.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	42	When Trypho saw him there with a large force, he hesitated to make any move against him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	43	He even received him with honour, commended him to all his friends, gave him presents and ordered his friends and his troops to obey him as they would himself.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	44	He said to Jonathan, 'Why have you given all these people so much trouble, when there is no threat of war between us?
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	45	Send them back home; pick yourself a few men as your bodyguard, and come with me to Ptolemais, which I am going to hand over to you, with the other fortresses and the remaining troops and all the officials; after which, I shall take the road for home. This was my purpose in coming here.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	46	Jonathan trusted him and did as he said; he dismissed his forces, who went back to Judaea.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	47	With him he retained three thousand men, of whom he left two thousand in Galilee, while a thousand accompanied him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	48	But as soon as Jonathan had entered Ptolemais, the people of Ptolemais closed the gates, seized him, and put all those who had entered with him to the sword.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	49	Trypho sent troops and cavalry into Galilee and the Great Plain to destroy all Jonathan's supporters.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	50	These, concluding that he had been taken and had perished with his companions, encouraged one another, marching with closed ranks and ready to give battle,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	51	and when their pursuers saw that they would fight for their lives, they turned back.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	52	All reached Judaea safe and sound, and there they lamented Jonathan and his companions, being very frightened indeed; all Israel was plunged into mourning.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	12	53	The surrounding nations were all now looking for ways of destroying them: 'They have no leader,' they said, 'no ally; we have only to attack them now, and we shall blot out their very memory from all peoples.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	1	Simon heard that Trypho had collected a large army to invade and devastate Judaea,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	2	and when he saw how the people were quaking with fear, he went up to Jerusalem, called the people together,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	3	and exhorted them thus, 'You know yourselves how much I and my brothers and my father's family have done for the laws and the sanctuary; you know what wars and hardships we have experienced.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	4	That is why my brothers are all dead, for Israel's sake, and I am the only one left.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	5	Far be it from me, then, to be sparing of my own life in any time of oppression, for I am not worth more than my brothers.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	6	Rather will I avenge my nation and the sanctuary and your wives and children, now that the foreigners are all united in malice to destroy us.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	7	The people's spirit rekindled as they listened to his words,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	8	and they shouted back at him, 'You are our leader in place of Judas and your brother Jonathan.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	9	Fight our battles for us, and we will do whatever you tell us.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	10	So he assembled all the fighting men and hurried on with completing the walls of Jerusalem, fortifying the whole perimeter.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	11	He sent a considerable force to Joppa under Jonathan son of Absalom who drove out the inhabitants and remained there in occupation.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	12	Trypho now left Ptolemais with a large army to invade Judaea, taking Jonathan with him under guard.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	13	Simon pitched camp in Adida, facing the plain.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	14	When Trypho learned that Simon had taken the place of his brother Jonathan and that he intended to join battle with him, he sent envoys to him with this message,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	15	'Your brother Jonathan was in debt to the royal exchequer for the offices he held; that is why we are detaining him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	16	If you send a hundred talents of silver and two of his sons as hostages, to make sure that on his release he does not revolt against us, we shall release him.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	17	Although Simon was aware that the message was a ruse, he sent for the money and the boys for fear of incurring great hostility from the people,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	18	who would have said that Jonathan had died because Simon would not send Trypho the money and the children.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	19	He therefore sent both the boys and the hundred talents, but Trypho broke his word and did not release Jonathan.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	20	Next, Trypho set about the invasion and devastation of the country; he made a detour along the Adora road, but Simon and his army confronted him wherever he attempted to go.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	21	The men in the Citadel kept sending messengers to Trypho, urging him to get through to them by way of the desert and send them supplies.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	22	Trypho organised his entire cavalry to go, but that night it snowed so heavily that he could not get through for the snow, so he left there and moved off into Gilead.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	23	As he approached Baskama he killed Jonathan, who was buried there.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	24	Trypho turned back and regained his own country.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	25	Simon sent and recovered the bones of his brother Jonathan, and buried him in Modein, the town of his ancestors.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	26	All Israel kept solemn mourning for him and long bewailed him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	27	Over the tomb of his father and brothers, Simon raised a monument high enough to catch the eye, using dressed stone back and front.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	28	He erected seven pyramids facing each other, for his father and mother and his four brothers,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	29	surrounding them with a structure consisting of tall columns surmounted by trophies of arms to their everlasting memory and, beside the trophies of arms, ships sculpted on a scale to be seen by all who sail the sea.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	30	Such was the monument he constructed at Modein, and it is still there today.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	31	Now Trypho, betraying the trust of young King Antiochus, put him to death.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	32	He usurped his throne, assuming the crown of Asia, and brought great havoc on the country.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	33	Simon built up the fortresses of Judaea, surrounding them with high towers, great walls and gates with bolts, and stocked these fortresses with food.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	34	He also sent a delegation to King Demetrius, to get him to grant the province a remission, since all Trypho did was to despoil.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	35	King Demetrius replied to his request in a letter framed as follows:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	36	'King Demetrius to Simon, high priest and Friend of Kings, and to the elders and nation of the Jews, greetings.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	37	'It has pleased us to accept the golden crown and the palm you have sent us, and we are disposed to make a general peace with you, and to write to the officials to grant you remissions.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	38	Everything that we have decreed concerning you remains in force, and the fortresses you have built may remain in your hands.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	39	We pardon all offences, unwitting or intentional, hitherto committed, and remit the crown tax you now owe us; and whatever other taxes were levied in Jerusalem are no longer to be levied.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	40	If any of you are suitable for enrolment in our bodyguard, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace between us.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	41	The gentile yoke was thus lifted from Israel in the year 170,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	42	when our people began engrossing their documents and contracts: 'In the first year of Simon, eminent high priest, commander-in-chief and ethnarch of the Jews'.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	43	About that time Simon laid siege to Gezer, surrounding it with his troops. He constructed a mobile tower, brought it up to the city, opened a breach in one of the bastions and took it.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	44	The men in the mobile tower sprang out into the city, where great confusion ensued.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	45	The citizens, accompanied by their wives and children, mounted the ramparts with their garments torn and loudly implored Simon to make peace with them:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	46	'Treat us', they said, 'not as our wickedness deserves, but as your mercy prompts you.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	47	Simon came to terms with them and stopped the fighting; but he expelled them from the city, purified the houses which contained idols, and then made his entry with songs of praise.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	48	He banished all impurity from it, settled in it people who observed the Law, and having fortified it, built a residence there for himself.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	49	The occupants of the Citadel in Jerusalem, prevented as they were from coming out and going into the countryside to buy and sell, were in desperate need of food, and numbers of them were being carried off by starvation.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	50	They begged Simon to make peace with them, and he granted this, though he expelled them and purified the Citadel from its pollutions.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	51	The Jews made their entry on the twenty-third day of the second month in the year 171, with acclamations and carrying palms, to the sound of lyres, cymbals and harps, chanting hymns and canticles, since a great enemy had been crushed and thrown out of Israel. Simon made it a day of annual rejoicing.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	52	He fortified the Temple hill on the Citadel side, and took up residence there with his men.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	13	53	Since his son John had come to manhood, Simon appointed him general-in-chief, with his residence in Gezer.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	1	In the year 172, King Demetrius assembled his forces and marched into Media to raise help for the fight against Trypho.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	2	When Arsaces king of Persia and Media heard that Demetrius had entered his territory, he sent one of his generals to capture him alive.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	3	The general defeated the army of Demetrius, seized him and brought him to Arsaces, who imprisoned him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	4	The country was at peace throughout the days of Simon. He sought the good of his nation and they were well pleased with his authority, as with his magnificence, throughout his life.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	5	To crown his titles to glory, he took Joppa and made it a harbour, gaining access to the Mediterranean Isles.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	6	He enlarged the frontiers of his nation, keeping his mastery over the homeland,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	7	resettling a host of captives. He conquered Gezer, Beth-Zur and the Citadel, ridding them of every impurity, and no one could resist him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	8	The people farmed their land in peace; the land gave its produce, the trees of the plain their fruit.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	9	The elders sat at ease in the squares, all their talk was of their prosperity; the young men wore splendid armour.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	10	He kept the towns supplied with provisions and furnished with fortifications, until his fame resounded to the ends of the earth.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	11	He established peace in the land, and Israel knew great joy.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	12	Each man sat under his own vine and his own fig tree, and there was no one to make them afraid.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	13	No enemy was left in the land to fight them, the very kings of those times had been crushed.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	14	He encouraged the afflicted members of his people, suppressing every wicked man and renegade. He strove to observe the Law,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	15	and gave new splendour to the Temple, enriching it with many sacred vessels.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	16	When it became known in Rome and as far as Sparta that Jonathan was dead, people were deeply grieved.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	17	But as soon as they heard that his brother Simon had succeeded him as high priest and was master of the country and the cities in it,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	18	they wrote to him on bronze tablets to renew the treaty of friendship and alliance which they had made with his brothers, Judas and Jonathan,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	19	and the document was read out before the assembly in Jerusalem.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	20	This is the copy of the letter sent by the Spartans: 'The rulers and the city of Sparta, to Simon the high priest and to the elders and priests and the rest of the people of the Jews, greetings.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	21	'The ambassadors whom you sent to our people have informed us of your glory and prosperity, and we are delighted with their visit.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	22	We have recorded their declarations in the minutes of our public assemblies, as follows, "Numenius son of Antiochus, and Antipater son of Jason, ambassadors of the Jews, came to us to renew their friendship with us.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	23	And it was the people's pleasure to receive these personages with honour and to deposit a copy of their statements in the public archives, so that the people of Sparta might preserve a record of them. A copy was also made for Simon the high priest." '
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	24	After this, Simon sent Numenius to Rome as the bearer of a large golden shield weighing a thousand mina, to confirm the alliance with them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	25	When these events were reported to our people, they said, 'What mark of appreciation shall we give to Simon and his sons?
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	26	He stood firm, he and his brothers and his father's house: he fought off the enemies of Israel and secured its freedom.' So they recorded an inscription on bronze tablets and set it up on pillars on Mount Zion.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	27	This is a copy of the text: 'The eighteenth of Elul, in the year 172, being the third year of Simon, eminent high priest:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	28	'In Asaramel, in the Grand Assembly of priests and people, of princes of the nation and of elders of the country: 'We are acquainted with the matters following:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	29	'When there was almost incessant fighting in the country Simon, son of Mattathias, a priest of the line of Joarib, and his brothers courted danger and withstood their nation's enemies to safeguard the integrity of their sanctuary and of the Law, and so brought their nation great glory;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	30	'For when, Jonathan having rallied his nation and become its high priest and having then been gathered to his ancestors,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	31	the enemy planned to invade the country, intending to devastate their territory and to lay hands on their sanctuary,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	32	Simon next came forward to fight for his nation: spending much of his personal wealth on arming his nation's fighting men and on providing their pay;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	33	fortifying the towns of Judaea, as well as Beth-Zur on the Judaean frontier where the enemy arsenal had formerly been, and stationing in it a garrison of Jewish soldiers;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	34	fortifying Joppa on the coast, and Gezer on the borders of Azotus, a place formerly inhabited by the enemy, founding a Jewish colony there, and providing the settlers with everything they needed to set them on their feet;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	35	'In consequence of which, the people, aware of Simon's loyalty and of the glory which he was determined to win for his nation, have made him their ethnarch and high priest, for all his services and for the integrity and loyalty which he has shown towards his nation, and for having by every means sought to enhance his people's power;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	36	'It has fallen to him in his time to expel the foreigners from his country, including those in the City of David in Jerusalem, who had converted it into a citadel for their own use, from which they would sally out to defile the surroundings of the sanctuary and to violate its sacred character;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	37	to station Jewish soldiers there instead for the security of the country and the city; and to heighten the walls of Jerusalem;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	38	'And since King Demetrius has heard that the Romans call the Jews their friends, allies and brothers,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	39	and that they have given an honourable reception to Simon's ambassadors, and, furthermore,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	40	that the Jews and priests are happy that Simon should, pending the advent of a genuine prophet, be their ethnarch and high priest for life
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	41	therefore he has confirmed him in the high-priestly office, has raised him to the rank of Friend and has showered great honours on him, also confirming him as their commander-in-chief,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	42	with the right to appoint officials to oversee the fabric of the sanctuary and to administer the country, munitions and fortresses;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	43	he is to have personal charge of the sanctuary, and to be obeyed by all; all official documents in the country must be drawn up in his name; and he may assume the purple and may wear golden ornaments;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	44	'Furthermore, it is against the law for any member of the public or of the priesthood to contravene any of these enactments or to contest his decisions, or to convene a meeting anywhere in the country without his permission, or to assume the purple or wear the golden brooch;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	45	and anyone acting contrary to, or rejecting any article of, these enactments is liable to punishment;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	46	'And since the people have unanimously agreed to grant Simon the right to act as aforesaid, and
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	47	since Simon, for his part, has given his assent, and has consented to assume the high-priestly office and to be commander-in-chief and ethnarch of the Jews and their priests, and to preside over all:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	48	'So, be it now enacted: that this record be inscribed on bronze tablets and be erected at some conspicuous place within the precincts of the Temple,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	14	49	and that copies be deposited in the Treasury for Simon and his descendants.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	1	Antiochus son of King Demetrius addressed a letter from the Mediterranean Isles to Simon, priest and ethnarch of the Jews, and to the whole nation;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	2	this was how it read: 'King Antiochus to Simon, high priest and ethnarch, and to the Jewish nation, greetings.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	3	'Whereas certain scoundrels have seized control of the kingdom of our fathers, and I propose to claim back the kingdom so that I may re-establish it as it was before, and whereas I have accordingly recruited very large forces and fitted out warships,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	4	intending to make a landing in the country and to hunt down the men who have ruined it and laid waste many towns in my kingdom;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	5	'I now, therefore, confirm in your favour all remissions of taxes granted to you by the kings my predecessors, as well as the waiving of whatever presents they may have conceded.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	6	I hereby authorise you to mint your own coinage as legal tender for your own country.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	7	I declare Jerusalem and the sanctuary to be free; all the arms you have manufactured and the fortresses you have built and now occupy may remain yours.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	8	All debts to the royal treasury, present or future, are cancelled henceforth in perpetuity.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	9	Furthermore, when we have won back our kingdom, we shall bestow such great honour on yourself, your nation and the sanctuary as will make your glory known throughout the world.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	10	Antiochus invaded the land of his ancestors in the year
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	174	and, since the troops all rallied to him, Trypho was left with few supporters.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	11	Antiochus pursued the usurper, who took refuge in Dora on the coast,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	12	knowing that misfortunes were piling up on him and that his troops had deserted him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	13	Antiochus pitched camp outside Dora with a hundred and twenty thousand fighting men and eight thousand cavalry.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	14	He laid siege to the city while the ships closed in from the sea, so that he had the city under attack from land and sea, and allowed no one to go in or come out.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	15	Numenius and his companions, meanwhile, arrived from Rome, bringing letters addressed to various kings and states, in the following terms:
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	16	'Lucius, consul of the Romans, to King Ptolemy, greetings.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	17	'The Jewish ambassadors have come to us as our friends and allies to renew our original friendship and alliance in the name of the high priest Simon and the Jewish people.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	18	They have brought a golden shield worth a thousand mina.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	19	Accordingly, we have seen fit to write to various kings and states, warning them neither to molest the Jewish people nor to attack either them or their towns or their country, nor to ally themselves with any such aggressors.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	20	We have seen fit to accept the shield from them.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	21	If, therefore, any scoundrels have fled their country to take refuge with you, hand them over to Simon the high priest, to be punished by him according to their law.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	22	The consul sent the same letter to King Demetrius, to Attalus, Ariarathes and Arsaces,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	23	and to all states, including Sampsames, the Spartans, Delos, Myndos, Sicyon, Caria, Samos, Pamphylia, Lycia, Halicarnassus, Rhodes, Phaselis, Cos, Side, Arados, Gortyn, Cyprus and Cyrene.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	24	They also drew up a copy for Simon the high priest.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	25	Antiochus, meanwhile, from his positions on the outskirts of Dora, was continually throwing detachments against the town. He constructed siege-engines, and blockaded Trypho, preventing movement in or out.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	26	Simon sent him two thousand picked men to support him in the fight, with silver and gold and plenty of equipment.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	27	But Antiochus would not accept them; instead, he repudiated all his previous agreements with Simon and completely changed his attitude to him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	28	He sent him Athenobius, one of his Friends, to confer with him and say, 'You are now occupying Joppa and Gezer and the Citadel in Jerusalem, which are towns in my kingdom.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	29	You have laid waste their territory and done immense harm to the country; and you have seized control of many places properly in my kingdom.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	30	Either now surrender the towns you have taken and the taxes from the places you have seized outside the frontiers of Judaea,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	31	or else pay me five hundred talents of silver in compensation for them and for the destruction you have done, and another five hundred talents for the taxes from the towns; otherwise we shall come and make war on you.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	32	When the King's Friend, Athenobius, reached Jerusalem and saw Simon's magnificence, his cabinet of gold and silver plate and the state he kept, he was dumbfounded. He delivered the king's message,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	33	but Simon gave him this answer, 'We have not taken foreign territory or any alien property but have occupied our ancestral heritage, for some time unjustly wrested from us by our enemies;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	34	now that we have a favourable opportunity, we are merely recovering our ancestral heritage.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	35	As regards Joppa and Gezer, which you claim, these were towns that did great harm to our people and laid waste our country; we are prepared to give a hundred talents for them.' Without so much as a word in answer,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	36	the envoy went back to the king in a rage and reported on Simon's answer and his magnificence, and on everything he had seen, at which the king fell into a fury.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	37	Trypho now boarded a ship and escaped to Orthosia.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	38	The king appointed Cendebaeus military governor of the coastal region and allotted him a force of infantry and cavalry.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	39	He ordered him to deploy his men facing Judaea, and instructed him to rebuild Kedron and fortify its gates, and to make war on our people, while the king himself went in pursuit of Trypho.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	40	Cendebaeus arrived at Jamnia and began to provoke our people forthwith, invading Judaea, taking prisoners, and massacring.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	15	41	Having rebuilt Kedron, he stationed cavalry and troops there to make sorties and patrol the roads of Judaea, as the king had ordered.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	1	John then went up from Gezer and reported to his father Simon what Cendebaeus was busy doing.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	2	At this, Simon summoned his two elder sons, Judas and John, and said to them, 'My brothers and I, and my father's House, have fought the enemies of Israel from our youth until today, and many a time we have been successful in rescuing Israel.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	3	But now I am an old man, while you, by the mercy of Heaven, are the right age; take the place of my brother and myself, go out and fight for our nation, and may Heaven's aid be with you.'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	4	He then selected twenty thousand of the country's fighting men and cavalry, and these marched against Cendebaeus, spending the night at Modein.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	5	Making an early start, they marched into the plain, to find a large army opposing them, both infantry and cavalry; there was, however, a stream-bed in between.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	6	John drew up facing them, he and his army and, seeing that the men were afraid to cross the stream-bed, crossed over first himself. When his men saw this, they too crossed after him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	7	He divided his army into two, with the cavalry in the centre and the infantry on either flank, as the opposing cavalry was very numerous.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	8	The trumpets rang out; Cendebaeus and his army were put to flight, many of them falling mortally wounded and the rest of them fleeing to the fortress.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	9	Then it was that Judas, John's brother, was wounded, but John pursued them until Cendebaeus reached Kedron, which he had rebuilt.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	10	Their flight took them as far as the towers in the countryside of Azotus, and John burnt these down. The enemy losses amounted to ten thousand men; John returned safely to Judaea.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	11	Ptolemy son of Abubos had been appointed general in command of the Plain of Jericho; he owned a great deal of silver and gold,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	12	and was the high priest's son-in-law.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	13	His ambition was fired; he hoped to make himself master of the whole country and therefore treacherously began to plot the destruction of Simon and his sons.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	14	Simon, who was inspecting the towns up and down the country and attending to their administration, had come down to Jericho with his sons Mattathias and Judas, in the year 172, in the eleventh month, the month of Shebat.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	15	The son of Abubos lured them into a small fortress called Dok, which he had built, where he offered them a great banquet, having previously hidden men in the place.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	16	When Simon and his sons were drunk, Ptolemy and his men reached for their weapons, rushed on Simon in the banqueting hall and killed him with his two sons and some of his servants.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	17	He thus committed a great act of treachery and rendered evil for good.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	18	Ptolemy wrote a report of the affair and sent it to the king, in the expectation of being sent reinforcements and of having the cities and the province made over to him.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	19	He also sent people to Gezer to murder John, and sent written orders to the military commanders to come to him so that he could give them silver, gold and presents;
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	20	and he also sent others to seize control of Jerusalem and the Temple mount.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	21	But someone had been too quick for him and had already informed John in Gezer that his father and brothers had perished, adding, 'He is sending someone to kill you too!'
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	22	Overcome as John was by the news, he arrested the men who had come to kill him and put them to death, being forewarned of their murderous design.
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	23	The rest of John's acts, the battles he fought and the exploits he performed, the city walls he built, and all his other achievements,
 1 Maccabees	1Mac	20	16	24	from the day he succeeded his father as high priest, are recorded in the annals of his pontificate.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	1	'To their brothers, the Jews living in Egypt, from their brothers, the Jews in Jerusalem and Judaea, greetings and untroubled peace.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	2	'May God prosper you, remembering his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, his faithful servants.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	3	May he give you all a heart to worship him and to do his will with a generous mind and a willing spirit.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	4	May he open your hearts to his Law and his precepts, and give you peace.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	5	May he hear your prayers and be reconciled with you, and not abandon you in time of evil.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	6	Such is our prayer for you.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	7	'During the reign of Demetrius, in the year 69, we Jews wrote to you as follows, "In the extremity of trouble that befell us in the years after Jason and his associates had betrayed the Holy Land and the kingdom,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	8	burning down the Temple gateway and shedding innocent blood, we prayed to the Lord and were then heard. And we then offered a sacrifice, with wheat-flour, we lit the lamps and we set out the loaves."
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	9	'And we now recommend you too to keep the feast of Shelters in the month of Chislev, in the year one hundred and eighty-eight.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	10	'The people of Jerusalem and of Judaea, the senate and Judas, to Aristobulus, tutor to King Ptolemy and one of the family of the anointed priests, and to the Jews in Egypt, greetings and good health.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	11	'Since we have been rescued by God from great danger, we give him great thanks for championing our cause against the king,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	12	for he it was who carried off those who had taken up arms against the Holy City.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	13	For when their leader reached Persia with his seemingly irresistible army, he was cut to pieces in the temple of Nanaea, as the result of a ruse employed by the priests who served that goddess.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	14	On the pretext of marrying Nanaea, Antiochus came to the place with his friends, intending to take its many treasures as a dowry.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	15	The priests of Nanaea had put these on display, and he for his part had entered the temple precincts with only a small retinue. As soon as Antiochus had gone inside the temple, the priests shut him in,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	16	opened a trap-door hidden in the ceiling and struck the leader down by hurling stones like thunderbolts. They then cut him into pieces and threw his head to those who were waiting outside.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	17	Blessed in all things be our God, who has delivered the sacrilegious over to death!
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	18	'As we shall be celebrating the purification of the Temple on the twenty-fifth of Chislev, we consider it proper to notify you, so that you too may celebrate it, as you do the feast of Shelters and the fire that appeared when Nehemiah, the builder of the Temple and the altar, offered sacrifice.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	19	For when our ancestors were being deported to Persia, the devout priests of the time took some of the fire from the altar and hid it secretly in a hole like a dry well, where they concealed it in such a way that the place was unknown to anyone.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	20	When some years had elapsed, in God's good time, Nehemiah, commissioned by the king of Persia, sent the descendants of the priests who had hidden the fire to look for it. When they reported that in fact they had found not fire but a thick liquid, Nehemiah ordered them to draw some out and bring it back.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	21	When they had done this, Nehemiah ordered the priests to pour this liquid over the sacrificial materials, that is, the wood and what lay on it.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	22	When this had been done, and when in due course the sun, which had previously been clouded over, shone out, a great fire flared up, to the astonishment of all.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	23	While the sacrifice was being burned, the priests offered prayer, Jonathan intoning with all the priests, and the rest responding with Nehemiah.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	24	The prayer took this form, "Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, awesome, strong, just, merciful, the only king and benefactor,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	25	the only provider, who alone are just, almighty and everlasting, the deliverer of Israel from every evil, who made our fathers your chosen ones and sanctified them,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	26	accept this sacrifice on behalf of all your people Israel, and protect your heritage and consecrate it.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	27	Bring together those of us who are dispersed, set free those in slavery among the heathen, look favourably on those held in contempt or abhorrence, and let the heathen know that you are our God.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	28	Punish those who oppress us and affront us by their insolence,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	29	and plant your people firmly in your Holy Place, as Moses promised."
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	30	'The priests then chanted hymns accompanied by the harp.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	31	When the sacrifice had been burnt, Nehemiah ordered the remaining liquid to be poured over large stones,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	32	and when this was done a flame flared up, to be absorbed in a corresponding blaze of light from the altar.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	33	When the matter became known and the king of the Persians heard that, in the place where the exiled priests had hidden the fire, a liquid had appeared, with which Nehemiah and his people had purified the sacrificial offerings,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	34	the king, after verifying the facts, had the place enclosed and pronounced sacred.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	35	To the people on whom the king bestowed it, he granted a part of the considerable revenue he derived from it.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	1	36	Nehemiah and his people termed this stuff "nephtar", which means "purification", but it is commonly called "naphta".
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	1	'It is on record that the prophet Jeremiah ordered the deportees to take the fire, as we have described,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	2	and how, having given them the Law, the prophet warned the deportees never to forget the Lord's precepts, nor to let their thoughts be tempted by the sight of gold and silver statues or the finery adorning them.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	3	Among other similar admonitions, he urged them not to let the Law depart from their hearts.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	4	'The same document also describes how the prophet, warned by an oracle, gave orders for the tent and the ark to go with him, when he set out for the mountain which Moses had climbed to survey God's heritage.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	5	On his arrival, Jeremiah found a cave-dwelling, into which he put the tent, the ark and the altar of incense, afterwards blocking up the entrance.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	6	Some of his companions went back later to mark out the path but were unable to find it.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	7	When Jeremiah learned this, he reproached them, "The place is to remain unknown", he said, "until God gathers his people together again and shows them his mercy.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	8	Then the Lord will bring these things once more to light, and the glory of the Lord will be seen, and so will the cloud, as it was revealed in the time of Moses and when Solomon prayed that the holy place might be gloriously hallowed."
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	9	'It was also recorded how Solomon in his wisdom offered the sacrifice of the dedication and completion of the sanctuary.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	10	As Moses had prayed to the Lord and fire had come down from heaven and burned up the sacrifice, so Solomon also prayed, and the fire from above consumed the burnt offerings.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	11	Moses had said, "Because the sacrifice for sin had not been eaten, it was burnt instead."
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	12	Solomon similarly observed the eight-day festival.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	13	'In addition to the above, it was also recorded, both in these writings and in the Memoirs of Nehemiah, how Nehemiah founded a library and made a collection of the books dealing with the kings and the prophets, the writings of David and the letters of the kings on the subject of offerings.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	14	Similarly, Judas made a complete collection of the books dispersed in the late war, and these we still have.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	15	If you need any of them, send someone to fetch them.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	16	'Since we are about to celebrate the purification, we now write, requesting you to observe the same days.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	17	God, who has saved his whole people, conferring heritage, kingdom, priesthood and sanctification on all of us,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	18	as he has promised in the Law, will surely, as our hope is in him, be swift to show us mercy and gather us together from everywhere under heaven to the holy place, since he has rescued us from great evils and has purified it.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	19	The story of Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers, the purification of the great Temple, the dedication of the altar,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	20	together with the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes and his son Eupator,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	21	and the celestial manifestations that came to hearten the brave champions of Judaism, so that, few though they were, they pillaged the whole country, routed the barbarian hordes,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	22	recovered the sanctuary renowned the whole world over, liberated the city and re-established the laws by then all but abolished, the Lord showing his favour by all his gracious help to them-
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	23	all this, already related in five books by Jason of Cyrene, we shall attempt to condense into a single work.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	24	Considering the spate of figures and the difficulty encountered, because of the mass of material, by those who wish to immerse themselves in historical records,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	25	we have aimed at providing diversion for those who merely want something to read, a saving of labour for those who enjoy committing things to memory, and profit for each and all.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	26	For us who have undertaken the drudgery of this abridgement, it has been no easy task but a matter of sweat and midnight oil,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	27	comparable to the exacting task of someone organising a banquet, whose aim is to satisfy a variety of tastes. Nevertheless, for the sake of rendering a general service, we remain glad to endure this drudgery,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	28	leaving accuracy of detail to the historian, and concentrating our effort on tracing the outlines in this condensed version.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	29	Just as the architect of a new house is responsible for the construction as a whole, while the man undertaking the ceramic painting has to take into consideration only the decorative requirements, so, I think, it is with us.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	30	To make the subject his own, to explore its by-ways, to be meticulous about details, is the business of the original historian,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	31	but the person making the adaptation must be allowed to aim at conciseness of expression and to forgo any exhaustive treatment of his subject.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	2	32	So now let us begin our narrative, without adding any more to what has been said above; there would be no sense in expanding the preface to the history and curtailing the history itself.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	1	While the holy city was inhabited in all peace and the laws were observed as perfectly as possible, owing to the piety of Onias the high priest and his hatred of wickedness,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	2	it came about that the kings themselves honoured the holy place and enhanced the glory of the Temple with the most splendid offerings,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	3	even to the extent that Seleucus king of Asia defrayed from his own revenues all the expenses arising out of the sacrificial liturgy.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	4	But a certain Simon, of the tribe of Bilgah, on being appointed administrator of the Temple, came into conflict with the high priest over the regulation of the city markets.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	5	Unable to get the better of Onias, he went off to Apollonius, son of Thraseos, who was at that time commander-in-chief of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	6	and made out to him that the Treasury in Jerusalem was groaning with untold wealth, that the amount contributed was incalculable and out of all proportion to expenditure on the sacrifice, but that it could all be brought under the control of the king.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	7	Apollonius met the king and told him about the wealth that had been disclosed to him; whereupon the king selected Heliodorus, his chancellor, and sent him with instructions to effect the removal of the reported wealth.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	8	Heliodorus lost no time in setting out, ostensibly to inspect the towns of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, but in fact to accomplish the king's purpose.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	9	On his arrival in Jerusalem, and after a hospitable reception from the high priest and the city, he announced what had been disclosed, thus revealing the reason for his presence, and asked if this was indeed the true situation.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	10	The high priest explained that there were funds set aside for widows and orphans,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	11	with some belonging to Hyrcanus son of Tobias, a man occupying a very exalted position, and that the whole sum, in contrast to what the evil Simon had alleged, amounted to four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	12	He also added that it was entirely out of the question that an injustice should be done to those who had put their trust in the sanctity of the place and in the inviolable majesty of a Temple venerated throughout the entire world.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	13	But Heliodorus, because of his instructions from the king, peremptorily insisted that the funds must be confiscated for the royal exchequer.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	14	Fixing a day for the purpose, he went in to draw up an inventory of the funds. There was no little consternation throughout the city;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	15	the priests in their sacred vestments prostrated themselves before the altar and prayed to Heaven, to the Author of the law governing deposits, to preserve these funds intact for the depositors.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	16	The appearance of the high priest was enough to pierce the heart of the beholder, his expression and his altered colour betraying the anguish of his soul;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	17	the man was so overwhelmed by fear and bodily trembling that those who saw him could not possibly mistake the distress he was suffering.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	18	People rushed headlong from the houses, intent on making public supplication because of the indignity threatening the holy place.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	19	Women thronged the streets swathed in sackcloth below their breasts; girls secluded indoors came running, some to the doorways, some to the city walls, while others leaned out of the windows,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	20	all stretching out their hands to Heaven in entreaty.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	21	It was pitiful to see the people crowding together to prostrate themselves, and the foreboding of the high priest in his deep anguish.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	22	While they were calling on the all-powerful Lord to preserve the deposits intact for the depositors, in full security,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	23	Heliodorus set about his appointed task.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	24	He had already arrived with his bodyguard near the Treasury, when the Sovereign of spirits and of every power caused so great an apparition that all who had dared to accompany Heliodorus were dumbfounded at the power of God and reduced to abject terror.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	25	Before their eyes appeared a horse richly caparisoned and carrying a fearsome rider. Rearing violently, it struck at Heliodorus with its forefeet. The rider was seen to be accoutred entirely in gold.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	26	Two other young men of outstanding strength and radiant beauty, magnificently apparelled, appeared to him at the same time and, taking their stand on each side of him, flogged him unremittingly, inflicting stroke after stroke.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	27	Suddenly Heliodorus fell to the ground, enveloped in thick darkness. His men came to his rescue and placed him in a litter,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	28	this man who but a moment before had made his way into the Treasury, as we said above, with a great retinue and his whole bodyguard; and as they carried him away, powerless to help himself, they openly acknowledged the sovereign power of God.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	29	While Heliodorus lay prostrate under the divine visitation, speechless and bereft of all hope of deliverance,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	30	the Jews blessed the Lord who had miraculously glorified his own holy place. And the Temple, which a little while before had been filled with terror and commotion, now overflowed with joy and gladness at the manifestation of the almighty Lord.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	31	Some of Heliodorus' companions quickly begged Onias to entreat the Most High to grant the man his life, lying as he did at the very point of death.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	32	The high priest, afraid that the king might suspect the Jews of some foul play concerning Heliodorus, did indeed offer a sacrifice for the man's recovery.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	33	And while the high priest was performing the rite of expiation, the same young men again appeared to Heliodorus, wearing the same apparel and, standing beside him, said, 'Be very grateful to Onias the high priest, since it is for his sake that the Lord has granted you your life.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	34	As for you, who have been scourged by Heaven, you must proclaim to everyone the grandeur of God's power.' So saying, they vanished.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	35	Heliodorus offered sacrifice to the Lord and made most solemn vows to the preserver of his life, and then took courteous leave of Onias and marched his forces back to the king.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	36	He openly testified to everyone about the works of the supreme God which he had seen with his own eyes.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	37	When the king asked Heliodorus what sort of man would be the right person to send to Jerusalem on a second occasion, he replied,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	38	'If you have some enemy or anyone disloyal to the state, send him there, and you will get him back well flogged, if he survives at all, since some peculiarly divine power attaches to the holy place.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	39	He who has his dwelling in heaven watches over the place and defends it, and he strikes down and destroys those who come to harm it.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	3	40	This was the outcome of the affair of Heliodorus and the preservation of the Treasury.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	1	The Simon mentioned above as the informer against the funds and against his country began slandering Onias, insinuating that the latter had been responsible for the assault on Heliodorus and himself had contrived this misfortune.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	2	Simon now had the effrontery to name this benefactor of the city, this protector of his compatriots, this zealot for the laws, as an enemy of the public good.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	3	This hostility reached such proportions that murders were actually committed by some of Simon's agents,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	4	and at this point Onias, recognising how mischievous this rivalry was, and aware that Apollonius son of Menestheus, the general commanding Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, was encouraging Simon in his malice,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	5	went to see the king, not to play the accuser of his fellow-citizens, but having the public and private welfare of the entire people at heart.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	6	He saw that, without some intervention by the king, an orderly administration would no longer be possible, nor would Simon put a stop to his folly.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	7	When Seleucus had departed this life and Antiochus styled Epiphanes had succeeded to the kingdom, Jason, brother of Onias, usurped the high priesthood:
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	8	he approached the king with a promise of three hundred and sixty talents of silver, with eighty talents to come from some other source of revenue.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	9	He further committed himself to paying another hundred and fifty, if the king would empower him to set up a gymnasium and youth centre, and to register the Antiochists of Jerusalem.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	10	When the king gave his assent, Jason, as soon as he had seized power, imposed the Greek way of life on his fellow-countrymen.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	11	He suppressed the liberties which the kings had graciously granted to the Jews at the instance of John, father of that Eupolemus who was later to be sent on an embassy to negotiate a treaty of friendship and alliance with the Romans and, overthrowing the lawful institutions, introduced new usages contrary to the Law.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	12	He went so far as to found a gymnasium at the very foot of the Citadel, and to fit out the noblest of his young men in the petasos.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	13	Godless wretch that he was and no true high priest, Jason set no bounds to his impiety; indeed the hellenising process reached such a pitch
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	14	that the priests ceased to show any interest in serving the altar; but, scorning the Temple and neglecting the sacrifices, they would hurry, on the stroke of the gong, to take part in the distribution, forbidden by the Law, of the oil on the exercise ground;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	15	setting no store by the honours of their fatherland, they esteemed hellenic glories best of all.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	16	But all this brought its own retribution; the very people whose way of life they envied, whom they sought to resemble in everything, proved to be their enemies and executioners.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	17	It is no small thing to violate the divine laws, as the period that followed will demonstrate.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	18	On the occasion of the quadrennial games at Tyre in the presence of the king,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	19	the vile Jason sent an embassy of Antiochists from Jerusalem, taking with them three hundred silver drachmas for the sacrifice to Hercules. But even those who brought the money did not think it would be right to spend it on the sacrifice and decided to reserve it for some other item of expenditure;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	20	and so what the sender had intended for the sacrifice to Hercules was in fact applied, at the suggestion of those who brought it, to the construction of triremes.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	21	Apollonius son of Menestheus had been sent to Egypt to attend the wedding of King Philometor. Antiochus, having learnt that the latter had become hostile to his affairs, began thinking about his own safety: that was why he had come to Joppa. He then moved to Jerusalem,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	22	where he was given a magnificent welcome by Jason and the city, and escorted in by torchlight with acclamation. After which, he marched his army into Phoenicia.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	23	When three years had passed, Jason sent Menelaus, brother of the Simon mentioned above, to convey the money to the king and to complete negotiations on various essential matters.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	24	But Menelaus, on being presented to the king, flattered him by his own appearance of authority, and so secured the high priesthood for himself, outbidding Jason by three hundred talents of silver.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	25	He returned with the royal mandate, bringing nothing worthy of the high priesthood and supported only by the fury of a cruel tyrant and the rage of a savage beast.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	26	Thus Jason, who had supplanted his own brother, was in turn supplanted by a third, and obliged to take refuge in Ammanitis.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	27	As for Menelaus, he secured the office, but defaulted altogether on the sums promised to the king,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	28	although Sostratus, the commandant of the Citadel, whose business it was to collect the revenue, kept demanding payment. The pair of them in consequence were summoned before the king,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	29	Menelaus leaving his brother Lysimachus as deputy high priest, while Sostratus left Crates, the commander of the Cypriots, to act for him.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	30	While all this was going on, it happened that the people of Tarsus and Mallus revolted, because their towns had been given as a present to Antiochis, the king's concubine.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	31	The king therefore hurried off to settle the affair, leaving Andronicus, one of his dignitaries, to act as his deputy.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	32	Thinking he had found a favourable opportunity, Menelaus abstracted a number of golden vessels from the Temple and presented them to Andronicus, and managed to sell others to Tyre and the surrounding cities.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	33	On receiving clear evidence to this effect, Onias retired to a place of sanctuary at Daphne near Antioch and then taxed him with it.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	34	Menelaus then had a quiet word with Andronicus, urging him to get rid of Onias. Andronicus sought out Onias and, resorting to the trick of offering him his right hand on oath, succeeded in persuading him, despite the latter's lingering suspicions, to leave sanctuary; whereupon, in defiance of all justice, he immediately put him to death.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	35	The result was that not only Jews but many people of other nationalities were appalled and outraged by the unjust murder of this man.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	36	On the king's return from the region of Cilicia, the Jews of the capital, and those Greeks who shared their hatred of the crime, appealed to him about the unjustified murder of Onias.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	37	Antiochus was profoundly grieved and filled with pity, and he wept for the prudence and moderation of the dead man.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	38	Burning with indignation, he immediately stripped Andronicus of the purple, tore his garments off him and, parading him through the length of the city, rid the world of the assassin on the very spot where he had laid impious hands on Onias, the Lord dealing out to him the punishment he deserved.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	39	Now Lysimachus with the connivance of Menelaus had committed many sacrilegious thefts in the city, and when the facts became widely known, the populace rose against Lysimachus, who had already disposed of many pieces of gold plate.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	40	The infuriated mob was becoming menacing, and Lysimachus armed nearly three thousand men and took aggressive action; the troops were led by a certain Auranus, a man advanced in years and no less in folly.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	41	Recognising this act of aggression as the work of Lysimachus, some snatched up stones, others cudgels, while others scooped up handfuls of ashes lying at hand, and all hurled everything indiscriminately at Lysimachus' men,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	42	to such effect that they wounded many of them, even killing a few, and routed them all; the sacrilegious thief himself they killed near the Treasury.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	43	As a result of this, legal proceedings were taken against Menelaus.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	44	When the king came down to Tyre, three men deputed by the Senate pleaded their case before him.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	45	Menelaus, seeing the case had gone against him, promised a substantial sum to Ptolemy son of Dorymenes if he would influence the king in his favour.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	46	Ptolemy then took the king aside into a colonnade, as though for a breath of fresh air, and persuaded him to change his mind;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	47	the king then dismissed the charges against Menelaus, the cause of all this evil, while he condemned to death the other poor wretches who, had they pleaded even before Scythians, would have been let off scot-free.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	48	No time was lost in carrying out this unjust punishment on those who had championed the cause of the city, the townships and the sacred vessels.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	49	Some Tyrians even were so outraged by the crime that they provided sumptuously for their funeral,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	4	50	while, as a result of the greed of the powerful, Menelaus remained in power, growing more wicked than ever and establishing himself as the chief enemy of his fellow-citizens.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	1	At about this time, Antiochus was preparing for his second attack on Egypt.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	2	It then happened that all over the city for nearly forty days there were apparitions of horsemen galloping through the air in cloth of gold, troops of lancers fully armed,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	3	squadrons of cavalry in order of battle, attacks and charges this way and that, a flourish of shields, a forest of pikes, a brandishing of swords, a hurling of missiles, a glittering of golden accoutrements and armour of all kinds.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	4	So everyone prayed that this manifestation might prove a good omen.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	5	Then, on the strength of a false report that Antiochus was dead, Jason took at least a thousand men and launched an unexpected attack on the city. When the walls had been breached and the city was finally on the point of being taken, Menelaus took refuge in the Citadel.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	6	Jason, however, made a pitiless slaughter of his fellow-citizens, oblivious of the fact that success against his own countrymen was the greatest of disasters, but rather picturing himself as winning trophies from some enemy, and not from his fellow- countrymen.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	7	Even so, he did not manage to seize power; and, in the end, his machinations brought him nothing but shame, and he took refuge once more in Ammanitis.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	8	His career of wickedness was thus brought to a halt: imprisoned by Aretas, the Arab despot, escaping from his town, hunted by everyone, detested for having overthrown the laws, abhorred as the butcher of his country and his countrymen, he drifted to Egypt.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	9	He who had exiled so many from their fatherland, himself perished on foreign soil, having travelled to Sparta, hoping that, for kinship's sake, he might find harbour there.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	10	So many carcases he had thrust out to lie unburied; now he himself had none to mourn him, no funeral rites, no place in the tomb of his ancestors.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	11	When the king came to hear of what had happened, he concluded that Judaea was in revolt. He therefore marched from Egypt, raging like a wild beast, and began by storming the city.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	12	He then ordered his soldiers to cut down without mercy everyone they encountered, and to butcher all who took refuge in their houses.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	13	It was a massacre of young and old, a slaughter of women and children, a butchery of young girls and infants.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	14	There were eighty thousand victims in the course of those three days, forty thousand dying by violence and as many again being sold into slavery.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	15	Not content with this, he had the audacity to enter the holiest Temple in the entire world, with Menelaus, that traitor to the laws and to his country, as his guide;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	16	with impure hands he seized the sacred vessels; with impious hands he seized the offerings presented by other kings for the aggrandisement, glory and dignity of the holy place.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	17	Holding so high an opinion of himself, Antiochus did not realise that the Lord was temporarily angry at the sins of the inhabitants of the city, hence his unconcern for the holy place.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	18	Had they not been entangled in many sins, Antiochus too, like Heliodorus when King Seleucus sent him to inspect the Treasury, would have been flogged the moment he arrived and checked in his presumption.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	19	The Lord, however, had not chosen the people for the sake of the holy place, but the holy place for the sake of the people;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	20	and so the holy place itself, having shared the disasters that befell the people, in due course also shared their good fortune; having been abandoned by the Almighty in his anger, once the great Sovereign was placated it was reinstated in all its glory.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	21	Antiochus, having extracted eighteen hundred talents from the Temple, hurried back to Antioch; in his pride he would have undertaken to make the dry land navigable and the sea passable on foot, so high his arrogance soared.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	22	But he left officials behind to plague the nation: in Jerusalem, Philip, a Phrygian by race, and by nature more barbarous than the man who appointed him;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	23	on Mount Gerizim, Andronicus; and, besides these, Menelaus, who lorded it over his countrymen worse than all the others. In his rooted hostility to the Jews,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	24	the king also sent the Mysarch Apollonius at the head of an army twenty-two thousand strong, with orders to put to death all men in their prime and to sell the women and children.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	25	Arriving in Jerusalem and posing as a man of peace, this man waited until the holy day of the Sabbath and then, taking advantage of the Jews as they rested from work, ordered his men to parade fully armed;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	26	all those who came out to watch he put to the sword; then, rushing into the city with his armed troops, he cut down an immense number of people.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	5	27	Judas, also known as Maccabaeus, however, with about nine others, withdrew into the desert. He lived like the wild animals in the hills with his companions, eating nothing but wild plants to avoid contracting defilement.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	1	Shortly afterwards, the king sent Gerontes the Athenian to force the Jews to violate their ancestral customs and live no longer by the laws of God;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	2	and to profane the Temple in Jerusalem and dedicate it to Olympian Zeus, and the one on Mount Gerizim to Zeus, Patron of Strangers, as the inhabitants of the latter place had requested.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	3	The advent of these evils was painfully hard for all the people to bear.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	4	The Temple was filled with revelling and debauchery by the gentiles, who took their pleasure with prostitutes and had intercourse with women in the sacred precincts, introducing other indecencies besides.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	5	The altar of sacrifice was loaded with victims proscribed by the law as profane.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	6	No one might either keep the Sabbath or observe the traditional feasts, or so much as admit to being a Jew.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	7	People were driven by harsh compulsion to take part in the monthly ritual meal commemorating the king's birthday; and when a feast of Dionysus occurred, they were forced to wear ivy wreaths and walk in the Dionysiac procession.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	8	A decree was issued at the instance of the people of Ptolemais for the neighbouring Greek cities, enforcing the same conduct on the Jews there, obliging them to share in the sacrificial meals,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	9	and ordering the execution of those who would not voluntarily conform to Greek customs. So it became clear that disaster was imminent.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	10	For example, two women were charged with having circumcised their children. They were paraded publicly round the town, with their babies hung at their breasts, and then hurled over the city wall.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	11	Other people, who had assembled in some near-by caves to keep the seventh day without attracting attention, were denounced to Philip, and were then all burnt to death together, since their consciences would not allow them to defend themselves, out of respect for the holiness of the day.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	12	Now, I urge anyone who may read this book not to be dismayed at these calamities, but to reflect that such visitations are intended not to destroy our race but to discipline it.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	13	Indeed, when evil-doers are not left for long to their own devices but incur swift retribution, it is a sign of great benevolence.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	14	In the case of other nations, the Master waits patiently for them to attain the full measure of their sins before he punishes them, but with us he has decided to deal differently,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	15	rather than have to punish us later, when our sins come to full measure.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	16	And so he never entirely withdraws his mercy from us; he may discipline us by some disaster, but he does not desert his own people.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	17	Let this be said simply by way of reminder; we must return to our story without more ado.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	18	Eleazar, one of the foremost teachers of the Law, a man already advanced in years and of most noble appearance, had his mouth forced open, to make him eat a piece of pork.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	19	But he, resolving to die with honour rather than to live disgraced, walked of his own accord to the torture of the wheel,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	20	having spat the stuff out, as befits those with the courage to reject what is not lawful to taste, rather than live.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	21	The people supervising the ritual meal, forbidden by the Law, because of the length of time for which they had known him, took him aside and privately urged him to have meat brought of a kind he could properly use, prepared by himself, and only pretend to eat the portions of sacrificial meat as prescribed by the king;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	22	this action would enable him to escape death, by availing himself of an act of kindness prompted by their long friendship.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	23	But having taken a noble decision worthy of his years and the dignity of his great age and the well-earned distinction of his grey hairs, worthy too of his impeccable conduct from boyhood, and above all of the holy legislation established by God himself, he answered accordingly, telling them to send him at once to Hades.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	24	'Pretence', he said, 'does not befit our time of life; many young people would suppose that Eleazar at the age of ninety had conformed to the foreigners' way of life
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	25	and, because I had played this part for the sake of a paltry brief spell of life, might themselves be led astray on my account; I should only bring defilement and disgrace on my old age.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	26	Even though for the moment I avoid execution by man, I can never, living or dead, elude the grasp of the Almighty.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	27	Therefore if I am man enough to quit this life here and now, I shall prove myself worthy of my old age,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	28	and I shall have left the young a noble example of how to make a good death, eagerly and generously, for the venerable and holy laws.' So saying, he walked straight to the wheel,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	29	while those who were escorting him, recently so well disposed towards him, turned against him after this declaration, which they regarded as sheer madness.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	30	He for his part, just before he died under the blows, gave a sigh and said, 'The Lord whose knowledge is holy sees clearly that, though I might have escaped death, from awe of him I gladly endure these agonies of body under the lash, and that in my soul I am glad to suffer.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	6	31	This was how he died, leaving his death as an example of nobility and a record of virtue not only for the young but for the greater part of the nation.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	1	It also happened that seven brothers were arrested with their mother. The king tried to force them to taste some pork, which the Law forbids, by torturing them with whips and scourges.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	2	One of them, acting as spokesman for the others, said, 'What are you trying to find out from us? We are prepared to die rather than break the laws of our ancestors.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	3	The king, in a fury, ordered pans and cauldrons to be heated over a fire.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	4	As soon as these were red-hot, he commanded that their spokesman should have his tongue cut out, his head scalped and his extremities cut off, while the other brothers and his mother looked on.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	5	When he had been rendered completely helpless, the king gave orders for him to be brought, still breathing, to the fire and fried alive in a pan. As the smoke from the pan drifted about, his mother and the rest encouraged one another to die nobly, with such words as these,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	6	'The Lord God is watching and certainly feels sorry for us, as Moses declared in his song, which clearly states that "he will take pity on his servants." '
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	7	When the first had left the world in this way, they brought the second forward to be tortured. After stripping the skin from his head, hair and all, they asked him, 'Will you eat some pork, before your body is tortured limb by limb?'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	8	Replying in his ancestral tongue, he said, 'No!' So he too was put to the torture in his turn.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	9	With his last breath he exclaimed, 'Cruel brute, you may discharge us from this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up, since we die for his laws, to live again for ever.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	10	After him, they tortured the third, who on being asked for his tongue promptly thrust it out and boldly held out his hands,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	11	courageously saying, 'Heaven gave me these limbs; for the sake of his laws I have no concern for them; from him I hope to receive them again.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	12	The king and his attendants were astounded at the young man's courage and his utter indifference to suffering.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	13	When this one was dead they subjected the fourth to the same torments and tortures.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	14	When he neared his end he cried, 'Ours is the better choice, to meet death at men's hands, yet relying on God's promise that we shall be raised up by him; whereas for you there can be no resurrection to new life.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	15	Next they brought forward the fifth and began torturing him.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	16	But he looked at the king and said, 'You have power over human beings, mortal as you are, and can act as you please. But do not think that our race has been deserted by God.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	17	Only wait, and you will see in your turn how his mighty power will torment you and your descendants.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	18	After him, they led out the sixth, and his dying words were these, 'Do not delude yourself: we are suffering like this through our own fault, having sinned against our own God; hence, appalling things have befallen us-
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	19	but do not think you yourself will go unpunished for attempting to make war on God.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	20	But the mother was especially admirable and worthy of honourable remembrance, for she watched the death of seven sons in the course of a single day, and bravely endured it because of her hopes in the Lord.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	21	Indeed she encouraged each of them in their ancestral tongue; filled with noble conviction, she reinforced her womanly argument with manly courage, saying to them,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	22	'I do not know how you appeared in my womb; it was not I who endowed you with breath and life, I had not the shaping of your every part.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	23	And hence, the Creator of the world, who made everyone and ordained the origin of all things, will in his mercy give you back breath and life, since for the sake of his laws you have no concern for yourselves.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	24	Antiochus thought he was being ridiculed, suspecting insult in the tone of her voice; and as the youngest was still alive he appealed to him not with mere words but with promises on oath to make him both rich and happy if he would abandon the traditions of his ancestors; he would make him his Friend and entrust him with public office.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	25	The young man took no notice at all, and so the king then appealed to the mother, urging her to advise the youth to save his life.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	26	After a great deal of urging on his part she agreed to try persuasion on her son.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	27	Bending over him, she fooled the cruel tyrant with these words, uttered in their ancestral tongue, 'My son, have pity on me; I carried you nine months in my womb and suckled you three years, fed you and reared you to the age you are now, and provided for you.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	28	I implore you, my child, look at the earth and sky and everything in them, and consider how God made them out of what did not exist, and that human beings come into being in the same way.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	29	Do not fear this executioner, but prove yourself worthy of your brothers and accept death, so that I may receive you back with them in the day of mercy.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	30	She had hardly finished, when the young man said, 'What are you all waiting for? I will not comply with the king's ordinance; I obey the ordinance of the Law given to our ancestors through Moses.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	31	As for you, who have contrived every kind of evil against the Hebrews, you will certainly not escape the hands of God.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	32	We are suffering for our own sins;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	33	and if, to punish and discipline us, our living Lord is briefly angry with us, he will be reconciled with us in due course.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	34	But you, unholy wretch and wickedest of villains, what cause have you for pride, nourishing vain hopes and raising your hand against his servants? -
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	35	for you have not yet escaped the judgement of God the almighty, the all-seeing.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	36	Our brothers, having endured brief pain, for the sake of ever-flowing life have died for the covenant of God, while you, by God's judgement, will have to pay the just penalty for your arrogance.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	37	I too, like my brothers, surrender my body and life for the laws of my ancestors, begging God quickly to take pity on our nation, and by trials and afflictions to bring you to confess that he alone is God,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	38	so that with my brothers and myself there may be an end to the wrath of the Almighty, rightly let loose on our whole nation.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	39	The king fell into a rage and treated this one more cruelly than the others, for he was himself smarting from the young man's scorn.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	40	And so the last brother met his end undefiled and with perfect trust in the Lord.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	41	The mother was the last to die, after her sons.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	7	42	But let this be sufficient account of the ritual meals and monstrous tortures.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	1	Judas, otherwise known as Maccabaeus, and his companions made their way secretly among the villages, rallying their fellow-countrymen; they recruited those who remained loyal to Judaism and assembled about six thousand.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	2	They called on the Lord to have regard for the people oppressed on all sides, to take pity on the Temple profaned by the godless,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	3	to have mercy on the city now being destroyed and levelled to the ground, to hear the blood of the victims that cried aloud to him,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	4	to remember too the criminal slaughter of innocent babies and to avenge the blasphemies perpetrated against his name.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	5	As soon as Maccabaeus had an organised force, he at once proved invincible to the foreigners, the Lord's anger having turned into compassion.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	6	Making surprise attacks on towns and villages, he fired them; he captured favourable positions and inflicted very heavy losses on the enemy,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	7	generally availing himself of the cover of night for such enterprises. The fame of his valour spread far and wide.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	8	When Philip saw Judas was making steady progress and winning more and more frequent successes, he wrote to Ptolemy, the general officer commanding Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, asking for reinforcements in the royal interest.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	9	Ptolemy chose Nicanor son of Patroclus, one of the king's First Friends, and sent him without delay at the head of an international force of at least twenty thousand men to exterminate the entire Jewish race. As his associate he appointed Gorgias, a professional experience.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	10	Nicanor for his part proposed, by the sale of Jewish prisoners of war, to raise the two thousand talents of tribute money owed by the king to the Romans.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	11	He lost no time in sending the seaboard towns an invitation to come and buy Jewish manpower, promising delivery of ninety head for one talent; but he did not reckon on the judgement from the Almighty that was soon to overtake him.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	12	When news reached Judas of Nicanor's advance, he warned his men of the enemy's approach,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	13	whereupon the cowardly ones and those who lacked confidence in the justice of God took to their heels and ran away.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	14	The rest sold all their remaining possessions, at the same time praying the Lord to deliver them from the godless Nicanor, who had sold them even in advance of any encounter-
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	15	if not for their own sakes, then at least out of consideration for the covenants made with their ancestors, and because they themselves bore his sacred and majestic name.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	16	Maccabaeus marshalled his men, who numbered about six thousand, and exhorted them not to be dismayed at the enemy or discouraged at the vast horde of gentiles wickedly advancing against them, but to fight bravely,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	17	keeping before their eyes the outrage committed by them against the holy place and the infamous and scornful treatment inflicted on the city, not to mention the destruction of their traditional way of life.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	18	'They may put their trust in their weapons and their exploits,' he said, 'but our confidence is in almighty God, who is able with a single nod to overthrow both those marching on us and the whole world with them.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	19	He reminded them of the occasions on which their ancestors had received help: that time when, under Sennacherib, a hundred and eighty-five thousand men had perished;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	20	that time in Babylonia when in the battle with the Galatians the Jewish combatants numbered only eight thousand, with four thousand Macedonians, yet when the Macedonians were hard pressed, the eight thousand had destroyed a hundred and twenty thousand, thanks to the help they had received from Heaven, and had taken great booty as a result.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	21	Having so roused their courage by these words that they were ready to die for the laws and their country, he then divided his army into four,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	22	putting his brothers, Simon, Joseph and Jonathan in command of one division each, and assigning them fifteen hundred men apiece.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	23	Next, he ordered Esdrias to read the Holy Book aloud and gave them their watchword 'Help from God'. Then, putting himself at the head of the first division, he attacked Nicanor.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	24	With the Almighty for their ally they slaughtered over nine thousand of the enemy, wounded and crippled the greater part of Nicanor's army and put them all to flight.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	25	The money of their prospective purchasers fell into their hands. After pursuing them for a good while, they turned back, since time was pressing:
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	26	it was the eve of the Sabbath, and for that reason they did not prolong their pursuit.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	27	They collected the enemy's weapons and stripped them of their spoils, and because of the Sabbath even more heartily blessed and praised the Lord, who had saved them and who had chosen that day for the first manifestation of his compassion.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	28	When the Sabbath was over, they distributed some of the booty among the victims of the persecution and the widows and orphans; the rest they divided among themselves and their children.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	29	They then joined in public supplication, imploring the merciful Lord to be fully reconciled with his servants.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	30	They also challenged the forces of Timotheus and Bacchides and destroyed over twenty thousand of them, gaining possession of several high fortresses. They divided their enormous booty into two equal shares, one for themselves, the other for the victims of the persecution and the orphans and widows, not forgetting the aged.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	31	They carefully collected the enemy's weapons and stored them in suitable places. The rest of the spoils they took to Jerusalem.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	32	They killed the tribal chieftain on Timotheus' staff, an extremely wicked man who had done great harm to the Jews.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	33	In the course of their victory celebrations in Jerusalem, they burned the men who had fired the Holy Gates; with Callisthenes they had taken refuge in one small house; so these received a fitting reward for their sacrilege.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	34	The triple-dyed scoundrel Nicanor, who had brought the thousand merchants to buy the Jews,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	35	finding himself with the Lord's help humbled by men he had himself reckoned as of very little account, stripped off his robes of state, and made his way across country unaccompanied, like a runaway slave, reaching Antioch by a singular stroke of fortune, since his army had been destroyed.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	8	36	Thus the man who had promised the Romans to make good their tribute money by selling the prisoners from Jerusalem, bore witness that the Jews had a defender and that they were in consequence invulnerable, since they followed the laws which that defender had ordained.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	1	At about the same time, Antiochus was beating a disorderly retreat from Persia.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	2	He had entered the city called Persepolis, planning to rob the temple and occupy the city; but the population at once sprang to arms to defend themselves, with the result that Antiochus was routed by the inhabitants and forced to beat a humiliating retreat.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	3	On his arrival in Ecbatana he learned what had happened to Nicanor and to Timotheus' forces.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	4	Flying into a passion, he resolved to make the Jews pay for the disgrace inflicted by those who had routed him, and with this in mind he ordered his charioteer to drive without stopping and get the journey over. But the sentence of Heaven was already hanging over him. In his pride, he had said, 'When I reach Jerusalem, I shall turn it into a mass grave for the Jews.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	5	But the all-seeing Lord, the God of Israel, struck him with an incurable and unseen complaint. The words were hardly out of his mouth when he was seized with an incurable pain in his bowels and with excruciating internal torture;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	6	and this was only right, since he had inflicted many barbaric tortures on the bowels of others.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	7	Even so, he in no way diminished his arrogance; still bursting with pride, breathing fire in his wrath against the Jews, he was in the act of ordering an even keener pace when the chariot gave a sudden lurch and out he fell and, in this serious fall, was dragged along, every joint of his body wrenched out of place.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	8	He who only a little while before had thought in his superhuman boastfulness he could command the waves of the sea, he who had imagined he could weigh mountain peaks in a balance, found himself flat on the ground and then being carried in a litter, a visible demonstration to all of the power of God,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	9	in that the very eyes of this godless man teemed with worms and his flesh rotted away while he lingered on in agonising pain, and the stench of his decay sickened the whole army.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	10	A short while before, he had thought to grasp the stars of heaven; now no one could bring himself to act as his bearer, for the stench was intolerable.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	11	Then and there, as a consequence, in his shattered state, he began to shed his excessive pride and come to his senses under the divine lash, spasms of pain overtaking him.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	12	His stench being unbearable even to himself, he exclaimed, 'It is right to submit to God; no mortal should aspire to equality with the Godhead.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	13	The wretch began to pray to the Master, who would never take pity on him now, declaring
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	14	that the holy city, towards which he had been speeding to rase it to the ground and turn it into a mass grave, should be declared free;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	15	as for the Jews, whom he had considered as not even worth burying, so much carrion to be thrown out with their children for birds and beasts to prey on, he would give them all equal rights with the Athenians;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	16	the holy Temple which he had once plundered he would now adorn with the finest offerings; he would restore all the sacred vessels many times over; he would defray from his personal revenue the expenses incurred for the sacrifices;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	17	and, to crown all, he would himself turn Jew and visit every inhabited place, proclaiming the power of God.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	18	Finding no respite at all from his suffering, God's just sentence having overtaken him, he abandoned all hope for himself and wrote the Jews the letter transcribed below, which takes the form of an appeal in these terms:
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	19	'To the excellent Jews, to the citizens, Antiochus, king and commander-in-chief, sends hearty greetings, wishing them all health and prosperity.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	20	'If you and your children are well and your affairs as you would wish, we are profoundly thankful.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	21	For my part, I cherish affectionate memories of you. 'On my return from the country of Persia I fell seriously ill, and thought it necessary to make provision for the common security of all.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	22	Not that I despair of my condition, for I have great hope of shaking off the malady,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	23	but considering how my father, whenever he was making an expedition into the uplands, would designate his successor
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	24	so that, in case of any unforeseen event or disquieting rumour, the people of the provinces might know to whom he had left the conduct of affairs, and thus remain undisturbed;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	25	furthermore, being well aware that the sovereigns on our frontiers and the neighbours of our realm are watching for opportunities and waiting to see what will happen, I have designated as king my son Antiochus, whom I have more than once entrusted and commended to most of you when I was setting out for the upland satrapies; a transcript of my letter to him is appended hereto.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	26	I therefore urge and require you, being mindful of the benefits both public and personal received from me, that you each persist in those sentiments of goodwill that you harbour towards me.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	27	I am confident that he will pursue my own policy with benevolence and humanity, and will prove accommodating to your interests.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	28	And so this murderer and blasphemer, having endured sufferings as terrible as those which he had made others endure, met his pitiable fate, and ended his life in the mountains far from his home.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	9	29	His comrade Philip brought back his body, and then, fearing Antiochus' son, withdrew to Egypt, to the court of Ptolemy Philometor.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	1	Maccabaeus and his companions, under the Lord's guidance, restored the Temple and the city,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	2	and pulled down the altars erected by the foreigners in the market place, as well as the shrines.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	3	They purified the sanctuary and built another altar; then, striking fire from flints and using this fire, they offered the first sacrifice for two years, burning incense, lighting the lamps and setting out the loaves.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	4	When they had done this, prostrating themselves on the ground, they implored the Lord never again to let them fall into such adversity, but if they should ever sin, to correct them with moderation and not to deliver them over to blasphemous and barbarous nations.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	5	This day of the purification of the Temple fell on the very day on which the Temple had been profaned by the foreigners, the twenty-fifth of the same month, Chislev.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	6	They kept eight festal days with rejoicing, in the manner of the feast of Shelters, remembering how, not long before at the time of the feast of Shelters, they had been living in the mountains and caverns like wild beasts.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	7	Then, carrying thyrsuses, leafy boughs and palms, they offered hymns to him who had brought the cleansing of his own holy place to a happy outcome.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	8	They also decreed by public edict, ratified by vote, that the whole Jewish nation should celebrate those same days every year.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	9	Such were the circumstances attending the death of Antiochus styled Epiphanes.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	10	Our task now is to unfold the history of Antiochus Eupator, son of that godless man, and briefly to relate the evil effects of the wars.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	11	On coming to the throne, this prince put at the head of affairs a certain Lysias, the general officer commanding Coele-Syria and Phoenicia,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	12	whereas Ptolemy, known as Macron, and the first person to govern the Jews justly, had done his best to govern them peacefully to make up for the wrongs inflicted on them in the past.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	13	Denounced, in consequence, to Eupator by the Friends of the King, he heard himself called traitor at every turn: for having abandoned Cyprus, which had been entrusted to him by Philometer, for having gone over to Antiochus Epiphanes, and for having shed no lustre on his illustrious office: he committed suicide by poisoning himself.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	14	Gorgias now became general of the area; he maintained a force of mercenaries and a continual state of war with the Jews.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	15	At the same time, the Idumaeans, who controlled important fortresses, were harassing the Jews, welcoming outlaws from Jerusalem and endeavouring to maintain a state of war.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	16	Maccabaeus and his men, after making public supplication to God, entreating him to support them, began operations against the Idumaean fortresses.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	17	Vigorously pressing home their attack, they seized possession of these vantage points, beating off all who fought on the ramparts; they slaughtered all who fell into their hands, accounting for no fewer than twenty thousand.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	18	Nine thousand at least took refuge in two exceptionally strong towers with everything they needed to withstand a siege,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	19	whereupon, Maccabaeus left Simon and Joseph, with Zacchaeus and his forces, in sufficient numbers to besiege them, and himself went off to other places requiring his attention.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	20	But Simon's men were greedy for money and allowed themselves to be bribed by some of the men in the towers; accepting seventy thousand drachmas, they let a number of them escape.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	21	When Maccabaeus was told what had happened, he summoned the people's commanders and accused the offenders of having sold their brothers for money by releasing their enemies to fight them.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	22	Having executed them as traitors, he at once proceeded to capture both towers.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	23	Successful in all that he undertook by force of arms, in these two fortresses he slaughtered more than twenty thousand men.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	24	Timotheus, who had been beaten by the Jews once before, now assembled an enormous force of mercenaries, mustering cavalry from Asia in considerable numbers, and soon appeared in Judaea, expecting to conquer it by force of arms.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	25	At his approach, Maccabaeus and his men made their supplications to God, sprinkling earth on their heads and putting sackcloth round their waists.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	26	Prostrating themselves on the terrace before the altar, they begged him to support them and to show himself the enemy of their enemies, the adversary of their adversaries, as the Law clearly states.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	27	After these prayers, they armed themselves and advanced a fair distance from the city, halting when they were close to the enemy.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	28	As the first light of dawn began to spread, the two sides joined battle, the one having as their pledge of success and victory not only their own valour but their recourse to the Lord, the other making their own ardour their mainstay in the fight.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	29	When the battle was at its height, the enemy saw five magnificent men appear from heaven on horses with golden bridles and put themselves at the head of the Jews;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	30	surrounding Maccabaeus and screening him with their own armour, they kept him unscathed, while they rained arrows and thunderbolts on the enemy until, blinded and confused, they scattered in complete disorder.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	31	Twenty thousand five hundred infantry and six hundred cavalry were slaughtered.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	32	Timotheus himself fled to a strongly guarded citadel called Gezer, where Chaereas was in command.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	33	For four days Maccabaeus and his men eagerly besieged the fortress,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	34	while the defenders, confident in the security of the place, hurled fearful blasphemies and godless insults at them.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	35	At daybreak on the fifth day, twenty young men of Maccabaeus' forces, fired with indignation at the blasphemies, manfully assaulted the wall, with wild courage cutting down everyone they encountered.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	36	Others, in a similar scaling operation, took the defenders in the rear, and set fire to the towers, lighting pyres on which they burned the blasphemers alive. The first, meanwhile, breaking open the gates, let the rest of the army in and, at their head, captured the town.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	37	Timotheus had hidden in a storage-well, but they killed him, with his brother Chaereas, and Apollophanes.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	10	38	When all this was over, with hymns and thanksgiving they blessed the Lord, who had shown such great kindness to Israel and given them the victory.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	1	Almost immediately afterwards, Lysias, the king's tutor and cousin, chief minister of the realm, much disturbed at the turn of events,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	2	mustered about eighty thousand foot soldiers and his entire cavalry and advanced against the Jews, intending to make the city a place for Greeks to live in,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	3	to levy a tax on the Temple as on other national shrines, and to put the office of high priest up for sale every year;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	4	he took no account at all of the power of God, being sublimely confident in his tens of thousands of infantrymen, his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	5	Invading Judaea, he approached Beth-Zur, a fortified position about twenty miles from Jerusalem, and began to subject it to strong pressure.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	6	When Maccabaeus and his men learned that Lysias was besieging the fortresses, they and the populace with them begged the Lord with lamentation and tears to send a good angel to save Israel.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	7	Maccabaeus himself was the first to take up his weapons, and he urged the rest to risk their lives with him in support of their brothers; so they sallied out resolutely, as one man.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	8	They were still near Jerusalem when a rider attired in white appeared at their head, brandishing golden weapons.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	9	With one accord they all blessed the God of mercy, and found themselves filled with such courage that they were ready to lay low not men only but the fiercest beasts and walls of iron.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	10	They advanced in battle order with the aid of their celestial ally, the Lord having had mercy on them.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	11	Charging like lions on the enemy, they laid low eleven thousand of the infantry and sixteen hundred horsemen, and routed all the rest.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	12	Of those, the majority got away, wounded and weaponless. Lysias himself escaped only by ignominious flight.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	13	Now Lysias was not lacking in intelligence and, as he reflected on the reverse he had just suffered, he realised that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God fought for them. He therefore sent them a delegation
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	14	to persuade them to accept reasonable terms all round, and promised to compel the king to become their friend.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	15	Maccabaeus, thinking only of the common good, agreed to all that Lysias proposed, and whatever Maccabaeus submitted to Lysias in writing concerning the Jews was granted by the king.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	16	Here is the text of the letter Lysias wrote to the Jews: 'Lysias to the Jewish people, greetings.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	17	'John and Absalom, your envoys, have delivered to me the communication transcribed below, requesting me to approve its provisions.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	18	Anything requiring the king's attention I have put before him; whatever was possible, I have granted.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	19	Provided you maintain your goodwill towards the interests of the State, I shall do my best in the future to promote your well-being.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	20	As regards the details, I have given orders for your envoys and my own officials to discuss these with you.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	21	May you prosper. 'The twenty-fourth day of Dioscorus, in the year one hundred and forty-eight.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	22	The king's letter ran as follows: 'King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	23	'Now that our father has taken his place among the gods, our will is that the subjects of the realm be left undisturbed to attend to their own affairs.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	24	We understand that the Jews do not approve our father's policy, the adoption of Greek customs, but prefer their own way of life and ask to be allowed to observe their own laws.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	25	Accordingly, since we intend this people to be free from vexation like any other, our ruling is that the Temple be restored to them and that they conduct their affairs according to the customs of their ancestors.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	26	'It will therefore be your concern to send them a mission of friendship, so that on learning our policy they may have confidence and happily go about their business.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	27	The king's letter to the Jewish nation was in these terms: 'King Antiochus to the Jewish Senate and the rest of the Jews, greetings.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	28	'If you are well, that is as we would wish; we ourselves are in good health.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	29	'Menelaus informs us that you wish to return home and attend to your own affairs.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	30	Accordingly, all those who return before the thirtieth day of Xanthicus may rest assured that they have nothing to fear.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	31	The Jews may make use of their own kind of food and their own laws as formerly, and none of them is to be molested in any way for any unwitting offences.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	32	I am in fact sending Menelaus to set your minds at rest.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	33	Farewell. 'The fifteenth day of Xanthicus in the year one hundred and forty-eight.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	34	The Romans also sent the Jews a letter, which read as follows: 'Quintus Memmius, Titus Manilius, Manius Sergius, legates of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greetings.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	35	'Whatever Lysias, the king's Cousin, has granted you we also approve.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	36	As for the matters he decided to refer to the king, consider them carefully and send someone without delay, if we are to interpret them to your advantage, because we are leaving for Antioch.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	37	Lose no time, therefore, in sending us those who can tell us what your intentions are.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	11	38	Farewell. 'The fifteenth day of Dioscorus in the year one hundred and forty-eight.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	1	These agreements once concluded, Lysias returned to the king and the Jews went back to their farming.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	2	Among the local generals, Timotheus and Apollonius son of Gennaeus, as also Hieronymus and Demophon, and Nicanor the Cypriarch as well, would not allow the Jews to live in peace and quiet.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	3	The people of Joppa committed a particularly wicked crime: they invited the Jews living among them to go aboard some boats they had lying ready, taking their wives and children. There was no hint of any intention to harm them;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	4	there had been a public vote by the citizens, and the Jews accepted, as well they might, being peaceable people with no reason to suspect anything. But once out in the open sea they were all sent to the bottom, a company of at least two hundred.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	5	When Judas heard of the cruel fate of his countrymen, he issued his orders to his men
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	6	and after invoking God, the just judge, he attacked his brothers' murderers. Under cover of dark he set fire to the port, burned the boats and put to the sword everyone who had taken refuge there.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	7	As the town gates were closed, he withdrew, intending to come back and wipe out the whole community of Joppa.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	8	But hearing that the people of Jamnia were planning to treat their resident Jews in the same way,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	9	he made a night attack on the Jamnites and fired the port with its fleet; the glow of the flames was seen as far off as Jerusalem, thirty miles away.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	10	When they had left the town barely a mile behind them in their advance on Timotheus, Judas was attacked by an Arab force of at least five thousand foot soldiers, with five hundred cavalry.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	11	A fierce engagement followed, and with God's help Judas' men won the day; the defeated nomads begged Judas to offer them the right hand of friendship, and promised to surrender their herds and make themselves generally useful to him.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	12	Realising that they might indeed prove valuable in many ways, Judas consented to make peace with them and after an exchange of pledges the Arabs withdrew to their tents.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	13	Judas also attacked a certain fortified town, closed by ramparts and inhabited by a medley of races; its name was Caspin.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	14	Confident in the strength of their walls and their stock of provisions, the besieged adopted an insolent attitude to Judas and his men, reinforcing their insults with blasphemies and profanity.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	15	But Judas and his men invoked the great Sovereign of the world who without battering-ram or siege-engine had overthrown Jericho in the days of Joshua; they then made a fierce assault on the wall.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	16	By God's will, having captured the town, they made such indescribable slaughter that the nearby lake, a quarter of a mile across, seemed filled to overflowing with blood.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	17	Ninety-five miles further on from there, they reached the Charax, in the country of Jews known as Tubians.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	18	They did not find Timotheus himself in that neighbourhood; he had already left the district, having achieved nothing apart from leaving a very strong garrison at one point.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	19	Dositheus and Sosipater, two of the Maccabaean generals, marched out and destroyed the force Timotheus had left behind in the fortress, amounting to more than ten thousand men.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	20	Maccabaeus himself divided his army into cohorts to which he assigned commanders, and then hurried in pursuit of Timotheus, whose troops numbered one hundred and twenty thousand infantry and two thousand five hundred cavalry.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	21	Timotheus' first move on learning of Judas' advance was to send away the women and children and the rest of the baggage train to the place called the Carnaim, since it was an impregnable position, difficult of access owing to the narrowness of all the approaches.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	22	Judas' cohort came into sight first. The enemy, seized with fright and panic-stricken by the manifestation of the All-seeing, began to flee, one running this way, one running that, often wounding one another in consequence and running on the points of one another's swords.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	23	Judas pursued them with a will, cutting the sinners to pieces and killing something like thirty thousand men.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	24	Timotheus himself, having fallen into the hands of Dositheus and Sosipater and their men, very craftily pleaded with them to let him go with his life, on the grounds that he had the relatives and even the brothers of many of them in his power, and that these could otherwise expect short shrift.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	25	When at long last he convinced them that he would honour his promise and return these people safe and sound, they let him go for the sake of saving their brothers.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	26	Reaching the Carnaim and the Atargateion, Judas slaughtered twenty-five thousand men.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	27	Having defeated and destroyed them, he led his army against Ephron, a fortified town, where Lysanias was living. Stalwart young men drawn up outside the walls offered vigorous resistance, while inside there were quantities of war-engines and missiles in reserve.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	28	But the Jews, having invoked the Sovereign who by his power shatters enemies' defences, gained control of the town and cut down nearly twenty-five thousand of the people inside.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	29	Moving off from there, they pressed on to Scythopolis,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	30	seventy-five miles from Jerusalem. But as the Jews who had settled there assured Judas that the people of Scythopolis had always treated them well and had been particularly kind to them when times were at their worst,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	31	he and his men thanked them and urged them to extend the same friendship to his race in the future. They reached Jerusalem shortly before the feast of Weeks.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	32	After Pentecost, as it is called, they marched against Gorgias, the general commanding Idumaea.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	33	He came out at the head of three thousand infantry and four hundred cavalry;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	34	in the course of the ensuing battle a few Jews lost their lives.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	35	A man called Dositheus, a horseman of the Tubian contingent, a valiant man, overpowered Gorgias and, gripping him by the cloak, was forcibly dragging him along, intending to take the accursed man alive, but one of the Thracian cavalry, hurling himself on Dositheus, slashed his shoulder and Gorgias escaped to Marisa.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	36	Meanwhile, since Esdrias and his men had been fighting for a long time and were exhausted, Judas called on the Lord to show himself their ally and leader in battle.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	37	Then, chanting the battle cry and hymns at the top of his voice in his ancestral tongue, by a surprise attack he routed Gorgias' troops.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	38	Judas then rallied his army and moved on to the town of Adullam where, as it was the seventh day of the week, they purified themselves according to custom and kept the Sabbath.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	39	Next day, they came to find Judas (since the necessity was by now urgent) to have the bodies of the fallen taken up and laid to rest among their relatives in their ancestral tombs.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	40	But when they found on each of the dead men, under their tunics, objects dedicated to the idols of Jamnia, which the Law prohibits to Jews, it became clear to everyone that this was why these men had lost their lives.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	41	All then blessed the ways of the Lord, the upright judge who brings hidden things to light,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	42	and gave themselves to prayer, begging that the sin committed might be completely forgiven. Next, the valiant Judas urged the soldiers to keep themselves free from all sin, having seen with their own eyes the effects of the sin of those who had fallen;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	43	after this he took a collection from them individually, amounting to nearly two thousand drachmas, and sent it to Jerusalem to have a sacrifice for sin offered, an action altogether fine and noble, prompted by his belief in the resurrection.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	44	For had he not expected the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	12	45	whereas if he had in view the splendid recompense reserved for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout. Hence, he had this expiatory sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sin.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	1	In the year one hundred and forty-nine, Judas and his men discovered that Antiochus Eupator was advancing in force against Judaea,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	2	and with him Lysias his tutor and chief minister; he had moreover a Greek force of one hundred and ten thousand infantry, five thousand three hundred cavalry, twenty-two elephants, and three hundred chariots fitted with scythes.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	3	Menelaus, too, joined them and very craftily kept urging Antiochus on, not for the welfare of his own country but in the hope of being restored to office.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	4	But the King of kings stirred up the anger of Antiochus against the guilty wretch, and when Lysias made it clear to the king that Menelaus was the cause of all the troubles, Antiochus gave orders for him to be taken to Beroea and there put to death by the local method of execution.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	5	In that place there is a tower fifty cubits high, full of ash, with an internal lip all round overhanging the ashes.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	6	If anyone is convicted of sacrilegious theft or of some other heinous crime, he is taken up to the top and pushed over to perish.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	7	In such a manner was the renegade fated to die; Menelaus had not even the privilege of burial.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	8	Deserved justice, this; since he had committed many sins against the altar, the fire and ashes of which were holy, it was in ashes that he met his death.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	9	The king, then, was advancing, his mind filled with barbarous designs, to give the Jews a demonstration of far worse things than anything that had happened under his father.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	10	When Judas heard of this, he ordered the people day and night to call on the Lord as never before, to come to the help of those who were in peril of being deprived of the Law, their fatherland and the holy Temple,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	11	and not to allow the people, just when they were beginning to breathe again, to fall into the power of ill-famed foreigners.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	12	When they had all, with one voice, obeyed his instructions and had made their petitions to the merciful Lord, weeping, fasting and prostrating themselves for three days continuously, Judas spoke words of encouragement and told them to keep close to him.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	13	After separate consultation with the elders, he resolved not to wait for the king's army to invade Judaea and take possession of the city, but to march out and settle the whole matter with the Lord's help.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	14	Having thus committed the outcome to the Creator of the world, and having exhorted his soldiers to fight bravely to the death for the laws, the Temple, the city, their country and their way of life, he encamped his army near Modein.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	15	Giving his men the password 'Victory from God', he made a night attack on the king's pavilion with a picked band of the bravest young men. Inside the camp he destroyed about two thousand, and his men cut down the largest of the elephants with its mahout;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	16	having eventually filled the camp with terror and confusion, they successfully withdrew,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	17	just as dawn was breaking. This was achieved, thanks to the protection which the Lord granted Judas.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	18	The king, having had a taste of Jewish daring, now tried to capture their positions by trickery.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	19	He advanced on Beth-Zur, a strong fortress of the Jews, but was checked, overcome and so repulsed.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	20	Judas supplied the garrison with what they needed,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	21	but Rhodocus, of the Jewish army, supplied the enemy with secret information; the man was identified, arrested, and dealt with.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	22	A second time, the king parleyed with the garrison of Beth-Zur; he offered and accepted pledges of friendship, retired, then attacked Judas and his men, but lost the battle.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	23	He was then told that Philip, left in charge of affairs, had rebelled in Antioch. He was stunned by this, opened negotiations with the Jews, came to an agreement, and swore to abide by all reasonable conditions. Agreement reached, he offered a sacrifice, honoured the Temple, and made generous gifts to the holy place.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	24	He received Maccabaeus kindly and, leaving Hegemonides to exercise command from Ptolemais to the territory of the Gerrenians,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	25	went to Ptolemais. The inhabitants of the place disapproved of the treaty; they complained furiously and wanted to annul its provisions.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	13	26	Lysias mounted the rostrum and made a convincing defence of the provisions which convinced and calmed them and won their goodwill. He then withdrew to Antioch. So much for the episode of the king's offensive and retreat.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	1	Three years after this, Judas and his men learned that Demetrius son of Seleucus had landed at the port of Tripolis with a strong army and a fleet,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	2	and that he had occupied the country and had killed Antiochus and his tutor Lysias.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	3	A certain Alcimus, a former high priest, had wilfully incurred defilement at the time of the insurrection; realising that whichever way he turned there was no security for him, nor any further access to the holy altar,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	4	he went to King Demetrius in about the year one hundred and fifty-one and presented him with a golden crown and a palm, together with the traditional olive branches from the Temple; there, for that day, he let the matter rest.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	5	Presently he found an opportunity to further his mad plan. When Demetrius called him into his council and questioned him about the dispositions and intentions of the Jews, he replied,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	6	'Those Jews called Hasidaeans, who are led by Judas Maccabaeus, are war-mongers and rebels who are preventing the kingdom from finding stability.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	7	That is why, after being deprived of my hereditary dignity -- I mean the high priesthood -- I have come here now,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	8	first out of genuine concern for the king's interests, and secondly, out of a regard for our own fellow-citizens, because the irresponsible behaviour of those I have mentioned has brought no slight misery on our entire race.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	9	When your majesty has taken note of all these points, may it please you to make provision for the welfare of our country and our oppressed nation, as befits the gracious benevolence you extend to all;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	10	for, as long as Judas remains alive, the State will never enjoy peace.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	11	No sooner had he spoken thus than the rest of the King's Friends, who were hostile to Judas' activities, stoked Demetrius' anger.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	12	The latter at once selected Nicanor, then commander of the elephants, promoted him to the command of Judaea and despatched him
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	13	with instructions to dispose of Judas, disperse his followers and instal Alcimus as high priest of the greatest of temples.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	14	The foreigners in Judaea, who had fled before Judas, flocked to join Nicanor, thinking that the misfortunes and troubles of the Jews would be to their own advantage.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	15	When the Jews heard that Nicanor was coming and that the foreigners were about to attack, they sprinkled dust over themselves and made supplication to him who had established his people for ever and who never failed to support his own heritage by direct manifestations.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	16	On their leader's orders, they at once left the place where they were and confronted the enemy at the village of Dessau.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	17	Simon, brother of Judas, engaged Nicanor but, owing to the sudden arrival of the enemy, suffered a slight reverse.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	18	Nicanor, however, had heard how brave Judas and his men were and how resolutely they always fought for their country, and he did not dare allow bloodshed to decide the issue.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	19	And so he sent Posidonius, Theodotus and Mattathias to offer the Jews pledges of friendship and to accept theirs.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	20	After careful consideration of his terms, the leader communicated them to his troops, and since they were all clearly of one mind they agreed to the treaty.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	21	A day was fixed on which the respective leaders were to meet as individuals. A litter came out from either side and seats were set up.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	22	Judas had posted armed men in strategic positions, in case of a sudden treacherous move by the enemy. The leaders held their conference and reached agreement.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	23	Nicanor took up residence in Jerusalem and did nothing out of place there; indeed, he sent away the crowds that had flocked to join him.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	24	He kept Judas constantly with him, becoming deeply attached to him
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	25	and encouraged him to marry and have children. Judas married, settled down and led a normal life.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	26	When Alcimus saw how friendly the two men had become, he went to Demetrius with a copy of the treaty they had signed and told him that Nicanor was harbouring thoughts against the interests of the State, and was planning that Judas, an enemy of the realm, should fill the next vacancy among the Friends of the King.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	27	The king flew into a rage; roused by the slanders of this villain, he wrote to Nicanor, telling him of his strong displeasure at these agreements and ordering him immediately to send Maccabaeus to Antioch in chains.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	28	When the letter reached Nicanor, he was very much upset, for he disliked the prospect of breaking an agreement with a man who had done nothing wrong.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	29	Since, however, there was no way of opposing the king, he waited for an opportunity to carry out the order by a stratagem.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	30	Maccabaeus began to notice that Nicanor was treating him more sharply and that his manner of speaking to him was more abrupt than it had been, and he concluded that such sharpness could have no very good motive. He therefore collected a considerable number of his followers and got away form Nicanor.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	31	The latter, realising that the man had well and truly outmanoeuvred him, went to the greatest and holiest of Temples when the priests were offering the customary sacrifices, and ordered them to surrender Judas.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	32	When they protested on oath that they did not know where the wanted man could be,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	33	he stretched out his right hand towards the Temple and swore this oath, 'If you do not hand Judas over to me as prisoner, I shall rase this dwelling of God to the ground, I shall demolish the altar, and on this very spot I shall erect a splendid temple to Dionysus.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	34	With these words he left them. The priests stretched out their hands to heaven, calling on him who has at all times done battle for our nation; this was their prayer:
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	35	'O Lord in need of nothing, it has pleased you that the Temple where you dwell should be here with us.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	36	Now, therefore, holy Lord of all holiness, preserve for ever from all profanation this House, so newly purified.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	37	Now, a man called Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, was denounced to Nicanor. He was a man who loved his countrymen and stood high in their esteem, and he was known as the father of the Jews because of his kindness.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	38	In the earlier days of the insurrection he had been convicted of Judaism, and he had risked both life and limb for Judaism with the utmost zeal.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	39	Nicanor, by way of demonstrating the enmity he had for the Jews, sent over five hundred soldiers to arrest him,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	40	reckoning that if he eliminated this man he would be dealing them a severe blow.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	41	When the troops were on the point of capturing the tower and were forcing the outer door and calling for fire to set the doors alight, Razis, finding himself completely surrounded, fell on his own sword,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	42	nobly resolving to die rather than fall into the clutches of these villains and suffer outrages unworthy of his noble birth.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	43	But in the heat of conflict he missed his thrust, and while the troops swarmed in through the doorways, he ran nimbly upstairs to the parapet and manfully threw himself down among the troops.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	44	But, as they immediately drew back, he fell into the middle of the empty space.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	45	Still breathing, and blazing with anger, he struggled to his feet, blood spurting in all directions, and despite his terrible wounds ran right through the crowd; then, taking his stand on a steep rock,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	14	46	although he had now lost every drop of blood, he tore out his entrails and taking them in both hands flung them down on the crowd, calling on the Master of his life and spirit to give them back to him one day. Thus he died.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	1	Nicanor heard that Judas and his men were in the neighbourhood of Samaria, so he decided to attack them, at no risk to himself, on the day of rest.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	2	Those Jews who had been compelled to follow him, said, 'Do not massacre them in such a savage, barbarous way. Respect the day on which the All-seeing has conferred a special holiness.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	3	At this the triple-dyed scoundrel asked if there were in heaven a sovereign who had ordered the keeping of the Sabbath day.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	4	When they answered, 'The living Lord himself, the Heavenly Sovereign, has ordered the observance of the seventh day,'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	5	he retorted, 'And I, as sovereign on earth, order you to take up arms and do the king's business.' For all that, he did not manage to carry out his wicked plan.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	6	While Nicanor, in his unlimited boastfulness and pride, was planning to erect a general trophy with the spoils taken from Judas and his men,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	7	Maccabaeus remained firm in his confident conviction that the Lord would stand by him.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	8	He urged his men not to be dismayed by the foreigners' attacks but, keeping in mind the help that had come to them from Heaven in the past, to be confident that this time too victory would be theirs with the help of the Almighty.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	9	He put fresh heart into them by citing the Law and the Prophets and, by stirring up memories of the battles they had already won, he filled them with new enthusiasm.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	10	Having thus aroused their courage, he ended his exhortation by demonstrating the treachery of the foreigners and how they had violated their oaths.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	11	Having armed each one of them not so much with the safety given by shield and lance as with that confidence which springs from noble language, he encouraged them all by describing to them a convincing dream -- a vision, as it were.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	12	What he had seen was this: Onias, the former high priest, that paragon of men, modest of bearing and gentle of manners, suitably eloquent and trained from boyhood in the practice of every virtue -- Onias was stretching out his hands and praying for the whole Jewish community.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	13	Next, there appeared a man equally remarkable for his great age and dignity and invested with a marvellous and impressive air of majesty.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	14	Onias began to speak: 'This is a man', he said, 'who loves his brothers and prays much for the people and the holy city-Jeremiah, the prophet of God.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	15	Jeremiah then stretched out his right hand and presented Judas with a golden sword, saying as he gave it,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	16	'Take this holy sword as a gift from God; with it you will shatter the enemy.'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	17	Encouraged by the noble words of Judas, which had the power to inspire valour and give the young the spirit of mature men, they decided not to entrench themselves in a camp, but bravely to take the offensive and, in hand-to-hand fighting, to commit the result to the fortune of war, since the city, their holy religion and the Temple were in danger.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	18	Their concern for their wives and children, their brothers and relatives, had shrunk to minute importance; their chief and greatest fear was for the consecrated Temple.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	19	Those left behind in the city felt a similar anxiety, alarmed as they were about the forthcoming encounter in the open country.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	20	Everyone now awaited the coming issue. The enemy had already concentrated their forces and stood formed up in order of battle, with the elephants drawn up in a strategic position and the cavalry disposed on the wings.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	21	Maccabaeus took note of these masses confronting him, the glittering array of armour and the fierce aspect of the elephants; then, raising his hands to heaven, he called on the Lord who works miracles, in the knowledge that it is not by force of arms but as he sees fit to decide, that victory is granted by him to such as deserve it.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	22	His prayer was worded thus: 'You, Master, sent your angel in the days of Hezekiah king of Judaea, and he destroyed no less than one hundred and eighty-five thousand of Sennacherib's army;
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	23	now, once again, Sovereign of heaven, send a good angel before us to spread terror and dismay.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	24	May these men be struck down by the might of your arm, since they have come with blasphemy on their lips to attack your holy people.' And on these words he finished.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	25	Nicanor and his men advanced to the sound of trumpets and war songs,
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	26	but the men of Judas closed with the enemy uttering invocations and prayers.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	27	Fighting with their hands and praying to God in their hearts, they cut down at least thirty-five thousand men and were greatly cheered by this manifestation of God.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	28	When the engagement was over and they were withdrawing in triumph, they recognised Nicanor, lying dead in full armour.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	29	With shouting and confusion all around, they blessed the sovereign Master in their ancestral tongue.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	30	He who, as protagonist, had devoted himself, body and soul, to his fellow-citizens, and had preserved the love he felt even in youth for those of his own race, gave orders for Nicanor's head to be cut off, with his arm up to the shoulder, and taken to Jerusalem.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	31	When he arrived there himself, he called his countrymen together, stationed the priests in front of the altar and then sent for the people from the Citadel.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	32	He showed them the head of the abominable Nicanor, and the hand which this infamous man had stretched out so insolently against the holy House of the Almighty.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	33	Then, cutting out godless Nicanor's tongue, he gave orders for it to be fed piecemeal to the birds, and for the salary of his folly to be hung up in front of the Temple.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	34	At this, everyone sent blessings heavenwards to the glorious Lord, saying, 'Blessed be he who has preserved his holy place from pollution!'
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	35	He hung Nicanor's head from the Citadel, a clear and evident sign to all of the help of the Lord.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	36	They all decreed by public vote never to let that day go by unobserved, but to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, called Adar in Aramaic, the eve of what is called the Day of Mordecai.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	37	So ends the episode of Nicanor, and as, since then, the city has remained in the possession of the Hebrews, I shall bring my own work to an end here too.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	38	If it is well composed and to the point, that is just what I wanted. If it is worthless and mediocre, that is all I could manage.
 2 Maccabees	2Mac	21	15	39	Just as it is injurious to drink wine by itself, or again water alone, whereas wine mixed with water is pleasant and produces a delightful sense of well-being, so skill in presenting the incidents is what delights the understanding of those who read the book. And her i close.
 Job	Job	22	1	1	There was once a man in the land of Uz called Job: a sound and honest man who feared God and shunned evil.
 Job	Job	22	1	2	Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.
 Job	Job	22	1	3	And he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred she-donkeys, and many servants besides. This man was the most prosperous of all the Sons of the East.
 Job	Job	22	1	4	It was the custom of his sons to hold banquets in one another's houses in turn, and to invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
 Job	Job	22	1	5	Once each series of banquets was over, Job would send for them to come and be purified, and at dawn on the following day he would make a burnt offering for each of them. 'Perhaps', Job would say, 'my sons have sinned and in their heart blasphemed.' So that was what Job used to do each time.
 Job	Job	22	1	6	One day when the sons of God came to attend on Yahweh, among them came Satan.
 Job	Job	22	1	7	So Yahweh said to Satan, 'Where have you been?' 'Prowling about on earth,' he answered, 'roaming around there.'
 Job	Job	22	1	8	So Yahweh asked him, 'Did you pay any attention to my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth: a sound and honest man who fears God and shuns evil.'
 Job	Job	22	1	9	'Yes,' Satan said, 'but Job is not God-fearing for nothing, is he?
 Job	Job	22	1	10	Have you not put a wall round him and his house and all his domain? You have blessed all he undertakes, and his flocks throng the countryside.
 Job	Job	22	1	11	But stretch out your hand and lay a finger on his possessions: then, I warrant you, he will curse you to your face.'
 Job	Job	22	1	12	'Very well,' Yahweh said to Satan, 'all he has is in your power. But keep your hands off his person.' So Satan left the presence of Yahweh.
 Job	Job	22	1	13	On the day when Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking in their eldest brother's house,
 Job	Job	22	1	14	a messenger came to Job. 'Your oxen', he said, 'were at the plough, with the donkeys grazing at their side,
 Job	Job	22	1	15	when the Sabaeans swept down on them and carried them off, and put the servants to the sword: I alone have escaped to tell you.'
 Job	Job	22	1	16	He had not finished speaking when another messenger arrived. 'The fire of God', he said, 'has fallen from heaven and burnt the sheep and shepherds to ashes: I alone have escaped to tell you.'
 Job	Job	22	1	17	He had not finished speaking when another messenger arrived. 'The Chaldaeans,' he said, 'three bands of them, have raided the camels and made off with them, and put the servants to the sword: I alone have escaped to tell you.'
 Job	Job	22	1	18	He had not finished speaking when another messenger arrived. 'Your sons and daughters', he said, 'were eating and drinking at their eldest brother's house,
 Job	Job	22	1	19	when suddenly from the desert a gale sprang up, and it battered all four corners of the house which fell in on the young people. They are dead: I alone have escaped to tell you.'
 Job	Job	22	1	20	Then Job stood up, tore his robe and shaved his head. Then, falling to the ground, he prostrated himself
 Job	Job	22	1	21	and said: Naked I came from my mother's womb, naked I shall return again. Yahweh gave, Yahweh has taken back. Blessed be the name of Yahweh!
 Job	Job	22	1	22	In all this misfortune Job committed no sin, and he did not reproach God.
 Job	Job	22	2	1	Another day, the sons of God came to attend on Yahweh and Satan came with them too.
 Job	Job	22	2	2	So Yahweh said to Satan, 'Where have you been?' 'Prowling about on earth,' he answered, 'roaming around there.'
 Job	Job	22	2	3	So Yahweh asked him, 'Did you pay any attention to my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth: a sound and honest man who fears God and shuns evil. He persists in his integrity still; you achieved nothing by provoking me to ruin him.'
 Job	Job	22	2	4	'Skin after skin!' Satan replied. 'Someone will give away all he has to save his life.
 Job	Job	22	2	5	But stretch out your hand and lay a finger on his bone and flesh; I warrant you, he will curse you to your face.'
 Job	Job	22	2	6	'Very well,' Yahweh said to Satan, 'he is in your power. But spare his life.'
 Job	Job	22	2	7	So Satan left the presence of Yahweh. He struck Job down with malignant ulcers from the sole of his foot to the top of his head.
 Job	Job	22	2	8	Job took a piece of pot to scrape himself, and went and sat among the ashes.
 Job	Job	22	2	9	Then his wife said to him, 'Why persist in this integrity of yours? Curse God and die.'
 Job	Job	22	2	10	'That is how a fool of a woman talks,' Job replied. 'If we take happiness from God's hand, must we not take sorrow too?' And in all this misfortune Job uttered no sinful word.
 Job	Job	22	2	11	The news of all the disasters that had fallen on Job came to the ears of three of his friends. Each of them set out from home -- Eliphaz of Teman, Bildad of Shuah and Zophar of Naamath -- and by common consent they decided to go and offer him sympathy and consolation.
 Job	Job	22	2	12	Looking at him from a distance, they could not recognise him; they wept aloud and tore their robes and threw dust over their heads.
 Job	Job	22	2	13	They sat there on the ground beside him for seven days and seven nights. To Job they spoke never a word, for they saw how much he was suffering.
 Job	Job	22	3	1	In the end it was Job who broke the silence and cursed the day of his birth.
 Job	Job	22	3	2	This is what he said:
 Job	Job	22	3	3	Perish the day on which I was born and the night that told of a boy conceived.
 Job	Job	22	3	4	May that day be darkness, may God on high have no thought for it, may no light shine on it.
 Job	Job	22	3	5	May murk and shadow dark as death claim it for their own, clouds hang over it, eclipse swoop down on it.
 Job	Job	22	3	6	See! Let obscurity seize on it, from the days of the year let it be excluded, into the reckoning of the months not find its way.
 Job	Job	22	3	7	And may that night be sterile, devoid of any cries of joy!
 Job	Job	22	3	8	Let it be cursed by those who curse certain days and are ready to rouse Leviathan.
 Job	Job	22	3	9	Dark be the stars of its morning, let it wait in vain for light and never see the opening eyes of dawn.
 Job	Job	22	3	10	Since it would not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide sorrow from my eyes.
 Job	Job	22	3	11	Why was I not still-born, or why did I not perish as I left the womb?
 Job	Job	22	3	12	Why were there knees to receive me, breasts for me to suck?
 Job	Job	22	3	13	Now I should be lying in peace, wrapped in a restful slumber,
 Job	Job	22	3	14	with the kings and high viziers of earth who have built their dwellings in desolate places,
 Job	Job	22	3	15	or with princes who have quantities of gold and silver cramming their tombs;
 Job	Job	22	3	16	or, put away like an abortive child, I should not have existed, like little ones that never see the light.
 Job	Job	22	3	17	Down there, the wicked bustle no more, there the weary rest.
 Job	Job	22	3	18	Prisoners, all left in peace, hear no more the shouts of the oppressor.
 Job	Job	22	3	19	High and low are there together, and the slave is free of his master.
 Job	Job	22	3	20	Why give light to a man of grief? Why give life to those bitter of heart,
 Job	Job	22	3	21	who long for a death that never comes, and hunt for it more than for buried treasure?
 Job	Job	22	3	22	They would be glad to see the grave-mound and shout with joy if they reached the tomb.
 Job	Job	22	3	23	Why give light to one who does not see his way, whom God shuts in all alone?
 Job	Job	22	3	24	My only food is sighs, and my groans pour out like water.
 Job	Job	22	3	25	Whatever I fear comes true, whatever I dread befalls me.
 Job	Job	22	3	26	For me, there is no calm, no peace; my torments banish rest.
 Job	Job	22	4	1	Eliphaz of Teman spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	4	2	If we say something to you, will you bear with us? Who in any case could refrain from speaking now?
 Job	Job	22	4	3	You have schooled many others, giving strength to feeble hands;
 Job	Job	22	4	4	your words supported any who wavered and strengthened every failing knee.
 Job	Job	22	4	5	And now your turn has come, and you lose patience, at the first touch on yourself you are overwhelmed!
 Job	Job	22	4	6	Does not your piety give you confidence, and your integrity of life give you hope?
 Job	Job	22	4	7	Can you recall anyone guiltless that perished? Where then have the honest been wiped out?
 Job	Job	22	4	8	I speak from experience: those who plough iniquity and sow disaster, reap just that.
 Job	Job	22	4	9	Under the breath of God, they perish: a blast of his anger, and they are destroyed;
 Job	Job	22	4	10	the lion's roars, his savage growls, like the fangs of a lion cub, are broken off.
 Job	Job	22	4	11	The lion dies for lack of prey and the lioness's whelps are dispersed.
 Job	Job	22	4	12	I have received a secret revelation, a whisper has come to my ears;
 Job	Job	22	4	13	by night when dreams confuse the mind and slumber lies heavy on everyone,
 Job	Job	22	4	14	a shiver of horror ran through me and filled all my bones with fright.
 Job	Job	22	4	15	A breath slid over my face, the hairs of my body bristled.
 Job	Job	22	4	16	Someone stood there -- I did not know his face, but the form stayed there before my eyes. Silence -- then I heard a voice,
 Job	Job	22	4	17	'Can a mortal seem upright to God, would anybody seem pure in the presence of his Maker?
 Job	Job	22	4	18	God cannot rely even on his own servants, even with his angels he finds fault.
 Job	Job	22	4	19	What then of those who live in houses of clay, who are founded on dust?
 Job	Job	22	4	20	They are crushed as easily as a moth, between morning and evening they are ground to powder. They vanish for ever, with no one to bring them back.
 Job	Job	22	4	21	Their tent-peg is snatched from them, and they die devoid of wisdom.'
 Job	Job	22	5	1	Make your appeal then. Will you find an answer? To which of the holy ones will you turn?
 Job	Job	22	5	2	Resentment kills the senseless, and anger brings death to the fool.
 Job	Job	22	5	3	I have seen the senseless taking root, when a curse fell suddenly on his house.
 Job	Job	22	5	4	His children are deprived of prop and stay, ruined at the gate, and no one to defend them;
 Job	Job	22	5	5	their harvest goes to feed the hungry, God snatches it from their mouths, and covetous people thirst for their possessions.
 Job	Job	22	5	6	No, misery does not grow out of the soil, nor sorrow spring from the ground.
 Job	Job	22	5	7	It is people who breed trouble for themselves as surely as eagles fly to the height.
 Job	Job	22	5	8	If I were you, I should appeal to God and lay my case before him.
 Job	Job	22	5	9	His works are great, past all reckoning, marvels beyond all counting.
 Job	Job	22	5	10	He sends down rain to the earth, pours down water on the fields.
 Job	Job	22	5	11	If his will is to raise up the downcast, or exalt the afflicted to the heights of prosperity,
 Job	Job	22	5	12	he frustrates the plans of the artful so that they cannot succeed in their intrigues.
 Job	Job	22	5	13	He traps the crafty in the snare of their own trickery, throws the plans of the cunning into disarray.
 Job	Job	22	5	14	In daylight they come up against darkness, and grope their way as if noon were night.
 Job	Job	22	5	15	He rescues the bankrupt from their jaws, and the needy from the grasp of the mighty.
 Job	Job	22	5	16	Hope springs afresh for the weak, and wickedness must shut its mouth.
 Job	Job	22	5	17	Blessed are those whom God corrects! Do not then scorn the lesson of Shaddai!
 Job	Job	22	5	18	For he who wounds is he who soothes the sore, and the hand that hurts is the hand that heals.
 Job	Job	22	5	19	Six times he will deliver you from sorrow, and the seventh time, evil will not touch you.
 Job	Job	22	5	20	In time of famine, he will save you from death, and in wartime from the stroke of the sword.
 Job	Job	22	5	21	You will be safe from the lash of the tongue, unafraid at the approach of the despoiler.
 Job	Job	22	5	22	You will laugh at drought and frost, and have no fear of the beasts of the earth.
 Job	Job	22	5	23	You will have a pact with the stones of the field, and live in amity with wild beasts.
 Job	Job	22	5	24	You will know that your tent is secure, and your sheepfold unharmed when you inspect it.
 Job	Job	22	5	25	You will see your descendants multiply, your offspring grow like the grass in the fields.
 Job	Job	22	5	26	At a ripe age you will go to the grave, like a wheatsheaf stacked in due season.
 Job	Job	22	5	27	All this we have observed and it is so! Heed it, you will be the wiser for it!
 Job	Job	22	6	1	Job spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	6	2	If only my misery could be weighed, and all my ills be put together on the scales!
 Job	Job	22	6	3	But they outweigh the sands of the seas: what wonder then if my words are wild?
 Job	Job	22	6	4	The arrows of Shaddai stick fast in me, my spirit absorbs their poison, God's terrors stand paraded against me.
 Job	Job	22	6	5	Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox low when its fodder is within reach?
 Job	Job	22	6	6	Is not food insipid, eaten without salt, is there any taste in egg-white?
 Job	Job	22	6	7	But the very things my appetite revolts at are now my diet in sickness.
 Job	Job	22	6	8	Will no one hear my prayer, will not God himself grant my hope?
 Job	Job	22	6	9	May it please God to crush me, to give his hand free play and do away with me!
 Job	Job	22	6	10	This thought, at least, would give me comfort (a thrill of joy in unrelenting pain), that I never rebelled against the Holy One's decrees.
 Job	Job	22	6	11	But have I the strength to go on waiting? And why be patient, when doomed to such an end?
 Job	Job	22	6	12	Is mine the strength of stone, is my flesh made of bronze?
 Job	Job	22	6	13	Can I support myself on nothing? Has not all help deserted me?
 Job	Job	22	6	14	Refuse faithful love to your neighbour and you forsake the fear of Shaddai.
 Job	Job	22	6	15	Like the torrent, my brothers have proved deceptive, as fleeting torrents they flow:
 Job	Job	22	6	16	the ice makes their waters turgid when, above them, the snow melts,
 Job	Job	22	6	17	but, come the burning summer, they run dry, they vanish in the heat of the sun.
 Job	Job	22	6	18	Caravans leave the trail to find them, go deep into wastelands, and are lost.
 Job	Job	22	6	19	The caravans of Tema look to them, and on them Sheba's convoys build their hopes.
 Job	Job	22	6	20	Their trust brings only embarrassment, they reach them only to be thwarted.
 Job	Job	22	6	21	And this is how you now treat me, terrified at the sight of me, you take fright.
 Job	Job	22	6	22	Have I said to you, 'Give me something, make some present for me at your own cost,
 Job	Job	22	6	23	snatch me from the grasp of an oppressor, ransom me from the grip of a violent man'?
 Job	Job	22	6	24	Put me right, and I shall say no more; show me where I have been at fault.
 Job	Job	22	6	25	Fair comment can be borne without resentment, but what are your strictures aimed at?
 Job	Job	22	6	26	Do you think mere words deserve censure, desperate speech that the wind blows away?
 Job	Job	22	6	27	Soon you will be haggling over the price of an orphan, and selling your friend at bargain price!
 Job	Job	22	6	28	Come, I beg you, look at me: man to man, I shall not lie.
 Job	Job	22	6	29	Relent then, no harm is done; relent then, since I am upright.
 Job	Job	22	6	30	Is evil to be found on my lips? Can I not recognise misfortune when I taste it?
 Job	Job	22	7	1	Is not human life on earth just conscript service? Do we not live a hireling's life?
 Job	Job	22	7	2	Like a slave, sighing for the shade, or a hireling with no thought but for his wages,
 Job	Job	22	7	3	I have months of futility assigned to me, nights of suffering to be my lot.
 Job	Job	22	7	4	Lying in bed I wonder, 'When will it be day?' No sooner up than, 'When will evening come?' And crazy thoughts obsess me till twilight falls.
 Job	Job	22	7	5	Vermin and loathsome scabs cover my body; my skin is cracked and oozes pus.
 Job	Job	22	7	6	Swifter than a weaver's shuttle my days have passed, and vanished, leaving no hope behind.
 Job	Job	22	7	7	Remember that my life is but a breath, and that my eyes will never again see joy.
 Job	Job	22	7	8	The eye that once saw me will look on me no more, your eyes will turn my way, and I shall not be there.
 Job	Job	22	7	9	A cloud dissolves and is gone, so no one who goes down to Sheol ever comes up again,
 Job	Job	22	7	10	ever comes home again, and his house knows that person no more.
 Job	Job	22	7	11	That is why I cannot keep quiet: in my anguish of spirit I shall speak, in my bitterness of soul I shall complain.
 Job	Job	22	7	12	Am I the Sea, or some sea monster, that you should keep me under guard?
 Job	Job	22	7	13	If I say, 'My bed will comfort me, my couch will lighten my complaints,'
 Job	Job	22	7	14	you then frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions,
 Job	Job	22	7	15	so that strangling would seem welcome in comparison, yes, death preferable to what I suffer.
 Job	Job	22	7	16	I am wasting away, my life is not unending; leave me then, for my days are but a breath.
 Job	Job	22	7	17	What are human beings that you should take them so seriously, subjecting them to your scrutiny,
 Job	Job	22	7	18	that morning after morning you should examine them and at every instant test them?
 Job	Job	22	7	19	Will you never take your eyes off me long enough for me to swallow my spittle?
 Job	Job	22	7	20	Suppose I have sinned, what have I done to you, you tireless watcher of humanity? Why do you choose me as your target? Why should I be a burden to you?
 Job	Job	22	7	21	Can you not tolerate my sin, not overlook my fault? For soon I shall be lying in the dust, you will look for me and I shall be no more.
 Job	Job	22	8	1	Bildad of Shuah spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	8	2	How much longer are you going to talk like this and go blustering on in this way?
 Job	Job	22	8	3	Can God deflect the course of right or Shaddai falsify justice?
 Job	Job	22	8	4	If your sons sinned against him, he has punished them for their wrong-doing.
 Job	Job	22	8	5	You for your part, if you are pure and honest, must now seek God, plead with Shaddai.
 Job	Job	22	8	6	Forthwith his light will shine on you and he will restore an upright man's house to prosperity.
 Job	Job	22	8	7	Your former state will seem as nothing to you, so great will your future be.
 Job	Job	22	8	8	Question the generation that has passed, meditate on the experience of its ancestors-
 Job	Job	22	8	9	for we children of yesterday, we know nothing, our life on earth passes like a shadow-
 Job	Job	22	8	10	but they will teach you, they will tell you, and their thought is expressed in these sayings,
 Job	Job	22	8	11	'Can papyrus flourish except in marshes? Without water can the rushes grow?
 Job	Job	22	8	12	Even when green and before being cut, fastest of all plants they wither.
 Job	Job	22	8	13	Such is the fate of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless.
 Job	Job	22	8	14	His hope is nothing but gossamer, his confidence a spider's web.
 Job	Job	22	8	15	Let him lean on his house, it will not stand firm; cling to it, it will not hold.
 Job	Job	22	8	16	Like some lush plant in the sunlight, he sent his young shoots sprouting over the garden;
 Job	Job	22	8	17	but his roots were twined in a heap of stones, he drew his life among the rocks.
 Job	Job	22	8	18	Snatch him from his bed, and it denies it ever saw him.
 Job	Job	22	8	19	Now he rots on the roadside, and others are springing up in the soil.
 Job	Job	22	8	20	Believe me, God neither spurns anyone of integrity, nor lends his aid to the evil.
 Job	Job	22	8	21	Once again laughter may fill your mouth and cries of joy break from your lips.
 Job	Job	22	8	22	Your enemies will be covered with shame and the tent of the wicked will vanish!'
 Job	Job	22	9	1	Job spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	9	2	Indeed, I know it is as you say: how could anyone claim to be upright before God?
 Job	Job	22	9	3	Anyone trying to argue matters with him, could not give him one answer in a thousand.
 Job	Job	22	9	4	Among the wisest and the hardiest, who then can successfully defy him?
 Job	Job	22	9	5	He moves the mountains, though they do not know it; he throws them down when he is angry.
 Job	Job	22	9	6	He shakes the earth, and moves it from its place, making all its pillars tremble.
 Job	Job	22	9	7	The sun, at his command, forbears to rise, and on the stars he sets a seal.
 Job	Job	22	9	8	He and no other has stretched out the heavens and trampled on the back of the Sea.
 Job	Job	22	9	9	He has made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the Mansions of the South.
 Job	Job	22	9	10	The works he does are great and unfathomable, and his marvels cannot be counted.
 Job	Job	22	9	11	If he passes me, I do not see him; he slips by, imperceptible to me.
 Job	Job	22	9	12	If he snatches his prey, who is going to stop him or dare to ask, 'What are you doing?'
 Job	Job	22	9	13	God does not renounce his anger: beneath him, Rahab's minions still lie prostrate.
 Job	Job	22	9	14	And here am I, proposing to defend myself and select my arguments against him!
 Job	Job	22	9	15	Even if I am upright, what point is there in answering him? I can only plead for mercy with my judge!
 Job	Job	22	9	16	And if he deigned to answer my citation, I cannot believe he would listen to what I said,
 Job	Job	22	9	17	he who crushes me for one hair, who, for no reason, wounds and wounds again,
 Job	Job	22	9	18	not even letting me regain my breath, with so much bitterness he fills me!
 Job	Job	22	9	19	Shall I try force? Look how strong he is! Or go to court? But who will summon him?
 Job	Job	22	9	20	If I prove myself upright, his mouth may condemn me, even if I am innocent, he may pronounce me perverse.
 Job	Job	22	9	21	But am I innocent? I am no longer sure, and life itself I despise!
 Job	Job	22	9	22	It is all one, and hence I boldly say: he destroys innocent and guilty alike.
 Job	Job	22	9	23	When a sudden deadly scourge descends, he laughs at the plight of the innocent.
 Job	Job	22	9	24	When a country falls into the power of the wicked, he veils the faces of its judges. Or if not he, who else?
 Job	Job	22	9	25	My days pass: more swiftly than a runner they flee away with never a glimpse of happiness,
 Job	Job	22	9	26	they skim past like a reed canoe, like an eagle swooping on its prey.
 Job	Job	22	9	27	If I decide to stifle my complaining, change countenance, and wear a smiling face,
 Job	Job	22	9	28	fear seizes me at the thought of all my woes, for I know you do not regard me as innocent.
 Job	Job	22	9	29	And if I have done wrong, why should I put myself to useless trouble?
 Job	Job	22	9	30	If I wash myself in melted snow, clean my hands with soda,
 Job	Job	22	9	31	you will only plunge me into the dung, till my clothes themselves recoil from me!
 Job	Job	22	9	32	For he is not human like me: impossible for me to answer him or appear alongside him in court.
 Job	Job	22	9	33	There is no arbiter between us, to lay his hand on both,
 Job	Job	22	9	34	to stay his rod from me, or keep away his daunting terrors.
 Job	Job	22	9	35	Nonetheless, unafraid of him, I shall speak: since I do not see myself like that at all!
 Job	Job	22	10	1	Since I have lost all taste for life, I shall give free rein to my complaining; I shall let my embittered soul speak out.
 Job	Job	22	10	2	I shall say to God, 'Do not condemn me, tell me what your case is against me.
 Job	Job	22	10	3	Is it right for you to attack me, in contempt for what you yourself have made, thus abetting the schemes of the wicked?
 Job	Job	22	10	4	Are your eyes mere human eyes, do you see as human beings see?
 Job	Job	22	10	5	Are you mortal like human beings? do your years pass as human days pass?
 Job	Job	22	10	6	You, who enquire into my faults and investigate my sins,
 Job	Job	22	10	7	you know very well that I am innocent, and that no one can rescue me from your grasp.
 Job	Job	22	10	8	Your hands having shaped and created me, now you change your mind and mean to destroy me!
 Job	Job	22	10	9	Having made me, remember, as though of clay, now you mean to turn me back into dust!
 Job	Job	22	10	10	Did you not pour me out like milk, and then let me thicken like curds,
 Job	Job	22	10	11	clothe me with skin and flesh, and weave me of bone and sinew?
 Job	Job	22	10	12	In your love you gave me life, and in your care watched over my every breath.
 Job	Job	22	10	13	Yet, all the while, you had a secret plan: I know that you were biding your time
 Job	Job	22	10	14	to see if I should sin and then not acquit me of my faults.
 Job	Job	22	10	15	Woe to me, if I am guilty; even if I am upright, I dare not lift my head, so overwhelmed with shame and drunk with pain am I!
 Job	Job	22	10	16	Proud as a lion, you hunt me down, multiplying your exploits at my expense,
 Job	Job	22	10	17	attacking me again and again, your fury against me ever increasing, your troops assailing me, wave after wave.
 Job	Job	22	10	18	Why did you bring me out of the womb? I should have perished then, unseen by any eye,
 Job	Job	22	10	19	a being that had never been, to be carried from womb to grave.
 Job	Job	22	10	20	The days of my life are few enough: turn your eyes away, leave me a little joy,
 Job	Job	22	10	21	before I go to the place of no return, to the land of darkness and shadow dark as death,
 Job	Job	22	10	22	where dimness and disorder hold sway, and light itself is like dead of night.
 Job	Job	22	11	1	Zophar of Naamath spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	11	2	Is babbling to go without an answer? Is wordiness a proof of uprightness?
 Job	Job	22	11	3	Do you think your talking strikes people dumb, will you jeer with no one to refute you?
 Job	Job	22	11	4	These were your words, 'My conduct is pure, in your eyes I am free of blame!'
 Job	Job	22	11	5	Will no one let God speak, open his lips and give you answer,
 Job	Job	22	11	6	show you the secrets of wisdom which put all cleverness to shame? Then you would realise that God is calling you to account for your sin.
 Job	Job	22	11	7	Can you claim to fathom the depth of God, can you reach the limit of Shaddai?
 Job	Job	22	11	8	It is higher than the heavens: what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol: what can you know?
 Job	Job	22	11	9	It would be longer to measure than the earth and broader than the sea.
 Job	Job	22	11	10	If he intervenes to close or convoke the assembly, who is to prevent him?
 Job	Job	22	11	11	He knows how deceptive human beings are, and he sees their misdeeds too, and marks them well.
 Job	Job	22	11	12	Hence empty-headed people would do well to study sense and people who behave like wild donkeys to let themselves be tamed.
 Job	Job	22	11	13	Come, reconsider your attitude, stretch out your hands towards him!
 Job	Job	22	11	14	If you repudiate the sin which you have doubtless committed and do not allow wickedness to live on in your tents,
 Job	Job	22	11	15	you will be able to raise an unsullied face, unwavering and free from fear,
 Job	Job	22	11	16	for you will forget about your misery, thinking of it only as a flood that passed long ago.
 Job	Job	22	11	17	Then begins an existence more radiant than noon, and the very darkness will be bright as morning.
 Job	Job	22	11	18	Confident because there is hope; after your troubles, you will sleep secure.
 Job	Job	22	11	19	When you lie down to rest, no one will trouble you, and many will seek your favour.
 Job	Job	22	11	20	But as for the wicked, their eyes are weary, there is no refuge for them; their only hope is to breathe their last.
 Job	Job	22	12	1	Job spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	12	2	Doubtless, you are the voice of the people, and when you die, wisdom will die with you!
 Job	Job	22	12	3	But I have a brain, as well as you, I am in no way inferior to you, and who, in any case, does not know all that?
 Job	Job	22	12	4	Anyone becomes a laughing-stock to his friends if he cries to God and expects an answer. People laugh at anyone who has integrity and is upright.
 Job	Job	22	12	5	'Add insult to injury,' think the prosperous, 'strike the fellow now that he is staggering!'
 Job	Job	22	12	6	And yet the tents of brigands are left in peace: those who provoke God dwell secure and so does anyone who makes a god of his fist!
 Job	Job	22	12	7	You have only to ask the cattle, for them to instruct you, and the birds of the sky, for them to inform you.
 Job	Job	22	12	8	The creeping things of earth will give you lessons, and the fish of the sea provide you an explanation:
 Job	Job	22	12	9	there is not one such creature but will know that the hand of God has arranged things like this!
 Job	Job	22	12	10	In his hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of every human being!
 Job	Job	22	12	11	Can the ear not distinguish the value of what is said, just as the palate can tell one food from another?
 Job	Job	22	12	12	Wisdom is found in the old, and discretion comes with great age.
 Job	Job	22	12	13	But in him there is wisdom, and power too, and good counsel no less than discretion.
 Job	Job	22	12	14	What he destroys, no one can rebuild; whom he imprisons, no one can release.
 Job	Job	22	12	15	Is there a drought? He has withheld the waters. Do they play havoc on earth? He has let them loose.
 Job	Job	22	12	16	In him is strength, in him resourcefulness, beguiler and beguiled alike are his.
 Job	Job	22	12	17	He robs a country's counsellors of their wits, turns judges into fools.
 Job	Job	22	12	18	He undoes the belts of kings and knots a rope round their waists.
 Job	Job	22	12	19	He makes priests walk barefoot, and overthrows the powers that are established.
 Job	Job	22	12	20	He strikes the most assured of speakers dumb and robs old people of their discretion.
 Job	Job	22	12	21	He pours contempt on the nobly born, and unbuckles the belt of the strong.
 Job	Job	22	12	22	He unveils the depths of darkness, brings shadow dark as death to the light.
 Job	Job	22	12	23	He builds nations up, then ruins them, he makes peoples expand, then suppresses them.
 Job	Job	22	12	24	He strips a country's leaders of their judgement, and leaves them to wander in a trackless waste,
 Job	Job	22	12	25	to grope about in unlit darkness, lurching to and fro as though drunk.
 Job	Job	22	13	1	I have seen all this with my own eyes, heard with my own ears and understood.
 Job	Job	22	13	2	Whatever you know, I know too; I am in no way inferior to you.
 Job	Job	22	13	3	But my words are intended for Shaddai; I mean to remonstrate with God.
 Job	Job	22	13	4	As for you, you are only charlatans, all worthless as doctors!
 Job	Job	22	13	5	Will no one teach you to be quiet -- the only wisdom that becomes you!
 Job	Job	22	13	6	Kindly listen to my accusation and give your attention to the way I shall plead.
 Job	Job	22	13	7	Do you mean to defend God by prevarication and by dishonest argument,
 Job	Job	22	13	8	and, taking his side like this, appoint yourselves as his advocates?
 Job	Job	22	13	9	How would you fare, if he were to scrutinise you? Can he be duped as mortals are duped?
 Job	Job	22	13	10	He would inflict a harsh rebuke on you for your covert partiality.
 Job	Job	22	13	11	Does his majesty not affright you? Does his terror not overcome you?
 Job	Job	22	13	12	Your received ideas are maxims of ash, your retorts, retorts of clay.
 Job	Job	22	13	13	Be quiet! Kindly let me do the talking, happen to me what may.
 Job	Job	22	13	14	I am putting my flesh between my teeth, I am taking my life in my hands;
 Job	Job	22	13	15	let him kill me if he will; I have no other hope than to justify my conduct in his eyes.
 Job	Job	22	13	16	And this is what will save me, for the wicked would not dare to appear before him.
 Job	Job	22	13	17	Listen carefully to my words, and pay attention to what I am going to say.
 Job	Job	22	13	18	You see, I shall proceed by form of law, knowing that I am upright.
 Job	Job	22	13	19	Who wants to contest my case? In advance, I agree to be silenced and to die!
 Job	Job	22	13	20	Only grant me two concessions, and then I shall not hide away from your face:
 Job	Job	22	13	21	remove your hand, which lies so heavy on me, no longer make me cower from your terror.
 Job	Job	22	13	22	Then call me forward and I shall answer, or rather, I shall speak and you will answer.
 Job	Job	22	13	23	How many faults and crimes have I committed? Tell me what my misdeed has been, what my sin?
 Job	Job	22	13	24	Why do you hide your face and look on me as your enemy?
 Job	Job	22	13	25	Do you want to intimidate a wind-blown leaf, do you want to pursue a dry straw?
 Job	Job	22	13	26	You who lay bitter allegations against me and tax me with the faults of my youth
 Job	Job	22	13	27	and have put my feet in the stocks; you examine my every step and measure my footprints one by one!
 Job	Job	22	13	28	For his part, he crumbles away like rotten wood, or like a moth-eaten garment,
 Job	Job	22	14	1	a human being, born of woman, whose life is short but full of trouble.
 Job	Job	22	14	2	Like a flower, such a one blossoms and withers, fleeting as a shadow, transient.
 Job	Job	22	14	3	And this is the creature on whom you fix your gaze, and bring to judgement before you!
 Job	Job	22	14	4	But will anyone produce the pure from what is impure? No one can!
 Job	Job	22	14	5	Since his days are measured out, since his tale of months depends on you, since you assign him bounds he cannot pass,
 Job	Job	22	14	6	turn your eyes from him, leave him alone, like a hired labourer, to finish his day in peace.
 Job	Job	22	14	7	There is always hope for a tree: when felled, it can start its life again; its shoots continue to sprout.
 Job	Job	22	14	8	Its roots may have grown old in the earth, its stump rotting in the ground,
 Job	Job	22	14	9	but let it scent the water, and it buds, and puts out branches like a plant newly set.
 Job	Job	22	14	10	But a human being? He dies, and dead he remains, breathes his last, and then where is he?
 Job	Job	22	14	11	The waters of the sea will vanish, the rivers stop flowing and run dry:
 Job	Job	22	14	12	a human being, once laid to rest, will never rise again, the heavens will wear out before he wakes up, or before he is roused from his sleep.
 Job	Job	22	14	13	Will no one hide me in Sheol, and shelter me there till your anger is past, fixing a certain day for calling me to mind-
 Job	Job	22	14	14	can the dead come back to life? - day after day of my service, I should be waiting for my relief to come.
 Job	Job	22	14	15	Then you would call, and I should answer, you would want to see once more what you have made.
 Job	Job	22	14	16	Whereas now you count every step I take, you would then stop spying on my sin;
 Job	Job	22	14	17	you would seal up my crime in a bag, and put a cover over my fault.
 Job	Job	22	14	18	Alas! Just as, eventually, the mountain falls down, the rock moves from its place,
 Job	Job	22	14	19	water wears away the stones, the cloudburst erodes the soil; so you destroy whatever hope a person has.
 Job	Job	22	14	20	You crush him once for all, and he is gone; first you disfigure him, then you dismiss him.
 Job	Job	22	14	21	His children may rise to honours -- he does not know it; they may come down in the world -- he does not care.
 Job	Job	22	14	22	He feels no pangs, except for his own body, makes no lament, except for his own self.
 Job	Job	22	15	1	Eliphaz of Teman spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	15	2	Does anyone wise respond with windy arguments, or feed on an east wind?
 Job	Job	22	15	3	Or make a defence with ineffectual words and speeches good for nothing?
 Job	Job	22	15	4	You do worse: you suppress reverence, you discredit discussion before God.
 Job	Job	22	15	5	Your very fault incites you to speak like this, hence you adopt this language of cunning.
 Job	Job	22	15	6	Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; your own lips bear witness against you.
 Job	Job	22	15	7	Are you the first-born of the human race, brought into the world before the hills?
 Job	Job	22	15	8	Have you been a listener at God's council, or established a monopoly of wisdom?
 Job	Job	22	15	9	What knowledge do you have that we have not, what understanding that is not ours too?
 Job	Job	22	15	10	One of us is an old, grey-headed man loaded with more years than your father!
 Job	Job	22	15	11	Can you ignore these divine consolations and the moderate tone of our words?
 Job	Job	22	15	12	How passion carries you away! And how you roll your eyes,
 Job	Job	22	15	13	when you vent your anger on God and speeches come tripping off your tongue!
 Job	Job	22	15	14	How can anyone be pure, anyone born of woman be upright?
 Job	Job	22	15	15	God cannot rely even on his holy ones, to him, even the heavens seem impure.
 Job	Job	22	15	16	How much more, this hateful, corrupt thing, humanity, which soaks up wickedness like water!
 Job	Job	22	15	17	Listen to me, I have a lesson for you: I am going to impart my own experience
 Job	Job	22	15	18	and the tradition of the sages who have remained faithful to their ancestors,
 Job	Job	22	15	19	to whom alone the land was given -- no foreigner included among them.
 Job	Job	22	15	20	The life of the wicked is unceasing torment, the years allotted to the tyrant are numbered.
 Job	Job	22	15	21	A cry of panic echoes in his ear; when all is peace, his destroyer swoops down on him.
 Job	Job	22	15	22	No more can he count on escaping from the dark, but knows that he is destined for the sword,
 Job	Job	22	15	23	marked down as meat for the vulture. He knows that his ruin is at hand.
 Job	Job	22	15	24	The hour of darkness terrifies him, distress and anguish assail him as when a king is poised for the assault.
 Job	Job	22	15	25	He raised his hand against God, boldly he defied Shaddai!
 Job	Job	22	15	26	Head lowered, he charged him, with his massively bossed shield.
 Job	Job	22	15	27	His face had grown full and fat, and his thighs too heavy with flesh.
 Job	Job	22	15	28	He had occupied the towns he had destroyed, with their uninhabited houses about to fall into ruins;
 Job	Job	22	15	29	but no great profit to him, his luck will not hold, he will cast his shadow over the country no longer,
 Job	Job	22	15	30	(he will not escape the dark). A flame will scorch his young shoots, the wind will carry off his blossom.
 Job	Job	22	15	31	Let him not trust in his great height or delusion will be his.
 Job	Job	22	15	32	His palm trees will wither before their time and his branches never again be green.
 Job	Job	22	15	33	Like the vine, he will shake off his unripe fruit, like the olive tree, shed his blossom.
 Job	Job	22	15	34	Yes, sterile is the spawn of the sinner, and fire consumes the tents of the venal.
 Job	Job	22	15	35	Whoever conceives malice, breeds disaster, bears as offspring only a false hope.
 Job	Job	22	16	1	Job spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	16	2	How often have I heard all this before! What sorry comforters you are!
 Job	Job	22	16	3	'When will these windy arguments be over?' or again, 'What sickness drives you to defend yourself?'
 Job	Job	22	16	4	Oh yes! I too could talk as you do, if you were in my place; I could overwhelm you with speeches, shaking my head over you,
 Job	Job	22	16	5	and speak words of encouragement, and then have no more to say.
 Job	Job	22	16	6	When I speak, my suffering does not stop; if I say nothing, is it in any way reduced?
 Job	Job	22	16	7	And now it is driving me to distraction; you have struck my whole acquaintanceship with horror,
 Job	Job	22	16	8	now it rounds on me, my slanderer has now turned witness, he appears against me, accusing me face to face;
 Job	Job	22	16	9	his anger tears and hounds me with gnashing teeth. My enemies look daggers at me,
 Job	Job	22	16	10	and open gaping jaws. Their sneers strike like slaps in the face; and they all set on me at once.
 Job	Job	22	16	11	Yes, God has handed me over to the godless, and cast me into the hands of the wicked.
 Job	Job	22	16	12	I was living at peace, until he made me totter, taking me by the neck to shatter me. He has set me up as his target:
 Job	Job	22	16	13	he shoots his arrows at me from all sides, pitilessly pierces my loins, and pours my gall out on the ground.
 Job	Job	22	16	14	Breach after breach he drives through me, charging on me like a warrior.
 Job	Job	22	16	15	I have sewn sackcloth over my skin, thrown my forehead in the dust.
 Job	Job	22	16	16	My face is red with tears, and shadow dark as death covers my eyelids.
 Job	Job	22	16	17	Nonetheless, my hands are free of violence, and my prayer is pure.
 Job	Job	22	16	18	Cover not my blood, O earth, and let my cry mount without cease!
 Job	Job	22	16	19	Henceforth I have a witness in heaven, my defender is there on high.
 Job	Job	22	16	20	Interpreter of my thoughts there with God, before whom flow my tears,
 Job	Job	22	16	21	let my anguish plead the cause of a man at grips with God, just as a man might defend his fellow.
 Job	Job	22	16	22	For the years of my life are numbered, and I am leaving by the road of no return.
 Job	Job	22	17	1	My breathing is growing weaker and the gravediggers are gathering for me.
 Job	Job	22	17	2	Scoffers are my only companions, their harshness haunts my nights.
 Job	Job	22	17	3	So you must go bail for me to yourself, for which of them cares to clap his hand on mine?
 Job	Job	22	17	4	For you have shut their hearts to reason, hence not a hand is lifted.
 Job	Job	22	17	5	Just so is a man who invites his friends to share his property while the eyes of his own children languish.
 Job	Job	22	17	6	I have become a byword among foreigners, and a creature on whose face to spit,
 Job	Job	22	17	7	since I am nearly blind with grief and my limbs are reduced to a shadow.
 Job	Job	22	17	8	Any honest person is appalled at the sight, the innocent is indignant at the sinner.
 Job	Job	22	17	9	Anyone upright grows stronger step by step: and anyone whose hands are clean grows ever in vigour!
 Job	Job	22	17	10	Come on then, all of you, back to the attack! I shall not find one wise man among you!
 Job	Job	22	17	11	My days are over, so are my plans, my heart-strings are broken;
 Job	Job	22	17	12	yet they would have me believe that night is day, that light to dispel the darkness is at hand,
 Job	Job	22	17	13	when all I want, in fact, is to dwell in Sheol and in that darkness there to make my bed!
 Job	Job	22	17	14	To the tomb, I cry, 'You are my father!' -- to the worm, 'You are my mother-you, my sister!'
 Job	Job	22	17	15	Where then is my hope? Who can see any happiness for me?
 Job	Job	22	17	16	unless they come down to Sheol with me, all of us sinking into the dust together?
 Job	Job	22	18	1	Bildad of Shuah spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	18	2	What prevents you others from saying something? Think -- for it is our turn to speak!
 Job	Job	22	18	3	Why do you regard us as animals, considering us no more than brutes?
 Job	Job	22	18	4	Tear yourself to pieces if you will, but the world, for all your rage, will not turn to desert, the rocks will not shift from their places.
 Job	Job	22	18	5	The light of the wicked must certainly be put out, the lamp that gives him light cease to shine.
 Job	Job	22	18	6	In his tent the light is dimmed, the lamp that shone on him is snuffed.
 Job	Job	22	18	7	His vigorous stride loses its power, his own designs falter.
 Job	Job	22	18	8	For into the net his own feet carry him, he walks into the snares.
 Job	Job	22	18	9	A spring grips him by the heel, a trap snaps shut, and he is caught.
 Job	Job	22	18	10	Hidden in the ground is a snare to catch him, pitfalls lie across his path.
 Job	Job	22	18	11	Terrors threaten him from all sides following him step by step.
 Job	Job	22	18	12	Hunger becomes his companion, by his side Disaster stands.
 Job	Job	22	18	13	Disease devours his skin, Death's First-Born gnaws his limbs.
 Job	Job	22	18	14	He will be torn from the shelter of his tent, and you will drag him to the King of Terrors.
 Job	Job	22	18	15	You can live in the tent, since it is no longer his, and brimstone will be scattered on his sheepfold.
 Job	Job	22	18	16	Below, his roots dry out and his branches are blasted above.
 Job	Job	22	18	17	His memory fades from the land, his name is forgotten in the countryside.
 Job	Job	22	18	18	Driven from the light into the darkness, he is banished from the world,
 Job	Job	22	18	19	without issue or posterity among his own people or a single survivor where he used to live.
 Job	Job	22	18	20	His end appals the west and fills the east with terror.
 Job	Job	22	18	21	Such indeed is the fate of the places where wickedness dwells -- the home of everyone who knows not God.
 Job	Job	22	19	1	Job spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	19	2	How much longer are you going to torment me and crush me by your speeches?
 Job	Job	22	19	3	You have insulted me ten times already: have you no shame at maltreating me?
 Job	Job	22	19	4	Even if I had gone astray, my error would still be my own affair.
 Job	Job	22	19	5	But, whereas you take this superior attitude and claim that my disgrace is my own fault,
 Job	Job	22	19	6	I tell you that God has wronged me and enveloped me in his net.
 Job	Job	22	19	7	If I protest against such violence, I am not heard, if I appeal against it, judgement is never given.
 Job	Job	22	19	8	He has built an impassable wall across my path and covered my way with darkness.
 Job	Job	22	19	9	He has deprived me of my glory and taken the crown from my head.
 Job	Job	22	19	10	He assails me from all directions to make me vanish; he uproots my hope as he might a tree.
 Job	Job	22	19	11	Inflamed with anger against me, he regards me as his foe.
 Job	Job	22	19	12	His troops have come in force, directing their line of advance towards me, they are now encamped round my tent.
 Job	Job	22	19	13	He has alienated my brothers from me, my relatives take care to avoid me,
 Job	Job	22	19	14	my intimate friends have gone away and the guests in my house have forgotten me.
 Job	Job	22	19	15	My slave-girls regard me as an intruder, a stranger as far as they are concerned.
 Job	Job	22	19	16	My servant does not answer when I call him, I am obliged to beg favours from him!
 Job	Job	22	19	17	My breath is unbearable to my wife, my stench to my own brothers.
 Job	Job	22	19	18	Even the children look down on me, whenever I stand up, they start jeering at me.
 Job	Job	22	19	19	All my dearest friends recoil from me in horror: those I loved best have turned against me.
 Job	Job	22	19	20	My flesh is rotting under my skin, my bones are sticking out like teeth.
 Job	Job	22	19	21	Pity me, pity me, my friends, since I have been struck by the hand of God.
 Job	Job	22	19	22	Must you persecute me just as God does, and give my body no peace?
 Job	Job	22	19	23	Will no one let my words be recorded, inscribed on some monument
 Job	Job	22	19	24	with iron chisel and engraving tool, cut into the rock for ever?
 Job	Job	22	19	25	I know that I have a living Defender and that he will rise up last, on the dust of the earth.
 Job	Job	22	19	26	After my awakening, he will set me close to him, and from my flesh I shall look on God.
 Job	Job	22	19	27	He whom I shall see will take my part: my eyes will be gazing on no stranger. My heart sinks within me.
 Job	Job	22	19	28	When you say, 'How can we confound him? What pretext can we discover against him?'
 Job	Job	22	19	29	You yourselves had best beware the sword, since the wrath bursts into flame at wicked deeds and then you will learn that there is indeed a judgement!
 Job	Job	22	20	1	Zophar of Naamath spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	20	2	My thoughts urge me to reply to this, and hence the impatience that grips me.
 Job	Job	22	20	3	I have put up with prating that outrages me and now my mind inspires me with an answer.
 Job	Job	22	20	4	Do you not know, that since time began and human beings were set on the earth,
 Job	Job	22	20	5	the triumph of the wicked has always been brief, and the sinner's gladness has never lasted long?
 Job	Job	22	20	6	Towering to the sky he may have been, his head touching the clouds;
 Job	Job	22	20	7	but he vanishes, like a phantom, once for all, while those who used to see him, ask, 'Where is he?'
 Job	Job	22	20	8	Like a dream that leaves no trace he takes his flight, like a vision in the night he flies away.
 Job	Job	22	20	9	The eye accustomed to see him sees him no more, his home will never set eyes on him again.
 Job	Job	22	20	10	His sons will have to reimburse the poor and his children pay back his riches.
 Job	Job	22	20	11	His bones used to be full of youthful vigour: and there it lies, in the dust with him, now!
 Job	Job	22	20	12	Evil was sweet to his mouth, he would shelter it under his tongue;
 Job	Job	22	20	13	cultivating it carefully, he would let it linger on his palate.
 Job	Job	22	20	14	Such food goes bad in his belly, working inside him like the poison of a viper.
 Job	Job	22	20	15	Now he has to vomit up the wealth that he has swallowed, God makes him disgorge it.
 Job	Job	22	20	16	He used to suck vipers' venom, and the tongue of the adder kills him.
 Job	Job	22	20	17	No more will he know the streams of oil or the torrents of honey and cream.
 Job	Job	22	20	18	When he gives back his winnings, his cheerfulness will fade, and the satisfied air he had when business was thriving.
 Job	Job	22	20	19	Since he once destroyed the huts of the poor, plundering houses instead of building them up,
 Job	Job	22	20	20	since his avarice could never be satisfied, now all his hoarding will not save him;
 Job	Job	22	20	21	since nothing could escape his greed, his prosperity will not last.
 Job	Job	22	20	22	When he has everything he needs, want will seize him, and misery will light on him with all its force.
 Job	Job	22	20	23	On him God looses all his burning wrath, hurling against his flesh a hail of arrows.
 Job	Job	22	20	24	If he escapes the weapons of iron, the bow of bronze will transfix him.
 Job	Job	22	20	25	Out of his back sticks an arrow, from his gall a shining point. The terrors advance on him,
 Job	Job	22	20	26	all the hidden darknesses are waiting to carry him off. A fire unlit by human hand devours him, and consumes what is left in his tent.
 Job	Job	22	20	27	The heavens lay bare his iniquity, and the earth rises up against him.
 Job	Job	22	20	28	The income of his house pours away, like the torrents, on the day of retribution.
 Job	Job	22	20	29	Such is the fate God reserves for the wicked, the inheritance he assigns to the accursed!
 Job	Job	22	21	1	Job spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	21	2	Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation you allow me.
 Job	Job	22	21	3	Permit me to speak in my turn; you may jeer when I have spoken.
 Job	Job	22	21	4	Is my complaint just about a fellow-mortal? I have good grounds to be perturbed!
 Job	Job	22	21	5	Give your attention to me; you will be dumbfounded and will place your hand over your mouth.
 Job	Job	22	21	6	I myself am appalled at the very thought, and my flesh creeps.
 Job	Job	22	21	7	Why do the wicked still live on, their power increasing with their age?
 Job	Job	22	21	8	They see their posterity assured, and their offspring secure before their eyes.
 Job	Job	22	21	9	The peace of their houses has nothing to fear, the rod that God wields is not for them.
 Job	Job	22	21	10	No mishap with their bull at breeding-time, nor miscarriage with their cow at calving.
 Job	Job	22	21	11	They let their infants frisk like lambs, their children dance like deer.
 Job	Job	22	21	12	They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice to the sound of the pipe.
 Job	Job	22	21	13	They end their lives in happiness and go down in peace to Sheol.
 Job	Job	22	21	14	Yet these are the ones who say to God, 'Go away! We do not want to learn your ways.
 Job	Job	22	21	15	What is the point of our serving Shaddai? What should we gain from praying to him?'
 Job	Job	22	21	16	Surely they have won their own prosperity, since God is kept so far from their plans?
 Job	Job	22	21	17	Do we often see the light of the wicked put out, or disaster overtake him, or the retribution of God destroy his possessions,
 Job	Job	22	21	18	or the wind blow him away like a straw, or a whirlwind carry him off like chaff?
 Job	Job	22	21	19	So God is storing up punishment for his children? But the wicked himself should be punished, and should know it!
 Job	Job	22	21	20	He himself should witness his own ruin, and himself drink the anger of Shaddai.
 Job	Job	22	21	21	Once he is gone, what joy can he gain from his family, once the number of his months has been cut off?
 Job	Job	22	21	22	But who can teach wisdom to God, to him who is judge of those on high?
 Job	Job	22	21	23	And again: one person dies in the fullness of strength, in all possible happiness and ease,
 Job	Job	22	21	24	thighs padded with fat and the marrow in the bones good and moist.
 Job	Job	22	21	25	Another dies in bitterness of heart, never having tasted happiness.
 Job	Job	22	21	26	They lie together down in the dust and the worms soon cover them both.
 Job	Job	22	21	27	Oh, I know what is in your minds, what you so spitefully think about me!
 Job	Job	22	21	28	'What has become of the great lord's house,' you say, 'where is the tent where the wicked used to live?'
 Job	Job	22	21	29	Have you never questioned people who travel, do you not understand the testimony they give:
 Job	Job	22	21	30	on the day of disaster, the wicked is spared, on the day of retribution, he is kept safe?
 Job	Job	22	21	31	And who is there then to reproach him for his deeds and to pay him back for the things he has done?
 Job	Job	22	21	32	He is carried away to the cemetery, and a watch is kept at his tomb.
 Job	Job	22	21	33	The clods of the ravine lie easy on him, and the whole population walk behind.
 Job	Job	22	21	34	So what sense is there in your empty consolation? your answers are the left-overs of infidelity!
 Job	Job	22	22	1	Eliphaz of Teman spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	22	2	Can a human being contribute anything to God, when even someone intelligent can benefit only himself?
 Job	Job	22	22	3	Does Shaddai derive any benefit from your uprightness, or profit from your blameless conduct?
 Job	Job	22	22	4	Do you think he is punishing you for your piety and bringing you to justice for that?
 Job	Job	22	22	5	No, for your great wickedness, more likely, for your unlimited sins!
 Job	Job	22	22	6	You have exacted unearned pledges from your brothers, stripped people naked of their clothes,
 Job	Job	22	22	7	failed to give water to the thirsty and refused bread to the hungry;
 Job	Job	22	22	8	handed the land over to a strong man, for some favoured person to move in,
 Job	Job	22	22	9	sent widows away empty-handed and crushed the arms of orphans.
 Job	Job	22	22	10	No wonder, then, if snares are all around you, and sudden terrors make you afraid;
 Job	Job	22	22	11	if light has turned to darkness, so that you cannot see, and you have been submerged in the flood.
 Job	Job	22	22	12	Does not God live high in the heavens, does he not see the zenith of the stars?
 Job	Job	22	22	13	And because he is up there, you have said, 'What does God know? Can he judge through the dark cloud?
 Job	Job	22	22	14	The clouds, to him, are an impenetrable veil, as he goes his way on the rim of the heavens.'
 Job	Job	22	22	15	And will you still follow the ancient trail trodden by the wicked,
 Job	Job	22	22	16	those who were borne off before their time, whose foundations were swamped by a flood,
 Job	Job	22	22	17	for having said to God, 'Go away! What can Shaddai do to us?'
 Job	Job	22	22	18	Yet he himself had filled their houses with good things, although excluded from the plans of the wicked!
 Job	Job	22	22	19	At such a spectacle, the upright rejoice, and the innocent deride them:
 Job	Job	22	22	20	'See how our enemies have been destroyed! See how their wealth has perished in the flames!'
 Job	Job	22	22	21	Well then! Make peace with him, be reconciled, and all your happiness will be restored to you.
 Job	Job	22	22	22	Welcome the teaching from his lips, and keep his words close to your heart.
 Job	Job	22	22	23	If you return, humbled, to Shaddai and drive wickedness far from your tent,
 Job	Job	22	22	24	if you lay your gold down on the dust, Ophir down among the pebbles of the torrent,
 Job	Job	22	22	25	Shaddai will be bars of gold to you and silver piled in heaps.
 Job	Job	22	22	26	Then Shaddai will be all your delight, and you will lift your face to God.
 Job	Job	22	22	27	You will pray, and he will hear; and you will be able to fulfil your vows.
 Job	Job	22	22	28	Whatever you undertake will go well, and light will shine on your path;
 Job	Job	22	22	29	for he casts down the pride of the arrogant, but he saves those of downcast eyes.
 Job	Job	22	22	30	He rescues anyone who is innocent; have your hands clean, and you will be saved.
 Job	Job	22	23	1	Job spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	23	2	My lament is still rebellious; despite my groans, his hand is just as heavy.
 Job	Job	22	23	3	Will no one help me to know how to travel to his dwelling?
 Job	Job	22	23	4	I should set out my case to him, advancing any number of grievances.
 Job	Job	22	23	5	Then I could learn his defence, every word of it, taking note of everything he said to me.
 Job	Job	22	23	6	Would he put all his strength into this debate with me? No, he would only have to give his attention to me,
 Job	Job	22	23	7	to recognise his opponent as upright and so I should win my case for ever.
 Job	Job	22	23	8	If I go to the east, he is not there; or to the west, I still cannot see him.
 Job	Job	22	23	9	If I seek him in the north, he is not to be found, invisible as ever, if I turn to the south.
 Job	Job	22	23	10	And yet he knows every step I take! Let him test me in the crucible: I shall come out pure gold.
 Job	Job	22	23	11	My footsteps have followed close in his, I have walked in his way without swerving;
 Job	Job	22	23	12	I have not neglected the commandment of his lips, in my heart I have cherished the words of his mouth.
 Job	Job	22	23	13	But once he has made up his mind, who can change it? Whatever he plans, that he carries out.
 Job	Job	22	23	14	No doubt, then, but he will carry out my sentence, like so many other decrees that he has made.
 Job	Job	22	23	15	That is why I am full of fear before him, and the more I think, the greater grows my dread of him.
 Job	Job	22	23	16	God has undermined my courage, Shaddai has filled me with fear.
 Job	Job	22	23	17	The darkness having failed to destroy me, I am plunged back into obscurity by him!
 Job	Job	22	24	1	Why does Shaddai not make known the times he has fixed; why do his faithful never see his Days?
 Job	Job	22	24	2	The wicked move boundary-marks away, they carry off flock and shepherd.
 Job	Job	22	24	3	They drive away the orphan's donkey, as security, they seize the widow's ox.
 Job	Job	22	24	4	The needy have to keep out of the way, poor country people have to keep out of sight.
 Job	Job	22	24	5	Like wild desert donkeys, they go out to work, searching from dawn for food, and at evening for something on which to feed their children.
 Job	Job	22	24	6	They go harvesting in the field of some scoundrel, they go pilfering in the vineyards of the wicked.
 Job	Job	22	24	7	They spend the night naked, lacking clothes, with no covering against the cold.
 Job	Job	22	24	8	Mountain rainstorms cut them through, unsheltered, they hug the rocks.
 Job	Job	22	24	9	The orphan child is torn from the breast, the child of the poor is exacted as security.
 Job	Job	22	24	10	They go about naked, lacking clothes, and starving while they carry the sheaves.
 Job	Job	22	24	11	Two little walls, their shelter at high noon; parched with thirst, they have to tread the winepress.
 Job	Job	22	24	12	From the towns come the groans of the dying and the gasp of the wounded crying for help. Yet God remains deaf to prayer!
 Job	Job	22	24	13	In contrast, there are those who reject the light: who know nothing of its ways and who do not frequent its paths.
 Job	Job	22	24	14	When all is dark the murderer leaves his bed to kill the poor and needy. During the night the thief goes on the prowl,
 Job	Job	22	24	15	The eye of the adulterer watches for twilight, 'No one will see me,' he mutters as he masks his face.In the daytime they keep out of sight, these people who do not want to know the light.
 Job	Job	22	24	16	breaking into houses while the darkness lasts.
 Job	Job	22	24	17	For all of them, morning is a time of shadow dark as death, since that is when they know what fear is.
 Job	Job	22	24	18	He is no more than a straw floating on the water, his estate is accursed throughout the land, nobody goes near his vineyard.
 Job	Job	22	24	19	As drought and heat make snow disappear, so does Sheol anyone who has sinned.
 Job	Job	22	24	20	The womb that shaped him forgets him and his name is recalled no longer. Thus wickedness is blasted as a tree is struck.
 Job	Job	22	24	21	He used to ill-treat the childless woman and show no kindness to the widow.
 Job	Job	22	24	22	But he who lays mighty hold on tyrants rises up to take away a life that seemed secure.
 Job	Job	22	24	23	He let him build his hopes on false security, but kept his eyes on every step he took.
 Job	Job	22	24	24	He had his time of glory, now he vanishes, wilting like the saltwort once it is picked, and withering like an ear of corn.
 Job	Job	22	24	25	Is this not so? Who can prove me a liar or show that my words have no substance?
 Job	Job	22	25	1	Bildad of Shuah spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	25	2	What sovereignty, what awe, is his who creates peace on his heights!
 Job	Job	22	25	3	Who can count his armies? Against whom does his lightning not surge forth?
 Job	Job	22	25	4	Could anyone think God regards him as virtuous, the child of woman as pure!
 Job	Job	22	25	6	How much less a human, this maggot, the child of man, this worm!
 Job	Job	22	26	1	Job spoke next. He said:
 Job	Job	22	26	2	To one so weak, what a help you are, for the arm that is powerless, what a rescuer!
 Job	Job	22	26	3	What excellent advice you give the unlearned, you are never at a loss for a helpful suggestion!
 Job	Job	22	26	4	For whom are these words of yours intended and whence comes that wit you are now displaying?
 Job	Job	22	26	5	The Shadows tremble underneath the earth, the waters and their denizens are afraid.
 Job	Job	22	26	6	Before his eyes, Sheol is bare, Perdition itself is uncovered.
 Job	Job	22	26	7	He it was who spread the North above the void and poised the earth on nothingness.
 Job	Job	22	26	8	He fastens up the waters in his clouds, without the clouds giving way under their weight.
 Job	Job	22	26	9	He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his cloud across it.
 Job	Job	22	26	10	He has traced a ring on the surface of the waters, at the boundary between light and dark.
 Job	Job	22	26	11	The pillars of the heavens tremble, awe-struck at his threats.
 Job	Job	22	26	12	By his power, he has whipped up the Sea, by his skill, he has crushed Rahab.
 Job	Job	22	26	13	His breath has made the heavens luminous, his hand transfixed the Fleeing Serpent.
 Job	Job	22	26	14	This is only a fraction of what he has done and all we catch of it is the feeblest echo. But who can conceive the thunder of his power?
 Job	Job	22	27	1	And Job continued his solemn discourse. He said:
 Job	Job	22	27	2	I swear by the living God who denies me justice, by Shaddai who has filled me with bitterness,
 Job	Job	22	27	3	that as long as a shred of life is left in me, and the breath of God breathes in my nostrils,
 Job	Job	22	27	4	my lips will never speak evil nor my tongue utter any lie.
 Job	Job	22	27	5	Far from admitting you to be in the right, I shall maintain my integrity to my dying day.
 Job	Job	22	27	6	I take my stand on my uprightness, I shall not stir: in my heart I need not be ashamed of my days.
 Job	Job	22	27	7	Let my enemy meet the fate of the wicked, my adversary, the lot of the evil-doer!
 Job	Job	22	27	8	For what hope does the godless have when he prays and raises his soul to God?
 Job	Job	22	27	9	Is God likely to hear his cries when disaster descends on him?
 Job	Job	22	27	10	Did he make Shaddai all his delight, calling on him at every turn?
 Job	Job	22	27	11	But I am showing you the way that God works, making no secret of Shaddai's designs.
 Job	Job	22	27	12	And if you had all understood them for yourselves, you would not have wasted your breath in empty words.
 Job	Job	22	27	13	This is the fate that God assigns to the wicked, the inheritance that the violent receive from Shaddai.
 Job	Job	22	27	14	Though he have many children, it is but for the sword; his descendants will never have enough to eat.
 Job	Job	22	27	15	Plague will bury those he leaves behind him, and their widows will have no chance to mourn them.
 Job	Job	22	27	16	Though he amass silver like dust and gather fine clothes like clay,
 Job	Job	22	27	17	let him gather!-some good man will wear them, while his silver is shared among the upright.
 Job	Job	22	27	18	All he has built himself is a spider's web, made himself a watchman's shack.
 Job	Job	22	27	19	He goes to bed rich, but never again: he wakes to find it has all gone
 Job	Job	22	27	20	Terror assails him in broad daylight, and at night a whirlwind sweeps him off.
 Job	Job	22	27	21	An east wind picks him up and drags him away, snatching him up from his homestead.
 Job	Job	22	27	22	Pitilessly he is turned into a target, and forced to flee from the hands that menace him.
 Job	Job	22	27	23	His downfall is greeted with applause, he is hissed wherever he goes.
 Job	Job	22	27	24	He had his time of glory, now he vanishes, wilting like the saltwort once it is picked, and withering like an ear of corn.
 Job	Job	22	28	1	Silver has its mines, and gold a place for refining.
 Job	Job	22	28	2	Iron is extracted from the earth, the smelted rocks yield copper.
 Job	Job	22	28	3	Man makes an end of darkness, to the utmost limit he digs the black rock in shadow dark as death.
 Job	Job	22	28	4	Foreigners bore into ravines in unfrequented places, swinging suspended far from human beings.
 Job	Job	22	28	5	That earth from which bread comes is ravaged underground by fire.
 Job	Job	22	28	6	There, the rocks have veins of sapphire and their dust contains gold.
 Job	Job	22	28	7	That is a path unknown to birds of prey, unseen by the eye of any vulture;
 Job	Job	22	28	8	a path not trodden by the lordly beasts, where no lion ever walked.
 Job	Job	22	28	9	Man attacks the flint, upturning mountains by their roots.
 Job	Job	22	28	10	He cuts canals through the rock, on the watch for anything precious.
 Job	Job	22	28	11	He explores the sources of rivers, bringing hidden things to light.
 Job	Job	22	28	12	But where does Wisdom come from? Where is Intelligence to be found?
 Job	Job	22	28	13	No human being knows the way to her, she is not to be found on earth where they live.
 Job	Job	22	28	14	'She is not in me,' says the Abyss; 'Nor here,' replies the Sea.
 Job	Job	22	28	15	She cannot be bought with solid gold, nor paid for with any weight of silver,
 Job	Job	22	28	16	nor valued against gold of Ophir, precious agate or sapphire.
 Job	Job	22	28	17	Neither gold nor glass compares with her, for her, a vase of fine gold would be no exchange,
 Job	Job	22	28	18	let alone coral or crystal: better go fishing for Wisdom than for pearls!
 Job	Job	22	28	19	Topaz from Cush is worthless in comparison, and gold, even refined, is valueless.
 Job	Job	22	28	20	But where does Wisdom come from? Where is Intelligence to be found?
 Job	Job	22	28	21	She cannot be seen by any living creature, she is hidden from the birds of the sky.
 Job	Job	22	28	22	Perdition and Death both say, 'We have heard only rumours of her.'
 Job	Job	22	28	23	God alone understands her path and knows where she is to be found.
 Job	Job	22	28	24	(For he sees to the remotest parts of the earth, and observes all that lies under heaven.)
 Job	Job	22	28	25	When he willed to give weight to the wind and measured out the waters with a gauge,
 Job	Job	22	28	26	when he imposed a law on the rain and mapped a route for thunderclaps to follow,
 Job	Job	22	28	27	then he saw and evaluated her, looked her through and through, assessing her.
 Job	Job	22	28	28	Then he said to human beings, 'Wisdom? - that is fear of the Lord; Intelligence? - avoidance of evil.'
 Job	Job	22	29	1	And Job continued his solemn discourse. He said:
 Job	Job	22	29	2	Will no one bring back to me the months that have gone, and the days when God was my guardian,
 Job	Job	22	29	3	when his lamp shone over my head, and his light was my guide in the darkness?
 Job	Job	22	29	4	Shall I ever see my days of harvest again when God protected my tent;
 Job	Job	22	29	5	when Shaddai still dwelt with me, and my children were around me;
 Job	Job	22	29	6	when my feet were bathed in milk, and streams of oil poured from the rocks?
 Job	Job	22	29	7	When I went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the square,
 Job	Job	22	29	8	as soon as I appeared, the young men stepped aside, and the old men rose to their feet.
 Job	Job	22	29	9	Men of note broke off their speeches, and put their hands over their mouths;
 Job	Job	22	29	10	the voices of rulers were silenced, and their tongues stayed still in their mouths.
 Job	Job	22	29	11	On hearing me, people congratulated me, on seeing me, people deferred to me,
 Job	Job	22	29	12	because I freed the poor in distress and the orphan who had no helper.
 Job	Job	22	29	13	The dying man's blessing rested on me and I gave the widow's heart cause to rejoice.
 Job	Job	22	29	14	Uprightness I wore as a garment, fair judgement was my cloak and my turban.
 Job	Job	22	29	15	I was eyes for the blind, and feet for the lame.
 Job	Job	22	29	16	Who but me was father of the poor? The stranger's case had a hearing from me.
 Job	Job	22	29	17	I used to break the fangs of the wicked, and snatch their prey from their jaws.
 Job	Job	22	29	18	And I used to say, 'I shall die in honour, after days as numerous as the sand.
 Job	Job	22	29	19	My roots can reach the water, the dews of night settle on my leaves.
 Job	Job	22	29	20	My glory will be for ever new and the bow in my hand for ever strong.'
 Job	Job	22	29	21	They waited anxiously to hear me, and listened in silence to what I had to say.
 Job	Job	22	29	22	When I had finished, no one contradicted, my words dropping on them, one by one.
 Job	Job	22	29	23	They waited for me as though for rain, open-mouthed as though for a late shower.
 Job	Job	22	29	24	If I smiled at them, it was too good to be true, they watched my face for the least sign of favour.
 Job	Job	22	29	25	As their chief, I told them which course to take, like a king living among his troops, and I led them wherever I chose.
 Job	Job	22	30	1	And now I am the laughing-stock of people who are younger than I am and whose parents I would have disdained to put with the dogs guarding my flock.
 Job	Job	22	30	2	And what use to me was the strength of their hands? - enfeebled as they were,
 Job	Job	22	30	3	worn out by want and hunger, for they used to gnaw the roots of the thirsty ground -- that place of gloom, ruin and desolation-
 Job	Job	22	30	4	they used to pick saltwort among the scrub, making their meals off roots of broom.
 Job	Job	22	30	5	Outlawed from human company, which raised hue and cry against them, as against thieves,
 Job	Job	22	30	6	they made their homes in the sides of ravines, in holes in the earth or in clefts of rock.
 Job	Job	22	30	7	You could hear them braying from the bushes as they huddled together in the thistles.
 Job	Job	22	30	8	Children of scoundrels, worse, nameless people, the very outcasts of society!
 Job	Job	22	30	9	And these are the ones who now make up songs about me and use me as a byword!
 Job	Job	22	30	10	Filled with disgust, they keep their distance, on seeing me, they spit without restraint.
 Job	Job	22	30	11	And since God has loosened my bow-string and afflicted me, they too throw off the bridle in my presence.
 Job	Job	22	30	12	Their brats surge forward on my right, to see when I am having a little peace, and advance on me with threatening strides.
 Job	Job	22	30	13	They cut off all means of escape seizing the chance to destroy me, and no one stops them.
 Job	Job	22	30	14	They move in, as if through a wide breach, and I go tumbling beneath the rubble.
 Job	Job	22	30	15	Terror rounds on me, my confidence is dispersed as though by the wind, my hope of safety vanishes like a cloud.
 Job	Job	22	30	16	And now the life in me trickles away, days of grief have gripped me.
 Job	Job	22	30	17	At night-time sickness saps my bones I am gnawed by wounds that never sleep.
 Job	Job	22	30	18	Violently, he has caught me by my clothes, has gripped me by the collar of my coat.
 Job	Job	22	30	19	He has thrown me into the mud; I am no more than dust and ashes.
 Job	Job	22	30	20	I cry to you, and you give me no answer; I stand before you, but you take no notice.
 Job	Job	22	30	21	You have grown cruel to me, and your strong hand torments me unmercifully.
 Job	Job	22	30	22	You carry me away astride the wind and blow me to pieces in a tempest.
 Job	Job	22	30	23	Yes, I know that you are taking me towards death, to the common meeting-place of all the living.
 Job	Job	22	30	24	Yet have I ever laid a hand on the poor when they cried out for justice in calamity?
 Job	Job	22	30	25	Have I not wept for those whose life is hard, felt pity for the penniless?
 Job	Job	22	30	26	I hoped for happiness, but sorrow came; I looked for light, but there was darkness.
 Job	Job	22	30	27	My stomach seethes, is never still, days of suffering have struck me.
 Job	Job	22	30	28	Sombre I go, yet no one comforts me, and if I rise in the council, I rise to weep.
 Job	Job	22	30	29	I have become brother to the jackal and companion to the ostrich.
 Job	Job	22	30	30	My skin has turned black on me, my bones are burnt with fever.
 Job	Job	22	30	31	My harp is tuned to dirges, my pipe to the voice of mourners.
 Job	Job	22	31	1	I had made an agreement with my eyes not to linger on any virgin.
 Job	Job	22	31	2	Now what portion does God allot from above, what fate does Shaddai apportion from his heaven-
 Job	Job	22	31	3	if not the disasters appropriate to the wicked and the calamities fit for evil-doers?
 Job	Job	22	31	4	But surely he sees how I behave, does he not count all my steps?
 Job	Job	22	31	5	Have I been a fellow-traveller with falsehood, or hastened my steps towards deceit?
 Job	Job	22	31	6	Let him weigh me on accurate scales: then he, God, will recognise my integrity!
 Job	Job	22	31	7	If my feet have wandered from the rightful path, or if my eyes have led my heart astray, or if my hands are smirched with any stain,
 Job	Job	22	31	8	let someone else eat what I have sown and let my young shoots all be rooted out.
 Job	Job	22	31	9	If my heart has been seduced by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbour's door,
 Job	Job	22	31	10	let my wife go and grind for someone else, let others have intercourse with her!
 Job	Job	22	31	11	For I would have committed a sin of lust, a crime punishable by the law,
 Job	Job	22	31	12	a fire, indeed, burning all to Perdition, which would have devoured my whole revenue.
 Job	Job	22	31	13	If I have ever infringed the rights of slave or slave-girl in legal actions against me-
 Job	Job	22	31	14	what shall I do, when God stands up? What shall I say, when he holds his assize?
 Job	Job	22	31	15	Did he not create them in the womb like me, the same God forming us in the womb?
 Job	Job	22	31	16	Have I been insensible to the needs of the poor, or let a widow's eyes grow dim?
 Job	Job	22	31	17	Have I eaten my bit of bread on my own without sharing it with the orphan?
 Job	Job	22	31	18	I, whom God has fostered father-like from childhood, and guided since I left my mother's womb,
 Job	Job	22	31	19	have I ever seen a wretch in need of clothing, or the poor with nothing to wear,
 Job	Job	22	31	20	without his having cause to bless me from his heart, as he felt the warmth of the fleece from my lambs?
 Job	Job	22	31	21	Have I raised my hand against an orphan, presuming on my credit at the gate?
 Job	Job	22	31	22	If so, let my shoulder fall from its socket, let my arm break off at the elbow!
 Job	Job	22	31	23	For the terror of God would fall on me and I could not then stand my ground before his majesty.
 Job	Job	22	31	24	Have I put my faith in gold, saying to fine gold, 'Ah, my security'?
 Job	Job	22	31	25	Have I ever gloated over my great wealth, or the riches that my hands have won?
 Job	Job	22	31	26	Or has the sight of the sun in its glory, or the glow of the moon as it walked the sky,
 Job	Job	22	31	27	secretly stolen my heart, so that I blew them a kiss?
 Job	Job	22	31	28	That too would be a criminal offence, to have denied the supreme God.
 Job	Job	22	31	29	Have I rejoiced at my enemy's misfortune, or exulted when disaster overtook him? -
 Job	Job	22	31	30	I, who would not allow my tongue to sin or to lay his life under a curse.
 Job	Job	22	31	31	The people of my tent, did they not say, 'Will anyone name a person whom he has not filled with meat?'
 Job	Job	22	31	32	No stranger ever had to sleep outside, my door was always open to the traveller.
 Job	Job	22	31	33	Have I ever concealed my transgression from others or kept my fault a secret in my breast?
 Job	Job	22	31	34	Have I ever stood in fear of common gossip, or dreaded any family's contempt, and so kept quiet, not venturing out of doors?
 Job	Job	22	31	35	Will no one give me a hearing? I have said my last word; now let Shaddai reply! When my adversary has drafted his writ against me
 Job	Job	22	31	36	I shall wear it on my shoulder, and bind it round my head like a royal turban.
 Job	Job	22	31	37	I shall give him an account of my every step and go as boldly as a prince to meet him.End of the words of Job.
 Job	Job	22	31	38	If my land cries for vengeance against me and its furrows weep in concert,
 Job	Job	22	31	39	if I have eaten its produce without paying, and caused the death of its owners,
 Job	Job	22	31	40	let brambles grow instead of wheat, rank weeds instead of barley!
 Job	Job	22	32	1	These three men stopped arguing with Job, because he was convinced of his uprightness.
 Job	Job	22	32	2	But Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became very angry. He fumed with rage against Job for thinking that he was right and God was wrong;
 Job	Job	22	32	3	and he was equally angry with the three friends for giving up the argument and thus putting God in the wrong.
 Job	Job	22	32	4	While they and Job were talking, Elihu had waited, because they were older than he was;
 Job	Job	22	32	5	but when he saw that the three men had not another word to say in answer, his anger burst out.
 Job	Job	22	32	6	And Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite began to speak. He said: I am still young, and you are old, so I was shy and hesitant to tell you what I know.
 Job	Job	22	32	7	I thought, 'Age ought to speak, advancing years will convey wisdom.'
 Job	Job	22	32	8	There is, you see, a spirit residing in humanity, the breath of God conferring intelligence.
 Job	Job	22	32	9	Great age does not give wisdom, nor seniority fair judgement.
 Job	Job	22	32	10	And so I ask you for a hearing; now it is my turn to tell what I know.
 Job	Job	22	32	11	Up to now, I was hanging on your words, I paid attention to your arguments as each of you chose his words.
 Job	Job	22	32	12	I paid very close attention; and I see that none of you has confounded Job, not one of you has refuted what he says.
 Job	Job	22	32	13	So do not say, 'We have found wisdom; our teaching is divine and not human.'
 Job	Job	22	32	14	I am not going to follow the same line of argument; my reply to Job will be couched in different terms.
 Job	Job	22	32	15	They are nonplussed for an answer, words have failed them.
 Job	Job	22	32	16	I have been waiting. Since they do not speak, since they have given up the argument,
 Job	Job	22	32	17	now I shall have my say, my turn has come to say what I know.
 Job	Job	22	32	18	For I am full of words and forced to speak by a spirit within me;
 Job	Job	22	32	19	within me, it feels like new wine seeking a vent, bursting out of new wine-skins.
 Job	Job	22	32	20	To gain relief, I must speak, I must open my lips and reply.
 Job	Job	22	32	21	I shall not take anyone's side, I shall not flatter anyone.
 Job	Job	22	32	22	I do not know how to flatter -- or my Creator would make short work of me.
 Job	Job	22	33	1	So, Job, please listen to my words and attend to all I have to say.
 Job	Job	22	33	2	Now as I open my mouth, and my tongue shapes words against my palate,
 Job	Job	22	33	3	I shall utter words of wisdom from the heart, my lips will speak in all sincerity.
 Job	Job	22	33	4	God's was the spirit that made me, Shaddai's the breath that gave me life.
 Job	Job	22	33	5	Refute me, if you can. Prepare yourself, take up your position!
 Job	Job	22	33	6	Look, I am your equal, not some god, like you I was moulded out of clay.
 Job	Job	22	33	7	No fear of me, therefore, need affright you, my hand will not lie heavy over you.
 Job	Job	22	33	8	How could you say in my hearing -- for the sound of your words did not escape me-
 Job	Job	22	33	9	'I am clean, and sinless, I am pure, without fault.
 Job	Job	22	33	10	But he keeps inventing excuses against me and regards me as his enemy.
 Job	Job	22	33	11	He puts me in the stocks, he watches my every path'?
 Job	Job	22	33	12	In saying so, I tell you, you are wrong: for God is greater than any human being.
 Job	Job	22	33	13	Why then quarrel with him for not replying to you, word for word?
 Job	Job	22	33	14	God speaks first in one way, and then in another, although we do not realise it.
 Job	Job	22	33	15	In dreams and in night-visions, when slumber has settled on humanity and people are asleep in bed,
 Job	Job	22	33	16	he speaks in someone's ear, frightens him with apparitions
 Job	Job	22	33	17	to turn him from what he is doing and to put an end to his pride.
 Job	Job	22	33	18	And thus he preserves his soul from the abyss, his life from passing down the Canal.
 Job	Job	22	33	19	Or again, he corrects by the sufferings of the sick-bed, when someone's bones tremble continuously
 Job	Job	22	33	20	and the thought of food revolts him, however tasty it is,
 Job	Job	22	33	21	and his flesh rots away while you watch it and the bones beneath begin to show,
 Job	Job	22	33	22	and his soul is drawing nearer to the abyss and his life to the dwelling of the dead.
 Job	Job	22	33	23	Then, if there is an Angel near him, a Mediator, one in a thousand, to remind him where his duty lies,
 Job	Job	22	33	24	to take pity on him and to say, 'Spare him from going down to the abyss: I have found the ransom for his life,'
 Job	Job	22	33	25	his flesh will recover its childhood freshness, he will return to the days of his youth.
 Job	Job	22	33	26	He will pray to God who has restored him to favour, and will come into his presence with joy. He will tell others how he has received saving justice
 Job	Job	22	33	27	and sing this hymn before his companions, 'I sinned and left the path of right, but God has not punished me as my sin deserved.
 Job	Job	22	33	28	He has spared my soul from going down to the abyss and is making my life see the light.'
 Job	Job	22	33	29	All this is what God keeps doing again and yet again for human beings,
 Job	Job	22	33	30	to snatch souls back from the abyss and to make the light of the living still shine.
 Job	Job	22	33	31	Pay attention, Job, listen to me: keep quiet, I have more to say.
 Job	Job	22	33	32	If you have anything to say, refute me, speak out, for I would gladly accept that you are upright.
 Job	Job	22	33	33	If not, then listen to me: keep quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.
 Job	Job	22	34	1	Elihu continued his speech. He said:
 Job	Job	22	34	2	And now, you sages, listen to what I say, lend me your ears, you learned men.
 Job	Job	22	34	3	The ear distinguishes the value of what is said, just as the palate can tell one food from another.
 Job	Job	22	34	4	Let us consider together God's ruling and decide what we all mean by good.
 Job	Job	22	34	5	Job has been saying, 'I am upright and God denies me fair judgement.
 Job	Job	22	34	6	My judge is treating me cruelly, my wound is incurable, for no fault of mine.'
 Job	Job	22	34	7	Can anyone else exist like Job, who laps up mockery like water,
 Job	Job	22	34	8	who consorts with evil-doers and marches in step with the wicked?
 Job	Job	22	34	9	Did he not say, 'No one derives any benefit from enjoying the society of God'?
 Job	Job	22	34	10	Listen to me then, like intelligent people. Far be evil from God or injustice from Shaddai!
 Job	Job	22	34	11	For he pays people back for what they do, treating each as his own conduct deserves.
 Job	Job	22	34	12	Be sure of it: God never does wrong, Shaddai does not pervert what is just.
 Job	Job	22	34	13	Did someone else entrust the world to his care was he given charge of the universe by someone else?
 Job	Job	22	34	14	If he were to recall his spirit, to concentrate his breath back in himself,
 Job	Job	22	34	15	all flesh would instantly perish and all people would return to dust.
 Job	Job	22	34	16	If you have any intelligence, listen to this, lend your ear to the sound of my words.
 Job	Job	22	34	17	Could an enemy of fair judgement ever govern? Would you dare condemn the Upright One, the Almighty,
 Job	Job	22	34	18	who says to a king, 'You are a scoundrel!' and to nobles, 'You are wicked!',
 Job	Job	22	34	19	who is unimpressed by princes and makes no distinction between rich and poor, since all alike have been made by him?
 Job	Job	22	34	20	They die suddenly, at dead of night, they perish -- these great ones -- and disappear: it costs him no effort to remove a tyrant.
 Job	Job	22	34	21	For his eyes keep watch on human ways, and he observes every step.
 Job	Job	22	34	22	No darkness, no shadow dark as death where wrong-doers can hide!
 Job	Job	22	34	23	He serves no writ on anyone, no summons to appear before God's court:
 Job	Job	22	34	24	he breaks the powerful without enquiry and sets up others in their places.
 Job	Job	22	34	25	He knows the sort of things they do! He overthrows them at night, to be trampled on.
 Job	Job	22	34	26	He beats them like criminals chained up for all to see,
 Job	Job	22	34	27	since they have turned their backs on him, having understood so little of his ways
 Job	Job	22	34	28	as to make the cries of the weak rise to him and let him hear the appeal of the afflicted.
 Job	Job	22	34	29	But if he is still silent and no one can move him, if he veils his face, so that no one can see him, he is taking pity on nations and individuals,
 Job	Job	22	34	30	is setting some wrong-doer free from the meshes of affliction.
 Job	Job	22	34	31	When such a one says to God, 'I was misled, I shall not do wrong any more;
 Job	Job	22	34	32	although I have sinned, instruct me; although I did wrong, I will not do it again,'
 Job	Job	22	34	33	in your opinion, should he punish such a one -- you who have rejected his decisions? This is for you to decide -- not for me!- so kindly enlighten us!
 Job	Job	22	34	34	Ordinary sensible people, however, will say to me, and so will any sage who has been listening to me,
 Job	Job	22	34	35	'Job's words are spoken without any knowledge, what he says shows no intelligence.
 Job	Job	22	34	36	Kindly examine him thoroughly, since his answers imply that he is a criminal.
 Job	Job	22	34	37	For to his sin he now adds rebellion, bringing law to an end among us and heaping abuse on God.'
 Job	Job	22	35	1	Elihu continued his speech. He said:
 Job	Job	22	35	2	Do you think you can prove yourself upright and establish your uprightness before God
 Job	Job	22	35	3	by daring to say to him, 'What does it matter to you, or how does it benefit me, whether I have sinned or not?'
 Job	Job	22	35	4	Very well, I shall tell you and your friends as well.
 Job	Job	22	35	5	Take a look at the skies and see, observe how high the clouds are above you.
 Job	Job	22	35	6	If you sin, how can you affect him? If you heap up crimes, what effect has it on him?
 Job	Job	22	35	7	If you are upright, what do you give him, what benefit does he receive at your hands?
 Job	Job	22	35	8	Your wickedness affects only your fellows, your uprightness, other human beings.
 Job	Job	22	35	9	They too groan under the weight of oppression, they cry for help under the tyranny of the mighty,
 Job	Job	22	35	10	but none of them thinks of saying, 'Where is God, my Maker, who makes glad songs ring out at night,
 Job	Job	22	35	11	who has made us more intelligent than wild animals wiser than birds in the sky?'
 Job	Job	22	35	12	Cry they may, but get no answer, to be spared from the arrogance of the wicked.
 Job	Job	22	35	13	Of course God does not listen to trivialities, Shaddai pays no attention to them.
 Job	Job	22	35	14	And how much less when you say, 'I cannot see him, my case is open and I am waiting for him.'
 Job	Job	22	35	15	Or, 'His anger never punishes, he does not seem aware of human rebellion.'
 Job	Job	22	35	16	Hence, when Job speaks, he talks nonsense, ignorantly babbling on and on.
 Job	Job	22	36	1	Elihu went on speaking. He said:
 Job	Job	22	36	2	Be patient a little longer while I explain, for I have more to say on God's behalf.
 Job	Job	22	36	3	I shall range far afield for my arguments to prove my Maker just.
 Job	Job	22	36	4	I guarantee, nothing I shall say will be untrue: you have a man of sound learning here.
 Job	Job	22	36	5	God does not reject anyone whose heart is pure
 Job	Job	22	36	6	or let the sinner live on in all his power. He does accord fair judgement to the afflicted;
 Job	Job	22	36	7	he does uphold what the upright deserve. When he raises kings to thrones, if they grow proud of their unending rule,
 Job	Job	22	36	8	then he fetters them with chains, they are caught in the bonds of affliction.
 Job	Job	22	36	9	He shows them the import of their deeds, of the sins of pride they have committed.
 Job	Job	22	36	10	In their ears he sounds a warning, ordering them to turn back from doing wrong.
 Job	Job	22	36	11	If they take notice and obey him, the rest of their days are prosperous and the years pass pleasantly.
 Job	Job	22	36	12	If not, they go down the Canal and perish in their stupidity.
 Job	Job	22	36	13	The stubborn, who cherish their anger and do not cry for help when he chains them,
 Job	Job	22	36	14	die in the bloom of youth or live among the male prostitutes of the temple.
 Job	Job	22	36	15	But God saves the afflicted by his affliction, warning him in his misery.
 Job	Job	22	36	16	You, too, he would like to snatch from torment. While you were enjoying boundless abundance, with rich food piled high on your table,
 Job	Job	22	36	17	you did not bring the wicked to trial and did not give fair judgement to the orphan.
 Job	Job	22	36	18	Beware of being led astray by abundance, of being corrupted by expensive presents.
 Job	Job	22	36	19	Take the powerful to law, not merely the penniless, those whose arm is strong, not merely the weak.
 Job	Job	22	36	20	Do not crush people you do not know to install your relations in their place.
 Job	Job	22	36	21	Avoid any tendency to wrong-doing, for this is why affliction is testing you now.
 Job	Job	22	36	22	See, God is sublime in his strength and who can teach lessons as he does?
 Job	Job	22	36	23	Who has even told him which course to take, or dared to say to him, 'You have done wrong'?
 Job	Job	22	36	24	Consider, rather, how you may praise his work, a theme that many have sung.
 Job	Job	22	36	25	This is something that everyone can see, gazing, as we do, from afar.
 Job	Job	22	36	26	Yes, the greatness of God exceeds our knowledge, the number of his years is past counting.
 Job	Job	22	36	27	It is he who makes the raindrops small and pulverises the rain into mist.
 Job	Job	22	36	28	And the clouds then pour this out, sending it streaming down on the human race.
 Job	Job	22	36	29	And who can fathom how he spreads the clouds, or why such crashes thunder from his tent?
 Job	Job	22	36	30	He spreads a mist before him and covers the tops of the mountains.
 Job	Job	22	36	31	By these means, he sustains the peoples, giving them plenty to eat.
 Job	Job	22	36	32	He gathers up the lightning in his hands, assigning it the mark where to strike.
 Job	Job	22	36	33	His crashing gives warning of its coming, anger flashes out against iniquity.
 Job	Job	22	37	1	At this, my very heart quakes and leaps out of its place.
 Job	Job	22	37	2	Listen, oh listen, to the blast of his voice and the sound that issues from his mouth.
 Job	Job	22	37	3	His lightning is hurled across the heaven, it strikes to the extremities of earth.
 Job	Job	22	37	4	After it comes a roaring sound, God thunders with majestic voice. He does not check his thunderbolts until his voice resounds no more.
 Job	Job	22	37	5	Yes, certainly God shows us marvels and does great deeds that we cannot understand.
 Job	Job	22	37	6	When he says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth!' to the showers, 'Now rain hard!'
 Job	Job	22	37	7	he brings all human activity to a standstill, for everyone to acknowledge his work.
 Job	Job	22	37	8	The animals go back to their dens and take shelter in their lairs.
 Job	Job	22	37	9	The storm wind comes from the Mansion of the South, and the north winds usher in the cold.
 Job	Job	22	37	10	At the breath of God, ice comes next, the surface of the waters hardens over.
 Job	Job	22	37	11	He weighs the clouds down with moisture, and the storm clouds radiate his lightning.
 Job	Job	22	37	12	He himself guides their wheeling motion presiding over their seasonal changes. They carry out his orders to the letter all over this earthly world.
 Job	Job	22	37	13	Whether to punish earth's peoples or as a work of faithful love, he despatches them.
 Job	Job	22	37	14	Listen to this, Job, without flinching and reflect on the marvellous works of God.
 Job	Job	22	37	15	Do you know how God controls them or how his clouds make the lightning flash?
 Job	Job	22	37	16	Do you know how he balances the clouds -- a miracle of consummate skill?
 Job	Job	22	37	17	When your clothes are hot to your body and the earth lies still under the south wind,
 Job	Job	22	37	18	can you, like him, stretch out the sky, tempered like a mirror of cast metal?
 Job	Job	22	37	19	Teach me what we should say to him: but better discuss no further, since we are in the dark.
 Job	Job	22	37	20	Does he take note when I speak? When human beings give orders, does he take it in?
 Job	Job	22	37	21	There are times when the light vanishes, behind darkening clouds; then comes the wind, sweeping them away.
 Job	Job	22	37	22	and brightness spreads from the north. God is clothed in fearful splendour:
 Job	Job	22	37	23	he, Shaddai, is far beyond our reach. Supreme in power, in equity, excelling in saving justice, yet no oppressor-
 Job	Job	22	37	24	no wonder then that people fear him: everyone thoughtful holds him in awe!
 Job	Job	22	38	1	Then from the heart of the tempest Yahweh gave Job his answer. He said:
 Job	Job	22	38	2	Who is this, obscuring my intentions with his ignorant words?
 Job	Job	22	38	3	Brace yourself like a fighter; I am going to ask the questions, and you are to inform me!
 Job	Job	22	38	4	Where were you when I laid the earth's foundations? Tell me, since you are so well-informed!
 Job	Job	22	38	5	Who decided its dimensions, do you know? Or who stretched the measuring line across it?
 Job	Job	22	38	6	What supports its pillars at their bases? Who laid its cornerstone
 Job	Job	22	38	7	to the joyful concert of the morning stars and unanimous acclaim of the sons of God?
 Job	Job	22	38	8	Who pent up the sea behind closed doors when it leapt tumultuous from the womb,
 Job	Job	22	38	9	when I wrapped it in a robe of mist and made black clouds its swaddling bands;
 Job	Job	22	38	10	when I cut out the place I had decreed for it and imposed gates and a bolt?
 Job	Job	22	38	11	'Come so far,' I said, 'and no further; here your proud waves must break!'
 Job	Job	22	38	12	Have you ever in your life given orders to the morning or sent the dawn to its post,
 Job	Job	22	38	13	to grasp the earth by its edges and shake the wicked out of it?
 Job	Job	22	38	14	She turns it as red as a clay seal, she tints it as though it were a dress,
 Job	Job	22	38	15	stealing the light from evil-doers and breaking the arm raised to strike.
 Job	Job	22	38	16	Have you been right down to the sources of the sea and walked about at the bottom of the Abyss?
 Job	Job	22	38	17	Have you been shown the gates of Death, have you seen the janitors of the Shadow dark as death?
 Job	Job	22	38	18	Have you an inkling of the extent of the earth? Tell me all about it if you have!
 Job	Job	22	38	19	Which is the way to the home of the Light, and where does darkness live? -
 Job	Job	22	38	20	You could then show them the way to their proper places, you could put them on the path home again!
 Job	Job	22	38	21	If you do know, you must have been born when they were, you must be very old by now!
 Job	Job	22	38	22	Have you visited the place where the snow is stored? Have you seen the stores of hail,
 Job	Job	22	38	23	which I keep for times of distress, for days of battle and war?
 Job	Job	22	38	24	From which direction does the lightning fork, where in the world does the east wind blow itself out?
 Job	Job	22	38	25	Who bores a channel for the downpour or clears the way for the rolling thunder
 Job	Job	22	38	26	so that rain may fall on lands where no one lives, and the deserts void of human dwelling,
 Job	Job	22	38	27	to meet the needs of the lonely wastes and make grass sprout on the thirsty ground?
 Job	Job	22	38	28	Has the rain a father? Who begets the dewdrops?
 Job	Job	22	38	29	What womb brings forth the ice, who gives birth to the frost of heaven,
 Job	Job	22	38	30	when the waters grow hard as stone and the surface of the deep congeals?
 Job	Job	22	38	31	Can you fasten the harness of the Pleiades, or untie Orion's bands?
 Job	Job	22	38	32	Can you guide the Crown season by season and show the Bear and its cubs which way to go?
 Job	Job	22	38	33	Have you grasped the celestial laws? Could you make their writ run on the earth?
 Job	Job	22	38	34	Can your voice carry as far as the clouds and make the pent-up waters do your bidding?
 Job	Job	22	38	35	Will lightning flashes come at your command and answer, 'Here we are'?
 Job	Job	22	38	36	Who endowed the ibis with wisdom and gave the cock his intelligence?
 Job	Job	22	38	37	Whose skill details every cloud and tilts the water-skins of heaven
 Job	Job	22	38	38	until the dust solidifies and the cracks in the ground close up?
 Job	Job	22	38	39	Do you go hunting prey for the lioness; do you satisfy the hunger of young lions
 Job	Job	22	38	40	where they crouch in their den, waiting eagerly in the bushes?
 Job	Job	22	38	41	Who makes provision for the raven when his little ones cry out to God craning their necks in search of food?
 Job	Job	22	39	1	Do you know when mountain goats give birth? Have you ever watched deer in labour?
 Job	Job	22	39	2	Have you ever counted the months that they carry their young? Do you know when they give birth?
 Job	Job	22	39	3	They crouch to drop their young, they get rid of their burdens
 Job	Job	22	39	4	and the calves, having grown big and strong, go off into the desert and never come back to them.
 Job	Job	22	39	5	Who has given the wild donkey his freedom, who has undone the harness of the brayer?
 Job	Job	22	39	6	I have given him the wastelands as his home, the salt plain as his habitat.
 Job	Job	22	39	7	He scorns the turmoil of the town, obeys no donkey-man's shouts.
 Job	Job	22	39	8	The mountains are the pastures that he ranges in quest of anything green.
 Job	Job	22	39	9	Is the wild ox willing to serve you or spend a night beside your manger?
 Job	Job	22	39	10	If you tie a rope round his neck will he harrow the furrows for you?
 Job	Job	22	39	11	Can you rely on his massive strength and leave him to do your heavy work?
 Job	Job	22	39	12	Can you depend on him to come home and pile your grain on your threshing-floor?
 Job	Job	22	39	13	Can the wing of the ostrich be compared with the plumage of stork or falcon?
 Job	Job	22	39	14	She leaves her eggs on the ground with only earth to warm them;
 Job	Job	22	39	15	forgetting that a foot may tread on them or a wild animal crush them.
 Job	Job	22	39	16	Cruel to her chicks as if they were not hers, little she cares if her labour goes for nothing.
 Job	Job	22	39	17	God, you see, has deprived her of wisdom and given her no share of intelligence.
 Job	Job	22	39	18	Yet, if she bestirs herself to use her height, she can make fools of horse and rider too.
 Job	Job	22	39	19	Are you the one who makes the horse so brave and covers his neck with flowing mane?
 Job	Job	22	39	20	Do you make him leap like a grasshopper? His haughty neighing inspires terror.
 Job	Job	22	39	21	Exultantly he paws the soil of the valley, and charges the battle-line in all his strength.
 Job	Job	22	39	22	He laughs at fear; he is afraid of nothing, he recoils before no sword.
 Job	Job	22	39	23	On his back the quiver rattles, the flashing spear and javelin.
 Job	Job	22	39	24	Trembling with impatience, he eats up the miles; when the trumpet sounds, there is no holding him.
 Job	Job	22	39	25	At each trumpet blast he neighs exultantly. He scents the battle from afar, the thundering of the commanders and the war cry.
 Job	Job	22	39	26	Is it your wisdom that sets the hawk flying when he spreads his wings to travel south?
 Job	Job	22	39	27	Does the eagle soar at your command to make her eyrie in the heights?
 Job	Job	22	39	28	She spends her nights among the crags with a needle of rock as her fortress,
 Job	Job	22	39	29	from which she watches for prey, fixing it with her far-ranging eye.
 Job	Job	22	39	30	Even her young drink blood; where anyone has been killed, she is there.
 Job	Job	22	40	1	Still speaking to Job, Yahweh said:
 Job	Job	22	40	2	Is Yahweh's opponent going to give way? Has God's critic thought up an answer?
 Job	Job	22	40	3	Job replied to Yahweh:
 Job	Job	22	40	4	My words have been frivolous: what can I reply? I had better lay my hand over my mouth.
 Job	Job	22	40	5	I have spoken once, I shall not speak again; I have spoken twice, I have nothing more to say.
 Job	Job	22	40	6	Yahweh gave Job his answer from the heart of the tempest. He said:
 Job	Job	22	40	7	Brace yourself like a fighter, I am going to ask the questions, and you are to inform me!
 Job	Job	22	40	8	Do you really want to reverse my judgement, put me in the wrong and yourself in the right?
 Job	Job	22	40	9	Has your arm the strength of God's, can your voice thunder as loud?
 Job	Job	22	40	10	Come on, display your majesty and grandeur, robe yourself in splendour and glory.
 Job	Job	22	40	11	Let the fury of your anger burst forth, humble the haughty at a glance!
 Job	Job	22	40	12	At a glance, bring down all the proud, strike down the wicked where they stand.
 Job	Job	22	40	13	Bury the lot of them in the ground, shut them, every one, in the Dungeon.
 Job	Job	22	40	14	And I shall be the first to pay you homage, since your own right hand is strong enough to save you.
 Job	Job	22	40	15	But look at Behemoth, my creature, just as you are! He feeds on greenstuff like the ox,
 Job	Job	22	40	16	but what strength he has in his loins, what power in his stomach muscles!
 Job	Job	22	40	17	His tail is as stiff as a cedar, the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.
 Job	Job	22	40	18	His bones are bronze tubes, his frame like forged iron.
 Job	Job	22	40	19	He is the first of the works of God. His Maker threatened him with the sword,
 Job	Job	22	40	20	forbidding him the mountain regions and all the wild animals that play there.
 Job	Job	22	40	21	Under the lotus he lies, he hides among the reeds in the swamps.
 Job	Job	22	40	22	The leaves of the lotus give him shade, the willows by the stream shelter him.
 Job	Job	22	40	23	If the river overflows, he does not worry: Jordan might come up to his mouth, but he would not care.
 Job	Job	22	40	24	Who is going to catch him by the eyes or put poles through his nose?
 Job	Job	22	40	25	Leviathan, too! Can you catch him with a fish-hook or hold his tongue down with a rope?
 Job	Job	22	40	26	Can you put a cane through his nostrils or pierce his jaw with a hook?
 Job	Job	22	40	27	Will he plead lengthily with you, addressing you in diffident tones?
 Job	Job	22	40	28	Will he strike a bargain with you to become your slave for life?
 Job	Job	22	40	29	Will you make a pet of him, like a bird, keep him on a lead to amuse your little girls?
 Job	Job	22	40	30	Is he to be sold by the fishing guild and then retailed by merchants?
 Job	Job	22	40	31	Riddle his hide with darts? Or his head with fishing spears?
 Job	Job	22	40	32	You have only to lay a finger on him never to forget the struggle or risk it again!
 Job	Job	22	41	1	Any hope you might have would be futile, the mere sight of him would overwhelm you.
 Job	Job	22	41	2	When roused, he grows ferocious, who could ever stand up to him?
 Job	Job	22	41	3	Who has ever attacked him with impunity? No one beneath all heaven!
 Job	Job	22	41	4	Next I will talk of his limbs and describe his matchless strength-
 Job	Job	22	41	5	who can undo the front of his tunic or pierce the double armour of his breastplate?
 Job	Job	22	41	6	Who dare open the gates of his mouth? Terror reigns round his teeth!
 Job	Job	22	41	7	His back is like rows of shields, sealed with a stone seal,
 Job	Job	22	41	8	touching each other so close that no breath could pass between,
 Job	Job	22	41	9	sticking to one another making an impervious whole.
 Job	Job	22	41	10	His sneezes radiate light, his eyes are like the eyelashes of the dawn.
 Job	Job	22	41	11	From his mouth come fiery torches, sparks of fire fly out of it.
 Job	Job	22	41	12	His nostrils belch smoke like a cauldron boiling on the fire.
 Job	Job	22	41	13	His breath could kindle coals, flame issues from his mouth.
 Job	Job	22	41	14	His strength resides in his neck, violence leaps before him as he goes.
 Job	Job	22	41	15	The strips of his flesh are jointed together, firmly set in and immovable.
 Job	Job	22	41	16	His heart is as hard as rock unyielding as the lower millstone.
 Job	Job	22	41	17	When he stands up, the waves take fright and the billows of the sea retreat.
 Job	Job	22	41	18	Sword may strike but will not stick in him, no more will spear, javelin or lance.
 Job	Job	22	41	19	Iron means no more to him than straw, nor bronze than rotten wood.
 Job	Job	22	41	20	No arrow can make him flee, a sling-stone tickles him like hay.
 Job	Job	22	41	21	Club seems to him like straw, he laughs at the whirring javelin.
 Job	Job	22	41	22	He has sharp potsherds underneath, and moves across the slime like a harrow.
 Job	Job	22	41	23	He makes the depths seethe like a cauldron, he makes the sea fume like a scent burner.
 Job	Job	22	41	24	Behind him he leaves a glittering wake -- a white fleece seems to float on the deeps.
 Job	Job	22	41	25	He has no equal on earth, being created without fear.
 Job	Job	22	41	26	He looks the haughtiest in the eye; of all the lordly beasts he is king.
 Job	Job	22	42	1	This was the answer Job gave to Yahweh:
 Job	Job	22	42	2	I know that you are all-powerful: what you conceive, you can perform.
 Job	Job	22	42	3	I was the man who misrepresented your intentions with my ignorant words. You have told me about great works that I cannot understand, about marvels which are beyond me, of which I know nothing.
 Job	Job	22	42	4	(Listen, please, and let me speak: I am going to ask the questions, and you are to inform me.)
 Job	Job	22	42	5	Before, I knew you only by hearsay but now, having seen you with my own eyes,
 Job	Job	22	42	6	I retract what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes.
 Job	Job	22	42	7	When Yahweh had finished saying this to Job, he said to Eliphaz of Teman, 'I burn with anger against you and your two friends, for not having spoken correctly about me as my servant Job has done.
 Job	Job	22	42	8	So now find seven bullocks and seven rams, and take them back with you to my servant Job and make a burnt offering for yourselves, while Job, my servant, offers prayers for you. I shall show him favour and shall not inflict my displeasure on you for not having spoken about me correctly, as my servant Job had done.'
 Job	Job	22	42	9	Eliphaz of Teman, Bildad of Shuah and Zophar of Naamath went away to do as Yahweh had ordered, and Yahweh listened to Job with favour.
 Job	Job	22	42	10	And Yahweh restored Job's condition, while Job was interceding for his friends. More than that, Yahweh gave him double what he had before.
 Job	Job	22	42	11	And all his brothers and all his sisters and all his friends of former times came to see him. Over dinner in his house, they showed their sympathy and comforted him for all the evils Yahweh had inflicted on him. Each of them gave him a silver coin, and each a gold ring.
 Job	Job	22	42	12	Yahweh blessed Job's latter condition even more than his former one. He came to own fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand she-donkeys.
 Job	Job	22	42	13	He had seven sons and three daughters;
 Job	Job	22	42	14	his first daughter he called 'Turtledove', the second 'Cassia' and the third 'Mascara'.
 Job	Job	22	42	15	Throughout the land there were no women as beautiful as the daughters of Job. And their father gave them inheritance rights like their brothers.
 Job	Job	22	42	16	After this, Job lived for another one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and his children's children to the fourth generation.
 Job	Job	22	42	17	Then, old and full of days, Job died.
 Psalms	Ps	23	1	1	How blessed is anyone who rejects the advice of the wicked and does not take a stand in the path that sinners tread, nor a seat in company with cynics,
 Psalms	Ps	23	1	2	but who delights in the law of Yahweh and murmurs his law day and night.
 Psalms	Ps	23	1	3	Such a one is like a tree planted near streams; it bears fruit in season and its leaves never wither, and every project succeeds.
 Psalms	Ps	23	1	4	How different the wicked, how different! Just like chaff blown around by the wind
 Psalms	Ps	23	1	5	the wicked will not stand firm at the Judgement nor sinners in the gathering of the upright.
 Psalms	Ps	23	1	6	For Yahweh watches over the path of the upright, but the path of the wicked is doomed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	2	1	Why this uproar among the nations, this impotent muttering of the peoples?
 Psalms	Ps	23	2	2	Kings of the earth take up position, princes plot together against Yahweh and his anointed,
 Psalms	Ps	23	2	3	'Now let us break their fetters! Now let us throw off their bonds!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	2	4	He who is enthroned in the heavens laughs, Yahweh makes a mockery of them,
 Psalms	Ps	23	2	5	then in his anger rebukes them, in his rage he strikes them with terror.
 Psalms	Ps	23	2	6	'I myself have anointed my king on Zion my holy mountain.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	2	7	I will proclaim the decree of Yahweh: He said to me, 'You are my son, today have I fathered you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	2	8	Ask of me, and I shall give you the nations as your birthright, the whole wide world as your possession.
 Psalms	Ps	23	2	9	With an iron sceptre you will break them, shatter them like so many pots.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	2	10	So now, you kings, come to your senses, you earthly rulers, learn your lesson!
 Psalms	Ps	23	2	11	In fear be submissive to Yahweh;
 Psalms	Ps	23	2	12	with trembling kiss his feet, lest he be angry and your way come to nothing, for his fury flares up in a moment. How blessed are all who take refuge in him!
 Psalms	Ps	23	3	1	[Psalm Of David When he was fleeing from his son Absalom] Yahweh, how countless are my enemies, how countless those who rise up against me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	3	2	how countless those who say of me, 'No salvation for him from his God!
 Psalms	Ps	23	3	3	But you, Yahweh, the shield at my side, my glory, you hold my head high.
 Psalms	Ps	23	3	4	I cry out to Yahweh; he answers from his holy mountain.
 Psalms	Ps	23	3	5	As for me, if I lie down and sleep, I shall awake, for Yahweh sustains me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	3	6	I have no fear of people in their thousands upon thousands, who range themselves against me wherever I turn.
 Psalms	Ps	23	3	7	Arise, Yahweh, rescue me, my God! You strike all my foes across the face, you break the teeth of the wicked.
 Psalms	Ps	23	3	8	In Yahweh is salvation, on your people, your blessing!
 Psalms	Ps	23	4	1	[For the choirmaster For strings Psalm Of David] When I call, answer me, God, upholder of my right. In my distress you have set me at large; take pity on me and hear my prayer!
 Psalms	Ps	23	4	2	Children of men, how long will you be heavy of heart, why love what is vain and chase after illusions?
 Psalms	Ps	23	4	3	Realise that Yahweh performs wonders for his faithful, Yahweh listens when I call to him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	4	4	Be careful not to sin, speak in your hearts, and on your beds keep silence.
 Psalms	Ps	23	4	5	Loyally offer sacrifices, and trust in Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	4	6	Many keep saying, 'Who will put happiness before our eyes?' Let the light of your face shine on us. Yahweh,
 Psalms	Ps	23	4	7	to my heart you are a richer joy than all their corn and new wine.
 Psalms	Ps	23	4	8	In peace I lie down and at once fall asleep, for it is you and none other, Yahweh, who make me rest secure.
 Psalms	Ps	23	5	1	[For the choirmaster For flutes Psalm Of David] Give ear to my words, Yahweh, spare a thought for my sighing.
 Psalms	Ps	23	5	2	Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God! To you I pray,
 Psalms	Ps	23	5	3	Yahweh. At daybreak you hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my case before you and fix my eyes on you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	5	4	You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil, no sinner can be your guest.
 Psalms	Ps	23	5	5	Boasters cannot stand their ground under your gaze. You hate evil-doers,
 Psalms	Ps	23	5	6	liars you destroy; the violent and deceitful Yahweh detests.
 Psalms	Ps	23	5	7	But, so great is your faithful love, I may come into your house, and before your holy temple bow down in reverence of you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	5	8	In your saving justice, Yahweh, lead me, because of those who lie in wait for me; make your way plain before me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	5	9	Not a word from their lips can be trusted, through and through they are destruction, their throats are wide -- open graves, their tongues seductive.
 Psalms	Ps	23	5	10	Lay the guilt on them, God, make their intrigues their own downfall; for their countless offences, thrust them from you, since they have rebelled against you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	5	11	But joy for all who take refuge in you, endless songs of gladness! You shelter them, they rejoice in you, those who love your name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	5	12	It is you who bless the upright, Yahweh, you surround them with favour as with a shield.
 Psalms	Ps	23	6	1	[For the choirmaster For strings For the octachord Psalm Of David] Yahweh, let your rebuke to me not be in anger, your punishment not in the heat of wrath.
 Psalms	Ps	23	6	2	Have pity on me, Yahweh, for I am fading away. Heal me, Yahweh, my bones are shaken,
 Psalms	Ps	23	6	3	my spirit is shaken to its very depths. But you, Yahweh . . . how long?
 Psalms	Ps	23	6	4	Yahweh, relent and save my life rescue me because of your faithful love,
 Psalms	Ps	23	6	5	for in death there is no remembrance of you; who could sing your praises in Sheol?
 Psalms	Ps	23	6	6	I am worn out with groaning, every night I drench my pillow and soak my bed with tears.
 Psalms	Ps	23	6	7	My eyes waste away with vexation. Arrogance from all my foes!
 Psalms	Ps	23	6	8	Away from me, all evil-doers! For Yahweh has heard the sound of my weeping,
 Psalms	Ps	23	6	9	Yahweh has heard my pleading. Yahweh will accept my prayer.
 Psalms	Ps	23	6	10	Let all my enemies be put to confusion, shaken to their depths, let them retreat in sudden confusion.
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	1	[Lament Of David Which he sang to Yahweh about Cush the Benjaminite] Yahweh my God, I take refuge in you, save me from all my pursuers and rescue me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	2	or he will savage me like a lion, carry me off with no one to rescue me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	3	Yahweh my God, if I have done this: if injustice has stained my hands,
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	4	if I have repaid my ally with treachery or spared one who attacked me unprovoked,
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	5	may an enemy hunt me down and catch me, may he trample my life into the ground and crush my vital parts into the dust.
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	6	Arise, Yahweh, in your anger, rise up against the arrogance of my foes. Awake, my God, you demand judgement.
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	7	Let the assembly of nations gather round you; return above it on high!
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	8	(Yahweh judges the nations.) Judge me, Yahweh, as my uprightness and my integrity deserve.
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	9	Put an end to the malice of the wicked, make the upright stand firm, you who discern hearts and minds, God the upright.
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	10	God is a shield that protects me, saving the honest of heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	11	God is an upright judge, slow to anger, but a God at all times threatening
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	12	for those who will not repent. Let the enemy whet his sword, draw his bow and make ready;
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	13	but he is making ready instruments of death for himself and tipping his arrows with fire;
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	14	look at him: pregnant with malice, conceiving spite, he gives birth to treachery.
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	15	He digs a trap, scoops it out, but he falls into the snare he made himself.
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	16	His spite recoils on his own head, his brutality falls back on his own skull.
 Psalms	Ps	23	7	17	I thank Yahweh for his saving justice. I sing to the name of the Most High.
 Psalms	Ps	23	8	1	[For the choirmaster On the . . . of Gath Psalm Of David] Yahweh our Lord, how majestic is your name throughout the world! Whoever keeps singing of your majesty higher than the heavens,
 Psalms	Ps	23	8	2	even through the mouths of children, or of babes in arms, you make him a fortress, firm against your foes, to subdue the enemy and the rebel.
 Psalms	Ps	23	8	3	I look up at your heavens, shaped by your fingers, at the moon and the stars you set firm-
 Psalms	Ps	23	8	4	what are human beings that you spare a thought for them, or the child of Adam that you care for him?
 Psalms	Ps	23	8	5	Yet you have made him little less than a god, you have crowned him with glory and beauty,
 Psalms	Ps	23	8	6	made him lord of the works of your hands, put all things under his feet,
 Psalms	Ps	23	8	7	sheep and cattle, all of them, and even the wild beasts,
 Psalms	Ps	23	8	8	birds in the sky, fish in the sea, when he makes his way across the ocean.
 Psalms	Ps	23	8	9	Yahweh our Lord, how majestic your name throughout the world!
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	1	[For the choirmaster On oboe and harp Psalm Of David] I thank you, Yahweh, with my whole heart, I recount all your wonders,
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	2	I rejoice and delight in you, I sing to your name, Most High.
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	3	My enemies are in retreat, they stumble and perish at your presence,
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	4	for you have given fair judgement in my favour, seated on your throne as upright judge.
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	5	You have rebuked the nations, destroyed the wicked, blotted out their name for ever and ever;
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	6	the enemy is wiped out -- mere ruins for ever -- you have annihilated their cities, their memory has perished. See,
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	7	Yahweh is enthroned for ever, keeping his throne firm for judgement;
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	8	he will himself judge the world in uprightness, will give a true verdict on the nations.
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	9	May Yahweh be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble!
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	10	Those who revere your name can rely on you, you never desert those who seek you, Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	11	Sing to Yahweh who dwells in Zion, tell the nations his mighty deeds,
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	12	for the avenger of blood does not forget them, he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	13	Have pity on me, Yahweh, see my affliction, pull me back from the gates of death,
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	14	that I may recount all your praises at the gates of the daughter of Zion and rejoice in your salvation.
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	15	The nations have fallen into the trap they made, their feet caught in the snare they laid.
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	16	Yahweh has made himself known, given judgement, he has ensnared the wicked in the work of their own hands.Muted music
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	17	May the wicked turn away to Sheol, all the nations forgetful of God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	18	For the needy is not forgotten for ever, not for ever does the hope of the poor come to nothing.
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	19	Arise, Yahweh; human strength shall not prevail. The nations shall stand trial before you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	9	20	Strike them with terror, Yahweh; the nations shall know that they are no more than human!
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	1	Why, Yahweh, do you keep so distant, stay hidden in times of trouble?
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	2	In his pride the wicked hunts down the weak, who is caught in the schemes he devises.
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	3	The wicked is proud of his inmost desires, by his blasphemies the grasping spurns Yahweh,
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	4	the wicked in his arrogance does not look very far; 'There is no God,' is his only thought.
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	5	In all circumstances his step is assured; your judgements are above his head. His rivals? He scoffs at them all.
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	6	He says in his heart, 'I shall never be shaken,' free of trouble himself,
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	7	he wishes it on others. His speech is full of lies and browbeating, under his tongue lurk spite and wickedness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	8	In the undergrowth he lies in ambush, in his hiding-place he murders the innocent. He watches intently for the downtrodden,
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	9	lurking unseen like a lion in his lair, lurking to pounce on the poor; he pounces on him and drags him off in his net.
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	10	He keeps watch, crouching down low, the poor wretch falls into his clutches;
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	11	he says in his heart, 'God forgets, he has turned away his face to avoid seeing the end.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	12	Rise, Yahweh! God, raise your hand, do not forget the afflicted!
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	13	Why should the wicked spurn God, assuring himself you will never follow it up?
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	14	You have seen for yourself the trouble and vexation, you watch so as to take it in hand. The oppressed relies on you; you are the only recourse of the orphan.
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	15	Break the arm of the wicked and evil, seek out wickedness till there is none left to be found.
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	16	Yahweh is king for ever and ever, the heathen has vanished from his country.
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	17	Yahweh, you listen to the laments of the poor, you give them courage, you grant them a hearing,
 Psalms	Ps	23	10	18	to give judgement for the orphaned and exploited, so that earthborn humans may strike terror no more.
 Psalms	Ps	23	11	1	[For the choirmaster Of David] In Yahweh I have found refuge. How can you say to me, 'Bird, flee to your mountain?
 Psalms	Ps	23	11	2	'For look, the wicked are drawing their bows, fitting their arrows to the string to shoot honest men from the shadows.
 Psalms	Ps	23	11	3	If the foundations fall to ruin, what can the upright do?'
 Psalms	Ps	23	11	4	Yahweh in his holy temple! Yahweh, his throne is in heaven; his eyes watch over the world, his gaze scrutinises the children of Adam.
 Psalms	Ps	23	11	5	Yahweh examines the upright and the wicked, the lover of violence he detests.
 Psalms	Ps	23	11	6	He will rain down red-hot coals, fire and sulphur on the wicked, a scorching wind will be their lot.
 Psalms	Ps	23	11	7	For Yahweh is upright and loves uprightness, the honest will ever see his face.
 Psalms	Ps	23	12	1	[For the choirmaster On the octachord Psalm Of David] Help, Yahweh! No one loyal is left, the faithful have vanished from among the children of Adam.
 Psalms	Ps	23	12	2	Friend tells lies to friend, and, smooth-tongued, speaks from an insincere heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	12	3	May Yahweh cut away every smooth lip, every boastful tongue,
 Psalms	Ps	23	12	4	those who say, 'In our tongue lies our strength, our lips are our allies; who can master us?'
 Psalms	Ps	23	12	5	'For the poor who are plundered, the needy who groan, now will I act,' says Yahweh, 'I will grant salvation to those who sigh for it.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	12	6	Yahweh's promises are promises unalloyed, natural silver which comes from the earth seven times refined.
 Psalms	Ps	23	12	7	You, Yahweh, will watch over them, you will protect them from that brood for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	12	8	The wicked will scatter in every direction, as the height of depravity among the children of Adam.
 Psalms	Ps	23	13	1	[For the choirmaster Psalm Of David] How long, Yahweh, will you forget me? For ever? How long will you turn away your face from me?
 Psalms	Ps	23	13	2	How long must I nurse rebellion in my soul, sorrow in my heart day and night? How long is the enemy to domineer over me?
 Psalms	Ps	23	13	3	Look down, answer me, Yahweh my God! Give light to my eyes or I shall fall into the sleep of death.
 Psalms	Ps	23	13	4	Or my foe will boast, 'I have overpowered him,' and my enemy have the joy of seeing me stumble.
 Psalms	Ps	23	13	5	As for me, I trust in your faithful love, Yahweh. Let my heart delight in your saving help, let me sing to Yahweh for his generosity to me, let me sing to the name of Yahweh the Most High!
 Psalms	Ps	23	13	6	But I trust in your mercy, Grant my heart joy in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has dealt bountifully with me!
 Psalms	Ps	23	14	1	[For the choirmaster Of David] The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' Their deeds are corrupt and vile, not one of them does right.
 Psalms	Ps	23	14	2	Yahweh looks down from heaven at the children of Adam. To see if a single one is wise, a single one seeks God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	14	3	All have turned away, all alike turned sour, not one of them does right, not a single one.
 Psalms	Ps	23	14	4	Are they not aware, all these evil-doers? They are devouring my people, this is the bread they eat, and they never call to Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	14	5	They will be gripped with fear, where there is no need for fear, for God takes the side of the upright;
 Psalms	Ps	23	14	6	you may mock the plans of the poor, but Yahweh is their refuge.
 Psalms	Ps	23	14	7	Who will bring from Zion salvation for Israel? When Yahweh brings his people home, what joy for Jacob, what happiness for Israel!
 Psalms	Ps	23	15	1	[Psalm Of David] Yahweh, who can find a home in your tent, who can dwell on your holy mountain?
 Psalms	Ps	23	15	2	Whoever lives blamelessly, who acts uprightly, who speaks the truth from the heart,
 Psalms	Ps	23	15	3	who keeps the tongue under control, who does not wrong a comrade, who casts no discredit on a neighbour,
 Psalms	Ps	23	15	4	who looks with scorn on the vile, but honours those who fear Yahweh, who stands by an oath at any cost,
 Psalms	Ps	23	15	5	who asks no interest on loans, who takes no bribe to harm the innocent. No one who so acts can ever be shaken.
 Psalms	Ps	23	16	1	[In a quiet voice Of David] Protect me, O God, in you is my refuge.
 Psalms	Ps	23	16	2	To Yahweh I say, 'You are my Lord, my happiness is in none
 Psalms	Ps	23	16	3	of the sacred spirits of the earth.' They only take advantage of all who love them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	16	4	People flock to their teeming idols. Never shall I pour libations to them! Never take their names on my lips.
 Psalms	Ps	23	16	5	My birthright, my cup is Yahweh; you, you alone, hold my lot secure.
 Psalms	Ps	23	16	6	The measuring-line marks out for me a delightful place, my birthright is all I could wish.
 Psalms	Ps	23	16	7	I bless Yahweh who is my counsellor, even at night my heart instructs me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	16	8	I keep Yahweh before me always, for with him at my right hand, nothing can shake me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	16	9	So my heart rejoices, my soul delights, my body too will rest secure,
 Psalms	Ps	23	16	10	for you will not abandon me to Sheol, you cannot allow your faithful servant to see the abyss.
 Psalms	Ps	23	16	11	You will teach me the path of life, unbounded joy in your presence, at your right hand delight for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	1	[Prayer Of David] Listen, Yahweh, to an upright cause, pay attention to my cry, lend an ear to my prayer, my lips free from deceit.
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	2	From your presence will issue my vindication, your eyes fixed on what is right.
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	3	You probe my heart, examine me at night, you test me by fire and find no evil. I have not sinned with my mouth
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	4	as most people do. I have treasured the word from your lips,
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	5	my steps never stray from the paths you lay down, from your tracks; so my feet never stumble.
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	6	I call upon you, God, for you answer me; turn your ear to me, hear what I say.
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	7	Show the evidence of your faithful love, saviour of those who hope in your strength against attack.
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	8	Guard me as the pupil of an eye, shelter me in the shadow of your wings
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	9	from the presence of the wicked who would maltreat me; deadly enemies are closing in on me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	10	Engrossed in themselves they are mouthing arrogant words.
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	11	They are advancing against me, now they are closing in, watching for the chance to hurl me to the ground,
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	12	like a lion preparing to pounce, like a young lion crouching in ambush.
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	13	Arise, Yahweh, confront him and bring him down, with your sword save my life from the wicked,
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	14	Yahweh, from mortals, by your hand, from mortals whose part in life is in this world. You fill their bellies from your store, their children will have all they desire, and leave their surplus to their children.
 Psalms	Ps	23	17	15	But I in my uprightness will see your face, and when I awake I shall be filled with the vision of you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	1	[For the choirmaster Of David, the servant of Yahweh, who addressed the words of this song to Yahweh when Yahweh had delivered him from all his enemies and from the clutches of Saul. He said:] I love you, Yahweh, my strength (my Saviour, you have saved me from violence).
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	2	Yahweh is my rock and my fortress, my deliverer is my God. I take refuge in him, my rock, my shield, my saving strength, my stronghold, my place of refuge.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	3	I call to Yahweh who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my foes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	4	With Death's breakers closing in on me, Belial's torrents ready to swallow me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	5	Sheol's snares every side of me, Death's traps lying ahead of me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	6	I called to Yahweh in my anguish, I cried for help to my God; from his Temple he heard my voice, my cry came to his ears.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	7	Then the earth quaked and rocked, the mountains' foundations shuddered, they quaked at his blazing anger.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	8	Smoke rose from his nostrils, from his mouth devouring fire (coals were kindled at it).
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	9	He parted the heavens and came down, a storm-cloud underneath his feet;
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	10	riding one of the winged creatures, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	11	His covering he made the darkness, his pavilion dark waters and dense cloud.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	12	A brightness lit up before him, hail and blazing fire.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	13	Yahweh thundered from the heavens, the Most High made his voice heard.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	14	He shot his arrows and scattered them, he hurled his lightning and routed them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	15	The very springs of ocean were exposed, the world's foundations were laid bare, at your roaring, Yahweh, at the blast of breath from your nostrils!
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	16	He reached down from on high, snatched me up, pulled me from the watery depths,
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	17	rescued me from my mighty foe, from my enemies who were stronger than I.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	18	They assailed me on my day of disaster but Yahweh was there to support me;
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	19	he freed me, set me at large, he rescued me because he loves me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	20	Yahweh rewards me for my uprightness, as my hands are pure, so he repays me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	21	since I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and not fallen away from my God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	22	His judgements are all before me, his statutes I have not put away from me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	23	I am blameless before him, I keep myself clear of evil.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	24	So Yahweh repaid me for acting uprightly because he could see I was pure.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	25	You are faithful to the faithful, blameless with the blameless,
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	26	sincere to the sincere, but cunning to the crafty,
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	27	you save a people that is humble and humiliate those with haughty looks.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	28	Yahweh, you yourself are my lamp, my God lights up my darkness;
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	29	with you I storm the rampart, with my God I can scale any wall.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	30	This God, his way is blameless; the word of Yahweh is refined in the furnace, for he alone is the shield of all who take refuge in him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	31	For who is God but Yahweh, who is a rock but our God?
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	32	This God who girds me with strength, who makes my way free from blame,
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	33	who makes me as swift as a deer and sets me firmly on the heights,
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	34	who trains my hands for battle, my arms to bend a bow of bronze.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	35	You give me your invincible shield (your right hand upholds me) you never cease to listen to me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	36	you give me the strides of a giant, give me ankles that never weaken.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	37	I pursue my enemies and overtake them, not turning back till they are annihilated;
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	38	I strike them down and they cannot rise, they fall, they are under my feet.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	39	You have girded me with strength for the fight, bent down my assailants beneath me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	40	made my enemies retreat before me; and those who hate me I destroy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	41	They cry out, there is no one to save; to Yahweh, but no answer comes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	42	I crumble them like dust before the wind, trample them like the mud of the streets.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	43	You free me from the quarrels of my people, you place me at the head of the nations, a people I did not know are now my servants;
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	44	foreigners come wooing my favour, no sooner do they hear than they obey me;
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	45	foreigners grow faint of heart, they come trembling out of their fastnesses.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	46	Life to Yahweh! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be the God of my salvation,
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	47	the God who gives me vengeance, and subjects whole peoples to me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	48	who rescues me from my raging enemies. You lift me high above those who attack me, you deliver me from the man of violence.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	49	For this I will praise you, Yahweh, among the nations, and sing praise to your name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	18	50	He saves his king time after time, displays his faithful love for his anointed, for David and his heirs for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	1	[For the choirmaster Psalm Of David] The heavens declare the glory of God, the vault of heaven proclaims his handiwork,
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	2	day discourses of it to day, night to night hands on the knowledge.
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	3	No utterance at all, no speech, not a sound to be heard,
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	4	but from the entire earth the design stands out, this message reaches the whole world. High above, he pitched a tent for the sun,
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	5	who comes forth from his pavilion like a bridegroom, delights like a champion in the course to be run.
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	6	Rising on the one horizon he runs his circuit to the other, and nothing can escape his heat.
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	7	The Law of Yahweh is perfect, refreshment to the soul; the decree of Yahweh is trustworthy, wisdom for the simple.
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	8	The precepts of Yahweh are honest, joy for the heart; the commandment of Yahweh is pure, light for the eyes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	9	The fear of Yahweh is pure, lasting for ever; the judgements of Yahweh are true, upright, every one,
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	10	more desirable than gold, even than the finest gold; his words are sweeter than honey, that drips from the comb.
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	11	Thus your servant is formed by them; observing them brings great reward.
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	12	But who can detect his own failings? Wash away my hidden faults.
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	13	And from pride preserve your servant, never let it be my master. So shall I be above reproach, free from grave sin.
 Psalms	Ps	23	19	14	May the words of my mouth always find favour, and the whispering of my heart, in your presence, Yahweh, my rock, my redeemer.
 Psalms	Ps	23	20	1	[For the choirmaster Psalm Of David] May Yahweh answer you in time of trouble, may the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
 Psalms	Ps	23	20	2	May he send you help from the sanctuary, give you support from Zion!
 Psalms	Ps	23	20	3	May he remember all your sacrifices and delight in your burnt offerings!
 Psalms	Ps	23	20	4	May he grant you your heart's desire and crown all your plans with success!
 Psalms	Ps	23	20	5	So that with joy we can hail your victory and draw up our ranks in the name of our God. May Yahweh grant all your petitions.
 Psalms	Ps	23	20	6	Now I know that Yahweh gives victory to his anointed. He will respond from his holy heavens with great deeds of victory from his right hand.
 Psalms	Ps	23	20	7	Some call on chariots, some on horses, but we on the name of Yahweh our God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	20	8	They will crumple and fall, while we stand upright and firm.
 Psalms	Ps	23	20	9	Yahweh, save the king, answer us when we call.
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	1	[For the choirmaster Psalm Of David] Yahweh, the king rejoices in your power; How your saving help fills him with joy!
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	2	You have granted him his heart's desire, not denied him the prayer of his lips.
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	3	For you come to meet him with blessings of prosperity, put a crown of pure gold on his head.
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	4	He has asked for life, you have given it him, length of days for ever and ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	5	Great his glory through your saving help; you invest him with splendour and majesty.
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	6	You confer on him everlasting blessings, you gladden him with the joy of your presence.
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	7	For the king puts his trust in Yahweh; the faithful love of the Most High will keep him from falling.
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	8	Your hand will reach all your enemies, your right hand all who hate you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	9	You will hurl them into a blazing furnace on the day when you appear; Yahweh will engulf them in his anger, and fire will devour them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	10	You will purge the earth of their descendants, the human race of their posterity.
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	11	They have devised evil against you but, plot as they may, they will not succeed,
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	12	since you will make them turn tail, by shooting your arrows in their faces.
 Psalms	Ps	23	21	13	Rise, Yahweh, in your power! We will sing and make music in honour of your strength.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	1	[For the choirmaster To 'the Doe of the Dawn' Psalm Of David] My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? The words of my groaning do nothing to save me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	2	My God, I call by day but you do not answer, at night, but I find no respite.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	3	Yet you, the Holy One, who make your home in the praises of Israel,
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	4	in you our ancestors put their trust, they trusted and you set them free.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	5	To you they called for help and were delivered; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	6	But I am a worm, less than human, scorn of mankind, contempt of the people;
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	7	all who see me jeer at me, they sneer and wag their heads,
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	8	'He trusted himself to Yahweh, let Yahweh set him free! Let him deliver him, as he took such delight in him.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	9	It was you who drew me from the womb and soothed me on my mother's breast.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	10	On you was I cast from my birth, from the womb I have belonged to you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	11	Do not hold aloof, for trouble is upon me, and no one to help me!
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	12	Many bulls are encircling me, wild bulls of Bashan closing in on me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	13	Lions ravening and roaring open their jaws at me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	14	My strength is trickling away, my bones are all disjointed, my heart has turned to wax, melting inside me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	15	My mouth is dry as earthenware, my tongue sticks to my jaw. You lay me down in the dust of death.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	16	A pack of dogs surrounds me, a gang of villains closing in on me as if to hack off my hands and my feet.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	17	I can count every one of my bones, while they look on and gloat;
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	18	they divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	19	Yahweh, do not hold aloof! My strength, come quickly to my help,
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	20	rescue my soul from the sword, the one life I have from the grasp of the dog!
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	21	Save me from the lion's mouth, my poor life from the wild bulls' horns!
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	22	I shall proclaim your name to my brothers, praise you in full assembly:
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	23	'You who fear Yahweh, praise him! All the race of Jacob, honour him! Revere him, all the race of Israel!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	24	For he has not despised nor disregarded the poverty of the poor, has not turned away his face, but has listened to the cry for help.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	25	Of you is my praise in the thronged assembly, I will perform my vows before all who fear him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	26	The poor will eat and be filled, those who seek Yahweh will praise him, 'May your heart live for ever.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	27	The whole wide world will remember and return to Yahweh, all the families of nations bow down before him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	28	For to Yahweh, ruler of the nations, belongs kingly power!
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	29	All who prosper on earth will bow before him, all who go down to the dust will do reverence before him. And those who are dead,
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	30	their descendants will serve him, will proclaim his name to generations
 Psalms	Ps	23	22	31	still to come; and these will tell of his saving justice to a people yet unborn: he has fulfilled it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	23	1	[Psalm Of David] Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 Psalms	Ps	23	23	2	In grassy meadows he lets me lie. By tranquil streams he leads me
 Psalms	Ps	23	23	3	to restore my spirit. He guides me in paths of saving justice as befits his name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	23	4	Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death I should fear no danger, for you are at my side. Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	23	5	You prepare a table for me under the eyes of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup brims over.
 Psalms	Ps	23	23	6	Kindness and faithful love pursue me every day of my life. I make my home in the house of Yahweh for all time to come.
 Psalms	Ps	23	24	1	[Psalm Of David] To Yahweh belong the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live there;
 Psalms	Ps	23	24	2	it is he who laid its foundations on the seas, on the flowing waters fixed it firm.
 Psalms	Ps	23	24	3	Who shall go up to the mountain of Yahweh? Who shall take a stand in his holy place?
 Psalms	Ps	23	24	4	The clean of hands and pure of heart, whose heart is not set on vanities, who does not swear an oath in order to deceive.
 Psalms	Ps	23	24	5	Such a one will receive blessing from Yahweh, saving justice from the God of his salvation.
 Psalms	Ps	23	24	6	Such is the people that seeks him, that seeks your presence, God of Jacob.
 Psalms	Ps	23	24	7	Gates, lift high your heads, raise high the ancient gateways, and the king of glory shall enter!
 Psalms	Ps	23	24	8	Who is he, this king of glory? It is Yahweh, strong and valiant, Yahweh valiant in battle.
 Psalms	Ps	23	24	9	Gates, lift high your heads, raise high the ancient gateways, and the king of glory shall enter!
 Psalms	Ps	23	24	10	Who is he, this king of glory? Yahweh Sabaoth, he is the king of glory.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	1	[Of David] ADORATION I offer, Yahweh,
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	2	to you, my God. BUT in my trust in you do not put me to shame, let not my enemies gloat over me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	3	CALLING to you, none shall ever be put to shame, but shame is theirs who groundlessly break faith.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	4	DIRECT me in your ways, Yahweh, and teach me your paths.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	5	ENCOURAGE me to walk in your truth and teach me since you are the God who saves me. FOR my hope is in you all day long -- such is your generosity, Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	6	GOODNESS and faithful love have been yours for ever, Yahweh, do not forget them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	7	HOLD not my youthful sins against me, but remember me as your faithful love dictates.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	8	INTEGRITY and generosity are marks of Yahweh for he brings sinners back to the path.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	9	JUDICIOUSLY he guides the humble, instructing the poor in his way.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	10	KINDNESS unfailing and constancy mark all Yahweh's paths, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	11	LET my sin, great though it is, be forgiven, Yahweh, for the sake of your name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	12	MEN who respect Yahweh, what of them? He teaches them the way they must choose.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	13	NEIGHBOURS to happiness will they live, and their children inherit the land.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	14	ONLY those who fear Yahweh have his secret and his covenant, for their understanding.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	15	PERMANENTLY my eyes are on Yahweh, for he will free my feet from the snare.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	16	QUICK, turn to me, pity me, alone and wretched as I am!
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	17	RELIEVE the distress of my heart, bring me out of my constraint.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	18	SPARE a glance for my misery and pain, take all my sins away.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	19	TAKE note how countless are my enemies, how violent their hatred for me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	20	UNLESS you guard me and rescue me I shall be put to shame, for you are my refuge.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	21	VIRTUE and integrity be my protection, for my hope, Yahweh, is in you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	25	22	Ransom Israel, O God, from all its troubles.
 Psalms	Ps	23	26	1	[Of David] Yahweh, be my judge! I go on my way in innocence, my trust in Yahweh never wavers.
 Psalms	Ps	23	26	2	Probe me, Yahweh, examine me, Test my heart and my mind in the fire.
 Psalms	Ps	23	26	3	For your faithful love is before my eyes, and I live my life by your truth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	26	4	No sitting with wastrels for me, no travelling with hypocrites;
 Psalms	Ps	23	26	5	I hate the company of sinners, I refuse to sit down with the wicked.
 Psalms	Ps	23	26	6	I will wash my hands in innocence and join the procession round your altar, Yahweh,
 Psalms	Ps	23	26	7	to make heard the sound of thanksgiving, to proclaim all your wonders.
 Psalms	Ps	23	26	8	Yahweh, I love the beauty of your house and the place where your glory dwells.
 Psalms	Ps	23	26	9	Do not couple me with sinners, nor my life with men of violence,
 Psalms	Ps	23	26	10	whose hands are stained with guilt, their right hands heavy with bribes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	26	11	In innocence I will go on my way; ransom me, take pity on me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	26	12	I take my stand on the right path; I will bless you, Yahweh, in the assemblies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	1	[Of David] Yahweh is my light and my salvation, whom should I fear? Yahweh is the fortress of my life, whom should I dread?
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	2	When the wicked advance against me to eat me up, they, my opponents, my enemies, are the ones who stumble and fall.
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	3	Though an army pitch camp against me, my heart will not fear, though war break out against me, my trust will never be shaken.
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	4	One thing I ask of Yahweh, one thing I seek: to dwell in Yahweh's house all the days of my life, to enjoy the sweetness of Yahweh, to seek out his temple.
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	5	For he hides me away under his roof on the day of evil, he folds me in the recesses of his tent, sets me high on a rock.
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	6	Now my head is held high above the enemies who surround me; in his tent I will offer sacrifices of acclaim. I will sing, I will make music for Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	7	Yahweh, hear my voice as I cry, pity me, answer me!
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	8	Of you my heart has said, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Yahweh, I seek;
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	9	do not turn away from me. Do not thrust aside your servant in anger, without you I am helpless. Never leave me, never forsake me, God, my Saviour.
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	10	Though my father and mother forsake me, Yahweh will gather me up.
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	11	Yahweh, teach me your way, lead me on the path of integrity because of my enemies;
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	12	do not abandon me to the will of my foes -- false witnesses have risen against me, and are breathing out violence.
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	13	This I believe: I shall see the goodness of Yahweh, in the land of the living.
 Psalms	Ps	23	27	14	Put your hope in Yahweh, be strong, let your heart be bold, put your hope in Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	28	1	[Of David] To you, Yahweh, I cry, my rock, do not be deaf to me! If you stay silent I shall be like those who sink into oblivion.
 Psalms	Ps	23	28	2	Hear the sound of my prayer when I call upon you, when I raise my hands, Yahweh, towards your Holy of Holies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	28	3	Do not drag me away with the wicked, with evil-doers, who talk to their partners of peace with treachery in their hearts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	28	4	Repay them as their deeds deserve, as befits their treacherous actions; as befits their handiwork repay them, let their deserts fall back on themselves.
 Psalms	Ps	23	28	5	They do not comprehend the deeds of Yahweh, the work of his hands. May he pull them down and not rebuild them!
 Psalms	Ps	23	28	6	Blessed be Yahweh for he hears the sound of my prayer.
 Psalms	Ps	23	28	7	Yahweh is my strength and my shield, in him my heart trusts. I have been helped; my body has recovered its vigour, with all my heart I thank him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	28	8	Yahweh is the strength of his people, a safe refuge for his anointed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	28	9	Save your people, bless your heritage, shepherd them and carry them for ever!
 Psalms	Ps	23	29	1	[Psalm Of David] Give Yahweh his due, sons of God, give Yahweh his due of glory and strength,
 Psalms	Ps	23	29	2	give Yahweh the glory due to his name, adore Yahweh in the splendour of holiness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	29	3	Yahweh's voice over the waters, the God of glory thunders; Yahweh over countless waters,
 Psalms	Ps	23	29	4	Yahweh's voice in power, Yahweh's voice in splendour;
 Psalms	Ps	23	29	5	Yahweh's voice shatters cedars, Yahweh shatters cedars of Lebanon,
 Psalms	Ps	23	29	6	he makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.
 Psalms	Ps	23	29	7	Yahweh's voice carves out lightning-shafts,
 Psalms	Ps	23	29	8	Yahweh's voice convulses the desert, Yahweh convulses the desert of Kadesh,
 Psalms	Ps	23	29	9	Yahweh's voice convulses terebinths, strips forests bare. In his palace all cry, 'Glory!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	29	10	Yahweh was enthroned for the flood, Yahweh is enthroned as king for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	29	11	Yahweh will give strength to his people, Yahweh blesses his people with peace.
 Psalms	Ps	23	30	1	[Psalm Canticle for the Dedication of the House Of David] I praise you to the heights, Yahweh, for you have raised me up, you have not let my foes make merry over me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	30	2	Yahweh, my God, I cried to you for help and you healed me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	30	3	Yahweh, you have lifted me out of Sheol, from among those who sink into oblivion you have given me life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	30	4	Make music for Yahweh, all you who are faithful to him, praise his unforgettable holiness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	30	5	His anger lasts but a moment, his favour through life; In the evening come tears, but with dawn cries of joy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	30	6	Carefree, I used to think, 'Nothing can ever shake me!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	30	7	Your favour, Yahweh, set me on impregnable heights, but you turned away your face and I was terrified.
 Psalms	Ps	23	30	8	To you, Yahweh, I call, to my God I cry for mercy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	30	9	What point is there in my death, my going down to the abyss? Can the dust praise you or proclaim your faithfulness?
 Psalms	Ps	23	30	10	Listen, Yahweh, take pity on me, Yahweh, be my help!
 Psalms	Ps	23	30	11	You have turned my mourning into dancing, you have stripped off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	30	12	So my heart will sing to you unceasingly, Yahweh, my God, I shall praise you for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	1	[For the choirmaster Psalm Of David] In you, Yahweh, I have taken refuge, let me never be put to shame, in your saving justice deliver me, rescue me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	2	turn your ear to me, make haste. Be for me a rock-fastness, a fortified citadel to save me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	3	You are my rock, my rampart; true to your name, lead me and guide me!
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	4	Draw me out of the net they have spread for me, for you are my refuge;
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	5	to your hands I commit my spirit, by you have I been redeemed. God of truth,
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	6	you hate those who serve useless idols; but my trust is in Yahweh:
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	7	I will delight and rejoice in your faithful love! You, who have seen my misery, and witnessed the miseries of my soul,
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	8	have not handed me over to the enemy, but have given me freedom to roam at large.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	9	Take pity on me, Yahweh, for I am in trouble. Vexation is gnawing away my eyes, my soul deep within me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	10	For my life is worn out with sorrow, and my years with sighs. My strength gives way under my misery, and my bones are all wasted away.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	11	The sheer number of my enemies makes me contemptible, loathsome to my neighbours, and my friends shrink from me in horror. When people see me in the street they take to their heels.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	12	I have no more place in their hearts than a corpse, or something lost.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	13	All I hear is slander -- terror wherever I turn -- as they plot together against me, scheming to take my life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	14	But my trust is in you, Yahweh; I say, 'You are my God,'
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	15	every moment of my life is in your hands, rescue me from the clutches of my foes who pursue me;
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	16	let your face shine on your servant, save me in your faithful love.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	17	I call on you, Yahweh, so let disgrace fall not on me, but on the wicked. Let them go down to Sheol in silence,
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	18	muzzles on their lying mouths, which speak arrogantly against the upright in pride and contempt.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	19	Yahweh, what quantities of good things you have in store for those who fear you, and bestow on those who make you their refuge, for all humanity to see.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	20	Safe in your presence you hide them, far from human plotting, shielding them in your tent, far from contentious tongues.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	21	Blessed be Yahweh who works for me miracles of his faithful love (in a fortified city)!
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	22	In a state of terror I cried, 'I have been cut off from your sight!' Yet you heard my plea for help when I cried out to you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	23	Love Yahweh, all his faithful: Yahweh protects his loyal servants, but he repays the arrogant with interest.
 Psalms	Ps	23	31	24	Be brave, take heart, all who put your hope in Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	32	1	[Of David Poem] How blessed are those whose offence is forgiven, whose sin blotted out.
 Psalms	Ps	23	32	2	How blessed are those to whom Yahweh imputes no guilt, whose spirit harbours no deceit.
 Psalms	Ps	23	32	3	I said not a word, but my bones wasted away from groaning all the day;
 Psalms	Ps	23	32	4	day and night your hand lay heavy upon me; my heart grew parched as stubble in summer drought.
 Psalms	Ps	23	32	5	I made my sin known to you, did not conceal my guilt. I said, 'I shall confess my offence to Yahweh.' And you, for your part, took away my guilt, forgave my sin.
 Psalms	Ps	23	32	6	That is why each of your faithful ones prays to you in time of distress. Even if great floods overflow, they will never reach your faithful.
 Psalms	Ps	23	32	7	You are a refuge for me, you guard me in trouble, with songs of deliverance you surround me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	32	8	I shall instruct you and teach you the way to go; I shall not take my eyes off you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	32	9	Be not like a horse or a mule; that does not understand bridle or bit; if you advance to master them, there is no means of bringing them near.
 Psalms	Ps	23	32	10	Countless troubles are in store for the wicked, but one who trusts in Yahweh is enfolded in his faithful love.
 Psalms	Ps	23	32	11	Rejoice in Yahweh, exult all you upright, shout for joy, you honest of heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	1	Shout for joy, you upright; praise comes well from the honest.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	2	Give thanks to Yahweh on the lyre, play for him on the ten-stringed lyre.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	3	Sing to him a new song, make sweet music for your cry of victory.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	4	The word of Yahweh is straightforward, all he does springs from his constancy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	5	He loves uprightness and justice; the faithful love of Yahweh fills the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	6	By the word of Yahweh the heavens were made, by the breath of his mouth all their array.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	7	He collects the waters of the sea like a dam, he stores away the abyss in his treasure-house.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	8	Let the whole earth fear Yahweh, let all who dwell in the world revere him;
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	9	for, the moment he spoke, it was so, no sooner had he commanded, than there it stood!
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	10	Yahweh thwarts the plans of nations, frustrates the counsels of peoples;
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	11	but Yahweh's own plan stands firm for ever, his heart's counsel from age to age.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	12	How blessed the nation whose God is Yahweh, the people he has chosen as his heritage.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	13	From heaven Yahweh looks down, he sees all the children of Adam,
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	14	from the place where he sits he watches all who dwell on the earth;
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	15	he alone moulds their hearts, he understands all they do.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	16	A large army will not keep a king safe, nor his strength save a warrior's life;
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	17	it is delusion to rely on a horse for safety, for all its power it cannot save.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	18	But see how Yahweh watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his faithful love,
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	19	to rescue them from death and keep them alive in famine.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	20	We are waiting for Yahweh; he is our help and our shield,
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	21	for in him our heart rejoices, in his holy name we trust.
 Psalms	Ps	23	33	22	Yahweh, let your faithful love rest on us, as our hope has rested in you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	1	[Of David, when he had feigned insanity before Abimelech, and Abimelech sent him away] I will bless Yahweh at all times, his praise continually on my lips.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	2	I will praise Yahweh from my heart; let the humble hear and rejoice.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	3	Proclaim with me the greatness of Yahweh, let us acclaim his name together.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	4	I seek Yahweh and he answers me, frees me from all my fears.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	5	Fix your gaze on Yahweh and your face will grow bright, you will never hang your head in shame.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	6	A pauper calls out and Yahweh hears, saves him from all his troubles.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	7	The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him, and rescues them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	8	Taste and see that Yahweh is good. How blessed are those who take refuge in him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	9	Fear Yahweh, you his holy ones; those who fear him lack for nothing.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	10	Young lions may go needy and hungry, but those who seek Yahweh lack nothing good.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	11	Come, my children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	12	Who among you delights in life, longs for time to enjoy prosperity?
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	13	Guard your tongue from evil, your lips from any breath of deceit.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	14	Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	15	The eyes of Yahweh are on the upright, his ear turned to their cry.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	16	But Yahweh's face is set against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	17	They cry in anguish and Yahweh hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	18	Yahweh is near to the broken-hearted, he helps those whose spirit is crushed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	19	Though hardships without number beset the upright, Yahweh brings rescue from them all.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	20	Yahweh takes care of all their bones, not one of them will be broken.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	21	But to the wicked evil brings death, those who hate the upright will pay the penalty.
 Psalms	Ps	23	34	22	Yahweh ransoms the lives of those who serve him, and there will be no penalty for those who take refuge in him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	1	[Of David] Accuse my accusers, Yahweh, attack my attackers.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	2	Grasp your buckler and shield, up, and help me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	3	Brandish spear and pike to confront my pursuers, give me the assurance, 'I am your Saviour.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	4	Shame and humiliation on those who are out to kill me! Defeat and repulse in dismay on those who plot my downfall.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	5	May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of Yahweh to chase them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	6	May their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of Yahweh to hound them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	7	Unprovoked they laid their snare for me, unprovoked dug a trap to kill me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	8	Ruin comes upon them unawares; the snare they have laid will catch them, and into their own trap they will fall.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	9	Then I shall delight in Yahweh, rejoice that he has saved me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	10	My very bones will all exclaim, Yahweh, who can compare with you in rescuing the poor from the oppressor; the needy from the exploiter?
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	11	False witnesses come forward against me asking me questions I cannot answer, they cross-examine me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	12	repay my kindness with cruelty, make my life barren.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	13	But I, when they were ill, had worn sackcloth, and mortified myself with fasting, praying ever anew in my heart,
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	14	as if for a friend or brother; I had wandered restless, as if mourning a mother, so bowed had I been in sorrow.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	15	When I stumble they gather in glee, gather around me; strangers I never even knew tear me apart incessantly.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	16	If I fall they surround me, grinding their teeth at me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	17	How much longer, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their onslaughts, from young lions rescue the one life that I have.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	18	I will give you thanks in the great assembly praise you where the people gather.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	19	Let not my lying enemies gloat over me; those who hate me unprovoked look askance at me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	20	They have no greeting of peace to the peace-loving people of the land; they think up deceptive speeches.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	21	Their mouths wide open to accuse me, they say, 'Come on now, we saw you.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	22	You saw it, Yahweh, do not stay silent; Lord, do not stand aloof from me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	23	Up, awake, to my defence, my God and my Lord, to my cause.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	24	In your saving justice give judgement for me, Yahweh my God, and do not let them gloat over me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	25	Do not let them think, 'Just as we hoped,' nor, 'Now we have swallowed him up.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	26	Shame and dismay on them all who gloat over my misfortunes. Let all who profit at my expense be covered with shame and disgrace.
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	27	But let all who delight in my uprightness shout for joy and gladness; let them constantly say, 'Great is Yahweh, who delights to see his servant in peace.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	35	28	And my tongue shall recount your saving justice, all day long sing your praise.
 Psalms	Ps	23	36	1	[For the choirmaster Of the servant of Yahweh Of David] Sin is the oracle of the wicked in the depths of his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	36	2	He sees himself with too flattering an eye to detect and detest his guilt;
 Psalms	Ps	23	36	3	all he says is malicious and deceitful, he has turned his back on wisdom. To get his way
 Psalms	Ps	23	36	4	he hatches malicious plots even in his bed; once set on his evil course no wickedness is too much for him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	36	5	Yahweh, your faithful love is in the heavens, your constancy reaches to the clouds,
 Psalms	Ps	23	36	6	your saving justice is like towering mountains, your judgements like the mighty deep. Yahweh, you support both man and beast;
 Psalms	Ps	23	36	7	how precious, God, is your faithful love. So the children of Adam take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
 Psalms	Ps	23	36	8	They feast on the bounty of your house, you let them drink from your delicious streams;
 Psalms	Ps	23	36	9	in you is the source of life, by your light we see the light.
 Psalms	Ps	23	36	10	Maintain your faithful love to those who acknowledge you, and your saving justice to the honest of heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	36	11	Do not let the foot of the arrogant overtake me or wicked hands drive me away.
 Psalms	Ps	23	36	12	There they have fallen, the evil-doers, flung down, never to rise again.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	1	[Of David] Do not get heated about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	2	Quick as the grass they wither, fading like the green of the fields.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	3	Put your trust in Yahweh and do right, make your home in the land and live secure.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	4	Make Yahweh your joy and he will give you your heart's desires.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	5	Commit your destiny to Yahweh, be confident in him, and he will act,
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	6	making your uprightness clear as daylight, and the justice of your cause as the noon.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	7	Stay quiet before Yahweh, wait longingly for him, do not get heated over someone who is making a fortune, succeeding by devious means.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	8	Refrain from anger, leave rage aside, do not get heated -- it can do no good;
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	9	for evil-doers will be annihilated, while those who hope in Yahweh shall have the land for their own.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	10	A little while and the wicked will be no more, however well you search for the place, the wicked will not be there;
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	11	but the poor will have the land for their own, to enjoy untroubled peace.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	12	The wicked plots against the upright and gnashes his teeth at him,
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	13	but Yahweh only laughs at his efforts, knowing that his end is in sight.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	14	Though the wicked draw his sword and bend his bow to slaughter the honest and bring down the poor and the needy,
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	15	his sword will pierce his own heart, and his bow will be shattered.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	16	What little the upright possesses outweighs all the wealth of the wicked;
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	17	for the weapons of the wicked shall be shattered, while Yahweh supports the upright.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	18	The lives of the just are in Yahweh's care, their birthright will endure for ever;
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	19	they will not be put to shame when bad times come, in time of famine they will have plenty.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	20	The wicked, enemies of Yahweh, will be destroyed, they will vanish like the green of the pasture, they will vanish in smoke.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	21	The wicked borrows and will not repay, but the upright is generous in giving;
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	22	those he blesses will have the land for their own, and those he curses be annihilated.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	23	Yahweh guides a strong man's steps and keeps them firm; and takes pleasure in him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	24	When he trips he is not thrown sprawling, since Yahweh supports him by the hand.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	25	Now I am old, but ever since my youth I never saw an upright person abandoned, or the descendants of the upright forced to beg their bread.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	26	The upright is always compassionate, always lending, so his descendants reap a blessing.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	27	Turn your back on evil and do good, you will have a home for ever,
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	28	for Yahweh loves justice and will not forsake his faithful. Evil-doers will perish eternally, the descendants of the wicked be annihilated,
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	29	but the upright shall have the land for their own, there they shall live for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	30	Wisdom comes from the lips of the upright, and his tongue speaks what is right;
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	31	the law of his God is in his heart, his foot will never slip.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	32	The wicked keeps a close eye on the upright, looking out for a chance to kill him;
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	33	Yahweh will never abandon him to the clutches of the wicked, nor let him be condemned if he is tried.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	34	Put your hope in Yahweh, keep to his path, he will raise you up to make the land your own; you will look on while the wicked are annihilated.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	35	I have seen the wicked exultant, towering like a cedar of Lebanon.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	36	When next I passed he was gone, I searched for him and he was nowhere to be found.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	37	Observe the innocent, consider the honest, for the lover of peace will not lack children.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	38	But the wicked will all be destroyed together, and their children annihilated.
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	39	The upright have Yahweh for their Saviour, their refuge in times of trouble;
 Psalms	Ps	23	37	40	Yahweh helps them and rescues them, he will rescue them from the wicked, and save them because they take refuge in him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	1	[Psalm Of David In commemoration] Yahweh, do not correct me in anger, do not discipline me in wrath.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	2	For your arrows have pierced deep into me, your hand has pressed down upon me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	3	Your indignation has left no part of me unscathed, my sin has left no health in my bones.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	4	My sins stand higher than my head, they weigh on me as an unbearable weight.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	5	I have stinking, festering wounds, thanks to my folly.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	6	I am twisted and bent double, I spend my days in gloom.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	7	My loins burn with fever, no part of me is unscathed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	8	Numbed and utterly crushed I groan in distress of heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	9	Lord, all my longing is known to you, my sighing no secret from you,
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	10	my heart is throbbing, my strength has failed, the light has gone out of my eyes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	11	Friends and companions shun my disease, even the dearest of them keep their distance.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	12	Those with designs on my life lay snares, those who wish me ill speak of violence and hatch treachery all day long.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	13	But I hear nothing, as though I were deaf, as though dumb, saying not a word.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	14	I am like the one who, hearing nothing, has no sharp answer to make.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	15	For in you, Yahweh, I put my hope, you, Lord my God, will give answer.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	16	I said, 'Never let them gloat over me, do not let them take advantage of me if my foot slips.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	17	There is no escape for me from falling, no relief from my misery.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	18	But I make no secret of my guilt, I am anxious at the thought of my sin.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	19	There is no numbering those who oppose me without cause, no counting those who hate me unprovoked,
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	20	repaying me evil for good, slandering me for trying to do them good.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	21	Yahweh, do not desert me, my God, do not stand aloof from me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	38	22	Come quickly to my help, Lord, my Saviour!
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	1	[For the choirmaster For Jeduthun Psalm Of David] I said, 'I will watch how I behave so that I do not sin by my tongue. I will keep a muzzle on my mouth as long as any sinner is near.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	2	I stayed dumb, silent, speechless, but the sinner's prosperity redoubled my torment.
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	3	My heart had been smouldering within me, but at the thought of this it flared up and the words came bursting out,
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	4	'Yahweh, let me know my fate, how much longer I have to live. Show me just how frail I am.
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	5	'Look, you have given me but a hand's breadth or two of life, the length of my life is as nothing to you. Every human being that stands on earth is a mere puff of wind,
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	6	every human being that walks only a shadow; a mere puff of wind is the wealth stored away -- no knowing who will profit from it.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	7	So now, Lord, what am I to hope for? My hope is in you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	8	Save me from all my sins, do not make me the butt of fools.
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	9	I keep silence, I speak no more since you yourself have been at work.
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	10	Take your scourge away from me. I am worn out by the blows you deal me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	11	You correct human beings by punishing sin, like a moth you eat away all their desires -- a human being is a mere puff of wind.
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	12	Yahweh, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for help, do not remain deaf to my weeping. For I am a stranger in your house, a nomad like all my ancestors.
 Psalms	Ps	23	39	13	Turn away your gaze that I may breathe freely before I depart and am no more!
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	1	[For the choirmaster Of David Psalm] I waited, I waited for Yahweh, then he stooped to me and heard my cry for help.
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	2	He pulled me up from the seething chasm, from the mud of the mire. He set my feet on rock, and made my footsteps firm.
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	3	He put a fresh song in my mouth, praise of our God. Many will be awestruck at the sight, and will put their trust in Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	4	How blessed are those who put their trust in Yahweh, who have not sided with rebels and those who have gone astray in falsehood.
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	5	How much you have done, Yahweh, my God -- your wonders, your plans for us -- you have no equal. I will proclaim and speak of them; they are beyond number.
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	6	You wanted no sacrifice or cereal offering, but you gave me an open ear, you did not ask for burnt offering or sacrifice for sin;
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	7	then I said, 'Here I am, I am coming.' In the scroll of the book it is written of me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	8	my delight is to do your will; your law, my God, is deep in my heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	9	I proclaimed the saving justice of Yahweh in the great assembly. See, I will not hold my tongue, as you well know.
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	10	I have not kept your saving justice locked in the depths of my heart, but have spoken of your constancy and saving help. I have made no secret of your faithful and steadfast love, in the great assembly.
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	11	You, Yahweh, have not withheld your tenderness from me; your faithful and steadfast love will always guard me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	12	For troubles surround me, until they are beyond number; my sins have overtaken me; I cannot see my way. They outnumber the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	13	Be pleased, Yahweh, to rescue me, Yahweh, come quickly and help me!
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	14	Shame and dismay to all who seek to take my life. Back with them, let them be humiliated who delight in my misfortunes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	15	Let them be aghast with shame, those who say to me, 'Aha, aha!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	16	But joy and happiness in you to all who seek you! Let them ceaselessly cry, 'Great is Yahweh' who love your saving power.
 Psalms	Ps	23	40	17	Poor and needy as I am, the Lord has me in mind. You, my helper, my Saviour, my God, do not delay.
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	1	[For the choirmaster Psalm Of David] Blessed is anyone who cares for the poor and the weak; in time of trouble Yahweh rescues him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	2	Yahweh protects him, gives him life and happiness on earth. Do not abandon him to his enemies' pleasure!
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	3	Yahweh sustains him on his bed of sickness; you transform altogether the bed where he lies sick.
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	4	For my part I said, 'Yahweh, take pity on me! Cure me for I have sinned against you.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	5	My enemies speak to me only of disaster, 'When will he die and his name disappear?'
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	6	When people come to see me their talk is hollow, when they get out they spread the news with spite in their hearts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	7	All who hate me whisper together about me and reckon I deserve the misery I suffer.
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	8	'A fatal sickness has a grip on him; now that he is down, he will never get up again.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	9	Even my trusted friend on whom I relied, who shared my table, takes advantage of me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	10	But you, Yahweh, take pity on me! Put me on my feet and I will give them their due.
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	11	This will convince me that you delight in me, if my enemy no longer exults over me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	12	Then you will keep me unscathed, and set me in your presence for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	41	13	Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from eternity to eternity. Amen, Amen.
 Psalms	Ps	23	42	1	[For the choirmaster Poem Of the sons of Korah] As a deer yearns for running streams, so I yearn for you, my God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	42	2	I thirst for God, the living God; when shall I go to see the face of God?
 Psalms	Ps	23	42	3	I have no food but tears day and night, as all day long I am taunted, 'Where is your God?'
 Psalms	Ps	23	42	4	This I remember as I pour out my heart, how I used to pass under the roof of the Most High used to go to the house of God, among cries of joy and praise, the sound of the feast.
 Psalms	Ps	23	42	5	Why be so downcast, why all these sighs? Hope in God! I will praise him still, my Saviour,
 Psalms	Ps	23	42	6	my God. When I am downcast I think of you: from the land of Jordan and Hermon, I think of you, humble mountain.
 Psalms	Ps	23	42	7	Deep is calling to deep by the roar of your cataracts, all your waves and breakers have rolled over me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	42	8	In the daytime God sends his faithful love, and even at night; the song it inspires in me is a prayer to my living God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	42	9	I shall say to God, my rock, 'Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go around in mourning, harrassed by the enemy?'
 Psalms	Ps	23	42	10	With death in my bones, my enemies taunt me, all day long they ask me, 'Where is your God?'
 Psalms	Ps	23	42	11	Why so downcast, why all these sighs? Hope in God! I will praise him still, my Saviour, my God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	43	1	Judge me, God, defend my cause against a people who have no faithful love; from those who are treacherous and unjust, rescue me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	43	2	For you are the God of my strength; why abandon me? Why must I go around in mourning, harrassed by the enemy?
 Psalms	Ps	23	43	3	Send out your light and your truth; they shall be my guide, to lead me to your holy mountain to the place where you dwell.
 Psalms	Ps	23	43	4	Then I shall go to the altar of God, to the God of my joy. I will rejoice and praise you on the harp, O God, my God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	43	5	Why so downcast, why all these sighs? Hope in God! I will praise him still, my Saviour, my God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	1	[For the choirmaster Of the sons of Korah Poem] God, we have heard for ourselves, our ancestors have told us, of the deeds you did in their days, in days of old,
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	2	by your hand. To establish them in the land you drove out nations, to make room for them you harried peoples.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	3	It was not their own sword that won the land, nor their own arms which made them victorious, but your hand it was and your arm, and the light of your presence, for you loved them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	4	You are my king, my God, who decreed Jacob's victories;
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	5	through you we conquered our opponents, in your name we trampled down those who rose up against us.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	6	For my trust was not in my bow, my victory was not won by my sword;
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	7	it was you who saved us from our opponents, you who put to shame those who hate us.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	8	Our boast was always of God, we praised your name without ceasing.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	9	Yet now you have abandoned and humiliated us, you no longer take the field with our armies,
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	10	you leave us to fall back before the enemy, those who hate us plunder us at will.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	11	You hand us over like sheep for slaughter, you scatter us among the nations,
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	12	you sell your people for a trifle and make no profit on the sale.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	13	You make us the butt of our neighbours, the mockery and scorn of those around us,
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	14	you make us a by-word among nations, other peoples shake their heads over us.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	15	All day long I brood on my disgrace, the shame written clear on my face,
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	16	from the sound of insult and abuse, from the sight of hatred and vengefulness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	17	All this has befallen us though we had not forgotten you, nor been disloyal to your covenant,
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	18	our hearts never turning away, our feet never straying from your path.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	19	Yet you have crushed us in the place where jackals live, and immersed us in shadow dark as death.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	20	Had we forgotten the name of our God and stretched out our hands to a foreign god,
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	21	would not God have found this out, for he knows the secrets of the heart?
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	22	For your sake we are being massacred all day long, treated as sheep to be slaughtered.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	23	Wake, Lord! Why are you asleep? Awake! Do not abandon us for good.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	24	Why do you turn your face away, forgetting that we are poor and harrassed?
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	25	For we are bowed down to the dust, and lie prone on the ground.
 Psalms	Ps	23	44	26	Arise! Come to our help! Ransom us, as your faithful love demands.
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	1	[For the choirmaster Tune: 'Lilies . . .' Of the sons of Korah Poem Love song] My heart is stirred by a noble theme, I address my poem to the king, my tongue the pen of an expert scribe.
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	2	Of all men you are the most handsome, gracefulness is a dew upon your lips, for God has blessed you for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	3	Warrior, strap your sword at your side, in your majesty and splendour advance,
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	4	ride on in the cause of truth, gentleness and uprightness. Stretch the bowstring tight, lending terror to your right hand.
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	5	Your arrows are sharp, nations lie at your mercy, the king's enemies lose heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	6	Your throne is from God, for ever and ever, the sceptre of your kingship a sceptre of justice,
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	7	you love uprightness and detest evil. This is why God, your God, has anointed you with oil of gladness, as none of your rivals,
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	8	your robes all myrrh and aloes. From palaces of ivory, harps bring you joy,
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	9	in your retinue are daughters of kings, the consort at your right hand in gold of Ophir.
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	10	Listen, my daughter, attend to my words and hear; forget your own nation and your ancestral home,
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	11	then the king will fall in love with your beauty; he is your lord, bow down before him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	12	The daughter of Tyre will court your favour with gifts, and the richest of peoples
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	13	with jewels set in gold. Clothed
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	14	in brocade, the king's daughter is led within to the king with the maidens of her retinue; her companions are brought to her,
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	15	they enter the king's palace with joy and rejoicing.
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	16	Instead of your ancestors you will have sons; you will make them rulers over the whole world.
 Psalms	Ps	23	45	17	I will make your name endure from generation to generation, so nations will sing your praise for ever and ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	46	1	[For the choirmaster Of the sons of Korah For oboe Song] God is both refuge and strength for us, a help always ready in trouble;
 Psalms	Ps	23	46	2	so we shall not be afraid though the earth be in turmoil, though mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,
 Psalms	Ps	23	46	3	and its waters roar and seethe, and the mountains totter as it heaves. (Yahweh Sabaoth is with us, our citadel, the God of Jacob.)
 Psalms	Ps	23	46	4	There is a river whose streams bring joy to God's city, it sanctifies the dwelling of the Most High.
 Psalms	Ps	23	46	5	God is in the city, it cannot fall; at break of day God comes to its rescue.
 Psalms	Ps	23	46	6	Nations are in uproar, kingdoms are tumbling, when he raises his voice the earth crumbles away.
 Psalms	Ps	23	46	7	Yahweh Sabaoth is with us, our citadel, the God of Jacob.
 Psalms	Ps	23	46	8	Come, consider the wonders of Yahweh, the astounding deeds he has done on the earth;
 Psalms	Ps	23	46	9	he puts an end to wars over the whole wide world, he breaks the bow, he snaps the spear, shields he burns in the fire.
 Psalms	Ps	23	46	10	'Be still and acknowledge that I am God, supreme over nations, supreme over the world.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	46	11	Yahweh Sabaoth is with us, our citadel, the God of Jacob.
 Psalms	Ps	23	47	1	[For the choirmaster Of the sons of Korah Psalm] Clap your hands, all peoples, acclaim God with shouts of joy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	47	2	For Yahweh, the Most High, is glorious, the great king over all the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	47	3	He brings peoples under our yoke and nations under our feet.
 Psalms	Ps	23	47	4	He chooses for us our birthright, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
 Psalms	Ps	23	47	5	God goes up to shouts of acclaim, Yahweh to a fanfare on the ram's horn.
 Psalms	Ps	23	47	6	Let the music sound for our God, let it sound, let the music sound for our king, let it sound.
 Psalms	Ps	23	47	7	For he is king of the whole world; learn the music, let it sound for God!
 Psalms	Ps	23	47	8	God reigns over the nations, seated on his holy throne.
 Psalms	Ps	23	47	9	The leaders of the nations rally to the people of the God of Abraham. The shields of the earth belong to God, who is exalted on high.
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	1	[Song Psalm Of the sons of Korah] Great is Yahweh and most worthy of praise in the city of our God, the holy mountain,
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	2	towering in beauty, the joy of the whole world: Mount Zion in the heart of the north, the settlement of the great king;
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	3	God himself among its palaces has proved himself its bulwark.
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	4	For look, kings made alliance, together they advanced;
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	5	without a second glance, when they saw, they panicked and fled away.
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	6	Trembling seized them on the spot, pains like those of a woman in labour;
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	7	it was the east wind, that wrecker of ships from Tarshish.
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	8	What we had heard we saw for ourselves in the city of our God, in the city of Yahweh Sabaoth, which God has established for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	9	We reflect on your faithful love, God, in your temple!
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	10	Both your name and your praise, God, are over the whole wide world. Your right hand is full of saving justice,
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	11	Mount Zion rejoices, the daughters of Judah delight because of your saving justice.
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	12	Go round Zion, walk right through her, count her bastions,
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	13	admire her walls, examine her palaces, to tell future generations
 Psalms	Ps	23	48	14	that such is God; our God for ever and ever, he is our guide!
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	1	[For the choirmaster Of the sons of Korah Psalm] Hear this, all nations, listen, all who dwell on earth,
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	2	people high and low, rich and poor alike!
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	3	My lips have wisdom to utter, my heart good sense to whisper.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	4	I listen carefully to a proverb, I set my riddle to the music of the harp.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	5	Why should I be afraid in times of trouble? Malice dogs me and hems me in.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	6	They trust in their wealth, and boast of the profusion of their riches.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	7	But no one can ever redeem himself or pay his own ransom to God,
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	8	the price for himself is too high; it can never be
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	9	that he will live on for ever and avoid the sight of the abyss.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	10	For he will see the wise also die no less than the fool and the brute, and leave their wealth behind for others.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	11	For ever no home but their tombs, their dwelling-place age after age, though they gave their name to whole territories.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	12	In prosperity people lose their good sense, they become no better than dumb animals.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	13	So they go on in their self-assurance, right up to the end they are content with their lot.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	14	They are penned in Sheol like sheep, Death will lead them to pasture, and those who are honest will rule over them. In the morning all trace of them will be gone, Sheol will be their home.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	15	But my soul God will ransom from the clutches of Sheol, and will snatch me up.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	16	Do not be overawed when someone gets rich, and lives in ever greater splendour;
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	17	when he dies he will take nothing with him, his wealth will not go down with him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	18	Though he pampered himself while he lived -- and people praise you for looking after yourself-
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	19	he will go to join the ranks of his ancestors, who will never again see the light.
 Psalms	Ps	23	49	20	In prosperity people lose their good sense, they become no better than dumb animals.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	1	[Psalm Of Asaph] The God of gods, Yahweh, is speaking, from east to west he summons the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	2	From Zion, perfection of beauty, he shines forth;
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	3	he is coming, our God, and will not be silent. Devouring fire ahead of him, raging tempest around him,
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	4	he summons the heavens from on high, and the earth to judge his people.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	5	'Gather to me my faithful, who sealed my covenant by sacrifice.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	6	The heavens proclaim his saving justice, 'God himself is judge.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	7	'Listen, my people, I am speaking, Israel, I am giving evidence against you, I, God, your God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	8	'It is not with your sacrifices that I find fault, those burnt offerings constantly before me;
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	9	I will not accept any bull from your homes, nor a single goat from your folds.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	10	'For all forest creatures are mine already, the animals on the mountains in their thousands.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	11	I know every bird in the air, whatever moves in the fields is mine.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	12	'If I am hungry I shall not tell you, since the world and all it holds is mine.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	13	Am I to eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	14	'Let thanksgiving be your sacrifice to God, fulfil the vows you make to the Most High;
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	15	then if you call to me in time of trouble I will rescue you and you will honour me.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	16	But to the wicked, God says: 'What right have you to recite my statutes, to take my covenant on your lips,
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	17	when you detest my teaching, and thrust my words behind you?
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	18	'You make friends with a thief as soon as you see one, you feel at home with adulterers,
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	19	your conversation is devoted to wickedness, and your tongue to inventing lies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	20	'You sit there, slandering your own brother, you malign your own mother's son.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	21	You do this, and am I to say nothing? Do you think that I am really like you? I charge you, indict you to your face.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	22	'Think it out, you who forget God, or I will tear you apart without hope of a rescuer.
 Psalms	Ps	23	50	23	Honour to me is a sacrifice of thanksgiving; to the upright I will show God's salvation.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	1	[For the choirmaster Of David When the prophet Nathan had come to him because he had gone to Bathsheba] Have mercy on me, O God, in your faithful love, in your great tenderness wipe away my offences;
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	2	wash me clean from my guilt, purify me from my sin.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	3	For I am well aware of my offences, my sin is constantly in mind.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	4	Against you, you alone, I have sinned, I have done what you see to be wrong, that you may show your saving justice when you pass sentence, and your victory may appear when you give judgement,
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	5	remember, I was born guilty, a sinner from the moment of conception.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	6	But you delight in sincerity of heart, and in secret you teach me wisdom.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	7	Purify me with hyssop till I am clean, wash me till I am whiter than snow.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	8	Let me hear the sound of joy and gladness, and the bones you have crushed will dance.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	9	Turn away your face from my sins, and wipe away all my guilt.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	10	God, create in me a clean heart, renew within me a resolute spirit,
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	11	do not thrust me away from your presence, do not take away from me your spirit of holiness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	12	Give me back the joy of your salvation, sustain in me a generous spirit.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	13	I shall teach the wicked your paths, and sinners will return to you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	14	Deliver me from bloodshed, God, God of my salvation, and my tongue will acclaim your saving justice.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	15	Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will speak out your praise.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	16	Sacrifice gives you no pleasure, burnt offering you do not desire.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	17	Sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken, contrite heart you never scorn.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	18	In your graciousness do good to Zion, rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
 Psalms	Ps	23	51	19	Then you will delight in upright sacrifices,-burnt offerings and whole oblations -- and young bulls will be offered on your altar.
 Psalms	Ps	23	52	1	[For the choirmaster Poem Of David When Doeg the Edomite went and warned Saul, 'David has gone to Abimelech's house'] Why take pride in being wicked, you champion in villainy, all day long
 Psalms	Ps	23	52	2	plotting crime? Your tongue is razor-sharp, you artist in perfidy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	52	3	You prefer evil to good, lying to uprightness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	52	4	You revel in destructive talk, treacherous tongue!
 Psalms	Ps	23	52	5	That is why God will crush you, destroy you once and for all, snatch you from your tent, uproot you from the land of the living.
 Psalms	Ps	23	52	6	The upright will be awestruck as they see it, they will mock him,
 Psalms	Ps	23	52	7	'So much for someone who would not place his reliance in God, but relied on his own great wealth, and made himself strong by crime.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	52	8	But I, like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God, put my trust in God's faithful love, for ever and ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	52	9	I shall praise you for ever for what you have done, and shall trust in your name, so full of goodness, in the presence of your faithful.
 Psalms	Ps	23	53	1	[For the choirmaster In sickness Poem Of David] The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God!' They are corrupt, vile and unjust, not one of them does right.
 Psalms	Ps	23	53	2	God looks down from heaven at the children of Adam, to see if a single one is wise, a single one seeks God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	53	3	All have proved faithless, all alike turned sour, not one of them does right, not a single one.
 Psalms	Ps	23	53	4	Are they not aware, these evil-doers? They are devouring my people; this is the bread they eat, and they never call upon God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	53	5	They will be gripped with fear, just where there is no need for fear, for God scatters the bones of him who besieges you; they are mocked because God rejects them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	53	6	Who will bring from Zion salvation for Israel? When God brings his people home, what joy for Jacob, what happiness for Israel!
 Psalms	Ps	23	54	1	[For the choirmaster On stringed instruments Poem Of David When the Ziphites went to Saul and said,'Is not David hiding with us?'] God, save me by your name, in your power vindicate me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	54	2	God, hear my prayer, listen to the words I speak.
 Psalms	Ps	23	54	3	Arrogant men are attacking me, bullies hounding me to death, no room in their thoughts for God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	54	4	But now God is coming to my help, the Lord, among those who sustain me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	54	5	May their wickedness recoil on those who lie in wait for me. Yahweh, in your constancy destroy them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	54	6	How gladly will I offer you sacrifice, and praise your name, for it is good,
 Psalms	Ps	23	54	7	for it has rescued me from all my troubles, and my eye has feasted on my enemies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	1	[For the choirmaster For strings Poem Of David] God, hear my prayer, do not hide away from my plea,
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	2	give me a hearing, answer me, my troubles give me no peace. I shudder
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	3	at the enemy's shouts, at the outcry of the wicked; they heap up charges against me, in their anger bring hostile accusations against me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	4	My heart writhes within me, the terrors of death come upon me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	5	fear and trembling overwhelm me, and shuddering grips me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	6	And I say, 'Who will give me wings like a dove, to fly away and find rest?'
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	7	How far I would escape, and make a nest in the desert!
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	8	I would soon find a refuge from the storm of abuse, from the
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	9	destructive tempest, Lord, from the flood of their tongues. For I see violence and strife in the city,
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	10	day and night they make their rounds along the city walls, Inside live malice and mischief,
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	11	inside lives destruction, tyranny and treachery never absent from its central square.
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	12	Were it an enemy who insulted me, that I could bear; if an opponent pitted himself against me, I could turn away from him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	13	But you, a person of my own rank, a comrade and dear friend,
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	14	to whom I was bound by intimate friendship in the house of God! May they recoil in disorder,
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	15	may death descend on them, may they go down alive to Sheol, since evil shares their home with them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	16	For my part, I appeal to God, and Yahweh saves me;
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	17	evening, morning, noon, I complain and I groan. He hears my cry,
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	18	he ransoms me and gives me peace from the feud against me, for they are taking me to law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	19	But God will listen and will humble them, he who has been enthroned from the beginning; no change of heart for them, for they do not fear God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	20	They attack those at peace with them, going back on their oaths;
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	21	though their mouth is smoother than butter, enmity is in their hearts; their words more soothing than oil, yet sharpened like swords.
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	22	Unload your burden onto Yahweh and he will sustain you; never will he allow the upright to stumble.
 Psalms	Ps	23	55	23	You, God, will thrust them down to the abyss of destruction, men bloodthirsty and deceptive, before half their days are spent. For my part, I put my trust in you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	1	[For the choirmaster Tune: 'The oppression of distant princes' Of David In a quiet voice When the Philistines seized him in Gath] Take pity on me, God, as they harry me, pressing their attacks home all day.
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	2	Those who harry me lie in wait for me all day, countless are those who attack me from the heights.
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	3	When I am afraid, I put my trust in you,
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	4	in God, whose word I praise, in God I put my trust and have no fear, what power has human strength over me?
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	5	All day long they carp at my words, their only thought is to harm me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	6	they gather together, lie in wait and spy on my movements, as though determined to take my life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	7	Because of this crime reject them, in your anger, God, strike down the nations.
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	8	You yourself have counted up my sorrows, collect my tears in your wineskin.
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	9	Then my enemies will turn back on the day when I call. This I know, that God is on my side.
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	10	In God whose word I praise, in Yahweh whose word I praise,
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	11	in God I put my trust and have no fear; what can mortal man do to me?
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	12	I am bound by the vows I have made, God, I will pay you the debt of thanks,
 Psalms	Ps	23	56	13	for you have saved my life from death to walk in the presence of God, in the light of the living.
 Psalms	Ps	23	57	1	[For the choirmaster Tune: 'Do not destroy' Of David In a quiet voice When he escaped from Saul in the cave] Take pity on me, God, take pity on me, for in you I take refuge, in the shadow of your wings I take refuge, until the destruction is past.
 Psalms	Ps	23	57	2	I call to God the Most High, to God who has done everything for me;
 Psalms	Ps	23	57	3	may he send from heaven and save me, and check those who harry me; may God send his faithful love and his constancy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	57	4	I lie surrounded by lions, greedy for human prey, their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongue a sharp sword.
 Psalms	Ps	23	57	5	Be exalted above the heavens, God! Your glory over all the earth!
 Psalms	Ps	23	57	6	They laid a snare in my path -- I was bowed with care -- they dug a pit ahead of me, but fell in it themselves.
 Psalms	Ps	23	57	7	My heart is ready, God, my heart is ready; I will sing, and make music for you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	57	8	Awake, my glory, awake, lyre and harp, that I may awake the Dawn.
 Psalms	Ps	23	57	9	I will praise you among the peoples, Lord, I will make music for you among nations,
 Psalms	Ps	23	57	10	for your faithful love towers to heaven, your constancy to the clouds.
 Psalms	Ps	23	57	11	Be exalted above the heavens, God! Your glory over all the earth!
 Psalms	Ps	23	58	1	[For the choirmaster Tune: 'Do not destroy' Of David In a quiet voice] Divine as you are, do you truly give upright verdicts? do you judge fairly the children of Adam?
 Psalms	Ps	23	58	2	No! You devise injustice in your hearts, and with your hands you administer tyranny on the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	58	3	Since the womb they have gone astray, the wicked, on the wrong path since their birth, with their unjust verdicts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	58	4	They are poisonous as any snake, deaf as an adder that blocks its ears
 Psalms	Ps	23	58	5	so as not to hear the magician's music, however skilful his spells.
 Psalms	Ps	23	58	6	God, break the teeth in their mouths, snap off the fangs of these young lions, Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	58	7	May they drain away like water running to waste, may they wither like trampled grass,
 Psalms	Ps	23	58	8	like the slug that melts as it moves or a still-born child that never sees the sun.
 Psalms	Ps	23	58	9	Before they sprout thorns like the bramble, green or burnt up, may retribution whirl them away.
 Psalms	Ps	23	58	10	The upright will rejoice to see vengeance done, and will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
 Psalms	Ps	23	58	11	'So', people will say, 'the upright does have a reward; there is a God to dispense justice on earth.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	1	[For the choirmaster Tune: 'Do not destroy' Of David In a quiet voice When Saul sent men to watch David's house in order to have him killed] Rescue me from my enemies, my God, be my stronghold from my assailants,
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	2	rescue me from evil-doers, from men of violence save me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	3	Look at them, lurking to ambush me, violent men are attacking me, for no fault, no sin of mine, Yahweh,
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	4	for no guilt, they come running to take up position. Wake up, stand by me and keep watch,
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	5	Yahweh, God of Sabaoth, God of Israel, rise up, to punish all the nations, show no mercy to all these malicious traitors.
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	6	Back they come at nightfall, snarling like curs, prowling through the town.
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	7	Look how they rant in speech with swords on their lips, 'Who is there to hear us?'
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	8	For your part, Yahweh, you laugh at them, you make mockery of all nations.
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	9	My strength, I keep my eyes fixed on you. For my stronghold is God,
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	10	the God who loves me faithfully is coming to meet me, God will let me feast my eyes on those who lie in wait for me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	11	Do not annihilate them, or my people may forget; shake them in your power, bring them low, Lord, our shield.
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	12	Sin is in their mouths, sin on their lips, so let them be trapped in their pride for the curses and lies that they utter.
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	13	Destroy them in your anger, destroy them till they are no more, and let it be known that God is Master in Jacob and the whole wide world.
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	14	Back they come at nightfall, snarling like curs, prowling through the town,
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	15	scavenging for something to eat, growling unless they have their fill.
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	16	And so I will sing of your strength, in the morning acclaim your faithful love; you have been a stronghold for me, a refuge when I was in trouble.
 Psalms	Ps	23	59	17	My strength, I will make music for you, for my stronghold is God, the God who loves me faithfully.
 Psalms	Ps	23	60	1	[For the choirmaster To the tune 'The decree is a lily' In a quiet voice Of David To be learnt When he was at war with Aram-Naharaim and Aram-Zobah, and Joab marched back to destroy twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt] God, you have rejected us, broken us, you were angry, come back to us!
 Psalms	Ps	23	60	2	You made the earth tremble, split it open; now mend the rifts, it is tottering still.
 Psalms	Ps	23	60	3	You have forced your people to drink a bitter draught, forced us to drink a wine that made us reel.
 Psalms	Ps	23	60	4	You gave a signal to those who fear you to let them escape out of range of the bow.
 Psalms	Ps	23	60	5	To rescue those you love, save with your right hand and answer us.
 Psalms	Ps	23	60	6	God has spoken from his sanctuary, 'In triumph I will divide up Shechem, and share out the Valley of Succoth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	60	7	'Mine is Gilead, mine Manasseh, Ephraim the helmet on my head, Judah my commander's baton,
 Psalms	Ps	23	60	8	'Moab a bowl for me to wash in, on Edom I plant my sandal. Now try shouting "Victory!" over me, Philistia!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	60	9	Who will lead me against a fortified city, who will guide me into Edom,
 Psalms	Ps	23	60	10	if not you, the God who has rejected us? God, you no longer march with our armies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	60	11	Bring us help in our time of crisis, any human help is worthless.
 Psalms	Ps	23	60	12	With God we shall do deeds of valour, he will trample down our enemies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	61	1	[For the choirmaster For strings Of David] God, hear my cry, listen to my prayer.
 Psalms	Ps	23	61	2	From the end of the earth I call to you with fainting heart. Lead me to the high rock that stands far out of my reach.
 Psalms	Ps	23	61	3	For you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	61	4	Let me stay in your tent for ever, taking refuge in the shelter of your wings!
 Psalms	Ps	23	61	5	For you, God, accept my vows, you grant me the heritage of those who fear your name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	61	6	Let the king live on and on, let his years continue age after age.
 Psalms	Ps	23	61	7	May his throne be always in God's presence, your faithful love and constancy watch over him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	61	8	Then I shall always sing to your name, day after day fulfilling my vows.
 Psalms	Ps	23	62	1	[For the choirmaster . . . Jeduthun Psalm Of David] In God alone there is rest for my soul, from him comes my safety;
 Psalms	Ps	23	62	2	he alone is my rock, my safety, my stronghold so that I stand unshaken.
 Psalms	Ps	23	62	3	How much longer will you set on a victim, all together, intent on murder, like a rampart already leaning over, a wall already damaged?
 Psalms	Ps	23	62	4	Trickery is their only plan, deception their only pleasure, with lies on their lips they pronounce a blessing, with a curse in their hearts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	62	5	Rest in God alone, my soul! He is the source of my hope.
 Psalms	Ps	23	62	6	He alone is my rock, my safety, my stronghold, so that I stand unwavering.
 Psalms	Ps	23	62	7	In God is my safety and my glory, the rock of my strength. In God is my refuge;
 Psalms	Ps	23	62	8	trust in him, you people, at all times. Pour out your hearts to him, God is a refuge for us.
 Psalms	Ps	23	62	9	Ordinary people are a mere puff of wind, important people a delusion; set both on the scales together, and they are lighter than a puff of wind.
 Psalms	Ps	23	62	10	Put no trust in extortion, no empty hopes in robbery; however much wealth may multiply, do not set your heart on it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	62	11	Once God has spoken, twice have I heard this: Strength belongs to God,
 Psalms	Ps	23	62	12	to you, Lord, faithful love; and you repay everyone as their deeds deserve.
 Psalms	Ps	23	63	1	[Psalm Of David When he was in the desert of Judah] God, you are my God, I pine for you; my heart thirsts for you, my body longs for you, as a land parched, dreary and waterless.
 Psalms	Ps	23	63	2	Thus I have gazed on you in the sanctuary, seeing your power and your glory.
 Psalms	Ps	23	63	3	Better your faithful love than life itself; my lips will praise you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	63	4	Thus I will bless you all my life, in your name lift up my hands.
 Psalms	Ps	23	63	5	All my longings fulfilled as with fat and rich foods, a song of joy on my lips and praise in my mouth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	63	6	On my bed when I think of you, I muse on you in the watches of the night,
 Psalms	Ps	23	63	7	for you have always been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice;
 Psalms	Ps	23	63	8	my heart clings to you, your right hand supports me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	63	9	May those who are hounding me to death go down to the depths of the earth,
 Psalms	Ps	23	63	10	given over to the blade of the sword, and left as food for jackals.
 Psalms	Ps	23	63	11	Then the king shall rejoice in God, all who swear by him shall gain recognition, for the mouths of liars shall be silenced.
 Psalms	Ps	23	64	1	[For the choirmaster Psalm Of David] Listen, God, to my voice as I plead, protect my life from fear of the enemy;
 Psalms	Ps	23	64	2	hide me from the league of the wicked, from the gang of evil-doers.
 Psalms	Ps	23	64	3	They sharpen their tongues like a sword, aim their arrows of poisonous abuse,
 Psalms	Ps	23	64	4	shoot at the innocent from cover, shoot suddenly, with nothing to fear.
 Psalms	Ps	23	64	5	They support each other in their evil designs, they discuss how to lay their snares. 'Who will see us?' they say,
 Psalms	Ps	23	64	6	'or will penetrate our secrets?' He will do that, he who penetrates human nature to its depths, the depths of the heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	64	7	God has shot them with his arrow, sudden were their wounds.
 Psalms	Ps	23	64	8	He brings them down because of their tongue, and all who see them shake their heads.
 Psalms	Ps	23	64	9	Everyone will be awestruck, proclaim what God has done, and understand why he has done it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	64	10	The upright will rejoice in Yahweh, will take refuge in him, and all the honest will praise him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	1	[For the choirmaster Psalm Of David Song] Praise is rightfully yours, God, in Zion. Vows to you shall be fulfilled,
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	2	for you answer prayer. All humanity must come to you
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	3	with its sinful deeds. Our faults overwhelm us, but you blot them out.
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	4	How blessed those whom you choose and invite to dwell in your courts. We shall be filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	5	You respond to us with the marvels of your saving justice, God our Saviour, hope of the whole wide world, even the distant islands.
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	6	By your strength you hold the mountains steady, being clothed in power,
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	7	you calm the turmoil of the seas, the turmoil of their waves. The nations are in uproar, in panic those who live at the ends of the earth;
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	8	your miracles bring shouts of joy to the gateways of morning and evening.
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	9	You visit the earth and make it fruitful, you fill it with riches; the river of God brims over with water, you provide the grain. To that end
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	10	you water its furrows abundantly, level its ridges, soften it with showers and bless its shoots.
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	11	You crown the year with your generosity, richness seeps from your tracks,
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	12	the pastures of the desert grow moist, the hillsides are wrapped in joy,
 Psalms	Ps	23	65	13	the meadows are covered with flocks, the valleys clothed with wheat; they shout and sing for joy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	1	[For the choirmaster Song Psalm] Acclaim God, all the earth,
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	2	sing psalms to the glory of his name, glorify him with your praises,
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	3	say to God, 'How awesome you are! 'Your achievements are the measure of your power, your enemies woo your favour,
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	4	all the earth bows down before you, sings psalms to you, sings psalms to your name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	5	Come and see the marvels of God, his awesome deeds for the children of Adam:
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	6	he changed the sea into dry land, they crossed the river on foot. So let us rejoice in him,
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	7	who rules for ever by his power; his eyes keep watch on the nations to forestall rebellion against him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	8	Nations, bless our God, let the sound of his praise be heard;
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	9	he brings us to life and keeps our feet from stumbling.
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	10	God, you have put us to the test, refined us like silver,
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	11	let us fall into the net; you have put a heavy strain on our backs,
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	12	let men ride over our heads; but now the ordeal by fire and water is over, you have led us out to breathe again.
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	13	I bring burnt offerings to your house, I fulfil to you my vows,
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	14	the vows that rose to my lips, that I pronounced when I was in trouble.
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	15	I will offer you rich burnt offerings, with the smoke of burning rams. I will sacrifice to you bullocks and goats.
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	16	Come and listen, all who fear God, while I tell what he has done for me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	17	To him I cried aloud, high praise was on my tongue.
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	18	Had I been aware of guilt in my heart, the Lord would not have listened,
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	19	but in fact God did listen, attentive to the sound of my prayer.
 Psalms	Ps	23	66	20	Blessed be God who has not turned away my prayer, nor his own faithful love from me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	67	1	[For the choirmaster For strings Psalm Song] May God show kindness and bless us, and make his face shine on us.
 Psalms	Ps	23	67	2	Then the earth will acknowledge your ways, and all nations your power to save.
 Psalms	Ps	23	67	3	Let the nations praise you, God, let all the nations praise you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	67	4	Let the nations rejoice and sing for joy, for you judge the world with justice, you judge the peoples with fairness, you guide the nations on earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	67	5	Let the nations praise you, God, let all the nations praise you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	67	6	The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God has blessed us.
 Psalms	Ps	23	67	7	May God continue to bless us, and be revered by the whole wide world.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	1	[For the choirmaster Of David Psalm Song] Let God arise, let his enemies scatter, let his opponents flee before him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	2	You disperse them like smoke; as wax melts in the presence of a fire, so the wicked melt at the presence of God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	3	The upright rejoice in the presence of God, delighted and crying out for joy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	4	Sing to God, play music to his name, build a road for the Rider of the Clouds, rejoice in Yahweh, dance before him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	5	Father of orphans, defender of widows, such is God in his holy dwelling.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	6	God gives the lonely a home to live in, leads prisoners out into prosperity, but rebels must live in the bare wastelands.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	7	God, when you set out at the head of your people, when you strode over the desert,
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	8	the earth rocked, the heavens pelted down rain at the presence of God, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	9	God, you rained down a shower of blessings, when your heritage was weary you gave it strength.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	10	Your family found a home, which you in your generosity provided for the humble.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	11	The Lord gave a command, the good news of a countless army.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	12	The chieftains of the army are in flight, in flight, and the fair one at home is sharing out the spoils.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	13	While you are at ease in the sheepfolds, the wings of the Dove are being covered with silver, and her feathers with a sheen of green gold;
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	14	when Shaddai scatters the chieftains, through her it snows on the Dark Mountain.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	15	A mountain of God, the mountain of Bashan! a haughty mountain, the mountain of Bashan!
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	16	Why be envious, haughty mountains, of the mountain God has chosen for his dwelling? There God will dwell for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	17	The chariots of God are thousand upon thousand; God has come from Sinai to the sanctuary.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	18	You have climbed the heights, taken captives, you have taken men as tribute, even rebels that Yahweh God might have a dwelling-place.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	19	Blessed be the Lord day after day, he carries us along, God our Saviour.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	20	This God of ours is a God who saves; from Lord Yahweh comes escape from death;
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	21	but God smashes the head of his enemies, the long-haired skull of the prowling criminal.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	22	The Lord has said, 'I will bring them back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	23	so that you may bathe your feet in blood, and the tongues of your dogs feast on your enemies.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	24	Your processions, God, are for all to see, the processions of my God, of my king, to the sanctuary;
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	25	singers ahead, musicians behind, in the middle come girls, beating their drums.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	26	In choirs they bless God, Yahweh, since the foundation of Israel.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	27	Benjamin was there, the youngest in front, the princes of Judah in bright-coloured robes, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	28	Take command, my God, as befits your power, the power, God, which you have wielded for us,
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	29	from your temple high above Jerusalem. Kings will come to you bearing tribute.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	30	Rebuke the Beast of the Reeds, that herd of bulls, that people of calves, who bow down with ingots of silver. Scatter the people who delight in war.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	31	From Egypt nobles will come, Ethiopia will stretch out its hands to God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	32	Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, play for
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	33	the Rider of the Heavens, the primeval heavens. There he speaks, with a voice of power!
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	34	Acknowledge the power of God. Over Israel his splendour, in the clouds his power.
 Psalms	Ps	23	68	35	Awesome is God in his sanctuary. He, the God of Israel, gives strength and power to his people. Blessed be God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	1	[For the choirmaster Tune: 'Lilies . . .' Of David] Save me, God, for the waters have closed in on my very being.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	2	I am sinking in the deepest swamp and there is no firm ground. I have stepped into deep water and the waves are washing over me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	3	I am exhausted with calling out, my throat is hoarse, my eyes are worn out with searching for my God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	4	More numerous than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without reason. Those who seek to get rid of me are powerful, my treacherous enemies. (Must I give back what I have never stolen?)
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	5	God, you know how foolish I am, my offences are not hidden from you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	6	Those who hope in you must not be made fools of, Yahweh Sabaoth, because of me! Those who seek you must not be disgraced, God of Israel, because of me!
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	7	It is for you I bear insults, my face is covered with shame,
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	8	I am estranged from my brothers, alienated from my own mother's sons;
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	9	for I am eaten up with zeal for your house, and insults directed against you fall on me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	10	I mortify myself with fasting, and find myself insulted for it,
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	11	I dress myself in sackcloth and become their laughing-stock,
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	12	the gossip of people sitting at the gate, and the theme of drunkards' songs.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	13	And so, I pray to you, Yahweh, at the time of your favour; in your faithful love answer me, in the constancy of your saving power.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	14	Rescue me from the mire before I sink in; so I shall be saved from those who hate me, from the watery depths.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	15	Let not the waves wash over me, nor the deep swallow me up, nor the pit close its mouth on me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	16	Answer me, Yahweh, for your faithful love is generous; in your tenderness turn towards me;
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	17	do not turn away from your servant, be quick to answer me, for I am in trouble.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	18	Come to my side, redeem me, ransom me because of my enemies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	19	You know well the insults, the shame and disgrace I endure. Every one of my oppressors is known to you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	20	Insult has broken my heart past cure. I hoped for sympathy, but in vain, for consolers -- not one to be found.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	21	To eat they gave me poison, to drink, vinegar when I was thirsty.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	22	May their own table prove a trap for them, and their abundance a snare;
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	23	may their eyes grow so dim that they cannot see, all their muscles lose their strength.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	24	Vent your fury on them, let your burning anger overtake them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	25	Reduce their encampment to ruin, and leave their tents untenanted,
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	26	for hounding someone you had already stricken, for redoubling the pain of one you had wounded.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	27	Charge them with crime after crime, exclude them from your saving justice,
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	28	erase them from the book of life, do not enrol them among the upright.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	29	For myself, wounded wretch that I am, by your saving power raise me up!
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	30	I will praise God's name in song, I will extol him by thanksgiving,
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	31	for this will please Yahweh more than an ox, than a bullock horned and hoofed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	32	The humble have seen and are glad. Let your courage revive, you who seek God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	33	For God listens to the poor, he has never scorned his captive people.
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	34	Let heaven and earth and seas, and all that stirs in them, acclaim him!
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	35	For God will save Zion, and rebuild the cities of Judah, and people will live there on their own land;
 Psalms	Ps	23	69	36	the descendants of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.
 Psalms	Ps	23	70	1	[For the choirmaster Of David In commemoration] Be pleased, God, to rescue me, Yahweh, come quickly and help me!
 Psalms	Ps	23	70	2	Shame and dismay to those who seek my life! Back with them! Let them be humiliated who delight in my misfortunes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	70	3	Let them shrink away covered with shame, those who say to me, 'Aha, aha!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	70	4	But joy and happiness in you to all who seek you. Let them ceaselessly cry, 'God is great', who love your saving power.
 Psalms	Ps	23	70	5	Poor and needy as I am, God, come quickly to me! Yahweh, my helper, my Saviour, do not delay!
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	1	In you, Yahweh, I take refuge, I shall never be put to shame.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	2	In your saving justice rescue me, deliver me, listen to me and save me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	3	Be a sheltering rock for me, always accessible; you have determined to save me, for you are my rock, my fortress.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	4	My God, rescue me from the clutches of the wicked, from the grasp of the rogue and the ruthless.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	5	For you are my hope, Lord, my trust, Yahweh, since boyhood.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	6	On you I have relied since my birth, since my mother's womb you have been my portion, the constant theme of my praise.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	7	Many were bewildered at me, but you are my sure refuge.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	8	My mouth is full of your praises, filled with your splendour all day long.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	9	Do not reject me in my old age, nor desert me when my strength is failing,
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	10	for my enemies are discussing me, those with designs on my life are plotting together.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	11	'Hound him down, for God has deserted him! Seize him, there is no one to rescue him.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	12	God, do not stand aloof, my God, come quickly to help me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	13	Shame and ruin on those who slander me, may those intent on harming me be covered with insult and infamy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	14	As for me, my hope will never fade, I will praise you more and more.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	15	My lips shall proclaim your saving justice, your saving power all day long.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	16	I will come in the power of Yahweh to tell of your justice, yours alone.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	17	God, you have taught me from boyhood, and I am still proclaiming your marvels.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	18	Now that I am old and grey-haired, God, do not desert me, till I have proclaimed your strength to generations still to come, your power
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	19	and justice to the skies. You have done great things, God, who is like you?
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	20	You have shown me much misery and hardship, but you will give me life again, You will raise me up again from the depths of the earth,
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	21	prolong my old age, and comfort me again.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	22	For my part, I will thank you on the lyre for your constancy, my God. I will play the harp in your honour, Holy One of Israel.
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	23	My lips sing for joy as I play to you, because you have redeemed me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	71	24	and all day long my tongue muses on your saving justice. Shame and disgrace on those intent to harm me!
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	1	[Of Solomon] God, endow the king with your own fair judgement, the son of the king with your own saving justice,
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	2	that he may rule your people with justice, and your poor with fair judgement.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	3	Mountains and hills, bring peace to the people! With justice
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	4	he will judge the poor of the people, he will save the children of the needy and crush their oppressors.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	5	In the sight of the sun and the moon he will endure, age after age.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	6	He will come down like rain on mown grass, like showers moistening the land.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	7	In his days uprightness shall flourish, and peace in plenty till the moon is no more.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	8	His empire shall stretch from sea to sea, from the river to the limits of the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	9	The Beast will cower before him, his enemies lick the dust;
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	10	the kings of Tarshish and the islands will pay him tribute. The kings of Sheba and Saba will offer gifts;
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	11	all kings will do him homage, all nations become his servants.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	12	For he rescues the needy who calls to him, and the poor who has no one to help.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	13	He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the needy from death.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	14	From oppression and violence he redeems their lives, their blood is precious in his sight.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	15	(Long may he live; may the gold of Sheba be given him!) Prayer will be offered for him constantly, and blessings invoked on him all day.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	16	May wheat abound in the land, waving on the heights of the hills, like Lebanon with its fruits and flowers at their best, like the grasses of the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	17	May his name be blessed for ever, and endure in the sight of the sun. In him shall be blessed every race in the world, and all nations call him blessed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	18	Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders;
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	19	blessed for ever his glorious name. May the whole world be filled with his glory! Amen! Amen!
 Psalms	Ps	23	72	20	End of the prayers of David, son of Jesse.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	1	[Psalm Of Asaph] Indeed God is good to Israel, the Lord to those who are pure of heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	2	My feet were on the point of stumbling, a little more and I had slipped,
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	3	envying the arrogant as I did, and seeing the prosperity of the wicked.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	4	For them no such thing as pain, untroubled, their comfortable portliness;
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	5	exempt from the cares which are the human lot, they have no part in Adam's afflictions.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	6	So pride is a necklace to them, violence the garment they wear.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	7	From their fat oozes out malice, their hearts drip with cunning.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	8	Cynically they advocate evil, loftily they advocate force.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	9	Their mouth claims heaven for themselves, and their tongue is never still on earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	10	That is why my people turn to them, and enjoy the waters of plenty,
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	11	saying, 'How can God know? What knowledge can the Most High have?'
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	12	That is what the wicked are like, piling up wealth without any worries.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	13	Was it useless, then, to have kept my own heart clean, to have washed my hands in innocence?
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	14	When I was under a hail of blows all day long, and punished every morning,
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	15	had I said, 'I shall talk like them,' I should have betrayed your children's race.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	16	So I set myself to understand this: how difficult I found it!
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	17	Until I went into the sanctuaries of the gods and understood what was destined to become of them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	18	You place them on a slippery slope and drive them down into chaos.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	19	How sudden their hideous destruction! They are swept away, annihilated by terror!
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	20	Like a dream upon waking, Lord, when you awake, you dismiss their image.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	21	My heart grew embittered, my affections dried up,
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	22	I was stupid and uncomprehending, a clumsy animal in your presence.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	23	Even so, I stayed in your presence, you grasped me by the right hand;
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	24	you will guide me with advice, and will draw me in the wake of your glory.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	25	Who else is there for me in heaven? And, with you, I lack nothing on earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	26	My heart and my flesh are pining away: my heart's rock, my portion, God for ever!
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	27	Truly, those who abandon you will perish; you destroy those who adulterously desert you,
 Psalms	Ps	23	73	28	whereas my happiness is to be near God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, to tell of all your works.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	1	[Poem Of Asaph] God, why have you finally rejected us, your anger blazing against the flock you used to pasture?
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	2	Remember the people you took to yourself long ago, your own tribe which you redeemed, and this Mount Zion where you came to live.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	3	Come up to these endless ruins! The enemy have sacked everything in the sanctuary;
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	4	your opponents made uproar in the place of assemblies, they fixed their emblems over the entrance, emblems
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	5	never known before. Their axes deep in the wood,
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	6	hacking at the panels, they battered them down with axe and pick;
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	7	they set fire to your sanctuary, profanely rased to the ground the dwelling-place of your name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	8	They said to themselves, 'Let us crush them at one stroke!' They burned down every sacred shrine in the land.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	9	We see no signs, no prophet any more, and none of us knows how long it will last.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	10	How much longer, God, will the enemy blaspheme? Is the enemy to insult your name for ever?
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	11	Why hold back your hand, keep your right hand hidden in the folds of your robe?
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	12	Yet, God, my king from the first, author of saving acts throughout the earth,
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	13	by your power you split the sea in two, and smashed the heads of the monsters on the waters.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	14	You crushed Leviathan's heads, gave him as food to the wild animals.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	15	You released the springs and brooks, and turned primordial rivers into dry land.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	16	Yours is the day and yours the night, you caused sun and light to exist,
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	17	you fixed all the boundaries of the earth, you created summer and winter.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	18	Remember, Yahweh, the enemy's blasphemy, a foolish people insults your name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	19	Do not surrender your turtledove to the beast; do not forget for ever the life of your oppressed people.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	20	Look to the covenant! All the hiding-places of the land are full, haunts of violence.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	21	Do not let the downtrodden retreat in confusion, give the poor and needy cause to praise your name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	22	Arise, God, champion your own cause, remember how fools blaspheme you all day long!
 Psalms	Ps	23	74	23	Do not forget the shouting of your enemies, the ever-mounting uproar of your adversaries.
 Psalms	Ps	23	75	1	[For the choirmaster Tune: 'Do not destroy' Psalm Of Asaph Song] We give thanks to you, God, we give thanks to you, as we call upon your name, as we recount your wonders.
 Psalms	Ps	23	75	2	'At the appointed time I myself shall dispense justice.
 Psalms	Ps	23	75	3	The earth quakes and all its inhabitants; it is I who hold its pillars firm.
 Psalms	Ps	23	75	4	'I said to the boastful, "Do not boast!" to the wicked, "Do not flaunt your strength!
 Psalms	Ps	23	75	5	Do not flaunt your strength so proudly, do not talk with that arrogant stance." '
 Psalms	Ps	23	75	6	No longer from east to west, no longer in the mountainous desert,
 Psalms	Ps	23	75	7	is God judging in uprightness, bringing some down, raising others.
 Psalms	Ps	23	75	8	Yahweh is holding a cup filled with a heady blend of wine; he will pour it, they will drink it to the dregs, all the wicked on earth will drink it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	75	9	But I shall speak out for ever, shall make music for the God of Jacob.
 Psalms	Ps	23	75	10	I shall break down all the strength of the wicked, and the strength of the upright will rise high.
 Psalms	Ps	23	76	1	[For the choirmaster For strings Psalm Of Asaph Song] God is acknowledged in Judah, his name is great in Israel,
 Psalms	Ps	23	76	2	his tent is pitched in Salem, his dwelling is in Zion;
 Psalms	Ps	23	76	3	there he has broken the lightning-flashes of the bow, shield and sword and war.
 Psalms	Ps	23	76	4	Radiant you are, and renowned for the mountains of booty
 Psalms	Ps	23	76	5	taken from them. Heroes are now sleeping their last sleep, the warriors' arms have failed them;
 Psalms	Ps	23	76	6	at your reproof, God of Jacob, chariot and horse stand stunned.
 Psalms	Ps	23	76	7	You, you alone, strike terror! Who can hold his ground in your presence when your anger strikes?
 Psalms	Ps	23	76	8	From heaven your verdicts thunder, the earth is silent with dread
 Psalms	Ps	23	76	9	when God takes his stand to give judgement, to save all the humble of the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	76	10	Human anger serves only to praise you, the survivors of your anger will huddle round you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	76	11	Make and fulfil your vows to Yahweh your God, let those who surround him make offerings to the Awesome One.
 Psalms	Ps	23	76	12	He cuts short the breath of princes, strikes terror in earthly kings.
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	1	[For the choirmaster . . . Jeduthun Of Asaph Psalm] I cry to God in distress, I cry to God and he hears me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	2	In the day of my distress I sought the Lord; all night I tirelessly stretched out my hands, my heart refused to be consoled.
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	3	I sigh as I think of God, my spirit faints away as I ponder on him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	4	You kept me from closing my eyes, I was too distraught to speak;
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	5	I thought of former times, years long past
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	6	I recalled; through the night I ponder in my heart, as I reflect, my spirit asks this question:
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	7	Is the Lord's rejection final? Will he never show favour again?
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	8	Is his faithful love gone for ever? Has his Word come to an end for all time?
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	9	Does God forget to show mercy? In anger does he shut off his tenderness?
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	10	And I said, 'This is what wounds me, the right hand of the Most High has lost its strength.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	11	Remembering Yahweh's great deeds, remembering your wonders in the past,
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	12	I reflect on all that you did, I ponder all your great deeds.
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	13	God, your ways are holy! What god is as great as our God?
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	14	You are the God who does marvellous deeds, brought nations to acknowledge your power,
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	15	with your own arm redeeming your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph.
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	16	When the waters saw you, God, when the waters saw you they writhed in anguish, the very depths shook with fear.
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	17	The clouds pelted down water, the sky thundered, your arrows shot back and forth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	18	The rolling of your thunder was heard, your lightning-flashes lit up the world, the earth shuddered and shook.
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	19	Your way led over the sea, your path over the countless waters, and none could trace your footsteps.
 Psalms	Ps	23	77	20	You guided your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	1	[Psalm Of Asaph] My people, listen to my teaching, pay attention to what I say.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	2	I will speak to you in poetry, unfold the mysteries of the past.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	3	What we have heard and know, what our ancestors have told us
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	4	we shall not conceal from their descendants, but will tell to a generation still to come: the praises of Yahweh, his power, the wonderful deeds he has done.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	5	He instituted a witness in Jacob, he established a law in Israel, he commanded our ancestors to hand it down to their descendants,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	6	that a generation still to come might know it, children yet to be born. They should be sure to tell their own children,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	7	and should put their trust in God, never forgetting God's great deeds, always keeping his commands,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	8	and not, like their ancestors, be a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation weak of purpose, their spirit fickle towards God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	9	The archer sons of Ephraim turned tail when the time came for fighting;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	10	they failed to keep God's covenant, they refused to follow his Law;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	11	they had forgotten his great deeds, the marvels he had shown them;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	12	he did marvels in the sight of their ancestors in Egypt, in the plains of Tanis.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	13	He split the sea and brought them through, made the waters stand up like a dam;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	14	he led them with a cloud by day, and all the night with the light of a fire;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	15	he split rocks in the desert, let them drink as though from the limitless depths;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	16	he brought forth streams from a rock, made waters flow down in torrents.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	17	But they only sinned against him more than ever, defying the Most High in barren country;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	18	they deliberately challenged God by demanding food to their hearts' content.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	19	They insulted God by saying, 'Can God make a banquet in the desert?
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	20	True, when he struck the rock, waters gushed out and flowed in torrents; but what of bread? Can he give that, can he provide meat for his people?'
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	21	When he heard them Yahweh vented his anger, fire blazed against Jacob, his anger mounted against Israel,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	22	because they had no faith in God, no trust in his power to save.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	23	Even so he gave orders to the skies above, he opened the sluice-gates of heaven;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	24	he rained down manna to feed them, he gave them the wheat of heaven;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	25	mere mortals ate the bread of the Mighty, he sent them as much food as they could want.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	26	He roused an east wind in the heavens, despatched a south wind by his strength;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	27	he rained down meat on them like dust, birds thick as sand on the seashore,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	28	tumbling into the middle of his camp, all around his dwelling-place.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	29	They ate as much food as they wanted, he satisfied all their cravings;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	30	but their cravings were still upon them, the food was still in their mouths,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	31	when the wrath of God attacked them, slaughtering their strongest men, laying low the flower of Israel.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	32	Despite all this, they went on sinning, they put no faith in his marvels.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	33	He made their days vanish in mist, their years in sudden ruin.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	34	Whenever he slaughtered them, they began to seek him, they turned back and looked eagerly for him,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	35	recalling that God was their rock, God the Most High, their redeemer.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	36	They tried to hoodwink him with their mouths, their tongues were deceitful towards him;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	37	their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	38	But in his compassion he forgave their guilt instead of killing them, time and again repressing his anger instead of rousing his full wrath,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	39	remembering they were creatures of flesh, a breath of wind that passes, never to return.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	40	How often they defied him in the desert! How often they grieved him in the wastelands!
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	41	Repeatedly they challenged God, provoking the Holy One of Israel,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	42	not remembering his hand, the time when he saved them from the oppressor,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	43	he who did his signs in Egypt, his miracles in the plains of Tanis,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	44	turning their rivers to blood, their streams so that they had nothing to drink.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	45	He sent horseflies to eat them up, and frogs to devastate them,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	46	consigning their crops to the caterpillar, the fruit of their hard work to the locust;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	47	he killed their vines with hail, their sycamore trees with frost,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	48	delivering up their cattle to hail, and their flocks to thunderbolts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	49	He loosed against them the full heat of his anger, fury, rage and destruction, a detachment of destroying angels;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	50	he gave free course to his anger. He did not exempt their own selves from death, delivering up their lives to the plague.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	51	He struck all the first-born in Egypt, the flower of the youth in the tents of Ham.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	52	He brought out his people like sheep, guiding them like a flock in the desert,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	53	leading them safe and unafraid, while the sea engulfed their enemies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	54	He brought them to his holy land, the hill-country won by his right hand;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	55	he dispossessed nations before them, measured out a heritage for each of them, and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	56	But still they challenged the Most High God and defied him, refusing to keep his decrees;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	57	as perverse and treacherous as their ancestors, they gave way like a faulty bow,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	58	provoking him with their high places, rousing his jealousy with their idols.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	59	God listened and vented his wrath, he totally rejected Israel;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	60	he forsook his dwelling in Shiloh, the tent where he used to dwell on the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	61	He abandoned his power to captivity, his splendour to the enemy's clutches;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	62	he gave up his people to the sword, he vented his wrath on his own heritage.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	63	Fire devoured their young men, their young girls had no wedding-song;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	64	their priests fell by the sword and their widows sang no dirge.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	65	The Lord arose as though he had been asleep, like a strong man fighting-mad with wine,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	66	he struck his enemies on the rump, and put them to everlasting shame.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	67	Rejecting the tents of Joseph, passing over the tribe of Ephraim,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	68	he chose the tribe of Judah, his well-loved mountain of Zion;
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	69	he built his sanctuary like high hills, like the earth set it firm for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	70	He chose David to be his servant, took him from the sheepfold,
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	71	took him from tending ewes to pasture his servant Jacob, and Israel his heritage.
 Psalms	Ps	23	78	72	He pastured them with unblemished heart, with a sensitive hand he led them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	1	[Psalm Of Asaph] God, the pagans have invaded your heritage, they have defiled your holy temple, they have laid Jerusalem in ruins,
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	2	they have left the corpses of your servants as food for the birds of the air, the bodies of your faithful for the wild beasts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	3	Around Jerusalem they have shed blood like water, leaving no one to bury them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	4	We are the scorn of our neighbours, the butt and laughing-stock of those around us.
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	5	How long will you be angry, Yahweh? For ever? Is your jealousy to go on smouldering like a fire?
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	6	Pour out your anger on the nations who do not acknowledge you, and on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	7	for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his home.
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	8	Do not count against us the guilt of former generations, in your tenderness come quickly to meet us, for we are utterly weakened;
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	9	help us, God our Saviour, for the glory of your name; Yahweh, wipe away our sins, rescue us for the sake of your name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	10	Why should the nations ask, 'Where is their God?' Let us see the nations suffer vengeance for shedding your servants' blood.
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	11	May the groans of the captive reach you, by your great strength save those who are condemned to death!
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	12	Repay our neighbours sevenfold for the insults they have levelled at you, Lord.
 Psalms	Ps	23	79	13	And we, your people, the flock that you pasture, will thank you for ever, will recite your praises from age to age.
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	1	[For the choirmaster Tune: 'The decrees are lilies' Of Asaph Psalm] Shepherd of Israel, listen, you who lead Joseph like a flock, enthroned on the winged creatures, shine forth
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	2	over Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh; rouse your valour and come to our help.
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	3	God, bring us back, let your face shine on us and we shall be safe.
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	4	Yahweh, God Sabaoth, how long will you flare up at your people's prayer?
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	5	You have made tears their food, redoubled tears their drink.
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	6	You let our neighbours quarrel over us, our enemies mock us.
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	7	God Sabaoth, bring us back, let your face shine on us and we shall be safe.
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	8	You brought a vine out of Egypt, to plant it you drove out nations;
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	9	you cleared a space for it, it took root and filled the whole country.
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	10	The mountains were covered with its shade, and the cedars of God with its branches,
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	11	its boughs stretched as far as the sea, its shoots as far as the River.
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	12	Why have you broken down its fences? Every passer-by plucks its grapes,
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	13	boars from the forest tear at it, wild beasts feed on it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	14	God Sabaoth, come back, we pray, look down from heaven and see, visit this vine;
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	15	protect what your own hand has planted.
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	16	They have thrown it on the fire like dung, the frown of your rebuke will destroy them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	17	May your hand protect those at your side, the child of Adam you have strengthened for yourself!
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	18	Never again will we turn away from you, give us life and we will call upon your name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	80	19	God Sabaoth, bring us back, let your face shine on us and we shall be safe.
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	1	[For the choirmaster On the . . . of Gath Of Asaph] Sing for joy to God our strength, shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	2	Strike up the music, beat the tambourine, play the melodious harp and the lyre;
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	3	blow the trumpet for the new month, for the full moon, for our feast day!
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	4	For Israel has this statute, a decision of the God of Jacob,
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	5	a decree he imposed on Joseph, when he went to war against Egypt. I heard a voice unknown to me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	6	'I freed his shoulder from the burden, his hands were able to lay aside the labourer's basket.
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	7	You cried out in your distress, so I rescued you. 'Hidden in the storm, I answered you, I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	8	Listen, my people, while I give you warning; Israel, if only you would listen to me!
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	9	'You shall have no strange gods, shall worship no alien god.
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	10	I, Yahweh, am your God, who brought you here from Egypt, you have only to open your mouth for me to fill it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	11	'My people would not listen to me, Israel would have none of me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	12	So I left them to their stubborn selves, to follow their own devices.
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	13	'If only my people would listen to me, if only Israel would walk in my ways,
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	14	at one stroke I would subdue their enemies, turn my hand against their opponents.
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	15	'Those who hate Yahweh would woo his favour, though their doom was sealed for ever,
 Psalms	Ps	23	81	16	while I would feed him on pure wheat, would give you your fill of honey from the rock.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	82	1	[Psalm Of Asaph] God takes his stand in the divine assembly, surrounded by the gods he gives judgement.
 Psalms	Ps	23	82	2	'How much longer will you give unjust judgements and uphold the prestige of the wicked?
 Psalms	Ps	23	82	3	Let the weak and the orphan have justice, be fair to the wretched and the destitute.
 Psalms	Ps	23	82	4	'Rescue the weak and the needy, save them from the clutches of the wicked.
 Psalms	Ps	23	82	5	'Ignorant and uncomprehending, they wander in darkness, while the foundations of the world are tottering.
 Psalms	Ps	23	82	6	I had thought, "Are you gods, are all of you sons of the Most High?"
 Psalms	Ps	23	82	7	No! you will die as human beings do, as one man, princes, you will fall.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	82	8	Arise, God, judge the world, for all nations belong to you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	1	[Song Psalm Of Asaph] God, do not remain silent, do not stay quiet or unmoved, God!
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	2	See how your enemies are in uproar, how those who hate you are rearing their heads.
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	3	They are laying plans against your people, conspiring against those you cherish;
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	4	they say, 'Come, let us annihilate them as a nation, the name of Israel shall be remembered no more!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	5	They conspire with a single mind, they conclude an alliance against you,
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	6	the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites,
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	7	Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia and the Tyrians;
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	8	even Assyria has joined them to reinforce the children of Lot.
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	9	Treat them like Midian and Sisera, like Jabin at the river Kishon;
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	10	wiped out at En-Dor, they served to manure the ground.
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	11	Treat their leaders like Oreb and Zeeb, all their commanders like Zebah and Zalmunna,
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	12	for they said, 'Let us take for ourselves God's settlements.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	13	My God, treat them like thistledown, like chaff at the mercy of the wind.
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	14	As fire devours a forest, as a flame sets mountains ablaze,
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	15	so drive them away with your tempest, by your whirlwind fill them with terror.
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	16	Shame written all over their faces, let them seek your name, Yahweh!
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	17	Dishonour and terror be always theirs, death also and destruction.
 Psalms	Ps	23	83	18	Let them know that you alone bear the name of Yahweh, Most High over all the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	84	1	[For the choirmaster On the . . . of Gath Of the sons of Korah Psalm] How lovely are your dwelling-places, Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	84	2	My whole being yearns and pines for Yahweh's courts, My heart and my body cry out for joy to the living God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	84	3	Even the sparrow has found a home, the swallow a nest to place its young: your altars, Yahweh Sabaoth, my King and my God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	84	4	How blessed are those who live in your house; they shall praise you continually.
 Psalms	Ps	23	84	5	Blessed those who find their strength in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
 Psalms	Ps	23	84	6	As they pass through the Valley of the Balsam, they make there a water-hole, and -- a further blessing -- early rain fills it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	84	7	They make their way from height to height, God shows himself to them in Zion.
 Psalms	Ps	23	84	8	Yahweh, God Sabaoth, hear my prayer, listen, God of Jacob.
 Psalms	Ps	23	84	9	God, our shield, look, and see the face of your anointed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	84	10	Better one day in your courts than a thousand at my own devices, to stand on the threshold of God's house than to live in the tents of the wicked.
 Psalms	Ps	23	84	11	For Yahweh God is a rampart and shield, he gives grace and glory; Yahweh refuses nothing good to those whose life is blameless.
 Psalms	Ps	23	84	12	Yahweh Sabaoth, blessed is he who trusts in you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	1	[For the choirmaster Of the sons of Korah Psalm] Yahweh, you are gracious to your land, you bring back the captives of Jacob,
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	2	you take away the guilt of your people, you blot out all their sin.
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	3	You retract all your anger, you renounce the heat of your fury.
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	4	Bring us back, God our Saviour, appease your indignation against us!
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	5	Will you be angry with us for ever? Will you prolong your wrath age after age?
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	6	Will you not give us life again, for your people to rejoice in you?
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	7	Show us, Lord, your faithful love, grant us your saving help.
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	8	I am listening. What is God's message? Yahweh's message is peace for his people, for his faithful, if only they renounce their folly.
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	9	His saving help is near for those who fear him, his glory will dwell in our land.
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	10	Faithful Love and Loyalty join together, Saving Justice and Peace embrace.
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	11	Loyalty will spring up from the earth, and Justice will lean down from heaven.
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	12	Yahweh will himself give prosperity, and our soil will yield its harvest.
 Psalms	Ps	23	85	13	Justice will walk before him, treading out a path.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	1	[Prayer Of David] Listen to me, Yahweh, answer me, for I am poor and needy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	2	Guard me, for I am faithful, save your servant who relies on you. You are my God,
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	3	take pity on me, Lord, for to you I cry all the day.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	4	Fill your servant's heart with joy, Lord, for to you I raise up my heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	5	Lord, you are kind and forgiving, rich in faithful love for all who call upon you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	6	Yahweh, hear my prayer, listen to the sound of my pleading.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	7	In my day of distress I call upon you, because you answer me, Lord;
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	8	among the gods there is none to compare with you, no great deeds to compare with yours.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	9	All nations will come and adore you, Lord, and give glory to your name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	10	For you are great and do marvellous deeds, you, God, and none other.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	11	Teach me, Yahweh, your ways, that I may not stray from your loyalty; let my heart's one aim be to fear your name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	12	I thank you with all my heart, Lord my God, I will glorify your name for ever,
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	13	for your faithful love for me is so great that you have rescued me from the depths of Sheol.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	14	Arrogant men, God, are rising up against me, a brutal gang is after my life, in their scheme of things you have no place.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	15	But you, Lord, God of tenderness and mercy, slow to anger, rich in faithful love and loyalty,
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	16	turn to me and pity me. Give to your servant your strength, to the child of your servant your saving help,
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	17	give me a sign of your kindness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	86	18	My enemies will see to their shame that you, Yahweh, help and console me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	87	1	[Of the sons of Korah Psalm Song] With its foundations on the holy mountains,
 Psalms	Ps	23	87	2	Yahweh loves his city, he prefers the gates of Zion to any dwelling-place in Jacob.
 Psalms	Ps	23	87	3	He speaks of glory for you, city of God,
 Psalms	Ps	23	87	4	'I number Rahab and Babylon among those that acknowledge me; look at Tyre, Philistia, Ethiopia, so and so was born there.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	87	5	But of Zion it will be said, 'Every one was born there,' her guarantee is the Most High.
 Psalms	Ps	23	87	6	Yahweh in his register of peoples will note against each, 'Born there',
 Psalms	Ps	23	87	7	princes no less than native-born; all make their home in you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	1	[Song Psalm Of the sons of Korah In sickness In suffering Poem For Heman the native-born] Yahweh, God of my salvation, when I cry out to you in the night,
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	2	may my prayer reach your presence, hear my cry for help.
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	3	For I am filled with misery, my life is on the brink of Sheol;
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	4	already numbered among those who sink into oblivion, I am as one bereft of strength,
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	5	left alone among the dead, like the slaughtered lying in the grave, whom you remember no more, cut off as they are from your protection.
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	6	You have plunged me to the bottom of the grave, in the darkness, in the depths;
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	7	weighted down by your anger, kept low by your waves.
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	8	You have deprived me of my friends, made me repulsive to them, imprisoned, with no escape;
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	9	my eyes are worn out with suffering. I call to you, Yahweh, all day, I stretch out my hands to you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	10	Do you work wonders for the dead, can shadows rise up to praise you?
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	11	Do they speak in the grave of your faithful love, of your constancy in the place of perdition?
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	12	Are your wonders known in the darkness, your saving justice in the land of oblivion?
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	13	But, for my part, I cry to you, Yahweh, every morning my prayer comes before you;
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	14	why, Yahweh, do you rebuff me, turn your face away from me?
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	15	Wretched and close to death since childhood, I have borne your terrors -- I am finished!
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	16	Your anger has overwhelmed me, your terrors annihilated me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	17	They flood around me all day long, close in on me all at once.
 Psalms	Ps	23	88	18	You have deprived me of friends and companions, and all that I know is the dark.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	1	[Poem For Ethan the native-born] I shall sing the faithful love of Yahweh for ever, from age to age my lips shall declare your constancy,
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	2	for you have said: love is built to last for ever, you have fixed your constancy firm in the heavens.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	3	'I have made a covenant with my Chosen One, sworn an oath to my servant David:
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	4	I have made your dynasty firm for ever, built your throne stable age after age.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	5	The heavens praise your wonders, Yahweh, your constancy in the gathering of your faithful.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	6	Who in the skies can compare with Yahweh? Who among the sons of god can rival him?
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	7	God, awesome in the assembly of holy ones, great and dreaded among all who surround him,
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	8	Yahweh, God Sabaoth, who is like you? Mighty Yahweh, your constancy is all round you!
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	9	You control the pride of the ocean, when its waves ride high you calm them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	10	You split Rahab in two like a corpse, scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	11	Yours are the heavens and yours the earth, the world and all it holds, you founded them;
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	12	you created the north and the south, Tabor and Hermon hail your name with joy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	13	Yours is a strong arm, mighty your hand, your right hand raised high;
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	14	Saving Justice and Fair Judgement the foundations of your throne, Faithful Love and Constancy march before you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	15	How blessed the nation that learns to acclaim you! They will live, Yahweh, in the light of your presence.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	16	In your name they rejoice all day long, by your saving justice they are raised up.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	17	You are the flower of their strength, by your favour our strength is triumphant;
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	18	for to Yahweh belongs our shield, to the Holy One of Israel our king.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	19	Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful you said: 'I have given strength to a warrior, I have raised up a man chosen from my people.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	20	'I have found David my servant, and anointed him with my holy oil.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	21	My hand will always be with him, my arm will make him strong.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	22	'No enemy will be able to outwit him, no wicked man overcome him;
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	23	I shall crush his enemies before him, strike his opponents dead.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	24	'My constancy and faithful love will be with him, in my name his strength will be triumphant.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	25	I shall establish his power over the sea, his dominion over the rivers.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	26	'He will cry to me, "You are my father, my God, the rock of my salvation!"
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	27	So I shall make him my first-born, the highest of earthly kings.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	28	'I shall maintain my faithful love for him always, my covenant with him will stay firm.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	29	I have established his dynasty for ever, his throne to be as lasting as the heavens.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	30	'Should his descendants desert my law, and not keep to my rulings,
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	31	should they violate my statutes, and not observe my commandments,
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	32	'then I shall punish their offences with the rod, their guilt with the whip,
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	33	but I shall never withdraw from him my faithful love, I shall not belie my constancy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	34	'I shall not violate my covenant, I shall not withdraw the word once spoken.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	35	I have sworn by my holiness, once and for all, never will I break faith with David.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	36	'His dynasty shall endure for ever, his throne like the sun before me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	37	as the moon is established for ever, a faithful witness in the skies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	38	Yet you yourself -- you have spurned and rejected, and have vented your wrath on your anointed,
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	39	you have repudiated the covenant with your servant, dishonoured his crown in the dust.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	40	You have pierced all his defences, and laid his strongholds in ruins,
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	41	everyone passing by plunders him, he has become the butt of his neighbours.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	42	You have raised high the right hand of his opponents, have made all his enemies happy;
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	43	you have snapped off his sword on a rock, and failed to support him in battle.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	44	You have stripped him of his splendid sceptre, and toppled his throne to the ground.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	45	You have aged him before his time, enveloped him in shame.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	46	How long, Yahweh, will you remain hidden? For ever? Is your anger to go on smouldering like a fire?
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	47	Remember me; how long have I left? For what pointless end did you create all the children of Adam?
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	48	Who can live and never see death? Who can save himself from the clutches of Sheol?
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	49	Lord, what of those pledges of your faithful love? You made an oath to David by your constancy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	50	Do not forget the insults to your servant; I take to heart the taunts of the nations,
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	51	which your enemies have levelled, Yahweh, have levelled at the footsteps of your anointed!
 Psalms	Ps	23	89	52	Blessed be Yahweh for ever. Amen, Amen.
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	1	[Prayer Of Moses, man of God] Lord, you have been our refuge from age to age.
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	2	Before the mountains were born, before the earth and the world came to birth, from eternity to eternity you are God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	3	You bring human beings to the dust, by saying, 'Return, children of Adam.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	4	A thousand years are to you like a yesterday which has passed, like a watch of the night.
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	5	You flood them with sleep -- in the morning they will be like growing grass:
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	6	in the morning it is blossoming and growing, by evening it is withered and dry.
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	7	For we have been destroyed by your wrath, dismayed by your anger.
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	8	You have taken note of our guilty deeds, our secrets in the full light of your presence.
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	9	All our days pass under your wrath, our lives are over like a sigh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	10	The span of our life is seventy years -- eighty for those who are strong -- but their whole extent is anxiety and trouble, they are over in a moment and we are gone.
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	11	Who feels the power of your anger, or who that fears you, your wrath?
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	12	Teach us to count up the days that are ours, and we shall come to the heart of wisdom.
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	13	Come back, Yahweh! How long must we wait? Take pity on your servants.
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	14	Each morning fill us with your faithful love, we shall sing and be happy all our days;
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	15	let our joy be as long as the time that you afflicted us, the years when we experienced disaster.
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	16	Show your servants the deeds you do, let their children enjoy your splendour!
 Psalms	Ps	23	90	17	May the sweetness of the Lord be upon us, to confirm the work we have done!
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	1	You who live in the secret place of Elyon, spend your nights in the shelter of Shaddai,
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	2	saying to Yahweh, 'My refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	3	He rescues you from the snare of the fowler set on destruction;
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	4	he covers you with his pinions, you find shelter under his wings. His constancy is shield and protection.
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	5	You need not fear the terrors of night, the arrow that flies in the daytime,
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	6	the plague that stalks in the darkness, the scourge that wreaks havoc at high noon.
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	7	Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, you yourself will remain unscathed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	8	You have only to keep your eyes open to see how the wicked are repaid,
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	9	you who say, 'Yahweh my refuge!' and make Elyon your fortress.
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	10	No disaster can overtake you, no plague come near your tent;
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	11	he has given his angels orders about you to guard you wherever you go.
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	12	They will carry you in their arms in case you trip over a stone.
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	13	You will walk upon wild beast and adder, you will trample young lions and snakes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	14	'Since he clings to me I rescue him, I raise him high, since he acknowledges my name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	15	He calls to me and I answer him: in distress I am at his side, I rescue him and bring him honour.
 Psalms	Ps	23	91	16	I shall satisfy him with long life, and grant him to see my salvation.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	1	[Psalm Song For the Sabbath] It is good to give thanks to Yahweh, to make music for your name, Most High,
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	2	to proclaim your faithful love at daybreak, and your constancy all through the night,
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	3	on the lyre, the ten-stringed lyre, to the murmur of the harp.
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	4	You have brought me joy, Yahweh, by your deeds, at the work of your hands I cry out,
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	5	'How great are your works, Yahweh, immensely deep your thoughts!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	6	Stupid people cannot realise this, fools do not grasp it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	7	The wicked may sprout like weeds, and every evil-doer flourish, but only to be eternally destroyed;
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	8	whereas you are supreme for ever, Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	9	Look how your enemies perish, how all evil-doers are scattered!
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	10	You give me the strength of the wild ox, you anoint me with fresh oil;
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	11	I caught sight of the ambush against me, overheard the plans of the wicked.
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	12	The upright will flourish like the palm tree, will grow like a cedar of Lebanon.
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	13	Planted in the house of Yahweh, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	14	In old age they will still bear fruit, will remain fresh and green,
 Psalms	Ps	23	92	15	to proclaim Yahweh's integrity; my rock, in whom no fault can be found.
 Psalms	Ps	23	93	1	Yahweh is king, robed in majesty, robed is Yahweh and girded with power.
 Psalms	Ps	23	93	2	The world is indeed set firm, it can never be shaken; your throne is set firm from of old, from all eternity you exist.
 Psalms	Ps	23	93	3	The rivers lift up, Yahweh, the rivers lift up their voices, the rivers lift up their thunder.
 Psalms	Ps	23	93	4	Greater than the voice of many waters, more majestic than the breakers of the sea, Yahweh is majestic in the heights.
 Psalms	Ps	23	93	5	Your decrees stand firm, unshakeable, holiness is the beauty of your house, Yahweh, for all time to come.
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	1	God of vengeance, Yahweh, God of vengeance, shine forth!
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	2	Arise, judge of the world, give back the proud what they deserve!
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	3	How long are the wicked, Yahweh, how long are the wicked to triumph?
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	4	They bluster and boast, they flaunt themselves, all the evil-doers.
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	5	They crush your people, Yahweh, they oppress your heritage,
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	6	they murder the widow and the stranger, bring the orphan to a violent death.
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	7	They say, 'Yahweh is not looking, the God of Jacob is taking no notice.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	8	Take notice yourselves, you coarsest of people! Fools, when will you learn some sense?
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	9	Shall he who implanted the ear not hear, he who fashioned the eye not see?
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	10	Shall he who instructs nations not punish? Yahweh, the teacher of all people,
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	11	knows human plans and how insipid they are.
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	12	How blessed are those you instruct, Yahweh, whom you teach by means of your law,
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	13	to give them respite in evil times, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	14	Yahweh will not abandon his people, he will not desert his heritage;
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	15	for judgement will again become saving justice, and in its wake all upright hearts will follow.
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	16	Who rises up on my side against the wicked? Who stands firm on my side against all evil-doers?
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	17	If Yahweh did not come to my help, I should soon find myself dwelling in the silence.
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	18	I need only say, 'I am slipping,' for your faithful love, Yahweh, to support me;
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	19	however great the anxiety of my heart, your consolations soothe me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	20	Are you partner to a destructive court, that gives disorder the status of law?
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	21	They make an attack on the life of the upright, and condemn innocent blood.
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	22	No! Yahweh is a stronghold to me, my God is my rock of refuge.
 Psalms	Ps	23	94	23	He turns back their guilt on themselves, annihilates them for their wickedness, he annihilates them, Yahweh our God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	95	1	Come, let us cry out with joy to Yahweh, acclaim the rock of our salvation.
 Psalms	Ps	23	95	2	Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving, acclaim him with music.
 Psalms	Ps	23	95	3	For Yahweh is a great God, a king greater than all the gods.
 Psalms	Ps	23	95	4	In his power are the depths of the earth, the peaks of the mountains are his;
 Psalms	Ps	23	95	5	the sea belongs to him, for he made it, and the dry land, moulded by his hands.
 Psalms	Ps	23	95	6	Come, let us bow low and do reverence; kneel before Yahweh who made us!
 Psalms	Ps	23	95	7	For he is our God, and we the people of his sheepfold, the flock of his hand. If only you would listen to him today!
 Psalms	Ps	23	95	8	Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as at the time of Massah in the desert,
 Psalms	Ps	23	95	9	when your ancestors challenged me, put me to the test, and saw what I could do!
 Psalms	Ps	23	95	10	For forty years that generation sickened me, and I said, 'Always fickle hearts; they cannot grasp my ways.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	95	11	Then in my anger I swore they would never enter my place of rest.
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	1	Sing a new song to Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	2	Sing to Yahweh, bless his name! Proclaim his salvation day after day,
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	3	declare his glory among the nations, his marvels to every people!
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	4	Great is Yahweh, worthy of all praise, more awesome than any of the gods.
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	5	All the gods of the nations are idols! It was Yahweh who made the heavens;
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	6	in his presence are splendour and majesty, in his sanctuary power and beauty.
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	7	Give to Yahweh, families of nations, give to Yahweh glory and power,
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	8	give to Yahweh the glory due to his name! Bring an offering and enter his courts,
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	9	adore Yahweh in the splendour of his holiness. Tremble before him, all the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	10	Say among the nations, 'Yahweh is king.' The world is set firm, it cannot be moved. He will judge the nations with justice.
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	11	Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad! Let the sea thunder, and all it holds!
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	12	Let the countryside exult, and all that is in it, and all the trees of the forest cry out for joy,
 Psalms	Ps	23	96	13	at Yahweh's approach, for he is coming, coming to judge the earth; he will judge the world with saving justice, and the nations with constancy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	97	1	Yahweh is king! Let earth rejoice, the many isles be glad!
 Psalms	Ps	23	97	2	Cloud, black cloud enfolds him, saving justice and judgement the foundations of his throne.
 Psalms	Ps	23	97	3	Fire goes before him, sets ablaze his enemies all around;
 Psalms	Ps	23	97	4	his lightning-flashes light up the world, the earth sees it and quakes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	97	5	The mountains melt like wax, before the Lord of all the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	97	6	The heavens proclaim his saving justice, all nations see his glory.
 Psalms	Ps	23	97	7	Shame on all who serve images, who pride themselves on their idols; bow down to him, all you gods!
 Psalms	Ps	23	97	8	Zion hears and is glad, the daughters of Judah exult, because of your judgements, Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	97	9	For you are Yahweh, Most High over all the earth, far transcending all gods.
 Psalms	Ps	23	97	10	Yahweh loves those who hate evil, he keeps safe his faithful, rescues them from the clutches of the wicked.
 Psalms	Ps	23	97	11	Light dawns for the upright, and joy for honest hearts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	97	12	Rejoice in Yahweh, you who are upright, praise his unforgettable holiness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	98	1	[Psalm] Sing a new song to Yahweh, for he has performed wonders, his saving power is in his right hand and his holy arm.
 Psalms	Ps	23	98	2	Yahweh has made known his saving power, revealed his saving justice for the nations to see,
 Psalms	Ps	23	98	3	mindful of his faithful love and his constancy to the House of Israel. The whole wide world has seen the saving power of our God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	98	4	Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth, burst into shouts of joy!
 Psalms	Ps	23	98	5	Play to Yahweh on the harp, to the sound of instruments;
 Psalms	Ps	23	98	6	to the sound of trumpet and horn, acclaim the presence of the King.
 Psalms	Ps	23	98	7	Let the sea thunder, and all that it holds, the world and all who live in it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	98	8	Let the rivers clap their hands, and the mountains shout for joy together,
 Psalms	Ps	23	98	9	at Yahweh's approach, for he is coming to judge the earth; he will judge the world with saving justice and the nations with fairness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	99	1	Yahweh is king, the peoples tremble; he is enthroned on the winged creatures, the earth shivers;
 Psalms	Ps	23	99	2	Yahweh is great in Zion. He is supreme over all nations;
 Psalms	Ps	23	99	3	let them praise your name, great and awesome; holy is he
 Psalms	Ps	23	99	4	and mighty! You are a king who loves justice, you established honesty, justice and uprightness; in Jacob it is you who are active.
 Psalms	Ps	23	99	5	Exalt Yahweh our God, bow down at his footstool; holy is he!
 Psalms	Ps	23	99	6	Moses and Aaron are among his priests, and Samuel, calling on his name; they called on Yahweh and he answered them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	99	7	He spoke with them in the pillar of fire, they obeyed his decrees, the Law he gave them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	99	8	Yahweh our God, you answered them, you were a God of forgiveness to them, but punished them for their sins.
 Psalms	Ps	23	99	9	Exalt Yahweh our God, bow down at his holy mountain; holy is Yahweh our God!
 Psalms	Ps	23	100	1	[Psalm For thanksgiving] Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth,
 Psalms	Ps	23	100	2	serve Yahweh with gladness, come into his presence with songs of joy!
 Psalms	Ps	23	100	3	Be sure that Yahweh is God, he made us, we belong to him, his people, the flock of his sheepfold.
 Psalms	Ps	23	100	4	Come within his gates giving thanks, to his courts singing praise, give thanks to him and bless his name!
 Psalms	Ps	23	100	5	For Yahweh is good, his faithful love is everlasting, his constancy from age to age.
 Psalms	Ps	23	101	1	[Of David Psalm] I will sing of faithful love and judgement; to you, Yahweh, will I make music.
 Psalms	Ps	23	101	2	I will go forward in the path of the blameless; when will you come to me? I will live in purity of heart, in my house,
 Psalms	Ps	23	101	3	I will not set before my eyes anything sordid. I hate those who act crookedly; this has no attraction for me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	101	4	Let the perverse of heart keep away from me; the wicked I disregard.
 Psalms	Ps	23	101	5	One who secretly slanders a comrade, I reduce to silence; haughty looks, proud heart, these I cannot abide.
 Psalms	Ps	23	101	6	I look to the faithful of the land to be my companions, only he who walks in the path of the blameless shall be my servant.
 Psalms	Ps	23	101	7	There is no room in my house for anyone who practises deceit; no liar will stand his ground where I can see him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	101	8	Morning after morning I reduce to silence all the wicked in the land, banishing from the city of Yahweh all evil-doers.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	1	[Prayer of someone afflicted, who in misfortune pours out sorrows before Yahweh] Yahweh, hear my prayer, let my cry for help reach you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	2	Do not turn away your face from me when I am in trouble; bend down and listen to me, when I call, be quick to answer me!
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	3	For my days are vanishing like smoke, my bones burning like an oven;
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	4	like grass struck by blight, my heart is withering, I forget to eat my meals.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	5	From the effort of voicing my groans my bones stick out through my skin.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	6	I am like a desert-owl in the wastes, a screech-owl among ruins,
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	7	I keep vigil and moan like a lone bird on a roof.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	8	All day long my enemies taunt me, those who once praised me now use me as a curse.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	9	Ashes are the food that I eat, my drink is mingled with tears,
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	10	because of your fury and anger, since you have raised me up only to cast me away;
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	11	my days are like a fading shadow, I am withering up like grass.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	12	But you, Yahweh, are enthroned for ever, each generation in turn remembers you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	13	Rise up, take pity on Zion! the time has come to have mercy on her, the moment has come;
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	14	for your servants love her very stones, are moved to pity by her dust.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	15	Then will the nations revere the name of Yahweh, and all the kings of the earth your glory;
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	16	when Yahweh builds Zion anew, he will be seen in his glory;
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	17	he will turn to hear the prayer of the destitute, and will not treat their prayer with scorn.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	18	This shall be put on record for a future generation, and a people yet to be born shall praise God:
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	19	Yahweh has leaned down from the heights of his sanctuary, has looked down from heaven to earth,
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	20	to listen to the sighing of the captive, and set free those condemned to death,
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	21	to proclaim the name of Yahweh in Zion, his praise in Jerusalem;
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	22	nations will gather together, and kingdoms to worship Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	23	In my journeying my strength has failed on the way;
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	24	let me know the short time I have left. Do not take me away before half my days are done, for your years run on from age to age.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	25	Long ago you laid earth's foundations, the heavens are the work of your hands.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	26	They pass away but you remain; they all wear out like a garment, like outworn clothes you change them;
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	27	but you never alter, and your years never end.
 Psalms	Ps	23	102	28	The children of those who serve you will dwell secure, and their descendants live on in your presence.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	1	[Of David] Bless Yahweh, my soul, from the depths of my being, his holy name;
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	2	bless Yahweh, my soul, never forget all his acts of kindness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	3	He forgives all your offences, cures all your diseases,
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	4	he redeems your life from the abyss, crowns you with faithful love and tenderness;
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	5	he contents you with good things all your life, renews your youth like an eagle's.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	6	Yahweh acts with uprightness, with justice to all who are oppressed;
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	7	he revealed to Moses his ways, his great deeds to the children of Israel.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	8	Yahweh is tenderness and pity, slow to anger and rich in faithful love;
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	9	his indignation does not last for ever, nor his resentment remain for all time;
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	10	he does not treat us as our sins deserve, nor repay us as befits our offences.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	11	As the height of heaven above earth, so strong is his faithful love for those who fear him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	12	As the distance of east from west, so far from us does he put our faults.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	13	As tenderly as a father treats his children, so Yahweh treats those who fear him;
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	14	he knows of what we are made, he remembers that we are dust.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	15	As for a human person -- his days are like grass, he blooms like the wild flowers;
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	16	as soon as the wind blows he is gone, never to be seen there again.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	17	But Yahweh's faithful love for those who fear him is from eternity and for ever; and his saving justice to their children's children;
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	18	as long as they keep his covenant, and carefully obey his precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	19	Yahweh has fixed his throne in heaven, his sovereign power rules over all.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	20	Bless Yahweh, all his angels, mighty warriors who fulfil his commands, attentive to the sound of his words.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	21	Bless Yahweh, all his armies, servants who fulfil his wishes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	103	22	Bless Yahweh, all his works, in every place where he rules. Bless Yahweh, my soul.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	1	Bless Yahweh, my soul, Yahweh, my God, how great you are! Clothed in majesty and splendour,
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	2	wearing the light as a robe! You stretch out the heavens like a tent,
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	3	build your palace on the waters above, making the clouds your chariot, gliding on the wings of the wind,
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	4	appointing the winds your messengers, flames of fire your servants.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	5	You fixed the earth on its foundations, for ever and ever it shall not be shaken;
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	6	you covered it with the deep like a garment, the waters overtopping the mountains.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	7	At your reproof the waters fled, at the voice of your thunder they sped away,
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	8	flowing over mountains, down valleys, to the place you had fixed for them;
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	9	you made a limit they were not to cross, they were not to return and cover the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	10	In the ravines you opened up springs, running down between the mountains,
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	11	supplying water for all the wild beasts; the wild asses quench their thirst,
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	12	on their banks the birds of the air make their nests, they sing among the leaves.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	13	From your high halls you water the mountains, satisfying the earth with the fruit of your works:
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	14	for cattle you make the grass grow, and for people the plants they need, to bring forth food from the earth,
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	15	and wine to cheer people's hearts, oil to make their faces glow, food to make them sturdy of heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	16	The trees of Yahweh drink their fill, the cedars of Lebanon which he sowed;
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	17	there the birds build their nests, on the highest branches the stork makes its home;
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	18	for the wild goats there are the mountains, in the crags the coneys find refuge.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	19	He made the moon to mark the seasons, the sun knows when to set.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	20	You bring on darkness, and night falls, when all the forest beasts roam around;
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	21	young lions roar for their prey, asking God for their food.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	22	The sun rises and away they steal, back to their lairs to lie down,
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	23	and man goes out to work, to labour till evening falls.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	24	How countless are your works, Yahweh, all of them made so wisely! The earth is full of your creatures.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	25	Then there is the sea, with its vast expanses teeming with countless creatures, creatures both great and small;
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	26	there ships pass to and fro, and Leviathan whom you made to sport with.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	27	They all depend upon you, to feed them when they need it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	28	You provide the food they gather, your open hand gives them their fill.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	29	Turn away your face and they panic; take back their breath and they die and revert to dust.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	30	Send out your breath and life begins; you renew the face of the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	31	Glory to Yahweh for ever! May Yahweh find joy in his creatures!
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	32	At his glance the earth trembles, at his touch the mountains pour forth smoke.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	33	I shall sing to Yahweh all my life, make music for my God as long as I live.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	34	May my musings be pleasing to him, for Yahweh gives me joy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	104	35	May sinners vanish from the earth, and the wicked exist no more! Bless Yahweh, my soul.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	1	Alleluia! Give thanks to Yahweh, call on his name, proclaim his deeds to the peoples!
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	2	Sing to him, make music for him, recount all his wonders!
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	3	Glory in his holy name, let the hearts that seek Yahweh rejoice!
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	4	Seek Yahweh and his strength, tirelessly seek his presence!
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	5	Remember the marvels he has done, his wonders, the judgements he has spoken.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	6	Stock of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob whom he chose!
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	7	He is Yahweh our God, his judgements touch the whole world.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	8	He remembers his covenant for ever, the promise he laid down for a thousand generations,
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	9	which he concluded with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	10	He established it as a statute for Jacob, an everlasting covenant with Israel,
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	11	saying, 'To you I give a land, Canaan, your allotted birthright.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	12	When they were insignificant in numbers, a handful of strangers in the land,
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	13	wandering from country to country, from one kingdom and nation to another,
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	14	he allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he instructed kings,
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	15	'Do not touch my anointed ones, to my prophets you may do no harm.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	16	He called down famine on the land, he took away their food supply;
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	17	he sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, sold as a slave.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	18	So his feet were weighed down with shackles, his neck was put in irons.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	19	In due time his prophecy was fulfilled, the word of Yahweh proved him true.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	20	The king sent orders to release him, the ruler of nations set him free;
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	21	he put him in charge of his household, the ruler of all he possessed,
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	22	to instruct his princes as he saw fit, to teach his counsellors wisdom.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	23	Then Israel migrated to Egypt, Jacob settled in the country of Ham.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	24	He made his people increase in numbers, he gave them more strength than their enemies,
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	25	whose heart he turned to hate his own people, to double-cross his servants.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	26	He sent his servant Moses, and Aaron, the man of his choice.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	27	They worked there the wonders he commanded, marvels in the country of Ham.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	28	Darkness he sent, and darkness fell, but that nation defied his orders.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	29	He turned their rivers to blood, and killed all the fish in them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	30	Their country was overrun with frogs, even in the royal apartments;
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	31	at his word came flies, and mosquitoes throughout the country.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	32	He gave them hail as their rain, flames of fire in their land;
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	33	he blasted their vine and their fig tree, and shattered the trees of the country.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	34	At his word came locusts, hoppers beyond all counting;
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	35	they devoured every green thing in the land, devoured all the produce of the soil.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	36	He struck all the first-born in their land, the flower of all their manhood;
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	37	he led Israel out with silver and gold; in their tribes there was none who stumbled.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	38	Egypt was glad at their leaving, for terror of Israel had seized them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	39	He spread out a cloud to cover them, and fire to light up the night.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	40	They asked and he brought them quails, food from heaven to their hearts' content;
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	41	he opened a rock, the waters gushed out, and flowed in dry ground as a river.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	42	Faithful to his sacred promise, given to his servant Abraham,
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	43	he led out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	44	He gave them the territories of nations, they reaped the fruit of other people's labours,
 Psalms	Ps	23	105	45	on condition that they kept his statutes, and remained obedient to his laws.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	1	Alleluia! Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, his faithful love is everlasting!
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	2	Who can recount all Yahweh's triumphs, who can fully voice his praise?
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	3	How blessed are those who keep to what is just, whose conduct is always upright!
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	4	Remember me, Yahweh, in your love for your people. Come near to me with your saving power,
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	5	let me share the happiness of your chosen ones, let me share the joy of your people, the pride of your heritage.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	6	Like our ancestors, we have sinned, we have acted wickedly, guiltily;
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	7	our ancestors in Egypt never grasped the meaning of your wonders. They did not bear in mind your countless acts of love, at the Sea of Reeds they defied the Most High;
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	8	but for the sake of his name he saved them, to make known his mighty power.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	9	At his rebuke the Sea of Reeds dried up, he let them pass through the deep as though it were desert,
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	10	so he saved them from their opponents' clutches, rescued them from the clutches of their enemies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	11	The waters enveloped their enemies, not one of whom was left.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	12	Then they believed what he had said, and sang his praises.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	13	But they soon forgot his achievements, they did not even wait for his plans;
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	14	they were overwhelmed with greed in the wastelands, in the solitary wastes they challenged God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	15	He gave them all they asked for, but struck them with a deep wasting sickness;
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	16	in the camp they grew jealous of Moses, and of Aaron, Yahweh's holy one.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	17	The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, closed in on Abiram's faction;
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	18	fire flamed out against their faction, the renegades were engulfed in flames.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	19	At Horeb they made a calf, bowed low before cast metal;
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	20	they exchanged their glory for the image of a grass-eating bull.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	21	They forgot the God who was saving them, who had done great deeds in Egypt,
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	22	such wonders in the land of Ham, such awesome deeds at the Sea of Reeds.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	23	He thought of putting an end to them, had not Moses, his chosen one, taken a stand in the breach and confronted him, to turn his anger away from destroying them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	24	They counted a desirable land for nothing, they put no trust in his promise;
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	25	they stayed in their tents and grumbled, they would not listen to Yahweh's voice.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	26	So he lifted his hand against them, to strike them down in the desert,
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	27	to strike down their descendants among the nations, to scatter them all over the world.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	28	They committed themselves to serve Baal-Peor, and ate sacrifices made to lifeless gods.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	29	They so provoked him by their actions that a plague broke out among them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	30	Then up stood Phinehas to intervene, and the plague was checked;
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	31	for this he is the example of uprightness, from age to age for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	32	At the waters of Meribah they so angered Yahweh, that Moses suffered on their account,
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	33	for they had embittered his spirit, and he spoke without due thought.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	34	They did not destroy the nations, as Yahweh had told them to do,
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	35	but intermarried with them, and adopted their ways.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	36	They worshipped those nations' false gods, till they found themselves entrapped,
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	37	and sacrificed their own sons and their daughters to demons.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	38	Innocent blood they shed, the blood of their sons and daughters; offering them to the idols of Canaan, they polluted the country with blood.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	39	They defiled themselves by such actions, their behaviour was that of a harlot.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	40	Yahweh's anger blazed out at his people, his own heritage filled him with disgust.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	41	He handed them over to the nations, and their opponents became their masters;
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	42	their enemies lorded it over them, crushing them under their rule.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	43	Time and again he rescued them, but they still defied him deliberately, and sank ever deeper in their guilt;
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	44	even so he took pity on their distress, as soon as he heard them cry out.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	45	Bearing his covenant with them in mind, he relented in his boundless and faithful love;
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	46	he ensured that they received compassion, in their treatment by all their captors.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	47	Save us, Yahweh our God, gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and may glory in praising you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	106	48	Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from all eternity and for ever! Let all the people say, 'Amen'.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	1	Alleluia! Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good, his faithful love lasts for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	2	So let them say whom Yahweh redeemed, whom he redeemed from the power of their enemies,
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	3	bringing them back from foreign lands, from east and west, north and south.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	4	They were wandering in the desert, in the wastelands, could find no way to an inhabited city;
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	5	they were hungry and thirsty, their life was ebbing away.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	6	They cried out to Yahweh in their distress, he rescued them from their plight,
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	7	he set them on the road, straight to an inhabited city.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	8	Let them thank Yahweh for his faithful love, for his wonders for the children of Adam!
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	9	He has fed the hungry to their hearts' content, filled the starving with good things.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	10	Sojourners in gloom and shadow dark as death, fettered in misery and chains,
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	11	for defying the orders of Yahweh, for scorning the plan of the Most High-
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	12	he subdued their spirit by hard labour; if they fell there was no one to help.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	13	They cried out to Yahweh in their distress, he rescued them from their plight,
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	14	he brought them out from gloom and shadow dark as death, and shattered their chains.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	15	Let them thank Yahweh for his faithful love, for his wonders for the children of Adam!
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	16	He broke open gates of bronze and smashed iron bars.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	17	Fools for their rebellious ways, wretched because of their sins,
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	18	finding all food repugnant, brought close to the gates of death-
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	19	they cried out to Yahweh in their distress; he rescued them from their plight,
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	20	he sent out his word and cured them, and rescued their life from the abyss.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	21	Let them thank Yahweh for his faithful love, for his wonders for the children of Adam!
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	22	Let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and recount with shouts of joy what he has done!
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	23	Voyagers on the sea in ships, plying their trade on the great ocean,
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	24	have seen the works of Yahweh, his wonders in the deep.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	25	By his word he raised a storm-wind, lashing up towering waves.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	26	Up to the sky then down to the depths! Their stomachs were turned to water;
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	27	they staggered and reeled like drunkards, and all their skill went under.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	28	They cried out to Yahweh in their distress, he rescued them from their plight,
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	29	he reduced the storm to a calm, and all the waters subsided,
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	30	and he brought them, overjoyed at the stillness, to the port where they were bound.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	31	Let them thank Yahweh for his faithful love, for his wonders for the children of Adam!
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	32	Let them extol him in the assembly of the people, and praise him in the council of elders.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	33	He has turned rivers into desert, bubbling springs into arid ground,
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	34	fertile country into salt-flats, because the people living there were evil.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	35	But he has turned desert into stretches of water, arid ground into bubbling springs,
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	36	and has given the hungry a home, where they have built themselves a city.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	37	There they sow fields and plant vines, and reap a harvest of their produce.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	38	He blesses them and their numbers increase, he keeps their cattle at full strength.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	39	Their numbers had fallen, they had grown weak, under pressure of disaster and hardship;
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	40	he covered princes in contempt, left them to wander in trackless wastes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	41	But the needy he raises from their misery, makes their families as numerous as sheep.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	42	At the sight the honest rejoice, and the wicked have nothing to say.
 Psalms	Ps	23	107	43	Who is wise? Such a one should take this to heart, and come to understand Yahweh's faithful love.
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	1	[Song Psalm Of David] My heart is ready, God, I will sing and make music; come, my glory!
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	2	Awake, lyre and harp, I will awake the Dawn!
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	3	I will praise you among the peoples, Yahweh, I will play to you among nations,
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	4	for your faithful love towers to heaven, and your constancy to the clouds.
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	5	Be exalted above the heavens, God. Your glory over the whole earth!
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	6	To rescue those you love, save with your right hand and answer us.
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	7	God has spoken from his sanctuary, 'In triumph I will divide up Shechem, and share out the Valley of Succoth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	8	'Mine is Gilead, mine Manasseh, Ephraim the helmet on my head, Judah my commander's baton,
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	9	'Moab a bowl for me to wash in, on Edom I plant my sandal, over Philistia I cry victory.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	10	Who will lead me against a fortified city, who will guide me into Edom,
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	11	if not you, the God who has rejected us? God, you no longer march with our armies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	12	Bring us help in our time of crisis, any human assistance is worthless.
 Psalms	Ps	23	108	13	With God we shall do deeds of valour, he will trample down our enemies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	1	[For the choirmaster Of David Psalm] God whom I praise, do not be silent!
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	2	Wicked and deceiving words are being said about me, false accusations are cast in my teeth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	3	Words of hate fly all around me, though I give no cause for hostility.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	4	In return for my friendship they denounce me, and all I can do is pray!
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	5	They repay my kindness with evil, and friendship with hatred.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	6	'Set up a wicked man against him as accuser to stand on his right.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	7	At his trial may he emerge as guilty, even his prayer construed as a crime!
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	8	'May his life be cut short, someone else take over his office,
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	9	his children be orphaned, his wife be widowed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	10	'May his children wander perpetually, beggars, driven from the ruins of their house,
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	11	a creditor seize all his goods, and strangers make off with his earnings.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	12	'May there be none left faithful enough to show him love, no one take pity on his orphans,
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	13	the line of his descendants cut off, his name wiped out in one generation.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	14	'May Yahweh never forget the crimes of his ancestors, and his mother's sins not be wiped out;
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	15	may Yahweh keep these constantly in mind, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	16	He had no thought of being loyal, but hounded the poor and the needy and the broken-hearted to their death.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	17	He had a taste for cursing; let it recoil on him! No taste for blessing; let it never come his way!
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	18	Cursing has been the uniform he wore; let it soak into him like water, like oil right into his bones.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	19	Let it be as a robe which envelops him completely, a sash which he always wears.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	20	Let this be the salary Yahweh pays the accusers who blacken my name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	21	Yahweh, treat them as your name demands; as your faithful love is generous, deliver me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	22	Poor and needy as I am, my wounds go right to the heart;
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	23	I am passing away like a fading shadow, they have shaken me off like a locust.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	24	My knees are weak from lack of food, my body lean for lack of fat.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	25	I have become the butt of their taunts, they shake their heads at the sight of me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	26	Help me, Yahweh my God, save me as your faithful love demands.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	27	Let them know that yours is the saving hand, that this, Yahweh, is your work.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	28	Let them curse, provided that you bless; let their attacks bring shame to them and joy to your servant!
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	29	Let my accusers be clothed in disgrace, enveloped in a cloak of shame.
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	30	With generous thanks to Yahweh on my lips, I shall praise him before all the people,
 Psalms	Ps	23	109	31	for he stands at the side of the poor, to save their lives from those who sit in judgement on them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	110	1	[Of David Psalm] Yahweh declared to my Lord, 'Take your seat at my right hand, till I have made your enemies your footstool.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	110	2	Yahweh will stretch out the sceptre of your power; from Zion you will rule your foes all around you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	110	3	Royal dignity has been yours from the day of your birth, sacred honour from the womb, from the dawn of your youth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	110	4	Yahweh has sworn an oath he will never retract, you are a priest for ever of the order of Melchizedek.
 Psalms	Ps	23	110	5	At your right hand, Lord, he shatters kings when his anger breaks out.
 Psalms	Ps	23	110	6	He judges nations, heaping up corpses, he breaks heads over the whole wide world.
 Psalms	Ps	23	110	7	He drinks from a stream as he goes, and therefore he holds his head high.
 Psalms	Ps	23	111	1	Alleluia! I give thanks to Yahweh with all my heart, in the meeting-place of honest people, in the assembly.
 Psalms	Ps	23	111	2	Great are the deeds of Yahweh, to be pondered by all who delight in them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	111	3	Full of splendour and majesty his work, his saving justice stands firm for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	111	4	He gives us a memorial of his great deeds; Yahweh is mercy and tenderness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	111	5	He gives food to those who fear him, he keeps his covenant ever in mind.
 Psalms	Ps	23	111	6	His works show his people his power in giving them the birthright of the nations.
 Psalms	Ps	23	111	7	The works of his hands are fidelity and justice, all his precepts are trustworthy,
 Psalms	Ps	23	111	8	established for ever and ever, accomplished in fidelity and honesty.
 Psalms	Ps	23	111	9	Deliverance he sends to his people, his covenant he imposes for ever; holy and awesome his name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	111	10	The root of wisdom is fear of Yahweh; those who attain it are wise. His praise will continue for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	112	1	Alleluia! How blessed is anyone who fears Yahweh, who delights in his commandments!
 Psalms	Ps	23	112	2	His descendants shall be powerful on earth, the race of the honest shall receive blessings:
 Psalms	Ps	23	112	3	Riches and wealth for his family; his uprightness stands firm for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	112	4	For the honest he shines as a lamp in the dark, generous, tender-hearted, and upright.
 Psalms	Ps	23	112	5	All goes well for one who lends generously, who is honest in all his dealing;
 Psalms	Ps	23	112	6	for all time to come he will not stumble, for all time to come the upright will be remembered.
 Psalms	Ps	23	112	7	Bad news holds no fears for him, firm is his heart, trusting in Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	112	8	His heart held steady, he has no fears, till he can gloat over his enemies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	112	9	To the needy he gives without stint, his uprightness stands firm for ever; his reputation is founded on strength.
 Psalms	Ps	23	112	10	The wicked are vexed at the sight, they grind their teeth and waste away. The desires of the wicked will be frustrated.
 Psalms	Ps	23	113	1	Alleluia! Praise, servants of Yahweh, praise the name of Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	113	2	Blessed be the name of Yahweh, henceforth and for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	113	3	From the rising of the sun to its setting, praised be the name of Yahweh!
 Psalms	Ps	23	113	4	Supreme over all nations is Yahweh, supreme over the heavens his glory.
 Psalms	Ps	23	113	5	Who is like Yahweh our God? His throne is set on high,
 Psalms	Ps	23	113	6	but he stoops to look down on heaven and earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	113	7	He raises the poor from the dust, he lifts the needy from the dunghill,
 Psalms	Ps	23	113	8	to give them a place among princes, among princes of his people.
 Psalms	Ps	23	113	9	He lets the barren woman be seated at home, the happy mother of sons.
 Psalms	Ps	23	114	1	Alleluia! When Israel came out of Egypt, the House of Jacob from a people of foreign speech,
 Psalms	Ps	23	114	2	Judah became his sanctuary, and Israel his domain.
 Psalms	Ps	23	114	3	The sea fled at the sight, the Jordan turned back,
 Psalms	Ps	23	114	4	the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like sheep.
 Psalms	Ps	23	114	5	Sea, what makes you flee? Jordan, why turn back?
 Psalms	Ps	23	114	6	Why skip like rams, you mountains? Why like sheep, you hills?
 Psalms	Ps	23	114	7	Tremble, earth, at the coming of the Lord, at the coming of the God of Jacob,
 Psalms	Ps	23	114	8	who turns rock into pool, flint into fountain.
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	1	Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, but to your name give the glory, for your faithful love and your constancy!
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	2	Why should the nations ask, 'Where is their God?'
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	3	Our God is in heaven, he creates whatever he chooses.
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	4	They have idols of silver and gold, made by human hands.
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	5	These have mouths but say nothing, have eyes but see nothing,
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	6	have ears but hear nothing, have noses but smell nothing.
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	7	They have hands but cannot feel, have feet but cannot walk, no sound comes from their throats.
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	8	Their makers will end up like them, and all who rely on them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	9	House of Israel, rely on Yahweh; he is their help and their shield.
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	10	House of Aaron, rely on Yahweh; he is their help and their shield.
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	11	You who fear Yahweh, rely on Yahweh; he is their help and their shield.
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	12	Yahweh will keep us in mind, he will bless, he will bless the House of Israel, he will bless the House of Aaron,
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	13	he will bless those who fear Yahweh, small and great alike.
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	14	May Yahweh add to your numbers, yours and your children's too!
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	15	May you be blessed by Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	16	Heaven belongs to Yahweh, but earth he has given to the children of Adam.
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	17	The dead cannot praise Yahweh, those who sink into silence,
 Psalms	Ps	23	115	18	but we, the living, shall bless Yahweh, henceforth and for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	1	Alleluia! I am filled with love when Yahweh listens to the sound of my prayer,
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	2	when he bends down to hear me, as I call.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	3	The bonds of death were all round me, the snares of Sheol held me fast; distress and anguish held me in their grip,
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	4	I called on the name of Yahweh. Deliver me, Yahweh, I beg you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	5	Yahweh is merciful and upright, our God is tenderness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	6	Yahweh looks after the simple, when I was brought low he gave me strength.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	7	My heart, be at peace once again, for Yahweh has treated you generously.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	8	He has rescued me from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	9	I shall pass my life in the presence of Yahweh, in the land of the living.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	10	My trust does not fail even when I say, 'I am completely wretched.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	11	In my terror I said, 'No human being can be relied on.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	12	What return can I make to Yahweh for his generosity to me?
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	13	I shall take up the cup of salvation and call on the name of Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	14	I shall fulfil my vows to Yahweh, witnessed by all his people.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	15	Costly in Yahweh's sight is the death of his faithful.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	16	I beg you, Yahweh! I am your servant, I am your servant and my mother was your servant; you have undone my fetters.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	17	I shall offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	18	I shall fulfil my vows to Yahweh, witnessed by all his people,
 Psalms	Ps	23	116	19	in the courts of the house of Yahweh, in your very heart, Jerusalem.
 Psalms	Ps	23	117	1	Alleluia! Praise Yahweh, all nations, extol him, all peoples,
 Psalms	Ps	23	117	2	for his faithful love is strong and his constancy never-ending.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	1	Alleluia! Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	2	Let the House of Israel say, 'His faithful love endures for ever.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	3	Let the House of Aaron say, 'His faithful love endures for ever.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	4	Let those who fear Yahweh say, 'His faithful love endures for ever.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	5	In my distress I called to Yahweh, he heard me and brought me relief.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	6	With Yahweh on my side I fear nothing; what can human beings do to me?
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	7	With Yahweh on my side as my help, I gloat over my enemies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	8	It is better to take refuge in Yahweh than to rely on human beings;
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	9	better to take refuge in Yahweh than to rely on princes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	10	Nations were swarming around me, in the name of Yahweh I cut them down;
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	11	they swarmed around me, pressing upon me, in the name of Yahweh I cut them down.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	12	They swarmed around me like bees, they flared up like a brushwood fire, in the name of Yahweh I cut them down.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	13	I was pushed hard, to make me fall, but Yahweh came to my help.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	14	Yahweh is my strength and my song, he has been my Saviour.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	15	Shouts of joy and salvation, in the tents of the upright, 'Yahweh's right hand is triumphant,
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	16	Yahweh's right hand is victorious, Yahweh's right hand is triumphant!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	17	I shall not die, I shall live to recount the great deeds of Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	18	Though Yahweh punished me sternly, he has not abandoned me to death.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	19	Open for me the gates of saving justice, I shall go in and thank Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	20	This is the gate of Yahweh, where the upright go in.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	21	I thank you for hearing me, and making yourself my Saviour.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	22	The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	23	This is Yahweh's doing, and we marvel at it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	24	This is the day which Yahweh has made, a day for us to rejoice and be glad.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	25	We beg you, Yahweh, save us, we beg you, Yahweh, give us victory!
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	26	Blessed in the name of Yahweh is he who is coming! We bless you from the house of Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	27	Yahweh is God, he gives us light. Link your processions, branches in hand, up to the horns of the altar.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	28	You are my God, I thank you, all praise to you, my God. I thank you for hearing me, and making yourself my Saviour.
 Psalms	Ps	23	118	29	Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	1	How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of Yahweh!
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	2	Blessed are those who observe his instructions, who seek him with all their hearts,
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	3	and, doing no evil, who walk in his ways.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	4	You lay down your precepts to be carefully kept.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	5	May my ways be steady in doing your will.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	6	Then I shall not be shamed, if my gaze is fixed on your commandments.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	7	I thank you with a sincere heart for teaching me your upright judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	8	I shall do your will; do not ever abandon me wholly.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	9	How can a young man keep his way spotless? By keeping your words.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	10	With all my heart I seek you, do not let me stray from your commandments.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	11	In my heart I treasure your promises, to avoid sinning against you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	12	Blessed are you, Yahweh, teach me your will!
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	13	With my lips I have repeated all the judgements you have given.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	14	In the way of your instructions lies my joy, a joy beyond all wealth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	15	I will ponder your precepts and fix my gaze on your paths.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	16	I find my delight in your will, I do not forget your words.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	17	Be generous to your servant and I shall live, and shall keep your words.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	18	Open my eyes and I shall fix my gaze on the wonders of your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	19	Wayfarer though I am on the earth, do not hide your commandments from me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	20	My heart is pining away with longing at all times for your judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	21	You have rebuked the arrogant, the accursed, who stray from your commandments.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	22	Set me free from taunts and contempt since I observe your instructions.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	23	Though princes sit plotting against me, your servant keeps pondering your will.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	24	Your instructions are my delight, your wishes my counsellors.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	25	Down in the dust I lie prostrate; true to your word, revive me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	26	I tell you my ways and you answer me; teach me your wishes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	27	Show me the way of your precepts, that I may reflect on your wonders.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	28	I am melting away for grief; true to your word, raise me up.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	29	Keep me far from the way of deceit, grant me the grace of your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	30	I have chosen the way of constancy, I have moulded myself to your judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	31	I cling to your instructions, Yahweh, do not disappoint me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	32	I run the way of your commandments, for you have given me freedom of heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	33	Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your will, and I will observe it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	34	Give me understanding and I will observe your Law, and keep it wholeheartedly.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	35	Guide me in the way of your commandments, for my delight is there.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	36	Bend my heart to your instructions, not to selfish gain.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	37	Avert my eyes from pointless images, by your word give me life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	38	Keep your promise to your servant so that all may hold you in awe.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	39	Avert the taunts that I dread, for your judgements are generous.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	40	See how I yearn for your precepts; in your saving justice give me life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	41	Let your faithful love come to me, Yahweh, true to your promise, save me!
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	42	Give me an answer to the taunts against me, since I rely on your word.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	43	Do not deprive me of that faithful word, since my hope lies in your judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	44	I shall keep your Law without fail for ever and ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	45	I shall live in all freedom because I have sought your precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	46	I shall speak of your instructions before kings and will not be shamed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	47	Your commandments fill me with delight, I love them dearly.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	48	I stretch out my hands to your commandments that I love, and I ponder your judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	49	Keep in mind your promise to your servant on which I have built my hope.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	50	It is my comfort in distress, that your promise gives me life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	51	Endlessly the arrogant have jeered at me, but I have not swerved from your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	52	I have kept your age -- old judgements in mind, Yahweh, and I am comforted.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	53	Fury grips me when I see the wicked who abandon your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	54	Your judgements are my song where I live in exile.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	55	All night, Yahweh, I hold your name in mind, I keep your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	56	This is what it means to me, observing your precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	57	My task, I have said, Yahweh, is to keep your word.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	58	Wholeheartedly I entreat your favour; true to your promise, take pity on me!
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	59	I have reflected on my ways, and I turn my steps to your instructions.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	60	I hurry without delay to keep your commandments.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	61	Though caught in the snares of the wicked, I do not forget your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	62	At midnight I rise to praise you for your upright judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	63	I am a friend to all who fear you and keep your precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	64	Your faithful love fills the earth, Yahweh, teach me your judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	65	You have been generous to your servant, Yahweh, true to your promise.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	66	Teach me judgement and knowledge, for I rely on your commandments.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	67	Before I was punished I used to go astray, but now I keep to your promise.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	68	You are generous and act generously, teach me your will.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	69	The arrogant blacken me with lies though I wholeheartedly observe your precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	70	Their hearts are gross like rich fat, but my delight is in your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	71	It was good for me that I had to suffer, the better to learn your judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	72	The Law you have uttered is more precious to me than all the wealth in the world.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	73	Your hands have made me and held me firm, give me understanding and I shall learn your commandments.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	74	Those who fear you rejoice at the sight of me since I put my hope in your word.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	75	I know, Yahweh, that your judgements are upright, and in punishing me you show your constancy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	76	Your faithful love must be my consolation, as you have promised your servant.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	77	Treat me with tenderness and I shall live, for your Law is my delight.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	78	Let the arrogant who tell lies against me be shamed, while I ponder your precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	79	Let those who fear you rally to me, those who understand your instructions.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	80	My heart shall be faultless towards your will; then I shall not be ashamed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	81	I shall wear myself out for your salvation, for your word is my hope.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	82	My eyes, too, are worn out waiting for your promise, when will you have pity on me?
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	83	For I am like a smoked wineskin, but I do not forget your will.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	84	How long has your servant to live? When will you bring my persecutors to judgement?
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	85	The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me in defiance of your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	86	All your commandments show constancy. Help me when they pursue me dishonestly.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	87	They have almost annihilated me on earth, but I have not deserted your precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	88	True to your faithful love, give me life, and I shall keep the instructions you have laid down.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	89	For ever, Yahweh, your word is planted firm in heaven.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	90	Your constancy endures from age to age; you established the earth and it stands firm.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	91	Through your judgements all stands firm to this day, for all creation is your servant.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	92	Had your Law not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	93	I shall never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	94	I am yours, save me, for I seek your precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	95	The wicked may hope to destroy me, but all my thought is of your instructions.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	96	I have seen that all perfection is finite, but your commandment has no limit.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	97	How I love your Law! I ponder it all day long.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	98	You make me wiser than my enemies by your commandment which is mine for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	99	I am wiser than all my teachers because I ponder your instructions.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	100	I have more understanding than the aged because I keep your precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	101	I restrain my foot from evil paths to keep your word.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	102	I do not turn aside from your judgements, because you yourself have instructed me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	103	How pleasant your promise to my palate, sweeter than honey in my mouth!
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	104	From your precepts I learn wisdom, so I hate all deceptive ways.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	105	Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	106	I have sworn -- and shall maintain it -- to keep your upright judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	107	I am utterly wretched, Yahweh; true to your promise, give me life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	108	Accept, Yahweh, the tribute from my mouth, and teach me your judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	109	My life is in your hands perpetually, I do not forget your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	110	The wicked have laid out a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	111	Your instructions are my eternal heritage, they are the joy of my heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	112	I devote myself to obeying your statutes, their recompense is eternal.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	113	I hate a divided heart, I love your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	114	You are my refuge and shield, I put my hope in your word.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	115	Leave me alone, you wicked, I shall observe the commandments of my God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	116	True to your word, support me and I shall live; do not disappoint me of my hope.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	117	Uphold me and I shall be saved, my gaze fixed on your will.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	118	You shake off all who stray from your will; deceit fills their horizon.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	119	In your sight all the wicked of the earth are like rust, so I love your instructions.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	120	My whole body trembles before you, your judgements fill me with fear.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	121	All my conduct has been just and upright, do not hand me over to my oppressors.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	122	Guarantee the well-being of your servant, do not let the proud oppress me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	123	My eyes are languishing for your salvation and for the saving justice you have promised.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	124	Show your faithful love to your servant, teach me your judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	125	Your servant am I; give me understanding and I shall know your instructions.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	126	It is time to take action, Yahweh, your Law is being broken.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	127	So I love your commandments more than gold, purest gold.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	128	So I rule my life by your precepts, I hate all deceptive paths.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	129	Wonderful are your instructions, so I observe them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	130	As your word unfolds it gives light, and even the simple understand.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	131	I open wide my mouth, panting eagerly for your commandments.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	132	Turn to me, pity me; those who love your name deserve it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	133	Keep my steps firm in your promise; that no evil may triumph over me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	134	Rescue me from human oppression, and I will observe your precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	135	Let your face shine on your servant, teach me your will.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	136	My eyes stream with tears because your Law is disregarded.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	137	You are upright, Yahweh, and your judgements are honest.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	138	You impose uprightness as a witness to yourself, it is constancy itself.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	139	My zeal is burning me up because my oppressors forget your word.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	140	Your promise is well tested, your servant holds it dear.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	141	Puny and despised as I am, I do not forget your precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	142	Your saving justice is for ever just, and your Law is trustworthy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	143	Though anguish and distress grip me your commandments are my delight.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	144	Your instructions are upright for ever, give me understanding and I shall live.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	145	I call with all my heart; answer me, Yahweh, and I will observe your judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	146	I call to you; save me, and I will keep your instructions.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	147	I am awake before dawn to cry for help, I put my hope in your word.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	148	My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, to ponder your promise.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	149	In your faithful love, Yahweh, listen to my voice, let your judgements give me life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	150	My pursuers are coming closer to their wicked designs, and further from your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	151	You are close to me, Yahweh, and all your commandments are true.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	152	Long have I known that your instructions were laid down to last for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	153	Look at my suffering and rescue me, for I do not forget your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	154	Plead my cause and defend me; as you promised, give me life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	155	Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your will.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	156	Your kindnesses to me are countless, Yahweh; true to your judgements, give me life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	157	Though my enemies and oppressors are countless, I do not turn aside from your instructions.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	158	The sight of these renegades appals me; they do not observe your promise.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	159	See how I love your precepts; true to your faithful love, give me life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	160	Faithfulness is the essence of your word, your upright judgements hold good for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	161	Though princes hound me unprovoked, what fills me with awe is your word.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	162	I rejoice in your promise like one who finds a vast treasure.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	163	Falsehood I hate and detest, my love is for your Law.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	164	Seven times a day I praise you for your upright judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	165	Great peace for those who love your Law; no stumbling-blocks for them!
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	166	I am waiting for your salvation, Yahweh, I fulfil your commandments.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	167	I observe your instructions, I love them dearly.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	168	I observe your precepts, your judgements, for all my ways are before you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	169	May my cry approach your presence, Yahweh; by your word give me understanding.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	170	May my prayer come into your presence, rescue me as you have promised.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	171	May my lips proclaim your praise, for you teach me your will.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	172	May my tongue recite your promise, for all your commandments are upright.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	173	May your hand be there to help me, since I have chosen your precepts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	174	I long for your salvation, Yahweh, your Law is my delight.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	175	May I live only to praise you, may your judgements be my help.
 Psalms	Ps	23	119	176	I am wandering like a lost sheep, come and look for your servant, for I have not forgotten your commandments.
 Psalms	Ps	23	120	1	[Song of Ascents] To Yahweh when I am in trouble I call and he answers me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	120	2	Yahweh, save me from lying lips and a treacherous tongue!
 Psalms	Ps	23	120	3	What will he repay you, what more, treacherous tongue?
 Psalms	Ps	23	120	4	War-arrows made sharp over red-hot charcoal.
 Psalms	Ps	23	120	5	How wretched I am, living in Meshech, dwelling in the tents of Kedar!
 Psalms	Ps	23	120	6	Too long have I lived among people who hate peace.
 Psalms	Ps	23	120	7	When I speak of peace they are all for war!
 Psalms	Ps	23	121	1	[Song of Ascents] I lift up my eyes to the mountains; where is my help to come from?
 Psalms	Ps	23	121	2	My help comes from Yahweh who made heaven and earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	121	3	May he save your foot from stumbling; may he, your guardian, not fall asleep!
 Psalms	Ps	23	121	4	You see -- he neither sleeps nor slumbers, the guardian of Israel.
 Psalms	Ps	23	121	5	Yahweh is your guardian, your shade, Yahweh, at your right hand.
 Psalms	Ps	23	121	6	By day the sun will not strike you, nor the moon by night.
 Psalms	Ps	23	121	7	Yahweh guards you from all harm Yahweh guards your life,
 Psalms	Ps	23	121	8	Yahweh guards your comings and goings, henceforth and for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	122	1	[Song of Ascents Of David] I rejoiced that they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of Yahweh.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	122	2	At last our feet are standing at your gates, Jerusalem!
 Psalms	Ps	23	122	3	Jerusalem, built as a city, in one united whole,
 Psalms	Ps	23	122	4	there the tribes go up, the tribes of Yahweh, a sign for Israel to give thanks to the name of Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	122	5	For there are set the thrones of judgement, the thrones of the house of David.
 Psalms	Ps	23	122	6	Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, prosperity for your homes!
 Psalms	Ps	23	122	7	Peace within your walls, prosperity in your palaces!
 Psalms	Ps	23	122	8	For love of my brothers and my friends I will say, 'Peace upon you!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	122	9	For love of the house of Yahweh our God I will pray for your well-being.
 Psalms	Ps	23	123	1	[Song of Ascents] I lift up my eyes to you who are enthroned in heaven.
 Psalms	Ps	23	123	2	Just as the eyes of slaves are on their masters' hand, or the eyes of a slave-girl on the hand of her mistress, so our eyes are on Yahweh our God, for him to take pity on us.
 Psalms	Ps	23	123	3	Have pity on us, Yahweh, have pity, for we have had our full share of scorn,
 Psalms	Ps	23	123	4	more than our share of jeers from the complacent. (Scorn is for the proud.)
 Psalms	Ps	23	124	1	[Song of Ascents Of David] If Yahweh had not been on our side -- let Israel repeat it-
 Psalms	Ps	23	124	2	if Yahweh had not been on our side when people attacked us,
 Psalms	Ps	23	124	3	they would have swallowed us alive in the heat of their anger.
 Psalms	Ps	23	124	4	Then water was washing us away, a torrent running right over us;
 Psalms	Ps	23	124	5	running right over us then were turbulent waters.
 Psalms	Ps	23	124	6	Blessed be Yahweh for not letting us fall a prey to their teeth!
 Psalms	Ps	23	124	7	We escaped like a bird from the fowlers' net. The net was broken and we escaped;
 Psalms	Ps	23	124	8	our help is in the name of Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	125	1	[Song of Ascents] Whoever trusts in Yahweh is like Mount Zion: unshakeable, it stands for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	125	2	Jerusalem! The mountains encircle her: so Yahweh encircles his people, henceforth and for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	125	3	The sceptre of the wicked will not come to rest over the heritage of the upright; or the upright might set their own hands to evil.
 Psalms	Ps	23	125	4	Do good, Yahweh, to those who are good, to the sincere at heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	125	5	But the crooked, the twisted, turn them away, Yahweh, with evil-doers. Peace to Israel!
 Psalms	Ps	23	126	1	[Song of Ascents] When Yahweh brought back Zion's captives we lived in a dream;
 Psalms	Ps	23	126	2	then our mouths filled with laughter, and our lips with song. Then the nations kept saying, 'What great deeds Yahweh has done for them!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	126	3	Yes, Yahweh did great deeds for us, and we were overjoyed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	126	4	Bring back, Yahweh, our people from captivity like torrents in the Negeb!
 Psalms	Ps	23	126	5	Those who sow in tears sing as they reap.
 Psalms	Ps	23	126	6	He went off, went off weeping, carrying the seed. He comes back, comes back singing, bringing in his sheaves.
 Psalms	Ps	23	127	1	[Song of Ascents Of Solomon] If Yahweh does not build a house in vain do its builders toil. If Yahweh does not guard a city in vain does its guard keep watch.
 Psalms	Ps	23	127	2	In vain you get up earlier, and put off going to bed, sweating to make a living, since it is he who provides for his beloved as they sleep.
 Psalms	Ps	23	127	3	Sons are a birthright from Yahweh, children are a reward from him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	127	4	Like arrows in a warrior's hand are the sons you father when young.
 Psalms	Ps	23	127	5	How blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them; in dispute with his enemies at the city gate he will not be worsted.
 Psalms	Ps	23	128	1	[Song of Ascents] How blessed are all who fear Yahweh, who walk in his ways!
 Psalms	Ps	23	128	2	Your own labours will yield you a living, happy and prosperous will you be.
 Psalms	Ps	23	128	3	Your wife a fruitful vine in the inner places of your house. Your children round your table like shoots of an olive tree.
 Psalms	Ps	23	128	4	Such are the blessings that fall on those who fear Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	128	5	May Yahweh bless you from Zion! May you see Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life,
 Psalms	Ps	23	128	6	and live to see your children's children! Peace to Israel!
 Psalms	Ps	23	129	1	[Song of Ascents] Often as men have attacked me since I was young -- let Israel repeat it-
 Psalms	Ps	23	129	2	often as men have attacked me since I was young, they have never overcome me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	129	3	On my back ploughmen have set to work, making long furrows,
 Psalms	Ps	23	129	4	but Yahweh the upright has shattered the yoke of the wicked.
 Psalms	Ps	23	129	5	Let all who hate Zion be thrown back in confusion,
 Psalms	Ps	23	129	6	let them be like grass on a roof, dried up before it is cut,
 Psalms	Ps	23	129	7	never to fill the reaper's arm nor the binder's lap.
 Psalms	Ps	23	129	8	And no passer-by will say, 'The blessing of Yahweh be on you! 'We bless you in the name of Yahweh.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	130	1	[Song of Ascents] From the depths I call to you, Yahweh:
 Psalms	Ps	23	130	2	Lord, hear my cry. Listen attentively to the sound of my pleading!
 Psalms	Ps	23	130	3	If you kept a record of our sins, Lord, who could stand their ground?
 Psalms	Ps	23	130	4	But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered.
 Psalms	Ps	23	130	5	I rely, my whole being relies, Yahweh, on your promise.
 Psalms	Ps	23	130	6	My whole being hopes in the Lord, more than watchmen for daybreak; more than watchmen for daybreak
 Psalms	Ps	23	130	7	let Israel hope in Yahweh. For with Yahweh is faithful love, with him generous ransom;
 Psalms	Ps	23	130	8	and he will ransom Israel from all its sins.
 Psalms	Ps	23	131	1	[Song of Ascents] Yahweh, my heart is not haughty, I do not set my sights too high. I have taken no part in great affairs, in wonders beyond my scope.
 Psalms	Ps	23	131	2	No, I hold myself in quiet and silence, like a little child in its mother's arms, like a little child, so I keep myself.
 Psalms	Ps	23	131	3	Let Israel hope in Yahweh henceforth and for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	1	[Song of Ascents] Yahweh, remember David and all the hardships he endured,
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	2	the oath he swore to Yahweh, his vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	3	'I will not enter tent or house, will not climb into bed,
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	4	will not allow myself to sleep, not even to close my eyes,
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	5	till I have found a place for Yahweh, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	6	Listen, we heard of it in Ephrathah, we found it at Forest-Fields.
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	7	Let us go into his dwelling-place, and worship at his footstool.
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	8	Go up, Yahweh, to your resting-place, you and the ark of your strength.
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	9	Your priests are robed in saving justice, your faithful are shouting for joy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	10	For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed.
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	11	Yahweh has sworn to David, and will always remain true to his word, 'I promise that I will set a son of yours upon your throne.
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	12	If your sons observe my covenant and the instructions I have taught them, their sons too for evermore will occupy your throne.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	13	For Yahweh has chosen Zion, he has desired it as a home.
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	14	'Here shall I rest for evermore, here shall I make my home as I have wished.
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	15	'I shall generously bless her produce, give her needy their fill of food,
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	16	I shall clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful will sing aloud for joy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	17	'There I shall raise up a line of descendants for David, light a lamp for my anointed;
 Psalms	Ps	23	132	18	I shall clothe his enemies with shame, while his own crown shall flourish.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	133	1	[Song of Ascents] How good, how delightful it is to live as brothers all together!
 Psalms	Ps	23	133	2	It is like a fine oil on the head, running down the beard, running down Aaron's beard, onto the collar of his robes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	133	3	It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the heights of Zion; for there Yahweh bestows his blessing, everlasting life.
 Psalms	Ps	23	134	1	[Song of Ascents] Come, bless Yahweh, all you who serve Yahweh, serving in the house of Yahweh, in the courts of the house of our God. Through the night watches
 Psalms	Ps	23	134	2	stretch out your hands towards the sanctuary and bless Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	134	3	May Yahweh bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	1	Alleluia! Praise the name of Yahweh, you who serve Yahweh, praise him,
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	2	serving in the house of Yahweh, in the courts of the house of our God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	3	Praise Yahweh, for Yahweh is good, make music for his name -- it brings joy-
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	4	for Yahweh has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	5	For I know that Yahweh is great, our Lord is above all gods.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	6	Yahweh does whatever he pleases in heaven, on earth, in the waters and all the depths.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	7	He summons up clouds from the borders of earth, sends rain with lightning-flashes, and brings the wind out of his storehouse.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	8	He struck the first-born in Egypt, man and beast alike,
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	9	he sent signs and wonders into the heart of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his officials.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	10	He struck down many nations, he slaughtered mighty kings,
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	11	Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	12	He gave their land as a birthright, a birthright to his people Israel.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	13	Yahweh, your name endures for ever, Yahweh, your memory is fresh from age to age.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	14	For Yahweh vindicates his people, feels compassion for his servants.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	15	The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	16	These have mouths but say nothing, have eyes but see nothing,
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	17	have ears but hear nothing, and they have no breath in their mouths.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	18	Their makers will end up like them, everyone who relies on them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	19	House of Israel, bless Yahweh, House of Aaron, bless Yahweh,
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	20	House of Levi, bless Yahweh, you who fear Yahweh, bless Yahweh.
 Psalms	Ps	23	135	21	Blessed be Yahweh from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem!
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	1	Alleluia! Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	2	Give thanks to the God of gods, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	3	Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	4	He alone works wonders, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	5	In wisdom he made the heavens, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	6	He set the earth firm on the waters, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	7	He made the great lights, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	8	The sun to rule the day, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	9	Moon and stars to rule the night, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	10	He struck down the first-born of Egypt, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	11	He brought Israel out from among them, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	12	With mighty hand and outstretched arm, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	13	He split the Sea of Reeds in two, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	14	Let Israel pass through the middle, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	15	And drowned Pharaoh and all his army, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	16	He led his people through the desert, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	17	He struck down mighty kings, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	18	Slaughtered famous kings, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	19	Sihon king of the Amorites, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	20	And Og king of Bashan, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	21	He gave their land as a birthright, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	22	A birthright to his servant Israel, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	23	He kept us in mind when we were humbled, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	24	And rescued us from our enemies, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	25	He provides food for all living creatures, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	136	26	Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his faithful love endures for ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	137	1	By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept at the memory of Zion.
 Psalms	Ps	23	137	2	On the poplars there we had hung up our harps.
 Psalms	Ps	23	137	3	For there our gaolers had asked us to sing them a song, our captors to make merry, 'Sing us one of the songs of Zion.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	137	4	How could we sing a song of Yahweh on alien soil?
 Psalms	Ps	23	137	5	If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand wither!
 Psalms	Ps	23	137	6	May my tongue remain stuck to my palate if I do not keep you in mind, if I do not count Jerusalem the greatest of my joys.
 Psalms	Ps	23	137	7	Remember, Yahweh, to the Edomites' cost, the day of Jerusalem, how they said, 'Down with it! Rase it to the ground!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	137	8	Daughter of Babel, doomed to destruction, a blessing on anyone who treats you as you treated us,
 Psalms	Ps	23	137	9	a blessing on anyone who seizes your babies and shatters them against a rock!
 Psalms	Ps	23	138	1	[Of David] I thank you, Yahweh, with all my heart, for you have listened to the cry I uttered. In the presence of angels I sing to you,
 Psalms	Ps	23	138	2	I bow down before your holy Temple. I praise your name for your faithful love and your constancy; your promises surpass even your fame.
 Psalms	Ps	23	138	3	You heard me on the day when I called, and you gave new strength to my heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	138	4	All the kings of the earth give thanks to you, Yahweh, when they hear the promises you make;
 Psalms	Ps	23	138	5	they sing of Yahweh's ways, 'Great is the glory of Yahweh!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	138	6	Sublime as he is, Yahweh looks on the humble, the proud he picks out from afar.
 Psalms	Ps	23	138	7	Though I live surrounded by trouble you give me life -- to my enemies' fury! You stretch out your right hand and save me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	138	8	Yahweh will do all things for me. Yahweh, your faithful love endures for ever, do not abandon what you have made.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	1	[For the choirmaster Of David Psalm] Yahweh, you examine me and know me,
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	2	you know when I sit, when I rise, you understand my thoughts from afar.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	3	You watch when I walk or lie down, you know every detail of my conduct.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	4	A word is not yet on my tongue before you, Yahweh, know all about it.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	5	You fence me in, behind and in front, you have laid your hand upon me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	6	Such amazing knowledge is beyond me, a height to which I cannot attain.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	7	Where shall I go to escape your spirit? Where shall I flee from your presence?
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	8	If I scale the heavens you are there, if I lie flat in Sheol, there you are.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	9	If I speed away on the wings of the dawn, if I dwell beyond the ocean,
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	10	even there your hand will be guiding me, your right hand holding me fast.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	11	I will say, 'Let the darkness cover me, and the night wrap itself around me,'
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	12	even darkness to you is not dark, and night is as clear as the day.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	13	You created my inmost self, knit me together in my mother's womb.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	14	For so many marvels I thank you; a wonder am I, and all your works are wonders. You knew me through and through,
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	15	my being held no secrets from you, when I was being formed in secret, textured in the depths of the earth.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	16	Your eyes could see my embryo. In your book all my days were inscribed, every one that was fixed is there.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	17	How hard for me to grasp your thoughts, how many, God, there are!
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	18	If I count them, they are more than the grains of sand; if I come to an end, I am still with you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	19	If only, God, you would kill the wicked!-Men of violence, keep away from me!-
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	20	those who speak blasphemously about you, and take no account of your thoughts.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	21	Yahweh, do I not hate those who hate you, and loathe those who defy you?
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	22	My hate for them has no limits, I regard them as my own enemies.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	23	God, examine me and know my heart, test me and know my concerns.
 Psalms	Ps	23	139	24	Make sure that I am not on my way to ruin, and guide me on the road of eternity.
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	1	[For the choirmaster Psalm Of David] Rescue me, Yahweh, from evil men, protect me from violent men,
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	2	whose heart is bent on malice, day after day they harbour strife;
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	3	their tongues as barbed as a serpent's, viper's venom behind their lips.
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	4	Keep me, Yahweh, from the clutches of the wicked, protect me from violent men, who are bent on making me stumble,laying out snares where I walk,
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	5	in their arrogance hiding pitfall and nooseto trap me as I pass.
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	6	I said to Yahweh, 'You are my God.' Listen, Yahweh, to the sound of my prayer.
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	7	Yahweh my Lord, my saving strength, you shield my head when battle comes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	8	Yahweh, do not grant the wicked their wishes, do not let their plots succeed. Do not let my attackers
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	9	prevail, but let them be overwhelmed by their own malice.
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	10	May red-hot embers rain down on them, may they be flung into the mire once and for all.
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	11	May the slanderer find no rest anywhere, may evil hunt down violent men implacably.
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	12	I know that Yahweh will give judgement for the wretched, justice for the needy.
 Psalms	Ps	23	140	13	The upright shall praise your name, the honest dwell in your presence.
 Psalms	Ps	23	141	1	[Psalm Of David] Yahweh, I am calling, hurry to me, listen to my voice when I call to you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	141	2	May my prayer be like incense in your presence, my uplifted hands like the evening sacrifice.
 Psalms	Ps	23	141	3	Yahweh, mount a guard over my mouth, a guard at the door of my lips.
 Psalms	Ps	23	141	4	Check any impulse to speak evil, to share the foul deeds of evil-doers. I shall not sample their delights!
 Psalms	Ps	23	141	5	May the upright correct me with a friend's rebuke; but the wicked shall never anoint my head with oil, for that would make me party to their crimes.
 Psalms	Ps	23	141	6	They are delivered into the power of the rock, their judge, those who took pleasure in hearing me say,
 Psalms	Ps	23	141	7	'Like a shattered millstone on the ground our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.'
 Psalms	Ps	23	141	8	To you, Yahweh, I turn my eyes, in you I take refuge, do not leave me unprotected.
 Psalms	Ps	23	141	9	Save me from the traps that are set for me, the snares of evil-doers.
 Psalms	Ps	23	141	10	Let the wicked fall each into his own net, while I pass on my way.
 Psalms	Ps	23	142	1	[Psalm Of David When he was in the cave Prayer] To Yahweh I cry out with my plea. To Yahweh I cry out with entreaty.
 Psalms	Ps	23	142	2	I pour out my worry in his presence, in his presence I unfold my troubles.
 Psalms	Ps	23	142	3	However faint my spirit; you are watching over my path. On the road I have to travel they have hidden a trap for me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	142	4	Look on my right and see -- there is no one who recognises me. All refuge is denied me, no one cares whether I live or die.
 Psalms	Ps	23	142	5	I cry out to you, Yahweh, I affirm, 'You are my refuge, my share in the land of the living!'
 Psalms	Ps	23	142	6	Listen to my calling, for I am miserably weak. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	142	7	Lead me out of prison that I may praise your name. The upright gather round me because of your generosity to me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	143	1	[Psalm Of David] Yahweh, hear my prayer, listen to my pleading; in your constancy answer me, in your saving justice;
 Psalms	Ps	23	143	2	do not put your servant on trial, for no one living can be found guiltless at your tribunal.
 Psalms	Ps	23	143	3	An enemy is in deadly pursuit, crushing me into the ground, forcing me to live in darkness, like those long dead.
 Psalms	Ps	23	143	4	My spirit is faint, and within me my heart is numb with fear.
 Psalms	Ps	23	143	5	I recall the days of old, reflecting on all your deeds, I ponder the works of your hands.
 Psalms	Ps	23	143	6	I stretch out my hands to you, my heart like a land thirsty for you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	143	7	Answer me quickly, Yahweh, my spirit is worn out; do not turn away your face from me, or I shall be like those who sink into oblivion.
 Psalms	Ps	23	143	8	Let dawn bring news of your faithful love, for I place my trust in you; show me the road I must travel for you to relieve my heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	143	9	Rescue me from my enemies, Yahweh, since in you I find protection.
 Psalms	Ps	23	143	10	Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your generous spirit lead me on even ground.
 Psalms	Ps	23	143	11	Yahweh, for the sake of your name, in your saving justice give me life, rescue me from distress.
 Psalms	Ps	23	143	12	In your faithful love annihilate my enemies, destroy all those who oppress me, for I am your servant.
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	1	[Of David] Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle,
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	2	my faithful love, my bastion, my citadel, my Saviour; I shelter behind him, my shield, he makes the peoples submit to me.
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	3	Yahweh, what is a human being for you to notice, a child of Adam for you to think about?
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	4	Human life, a mere puff of wind, days as fleeting as a shadow.
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	5	Yahweh, part the heavens and come down, touch the mountains, make them smoke.
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	6	Scatter them with continuous lightning-flashes, rout them with a volley of your arrows.
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	7	Stretch down your hand from above, save me, rescue me from deep waters, from the clutches of foreigners,
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	8	whose every word is worthless, whose right hand is raised in perjury.
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	9	God, I sing to you a new song, I play to you on the ten-stringed lyre,
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	10	for you give kings their victories, you rescue your servant David. From the sword of evil
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	11	save me, rescue me from the clutches of foreigners whose every word is worthless, whose right hand testifies to falsehood.
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	12	May our sons be like plants growing tall from their earliest days, our daughters like pillars carved fit for a palace,
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	13	our barns filled to overflowing with every kind of crop, the sheep in our pastures be numbered in thousands and tens of thousands,
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	14	our cattle well fed, free of raids and pillage, free of outcry in our streets.
 Psalms	Ps	23	144	15	How blessed the nation of whom this is true, blessed the nation whose God is Yahweh!
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	1	[Hymn of Praise Of David] I shall praise you to the heights, God my King, I shall bless your name for ever and ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	2	Day after day I shall bless you, I shall praise your name for ever and ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	3	Great is Yahweh and worthy of all praise, his greatness beyond all reckoning.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	4	Each age will praise your deeds to the next, proclaiming your mighty works.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	5	Your renown is the splendour of your glory, I will ponder the story of your wonders.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	6	They will speak of your awesome power, and I shall recount your greatness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	7	They will bring out the memory of your great generosity, and joyfully acclaim your saving justice.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	8	Yahweh is tenderness and pity, slow to anger, full of faithful love.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	9	Yahweh is generous to all, his tenderness embraces all his creatures.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	10	All your creatures shall thank you, Yahweh, and your faithful shall bless you.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	11	They shall speak of the glory of your kingship and tell of your might,
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	12	making known your mighty deeds to the children of Adam, the glory and majesty of your kingship.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	13	Your kingship is a kingship for ever, your reign lasts from age to age. Yahweh is trustworthy in all his words, and upright in all his deeds.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	14	Yahweh supports all who stumble, lifts up those who are bowed down.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	15	All look to you in hope and you feed them with the food of the season.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	16	And, with generous hand, you satisfy the desires of every living creature.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	17	Upright in all that he does, Yahweh acts only in faithful love.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	18	He is close to all who call upon him, all who call on him from the heart.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	19	He fulfils the desires of all who fear him, he hears their cry and he saves them.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	20	Yahweh guards all who love him, but all the wicked he destroys.
 Psalms	Ps	23	145	21	My mouth shall always praise Yahweh, let every creature bless his holy name for ever and ever.
 Psalms	Ps	23	146	1	Alleluia! Praise Yahweh, my soul!
 Psalms	Ps	23	146	2	I will praise Yahweh all my life, I will make music to my God as long as I live.
 Psalms	Ps	23	146	3	Do not put your trust in princes, in any child of Adam, who has no power to save.
 Psalms	Ps	23	146	4	When his spirit goes forth he returns to the earth, on that very day all his plans come to nothing.
 Psalms	Ps	23	146	5	How blessed is he who has Jacob's God to help him, his hope is in Yahweh his God,
 Psalms	Ps	23	146	6	who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them. He keeps faith for ever,
 Psalms	Ps	23	146	7	gives justice to the oppressed, gives food to the hungry; Yahweh sets prisoners free.
 Psalms	Ps	23	146	8	Yahweh gives sight to the blind, lifts up those who are bowed down.
 Psalms	Ps	23	146	9	Yahweh protects the stranger, he sustains the orphan and the widow. Yahweh loves the upright,but he frustrates the wicked.
 Psalms	Ps	23	146	10	Yahweh reigns for ever, your God, Zion, from age to age.
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	1	Alleluia! Praise Yahweh -- it is good to sing psalms to our God -- how pleasant to praise him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	2	Yahweh, Builder of Jerusalem! He gathers together the exiles of Israel,
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	3	healing the broken-hearted and binding up their wounds;
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	4	he counts out the number of the stars, and gives each one of them a name.
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	5	Our Lord is great, all-powerful, his wisdom beyond all telling.
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	6	Yahweh sustains the poor, and humbles the wicked to the ground.
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	7	Sing to Yahweh in thanksgiving, play the harp for our God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	8	He veils the sky with clouds, and provides the earth with rain, makes grass grow on the hills and plants for people to use,
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	9	gives fodder to cattle and to young ravens when they cry.
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	10	He takes no delight in the power of horses, no pleasure in human sturdiness;
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	11	his pleasure is in those who fear him, in those who hope in his faithful love.
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	12	Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem, Zion, praise your God.
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	13	For he gives strength to the bars of your gates, he blesses your children within you,
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	14	he maintains the peace of your frontiers, gives you your fill of finest wheat.
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	15	He sends his word to the earth, his command runs quickly,
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	16	he spreads the snow like flax, strews hoarfrost like ashes,
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	17	he sends ice-crystals like breadcrumbs, and who can withstand that cold?
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	18	When he sends his word it thaws them, when he makes his wind blow, the waters are unstopped.
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	19	He reveals his word to Jacob, his statutes and judgements to Israel.
 Psalms	Ps	23	147	20	For no other nation has he done this, no other has known his judgements.
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	1	Alleluia! Praise Yahweh from the heavens, praise him in the heights.
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	2	Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host!
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	3	Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all shining stars,
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	4	praise him, highest heavens, praise him, waters above the heavens.
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	5	Let them praise the name of Yahweh at whose command they were made;
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	6	he established them for ever and ever by an unchanging decree.
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	7	Praise Yahweh from the earth, sea-monsters and all the depths,
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	8	fire and hail, snow and mist, storm-winds that obey his word,
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	9	mountains and every hill, orchards and every cedar,
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	10	wild animals and all cattle, reptiles and winged birds,
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	11	kings of the earth and all nations, princes and all judges on earth,
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	12	young men and girls, old people and children together.
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	13	Let them praise the name of Yahweh, for his name alone is sublime, his splendour transcends earth and heaven.
 Psalms	Ps	23	148	14	For he heightens the strength of his people, to the praise of all his faithful, the children of Israel, the people close to him.
 Psalms	Ps	23	149	1	Alleluia! Sing a new song to Yahweh: his praise in the assembly of the faithful!
 Psalms	Ps	23	149	2	Israel shall rejoice in its Maker, the children of Zion delight in their king;
 Psalms	Ps	23	149	3	they shall dance in praise of his name, play to him on tambourines and harp!
 Psalms	Ps	23	149	4	For Yahweh loves his people, he will crown the humble with salvation.
 Psalms	Ps	23	149	5	The faithful exult in glory, shout for joy as they worship him,
 Psalms	Ps	23	149	6	praising God to the heights with their voices, a two-edged sword in their hands,
 Psalms	Ps	23	149	7	to wreak vengeance on the nations, punishment on the peoples,
 Psalms	Ps	23	149	8	to load their kings with chains and their nobles with iron fetters,
 Psalms	Ps	23	149	9	to execute on them the judgement passed -- to the honour of all his faithful.
 Psalms	Ps	23	150	1	Alleluia! Praise God in his holy place, praise him in the heavenly vault of his power,
 Psalms	Ps	23	150	2	praise him for his mighty deeds, praise him for all his greatness.
 Psalms	Ps	23	150	3	Praise him with fanfare of trumpet, praise him with harp and lyre,
 Psalms	Ps	23	150	4	praise him with tambourines and dancing, praise him with strings and pipes,
 Psalms	Ps	23	150	5	praise him with the clamour of cymbals, praise him with triumphant cymbals,
 Psalms	Ps	23	150	6	Let everything that breathes praise Yahweh. Alleluia!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	1	The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	2	for learning what wisdom and discipline are, for understanding words of deep meaning,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	3	for acquiring a disciplined insight, uprightness, justice and fair dealing;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	4	for teaching sound judgement to the simple, and knowledge and reflection to the young;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	5	Let the wise listen and learn yet more, and a person of discernment will acquire the art of guidance.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	6	for perceiving the meaning of proverbs and obscure sayings, the sayings of the sages and their riddles.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	7	The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; fools spurn wisdom and discipline.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	8	Listen, my child, to your father's instruction, do not reject your mother's teaching:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	9	they will be a crown of grace for your head, a circlet for your neck.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	10	My child, if sinners try to seduce you, do not go with them.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	11	If they say, 'Come with us: let us lie in ambush to shed blood; if we plan an ambush for the innocent without provocation,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	12	we can swallow them alive, like Sheol, and whole, like those who sink into oblivion.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	13	We shall find treasures of every sort, we shall fill our houses with plunder;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	14	throw in your lot with us: one purse between us all.'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	15	My child, do not follow them in their way, keep your steps out of their path
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	16	for their feet hasten to evil, they are quick to shed blood;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	17	for the net is spread in vain if any winged creature can see it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	18	It is for their own blood such people lie in wait, their ambush is against their own selves!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	19	Such are the paths of all who seek dishonest gain: which robs of their lives all who take it for their own.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	20	Wisdom calls aloud in the streets, she raises her voice in the public squares;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	21	she calls out at the street corners, she delivers her message at the city gates.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	22	'You simple people, how much longer will you cling to your simple ways? How much longer will mockers revel in their mocking and fools go on hating knowledge?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	23	Pay attention to my warning. To you I will pour out my heart and tell you what I have to say.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	24	Since I have called and you have refused me, since I have beckoned and no one has taken notice,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	25	since you have ignored all my advice and rejected all my warnings,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	26	I, for my part, shall laugh at your distress, I shall jeer when terror befalls you,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	27	when terror befalls you, like a storm, when your distress arrives, like a whirlwind, when ordeal and anguish bear down on you.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	28	Then they will call me, but I shall not answer, they will look eagerly for me and will not find me.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	29	They have hated knowledge, they have not chosen the fear of Yahweh,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	30	they have taken no notice of my advice, they have spurned all my warnings:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	31	so they will have to eat the fruits of their own ways of life, and choke themselves with their own scheming.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	32	For the errors of the simple lead to their death, the complacency of fools works their own ruin;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	1	33	but whoever listens to me may live secure, will have quiet, fearing no mischance.'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	1	My child, if you take my words to heart, if you set store by my commandments,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	2	tuning your ear to wisdom, tuning your heart to understanding,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	3	yes, if your plea is for clear perception, if you cry out for understanding,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	4	if you look for it as though for silver, search for it as though for buried treasure,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	5	then you will understand what the fear of Yahweh is, and discover the knowledge of God.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	6	For Yahweh himself is giver of wisdom, from his mouth issue knowledge and understanding.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	7	He reserves his advice for the honest, a shield to those whose ways are sound;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	8	he stands guard over the paths of equity, he keeps watch over the way of those faithful to him.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	9	Then you will understand uprightness, equity and fair dealing, the paths that lead to happiness.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	10	When wisdom comes into your heart and knowledge fills your soul with delight,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	11	then prudence will be there to watch over you, and understanding will be your guardian
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	12	to keep you from the way that is evil, from those whose speech is deceitful,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	13	from those who leave the paths of honesty to walk the roads of darkness:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	14	those who find their joy in doing wrong, and their delight in deceitfulness,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	15	whose tracks are twisted, and the paths that they tread crooked.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	16	To keep you, too, from the woman who belongs to another, from the stranger, with her wheedling words;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	17	she has left the partner of her younger days, she has forgotten the covenant of her God;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	18	her house is tilting towards Death, down to the Shades go her paths.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	19	Of those who go to her not one returns, they never regain the paths of life.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	20	Thus you will tread the way of good people, persisting in the paths of the upright.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	21	For the land will be for the honest to live in, the innocent will have it for their home;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	2	22	while the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the faithless rooted out of it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	1	My child, do not forget my teaching, let your heart keep my principles,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	2	since they will increase your length of days, your years of life and your well-being.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	3	Let faithful love and constancy never leave you: tie them round your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	4	Thus you will find favour and success in the sight of God and of people.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	5	Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	6	acknowledge him in every course you take, and he will see that your paths are smooth.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	7	Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom, fear Yahweh and turn your back on evil:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	8	health-giving, this, to your body, relief to your bones.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	9	Honour Yahweh with what goods you have and with the first-fruits of all your produce;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	10	then your barns will be filled with corn, your vats overflowing with new wine.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	11	My child, do not scorn correction from Yahweh, do not resent his reproof;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	12	for Yahweh reproves those he loves, as a father the child whom he loves.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	13	Blessed are those who have discovered wisdom, those who have acquired understanding!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	14	Gaining her is more rewarding than silver, her yield is more valuable than gold.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	15	She is beyond the price of pearls, nothing you could covet is her equal.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	16	In her right hand is length of days; in her left hand, riches and honour.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	17	Her ways are filled with delight, her paths all lead to contentment.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	18	She is a tree of life for those who hold her fast, those who cling to her live happy lives.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	19	In wisdom, Yahweh laid the earth's foundations, in understanding he spread out the heavens.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	20	Through his knowledge the depths were cleft open, and the clouds distil the dew.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	21	My child, hold to sound advice and prudence, never let them out of sight;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	22	they will give life to your soul and beauty to your neck.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	23	You will go on your way in safety, your feet will not stumble.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	24	When you go to bed, you will not be afraid; once in bed, your sleep will be sweet.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	25	Have no fear either of sudden terror or of attack mounted by wicked men,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	26	since Yahweh will be your guarantor, he will keep your steps from the snare.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	27	Refuse no kindness to those who have a right to it, if it is in your power to perform it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	28	Do not say to your neighbour, 'Go away! Come another time! I will give it you tomorrow,' if you can do it now.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	29	Do not plot harm against your neighbour who is living unsuspecting beside you.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	30	Do not pick a groundless quarrel with anyone who has done you no harm.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	31	Do not envy the man of violence, never model your conduct on his;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	32	for the wilful wrong-doer is abhorrent to Yahweh, who confides only in the honest.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	33	Yahweh's curse lies on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	34	He mocks those who mock, but accords his favour to the humble.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	3	35	Glory is the portion of the wise, all that fools inherit is contempt.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	1	Listen, my children, to a father's instruction; pay attention, and learn what understanding is.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	2	What I am offering you is sound doctrine: do not forsake my teaching.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	3	I too was once a child with a father, in my mother's eyes a tender child, unique.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	4	This was what he used to teach me, 'Let your heart treasure what I have to say, keep my principles and you will live;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	5	acquire wisdom, acquire understanding, never forget her, never deviate from my words.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	6	Do not desert her, she will keep you safe; love her, she will watch over you.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	7	The first principle of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; at the cost of all you have, acquire understanding!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	8	Hold her close, and she will make you great; embrace her, and she will be your pride;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	9	she will provide a graceful garland for your head, bestow a crown of honour on you.'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	10	Listen, my child, take my words to heart, and the years of your life will be multiplied.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	11	I have educated you in the ways of wisdom, I have guided you along the path of honesty.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	12	When you walk, your going will be unhindered, if you run, you will not stumble.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	13	Hold fast to discipline, never let her go, keep your eyes on her, she is your life.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	14	Do not follow the path of the wicked, do not walk the way that the evil go.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	15	Avoid it, do not take it, turn your back on it, pass it by.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	16	For they cannot sleep unless they have first done wrong, they miss their sleep if they have not made someone stumble;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	17	for the bread of wickedness is what they eat, and the wine of violence is what they drink.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	18	The path of the upright is like the light of dawn, its brightness growing to the fullness of day;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	19	the way of the wicked is as dark as night, they cannot tell the obstacles they stumble over.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	20	My child, pay attention to what I am telling you, listen carefully to my words;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	21	do not let them out of your sight, keep them deep in your heart.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	22	For they are life to those who find them and health to all humanity.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	23	More than all else, keep watch over your heart, since here are the wellsprings of life.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	24	Turn your back on the mouth that misleads, keep your distance from lips that deceive.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	25	Let your eyes be fixed ahead, your gaze be straight before you.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	26	Let the path you tread be level and all your ways be firm.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	4	27	Turn neither to right nor to left, keep your foot clear of evil.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	1	My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen carefully to what I know;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	2	so that you may preserve discretion and your lips may guard knowledge. Take no notice of a loose-living woman,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	3	for the lips of the adulteress drip with honey, her palate is more unctuous than oil,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	4	but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	5	Her feet go down to death, Sheol the goal of her steps;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	6	far from following the path of life, her course is uncertain and she does not know it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	7	And now, son, listen to me, never deviate from what I say:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	8	set your course as far from her as possible, go nowhere near the door of her house,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	9	or she will hand over your honour to others, the years of your life to a man without pity,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	10	and strangers will batten on your property, and your produce go to the house of a stranger,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	11	and, at your ending, your body and flesh having been consumed, you will groan
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	12	and exclaim, 'Alas, I hated discipline, my heart spurned all correction;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	13	I would not attend to the voice of my masters, I would not listen to those who tried to teach me.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	14	Now I have come to nearly every kind of misery, in the assembly and in the community.'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	15	Drink the water from your own storage-well, fresh water from your own spring.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	16	Even if your fountains overflow outside, your streams of water in the public squares:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	17	let them be for you alone, and not for strangers with you.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	18	May your fountain-head be blessed! Find joy with the wife you married in your youth,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	19	fair as a hind, graceful as a fawn: hers the breasts that ever fill you with delight, hers the love that ever holds you captive.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	20	Why be seduced, my son, by someone else's wife, and fondle the breast of a woman who belongs to another?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	21	For the eyes of Yahweh observe human ways, and survey all human paths.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	22	The wicked is snared in his own misdeeds, is caught in the meshes of his own sin.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	5	23	For want of discipline, he dies, led astray by his own excessive folly.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	1	My child, if you have gone surety for your neighbour, if you have guaranteed the bond of a stranger,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	2	if you have committed yourself with your lips, if through words of yours you have been entrapped,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	3	do this, my child, to extricate yourself -- since you have put yourself in the power of your neighbour: go, humble yourself, plead with your neighbour,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	4	give your eyes no sleep, your eyelids no rest,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	5	break free like a gazelle from the trap, like a bird from the fowler's clutches.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	6	Idler, go to the ant; ponder her ways and grow wise:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	7	no one gives her orders, no overseer, no master,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	8	yet all through the summer she gets her food ready, and gathers her supplies at harvest time.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	9	How long do you intend to lie there, idler? When are you going to rise from your sleep?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	10	A little sleep, a little drowsiness, a little folding of the arms to lie back,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	11	and poverty comes like a vagrant and, like a beggar, dearth.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	12	A scoundrel, a vicious man, he goes with a leer on his lips,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	13	winking his eye, shuffling his foot, beckoning with his finger.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	14	Trickery in his heart, always scheming evil, he sows dissension.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	15	Disaster will overtake him sharply for this, suddenly, irretrievably, he will be broken.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	16	There are six things that Yahweh hates, seven that he abhors:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	17	a haughty look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	18	a heart that weaves wicked plots, feet that hurry to do evil,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	19	a false witness who lies with every breath, and one who sows dissension among brothers.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	20	Keep your father's precept, my child, do not spurn your mother's teaching.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	21	Bind them ever to your heart, tie them round your neck.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	22	While you are active, they will guide you, when you fall asleep, they will watch over you, when you wake up, they will converse with you.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	23	For the precept is a lamp, the teaching is a light; correction and discipline are the way to life,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	24	preserving you from the woman of bad character, from the wheedling talk of a woman who belongs to another.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	25	Do not covet her beauty in your heart or let her captivate you with the play of her eyes;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	26	a prostitute can be bought for a hunk of bread, but a married woman aims to snare a precious life.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	27	Can a man carry fire inside his shirt without setting his clothes alight?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	28	Can you walk on red-hot coals without burning your feet?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	29	Just so, the man who makes love to his neighbour's wife: no one who touches her will get off unpunished.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	30	People attach but little blame to a thief who steals only to satisfy his hunger;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	31	yet even he, if caught, will have to repay sevenfold and hand over all his family resources.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	32	But the adulterer has no sense; he works his own destruction.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	33	All he will get is blows and contempt, and dishonour never to be blotted out.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	34	For jealousy inflames the husband who will show no mercy when the day comes for revenge;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	6	35	he will not consider any compensation; lavish what gifts you may, he will not be placated.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	1	My child, keep my words, and treasure my precepts,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	2	keep my precepts and you will live, keep my teaching as the apple of your eye.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	3	Bind these to your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	4	Say to Wisdom, 'You are my sister!' Call Understanding your relation,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	5	to save yourself from the woman that belongs to another, from the stranger, with her seductive words.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	6	While I was at the window of my house, I was looking out through the lattice
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	7	and I saw, among the callow youths, I noticed among the lads, one boy who had no sense.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	8	Going along the lane, near the corner where she lives, he reaches the path to her house,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	9	at twilight when day is declining, at dead of night and in the dark.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	10	And look, a woman is coming to meet him, dressed like a prostitute, false of heart.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	11	She is loud and brazen; her feet cannot rest at home.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	12	Once in the street, once in the square, she lurks at every corner.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	13	She catches hold of him, she kisses him, the bold-faced creature says to him,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	14	'I had to offer a communion sacrifice, I have discharged my vows today;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	15	that is why I came out to meet you, to look for you, and now I have found you.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	16	I have spread coverlets over my divan, embroidered stuff, Egyptian material,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	17	I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, with aloes and cinnamon.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	18	Come on, we'll make love as much as we like, till morning. Let us enjoy the delights of love!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	19	For my husband is not at home, he has gone on a very long journey,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	20	taking his moneybags with him; he will not be back till the moon is full.'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	21	With her persistent coaxing she overcomes him, lures him on with her wheedling patter.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	22	Forthwith he follows her, like an ox on its way to the slaughterhouse, like a madman on his way to the stocks,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	23	until an arrow pierces him to the liver, like the bird that dashes into the net without realising that its life is at stake.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	24	And now, son, listen to me, pay attention to the words I have to say:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	25	do not let your heart stray into her ways, or wander into her paths;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	26	she has done so many to death, and the strongest have all been her victims.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	7	27	Her house is the way to Sheol, the descent to the courts of death.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	1	Is not Wisdom calling? Is not Understanding raising her voice?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	2	On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossways, she takes her stand;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	3	by the gates, at the entrance to the city, on the access-roads, she cries out,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	4	'I am calling to you, all people, my words are addressed to all humanity.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	5	Simpletons, learn how to behave, fools, come to your senses.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	6	Listen, I have something important to tell you, when I speak, my words are right.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	7	My mouth proclaims the truth, for evil is abhorrent to my lips.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	8	All the words from my mouth are upright, nothing false there, nothing crooked,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	9	everything plain, if you can understand, straight, if you have acquired knowledge.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	10	Accept my discipline rather than silver, and knowledge of me in preference to finest gold.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	11	For Wisdom is more precious than jewels, and nothing else is so worthy of desire.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	12	'I, Wisdom, share house with Discretion, I am mistress of the art of thought.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	13	(Fear of Yahweh means hatred of evil.) I hate pride and arrogance, wicked behaviour and a lying mouth.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	14	To me belong good advice and prudence, I am perception: power is mine!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	15	By me monarchs rule and princes decree what is right;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	16	by me rulers govern, so do nobles, the lawful authorities.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	17	I love those who love me; whoever searches eagerly for me finds me.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	18	With me are riches and honour, lasting wealth and saving justice.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	19	The fruit I give is better than gold, even the finest, the return I make is better than pure silver.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	20	I walk in the way of uprightness in the path of justice,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	21	to endow my friends with my wealth and to fill their treasuries.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	22	'Yahweh created me, first-fruits of his fashioning, before the oldest of his works.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	23	From everlasting, I was firmly set, from the beginning, before the earth came into being.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	24	The deep was not, when I was born, nor were the springs with their abounding waters.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	25	Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I came to birth;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	26	before he had made the earth, the countryside, and the first elements of the world.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	27	When he fixed the heavens firm, I was there, when he drew a circle on the surface of the deep,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	28	when he thickened the clouds above, when the sources of the deep began to swell,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	29	when he assigned the sea its boundaries -- and the waters will not encroach on the shore -- when he traced the foundations of the earth,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	30	I was beside the master craftsman, delighting him day after day, ever at play in his presence,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	31	at play everywhere on his earth, delighting to be with the children of men.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	32	'And now, my children, listen to me. Happy are those who keep my ways.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	33	Listen to instruction and become wise, do not reject it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	34	Blessed, whoever listens to me, who day after day keeps watch at my gates to guard my portals.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	35	For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains the favour of Yahweh;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	8	36	but whoever misses me harms himself, all who hate me are in love with death.'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	1	Wisdom has built herself a house, she has hewn her seven pillars,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	2	she has slaughtered her beasts, drawn her wine, she has laid her table.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	3	She has despatched her maidservants and proclaimed from the heights above the city,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	4	'Who is simple? Let him come this way.' To the fool she says,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	5	'Come and eat my bread, drink the wine which I have drawn!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	6	Leave foolishness behind and you will live, go forwards in the ways of perception.'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	7	Reprove a mocker and you attract contempt, rebuke the wicked and you attract dishonour.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	8	Do not rebuke the mocker, he will hate you. Rebuke the wise and he will love you for it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	9	Be open with the wise, he grows wiser still, teach the upright, he will gain yet more.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	10	The first principle of wisdom is the fear of Yahweh, What God's holy ones know -- this is understanding.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	11	For by me your days will be multiplied, and your years of life increased.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	12	Are you wise? You are wise to your own good. A mocker? The burden is yours alone.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	13	A silly woman acts on impulse, is foolish and knows nothing.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	14	She sits at the door of her house, on a throne high up in the city,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	15	calling to the passers-by, who are walking straight past on their way,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	16	'Who is simple? Turn aside, come over here.' To the fool she says,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	17	'Stolen waters are sweet, and bread tastes better when eaten in secret.'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	9	18	But the fool does not know that this is where the Shades are and that her guests are already in the vales of Sheol.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	1	The proverbs of Solomon. A wise child is a father's joy, a foolish child a mother's grief.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	2	Treasures wickedly come by give no benefit, but uprightness brings delivery from death.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	3	Yahweh does not let the upright go hungry, but he thwarts the greed of the wicked.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	4	A slack hand brings poverty, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	5	Reaping at harvest-time is the mark of the prudent, sleeping at harvest-time is the sign of the worthless.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	6	Blessings are on the head of the upright, but the mouth of the godless is a cover for violence.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	7	The upright is remembered with blessings, the name of the wicked rots away.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	8	The wise of heart takes orders, but a gabbling fool heads for ruin.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	9	Anyone whose ways are honourable walks secure, but whoever follows crooked ways is soon unmasked.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	10	A wink of the eye brings trouble, a bold rebuke brings peace.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	11	The mouth of the upright is a life-giving fountain, but the mouth of the godless is a cover for violence.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	12	Hatred provokes disputes, but love excuses all offences.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	13	On the lips of the discerning is found wisdom, on the back of a fool, the stick.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	14	Wise people store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool makes ruin imminent.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	15	The wealth of the rich is their stronghold, poverty is the undoing of the weak.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	16	The wage of the upright affords life, but sin is all the wicked earns.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	17	Whoever abides by discipline, walks towards life, whoever ignores correction goes astray.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	18	Liars' lips are a cover for hatred, whoever utters slander is a fool.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	19	A flood of words is never without fault; whoever controls the lips is wise.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	20	The tongue of the upright is purest silver, the heart of the wicked is of trumpery value.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	21	The lips of the upright nourish many peoples, but fools die for want of sense.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	22	The blessing of Yahweh is what brings riches, to this, hard toil has nothing to add.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	23	A fool takes pleasure in doing wrong, the intelligent in cultivating wisdom.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	24	What the wicked fears overtakes him, what the upright desires comes to him as a present.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	25	When the storm is over, the wicked is no more, but the upright stands firm for ever.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	26	As vinegar to the teeth, smoke to the eyes, so the sluggard to the one who sends him.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	27	The fear of Yahweh adds length to life, the years of the wicked will be cut short.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	28	The hope of the upright is joy, the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	29	The way of Yahweh is a rampart for the honest, for evil-doers nothing but ruin.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	30	The upright will never have to give way, but the land will offer no home for the wicked.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	31	The mouth of the upright utters wisdom, the tongue that deceives will be cut off.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	10	32	The lips of the upright know about kindness, the mouth of the wicked about deceit.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	1	A false balance is abhorrent to Yahweh, a just weight is pleasing to him.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	2	Pride comes first; disgrace soon follows; with the humble is wisdom found.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	3	The honest have their own honesty for guidance, the treacherous are ruined by their own perfidy.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	4	In the day of retribution riches will be useless, but uprightness delivers from death.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	5	The uprightness of the good makes their way straight, the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	6	Their uprightness sets the honest free, the treacherous are imprisoned by their own desires.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	7	The hope of the wicked perishes with death, hope placed in riches comes to nothing.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	8	The upright escapes affliction, the wicked incurs it instead.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	9	Through his mouth the godless is the ruin of his neighbour, but by knowledge the upright are safeguarded.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	10	When the upright prosper the city rejoices, when the wicked are ruined there is a shout of joy.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	11	A city is raised on the blessing of the honest, and demolished by the mouth of the wicked.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	12	Whoever looks down on a neighbour lacks good sense; the intelligent keeps a check on the tongue.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	13	A tittle-tattler lets secrets out, the trustworthy keeps things hidden.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	14	For want of leadership a people perishes, safety lies in many advisers.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	15	Whoever goes bail for a stranger does himself harm, but one who shuns going surety is safe.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	16	A gracious woman acquires honour, violent people acquire wealth.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	17	Faithful love brings its own reward, the inflexible injure their own selves.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	18	Disappointment crowns the labours of the wicked, whoever sows uprightness reaps a solid reward.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	19	Whoever establishes uprightness is on the way to life, whoever pursues evil, on the way to death.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	20	Tortuous hearts are abhorrent to Yahweh, dear to him, those whose ways are blameless.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	21	Be sure of it, the wicked will not go unpunished, but the race of the upright will come to no harm.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	22	A golden ring in the snout of a pig is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	23	The hope of the upright is nothing but good, the expectation of the wicked is retribution.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	24	One scatters money around, yet only adds to his wealth, another is excessively mean, but only grows the poorer.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	25	The soul who blesses will prosper, whoever satisfies others will also be satisfied.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	26	The people's curse is on those who hoard the wheat, their blessing on the head of those who sell it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	27	Whoever strives for good obtains favour, whoever looks for evil will get an evil return.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	28	Whoever trusts in riches will have a fall, the upright will flourish like the leaves.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	29	Whoever misgoverns a house inherits the wind, and the fool becomes slave to the wise.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	30	The fruit of the upright is a tree of life: the sage captivates souls.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	11	31	If here on earth the upright gets due reward, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	1	Whoever loves discipline, loves knowledge, stupid are those who hate correction.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	2	The honest obtains Yahweh's favour, the schemer incurs his condemnation.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	3	No one is made secure by wickedness, but nothing shakes the roots of the upright.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	4	A capable wife, her husband's crown, a shameless wife, a cancer in his bones.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	5	The plans of the upright are honest, the intrigues of the wicked are full of deceit.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	6	The words of the wicked are snares to shed blood, what the honest say keeps them safe.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	7	Once thrown down, the wicked are no more, but the house of the upright stands firm.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	8	Prudence wins praise, but a tortuous heart incurs only contempt.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	9	Better a common fellow who has a slave than someone who gives himself airs and has nothing to eat.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	10	The upright has compassion on his animals, but the heart of the wicked is ruthless.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	11	Whoever works his land shall have bread and to spare, but no one who chases fantasies has any sense.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	12	The godless delights in the snare of the wicked, but the root of the upright bears fruit.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	13	In the sin of the lips lies a disastrous trap, but the upright finds a way out of misfortune.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	14	Abundance of good things is the fruit of the lips; labour brings its own return.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	15	Fools think the way they go is straight, the wise listens to advice.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	16	The fool shows anger straightaway, the discreet conceals dislike.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	17	To tell the truth is to further justice, a false witness is nothing but deceit.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	18	Thoughtless words can wound like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	19	Sincere lips endure for ever, the lying tongue lasts only a moment.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	20	Deceit is in the heart of the schemer, joy with those who give counsels of peace.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	21	No harm can come to the upright, but the wicked are swamped by misfortunes.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	22	Lying lips are abhorrent to Yahweh; dear to him those who make truth their way of life.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	23	The discreet keeps knowledge hidden, the heart of fools proclaims their folly.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	24	For the diligent hand, authority; for the slack hand, forced labour.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	25	Worry makes a heart heavy, a kindly word makes it glad.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	26	The upright shows the way to a friend; the way of the wicked leads them astray.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	27	The idle has no game to roast; diligence is anyone's most precious possession.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	12	28	In the way of uprightness is life, the ways of the vengeful lead to death.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	1	A wise child listens to a father's discipline, a cynic will not listen to reproof.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	2	The fruit of the mouth provides a good meal, but the soul of the treacherous feeds on violence.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	3	A guard on the mouth makes life secure, whoever talks too much is lost.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	4	The idler hungers but has no food; hard workers get their fill.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	5	The upright hates a lying word, but the wicked slanders and defames.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	6	Uprightness stands guard over one whose way is honest, sin causes the ruin of the wicked.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	7	There are some who, on nothing, pretend to be rich, some, with great wealth, pretend to be poor.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	8	The ransom for life is a person's wealth; but the poor will not hear the reproof.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	9	The light of the upright is joyful, the lamp of the wicked goes out.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	10	Insolence breeds only disputes, wisdom lies with those who take advice.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	11	A sudden fortune will dwindle away, accumulation little by little is the way to riches.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	12	Hope deferred makes the heart sick, desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	13	Contempt for the word is self-destructive, respect for the commandment wins salvation.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	14	The teaching of the wise is a life-giving fountain for eluding the snares of death.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	15	Good sense wins favour, but the way of the treacherous is hard.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	16	Anyone of discretion acts by the light of knowledge, the fool parades his folly.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	17	A bad messenger falls into misfortune, a trusty messenger brings healing.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	18	Whoever rejects discipline wins poverty and scorn; for anyone who accepts correction: honour.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	19	Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul; fools are loth to turn -- from evil.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	20	Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, whoever mixes with fools will be ruined.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	21	Evil will pursue the sinner, but good will reward the upright.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	22	The good bequeaths a heritage to children's children, the wealth of the sinner is stored away for the upright.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	23	Though the farms of the poor yield much food, some perish for lack of justice.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	24	Whoever fails to use the stick hates his child; whoever is free with correction loves him.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	13	25	The upright eats to the full, the belly of the wicked goes empty.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	1	Wisdom builds herself a house; with her own hands Folly pulls it down.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	2	Whoever keeps to an honest course fears Yahweh, whoever deserts his paths shows contempt for him.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	3	Pride sprouts in the mouth of the fool, the lips of the wise keep them safe.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	4	No oxen, empty manger; strong bull, much cash.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	5	The truthful witness tells no lies, the false witness lies with every breath.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	6	In vain the mocker looks for wisdom, knowledge comes easy to the intelligent.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	7	Keep well clear of the fool, you will not find wise lips there.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	8	With people of discretion, wisdom keeps a watch over their conduct, but the folly of fools leads them astray.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	9	Fools mock at the sacrifice for sin, but favour resides among the honest.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	10	The heart knows its own grief best, nor can a stranger share its joy.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	11	The house of the wicked will be destroyed, the tent of the honest will prosper.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	12	There are ways that some think straight, but they lead in the end to death.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	13	Even in laughter the heart finds sadness, and joy makes way for sorrow.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	14	The miscreant will reap the reward of his conduct, and the good the reward of his deeds.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	15	The simpleton believes any message, a person of discretion treads a careful path.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	16	The wise fears evil and avoids it, the fool is insolent and conceited.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	17	A quick-tempered person commits rash acts, but a schemer is detestable.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	18	Simpletons have folly for their portion, people of discretion knowledge for their crown.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	19	The evil bow down before the good, the wicked, at the gates of the upright.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	20	The poor is detestable even to a friend, but many are they who love someone rich.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	21	One who despises the needy is at fault, one who takes pity on the poor is blessed.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	22	Plan evil -- isn't this to go astray? Those who plan for good can earn faithful love and constancy.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	23	Hard work always yields its profit, idle talk brings only want.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	24	The crown of the wise is their riches; the folly of fools is folly.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	25	A truthful witness saves lives, whoever utters lies is a deceiver.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	26	In the fear of Yahweh is powerful security; for his children he is a refuge.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	27	The fear of Yahweh is a life-giving spring for eluding the snares of death.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	28	Large population, monarch's glory; dwindling population, ruler's ruin.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	29	Mastery of temper is high proof of intelligence, a quick temper makes folly worse than ever.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	30	The life of the body is a tranquil heart, but envy is a cancer in the bones.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	31	To oppress the weak insults the Creator, kindness to the needy honours the Creator.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	32	For evil-doing, the wicked will be flung headlong, but in integrity the upright will find refuge.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	33	Wisdom resides in an understanding heart; she is not to be found in the hearts of fools.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	34	Uprightness makes a nation great, by sin whole races are disgraced.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	14	35	A king shows favour to a wise minister, but anger to one who shames him.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	1	A mild answer turns away wrath, sharp words stir up anger.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	2	The tongue of the wise makes knowledge welcome, the mouth of a fool spews folly.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	3	The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere: observing the wicked and the good.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	4	The tongue that soothes is a tree of life; the perverse tongue, a breaker of hearts.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	5	Only a fool spurns a father's discipline, whoever accepts correction is discreet.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	6	In the house of the upright there is no lack of treasure, the earnings of the wicked are fraught with anxiety.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	7	The lips of the wise spread knowledge, not so the hearts of fools.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	8	The sacrifice of the wicked is abhorrent to Yahweh, dear to him is the prayer of the honest.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	9	The conduct of the wicked is abhorrent to Yahweh, but he loves the person whose goal is uprightness.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	10	Correction is severe for one who leaves the way; whoever hates being reprimanded will die.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	11	Sheol and Perdition lie open to Yahweh; how much more the human heart!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	12	The mocker does not care to be reprimanded, and will not choose the wise as companions.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	13	Glad heart means happy face, where the heart is sad the spirit is broken.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	14	The heart of the wise seeks knowledge, a fool's mouth feeds on folly.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	15	For the poor every day is evil, for the joyous heart it is always festival time.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	16	Better to have little and with it fear of Yahweh than immense wealth and with it anxiety.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	17	Better a dish of herbs when love is there than a fattened ox and hatred to go with it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	18	The hot-headed provokes disputes, the equable allays dissension.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	19	The way of the lazy is like a thorny hedge, the path of the honest is a broad highway.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	20	A wise child is a father's joy; only a brute despises his mother.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	21	Folly appeals to someone without sense, a person of understanding goes straight forward.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	22	Without deliberation plans come to nothing. Plans succeed where counsellors are many.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	23	Anyone who has a ready answer has joy too: how satisfying is the apt reply!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	24	For the prudent, the path of life leads upwards thus avoiding Sheol below.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	25	Yahweh pulls down the house of the proud, but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	26	Wicked scheming is abhorrent to Yahweh, but words that are kind are pure.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	27	Craving for dishonest gain brings trouble on a house, hatred of bribery earns life.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	28	The heart of the upright reflects before answering, the mouth of the wicked spews out wickedness.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	29	Yahweh keeps his distance from the wicked, but he listens to the prayers of the upright.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	30	A kindly glance gives joy to the heart, good news lends strength to the bones.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	31	The ear attentive to wholesome correction finds itself at home in the company of the wise.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	32	Whoever rejects correction lacks self-respect, whoever accepts reproof grows in understanding.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	15	33	The fear of Yahweh is a school of wisdom, before there can be glory, there must be humility.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	1	A human heart makes the plans, Yahweh gives the answer.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	2	A person's own acts seem right to the doer, but Yahweh is the weigher of souls.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	3	Commend what you do to Yahweh, and what you plan will be achieved.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	4	Yahweh made everything for its own purpose, yes, even the wicked for the day of disaster.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	5	Every arrogant heart is abhorrent to Yahweh: be sure this will not go unpunished.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	6	By faithful love and constancy sin is expiated; by fear of Yahweh evil is avoided.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	7	Let Yahweh be pleased with someone's way of life and he makes that person's very enemies into friends.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	8	Better have little and with it uprightness than great revenues with injustice.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	9	The human heart may plan a course, but it is Yahweh who makes the steps secure.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	10	The lips of the king utter prophecies, he keeps faith when he speaks in judgement.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	11	The balances and scales belong to Yahweh, all the weights in the bag are of his making.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	12	Evil-doing is abhorrent to kings, since uprightness is a throne's foundation.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	13	Upright lips are welcome to a king, he loves someone of honest words.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	14	The king's wrath is the herald of death, but the wise will appease it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	15	When the king's face brightens it spells life, his favour is like the rain in spring.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	16	Better gain wisdom than gold, choose understanding in preference to silver.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	17	To turn from evil is the way of the honest; whoever watches the path keeps life safe.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	18	Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	19	Better be humble with the poor than share the booty with the proud.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	20	Whoever listens closely to the word finds happiness; whoever trusts Yahweh is blessed.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	21	The wise of heart is acclaimed as intelligent, sweetness of speech increases knowledge.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	22	Shrewdness is a fountain of life for its possessor, the folly of fools is their own punishment.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	23	The heart of the wise lends shrewdness to speech and makes words more persuasive.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	24	Kindly words are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste, wholesome to the body.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	25	There is a way that some think straight, but it leads in the end to death.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	26	A worker's appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him on.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	27	A worthless person concocts evil, such a one's talk is like a scorching fire.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	28	A troublemaker sows strife, a slanderer divides friend from friend.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	29	The violent lures his neighbour astray and leads him by a way that is not good.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	30	Whoever narrows the eyes to think up tricks and purses the lips has already done wrong.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	31	White hairs are a crown of honour, they are found in the ways of uprightness.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	32	Better an equable person than a hero, someone with self-mastery than one who takes a city.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	16	33	In the fold of the garment the lot is thrown, but from Yahweh comes the decision.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	1	Better a mouthful of dry bread with peace than a house filled with quarrelsome sacrifices.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	2	A shrewd servant comes off better than an unworthy child, he will share the inheritance with the brothers.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	3	A furnace for silver, a foundry for gold, but Yahweh for the testing of hearts!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	4	An evil-doer pays heed to malicious talk, a liar listens to a slanderous tongue.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	5	To mock the poor is to insult the Creator, no one who laughs at distress will go unpunished.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	6	The crown of the aged is their children's children; the children's glory is their father.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	7	Fine words do not become the foolish, false words become a prince still less.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	8	A gift works like a talisman for one who holds it: it brings prosperity at every turn.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	9	Whoever covers an offence promotes love, whoever again raises the matter divides friends.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	10	A reproof makes more impression on a person of understanding than a hundred strokes on a fool.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	11	The wicked person thinks of nothing but rebellion, but a cruel messenger will be sent to such a one.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	12	Rather come on a bear robbed of her cubs than on a fool in his folly.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	13	Disaster will never be far from the house of one who returns evil for good.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	14	As well unleash a flood as start a dispute; desist before the quarrel breaks out.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	15	To absolve the guilty and condemn the upright, both alike are abhorrent to Yahweh.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	16	What good is money in the hand of a fool? To buy wisdom with it? The desire is not there.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	17	A friend is a friend at all times, it is for adversity that a brother is born.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	18	Whoever offers guarantees lacks sense and goes surety for a neighbour.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	19	The double-dealer loves sin, the proud courts ruin.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	20	The tortuous of heart finds no happiness, the perverse of speech falls into misery.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	21	He who fathers a stupid child does so to his sorrow, the father of a fool knows no joy.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	22	A glad heart is excellent medicine, a depressed spirit wastes the bones away.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	23	Under cover of his cloak a bad man takes a gift to pervert the course of justice.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	24	The intelligent has wisdom there before him, but the eyes of a fool range to the ends of the earth.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	25	A foolish child is a father's sorrow, and the grief of her who gave the child birth.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	26	To fine the upright is indeed a crime, to strike the noble is an injustice.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	27	Whoever can control the tongue knows what knowledge is, someone of understanding keeps a cool temper.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	17	28	If the fool holds his tongue, he may pass for wise; if he seals his lips, he may pass for intelligent.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	1	Whoever lives alone follows private whims, and is angered by advice of any kind.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	2	A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in airing an opinion.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	3	When wickedness comes, indignity comes too, and, with contempt, dishonour.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	4	Deep waters, such are human words: a gushing stream, the utterance of wisdom.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	5	It is not good to show partiality for the wicked and so to deprive the upright when giving judgement.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	6	The lips of a fool go to the law-courts with a mouth that pleads for a beating.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	7	The mouth of the fool works its owner's ruin, the lips of a fool are a snare for their owner's life.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	8	The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the belly.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	9	Whoever is idle at work is blood-brother to the destroyer.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	10	The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the upright runs to it and is secure.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	11	The wealth of the rich forms a stronghold, a high wall, as the rich supposes.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	12	The human heart is haughty until destruction comes, before there can be glory there must be humility.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	13	To retort without first listening is both foolish and embarrassing.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	14	Sickness the human spirit can endure, but when the spirit is broken, who can bear this?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	15	The heart of the intelligent acquires learning, the ears of the wise search for knowledge.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	16	A present will open all doors and win access to the great.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	17	The first to plead is adjudged to be upright, until the next comes and cross-examines him.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	18	The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between men of power.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	19	A brother offended is worse than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the locks of a keep.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	20	From the fruit of the mouth is a stomach filled, it is the yield of the lips that gives contentment.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	21	Death and life are in the gift of the tongue, those who indulge it must eat the fruit it yields.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	22	He who finds a wife finds happiness, receiving a mark of favour from Yahweh.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	23	The language of the poor is entreaty, the answer of the rich harshness.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	18	24	There are friends who point the way to ruin, others are closer than a brother.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	1	Better the poor living an honest life than the adept at double-talk who is a fool.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	2	Where knowledge is wanting, zeal is not good; whoever goes too quickly stumbles.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	3	Folly leads conduct astray, yet it is against Yahweh that the heart rages.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	4	Wealth multiplies friends, but the one friend the poor has is taken away.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	5	The false witness will not go unpunished, no one who utters lies will go free.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	6	The nobleman has many to court his favour, to a giver of gifts, everyone is friend.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	7	The poor man's brothers hate him, every one; his friends -- how much the more do these desert him! He goes in search of words, but there are none to be had.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	8	Whoever acquires sense wins profit from it, whoever treasures understanding finds happiness.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	9	The false witness will not go unpunished, whoever utters lies will be destroyed.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	10	It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, still less for a slave to govern princes.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	11	Good sense makes for self-control, and for pride in overlooking an offence.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	12	Like the roaring of a lion, the anger of a king, but like dew on the grass his favour.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	13	A foolish child is a disaster for the father, the bickerings of a wife are like an ever-dripping gutter.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	14	From fathers comes inheritance of house and wealth, from Yahweh a wife who is discreet.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	15	Idleness lulls to sleep, the feckless soul will go hungry.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	16	Keeping the commandment is self-preservation, but whoever despises these ways will die.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	17	Whoever is kind to the poor is lending to Yahweh who will repay him the kindness done.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	18	While there is hope for him, chastise your child, but do not get so angry as to kill him.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	19	The violent lays himself open to a penalty; spare him, and you aggravate his crime.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	20	Listen to advice, accept correction, to be the wiser in the time to come.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	21	Many are the plans in the human heart, but the purpose of Yahweh -- that stands firm.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	22	Faithful love is what people look for in a person; they prefer the poor to a liar.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	23	The fear of Yahweh leads to life, it brings food and shelter, without fear of evil.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	24	Into the dish the idler dips his hand, but bring it back to his mouth he cannot.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	25	Strike a cynic, and simpletons will be more wary; reprove the intelligent and he will understand your meaning.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	26	He who ill-treats his father and drives out his mother is a child both worthless and depraved.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	27	Give up listening to instruction, my child, if you mean to stray from words of knowledge.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	28	A perjured witness holds the law in scorn; the mouth of the wicked feasts on evil-doing.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	19	29	Punishments were made for mockers, and beating for the backs of fools.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	1	Wine is reckless, liquor rowdy; unwise is anyone whom it seduces.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	2	Like the roaring of a lion is the fury of a king; whoever provokes him sins against himself.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	3	It is praiseworthy to stop short of a law-suit; only a fool flies into a rage.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	4	In autumn the idler does not plough, at harvest time he looks -- nothing there!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	5	The resources of the human heart are like deep waters: an understanding person has only to draw on them.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	6	Many describe themselves as people of faithful love, but who can find someone really to be trusted?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	7	The upright whose ways are blameless -- blessed the children who come after!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	8	A king enthroned on the judgement seat with one look scatters all that is evil.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	9	Who can say, 'I have cleansed my heart, I am purified of my sin'?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	10	One weight here, another there; here one measure, there another: both alike are abhorrent to Yahweh.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	11	A young man's character appears in what he does, if his behaviour is pure and straight.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	12	Ear that hears, eye that sees, Yahweh has made both of these.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	13	Do not love sleep or you will know poverty; keep your eyes open and have your fill of food.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	14	'No good, no good!' says the buyer, but he goes off congratulating himself.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	15	There are gold and jewels of every type, but a priceless ornament is speech informed by knowledge.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	16	Take the man's clothes! He has gone surety for a stranger. Take a pledge from him to the profit of persons unknown!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	17	Bread is sweet when it is got by fraud, but later the mouth is full of grit.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	18	Plans are matured by consultation; take wise advice when waging war.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	19	The bearer of gossip lets out secrets; do not mingle with chatterers.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	20	Whoever curses father or mother will have his lamp put out in the deepest darkness.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	21	Property quickly come by at first will not be blessed in the end.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	22	Do not say, 'I shall repay evil'; put your hope in Yahweh and he will keep you safe.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	23	One weight here, another there: this is abhorrent to Yahweh, false scales are not good.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	24	Yahweh guides the steps of the powerful: but who can comprehend human ways?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	25	Anyone is trapped who cries 'Dedicated!' and begins to reflect only after the vow.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	26	A wise king winnows the wicked and makes the wheel pass over them.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	27	The human spirit is the lamp of Yahweh -- searching the deepest self.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	28	Faithful love and loyalty mount guard over the king, his throne is founded on saving justice.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	29	The pride of the young is their strength, the ornament of the old, grey hairs.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	20	30	Wounding strokes are good medicine for evil, blows have an effect on the inmost self.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	1	Like flowing water is a king's heart in Yahweh's hand; he directs it wherever he pleases.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	2	All actions are straight in the doer's own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs hearts.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	3	To do what is upright and just is more pleasing to Yahweh than sacrifice.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	4	Haughty eye, proud heart, lamp of the wicked, nothing but sin.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	5	The hardworking is thoughtful, and all is gain; too much haste, and all that comes of it is want.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	6	To make a fortune with the help of a lying tongue: such is the idle fantasy of those who look for death.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	7	The violence of the wicked proves their ruin, for they refuse to do what is right.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	8	The way of the felon is devious, the conduct of the innocent straight.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	9	Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	10	The soul of the wicked is intent on evil, to such a person no neighbour can ever do right.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	11	When a cynic is punished, simpletons grow wiser, but someone of understanding acquires knowledge by instruction.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	12	The Upright One watches the house of the wicked; he hurls the wicked to destruction.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	13	Whoever refuses to listen to the cry of the weak, will in turn plead and not be heard.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	14	Anger is mollified by a covert gift, raging fury by a present under cover of the cloak.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	15	Doing what is right fills the upright with joy, but evil-doers with terror.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	16	Whoever strays far from the way of prudence will rest in the assembly of shadows.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	17	Pleasure-lovers stay poor, no one will grow rich who loves wine and good living.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	18	The wicked is a ransom for the upright; and the law-breaker for the honest.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	19	Better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and irritable woman.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	20	The wise has valuables and oil at home, but a fool soon runs through both.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	21	Whoever pursues uprightness and faithful love will find life, uprightness and honour.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	22	A sage can scale a garrisoned city and shatter the rampart on which it relied.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	23	Watch kept over mouth and tongue keeps the watcher safe from disaster.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	24	Insolent, haughty -- the name is 'Cynic'; overweening pride marks such behaviour.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	25	The idler's desires are the death of him, since his hands will do no work.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	26	All day long the godless is racked by desire, the upright gives without ever refusing.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	27	The sacrifice of the wicked is abhorrent, above all if it is offered for bad motives.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	28	The false witness will perish, but no one who knows how to listen will ever be silenced.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	29	The wicked man's strength shows on his face, but the honest it is whose steps are firm.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	30	No wisdom, no understanding, no advice is worth anything before Yahweh.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	21	31	Fit out the cavalry for the day of battle, but the victory is Yahweh's.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	1	Fame is preferable to great wealth, favour, to silver and gold.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	2	Rich and poor rub shoulders, Yahweh has made them both.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	3	The discreet sees danger and takes shelter, simpletons go ahead and pay the penalty.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	4	The reward of humility is the fear of Yahweh, and riches, honour and life.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	5	Thorns and snares line the path of the wilful, whoever values life will stay at a distance.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	6	Give a lad a training suitable to his character and, even when old, he will not go back on it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	7	The rich lords it over the poor, the borrower is the lender's slave.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	8	Whoever sows injustice reaps disaster, and the rod of such anger will disappear.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	9	A kindly eye will earn a blessing, such a person shares out food with the poor.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	10	Expel the mocker and strife goes too, law-suits and dislike die down.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	11	Whoever loves the pure of heart and is gracious of speech has the king for a friend.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	12	Yahweh's eyes protect knowledge, but he confounds deceitful speeches.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	13	'There is a lion outside,' says the idler, 'I shall be killed in the street!'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	14	The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit, into it falls the man whom Yahweh rebukes.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	15	Folly is anchored in the heart of a youth, the whip of instruction will rid him of it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	16	Harsh treatment enriches the poor, but a gift impoverishes the rich.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	17	Give ear, listen to the sayings of the sages, and apply your heart to what I know,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	18	for it will be a delight to keep them deep within you to have them all ready on your lips.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	19	So that your trust may be in Yahweh, it is you whom I wish to instruct today.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	20	Have I not written for you thirty chapters of advice and knowledge,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	21	to make you know the certainty of true sayings, so that you can return with sound answers to those who sent you?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	22	Do not despoil the weak, for he is weak, and do not oppress the poor at the gate,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	23	for Yahweh takes up their cause, and extorts the life of their extortioners.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	24	Do not make friends with one who gives way to anger, make no one quick-tempered a companion of yours,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	25	for fear you learn such behaviour and in it find a snare for yourself.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	26	Do not be one of those who go guarantor, who go surety for debts:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	27	if you have no means of paying your bed will be taken from under you.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	28	Do not displace the ancient boundary-stone set by your ancestors.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	22	29	You see someone alert at his business? His aim will be to serve kings; not for him the service of the obscure.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	1	If you take your seat at a great man's table, take careful note of what you have before you;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	2	if you have a big appetite put a knife to your throat.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	3	Do not hanker for his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	4	Do not wear yourself out in quest of wealth, stop applying your mind to this.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	5	Fix your gaze on it, and it is there no longer, for it is able to sprout wings like an eagle that flies off to the sky.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	6	Do not eat the food of anyone whose eye is jealous, do not hanker for his delicacies.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	7	For what he is really thinking about is himself: 'Eat and drink,' he tells you, but his heart is not with you.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	8	You will spit out whatever you have eaten and find your compliments wasted.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	9	Do not waste words on a fool, who will not appreciate the shrewdness of your remarks.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	10	Do not displace the ancient boundary-stone, or encroach on orphans' lands,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	11	for they have a powerful avenger, and he will take up their cause against you.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	12	Apply your heart to discipline, and your ears to instructive sayings.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	13	Do not be chary of correcting a child, a stroke of the cane is not likely to be fatal.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	14	Give him a stroke of the cane, you will save his soul from Sheol.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	15	My child, if your heart is wise, then my own heart is glad,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	16	and my inmost self rejoices when from your lips come honest words.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	17	Do not let your heart be envious of sinners but remain steady every day in the fear of Yahweh;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	18	for there is a future, and your hope will not come to nothing.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	19	Listen, my child, and be wise, and guide your heart in the way.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	20	Do not be one of those forever tippling wine nor one of those who gorge themselves with meat;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	21	for the drunkard and glutton impoverish themselves, and sleepiness is clothed in rags.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	22	Listen to your father from whom you are sprung, do not despise your mother in her old age.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	23	Purchase truth -- never sell it-wisdom, discipline, and discernment.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	24	The father of the upright will rejoice indeed, he who fathers a wise child will have joy of it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	25	Your father and mother will be happy, and she who bore you joyful.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	26	My child, pay attention to me, let your eyes take pleasure in my way:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	27	a prostitute is a deep pit, a narrow well, the woman who belongs to another.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	28	Yes, like a brigand, she lies in wait, increasing the number of law-breakers.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	29	For whom is pity, for whom contempt, for whom is strife, for whom complaint, for whom blows struck at random, for whom the clouded eye?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	30	For those who linger over wine too long, ever on the look-out for the blended liquors.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	31	Do not gaze at wine, how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup! How smoothly it slips down the throat!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	32	In the end its bite is like a serpent's, its sting as sharp as an adder's.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	33	Your eyes will see peculiar things, you will talk nonsense from your heart.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	34	You will be like someone sleeping in mid-ocean, like one asleep at the mast-head.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	23	35	'Struck me, have they? But I'm not hurt. Beaten me? I don't feel anything. When shall I wake up? . . I'll ask for more of it!'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	1	Do not be envious of the wicked or wish for their company,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	2	for their hearts are scheming violence, their lips talking mischief.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	3	By wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is made strong;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	4	by knowledge its storerooms are filled with riches of every kind, rare and desirable.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	5	The wise is mighty in power, strength is reinforced by science;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	6	for it is by strategy that you wage war, and victory depends on having many counsellors.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	7	For a fool wisdom is an inaccessible fortress: at the city gate he does not open his mouth.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	8	Anyone intent on evil-doing is known as a master in cunning.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	9	Folly dreams of nothing but sin, the mocker is abhorrent.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	10	If you lose heart when things go wrong, your strength is not worth much.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	11	Save those being dragged towards death, but can you rescue those on their way to execution?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	12	If you say, 'But look, we did not know,' will the Weigher of the heart pay no attention? Will not the Guardian of your soul be aware and repay you as your deeds deserve?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	13	Eat honey, my child, since it is good; honey that drips from the comb is sweet to the taste:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	14	and so, for sure, will wisdom be to your soul: find it and you will have a future and your hope will not be cut short.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	15	Do not lurk, wicked man, round the upright man's dwelling, do not despoil his house.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	16	For though the upright falls seven times, he gets up again; the wicked are the ones who stumble in adversity.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	17	Should your enemy fall, do not rejoice, when he stumbles do not let your heart exult:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	18	for fear that Yahweh will be displeased at the sight and turn his anger away from him.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	19	Do not be indignant about the wicked, do not be envious of the evil,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	20	for there is no future for the evil, the lamp of the wicked will go out.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	21	Fear Yahweh, my child, and fear the king; do not ally yourself with innovators;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	22	for suddenly disaster will loom for them, and who knows what ruin will seize them and their friends?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	23	The following are also taken from the sages: To show partiality in judgement is not good.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	24	Whoever tells the wicked, 'You are upright,' peoples curse him, nations revile him;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	25	but those who correct him, come out of it well, on them will come a happy blessing.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	26	Whoever returns an honest answer, plants a kiss on the lips.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	27	Plan what you want on the open ground, make your preparation in the field; then go and build your house.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	28	Do not bear witness lightly against your neighbour, nor deceive with your lips.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	29	Do not say, 'I will treat my neighbour as my neighbour treated me; I will repay everyone what each has earned.'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	30	By the idler's field I was passing, by the vineyard of a man who had no sense,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	31	there it all lay, deep in thorns, entirely overgrown with weeds, and its stone wall broken down.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	32	And as I gazed I pondered, I drew this lesson from the sight,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	33	'A little sleep, a little drowsiness, a little folding of the arms to lie back
 Proverbs	Prov	24	24	34	and poverty comes like a vagrant, and, like a beggar, dearth.'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	1	Here are some more of Solomon's proverbs, transcribed at the court of Hezekiah king of Judah:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	2	To conceal a matter, this is the glory of God, to sift it thoroughly, the glory of kings.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	3	The heavens for height and the earth for depth, unfathomable, as are the hearts of kings.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	4	From silver remove the dross and it emerges wholly purified;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	5	from the king's presence remove the wicked and on uprightness his throne is founded.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	6	In the presence of the king do not give yourself airs, do not take a place among the great;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	7	better to be invited, 'Come up here', than be humiliated in the presence of the prince.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	8	What your eyes have witnessed do not produce too quickly at the trial, for what are you to do at the end should your neighbour confute you?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	9	Have the quarrel out with your neighbour. but do not disclose another's secret,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	10	for fear your listener put you to shame, and the loss of repute be irremediable.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	11	Like apples of gold inlaid with silver is a word that is aptly spoken.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	12	A golden ring, an ornament of finest gold, is a wise rebuke to an attentive ear.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	13	The coolness of snow in harvest time, such is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him: he revives the soul of his master.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	14	Clouds and wind, but no rain: such is anyone whose promises are princely but never kept.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	15	With patience a judge may be cajoled: a soft tongue breaks bones.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	16	Eat to your satisfaction what honey you may find, but not to excess or you will bring it up again.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	17	Do not set foot too often in your neighbour's house, for fear the neighbour tire of you and come to hate you.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	18	A mace, a sword, a piercing arrow, such is anyone who bears false witness against a companion.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	19	Decaying tooth, lame foot, such is the fickle when trusted in time of trouble:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	20	as well take off your coat in bitter weather. You are pouring vinegar on a wound when you sing songs to a sorrowing heart.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	21	If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	22	By this you will be heaping red-hot coals on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	23	The north wind begets the rain, and a backbiting tongue, black looks.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	24	Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	25	Cold water to a thirsty throat; such is good news from a distant land.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	26	A churned -- up spring, a fountain fouled; such is the upright person trembling before the wicked.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	27	It is not good to eat too much honey, nor to seek for glory on top of glory.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	25	28	An open town, and without defences: such is anyone who lacks self-control.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	1	Snow no more befits the summer, nor rain the harvest-time, than honours befit a fool.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	2	As the sparrow escapes, and the swallow flies away, so the undeserved curse will never hit its mark.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	3	A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and for the backs of fools, a stick.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	4	Do not answer a fool in the terms of his folly for fear you grow like him yourself.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	5	Answer a fool in the terms of his folly for fear he imagine himself wise.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	6	He wounds himself, he takes violence for his drink, who sends a message by a fool.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	7	Unreliable as the legs of the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	8	As well tie the stone to the sling as pay honour to a fool.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	9	A thorn branch in a drunkard's hand, such is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	10	An archer wounding everyone, such is he who hires the passing fool and drunkard.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	11	As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool reverts to his folly.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	12	You see someone who thinks himself wise? More to be hoped for from a fool than from him!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	13	'A wild beast on the road!' says the idler, 'a lion in the streets!'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	14	The door turns on its hinges, the idler on his bed.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	15	Into the dish the idler dips his hand, but is too tired to bring it back to his mouth.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	16	The idler thinks himself wiser than seven people who answer with discretion.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	17	He takes a stray dog by the ears, who meddles in someone else's quarrel.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	18	Like a madman hurling firebrands, arrows and death,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	19	so is anyone who lies to a companion and then says, 'Aren't I amusing?'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	20	No wood, and the fire goes out; no slanderer, and quarrelling dies down.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	21	Charcoal for live embers, wood for fire, and the quarrelsome for kindling strife.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	22	The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the belly.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	23	Base silver-plate on top of clay: such are fervent lips and a wicked heart.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	24	Whoever hates may hide it in speech, but deep within lies treachery;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	25	do not trust such a person's pretty speeches, since in the heart lurk seven abominations.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	26	Hatred may disguise itself with guile, to reveal its wickedness later in the assembly.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	27	Whoever digs a pit falls into it, the stone comes back on him that rolls it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	26	28	The lying tongue hates its victims, the wheedling mouth causes ruin.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	1	Do not congratulate yourself about tomorrow, since you do not know what today will bring forth.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	2	Let someone else sing your praises, but not your own mouth, a stranger, but not your own lips.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	3	Heavy is the stone, weighty is the sand; heavier than both -- a grudge borne by a fool.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	4	Cruel is wrath, overwhelming is anger; but jealousy, who can withstand that?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	5	Better open reproof than feigned love.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	6	Trustworthy are blows from a friend, deceitful are kisses from a foe.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	7	The gorged throat revolts at honey, the hungry throat finds all bitterness sweet.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	8	Like a bird that strays from its nest, so is anyone who strays away from home.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	9	Oil and perfume gladden the heart, and the sweetness of friendship rather than self-reliance.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	10	Do not give up your friend or your father's friend; when trouble comes, do not go off to your brother's house, better a near neighbour than a distant brother.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	11	Learn to be wise, my child, and gladden my heart, that I may have an answer for anyone who insults me.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	12	The discreet sees danger and takes shelter, simpletons go ahead and pay the penalty.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	13	Take the man's clothes! He has gone surety for a stranger. Take a pledge from him, for persons unknown.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	14	Whoever at dawn loudly blesses his neighbour -- it will be reckoned to him as a curse.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	15	The dripping of a gutter on a rainy day and a quarrelsome woman are alike;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	16	whoever can restrain her, can restrain the wind, and take a firm hold on grease.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	17	Iron is sharpened by iron, one person is sharpened by contact with another.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	18	Whoever tends the fig tree eats its figs, whoever looks after his master will be honoured.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	19	As water reflects face back to face, so one human heart reflects another.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	20	Sheol and Perdition are never satisfied, insatiable, too, are human eyes.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	21	A furnace for silver, a foundry for gold: a person is worth what his reputation is worth.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	22	Pound a fool in a mortar, among grain with a pestle, his folly will not leave him.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	23	Know your flocks' condition well, take good care of your herds;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	24	for riches do not last for ever, crowns do not hand themselves on from age to age.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	25	The grass once gone, the aftergrowth appearing, the hay gathered in from the mountains,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	26	you should have lambs to clothe you, goats to buy you a field,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	27	27	goat's milk sufficient to feed you, to feed your household and provide for your serving girls.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	1	The wicked flees when no one is pursuing, the upright is bold as a lion.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	2	A country in revolt throws up many leaders: with one person wise and experienced, you have stability.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	3	The wicked oppresses the weak: here is a devastating rain -- and farewell, bread!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	4	Those who forsake the law sing the praises of the wicked, those who observe the law are angered by them.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	5	The wicked do not know what justice means, those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	6	Better someone poor living an honest life than someone of devious ways however rich.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	7	An intelligent child is one who keeps the Law; an associate of profligates brings shame on his father.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	8	Whoever increases wealth by usury and interest amasses it for someone else who will bestow it on the poor.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	9	Whoever refuses to listen to the Law, such a one's very prayer is an abomination.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	10	Whoever seduces the honest to evil ways will fall into his own pit. The blameless are the heirs to happiness.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	11	The rich may think himself wise, but the intelligent poor will unmask him.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	12	When the upright triumph, there is great exultation: when the wicked are in the ascendant, people take cover.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	13	No one who conceals his sins will prosper, whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	14	Blessed the person who is never without fear, whoever hardens his heart will fall into distress.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	15	Like a roaring lion or a springing bear is a wicked ruler of a powerless people.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	16	An unenlightened ruler is rich in rapacity, one who hates greed will lengthen his days.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	17	A man guilty of murder will flee till he reaches his tomb: let no one halt him!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	18	Whoever lives an honest life will be safe, whoever wavers between two ways falls down in one of them.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	19	Whoever works his land shall have bread and to spare, but no one who chases fantasies has any sense.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	20	A trustworthy person will be overwhelmed with blessings, but no one who tries to get rich quickly will go unpunished.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	21	It is not good to show partiality, but people will do wrong for a mouthful of bread.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	22	The person of greedy eye chases after wealth, not knowing that want will be the result.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	23	Anyone who reproves another will enjoy more favour in the end than the flatterer.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	24	Whoever robs father and mother saying, 'Nothing wrong in that!' is comrade for a brigand.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	25	The covetous provokes disputes, whoever trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	26	Whoever trusts his own wit is a fool, anyone whose ways are wise will be safe.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	27	No one who gives to the poor will ever go short, but whoever closes his eyes will have curses in plenty.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	28	28	When the wicked are in the ascendant, people take cover, but when they perish, the upright multiply.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	1	Whoever is stiff-necked under reproof will be suddenly and irremediably broken.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	2	When the upright are on the increase, the people rejoice; when the wicked are in power, the people groan.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	3	The lover of Wisdom makes his father glad, but the patron of prostitutes fritters his wealth away.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	4	A king gives a country stability by justice, an extortioner brings it to ruin.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	5	Whoever flatters his companion spreads a net for his feet.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	6	In the sin of the wicked lies a snare, but the upright exults and rejoices.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	7	The upright understands the cause of the weak, the wicked has not the wit to understand it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	8	Scoffers set a city in ferment, but the wise moderate anger.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	9	Let someone wise argue with a fool, anger and good humour alike will be wasted.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	10	The bloodthirsty hate the honest, but the upright seek them out.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	11	The fool blurts out every angry feeling, but the wise subdues and restrains them.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	12	When a ruler listens to false reports, all his ministers will be scoundrels.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	13	Poor and oppressor are found together, Yahweh gives light to the eyes of both.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	14	The king who judges the weak with equity sees his throne set firm for ever.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	15	The stick and the reprimand bestow wisdom, a young man left to himself brings shame on his mother.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	16	When the wicked are on the increase, sin multiplies, but the upright will witness their downfall.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	17	Correct your child, and he will give you peace of mind; he will delight your soul.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	18	Where there is no vision the people get out of hand; happy are they who keep the law.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	19	Not by words is a slave corrected: even if he understands, he will take no notice.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	20	You see someone too ready of speech? There is more to be hoped for from a fool!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	21	If a slave is pampered from childhood, he will prove ungrateful in the end.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	22	The hot-head provokes disputes, someone in a rage commits all sorts of sins.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	23	Pride brings humiliation, whoever humbles himself will win honour.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	24	To hear the curse and disclose nothing is to share with the thief and to hate oneself.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	25	To be afraid of human beings is a snare, whoever trusts in Yahweh is secure.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	26	Many people seek a ruler's favour, but the rights of each come from Yahweh.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	29	27	Abhorrent to the upright is the sinful, abhorrent to the wicked is one whose way is straight.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	1	The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh, of Massa. Prophecy of this man for Ithiel, for Ithiel and for Ucal.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	2	I am myself the stupidest of people, bereft of human intelligence,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	3	I have not learnt wisdom, and I lack the knowledge of the holy ones.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	4	Who has mounted to the heavens, then come down again? Who has gathered the wind in the clasp of his hand? Who has wrapped the waters in his cloak? Who has set all the ends of the earth firm? What is his name? What is his child's name? Do you know?
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	5	Every word of God is unalloyed, a shield to those who take refuge in him.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	6	To his words make no addition, lest he reprove you and account you a liar.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	7	Two things I beg of you, do not grudge me them before I die:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	8	keep falsehood and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, grant me only my share of food,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	9	for fear that, surrounded by plenty, I should fall away and say, 'Yahweh-who is Yahweh?' or else, in destitution, take to stealing and profane the name of my God.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	10	Do not blacken a slave's name to his master, lest he curse you, and you suffer for it.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	11	There is a breed of person that curses his father and does not bless his mother;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	12	a breed that, laying claim to purity, has not yet been cleansed of its filth;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	13	a breed haughty of eye, with disdain in every glance;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	14	a breed with swords for teeth, with knives for jaws, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from the land.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	15	The leech has two daughters: 'Give! Give!' There are three insatiable things, four, indeed, that never say, 'Enough!'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	16	Sheol, the barren womb, earth which can never have its fill of water, fire which never says, 'Enough!'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	17	The eye which looks jeeringly on a father, and scorns the obedience due to a mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, and eaten by the vultures.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	18	There are three things beyond my comprehension, four, indeed, that I do not understand:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	19	the way of an eagle through the skies, the way of a snake over the rock, the way of a ship in mid-ocean, the way of a man with a girl.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	20	This is how an adulteress behaves: she eats, then wipes her mouth and says, 'I have done nothing wrong!'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	21	There are three things at which the earth trembles, four, indeed, which it cannot endure:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	22	a slave become king, a brute gorged with food,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	23	a hateful woman wed at last, a servant girl inheriting from her mistress.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	24	There are four creatures little on the earth, though they are wisest of the wise:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	25	ants, a race with no strength, yet in the summer they make sure of their food;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	26	the coneys, a race without defences, yet they make their home in the rocks;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	27	locusts, which have no king, yet they all march in good order;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	28	lizards, which you can catch in your hand, yet they frequent the palaces of kings.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	29	There are three things of stately tread, four, indeed, of stately walk:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	30	the lion, bravest of beasts, he will draw back from nothing;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	31	a vigorous cock, a he-goat, and the king when he harangues his people.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	32	If you have been foolish enough to fly into a passion and now have second thoughts, lay your hand on your lips.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	30	33	For by churning the milk you produce butter, by wringing the nose you produce blood, and by whipping up anger you produce strife.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	1	The sayings of Lemuel king of Massa, taught him by his mother:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	2	What, my son! What, son of my womb! What, son of my vows!
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	3	Do not expend your energy on women nor your wealth on those who ruin kings.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	4	Not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings the drinking of wine, not for princes the love of liquor,
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	5	for fear that in liquor they forget what they have decreed and pervert the course of justice against all the poor.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	6	Procure strong drink for someone about to die, wine for him whose heart is heavy:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	7	let him drink and forget his misfortune, and remember his misery no more.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	8	Make your views heard, on behalf of the dumb, on behalf of all the unwanted;
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	9	make your views heard, pronounce an upright verdict, defend the cause of the poor and the wretched.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	10	The truly capable woman -- who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	11	Her husband's heart has confidence in her, from her he will derive no little profit.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	12	Advantage and not hurt she brings him all the days of her life.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	13	She selects wool and flax, she does her work with eager hands.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	14	She is like those merchant vessels, bringing her food from far away.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	15	She gets up while it is still dark giving her household their food, giving orders to her serving girls.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	16	She sets her mind on a field, then she buys it; with what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	17	She puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	18	She knows that her affairs are going well; her lamp does not go out at night.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	19	She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	20	She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	21	Snow may come, she has no fears for her household, with all her servants warmly clothed.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	22	She makes her own quilts, she is dressed in fine linen and purple.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	23	Her husband is respected at the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	24	She weaves materials and sells them, she supplies the merchant with sashes.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	25	She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the day to come.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	26	When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	27	She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	28	Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband, too, sings her praises:
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	29	'Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!'
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	30	Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who fears Yahweh is the one to praise.
 Proverbs	Prov	24	31	31	Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	1	Composition of Qoheleth son of David, king in Jerusalem.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	2	Sheer futility, Qoheleth says. Sheer futility: everything is futile!
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	3	What profit can we show for all our toil, toiling under the sun?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	4	A generation goes, a generation comes, yet the earth stands firm for ever.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	5	The sun rises, the sun sets; then to its place it speeds and there it rises.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	6	Southward goes the wind, then turns to the north; it turns and turns again; then back to its circling goes the wind.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	7	Into the sea go all the rivers, and yet the sea is never filled, and still to their goal the rivers go.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	8	All things are wearisome. No one can say that eyes have not had enough of seeing, ears their fill of hearing.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	9	What was, will be again, what has been done, will be done again, and there is nothing new under the sun!
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	10	Take anything which people acclaim as being new: it existed in the centuries preceding us.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	11	No memory remains of the past, and so it will be for the centuries to come -- they will not be remembered by their successors.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	12	I, Qoheleth, have reigned over Israel in Jerusalem.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	13	Wisely I have applied myself to investigation and exploration of everything that happens under heaven. What a wearisome task God has given humanity to keep us busy!
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	14	I have seen everything that is done under the sun: how futile it all is, mere chasing after the wind!
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	15	What is twisted cannot be straightened, what is not there cannot be counted.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	16	I thought to myself: I have acquired a greater stock of wisdom than anyone before me in Jerusalem. I myself have mastered every kind of wisdom and science.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	17	I have applied myself to understanding philosophy and science, stupidity and folly, and I now realise that all this too is chasing after the wind.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	1	18	Much wisdom, much grief; the more knowledge, the more sorrow.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	1	I thought to myself, 'Very well, I will try pleasure and see what enjoyment has to offer.' And this was futile too.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	2	This laughter, I reflected, is a madness, this pleasure no use at all.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	3	I decided to hand my body over to drinking wine, my mind still guiding me in wisdom; I resolved to embrace folly, to discover the best way for people to spend their days under the sun.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	4	I worked on a grand scale: built myself palaces, planted vineyards;
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	5	made myself gardens and orchards, planting every kind of fruit tree in them;
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	6	had pools made for watering the young trees of my plantations.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	7	I bought slaves, male and female, had home-born slaves as well; herds and flocks I had too, more than anyone in Jerusalem before me.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	8	I amassed silver and gold, the treasures of kings and provinces; acquired singers, men and women, and every human luxury, chest upon chest of it.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	9	So I grew great, greater than anyone in Jerusalem before me; nor did my wisdom leave me.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	10	I denied my eyes nothing that they desired, refused my heart no pleasure, for I found all my hard work a pleasure, such was the return for all my efforts.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	11	I then reflected on all that my hands had achieved and all the effort I had put into its achieving. What futility it all was, what chasing after the wind! There is nothing to be gained under the sun.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	12	My reflections then turned to wisdom, stupidity and folly. For instance, what can the successor of a king do? What has been done already.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	13	More is to be gained from wisdom than from folly, just as one gains more from light than from darkness; this, of course, I see:
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	14	The wise have their eyes open, the fool walks in the dark. No doubt! But I know, too, that one fate awaits them both.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	15	'Since the fool's fate', I thought to myself, 'will be my fate too, what is the point of my having been wise?' I realised that this too is futile.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	16	For there is no lasting memory for the wise or the fool, and in the days to come both will be forgotten; the wise, no less than the fool, must die.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	17	Life I have come to hate, for what is done under the sun disgusts me, since all is futility and chasing after the wind.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	18	All I have toiled for under the sun and now bequeath to my successor I have come to hate;
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	19	who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all the work into which I have put my efforts and wisdom under the sun. That is futile too.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	20	I have come to despair of all the efforts I have expended under the sun.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	21	For here is one who has laboured wisely, skilfully and successfully and must leave what is his own to someone who has not toiled for it at all. This is futile too, and grossly unjust;
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	22	for what does he gain for all the toil and strain that he has undergone under the sun-
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	23	since his days are full of sorrow, his work is full of stress and even at night he has no peace of mind? This is futile too.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	24	There is no happiness except in eating and drinking, and in enjoying one's achievements; and I see that this too comes from God's hand;
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	25	for who would get anything to eat or drink, unless all this came from him?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	2	26	Wisdom, knowledge and joy, God gives to those who please him, but on the sinner he lays the task of gathering and storing up for someone else who is pleasing to him. This too is futility and chasing after the wind.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	1	There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven:
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	2	A time for giving birth, a time for dying; a time for planting, a time for uprooting what has been planted.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	3	A time for killing, a time for healing; a time for knocking down, a time for building.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	4	A time for tears, a time for laughter; a time for mourning, a time for dancing.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	5	A time for throwing stones away, a time for gathering them; a time for embracing, a time to refrain from embracing.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	6	A time for searching, a time for losing; a time for keeping, a time for discarding.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	7	A time for tearing, a time for sewing; a time for keeping silent, a time for speaking.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	8	A time for loving, a time for hating; a time for war, a time for peace.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	9	What do people gain from the efforts they make?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	10	I contemplate the task that God gives humanity to labour at.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	11	All that he does is apt for its time; but although he has given us an awareness of the passage of time, we can grasp neither the beginning nor the end of what God does.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	12	I know there is no happiness for a human being except in pleasure and enjoyment through life.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	13	And when we eat and drink and find happiness in all our achievements, this is a gift from God.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	14	I know that whatever God does will be for ever. To this there is nothing to add, from this there is nothing to subtract, and the way God acts inspires dread.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	15	What is, has been already, what will be, is already; God seeks out anyone who is persecuted.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	16	Again I observe under the sun: crime is where justice should be, the criminal is where the upright should be.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	17	And I think to myself: the upright and the criminal will both be judged by God, since there is a time for every thing and every action here.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	18	I think to myself: where human beings are concerned, this is so that God can test them and show them that they are animals.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	19	For the fate of human and the fate of animal is the same: as the one dies, so the other dies; both have the selfsame breath. Human is in no way better off than animal -- since all is futile.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	20	Everything goes to the same place, everything comes from the dust, everything returns to the dust.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	21	Who knows if the human spirit mounts upward or if the animal spirit goes downward to the earth?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	3	22	I see there is no contentment for a human being except happiness in achievement; such is the lot of a human beings. No one can tell us what will happen after we are gone.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	1	Then again, I contemplate all the oppression that is committed under the sun. Take for instance the tears of the oppressed. No one to comfort them! The power their oppressors wield. No one to comfort them!
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	2	So, rather than the living who still have lives to live, I congratulate the dead who have already met death;
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	3	happier than both of these are those who are yet unborn and have not seen the evil things that are done under the sun.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	4	I see that all effort and all achievement spring from mutual jealousy. This too is futility and chasing after the wind.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	5	The fool folds his arms and eats his own flesh away.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	6	Better one hand full of repose than two hands full of achievements to chase after the wind.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	7	And something else futile I observe under the sun:
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	8	a person is quite alone -- no child, no brother; and yet there is no end to his efforts, his eyes can never have their fill of riches. For whom, then, do I work so hard and grudge myself pleasure? This too is futile, a sorry business.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	9	Better two than one alone, since thus their work is really rewarding.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	10	If one should fall, the other helps him up; but what of the person with no one to help him up when he falls?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	11	Again: if two sleep together they keep warm, but how can anyone keep warm alone?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	12	Where one alone would be overcome, two will put up resistance; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	13	Better a youngster poor and wise than a monarch old and silly who will no longer take advice-
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	14	even though stepping from prison to the throne, even though born a beggar in that kingdom.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	15	I observe that all who live and move under the sun support the young newcomer who takes over.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	16	He takes his place at the head of innumerable subjects; but his successors will not think the more kindly of him for that. This too is futile and chasing after the wind.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	4	17	Watch your step when you go to the House of God: drawing near to listen is better than the offering of a sacrifice by fools, though they do not know that they are doing wrong.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	1	Be in no hurry to speak; do not hastily declare yourself before God; for God is in heaven, you on earth. Be sparing, then, of speech:
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	2	From too much worrying comes illusion, from too much talking, the accents of folly.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	3	If you make a vow to God, discharge it without delay, for God has no love for fools. Discharge your vow.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	4	Better a vow unmade than made and not discharged.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	5	Do not allow your mouth to make a sinner of you, and do not say to the messenger that it was a mistake. Why give God occasion to be angry with you and ruin all the work that you have done?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	6	From too many illusions come futility and too much talk. Therefore, fear God.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	7	If in a province you see the poor oppressed, fair judgement and justice violated, do not be surprised, for over every official there watches a higher official, and over these, higher officials still.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	8	But what the land yields is for the benefit of all, a king is served by the fields.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	9	No one who loves money ever has enough, no one who loves luxury has any income; this, too, is futile.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	10	Where goods abound, parasites abound: where is the owner's profit, apart from feasting his eyes?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	11	The labourer's sleep is sweet, whether he has eaten little or much, but the surfeit of the rich will not let him sleep at all.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	12	Something grossly unjust I observe under the sun: riches stored and turning to loss for their owner.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	13	An unlucky venture, and those riches are lost; a son is born to him, and he has nothing to leave him.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	14	Naked from his mother's womb he came; as naked as he came will he depart; not one of his achievements can he take with him.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	15	And something else grossly unjust: that as he came, so must he go; what profit can he show after toiling to earn the wind,
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	16	as he spends the rest of his days in darkness, mourning, many sorrows, sickness and exasperation.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	17	So my conclusion is this: true happiness lies in eating and drinking and enjoying whatever has been achieved under the sun, throughout the life given by God: for this is the lot of humanity.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	18	And whenever God gives someone riches and property, with the ability to enjoy them and to find contentment in work, this is a gift from God.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	5	19	For such a person will hardly notice the passing of time, so long as God keeps his heart occupied with joy.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	6	1	I see another evil under the sun, which goes hard with people:
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	6	2	suppose someone has received from God riches, property, honours -- nothing at all left to wish for; but God does not give the chance to enjoy them, and some stranger enjoys them. This is futile, and grievous suffering too.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	6	3	Or take someone who has had a hundred children and lived for many years, and, having reached old age, has never enjoyed the good things of life and has not even got a tomb; it seems to me, a still-born child is happier.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	6	4	In futility it came, into darkness it departs, and in darkness will its name be buried.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	6	5	It has never so much as seen or known the sun; all the same, it will rest more easily than that person,
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	6	6	who would never have known the good things of life, even by living a thousand years twice over. Do we not all go to the same place in the end?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	6	7	All toil is for the mouth, yet the appetite is never satisfied.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	6	8	What advantage has the wise over the fool? And what of the pauper who knows how to behave in society?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	6	9	Better the object seen than the sting of desire: for the latter too is futile and chasing after the wind.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	6	10	What has been is already defined -- we know what people are: They cannot bring to justice one who is stronger than themselves.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	6	11	The more we say, the more futile it is: what good can we derive from it?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	6	12	And who knows what is best for someone during life, during the days of futile life which are spent like a shadow? Who can tell anyone what will happen after him under the sun?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	1	Better a good name than costly oil, the day of death than the day of birth.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	2	Better go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting; for to this end everyone comes, let the living take this to heart.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	3	Better sadness than laughter: a joyful heart may be concealed behind sad looks.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	4	The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, the heart of fools in the house of gaiety.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	5	Better attend to the reprimand of the wise than listen to a song sung by a fool.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	6	For like the crackling of thorns under the cauldron is the laughter of fools: and that too is futile.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	7	But being oppressed drives a sage mad, and a present corrupts the heart.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	8	Better the end of a matter than its beginning, better patience than ambition.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	9	Do not be too easily exasperated, for exasperation dwells in the heart of fools.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	10	Do not ask why the past was better than the present, for this is not a question prompted by wisdom.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	11	Wisdom is as good as a legacy, profitable to those who enjoy the light of the sun.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	12	For as money protects, so does wisdom, and the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom bestows life on those who possess her.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	13	Consider God's creation: who, for instance, can straighten what God has bent?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	14	When things are going well, enjoy yourself, and when they are going badly, consider this: God has designed the one no less than the other so that we should take nothing for granted.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	15	In my futile life, I have seen everything: the upright person perishing in uprightness and the wicked person surviving in wickedness.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	16	Do not be upright to excess and do not make yourself unduly wise: why should you destroy yourself?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	17	Do not be wicked to excess, and do not be a fool: why die before your time?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	18	It is wise to hold on to one and not let go of the other, since the godfearing will find both.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	19	Wisdom makes the wise stronger than a dozen governors in a city.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	20	No one on earth is sufficiently upright to do good without ever sinning.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	21	Again, do not listen to all that people say, then you will not hear your servant abusing you.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	22	For often, as you very well know, you have abused others.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	23	Thanks to wisdom, I have found all this to be true; I resolved to be wise, but this was beyond my reach!
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	24	The past is out of reach, buried deep -- who can discover it?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	25	But I have reached the point where, having learnt, explored and investigated wisdom and reflection, I recognise evil as being a form of madness, and folly as something stupid.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	26	And I find woman more bitter than Death, she is a snare, her heart is a net, and her arms are chains. The man who is pleasing to God eludes her, but the sinner is captured by her.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	27	This is what I think, says Qoheleth, having examined one thing after another to draw some conclusion,
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	28	which I am still looking for, although unsuccessfully: one man in a thousand, I may find, but a woman better than other women-never.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	7	29	This alone is my conclusion: God has created man straightforward, and human artifices are human inventions.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	1	Who compares with the sage? Who else knows how to explain things? Wisdom lights up the face, enlivening a grim expression.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	2	Obey the king's command and, because of the divine promise,
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	3	be in no hurry to depart from it; do not be obstinate in a bad cause, since the king will do as he likes in any case.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	4	Since the word of a king is sovereign, what is the point of saying, 'Why do that?'
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	5	One who obeys the command will come to no harm; the heart of the sage knows the right moment and verdict,
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	6	for there is a right moment and verdict for everything; but misfortune lies heavy upon anyone
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	7	who does not know what the outcome will be, no one is going to say how things will turn out.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	8	No one can control the wind and stop it from blowing, no one can control the day of death. From war there is no escape, no more can wickedness save the person who commits it.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	9	I have seen all this to be so, having carefully studied everything taking place under the sun, while one person tyrannises over another to the former's detriment.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	10	And again, I have observed the wicked carried to their graves, and people leaving the holy place and, once out in the city, forgetting how the wicked used to behave; how futile this is too!
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	11	Because the sentence on the evil-doer is not carried out on the instant, people's hearts are full of desire to do wrong.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	12	The sinner who does wrong a hundred times lives on. But this too I know, that there is good in store for people who fear God, because they fear him,
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	13	but there is no good in store for the wicked because he does not fear God, and so, like a shadow, he will not prolong his days.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	14	Another futile thing that happens on earth: upright people being treated as though they were wicked and wicked people being treated as though they were upright. To me this is one more example of futility.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	15	And therefore I praise joy, since human happiness lies only in eating and drinking and in taking pleasure; this comes from what someone achieves during the days of life that God gives under the sun.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	16	Having applied myself to acquiring wisdom and to observing the activity taking place in the world -- for day and night our eyes enjoy no rest-
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	8	17	I have scrutinised God's whole creation: you cannot get to the bottom of everything taking place under the sun; you may wear yourself out in the search, but you will never find it. Not even a sage can get to the bottom of it, even if he says that he has done so.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	1	Yes, I have applied myself to all this and experienced all this to be so: that is to say, that the upright and the wise, with their activities, are in the hands of God. We do not understand either love or hate, where we are concerned, both of them are
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	2	futile. And for all of us is reserved a common fate, for the upright and for the wicked, for the good and for the bad; whether we are ritually pure or not, whether we offer sacrifice or not: it is the same for the good and for the sinner, for someone who takes a vow, as for someone who fears to do so.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	3	This is another evil among those occurring under the sun: that there should be the same fate for everyone. The human heart, however, is full of wickedness; folly lurks in our hearts throughout our lives, until we end among the dead.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	4	But there is hope for someone still linked to the rest of the living: better be a live dog than a dead lion.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	5	The living are at least aware that they are going to die, but the dead know nothing whatever. No more wages for them, since their memory is forgotten.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	6	Their love, their hate, their jealousy, have perished long since, and they will never have any further part in what goes on under the sun.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	7	So, eat your bread in joy, drink your wine with a glad heart, since God has already approved your actions.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	8	At all times, dress in white and keep your head well scented.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	9	Spend your life with the woman you love, all the days of futile life God gives you under the sun, throughout your futile days, since this is your lot in life and in the effort you expend under the sun.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	10	Whatever work you find to do, do it with all your might, for there is neither achievement, nor planning, nor science, nor wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	11	Another thing I have observed under the sun: that the race is not won by the speediest, nor the battle by the champions; it is not the wise who get food, nor the intelligent wealth, nor the learned favour: chance and mischance befall them all.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	12	We do not know when our time will come: like fish caught in the treacherous net, like birds caught in the snare, just so are we all trapped by misfortune when it suddenly overtakes us.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	13	Here is another example of the wisdom I have acquired under the sun and it strikes me as important:
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	14	There was once a small town, with only a few inhabitants; a mighty king made war on it, laying siege to it and building great siege-works round it.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	15	But there was in that town a poverty-stricken sage who by his wisdom saved the town. No one remembered this poor man afterwards.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	16	So I say: Wisdom is more effective than brute force, but the wisdom of a poor man is not valued: no one listens to what he has to say.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	17	The calm words of the wise make themselves heard above the shouts of someone commanding an army of fools.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	9	18	Wisdom is worth more than weapons of war, but a single sin undoes a deal of good.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	1	One dead fly can spoil the scent-maker's oil: a grain of stupidity outweighs wisdom and glory.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	2	The sage's heart leads him aright, the fool's leads him astray.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	3	A fool walks down the road, he has no wit -- and everyone remarks, 'How silly he is!'
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	4	If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post; composure mitigates grave offences.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	5	One evil I observe under the sun: the sort of misjudgement to which rulers are prone-
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	6	folly promoted to the top and the rich taking the lowest place.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	7	I see slaves riding on horses and princes on foot like slaves.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	8	He who digs a pit falls into it, he who undermines a wall gets bitten by a snake,
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	9	he who quarries stones gets hurt by them, he who chops wood takes a risk from it.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	10	If, for want of sharpening, the blade is blunt, you have to work twice as hard; but it is the outcome that makes wisdom rewarding.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	11	If, for want of charming, the snake bites, the snake-charmer gets nothing out of it.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	12	The sayings of a sage give pleasure, what a fool says procures his own ruin:
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	13	his words have their origin in stupidity and their ending in treacherous folly.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	14	A fool talks a great deal, but none of us in fact can tell the future; what will happen after us, who can tell?
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	15	A fool finds hard work very tiring, he cannot even find his own way into town.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	16	Woe to you, country with a lad for king, and where princes start feasting in the morning!
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	17	Happy the land whose king is nobly born, where princes eat at a respectable hour to keep themselves strong and not merely to revel!
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	18	Thanks to idleness, the roof-tree gives way, thanks to carelessness, the house lets in the rain.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	19	We give parties to enjoy ourselves, wine makes us cheerful and money has an answer for everything.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	10	20	Do not abuse the king, even in thought, do not abuse a rich man, even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air might carry the news, a winged messenger might repeat what you have said.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	11	1	Cast your bread on the water, eventually you will recover it.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	11	2	Offer a share to seven or to eight people, you can never tell what disaster may occur.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	11	3	When clouds are full of rain, they will shed it on the earth. If a tree falls, whether south or north, where it falls, there it will lie.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	11	4	Keep watching the wind and you will never sow, keep staring at the clouds and you will never reap.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	11	5	You do not understand how the wind blows, or how the embryo grows in a woman's womb: no more can you understand the work of God, the Creator of all.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	11	6	In the morning, sow your seed, until evening, do not cease from labour, for of any two things you do not know which will succeed, or which of the two is the better.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	11	7	How sweet light is, how delightful it is to see the sun!
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	11	8	However many years you live, enjoy them all, but remember, the days of darkness will be many: futility awaits you at the end.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	11	9	Young man, enjoy yourself while you are young, make the most of the days of your youth, follow the prompting and desire of heart and eye, but remember, God will call you to account for everything.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	11	10	Rid your heart of indignation, keep your body clear of suffering, though youth and the age of black hair are both futile.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	1	Remember your Creator while you are still young, before the bad days come, before the years come which, you will say, give you no pleasure;
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	2	before the sun and the light grow dim and the moon and stars, before the clouds return after the rain;
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	3	the time when your watchmen become shaky, when strong men are bent double, when the women, one by one, quit grinding, and, as they look out of the window, find their sight growing dim.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	4	When the street-door is kept shut, when the sound of grinding fades away, when the first cry of a bird wakes you up, when all the singing has stopped;
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	5	when going uphill is an ordeal and you are frightened at every step you take- yet the almond tree is in flower and the grasshopper is weighed down and the caper-bush loses its tang; while you are on the way to your everlasting home and the mourners are assembling in the street;
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	6	before the silver thread snaps, or the golden bowl is cracked, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the pulley broken at the well-head:
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	7	the dust returns to the earth from which it came, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	8	Sheer futility, Qoheleth says, everything is futile.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	9	Besides being a sage, Qoheleth taught the people what he himself knew, having weighed, studied and emended many proverbs.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	10	Qoheleth took pains to write in an attractive style and by it to convey truths.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	11	The sayings of a sage are like goads, like pegs positioned by shepherds: the same shepherd finds a use for both.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	12	Furthermore, my child, you must realise that writing books involves endless hard work, and that much study wearies the body.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	13	To sum up the whole matter: fear God and keep his commandments, for that is the duty of everyone.
 Ecclesiastes	Eccles	25	12	14	For God will call all our deeds to judgement, all that is hidden, be it good or bad.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	1	Solomon's Song of Songs:
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	2	BELOVED: Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for your love-making is sweeter than wine;
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	3	delicate is the fragrance of your perfume, your name is an oil poured out, and that is why girls love you.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	4	Draw me in your footsteps, let us run. The king has brought me into his rooms; you will be our joy and our gladness. We shall praise your love more than wine; how right it is to love you.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	5	BELOVED: I am black but lovely, daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the pavilions of Salmah.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	6	Take no notice of my dark colouring, it is the sun that has burnt me. My mother's sons turned their anger on me, they made me look after the vineyards. My own vineyard I had not looked after!
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	7	Tell me then, sweetheart, where will you lead your flock to graze, where will you rest it at noon? That I may no more wander like a vagabond beside the flocks of your companions.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	8	CHORUS: If you do not know this, O loveliest of women, follow the tracks of the flock, and take your kids to graze close by the shepherds' tents.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	9	LOVER: I compare you, my love, to my mare harnessed to Pharaoh's chariot.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	10	Your cheeks show fair between their pendants and your neck within its necklaces.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	11	We shall make you golden earrings and beads of silver.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	12	DUO: -While the king rests in his own room my nard yields its perfume.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	13	My love is a sachet of myrrh lying between my breasts.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	14	My love is a cluster of henna flowers among the vines of En-Gedi.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	15	-How beautiful you are, my beloved, how beautiful you are! Your eyes are doves.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	16	-How beautiful you are, my love, and how you delight me! Our bed is the greensward.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	1	17	-The beams of our house are cedar trees, its panelling the cypress.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	1	-I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	2	-As a lily among the thistles, so is my beloved among girls.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	3	-As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my love among young men. In his delightful shade I sit, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	4	He has taken me to his cellar, and his banner over me is love.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	5	Feed me with raisin cakes, restore me with apples, for I am sick with love.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	6	His left arm is under my head, his right embraces me.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	7	-I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, by all gazelles and wild does, do not rouse, do not wake my beloved before she pleases.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	8	BELOVED: I hear my love. See how he comes leaping on the mountains, bounding over the hills.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	9	My love is like a gazelle, like a young stag. See where he stands behind our wall. He looks in at the window, he peers through the opening.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	10	My love lifts up his voice, he says to me, 'Come then, my beloved, my lovely one, come.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	11	For see, winter is past, the rains are over and gone.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	12	'Flowers are appearing on the earth. The season of glad songs has come, the cooing of the turtledove is heard in our land.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	13	The fig tree is forming its first figs and the blossoming vines give out their fragrance. Come then, my beloved, my lovely one, come.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	14	'My dove, hiding in the clefts of the rock, in the coverts of the cliff, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet and your face is lovely.'
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	15	Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that make havoc of the vineyards, for our vineyards are in fruit.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	16	My love is mine and I am his. He pastures his flock among the lilies.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	2	17	Before the day-breeze rises, before the shadows flee, return! Be, my love, like a gazelle, like a young stag, on the mountains of Bether.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	3	1	On my bed at night I sought the man who is my sweetheart: I sought but could not find him!
 Song of Songs	Song	26	3	2	So I shall get up and go through the city; in the streets and in the squares, I shall seek my sweetheart. I sought but could not find him!
 Song of Songs	Song	26	3	3	I came upon the watchmen -- those who go on their rounds in the city: 'Have you seen my sweetheart?'
 Song of Songs	Song	26	3	4	Barely had I passed them when I found my sweetheart. I caught him, would not let him go, not till I had brought him to my mother's house, to the room where she conceived me!
 Song of Songs	Song	26	3	5	LOVER: I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, by gazelles and wild does, do not rouse, do not wake my beloved before she pleases.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	3	6	POET: What is this coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, breathing of myrrh and frankincense and every exotic perfume?
 Song of Songs	Song	26	3	7	Here comes Solomon's litter. Around it are sixty champions, the flower of the warriors of Israel;
 Song of Songs	Song	26	3	8	all of them skilled swordsmen, expert in war. Each man has his sword at his side, against alarms by night.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	3	9	King Solomon has had a palanquin made of wood from Lebanon.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	3	10	He has had the posts made of silver, the canopy of gold, the seat of purple; the centre is inlaid with ebony.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	3	11	Daughters of Zion, come and see King Solomon, wearing the diadem with which his mother crowned him on his wedding day, on the day of his heart's joy.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	1	LOVER: How beautiful you are, my beloved, how beautiful you are! Your eyes are doves, behind your veil; your hair is like a flock of goats surging down Mount Gilead.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	2	Your teeth, a flock of sheep to be shorn when they come up from the washing. Each one has its twin, not one unpaired with another.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	3	Your lips are a scarlet thread and your words enchanting. Your cheeks, behind your veil, are halves of pomegranate.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	4	Your neck is the Tower of David built on layers, hung round with a thousand bucklers, and each the shield of a hero.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	5	Your two breasts are two fawns, twins of a gazelle, that feed among the lilies.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	6	Before the day-breeze rises, before the shadows flee, I shall go to the mountain of myrrh, to the hill of frankincense.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	7	You are wholly beautiful, my beloved, and without a blemish.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	8	Come from Lebanon, my promised bride, come from Lebanon, come on your way. Look down from the heights of Amanus, from the crests of Senir and Hermon, the haunt of lions, the mountains of leopards.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	9	You ravish my heart, my sister, my promised bride, you ravish my heart with a single one of your glances, with a single link of your necklace.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	10	What spells lie in your love, my sister, my promised bride! How delicious is your love, more delicious than wine! How fragrant your perfumes, more fragrant than all spices!
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	11	Your lips, my promised bride, distil wild honey. Honey and milk are under your tongue; and the scent of your garments is like the scent of Lebanon.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	12	She is a garden enclosed, my sister, my promised bride; a garden enclosed, a sealed fountain.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	13	Your shoots form an orchard of pomegranate trees, bearing most exquisite fruit:
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	14	nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the incense-bearing trees; myrrh and aloes, with the subtlest odours.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	15	Fountain of the garden, well of living water, streams flowing down from Lebanon!
 Song of Songs	Song	26	4	16	BELOVED: Awake, north wind, come, wind of the south! Breathe over my garden, to spread its sweet smell around. Let my love come into his garden, let him taste its most exquisite fruits.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	1	LOVER: I come into my garden, my sister, my promised bride, I pick my myrrh and balsam, I eat my honey and my honeycomb, I drink my wine and my milk. POET: Eat, friends, and drink, drink deep, my dearest friends.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	2	BELOVED: I sleep, but my heart is awake. I hear my love knocking. 'Open to me, my sister, my beloved, my dove, my perfect one, for my head is wet with dew, my hair with the drops of night.'
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	3	-'I have taken off my tunic, am I to put it on again? I have washed my feet, am I to dirty them again?'
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	4	My love thrust his hand through the hole in the door; I trembled to the core of my being.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	5	Then I got up to open to my love, myrrh ran off my hands, pure myrrh off my fingers, on to the handle of the bolt.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	6	I opened to my love, but he had turned and gone. My soul failed at his flight, I sought but could not find him, I called, but he did not answer.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	7	The watchmen met me, those who go on their rounds in the city. They beat me, they wounded me, they took my cloak away from me: those guardians of the ramparts!
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	8	I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, if you should find my love, what are you to tell him? -That I am sick with love!
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	9	CHORUS: What makes your lover better than other lovers, O loveliest of women? What makes your lover better than other lovers, to put us under such an oath?
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	10	BELOVED: My love is fresh and ruddy, to be known among ten thousand.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	11	His head is golden, purest gold, his locks are palm fronds and black as the raven.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	12	His eyes are like doves beside the water-courses, bathing themselves in milk, perching on a fountain-rim.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	13	His cheeks are beds of spices, banks sweetly scented. His lips are lilies, distilling pure myrrh.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	14	His hands are golden, rounded, set with jewels of Tarshish. His belly a block of ivory covered with sapphires.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	15	His legs are alabaster columns set in sockets of pure gold. His appearance is that of Lebanon, unrivalled as the cedars.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	5	16	His conversation is sweetness itself, he is altogether lovable. Such is my love, such is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	6	1	CHORUS: Where did your lover go, O loveliest of women? Which way did your lover turn so that we can help you seek him?
 Song of Songs	Song	26	6	2	BELOVED: My love went down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock on the grass and gather lilies.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	6	3	I belong to my love, and my love to me. He pastures his flock among the lilies.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	6	4	LOVER: You are fair as Tirzah, my beloved, enchanting as Jerusalem, formidable as an army!
 Song of Songs	Song	26	6	5	Turn your eyes away from me, they take me by assault! Your hair is like a flock of goats surging down the slopes of Gilead.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	6	6	Your teeth are like a flock of ewes as they come up from being washed. Each one has its twin, not one unpaired with another.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	6	7	Your cheeks, behind your veil, are halves of pomegranate.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	6	8	There are sixty queens and eighty concubines (and countless girls).
 Song of Songs	Song	26	6	9	My dove is my only one, perfect and mine. She is the darling of her mother, the favourite of the one who bore her. Girls have seen her and proclaimed her blessed, queens and concubines have sung her praises,
 Song of Songs	Song	26	6	10	'Who is this arising like the dawn, fair as the moon, resplendent as the sun, formidable as an army?'
 Song of Songs	Song	26	6	11	I went down to the nut orchard to see the fresh shoots in the valley, to see if the vines were budding and the pomegranate trees in flower.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	6	12	Before I knew . . . my desire had hurled me onto the chariots of Amminadib!
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	1	CHORUS: Come back, come back, girl from Shulam, come back, come back, where we can look at you! Why are you looking at the girl from Shulam, dancing between two lines of dancers?
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	2	LOVER: How beautiful are your feet in their sandals, O prince's daughter! The curve of your thighs is like the curve of a necklace, work of a master hand.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	3	Your navel is a bowl well rounded with no lack of wine, your belly a heap of wheat surrounded with lilies.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	4	Your two breasts are two fawns, twins of a gazelle.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	5	Your neck is an ivory tower. Your eyes, the pools of Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-Rabbim. Your nose, the Tower of Lebanon, sentinel facing Damascus.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	6	Your head is held high like Carmel, and its hair is as dark as purple; a king is held captive in your tresses.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	7	How beautiful you are, how charming, my love, my delight!
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	8	In stature like the palm tree, its fruit-clusters your breasts.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	9	I have decided, 'I shall climb the palm tree, I shall seize its clusters of dates!' May your breasts be clusters of grapes, your breath sweet-scented as apples,
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	10	and your palate like sweet wine. BELOVED: Flowing down the throat of my love, as it runs on the lips of those who sleep.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	11	I belong to my love, and his desire is for me.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	12	Come, my love, let us go to the fields. We will spend the night in the villages,
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	13	and in the early morning we will go to the vineyards. We will see if the vines are budding, if their blossoms are opening, if the pomegranate trees are in flower. Then I shall give you the gift of my love.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	7	14	The mandrakes yield their fragrance, the most exquisite fruits are at our doors; the new as well as the old, I have stored them for you, my love.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	1	Ah, why are you not my brother, nursed at my mother's breast! Then if I met you out of doors, I could kiss you without people thinking ill of me.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	2	I should lead you, I should take you into my mother's house, and you would teach me! I should give you spiced wine to drink, juice of my pomegranates.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	3	His left arm is under my head and his right embraces me.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	4	LOVER: I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, do not rouse, do not wake my beloved, before she pleases!
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	5	Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her lover? I awakened you under the apple tree, where your mother conceived you, where she who bore you conceived you.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	6	BELOVED: Set me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is strong as Death, passion as relentless as Sheol. The flash of it is a flash of fire, a flame of Yahweh himself.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	7	Love no flood can quench, no torrents drown. Were a man to offer all his family wealth to buy love, contempt is all that he would gain.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	8	Our sister is little: her breasts are not yet formed. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	9	If she is a rampart, on the crest we shall build a battlement of silver; if she is a door, we shall board her up with planks of cedar.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	10	I am a wall, and my breasts represent its towers. And under their eyes I have found true peace.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	11	Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-Hamon. He entrusted it to overseers, and each one was to pay him the value of its produce, a thousand shekels of silver.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	12	But I tend my own vineyard myself. You, Solomon, may have your thousand shekels, and those who oversee its produce their two hundred.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	13	You who dwell in the gardens, my companions listen for your voice; let me hear it.
 Song of Songs	Song	26	8	14	Haste away, my love, be like a gazelle, a young stag, on the spice-laden mountains.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	1	Love uprightness you who are rulers on earth, be properly disposed towards the Lord and seek him in simplicity of heart;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	2	for he will be found by those who do not put him to the test, revealing himself to those who do not mistrust him.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	3	Perverse thoughts, however, separate people from God, and power, when put to the test, confounds the stupid.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	4	Wisdom will never enter the soul of a wrong-doer, nor dwell in a body enslaved to sin;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	5	for the holy spirit of instruction flees deceitfulness, recoils from unintelligent thoughts, is thwarted by the onset of vice.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	6	Wisdom is a spirit friendly to humanity, though she will not let a blasphemer's words go unpunished; since God observes the very soul and accurately surveys the heart, listening to every word.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	7	For the spirit of the Lord fills the world, and that which holds everything together knows every word said.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	8	No one who speaks what is wrong will go undetected, nor will avenging Justice pass by such a one.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	9	For the schemes of the godless will be examined, and a report of his words will reach the Lord to convict him of his crimes.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	10	There is a jealous ear that overhears everything, not even a murmur of complaint escapes it.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	11	So beware of uttering frivolous complaints, restrain your tongue from finding fault; even what is said in secret has repercussions, and a lying mouth deals death to the soul.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	12	Do not court death by the errors of your ways, nor invite destruction through the work of your hands.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	13	For God did not make Death, he takes no pleasure in destroying the living.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	14	To exist -- for this he created all things; the creatures of the world have health in them, in them is no fatal poison, and Hades has no power over the world:
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	15	for uprightness is immortal.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	1	16	But the godless call for Death with deed and word, counting him friend, they wear themselves out for him; with him they make a pact, worthy as they are to belong to him.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	1	And this is the false argument they use, 'Our life is short and dreary, there is no remedy when our end comes, no one is known to have come back from Hades.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	2	We came into being by chance and afterwards shall be as though we had never been. The breath in our nostrils is a puff of smoke, reason a spark from the beating of our hearts;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	3	extinguish this and the body turns to ashes, and the spirit melts away like the yielding air.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	4	In time, our name will be forgotten, nobody will remember what we have done; our life will pass away like wisps of cloud, dissolving like the mist that the sun's rays drive away and that its heat dispels.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	5	For our days are the passing of a shadow, our end is without return, the seal is affixed and nobody comes back.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	6	'Come then, let us enjoy the good things of today, let us use created things with the zest of youth:
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	7	take our fill of the dearest wines and perfumes, on no account forgo the flowers of spring
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	8	but crown ourselves with rosebuds before they wither,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	9	no meadow excluded from our orgy; let us leave the signs of our revelry everywhere, since this is our portion, this our lot!
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	10	'As for the upright man who is poor, let us oppress him; let us not spare the widow, nor respect old age, white-haired with many years.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	11	Let our might be the yardstick of right, since weakness argues its own futility.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	12	Let us lay traps for the upright man, since he annoys us and opposes our way of life, reproaches us for our sins against the Law, and accuses us of sins against our upbringing.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	13	He claims to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a child of the Lord.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	14	We see him as a reproof to our way of thinking, the very sight of him weighs our spirits down;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	15	for his kind of life is not like other people's, and his ways are quite different.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	16	In his opinion we are counterfeit; he avoids our ways as he would filth; he proclaims the final end of the upright as blessed and boasts of having God for his father.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	17	Let us see if what he says is true, and test him to see what sort of end he will have.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	18	For if the upright man is God's son, God will help him and rescue him from the clutches of his enemies.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	19	Let us test him with cruelty and with torture, and thus explore this gentleness of his and put his patience to the test.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	20	Let us condemn him to a shameful death since God will rescue him -- or so he claims.'
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	21	This is the way they reason, but they are misled, since their malice makes them blind.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	22	They do not know the hidden things of God, they do not hope for the reward of holiness, they do not believe in a reward for blameless souls.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	23	For God created human beings to be immortal, he made them as an image of his own nature;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	2	24	Death came into the world only through the Devil's envy, as those who belong to him find to their cost.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	1	But the souls of the upright are in the hands of God, and no torment can touch them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	2	To the unenlightened, they appeared to die, their departure was regarded as disaster,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	3	their leaving us like annihilation; but they are at peace.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	4	If, as it seemed to us, they suffered punishment, their hope was rich with immortality;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	5	slight was their correction, great will their blessings be. God was putting them to the test and has proved them worthy to be with him;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	6	he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a perfect burnt offering.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	7	At their time of visitation, they will shine out; as sparks run through the stubble, so will they.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	8	They will judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	9	Those who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await his holy ones, and he intervenes on behalf of his chosen.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	10	But the godless will be duly punished for their reasoning, for having neglected the upright and deserted the Lord.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	11	Yes, wretched are they who scorn wisdom and discipline: their hope is void, their toil unavailing, their achievements unprofitable;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	12	their wives are reckless, their children depraved, their descendants accursed.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	13	Blessed the sterile woman if she be blameless, and has not known an unlawful bed, for she will have fruit at the visitation of souls.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	14	Blessed, too, the eunuch whose hand commits no crime, and who harbours no resentment against the Lord: a special favour will be granted to him for his loyalty, a most desirable portion in the temple of the Lord.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	15	For the fruit of honest labours is glorious, and the root of understanding does not decay.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	16	But the children of adulterers will not reach maturity, the offspring of an unlawful bed will disappear.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	17	Even if they live long, they will count for nothing, their old age will go unhonoured at the last;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	18	while if they die early, they have neither hope nor comfort on the day of judgement,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	3	19	for the end of a race of evil-doers is harsh.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	1	Better to have no children yet to have virtue, since immortality perpetuates its memory; for God and human beings both recognise it.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	2	Present, we imitate it, absent, we long for it; crowned, it holds triumph through eternity, having striven for untainted prizes and emerged the victor.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	3	But the offspring of the godless come to nothing, however prolific, sprung from a bastard stock, they will never strike deep roots, never put down firm foundations.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	4	They may branch out for a time, but, on unsteady foundations, they will be rocked by the wind and uprooted by the force of the storm;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	5	their branches, yet unformed, will be snapped off, their fruit be useless, too unripe to eat, fit for nothing.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	6	For children begotten of unlawful bed witness, when put on trial, to their parents' wickedness.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	7	The upright, though he die before his time, will find rest.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	8	Length of days is not what makes age honourable, nor number of years the true measure of life;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	9	understanding, this is grey hairs, untarnished life, this is ripe old age.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	10	Having won God's favour, he has been loved and, as he was living among sinners, has been taken away.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	11	He has been carried off so that evil may not warp his understanding or deceitfulness seduce his soul;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	12	for the fascination of evil throws good things into the shade, and the whirlwind of desire corrupts a simple heart.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	13	Having come to perfection so soon, he has lived long;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	14	his soul being pleasing to the Lord, he has hurried away from the wickedness around him. Yet people look on, uncomprehending; and it does not enter their heads
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	15	that grace and mercy await his chosen ones and that he intervenes on behalf of his holy ones.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	16	The upright who dies condemns the godless who survive, and youth quickly perfected condemns the lengthy old age of the wicked.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	17	These people see the end of the wise without understanding what the Lord has in store or why he has taken such a one to safety;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	18	they look on and sneer, but the Lord will laugh at them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	19	Soon they will be corpses without honour, objects of horror among the dead for ever. For he will shatter them and fling them headlong and dumbfounded. He will shake them from their foundations; they will be utterly laid waste, a prey to grief, and their memory will perish.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	4	20	When the count of their sins has been drawn up, in terror they will come, and their crimes, confronting them, will accuse them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	1	Then the upright will stand up boldly to face those who had oppressed him and had thought so little of his sufferings.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	2	And, seeing him, they will be seized with terrible fear, amazed that he should have been so unexpectedly saved.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	3	Stricken with remorse, they will say to one another with groans and labouring breath,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	4	'This is the one whom we used to mock, making him the butt of our insults, fools that we were! His life we regarded as madness, his ending as without honour.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	5	How has he come to be counted as one of the children of God and to have his lot among the holy ones?
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	6	Clearly we have strayed from the way of truth; the light of justice has not shone for us, the sun has not risen for us.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	7	We have left no path of lawlessness or ruin unexplored, we have crossed deserts where there was no track, but the way of the Lord is one we have never known.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	8	What good has arrogance been to us? What has been the purpose of our riches and boastfulness?
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	9	All those things have passed like a shadow, passed like a fleeting rumour.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	10	Like a ship that cuts through heaving waves -- leaving no trace to show where it has passed, no wake from its keel in the waves.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	11	Or like a bird flying through the air -- leaving no proof of its passing; it whips the light air with the stroke of its pinions, tears it apart in its whirring rush, drives its way onward with sweeping wing, and afterwards no sign is seen of its passage.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	12	Or like an arrow shot at a mark, the pierced air closing so quickly on itself, there is no knowing which way the arrow has passed.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	13	So with us: scarcely born, we disappear; of virtue not a trace have we to show, we have spent ourselves in our own wickedness!'
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	14	For the hope of the godless is like chaff carried on the wind, like fine spray driven by the storm; it disperses like smoke before the wind, goes away like the memory of a one-day guest.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	15	But the upright live for ever, their recompense is with the Lord, and the Most High takes care of them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	16	So they will receive the glorious crown and the diadem of beauty from the Lord's hand; for he will shelter them with his right hand and with his arm he will shield them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	17	For armour he will take his jealous love, he will arm creation to punish his enemies;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	18	he will put on justice as a breastplate, and for helmet wear his forthright judgement;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	19	he will take up invincible holiness for shield,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	20	of his pitiless wrath he will forge a sword, and the universe will march with him to fight the reckless.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	21	Bolts truly aimed, the shafts of lightning will leap, and from the clouds, as from a full-drawn bow, fly to their mark;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	22	and the catapult will hurl hailstones charged with fury. The waters of the sea will rage against them, the rivers engulf them without pity,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	5	23	a mighty gale will rise against them and winnow them like a hurricane. Thus wickedness will lay the whole earth waste and evil-doing bring down the thrones of the mighty.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	1	Listen then, kings, and understand; rulers of remotest lands, take warning;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	2	hear this, you who govern great populations, taking pride in your hosts of subject nations!
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	3	For sovereignty is given to you by the Lord and power by the Most High, who will himself probe your acts and scrutinise your intentions.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	4	If therefore, as servants of his kingdom, you have not ruled justly nor observed the law, nor followed the will of God,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	5	he will fall on you swiftly and terribly. On the highly placed a ruthless judgement falls;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	6	the lowly are pardoned, out of pity, but the mighty will be mightily tormented.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	7	For the Lord of all does not cower before anyone, he does not stand in awe of greatness, since he himself has made small and great and provides for all alike;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	8	but a searching trial awaits those who wield power.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	9	So, monarchs, my words are meant for you, so that you may learn wisdom and not fall into error;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	10	for those who in holiness observe holy things will be adjudged holy, and, accepting instruction from them, will find their defence in them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	11	Set your heart, therefore, on what I have to say, listen with a will, and you will be instructed.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	12	Wisdom is brilliant, she never fades. By those who love her, she is readily seen, by those who seek her, she is readily found.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	13	She anticipates those who desire her by making herself known first.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	14	Whoever gets up early to seek her will have no trouble but will find her sitting at the door.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	15	Meditating on her is understanding in its perfect form, and anyone keeping awake for her will soon be free from care.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	16	For she herself searches everywhere for those who are worthy of her, benevolently appearing to them on their ways, anticipating their every thought.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	17	For Wisdom begins with the sincere desire for instruction, care for instruction means loving her,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	18	loving her means keeping her laws, attention to her laws guarantees incorruptibility,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	19	and incorruptibility brings us near to God;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	20	the desire for Wisdom thus leads to sovereignty.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	21	If then thrones and sceptres delight you, monarchs of the nations, honour Wisdom, so that you may reign for ever.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	22	What Wisdom is and how she was born, I shall now explain; I shall hide no mysteries from you, but shall follow her steps from the outset of her origin, setting out what we know of her in full light, without departing from the truth.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	23	Blighting envy is no companion for me, for envy has nothing in common with Wisdom.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	24	In the greatest number of the wise lies the world's salvation, in a sagacious king the stability of a people.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	6	25	Learn, therefore, from my words; the gain will be yours.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	1	I too am mortal like everyone else, a descendant of the first man formed from the earth. I was modelled in flesh inside a mother's womb,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	2	where, for ten months, in blood I acquired substance -- the result of virile seed and pleasure, sleep's companion.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	3	I too, when I was born, drew in the common air, I fell on the same ground that bears us all, and crying was the first sound I made, like everyone else.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	4	I was nurtured in swaddling clothes, with every care.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	5	No king has known any other beginning of existence;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	6	for there is only one way into life, and one way out of it.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	7	And so I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	8	I esteemed her more than sceptres and thrones; compared with her, I held riches as nothing.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	9	I reckoned no precious stone to be her equal, for compared with her, all gold is a pinch of sand, and beside her, silver ranks as mud.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	10	I loved her more than health or beauty, preferred her to the light, since her radiance never sleeps.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	11	In her company all good things came to me, and at her hands incalculable wealth.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	12	All these delighted me, since Wisdom brings them, though I did not then realise that she was their mother.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	13	What I learned diligently, I shall pass on liberally, I shall not conceal how rich she is.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	14	For she is to human beings an inexhaustible treasure, and those who acquire this win God's friendship, commended to him by the gifts of instruction.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	15	May God grant me to speak as he would wish and conceive thoughts worthy of the gifts I have received, since he is both guide to Wisdom and director of sages;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	16	for we are in his hand, yes, ourselves and our sayings, and all intellectual and all practical knowledge.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	17	He it was who gave me sure knowledge of what exists, to understand the structure of the world and the action of the elements,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	18	the beginning, end and middle of the times, the alternation of the solstices and the succession of the seasons,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	19	the cycles of the year and the position of the stars,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	20	the natures of animals and the instincts of wild beasts, the powers of spirits and human mental processes, the varieties of plants and the medical properties of roots.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	21	And now I understand everything, hidden or visible, for Wisdom, the designer of all things, has instructed me.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	22	For within her is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, incisive, unsullied, lucid, invulnerable, benevolent, shrewd,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	23	irresistible, beneficent, friendly to human beings, steadfast, dependable, unperturbed, almighty, all-surveying, penetrating all intelligent, pure and most subtle spirits.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	24	For Wisdom is quicker to move than any motion; she is so pure, she pervades and permeates all things.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	25	She is a breath of the power of God, pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; so nothing impure can find its way into her.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	26	For she is a reflection of the eternal light, untarnished mirror of God's active power, and image of his goodness.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	27	Although she is alone, she can do everything; herself unchanging, she renews the world, and, generation after generation, passing into holy souls, she makes them into God's friends and prophets;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	28	for God loves only those who dwell with Wisdom.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	29	She is indeed more splendid than the sun, she outshines all the constellations; compared with light, she takes first place,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	7	30	for light must yield to night, but against Wisdom evil cannot prevail.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	1	Strongly she reaches from one end of the world to the other and she governs the whole world for its good.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	2	Wisdom I loved and searched for from my youth; I resolved to have her as my bride, I fell in love with her beauty.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	3	She enhances her noble birth by sharing God's life, for the Master of All has always loved her.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	4	Indeed, she shares the secrets of God's knowledge, and she chooses what he will do.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	5	If in this life wealth is a desirable possession, what is more wealthy than Wisdom whose work is everywhere?
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	6	Or if it be the intellect that is at work, who, more than she, designs whatever exists?
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	7	Or if it be uprightness you love, why, virtues are the fruit of her labours, since it is she who teaches temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude; nothing in life is more useful for human beings.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	8	Or if you are eager for wide experience, she knows the past, she forecasts the future; she knows how to turn maxims, and solve riddles; she has foreknowledge of signs and wonders, and of the unfolding of the ages and the times.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	9	I therefore determined to take her to share my life, knowing that she would be my counsellor in prosperity and comfort me in cares and sorrow.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	10	'Thanks to her, I shall be admired by the masses and honoured, though young, by the elders.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	11	I shall be reckoned shrewd as a judge, and the great will be amazed at me.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	12	They will wait on my silences, and pay attention when I speak; if I speak at some length, they will lay their hand on their lips.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	13	By means of her, immortality will be mine, I shall leave an everlasting memory to my successors.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	14	I shall govern peoples, and nations will be subject to me;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	15	at the sound of my name fearsome despots will be afraid; I shall show myself kind to the people and valiant in battle.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	16	'When I go home I shall take my ease with her, for nothing is bitter in her company, when life is shared with her there is no pain, nothing but pleasure and joy.'
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	17	Having meditated on all this, and having come to the conclusion that immortality resides in kinship with Wisdom,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	18	noble contentment in her friendship, inexhaustible riches in her activities, understanding in cultivating her society, and renown in conversing with her, I went all ways, seeking how to get her.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	19	I was a boy of happy disposition, I had received a good soul as my lot,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	20	or rather, being good, I had entered an undefiled body;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	8	21	but, realising that I could never possess Wisdom unless God gave her to me, -a sign of intelligence in itself, to know in whose gift she lay -- I prayed to the Lord and entreated him, and with all my heart I said:
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	1	'God of our ancestors, Lord of mercy, who by your word have made the universe,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	2	and in your wisdom have fitted human beings to rule the creatures that you have made,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	3	to govern the world in holiness and saving justice and in honesty of soul to dispense fair judgement,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	4	grant me Wisdom, consort of your throne, and do not reject me from the number of your children.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	5	For I am your servant, son of your serving maid, a feeble man, with little time to live, with small understanding of justice and the laws.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	6	Indeed, were anyone perfect among the sons of men, if he lacked the Wisdom that comes from you, he would still count for nothing.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	7	'You have chosen me to be king over your people, to be judge of your sons and daughters.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	8	You have bidden me build a temple on your holy mountain, and an altar in the city where you have pitched your tent, a copy of the holy Tent which you prepared at the beginning.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	9	With you is Wisdom, she who knows your works, she who was present when you made the world; she understands what is pleasing in your eyes and what agrees with your commandments.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	10	Despatch her from the holy heavens, send her forth from your throne of glory to help me and to toil with me and teach me what is pleasing to you;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	11	since she knows and understands everything she will guide me prudently in my actions and will protect me with her glory.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	12	Then all I do will be acceptable, I shall govern your people justly and be worthy of my father's throne.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	13	'What human being indeed can know the intentions of God? And who can comprehend the will of the Lord?
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	14	For the reasoning of mortals is inadequate, our attitudes of mind unstable;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	15	for a perishable body presses down the soul, and this tent of clay weighs down the mind with its many cares.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	16	It is hard enough for us to work out what is on earth, laborious to know what lies within our reach; who, then, can discover what is in the heavens?
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	17	And who could ever have known your will, had you not given Wisdom and sent your holy Spirit from above?
 Wisdom	Wis	27	9	18	Thus have the paths of those on earth been straightened and people have been taught what pleases you, and have been saved, by Wisdom.'
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	1	It was Wisdom who protected the first man to be fashioned, the father of the world, who had been created all alone, she it was who rescued him from his fall
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	2	and gave him the strength to subjugate all things.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	3	But when in his wrath a wicked man deserted her, he perished in his fratricidal fury.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	4	When because of him the earth was drowned, it was Wisdom again who saved it, piloting the upright man on valueless timber.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	5	Again, when, concurring in wickedness, the nations had been thrown into confusion, she singled out the upright man, preserved him blameless before God and fortified him against pity for his child.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	6	She it was who, while the godless perished, saved the upright man as he fled from the fire raining down on the Five Cities,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	7	in witness against whose evil ways a desolate land still smokes, where plants bear fruit that never ripens and where, monument to an unbelieving soul, there stands a pillar of salt.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	8	For, by ignoring the path of Wisdom, not only did they suffer the loss of not knowing the good, but they left the world a memorial to their folly, so that their offences could not pass unnoticed.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	9	But Wisdom delivered her servants from their ordeals.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	10	The upright man, fleeing from the anger of his brother, was led by her along straight paths. She showed him the kingdom of God and taught him the knowledge of holy things. She brought him success in his labours and gave him full return for all his efforts;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	11	she stood by him against grasping and oppressive men and she made him rich.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	12	She preserved him from his enemies and saved him from the traps they set for him. In an arduous struggle she awarded him the prize, to teach him that piety is stronger than all.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	13	She did not forsake the upright man when he was sold, but snatched him away from sin;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	14	she accompanied him down into the pit, nor did she abandon him in his chains until she had brought him the sceptre of a kingdom and authority over his despotic masters, thus exposing as liars those who had traduced him, and giving him honour everlasting.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	15	It was Wisdom who delivered a holy people, a blameless race, from a nation of oppressors.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	16	She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, and withstood fearsome kings with wonders and signs.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	17	To the holy people she gave the wages of their labours; she guided them by a marvellous road, herself their shelter by day -- and their starlight through the night.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	18	She brought them across the Red Sea, leading them through an immensity of water,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	19	whereas she drowned their enemies, then spat them out from the depths of the abyss.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	20	So the upright despoiled the godless; Lord, they extolled your holy name, and with one accord praised your protecting hand;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	10	21	for Wisdom opened the mouths of the dumb and made eloquent the tongues of babes.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	1	She made their actions successful, by means of a holy prophet.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	2	They journeyed through an unpeopled desert and pitched their tents in inaccessible places.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	3	They stood firm against their enemies, fought off their foes.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	4	On you they called when they were thirsty, and from the rocky cliff water was given them, from hard stone a remedy for their thirst.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	5	Thus, what had served to punish their enemies became a benefit for them in their difficulties.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	6	Whereas their enemies had only the ever-flowing source of a river fouled with mingled blood and mud,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	7	to punish them for their decree of infanticide, you gave your people, against all hope, water in abundance,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	8	once you had shown by the thirst that they were experiencing how severely you were punishing their enemies.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	9	From their own ordeals, which were only loving correction, they realised how an angry sentence was tormenting the godless;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	10	for you had tested your own as a father admonishes, but the others you had punished as a pitiless king condemns,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	11	and, whether far or near, they were equally afflicted.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	12	For a double sorrow seized on them, and a groaning at the memory of the past;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	13	when they learned that the punishments they were receiving were beneficial to the others, they realised it was the Lord,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	14	while for the man whom long before they had exposed and later mockingly rebuffed, they felt only admiration when all was done, having suffered a thirst so different from that of the upright.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	15	For their foolish and wicked notions which led them astray into worshipping mindless reptiles and contemptible beetles, you sent a horde of mindless animals to punish them
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	16	and to teach them that the agent of sin is the agent of punishment.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	17	And indeed your all-powerful hand which created the world from formless matter, did not lack means to unleash a horde of bears or savage lions on them
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	18	or unknown beasts, newly created, full of rage, breathing out fire, or puffing out stinking smoke, or flashing fearful sparks from their eyes,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	19	beasts able not only to destroy them, being so savage, but even to strike them dead by their terrifying appearance.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	20	However, without these, one breath could have blown them over, pursued by Justice, whirled away by the breath of your power. You, however, ordered all things by measure, number and weight.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	21	For your great power is always at your service, and who can withstand the might of your arm?
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	22	The whole world, for you, can no more than tip a balance, like a drop of morning dew falling on the ground.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	23	Yet you are merciful to all, because you are almighty, you overlook people's sins, so that they can repent.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	24	Yes, you love everything that exists, and nothing that you have made disgusts you, since, if you had hated something, you would not have made it.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	25	And how could a thing subsist, had you not willed it? Or how be preserved, if not called forth by you?
 Wisdom	Wis	27	11	26	No, you spare all, since all is yours, Lord, lover of life!
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	1	For your imperishable spirit is in everything!
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	2	And thus, gradually, you correct those who offend; you admonish and remind them of how they have sinned, so that they may abstain from evil and trust in you, Lord.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	3	The ancient inhabitants of your holy land
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	4	you hated for their loathsome practices, their acts of sorcery, and unholy rites.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	5	Those ruthless murderers of children, those eaters of entrails at feasts of human flesh and of blood, those initiates of secret brotherhoods,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	6	those murderous parents of defenceless beings, you determined to destroy at our ancestors' hands,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	7	so that this land, dearer to you than any other, might receive a worthy colony of God's children.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	8	Even so, since these were human, you treated them leniently, sending hornets as forerunners of your army, to exterminate them little by little.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	9	Not that you were unable to hand the godless over to the upright in pitched battle or destroy them at once by savage beasts or one harsh word;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	10	but, by carrying out your sentences gradually, you gave them a chance to repent, although you knew that they were inherently evil, innately wicked,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	11	and fixed in their cast of mind; for they were a race accursed from the beginning. Nor was it from awe of anyone that you let their sins go unpunished.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	12	For who is there to ask, 'What have you done?' Or who is there to disagree with your sentence? Who to arraign you for destroying nations which you have created? Who to confront you by championing the wicked?
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	13	For there is no god, other than you, who cares for every one, to whom you have to prove that your sentences have been just.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	14	No more could any king or despot challenge you over those whom you have punished.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	15	For, being upright yourself, you rule the universe uprightly, and hold it as incompatible with your power to condemn anyone who has not deserved to be punished.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	16	For your strength is the basis of your saving justice, and your sovereignty over all makes you lenient to all.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	17	You show your strength when people will not believe in your absolute power, and you confound any insolence in those who do know it.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	18	But you, controlling your strength, are mild in judgement, and govern us with great lenience, for you have only to will, and your power is there.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	19	By acting thus, you have taught your people that the upright must be kindly to his fellows, and you have given your children the good hope that after sins you will grant repentance.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	20	For, if with such care and indulgence you have punished your children's enemies, though doomed to death, and have given them time and place to be rid of their wickedness,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	21	with what exact attention have you not judged your children, to whose ancestors, by oaths and covenants, you made such generous promises?
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	22	Thus, you instruct us, when you punish our enemies in moderation, that we should reflect on your kindness when we judge, and, when we are judged, we should look for mercy.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	23	And this is why people leading foolish and wicked lives were tortured by you with their own abominations;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	24	for they had strayed too far on the paths of error by taking the vilest and most despicable of animals for gods, being deluded like silly little children.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	25	So, as to children with no sense, you gave them a sentence making fools of them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	26	Those, however, who would not take warning from a mocking reproof were soon to endure a sentence worthy of God.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	12	27	The creatures that made them suffer and against which they protested, those very creatures that they had taken for gods and by which they were punished they saw in their true light; and he whom hitherto they had refused to know, they realised was true God. And this is why the final condemnation fell on them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	1	Yes, naturally stupid are all who are unaware of God, and who, from good things seen, have not been able to discover Him-who-is, or, by studying the works, have not recognised the Artificer.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	2	Fire, however, or wind, or the swift air, the sphere of the stars, impetuous water, heaven's lamps, are what they have held to be the gods who govern the world.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	3	If, charmed by their beauty, they have taken these for gods, let them know how much the Master of these excels them, since he was the very source of beauty that created them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	4	And if they have been impressed by their power and energy, let them deduce from these how much mightier is he that has formed them,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	5	since through the grandeur and beauty of the creatures we may, by analogy, contemplate their Author.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	6	Small blame, however, attaches to them, for perhaps they go astray only in their search for God and their eagerness to find him;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	7	familiar with his works, they investigate them and fall victim to appearances, seeing so much beauty.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	8	But even so, they have no excuse:
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	9	if they are capable of acquiring enough knowledge to be able to investigate the world, how have they been so slow to find its Master?
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	10	But wretched are they, with their hopes set on dead things, who have given the title of gods to human artefacts, gold or silver, skilfully worked, figures of animals, or useless stone, carved by some hand long ago.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	11	Take a woodcutter. He fells a suitable tree, neatly strips off the bark all over and then with admirable skill works the wood into an object useful in daily life.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	12	The bits left over from his work he uses for cooking his food, then eats his fill.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	13	There is still a good-for-nothing bit left over, a gnarled and knotted billet: he takes it and whittles it with the concentration of his leisure hours, he shapes it with the skill of experience, he gives it a human shape
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	14	or perhaps he makes it into some vile animal, smears it with ochre, paints its surface red, coats over all its blemishes.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	15	He next makes a worthy home for it, lets it into the wall, fixes it with an iron clamp.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	16	Thus he makes sure that it will not fall down -- being well aware that it cannot help itself, since it is only an image, and needs to be helped.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	17	And yet, if he wishes to pray for his goods, for his marriage, for his children, he does not blush to harangue this lifeless thing -- for health, he invokes what is weak,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	18	for life, he pleads with what is dead, for help, he goes begging to total inexperience, for a journey, what cannot even use its feet,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	13	19	for profit, an undertaking, and success in pursuing his craft, he asks skill from something whose hands have no skill whatever.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	1	Or someone else, taking ship to cross the wild waves, loudly invokes a piece of wood frailer than the vessel that bears him.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	2	Agreed, the ship is the product of a craving for gain, its building embodies the wisdom of the shipwright;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	3	but your providence, Father, is what steers it, you having opened a pathway even through the sea, and a safe way over the waves,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	4	showing that you can save, whatever happens, so that, even without experience, someone may put to sea.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	5	It is not your will that the works of your Wisdom should be sterile, so people entrust their lives to the smallest piece of wood, cross the waves on a raft, yet are kept safe and sound.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	6	Why, in the beginning, when the proud giants were perishing, the hope of the world took refuge on a raft and, steered by your hand, preserved the seed of a new generation for the ages to come.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	7	For blessed is the wood which serves the cause of uprightness
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	8	but accursed the man-made idol, yes, it and its maker, he for having made it, and it because, though perishable, it has been called god.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	9	For God holds the godless and his godlessness in equal hatred;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	10	both work and workman will alike be punished.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	11	Hence even the idols of the nations will have a visitation since, in God's creation, they have become an abomination, a scandal for human souls, a snare for the feet of the foolish.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	12	The idea of making idols was the origin of fornication, their discovery corrupted life.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	13	They did not exist at the beginning, they will not exist for ever;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	14	human vanity brought them into the world, and a quick end is therefore reserved for them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	15	A father afflicted by untimely mourning has an image made of his child so soon carried off, and now pays divine honours to what yesterday was only a corpse, handing on mysteries and ceremonies to his people;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	16	time passes, the custom hardens and is observed as law.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	17	Rulers were the ones who ordered that statues should be worshipped: people who could not honour them in person, because they lived too far away, would have a portrait made of their distant countenance, to have an image that they could see of the king whom they honoured; meaning, by such zeal, to flatter the absent as if he were present.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	18	Even people who did not know him were stimulated into spreading his cult by the artist's enthusiasm;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	19	for the latter, doubtless wishing to please his ruler, exerted all his skill to surpass the reality,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	20	and the crowd, attracted by the beauty of the work, mistook for a god someone whom recently they had honoured as a man.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	21	And this became a snare for life: that people, whether enslaved by misfortune or by tyranny, should have conferred the ineffable Name on sticks and stones.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	22	It is not enough, however, for them to have such misconceptions about God; for, living in the fierce warfare of ignorance, they call these terrible evils peace.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	23	With their child-murdering rites, their occult mysteries, or their frenzied orgies with outlandish customs,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	24	they no longer retain any purity in their lives or their marriages, one treacherously murdering another or wronging him by adultery.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	25	Everywhere a welter of blood and murder, theft and fraud, corruption, treachery, riot, perjury,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	26	disturbance of decent people, forgetfulness of favours, pollution of souls, sins against nature, disorder in marriage, adultery and debauchery.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	27	For the worship of idols with no name is the beginning, cause, and end of every evil.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	28	For these people either carry their merrymaking to the point of frenzy, or they prophesy what is not true, or they live wicked lives, or they perjure themselves without hesitation;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	29	since they put their trust in lifeless idols they do not reckon their false oaths can harm them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	30	But they will be justly punished for this double crime: for degrading the concept of God by adhering to idols; and for wickedly perjuring themselves in contempt for what is holy.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	14	31	For it is not the power of the things by which they swear but the punishment reserved for sinners that always follows the offences of wicked people.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	1	But you, our God, are kind and true, slow to anger, governing the universe with mercy.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	2	Even if we sin, we are yours, since we acknowledge your power, but we will not sin, knowing we count as yours.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	3	To know you is indeed the perfect virtue, and to know your power is the root of immortality.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	4	We have not been duped by inventions of misapplied human skill, or by the sterile work of painters, by figures daubed with assorted colours,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	5	the sight of which sets fools yearning and hankering for the lifeless form of an unbreathing image.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	6	Lovers of evil and worthy of such hopes are those who make them, those who want them and those who worship them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	7	Take a potter, now, laboriously working the soft earth, shaping each object for us to use. Out of the self-same clay, he models vessels intended for a noble use and those for a contrary purpose, all alike: but which of these two uses each will have is for the potter himself to decide.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	8	Then -- ill -- spent effort!-from the same clay he models a futile god, although so recently made out of earth himself and shortly to return to what he was taken from, when asked to give back the soul that has been lent to him.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	9	Even so, he does not worry about having to die or about the shortness of his life, but strives to outdo the goldsmiths and silversmiths, imitates the bronzeworkers, and prides himself on modelling counterfeits.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	10	Ashes, his heart; more vile than earth, his hope; more wretched than clay, his life!
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	11	For he has misconceived the One who has modelled him, who breathed an active soul into him and inspired a living spirit.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	12	What is more, he looks on this life of ours as a kind of game, and our time here like a fair, full of bargains. 'However foul the means,' he says, 'a man must make a living.'
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	13	He, more than any other, knows he is sinning, he who from one earthy stuff makes both brittle pots and idols.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	14	But most foolish, more pitiable even than the soul of a little child, are the enemies who once played the tyrant with your people,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	15	and have taken all the idols of the heathen for gods; these can use neither their eyes for seeing nor their nostrils for breathing the air nor their ears for hearing nor the fingers on their hands for handling nor their feet for walking.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	16	They have been made, you see, by a human being, modelled by a being whose own breath is borrowed. No man can model a god to resemble himself;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	17	subject to death, his impious hands can produce only something dead. He himself is worthier than the things he worships; he will at least have lived, but never they.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	18	And they worship even the most loathsome of animals, worse than the rest in their degree of stupidity,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	15	19	without a trace of beauty -- if that is what is attractive in animals- and excluded from God's praises and blessing.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	1	Thus they were appropriately punished by similar creatures and tormented by swarms of vermin.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	2	In contrast to this punishment, you did your people a kindness and, to satisfy their sharp appetite, provided quails -- a luscious rarity -- for them to eat.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	3	Thus the Egyptians, at the repulsive sight of the creatures sent against them, were to find that, though they longed for food, they had lost their natural appetite; whereas your own people, after a short privation, were to have a rare relish for their portion.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	4	Inevitable that relentless want should seize on the former oppressors; enough for your people to be shown how their enemies were being tortured.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	5	Even when the fearful rage of wild animals overtook them and they were perishing from the bites of writhing snakes, your retribution did not continue to the end.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	6	Affliction struck them briefly, by way of warning, and they had a saving token to remind them of the commandment of your Law,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	7	for whoever turned to it was saved, not by what he looked at, but by you, the Saviour of all.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	8	And by such means you proved to our enemies that you are the one who delivers from every evil;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	9	for them, the bites of locusts and flies proved fatal and no remedy could be found to save their lives, since they deserved to be punished by such creatures.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	10	But your children, not even the fangs of poisonous snakes could bring them down; for your mercy came to their help and cured them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	11	One sting -- how quickly healed!-to remind them of your pronouncements rather than that, by sinking into deep forgetfulness, they should be cut off from your kindness.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	12	No herb, no poultice cured them, but your all-healing word, Lord.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	13	Yes, you are the one with power over life and death, bringing to the gates of Hades and back again.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	14	A human being out of malice may put to death, but cannot bring the departed spirit back or free the soul that Hades has once received.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	15	It is not possible to escape your hand.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	16	The godless who refused to acknowledge you were scourged by the strength of your arm, pursued by no ordinary rains, hail and unrelenting downpours, and consumed by fire.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	17	Even more wonderful, in the water -- which quenches all -- the fire raged fiercer than ever; for the elements fight for the upright.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	18	At one moment, the fire would die down, to avoid consuming the animals sent against the godless and to make clear to them by that sight, that the sentence of God was pursuing them;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	19	at another, in the very heart of the water, it would burn more fiercely than fire to ruin the produce of a wicked land.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	20	How differently with your people! You gave them the food of angels, from heaven untiringly providing them bread already prepared, containing every delight, to satisfy every taste.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	21	And the substance you gave showed your sweetness towards your children, for, conforming to the taste of whoever ate it, it transformed itself into what each eater wished.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	22	Snow and ice endured the fire, without melting; this was to show them that, to destroy the harvests of their enemies, fire would burn even in hail and flare in falling rain,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	23	whereas, on the other hand, it would even forget its own strength in the service of feeding the upright.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	24	For the creation, being at the service of you, its Creator, tautens to punish the wicked and slackens for the benefit of those who trust in you.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	25	And this is why, by changing into all things, it obediently served your all-nourishing bounty, conforming to the wishes of those who were in need;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	26	so that your beloved children, Lord, might learn that the various crops are not what provide nourishment, but your word which preserves all who believe in you.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	27	For that which fire could not destroy melted in the heat of a single fleeting sunbeam,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	28	to show that, to give you thanks, we must rise before the sun and meet you at the dawning of the day;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	16	29	whereas the hope of the ungrateful melts like winter frost and flows away like water running to waste.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	1	Yes, your judgements are great and impenetrable, which is why uninstructed souls have gone astray.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	2	While the wicked supposed they had a holy nation in their power, they themselves lay prisoners of the dark, in the fetters of long night, confined under their own roofs, banished from eternal providence.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	3	While they thought to remain unnoticed with their secret sins, curtained by dark forgetfulness, they were scattered in fearful dismay, terrified by apparitions.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	4	The hiding place sheltering them could not ward off their fear; terrifying noises echoed round them; and gloomy, grim-faced spectres haunted them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	5	No fire had power enough to give them light, nor could the brightly blazing stars illuminate that dreadful night.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	6	The only light for them was a great, spontaneous blaze -- a fearful sight to see! And in their terror, once that sight had vanished, they thought what they had seen more terrible than ever.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	7	Their magical illusions were powerless now, and their claims to intelligence were ignominiously confounded;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	8	for those who promised to drive out fears and disorders from sick souls were now themselves sick with ludicrous fright.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	9	Even when there was nothing frightful to scare them, the vermin creeping past and the hissing of reptiles filled them with panic;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	10	they died convulsed with fright, refusing even to look at empty air, which cannot be eluded anyhow!
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	11	Wickedness is confessedly very cowardly, and it condemns itself; under pressure from conscience it always assumes the worst.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	12	Fear, indeed, is nothing other than the failure of the help offered by reason;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	13	the less you rely within yourself on this, the more alarming it is not to know the cause of your suffering.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	14	And they, all locked in the same sleep, while that darkness lasted -- which was in fact quite powerless and had issued from the depths of equally powerless Hades-
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	15	were now chased by monstrous spectres, now paralysed by the fainting of their souls; for a sudden, unexpected terror had attacked them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	16	And thus, whoever it might be that fell there stayed clamped to the spot in this prison without bars.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	17	Whether he was ploughman or shepherd, or somebody at work in the desert, he was still overtaken and suffered the inevitable fate, for all had been bound by the one same chain of darkness.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	18	The soughing of the wind, the tuneful noise of birds in the spreading branches, the measured beat of water in its powerful course, the headlong din of rocks cascading down,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	19	the unseen course of bounding animals, the roaring of the most savage of wild beasts, the echo rebounding from the clefts in the mountains, all held them paralysed with fear.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	20	For the whole world shone with the light of day and, unhindered, went about its work;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	17	21	over them alone there spread a heavy darkness, image of the dark that would receive them. But heavier than the darkness was the burden they were to themselves.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	1	For your holy ones, however, there was a very great light. The Egyptians, who could hear them but not see them, called them fortunate because they had not suffered too;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	2	they thanked them for doing no injury in return for previous wrongs and asked forgiveness for their past ill-will.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	3	In contrast to the darkness, you gave your people a pillar of blazing fire to guide them on their unknown journey, a mild sun for their ambitious migration.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	4	But well those others deserved to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness, for they had kept in captivity your children, by whom the incorruptible light of the Law was to be given to the world.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	5	As they had resolved to kill the infants of the holy ones, and as of those exposed only one child had been saved, you punished them by carrying off their horde of children and by destroying them all in the wild water.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	6	That night had been known in advance to our ancestors, so that, well knowing him in whom they had put their trust, they would be sure of his promises.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	7	Your people thus were waiting both for the rescue of the upright and for the ruin of the enemy;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	8	for by the very vengeance that you exacted on our adversaries, you glorified us by calling us to you.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	9	So the holy children of the good offered sacrifice in secret and with one accord enacted this holy law: that the holy ones should share good things and dangers alike; and forthwith they chanted the hymns of the ancestors.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	10	In echo came the discordant cries of their enemies, and the pitiful wails of people mourning for their children could be heard from far away.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	11	One and the same punishment had struck slave and master alike, and now commoner and king had the same sufferings to endure.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	12	Struck by the same death, all had innumerable dead. There were not enough living left to bury them, for, at one stroke, the flower of their offspring had perished.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	13	Those whose spells had made them completely incredulous, when faced with the destruction of their first-born, acknowledged this people to be child of God.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	14	When peaceful silence lay over all, and night had run the half of her swift course,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	15	down from the heavens, from the royal throne, leapt your all-powerful Word like a pitiless warrior into the heart of a land doomed to destruction. Carrying your unambiguous command like a sharp sword,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	16	it stood, and filled the universe with death; though standing on the earth, it touched the sky.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	17	Immediately, dreams and gruesome visions overwhelmed them with terror, unexpected fears assailed them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	18	Hurled down, some here, some there, half dead, they were able to say why they were dying;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	19	for the dreams that had troubled them had warned them why beforehand, so that they should not perish without knowing why they were being afflicted.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	20	Experience of death, however, touched the upright too, and a great many were struck down in the desert. But the Retribution did not last long,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	21	for a blameless man hurried to their defence. Wielding the weapons of his sacred office, prayer and expiating incense, he confronted Retribution and put an end to the plague, thus showing that he was your servant.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	22	He overcame Hostility, not by physical strength, nor by force of arms; but by word he prevailed over the Punisher, by recalling the oaths made to the Fathers, and the covenants.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	23	Already the corpses lay piled in heaps, when he interposed and beat Retribution back and cut off its approach to the living.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	24	For the whole world was on his flowing robe, the glorious names of the Fathers engraved on the four rows of stones, and your Majesty on the diadem on his head.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	18	25	From these the Destroyer recoiled, he was afraid of these. This one experience of Retribution was enough.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	1	But the godless were assailed by merciless anger to the very end, for he knew beforehand what they would do,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	2	how, after letting his people leave and hastening their departure, they would change their minds and give chase.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	3	They were actually still conducting their mourning rites and lamenting at the tombs of their dead, when another mad scheme came into their heads and they set out to pursue, as though runaways, the people whom they had expelled and begged to go.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	4	A well-deserved fate urged them to this extreme and made them forget what had already happened, so that they would add to their torments the one punishment outstanding
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	5	and, while your people were experiencing a journey contrary to all expectations, would themselves meet an extraordinary death.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	6	For the whole creation, submissive to your commands, had its very nature re-created, so that your children should be preserved from harm.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	7	Overshadowing the camp there was the cloud; where there had been water, dry land was seen to rise; the Red Sea became an unimpeded way, the tempestuous waves, a green plain;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	8	sheltered by your hand, the whole nation passed across, gazing at these amazing prodigies.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	9	They were like horses at pasture, they skipped like lambs, singing your praises, Lord, their deliverer.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	10	For they still remembered the events of their exile, how the land had bred mosquitoes instead of animals and the River had disgorged millions of frogs instead of fish.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	11	Later they were to see a new way for birds to come into being, when, goaded by greed, they demanded something tasty,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	12	and quails came up out of the sea to satisfy them.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	13	On the sinners, however, punishments rained down not without violent thunder as early warning; and they suffered what their own crimes had justly deserved since they had shown such bitter hatred to foreigners.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	14	Others, indeed, had failed to welcome strangers who came to them, but the Egyptians had enslaved their own guests and benefactors.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	15	The sinners, moreover, will certainly be punished for it, since they gave the foreigners a hostile welcome;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	16	but the latter, having given a festive reception to people who already shared the same rights as themselves, later overwhelmed them with terrible labours.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	17	Hence they were struck with blindness, like the sinners at the gate of the upright, when, yawning darkness all around them, each had to grope his way through his own door.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	18	A new attuning of the elements occurred, as on a harp the notes may change their rhythm, though all the while preserving the same tone; and this is just what happened:
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	19	land animals became aquatic, swimming ones took to the land,
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	20	fire reinforced its strength in water, and water forgot the power of extinguishing it;
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	21	flames, on the other hand, did not char the flesh of delicate animals that ventured into them; nor did they melt the heavenly food resembling ice and as easily melted.
 Wisdom	Wis	27	19	22	Yes, Lord, in every way you have made your people great and glorious; you have never failed to help them at any time or place.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	1	All wisdom comes from the Lord, she is with him for ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	2	The sands of the sea, the drops of rain, the days of eternity -- who can count them?
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	3	The height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, the depth of the abyss -- who can explore them?
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	4	Wisdom was created before everything, prudent understanding subsists from remotest ages.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	5
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	6	For whom has the root of wisdom ever been uncovered? Her resourceful ways, who knows them?
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	7
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	8	One only is wise, terrible indeed,
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	9	seated on his throne, the Lord. It was he who created, inspected and weighed her up, and then poured her out on all his works-
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	10	as much to each living creature as he chose -- bestowing her on those who love him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	11	The fear of the Lord is glory and pride, happiness and a crown of joyfulness.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	12	The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart, giving happiness, joy and long life.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	13	For those who fear the Lord, all will end well: on their dying day they will be blessed.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	14	The basis of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she was created with the faithful in their mothers' womb;
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	15	she has made a home in the human race, an age -- old foundation, and to their descendants will she faithfully cling.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	16	The fullness of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she intoxicates them with her fruits;
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	17	she fills their entire house with treasures and their storerooms with her produce.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	18	The crown of wisdom is to fear the Lord: she makes peace and health flourish.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	19	The Lord has seen and assessed her, he has showered down knowledge and intelligence, he has exalted the renown of those who possess her.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	20	The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and her branches are long life.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	21
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	22	The rage of the wicked cannot put him in the right, for the weight of his rage is his downfall.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	23	A patient person puts up with things until the right time comes: but his joy will break out in the end.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	24	Till the time comes he keeps his thoughts to himself, and many a lip will affirm how wise he is.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	25	Wisdom's treasuries contain the maxims of knowledge, the sinner, however, holds piety in abhorrence.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	26	If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will bestow it on you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	27	For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction, and what pleases him is faithfulness and gentleness.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	28	Do not stand out against fear of the Lord, do not practise it with a double heart.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	29	Do not act a part in public, keep watch over your lips.
 Sirach	Sir	28	1	30	Do not grow too high and mighty, for fear you fall and cover yourself in disgrace; for the Lord would then reveal your secrets and overthrow you before the whole community for not having practised fear of the Lord and for having a heart full of deceit.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	1	My child, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	2	Be sincere of heart, be steadfast, and do not be alarmed when disaster comes.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	3	Cling to him and do not leave him, so that you may be honoured at the end of your days.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	4	Whatever happens to you, accept it, and in the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient,
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	5	since gold is tested in the fire, and the chosen in the furnace of humiliation.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	6	Trust him and he will uphold you, follow a straight path and hope in him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	7	You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; do not turn aside, for fear you fall.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	8	You who fear the Lord, trust him, and you will not be robbed of your reward.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	9	You who fear the Lord, hope for those good gifts of his, everlasting joy and mercy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	10	Look at the generations of old and see: whoever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame? Or whoever, steadfastly fearing him, was forsaken? Or whoever called to him and was ignored?
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	11	For the Lord is compassionate and merciful, he forgives sins and saves in the time of distress.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	12	Woe to faint hearts and listless hands, and to the sinner who treads two paths.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	13	Woe to the listless heart that has no faith, for such will have no protection.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	14	Woe to you who have lost the strength to endure; what will you do at the Lord's visitation?
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	15	Those who fear the Lord do not disdain his words, and those who love him keep his ways.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	16	Those who fear the Lord do their best to please him, and those who love him will find satisfaction in the Law.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	17	Those who fear the Lord keep their hearts prepared and humble themselves in his presence.
 Sirach	Sir	28	2	18	Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, not into any human clutches; for as his majesty is, so too is his mercy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	1	Children, listen to me for I am your father: do what I tell you, and so be safe;
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	2	for the Lord honours the father above his children and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	3	Whoever respects a father expiates sins,
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	4	whoever honours a mother is like someone amassing a fortune.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	5	Whoever respects a father will in turn be happy with children, the day he prays for help, he will be heard.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	6	Long life comes to anyone who honours a father, whoever obeys the Lord makes a mother happy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	7	Such a one serves parents as well as the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	8	Respect your father in deed as well as word, so that blessing may come on you from him;
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	9	since a father's blessing makes his children's house firm, while a mother's curse tears up its foundations.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	10	Do not make a boast of disgrace overtaking your father, your father's disgrace reflects no honour on you;
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	11	for a person's own honour derives from the respect shown to his father, and a mother held in dishonour is a reproach to her children.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	12	My child, support your father in his old age, do not grieve him during his life.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	13	Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy, do not despise him in your health and strength;
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	14	for kindness to a father will not be forgotten but will serve as reparation for your sins.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	15	On your own day of ordeal God will remember you: like frost in sunshine, your sins will melt away.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	16	Whoever deserts a father is no better than a blasphemer, and whoever distresses a mother is accursed of the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	17	My child, be gentle in carrying out your business, and you will be better loved than a lavish giver.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	18	The greater you are, the more humbly you should behave, and then you will find favour with the Lord;
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	19
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	20	for great though the power of the Lord is, he accepts the homage of the humble.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	21	Do not try to understand things that are too difficult for you, or try to discover what is beyond your powers.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	22	Concentrate on what has been assigned you, you have no need to worry over mysteries.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	23	Do not meddle with matters that are beyond you; what you have been taught already exceeds the scope of the human mind.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	24	For many have been misled by their own notions, wicked presumption having warped their judgement.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	25
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	26	A stubborn heart will come to a bad end, and whoever dallies with danger will perish in it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	27	A stubborn heart is weighed down with troubles, the sinner heaps sin on sin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	28	For the disease of the proud there is no cure, since an evil growth has taken root there.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	29	The heart of the sensible will reflect on parables, an attentive ear is the sage's dream.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	30	Water puts out a blazing fire, almsgiving expiates sins.
 Sirach	Sir	28	3	31	Whoever gives favours in return is mindful of the future; at the moment of falling, such a person will find support.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	1	My child, do not refuse the poor a livelihood, do not tantalise the needy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	2	Do not add to the sufferings of the hungry, do not bait anyone in distress.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	3	Do not aggravate a heart already angry, nor keep the destitute waiting for your alms.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	4	Do not repulse a hard-pressed beggar, nor turn your face from the poor.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	5	Do not avert your eyes from the needy, give no one occasion to curse you;
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	6	for if someone curses you in distress, his Maker will give ear to the imprecation.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	7	Gain the love of the community, in the presence of the great bow your head.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	8	To the poor lend an ear, and courteously return the greeting.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	9	Save the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor, and do not be mean-spirited in your judgements.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	10	Be like a father to the fatherless and as good as a husband to their mothers. And you will be like a child to the Most High, who will love you more than your own mother does.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	11	Wisdom brings up her own children and cares for those who seek her.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	12	Whoever loves her loves life, those who seek her early will be filled with joy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	13	Whoever possesses her will inherit honour, and wherever he walks the Lord will bless him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	14	Those who serve her minister to the Holy One, and the Lord loves those who love her.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	15	Whoever obeys her rules the nations, whoever pays attention to her dwells secure.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	16	If he trusts himself to her he will inherit her, and his descendants will remain in possession of her;
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	17	for though she takes him at first through winding ways, bringing fear and faintness on him, trying him out with her discipline till she can trust him, and testing him with her ordeals,
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	18	she then comes back to him on the straight road, makes him happy and reveals her secrets to him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	19	If he goes astray, however, she abandons him and leaves him to his own destruction.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	20	Take circumstances into account and beware of evil, and have no cause to be ashamed of yourself;
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	21	for there is a shame that leads to sin and a shame that is honourable and gracious.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	22	Do not be too severe on yourself, do not let shame lead you to ruin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	23	Do not refrain from speaking when it will do good, and do not hide your wisdom;
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	24	for your wisdom is made known by what you say, your erudition by the words you utter.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	25	Do not contradict the truth, rather blush for your own ignorance.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	26	Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, do not struggle against the current of the river.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	27	Do not grovel to the foolish, do not show partiality to the influential.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	28	Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God will war on your side.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	29	Do not be bold of tongue, yet idle and slack in deed;
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	30	do not be like a lion at home, or cowardly towards your servants.
 Sirach	Sir	28	4	31	Do not let your hands be outstretched to receive, yet tight-fisted when the time comes to give back.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	1	Do not put your confidence in your money or say, 'With this I am self-sufficient.'
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	2	Do not be led by your appetites and energy to follow the passions of your heart.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	3	And do not say, 'Who has authority over me?' for the Lord will certainly give you your deserts.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	4	Do not say, 'I have sinned, but what harm has befallen me?' for the Lord's forbearance is long.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	5	Do not be so sure of forgiveness that you add sin to sin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	6	And do not say, 'His compassion is great, he will forgive me my many sins'; for with him are both mercy and retribution, and his anger does not pass from sinners.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	7	Do not delay your return to the Lord, do not put it off day after day; for suddenly the Lord's wrath will blaze out, and on the day of punishment you will be utterly destroyed.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	8	Do not set your heart on ill-gotten gains, they will be of no use to you on the day of disaster.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	9	Do not winnow in every wind, or walk along every by-way (as the double-talking sinner does).
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	10	Be steady in your convictions, and be a person of your word.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	11	Be quick to listen, and deliberate in giving an answer.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	12	If you understand the matter, give your neighbour an answer, if not, keep your hand over your mouth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	13	Both honour and disgrace come from talking, the tongue is its owner's downfall.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	14	Do not get a name for scandal-mongering, do not set traps with your tongue; for as shame lies in store for the thief, so harsh condemnation awaits the deceitful.
 Sirach	Sir	28	5	15	Avoid offences in great as in small matters, and do not exchange friendship for enmity,
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	1	for a bad name will earn you shame and reproach, as happens to the double-talking sinner.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	2	Do not get carried aloft on the wings of passion, for fear your strength tear itself apart like a bull,
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	3	and you devour your own foliage and destroy your own fruit and end by making yourself like a piece of dried-up wood.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	4	An evil temper destroys the person who has it and makes him the laughing-stock of his enemies.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	5	A kindly turn of speech attracts new friends, a courteous tongue invites many a friendly response.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	6	Let your acquaintances be many, but for advisers choose one out of a thousand.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	7	If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and do not be in a hurry to trust him;
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	8	for one kind of friend is so only when it suits him but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	9	Another kind of friend will fall out with you and to your dismay make your quarrel public,
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	10	and a third kind of friend will share your table, but not stand by you in your day of trouble:
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	11	when you are doing well he will be your second self, ordering your servants about;
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	12	but, if disaster befalls you, he will recoil from you and keep out of your way.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	13	Keep well clear of your enemies, and be wary of your friends.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	14	A loyal friend is a powerful defence: whoever finds one has indeed found a treasure.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	15	A loyal friend is something beyond price, there is no measuring his worth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	16	A loyal friend is the elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find one.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	17	Whoever fears the Lord makes true friends, for as a person is, so is his friend too.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	18	My child, from your earliest youth choose instruction, and till your hair is white you will keep finding wisdom.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	19	Like ploughman and sower, cultivate her and wait for her fine harvest, for in tilling her you will toil a little while, but very soon you will be eating her crops.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	20	How very harsh she is to the undisciplined! The senseless does not stay with her for long:
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	21	she will weigh as heavily on the senseless as a touchstone and such a person will lose no time in throwing her off;
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	22	for Wisdom is true to her name, she is not accessible to many.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	23	Listen, my child, and take my advice, do not reject my counsel:
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	24	put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her collar;
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	25	offer your shoulder to her burden, do not be impatient of her bonds;
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	26	court her with all your soul, and with all your might keep in her ways;
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	27	search for her, track her down: she will reveal herself; once you hold her, do not let her go.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	28	For in the end you will find rest in her and she will take the form of joy for you:
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	29	her fetters you will find a mighty defence, her collars, a precious necklace.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	30	Her yoke will be a golden ornament, and her bonds be purple ribbons;
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	31	you will wear her like a robe of honour, you will put her on like a crown of joy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	32	If you wish it, my child, you can be taught; apply yourself, and you will become intelligent.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	33	If you love listening, you will learn, if you pay attention, you will become wise.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	34	Attend the gathering of elders; if there is a wise man there, attach yourself to him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	35	Listen willingly to any discourse coming from God, do not let wise proverbs escape you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	36	If you see a man of understanding, visit him early, let your feet wear out his doorstep.
 Sirach	Sir	28	6	37	Reflect on the injunctions of the Lord, busy yourself at all times with his commandments. He will strengthen your mind, and the wisdom you desire will be granted you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	1	Do no evil, and evil will not befall you;
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	2	shun wrong, and it will avoid you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	3	My child, do not sow in the furrows of wickedness, for fear you have to reap them seven times over.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	4	Do not ask the Lord for the highest place, or the king for a seat of honour.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	5	Do not parade your uprightness before the Lord, or your wisdom before the king.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	6	Do not scheme to be appointed judge, for fear you should not be strong enough to stamp out injustice, for fear of being swayed by someone influential and so of risking the loss of your integrity.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	7	Do not wrong the general body of citizens and so lower yourself in popular esteem.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	8	Do not be drawn to sin twice over, for you will not go unpunished even once.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	9	Do not say, 'God will be impressed by my numerous offerings; when I sacrifice to God Most High, he is bound to accept.'
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	10	Do not be hesitant in prayer; do not neglect to give alms.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	11	Do not laugh at someone who is sad of heart, for he who brings low can lift up high.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	12	Do not make up lies against your brother, nor against a friend either.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	13	Mind you tell no lies, for no good can come of it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	14	Do not talk too much at the gathering of elders, and do not repeat yourself at your prayers.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	15	Do not shirk tiring jobs or farm work, ordained by the Most High.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	16	Do not swell the ranks of sinners, remember that the retribution will not delay.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	17	Be very humble, since the recompense for the godless is fire and worms.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	18	Do not barter a friend away for the sake of profit, nor a true brother for the gold of Ophir.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	19	Do not turn against a wise and good wife; her gracious presence is worth more than gold.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	20	Do not ill-treat a slave who is an honest worker, or a wage-earner who is devoted to you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	21	Love an intelligent slave with all your heart, and do not deny such a slave his freedom.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	22	Have you cattle? Look after them; if they are making you a profit, keep them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	23	Have you children? Educate them, from childhood make them bow the neck.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	24	Have you daughters? Take care of their bodies, but do not be over-indulgent.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	25	Marry a daughter off, and you have finished a great work; but give her to a man of sense.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	26	Have you a wife to your liking? Do not turn her out; but if you do not love her, never trust her.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	27	With all your heart honour your father, never forget the birthpangs of your mother.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	28	Remember that you owe your birth to them; how can you repay them for what they have done for you?
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	29	With all your soul, fear the Lord and revere his priests.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	30	With all your might love him who made you, and do not abandon his ministers.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	31	Fear the Lord and honour the priest and give him the portion enjoined on you: first-fruits, sacrifice of reparation, shoulder-gift, sanctification sacrifice, first-fruits of the holy things.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	32	And also give generously to the poor, so that your blessing may lack nothing.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	33	Let your generosity extend to all the living, do not withhold it even from the dead.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	34	Do not turn your back on those who weep, but share the grief of the grief-stricken.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	35	Do not shrink from visiting the sick; in this way you will make yourself loved.
 Sirach	Sir	28	7	36	In everything you do, remember your end, and you will never sin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	1	Do not try conclusions with anyone influential, in case you later fall into his clutches.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	2	Do not quarrel with anyone rich, in case he puts his weight against you; for gold has destroyed many, and has swayed the hearts of kings.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	3	Do not argue with anyone argumentative, do not pile wood on that fire.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	4	Do not joke with anyone uncouth, for fear of hearing your ancestors insulted.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	5	Do not revile a repentant sinner; remember that we all are guilty.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	6	Do not despise anyone in old age; after all, some of us too are growing old.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	7	Do not gloat over anyone's death; remember that we all have to die.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	8	Do not scorn the discourse of the wise, but make yourself familiar with their maxims, since from these you will learn the theory and the art of serving the great.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	9	Do not dismiss what the old people have to say, for they too were taught by their parents; from them you will learn how to think, and the art of the timely answer.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	10	Do not kindle the coals of the sinner, in case you scorch yourself in his blaze.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	11	Refuse to be provoked by the insolent, for fear that such a one try to trap you in your words.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	12	Do not lend to anyone who is stronger than you are -- if you do lend, resign yourself to loss.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	13	Do not stand surety beyond your means; if you do stand surety, be prepared to pay up.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	14	Do not go to law with a judge, since judgement will be given in his favour.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	15	Do not go travelling with a rash man, for fear he becomes burdensome to you; he will act as the whim takes him, and you will both be ruined by his folly.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	16	Do not argue with a quick-tempered man, do not go with him where there are no other people, since blood counts for nothing in his eyes, and where no help is to be had, he will strike you down.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	17	Do not ask a fool for advice, since a fool will not be able to keep a confidence.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	18	In a stranger's presence do nothing that should be kept secret, since you cannot tell what use the stranger will make of it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	8	19	Do not open your heart to all comers, nor lay claim to their good offices.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	1	Do not be jealous of the wife you love, do not teach her lessons in how to harm you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	2	Do not put yourself in a woman's hands or she may come to dominate you completely.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	3	Do not keep company with a prostitute, in case you get entangled in her snares.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	4	Do not dally with a singing girl, in case you get caught by her wiles.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	5	Do not stare at a pretty girl, in case you and she incur the same punishment.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	6	Do not give your heart to whores, or you will ruin your inheritance.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	7	Keep your eyes to yourself in the streets of a town, do not prowl about its unfrequented quarters.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	8	Turn your eyes away from a handsome woman, do not stare at a beauty belonging to someone else. Because of a woman's beauty, many have been undone; this makes passion flare up like a fire.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	9	Never sit down with a married woman, or sit at table with her drinking wine, in case you let your heart succumb to her and you lose all self-control and slide to disaster.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	10	Do not desert an old friend; the new one will not be his match. New friend, new wine; when it grows old, you drink it with pleasure.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	11	Do not envy the sinner his success; you do not know how that will end.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	12	Do not take pleasure in what pleases the godless; remember they will not go unpunished here below.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	13	Keep your distance from the man who has the power to put to death, and you will not be haunted by the fear of dying. If you do approach him, make no false move, or he may take your life. Realise that you are treading among trip-lines, that you are strolling on the battlements.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	14	Cultivate your neighbours to the best of your ability, and consult with the wise.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	15	For conversation seek the intelligent, let all your discussions bear on the law of the Most High.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	16	Have the upright for your table companions, and let your pride be in fearing the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	17	Work from skilled hands will earn its praise, but a leader of the people must be skilful in words.
 Sirach	Sir	28	9	18	A chatterbox is a terror to his town, a loose talker is detested.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	1	A sagacious ruler educates his people, and he makes his subjects understand order.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	2	As the magistrate is, so will his officials be, as the governor is, so will be the inhabitants of his city.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	3	An undisciplined king will be the ruin of his people, a city owes its prosperity to the intelligence of its leading men.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	4	The government of the earth is in the hands of the Lord, he sets the right leader over it at the right time.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	5	Human success is in the hands of the Lord. He invests the scribe with honour.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	6	Do not resent your neighbour's every offence, and never act in a fit of passion.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	7	Pride is hateful to God and humanity, and injustice is abhorrent to both.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	8	Sovereignty passes from nation to nation because of injustice, arrogance and money.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	9	What has dust and ashes to pride itself on? Even in life its entrails are repellent.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	10	A long illness makes a fool of the doctor; a king today is a corpse tomorrow.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	11	For in death the portion of all alike will be insects, wild animals and worms.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	12	The first stage of pride is to desert the Lord and to turn one's heart away from one's Maker.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	13	Since the first stage of pride is sin, whoever clings to it will pour forth filth. This is why the Lord inflicts unexpected punishments on such people, utterly destroying them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	14	The Lord has turned mighty princes off their thrones and seated the humble there instead.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	15	The Lord has plucked up the proud by the roots, and planted the lowly in their place.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	16	The Lord has overthrown the lands of the nations and destroyed them to the very foundations of the earth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	17	Sometimes he has taken them away and destroyed them, and blotted out their memory from the earth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	18	Pride was not created for human beings, nor furious rage for those born of woman.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	19	What race deserves honour? The human race. What race deserves honour? Those who fear the Lord. What race deserves contempt? The human race. What race deserves contempt? Those who break the Law.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	20	A leader is honoured by his brothers, and those who fear the Lord are honoured by him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	21
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	22	The rich, the noble, the poor, let them pride themselves on fearing the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	23	It is not right to despise one who is poor but intelligent, and it is not good to honour one who is a sinner.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	24	Magnate, magistrate, potentate, all are to be honoured, but none is greater than the one who fears the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	25	A wise slave will have free men waiting on him, and the enlightened will not complain.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	26	Do not try to be smart when you do your work, do not put on airs when you are in difficulties.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	27	Better the hardworking who has plenty of everything, than the pretentious at a loss for a meal.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	28	My child, be modest in your self-esteem, and value yourself at your proper worth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	29	Who can justify one who inflicts injuries on himself, or respect one who is full of self-contempt?
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	30	The poor is honoured for wit, and the rich for wealth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	10	31	Honoured in poverty, how much the more in wealth! Dishonoured in wealth, how much the more in poverty!
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	1	Wisdom enables the poor to stand erect, and gives to the poor a place with the great.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	2	Do not praise anyone for good looks, nor dislike anyone for mere appearance.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	3	Small among winged creatures is the bee but her produce is the sweetest of the sweet.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	4	Do not grow proud when people honour you; for the works of the Lord are wonderful but hidden from human beings.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	5	Many monarchs have been made to sit on the ground, and the person nobody thought of has worn the crown.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	6	Many influential people have been utterly disgraced, and prominent people have fallen into the power of others.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	7	Do not find fault before making thorough enquiry; first reflect, then give a reprimand.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	8	Listen before you answer, and do not interrupt a speech before it is finished.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	9	Do not wrangle about something that does not concern you, do not interfere in the quarrels of sinners.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	10	My child, do not take on a great amount of business; if you multiply your interests, you are bound to suffer for it; hurry as fast as you can, yet you will never arrive, nor will you escape by running away.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	11	Some people work very hard at top speed, only to find themselves falling further behind.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	12	Or there is the slow kind of person, needing help, poor in possessions and rich in poverty; and the Lord turns a favourable eye on him, lifts him out of his wretched condition,
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	13	and enables him to hold his head high, thus causing general astonishment.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	14	Good and bad, life and death, poverty and wealth, all come from the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	15
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	16
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	17	To the devout the Lord's gift remains constant, and his favour will be there to lead them for ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	18	Others grow rich by pinching and scraping, and here is the reward they receive for it:
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	19	although they say, 'Now I can sit back and enjoy the benefit of what I have got,' they do not know how long this will last; they will have to leave their goods to others and die.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	20	Stick to your job, work hard at it and grow old at your work.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	21	Do not admire the achievements of sinners, trust the Lord and mind your own business; since it is a trifle in the eyes of the Lord, in a moment, suddenly to make the poor rich.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	22	The blessing of the Lord is the reward of the devout, in a moment God brings his blessing to flower.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	23	Do not say, 'What are my needs, how much shall I have in the future?'
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	24	And do not say, 'I am self-sufficient, what disaster can affect me now?'
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	25	In prosperous times, disasters are forgotten and in times of disaster, no one remembers prosperity.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	26	Yet it is a trifle for the Lord on the day someone dies to repay him as his conduct deserves.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	27	A moment's adversity, and pleasures are forgotten; in a person's last hour his deeds will stand revealed.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	28	Call no one fortunate before his death; it is by his end that someone will be known.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	29	Do not bring everyone home with you, for many are the traps of the crafty.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	30	Like a captive partridge in a cage, so is the heart of the proud: like a spy he watches for your downfall,
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	31	ever on the look-out, turning good into bad and finding fault with what is praiseworthy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	32	A hearthful of glowing coals starts from a single spark, and the sinner lurks for the chance to spill blood.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	33	Beware of a scoundrel and his evil contrivances, in case he puts a smear on you for ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	11	34	Give a home to a stranger and he will start trouble and estrange you from your own family.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	1	If you mean to do a kindness, choose the right person, then your good deeds will not be wasted.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	2	Do good to someone devout, and you will be rewarded, if not by that person, then certainly by the Most High.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	3	No good will come to one who persists in evil, or who refuses to give alms.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	4	Give to the devout, do not go to the help of a sinner.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	5	Do good to the humble, give nothing to the godless. Refuse him bread, do not give him any, it might make him stronger than you are; then you would be repaid evil twice over for all the good you had done him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	6	For the Most High himself detests sinners, and will repay the wicked with what they deserve.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	7	Give to the good, and do not go to the help of a sinner.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	8	In prosperity you cannot always tell a true friend, but in adversity you cannot mistake an enemy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	9	When someone is doing well that person's enemies are sad, when someone is doing badly, even a friend will keep at a distance.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	10	Do not ever trust an enemy; as bronze tarnishes, so does an enemy's malice.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	11	Even if he behaves humbly and comes bowing and scraping, maintain your reserve and be on your guard against him. Behave towards him as if you were polishing a mirror, you will find that his tarnish cannot last.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	12	Do not stand him beside you in case he thrusts you out and takes your place. Do not seat him on your right, or he will be after your position, and then you will remember what I have said and sadly admit that I was right.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	13	Who feels sorry for a snake-charmer bitten by a snake, or for those who take risks with savage animals? -
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	14	just so for one who consorts with a sinner, and becomes an accomplice in his sins.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	15	He will stay with you for a while, but if you once give way he will press his advantage.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	16	An enemy may have sweetness on his lips, and in his heart a scheme to throw you into the ditch. An enemy may have tears in his eyes, but if he gets a chance there can never be too much blood for him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	17	If you meet with misfortune, you will find him there before you, and, pretending to help you, he will trip you up.
 Sirach	Sir	28	12	18	He will wag his head and clap his hands, he will whisper a lot and his expression will change.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	1	Whoever touches pitch will be defiled, and anyone who associates with the proud will come to be like them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	2	Do not try to carry a burden too heavy for you, do not associate with someone more powerful and wealthy than yourself. Why put the clay pot next to the iron cauldron? It will only break when they bang against each other.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	3	The rich does wrong and takes a high line; the poor is wronged and has to beg for pardon.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	4	If you are useful the rich will exploit you, if you go bankrupt he will desert you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	5	Are you well off? - he will live with you, he will clean you out without a single qualm.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	6	Does he need you? - he will hoodwink you, smile at you and raise your hopes; he will speak politely to you and say, 'Is there anything you need?'
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	7	He will make you feel small at his dinner parties and, having cleaned you out two or three times over, will end by laughing at you. Afterwards, when he sees you, he will avoid you and shake his head about you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	8	Take care you are not hoodwinked and thus humiliated through your own stupidity.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	9	When an influential person invites you, show reluctance, and he will press his invitation all the more.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	10	Do not thrust yourself forward, in case you are pushed aside, but do not stand aloof, or you will be overlooked.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	11	Do not affect to treat him as an equal, do not trust his flow of words; since all this talking is expressly meant to test you, under cover of geniality he will be weighing you up.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	12	Pitiless is anyone who retails gossip; he will not spare you either blows or chains.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	13	Be wary, take very great care, because you are walking with your own downfall.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	14
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	15	Every living thing loves its own sort, and every man his fellow.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	16	Every creature mixes with its kind, and human beings stick to their own sort.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	17	How can wolf and lamb agree? - Just so with sinner and devout.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	18	What peace can there be between hyena and dog? And what peace between rich and poor?
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	19	Wild desert donkeys are the prey of lions; so too, the poor is the quarry of the rich.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	20	The proud thinks humility abhorrent; so too, the rich abominates the poor.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	21	When the rich stumbles he is supported by friends; when the poor falls, his friends push him away.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	22	When the rich slips, there are many hands to catch him, if he talks nonsense he is congratulated. The poor slips, and is blamed for it, he may talk good sense, but no room is made for him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	23	The rich speaks and everyone stops talking, and then they praise his discourse to the skies. The poor speaks and people say, 'Who is this?' and if he stumbles, they trip him up yet more.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	24	Wealth is good where there is no sin, poverty is evil, the godless say.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	25	The heart moulds a person's expression whether for better or worse.
 Sirach	Sir	28	13	26	Happy heart, cheerful expression; but wearisome work, inventing proverbs.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	1	Blessed is anyone who has not sinned in speech and who needs feel no remorse for sins.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	2	Blessed is anyone whose conscience brings no reproach and who has never given up hope.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	3	Wealth is not the right thing for the niggardly, and what use are possessions to the covetous?
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	4	Whoever hoards by stinting himself is hoarding for others, and others will live sumptuously on his riches.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	5	If someone is mean to himself, whom does he benefit? he does not even enjoy what is his own.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	6	No one is meaner than the person who is mean to himself, this is how his wickedness repays him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	7	If he does any good, he does it unintentionally, and in the end he himself reveals his wickedness.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	8	Wicked the person who has an envious eye, averting his face, and careless of others' lives.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	9	The eye of the grasping is not content with what he has, greed shrivels up the soul.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	10	The miser is grudging of bread, there is famine at his table.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	11	My child, treat yourself as well as you can afford, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	12	Remember that death will not delay, and that you have never seen Sheol's contract.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	13	Be kind to your friend before you die, treat him as generously as you can afford.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	14	Do not refuse yourself the good things of today, do not let your share of what is lawfully desired pass you by.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	15	Will you not have to leave your fortune to another, and the fruit of your labour to be divided by lot?
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	16	Give and receive, enjoy yourself -- there are no pleasures to be found in Sheol.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	17	Like clothes, every body will wear out, the age -- old law is, 'Everyone must die.'
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	18	Like foliage growing on a bushy tree, some leaves falling, others growing, so are the generations of flesh and blood: one dies, another is born.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	19	Every achievement rots away and perishes, and with it goes its author.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	20	Blessed is anyone who meditates on wisdom, and reasons with intelligence,
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	21	who studies her ways in his heart, and ponders her secrets.
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	22	He pursues her like a hunter, and lies in wait by her path;
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	23	he peeps in at her windows, and listens at her doors;
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	24	he lodges close to her house, and fixes his peg in her walls;
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	25	he pitches his tent at her side, and lodges in an excellent lodging;
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	26	he sets his children in her shade, and camps beneath her branches;
 Sirach	Sir	28	14	27	he is sheltered by her from the heat, and in her glory he makes his home.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	1	Whoever fears the Lord will act like this, and whoever grasps the Law will obtain wisdom.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	2	She will come to meet him like a mother, and receive him like a virgin bride.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	3	She will give him the bread of understanding to eat, and the water of wisdom to drink.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	4	He will lean on her and will not fall, he will rely on her and not be put to shame.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	5	She will raise him high above his neighbours, and in full assembly she will open his mouth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	6	He will find happiness and a crown of joy, he will inherit an everlasting name.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	7	Fools will not gain possession of her, nor will sinners set eyes on her.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	8	She stands remote from pride, and liars cannot call her to mind.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	9	Praise is unseemly in a sinner's mouth, since it has not been put there by the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	10	For praise should be uttered only in wisdom, and the Lord himself then prompts it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	11	Do not say, 'The Lord was responsible for my sinning,' for he does not do what he hates.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	12	Do not say, 'It was he who led me astray,' for he has no use for a sinner.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	13	The Lord hates all that is foul, and no one who fears him will love it either.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	14	He himself made human beings in the beginning, and then left them free to make their own decisions.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	15	If you choose, you will keep the commandments and so be faithful to his will.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	16	He has set fire and water before you; put out your hand to whichever you prefer.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	17	A human being has life and death before him; whichever he prefers will be given him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	18	For vast is the wisdom of the Lord; he is almighty and all-seeing.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	19	His eyes are on those who fear him, he notes every human action.
 Sirach	Sir	28	15	20	He never commanded anyone to be godless, he has given no one permission to sin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	1	Do not long for a brood of worthless children, and do not take pleasure in godless sons.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	2	However many you have, take no pleasure in them, unless the fear of the Lord lives among them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	3	Do not count on their having long life, do not put too much faith in their number; for better have one than a thousand, better die childless than have children who are godless.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	4	One person of sense can populate a city, but a race of lawless people will be destroyed.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	5	My eyes have seen many such things, my ears have heard things even more impressive.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	6	Fire is kindled in a sinful society, Retribution blazes in a rebellious nation.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	7	God did not pardon the giants of old who, confident in their strength, had rebelled.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	8	He did not spare the people with whom Lot lived; he abhorred them, rather, for their pride.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	9	He was pitiless to the nation of perdition -- those people who gloried in their sins-
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	10	as also to the six hundred thousand men on the march, who had banded together in their obstinacy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	11	And had there been only one man stubborn, it would have been amazing had he escaped unpunished, since mercy and wrath alike belong to the Lord who is mighty to forgive and to pour out wrath.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	12	As great as his mercy, so is his severity; he judges each person as his deeds deserve:
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	13	the sinner will not escape with his ill-gotten gains nor the patience of the devout go for nothing.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	14	He takes note of every charitable action, and everyone is treated as he deserves.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	15
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	16
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	17	Do not say, 'I shall hide from the Lord; who is going to remember me up there? I shall not be noticed among so many people; what am I in the immensity of creation?'
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	18	For see, the sky and the heavens above the sky, the abyss and the earth shake at his visitation.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	19	The mountains and earth's foundations alike quail and tremble when he looks at them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	20	But to all this no one gives thought. Who keeps his movements in mind?
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	21	The storm wind itself is invisible, and most of what he does goes undetected.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	22	'Who will report whether justice has been done? Who will be watching? The covenant is remote!'
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	23	Such are the thoughts of the person of little sense, stupid, misguided, cherishing his folly.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	24	Listen to me, my child, and learn knowledge, and give your whole mind to my words.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	25	I shall expound discipline methodically and proclaim knowledge with precision.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	26	When God created his works in the beginning, he assigned them their places as soon as they were made.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	27	He determined his works for all time, from their origins to their distant generations. They know neither hunger nor weariness, and they never desert their duties.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	28	Not one has ever got in the way of another, and they will never disobey his word.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	29	And afterwards the Lord looked at the earth, and filled it with his good things.
 Sirach	Sir	28	16	30	He covered its surface with every kind of animal, and to it they will return.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	1	The Lord fashioned human beings from the earth, to consign them back to it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	2	He gave them so many days and so much time, he gave them authority over everything on earth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	3	He clothed them in strength, like himself, and made them in his own image.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	4	He filled all living things with dread of human beings, making them masters over beasts and birds.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	5
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	6	He made them a tongue, eyes and ears, and gave them a heart to think with.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	7	He filled them with knowledge and intelligence, and showed them what was good and what evil.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	8	He put his own light in their hearts to show them the magnificence of his works,
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	9
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	10	so that they would praise his holy name as they told of his magnificent works.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	11	He set knowledge before them, he endowed them with the law of life.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	12	He established an eternal covenant with them, and revealed his judgements to them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	13	Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard the glory of his voice.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	14	He said to them, 'Beware of all wrong-doing'; he gave each a commandment concerning his neighbour.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	15	Their ways are always under his eye, they cannot be hidden from his sight.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	16
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	17	Over each nation he has set a governor, but Israel is the Lord's own portion.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	18
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	19	Their actions are all as plain as the sun to him, and his eyes rest constantly on their conduct.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	20	Their iniquities are not hidden from him, all their sins are before the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	21
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	22	Almsgiving is like a signet ring to him, he cherishes generosity like the pupil of an eye.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	23	One day he will rise and reward them, he will repay their deserts on their own heads.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	24	But to those who repent he permits return, and he encourages those who have lost hope.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	25	Return to the Lord and renounce your sins, plead before his face, stop offending him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	26	Come back to the Most High, turn away from iniquity and hold all that is foul in abhorrence.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	27	Who is going to praise the Most High in Sheol if we do not glorify him while we are alive?
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	28	The dead can praise no more than those who do not exist, only those with life and health can praise the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	29	How great is the mercy of the Lord, his pardon for those who turn to him!
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	30	For we cannot have everything, human beings are not immortal.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	31	What is brighter than the sun? And yet it fades. Flesh and blood think of nothing but evil.
 Sirach	Sir	28	17	32	He surveys the armies of the lofty sky, and all of us are only dust and ashes.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	1	He who lives for ever has created the sum of things.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	2	The Lord alone will be found just.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	3
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	4	He has given no one the power to proclaim his works to the end, and who can fathom his magnificent deeds?
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	5	Who can assess his magnificent strength, and who can go further and tell all of his mercies?
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	6	Nothing can be added to them, nothing subtracted, it is impossible to fathom the marvels of the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	7	When someone finishes he is only beginning, and when he stops he is as puzzled as ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	8	What is a human being, what purpose does he serve? What is good and what is bad for him?
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	9	The length of his life: a hundred years at most.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	10	Like a drop of water from the sea, or a grain of sand, such are these few years compared with eternity.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	11	This is why the Lord is patient with them and pours out his mercy on them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	12	He sees and recognises how wretched their end is, and so he makes his forgiveness the greater.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	13	Human compassion extends to neighbours, but the Lord's compassion extends to everyone; rebuking, correcting and teaching, bringing them back as a shepherd brings his flock.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	14	He has compassion on those who accept correction, and who fervently search for his judgements.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	15	My child, do not temper your favours with blame nor any of your gifts with words that hurt.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	16	Does not dew relieve the heat? In the same way a word is worth more than a gift.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	17	Why surely, a word is better than a good present, but a generous person is ready with both.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	18	A fool will offer nothing but insult, and a grudging gift makes the eyes smart.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	19	Learn before you speak, take care of yourself before you fall ill.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	20	Examine yourself before judgement comes, and on the day of visitation you will be acquitted.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	21	Humble yourself before you fall ill, repent as soon as the sin is committed.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	22	Let nothing prevent your discharging a vow in good time, and do not wait till death to set matters right.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	23	Prepare yourself before making a vow, and do not be like someone who tempts the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	24	Bear in mind the retribution of the last days, the time of vengeance when God averts his face.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	25	In a time of plenty remember times of famine, think of poverty and want when you are rich.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	26	The time slips by between dawn and dusk, everything passes quickly for the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	27	The wise will be cautious in everything, in sinful times will take care not to offend.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	28	Every person of sense recognises wisdom, and will respect anyone who has found her.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	29	Those who understand sayings have toiled for their wisdom and have poured out accurate maxims.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	30	Do not be governed by your passions, restrain your desires.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	31	If you allow yourself to satisfy your desires, this will make you the laughing-stock of your enemies.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	32	Do not indulge in luxurious living, do not get involved in such society.
 Sirach	Sir	28	18	33	Do not beggar yourself by banqueting on credit when there is nothing in your pocket.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	1	A drunken workman will never grow rich, and one who makes light of small matters will gradually sink.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	2	Wine and women corrupt intelligent men, the customer of whores loses all sense of shame.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	3	Grubs and worms will have him as their legacy, and the man who knows no shame will lose his life.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	4	Being too ready to trust shows shallowness of mind, and sinning harms the sinner.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	5	Taking pleasure in evil earns condemnation;
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	6	by hating gossip one avoids evil.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	7	Never repeat what you are told and you will come to no harm;
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	8	whether to friend or foe, do not talk about it, unless it would be sinful not to, do not reveal it;
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	9	you would be heard out, then mistrusted, and in due course you would be hated.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	10	Have you heard something? Let it die with you. Courage! It will not burst you!
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	11	A fool will suffer birthpangs over a piece of news, like a woman labouring with child.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	12	Like an arrow stuck in the flesh of the thigh, so is a piece of news inside a fool.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	13	Question your friend, he may have done nothing at all; and if he has done anything, he will not do it again.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	14	Question your neighbour, he may have said nothing at all; and if he has said anything, he will not say it again.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	15	Question your friend, for slander is very common, do not believe all you hear.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	16	People sometimes make a slip, without meaning what they say; and which of us has never sinned by speech?
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	17	Question your neighbour before you threaten him, and defer to the Law of the Most High.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	18
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	19
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	20	Wisdom consists entirely in fearing the Lord, and wisdom is entirely constituted by the fulfilling of the Law.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	21
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	22	Being learned in evil, however, is not wisdom, there is no prudence in the advice of sinners.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	23	There is a cleverness that is detestable; whoever has no wisdom is a fool.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	24	Better be short of sense and full of fear, than abound in shrewdness and violate the Law.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	25	There is a wickedness which is scrupulous but nonetheless dishonest, and there are those who misuse kindness to win their case.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	26	There is the person who will walk bowed down with grief, when inwardly this is nothing but deceit:
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	27	he hides his face and pretends to be deaf, if he is not unmasked, he will take advantage of you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	28	There is the person who is prevented from sinning by lack of strength, yet he will do wrong when he gets the chance.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	29	You can tell a person by his appearance, you can tell a thinker by the look on his face.
 Sirach	Sir	28	19	30	The way a person dresses, the way he laughs, the way he walks, tell you what he is.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	1	There is the rebuke that is untimely, and there is the person who keeps quiet, and he is the shrewd one.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	2	But how much better to rebuke than to fume!
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	3	The person who acknowledges a fault wards off punishment.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	4	Like a eunuch trying to take a girl's virginity is someone who tries to impose justice by force.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	5	There is the person who keeps quiet and is considered wise, another incurs hatred for talking too much.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	6	There is the person who keeps quiet, not knowing how to answer, another keeps quiet, knowing when to speak.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	7	The wise will keep quiet till the right moment, but a garrulous fool will always misjudge it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	8	Someone who talks too much will earn dislike, and someone who usurps authority will earn hatred.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	9	There is the person who finds misfortune a boon, and the piece of luck that turns to loss.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	10	There is the gift that affords you no profit, and the gift that repays you double.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	11	There is the honour that leads to humiliation, and there are people in a low state who raise their heads.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	12	There is the person who buys much for little, yet pays for it seven times over.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	13	The wise wins love with words, while fools may shower favours in vain.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	14	The gift of the stupid will bring you no advantage, his eyes look for seven times as much in return.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	15	He gives little and reviles much, he opens his mouth like the town crier, he lends today and demands payment tomorrow; he is a detestable fellow.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	16	The fool will say, 'I have no friends, I get no gratitude for my good deeds;
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	17	those who eat my bread have malicious tongues.' How often he will be laughed at, and by how many!
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	18	Better a slip on the pavement than a slip of the tongue; this is how ruin takes the wicked by surprise.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	19	A coarse-grained person is like an indiscreet story endlessly retold by the ignorant.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	20	A maxim is rejected when coming from a fool, since the fool does not utter it on the apt occasion.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	21	There is a person who is prevented from sinning by poverty; no qualms of conscience disturb that person's rest.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	22	There is a person who courts destruction out of false shame, courts destruction for the sake of a fool's opinion.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	23	There is a person who out of false shame makes promises to a friend, and so makes an enemy for nothing.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	24	Lying is an ugly blot on anyone, and ever on the lips of the undisciplined.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	25	A thief is preferable to an inveterate liar, but both are heading for ruin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	26	Lying is an abominable habit, the liar's disgrace lasts for ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	27	The wise gains advancement by words, the shrewd wins favour from the great.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	28	Whoever tills the soil will have a full harvest, whoever wins favour from the great will secure pardon for offences.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	29	Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise and stifle rebukes like a muzzle on the mouth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	30	Wisdom concealed, and treasure undiscovered, what use is either of these?
 Sirach	Sir	28	20	31	Better one who conceals his folly than one who conceals his wisdom.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	1	My child, have you sinned? Do so no more, and ask forgiveness for your previous faults.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	2	Flee from sin as from a snake, if you approach it, it will bite you; its teeth are lion's teeth, they take human life away.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	3	All law-breaking is like a two-edged sword, the wounds it inflicts are beyond cure.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	4	Terror and violence make havoc of riches, similarly, desolation overtakes the houses of the proud.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	5	A plea from the mouth of the poor goes straight to the ear of God, whose judgement comes without delay.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	6	Whoever resents reproof walks in the sinner's footsteps; whoever fears the Lord is repentant of heart.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	7	The glib speaker is known far and wide, but the wary detects every slip.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	8	To build your house with other people's money is like collecting stones for your own tomb.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	9	A meeting of the lawless is like a heap of tow: they will end in a blazing fire.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	10	The sinner's road is smoothly paved, but it ends at the pit of Sheol.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	11	Whoever keeps the Law will master his instincts; the fear of the Lord is made perfect in wisdom.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	12	No one who lacks aptitude can be taught, but certain aptitudes give rise to bitterness.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	13	The sage's knowledge is as rich as the abyss and his advice is like a living spring.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	14	The heart of a fool is like a broken jar, it will not hold any knowledge.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	15	If the educated hears a wise saying, he praises it and caps it with another; if a debauchee hears it, he does not like it and tosses it behind his back.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	16	The talk of a fool is like a load on a journey, but it is a pleasure to listen to the intelligent.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	17	The utterance of the shrewd will be eagerly awaited in the assembly, what he says will be given serious consideration.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	18	The wisdom of a fool is like the wreckage of a house, the knowledge of a dolt is incoherent talk.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	19	To the senseless fellow instruction is like fetters on the feet, like manacles on the right hand.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	20	A fool laughs at the top of his voice, but the intelligent quietly smiles.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	21	To the shrewd instruction is like a golden ornament, like a bracelet on the right arm.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	22	The step of a fool goes straight into a house, but a person of much experience makes a respectful approach;
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	23	the stupid peeps inside through the door, a well-bred person waits outside.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	24	Listening at doors is a sign of bad upbringing, the perceptive would be ashamed to do so.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	25	The lips of gossips repeat the words of others, the words of the wise are carefully weighed.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	26	The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	27	When the godless curses Satan, he is cursing himself.
 Sirach	Sir	28	21	28	The scandal-monger sullies himself and earns the hatred of the neighbourhood.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	1	An idler is like a stone covered in filth, everyone whistles at his disgrace.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	2	An idler is like a lump of dung, anyone picking it up shakes it off his hand.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	3	It is a disgrace to have fathered a badly brought-up son, but the birth of any daughter is a loss;
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	4	a sensible daughter will find a husband, but a shameless one is a grief to her father.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	5	A brazen daughter puts father and mother to shame, and will be disowned by both.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	6	An untimely remonstrance is like music at a funeral, but a thrashing and correction are wisdom at all times.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	7
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	8
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	9	Teaching a fool is like gluing bits of pottery together -- you are rousing someone who is besotted with sleep.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	10	You might as well talk to someone sound asleep; when you have finished the fool will say, 'What's up?'
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	11	Shed tears for the dead, who has left the light behind; shed tears for the fool, who has left his wits behind. Shed quieter tears for the dead who is at rest, for the fool life is worse than death.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	12	Mourning for the dead lasts seven days, for the foolish and ungodly all the days of their lives.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	13	Do not waste many words on the stupid, do not go near a dolt. Beware of him, or you will have trouble and be soiled by contact with him; keep away from him, and you will have peace of mind and not be exasperated by his folly.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	14	What is heavier than lead, and what is its name if not 'fool'?
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	15	Sand and salt and a lump of iron are a lighter burden than a dolt.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	16	A tie-beam bonded into a building will not be dislodged by an earthquake; so too, a heart resolved after due reflection will not flinch at the critical moment.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	17	A heart founded on intelligent reflection is like a stucco decoration on a smooth wall.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	18	Pebbles placed on top of a wall will not stand up to the wind; no more can the heart of a fool frightened at his own thoughts stand up to fear.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	19	Prick an eye and you will draw a tear, prick a heart and you reveal its feelings.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	20	Throw stones at birds and you scare them away, reproach a friend and you destroy a friendship.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	21	If you have drawn your sword on a friend, do not despair; there is a way back.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	22	If you have opened your mouth against your friend, do not worry; there is hope for reconciliation; but insult, arrogance, betrayal of secrets, and the stab in the back -- in these cases any friend is lost.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	23	Win your neighbour's confidence when he is poor, so that you may enjoy his later good fortune with him; stand by him in times of trouble, in order to have your share when he comes into a legacy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	24	Fire is heralded by the reek of the furnace and smoke, so too, bloodshed by insults.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	25	I shall not be ashamed to shelter a friend nor shall I hide away from him,
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	26	and if evil comes to me through him, everyone who hears about it will beware of him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	22	27	Who will set a guard on my mouth, and an efficient seal on my lips, to keep me from falling, and my tongue from causing my ruin?
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	1	Lord, father and master of my life, do not abandon me to their whims, do not let me fall because of them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	2	Who will lay whips to my thoughts, and the discipline of wisdom to my heart, to be merciless to my errors and not let my sins go unchecked,
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	3	for fear my errors should multiply and my sins then abound and I fall before my adversaries, and my enemy gloat over me?
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	4	Lord, father and God of my life, do not let my eyes be proud,
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	5	turn envy away from me,
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	6	do not let lechery and lust grip me, do not leave me a prey to shameless desire.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	7	Children, listen to what I teach, no one who keeps it will be caught out.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	8	The sinner is ensnared by his own lips, both the abusive and the proud are tripped by them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	9	Do not get into the habit of swearing, do not make a habit of naming the Holy One;
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	10	for just as a slave who is constantly overseen will never be without bruises, so someone who is always swearing and uttering the Name will not be exempt from sin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	11	A man for ever swearing is full of iniquity, and the scourge will not depart from his house. If he offends, his sin will be on him, if he did it unheedingly, he has doubly sinned; if he swears a false oath, he will not be treated as innocent, for his house will be filled with calamities.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	12	One way of talking is like death, let it not be found in the heritage of Jacob since devout people have nothing to do with that: they will not wallow in sin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	13	Do not get into the habit of using coarse and foul language since this involves sinful words.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	14	Remember your father and mother when you are sitting with the great, for fear you forget yourself in their presence and behave like a fool, and then wish you had not been born and curse the day of your birth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	15	No one in the habit of using shameful language will break himself of it as long as he lives.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	16	There are two types of people who commit sin after sin and a third who attracts retribution-
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	17	desire, blazing like a furnace, will not die down until it has been sated- the man who lusts after members of his own family is not going to stop until he is quite burnt out; every food is sweet to the promiscuous, and he will not desist until he dies;
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	18	and the man who sins against the marriage bed and says to himself, 'Who can see me? There is darkness all round me, the walls hide me, no one can see me, why should I worry? The Most High will not remember my sins.'
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	19	What he fears are human eyes, he does not realise that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the sun, observing every aspect of human behaviour, seeing into the most secret corners.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	20	All things were known to him before they were created, and are still, now that they are finished.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	21	This man will be punished in view of the whole town, and will be seized when he least expects it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	22	Similarly the woman unfaithful to her husband, who provides him with an heir by another man:
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	23	first, she has disobeyed the Law of the Most High; secondly, she has been false to her husband; and thirdly, she has gone whoring in adultery
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	24	and conceived children by another man. She will be led before the assembly, an enquiry will be held about her children.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	25	Her children will strike no root, her branches will bear no fruit.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	26	She will leave an accursed memory behind her, her shame will never be wiped out.
 Sirach	Sir	28	23	27	And those who survive her will recognise that nothing is better than fearing the Lord, and nothing sweeter than adherence to the Lord's commandments.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	1	Wisdom speaks her own praises, in the midst of her people she glories in herself.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	2	She opens her mouth in the assembly of the Most High, she glories in herself in the presence of the Mighty One:
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	3	'I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and I covered the earth like mist.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	4	I had my tent in the heights, and my throne was a pillar of cloud.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	5	Alone, I have made the circuit of the heavens and walked through the depths of the abyss.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	6	Over the waves of the sea and over the whole earth, and over every people and nation I have held sway.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	7	Among all these I searched for rest, and looked to see in whose territory I might pitch camp.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	8	Then the Creator of all things instructed me and he who created me fixed a place for my tent. He said, "Pitch your tent in Jacob, make Israel your inheritance."
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	9	From eternity, in the beginning, he created me, and for eternity I shall remain.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	10	In the holy tent I ministered before him and thus became established in Zion.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	11	In the beloved city he has given me rest, and in Jerusalem I wield my authority.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	12	I have taken root in a privileged people, in the Lord's property, in his inheritance.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	13	I have grown tall as a cedar on Lebanon, as a cypress on Mount Hermon;
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	14	I have grown tall as a palm in En-Gedi, as the rose bushes of Jericho; as a fine olive in the plain, as a plane tree, I have grown tall.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	15	Like cinnamon and acanthus, I have yielded a perfume, like choice myrrh, have breathed out a scent, like galbanum, onycha, labdanum, like the smoke of incense in the tent.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	16	I have spread my branches like a terebinth, and my branches are glorious and graceful.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	17	I am like a vine putting out graceful shoots, my blossoms bear the fruit of glory and wealth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	18
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	19	Approach me, you who desire me, and take your fill of my fruits,
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	20	for memories of me are sweeter than honey, inheriting me is sweeter than the honeycomb.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	21	They who eat me will hunger for more, they who drink me will thirst for more.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	22	No one who obeys me will ever have to blush, no one who acts as I dictate will ever sin.'
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	23	All this is no other than the Book of the Covenant of the Most High God, the Law that Moses enjoined on us, an inheritance for the communities of Jacob.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	24
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	25	This is what makes wisdom brim over like the Pishon, like the Tigris in the season of fruit,
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	26	what makes intelligence overflow like the Euphrates, like the Jordan at harvest time;
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	27	and makes discipline flow like the Nile, like the Gihon when the grapes are harvested.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	28	The first man did not finish discovering about her, nor has the most recent tracked her down;
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	29	for her thoughts are wider than the sea, and her designs more profound than the abyss.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	30	And I, like a conduit from a river, like a watercourse running into a garden,
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	31	I said, 'I am going to water my orchard, I intend to irrigate my flower beds.' And see, my conduit has grown into a river, and my river has grown into a sea.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	32	Making discipline shine forth from daybreak, I shall send its light far and wide.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	33	I shall pour out teaching like prophecy, as a legacy to all future generations.
 Sirach	Sir	28	24	34	And note, I have been working not merely for myself, but for all who are seeking wisdom.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	1	There are three things my soul delights in, and which are delightful to God and to all people: concord between brothers, friendship between neighbours, and a wife and husband who live happily together.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	2	There are three sorts of people my soul hates, and whose existence I consider an outrage: the poor swollen with pride, the rich who is a liar and an adulterous old man who has no sense.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	3	If you have gathered nothing in your youth, how can you discover anything in your old age?
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	4	How fine a thing: sound judgement with grey hairs, and for greybeards to know how to advise!
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	5	How fine a thing: wisdom in the aged, and considered advice coming from people of distinction!
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	6	The crown of the aged is ripe experience, their glory, the fear of the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	7	There are nine things I can think of which strike me as happy, and a tenth which is now on my tongue: the man who can be proud of his children, he who lives to see the downfall of his enemies;
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	8	happy is he who keeps house with a sensible wife; he who does not toil with ox and donkey; he who has never sinned with his tongue; he who does not serve a man less worthy than himself;
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	9	happy is he who has acquired good sense and can find attentive ears for what he has to say;
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	10	how great is he who has acquired wisdom; but unsurpassed is one who fears the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	11	The fear of the Lord surpasses everything; what can compare with someone who has mastered that?
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	12
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	13	Any wound rather than a wound of the heart! Any spite rather than the spite of woman!
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	14	Any evil rather than an evil caused by an enemy! Any vengeance rather than the vengeance of a foe!
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	15	There is no poison worse than the poison of a snake, there is no fury worse than the fury of an enemy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	16	I would sooner keep house with a lion or a dragon than keep house with a spiteful wife.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	17	A woman's spite changes her appearance and makes her face as grim as a bear's.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	18	When her husband goes out to dinner with his neighbours, he cannot help heaving bitter sighs.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	19	No spite can approach the spite of a woman, may a sinner's lot be hers!
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	20	Like the climbing of a sandhill for elderly feet, such is a garrulous wife for a quiet husband.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	21	Do not be taken in by a woman's beauty, never lose your head over a woman.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	22	Bad temper, insolence and shame hold sway where the wife supports the husband.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	23	Low spirits, gloomy face, stricken heart: such is a spiteful wife. Slack hands and sagging knees: such is the wife who does not make her husband happy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	24	Sin began with a woman, and thanks to her we must all die.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	25	Do not let water find a leak, nor a spiteful woman give free rein to her tongue.
 Sirach	Sir	28	25	26	If she will not do as you tell her, get rid of her.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	1	How blessed is the husband of a really good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	2	A perfect wife is the joy of her husband, he will live out the years of his life in peace.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	3	A good wife is the best of portions, reserved for those who fear the Lord;
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	4	rich or poor, their hearts will be glad, their faces cheerful, whatever the season.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	5	There are three things that I dread, and a fourth which terrifies me: slander by a whole town, the gathering of a mob, and a false accusation -- these are all worse than death;
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	6	but a woman jealous of a woman means heartbreak and sorrow, and all this is the scourge of the tongue.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	7	A bad wife is a badly fitting ox-yoke, trying to master her is like grasping a scorpion.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	8	A drunken wife will goad anyone to fury, she cannot conceal her own degradation.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	9	A woman's wantonness shows in her wide-eyed look, her eyelashes leave no doubt.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	10	Keep a headstrong daughter under firm control, or, feeling free, she will take advantage of it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	11	Keep a strict watch on her shameless eye, do not be surprised if she disgraces you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	12	Like a thirsty traveller she will open her mouth and drink any water she comes across; she will sit down in front of every tent-peg and open her quiver to any arrow.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	13	The grace of a wife will charm her husband, her understanding will make him the stronger.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	14	A silent wife is a gift from the Lord, no price can be put on a well-trained character.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	15	A modest wife is a boon twice over, a chaste character cannot be over-valued.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	16	Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord, such is the beauty of a good wife in a well-run house.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	17	Like a lamp shining on the sacred lamp-stand, such is a beautiful face on a well-proportioned body.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	18	Like golden pillars on a silver base, such are shapely legs on firm-set heels.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	28	There are two things which grieve my heart and a third arouses my anger: a warrior wasting away through poverty, the intelligent treated with contempt, someone turning back from virtue to sin -- the Lord marks out such a person for a violent death.
 Sirach	Sir	28	26	29	It is difficult for a merchant to avoid doing wrong and for a trader not to incur sin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	1	Many have sinned for the sake of profit, one who hopes to be rich must turn a blind eye.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	2	A peg will stick in the joint between two stones, and sin will wedge itself between selling and buying.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	3	Whoever does not firmly hold to the fear of the Lord, his house will soon be overthrown.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	4	In a shaken sieve the rubbish is left behind, so too the defects of a person appear in speech.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	5	The kiln tests the work of the potter, the test of a person is in conversation.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	6	The orchard where the tree grows is judged by its fruit, similarly words betray what a person feels.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	7	Do not praise anyone who has not yet spoken, since this is where people are tested.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	8	If you pursue virtue, you will attain it and put it on like a festal gown.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	9	Birds consort with their kind, truth comes home to those who practise it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	10	The lion lies in wait for its prey, so does sin for those who do wrong.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	11	The conversation of the devout is wisdom at all times, but the fool is as changeable as the moon.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	12	When visiting stupid people, choose the right moment, but among the thoughtful take your time.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	13	The conversation of fools is disgusting, raucous their laughter in their sinful pleasures.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	14	The talk of hard-swearing people makes your hair stand on end, their brawling makes you stop your ears.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	15	A quarrel between the proud leads to bloodshed, and their insults are embarrassing to hear.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	16	A betrayer of secrets forfeits all trust and will never find the kind of friend he wants.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	17	Be fond of a friend and keep faith with him, but if you have betrayed his secrets, do not go after him any more;
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	18	for, as one destroys a person by killing him, so you have killed your neighbour's friendship,
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	19	and as you let a bird slip through your fingers, so you have let your friend go, and will not catch him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	20	Do not go after him -- he is far away, he has fled like a gazelle from the snare.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	21	For a wound can be bandaged and abuse forgiven, but for the betrayer of a secret there is no hope.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	22	Someone with a sly wink is plotting mischief, no one can dissuade him from it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	23	Honey-tongued to your face, he is lost in admiration at your words; but behind your back he has other things to say, and turns your words into a stumbling-block.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	24	I have found many things to hate, but nothing as much as him, and the Lord hates him too.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	25	Whoever throws a stone in the air, throws it on to his own head; a treacherous blow cuts both ways.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	26	The man who digs a pit falls into it, whoever sets a snare will be caught by it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	27	On anyone who does evil, evil will recoil, without his knowing where it comes from.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	28	Sarcasm and abuse are the mark of the arrogant, but vengeance lies in wait like a lion for such a one.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	29	The trap will close on all who rejoice in the downfall of the devout, and pain will eat them up before they die.
 Sirach	Sir	28	27	30	Resentment and anger, these are foul things too, and a sinner is a master at them both.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	1	Whoever exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord, who keeps strict account of sin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	2	Pardon your neighbour any wrongs done to you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	3	If anyone nurses anger against another, can one then demand compassion from the Lord?
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	4	Showing no pity for someone like oneself, can one then plead for one's own sins?
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	5	Mere creature of flesh, yet cherishing resentment!-who will forgive one for sinning?
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	6	Remember the last things, and stop hating, corruption and death, and be faithful to the commandments.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	7	Remember the commandments, and do not bear your fellow ill-will, remember the covenant of the Most High, and ignore the offence.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	8	Avoid quarrelling and you will sin less; for the hot-tempered provokes quarrels,
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	9	a sinner sows trouble between friends, introducing discord among the peaceful.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	10	The way a fire burns depends on its fuel, a quarrel spreads in proportion to its violence; a man's rage depends on his strength, his fury grows fiercer in proportion to his wealth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	11	A sudden quarrel kindles fire, a hasty dispute leads to bloodshed.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	12	Blow on a spark and up it flares, spit on it and out it goes; both are the effects of your mouth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	13	A curse on the scandal-monger and double-talker, such a person has ruined many who lived in concord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	14	That third tongue has shattered the peace of many and driven them from nation to nation; it has pulled down fortified cities, and overthrown the houses of the great.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	15	The third tongue has had upright wives divorced, depriving them of reward for their hard work.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	16	No one who listens to it will ever know peace of mind, will ever live in peace again.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	17	A stroke of the whip raises a weal, but a stroke of the tongue breaks bones.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	18	Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but many more have fallen by the tongue.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	19	Blessed is anyone who has been sheltered from it, and has not experienced its fury, who has not dragged its yoke about, or been bound in its chains;
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	20	for its yoke is an iron yoke, its chains are bronze chains;
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	21	the death it inflicts is a miserable death, Sheol is preferable to it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	22	It cannot gain a hold over the devout, they are not burnt by its flames.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	23	Those who desert the Lord will fall into it, it will flare up inextinguishably among them, it will be let loose against them like a lion, it will tear them like a leopard.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	24	Be sure you put a thorn-hedge round your property, lock away your silver and gold;
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	25	then make scales and weights for your words, and put a door with bolts across your mouth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	28	26	Take care you take no false step through it, in case you fall a prey to him who lies in wait.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	1	Making your neighbour a loan is an act of mercy, to lend him a helping hand is to keep the commandments.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	2	Lend to your neighbour in his time of need, and in your turn repay your neighbour on time.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	3	Be as good as your word and keep faith with him, and you will find your needs met every time.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	4	Many treat a loan as a windfall, and embarrass those who have come to their rescue.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	5	Until he gets something, a man will kiss his neighbour's hand, and refer diffidently to his wealth; but when the loan falls due, he puts this off, he repays with offhand words, and pleads the inconvenience of the time.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	6	Even if he can be made to pay, his creditor will recover barely half, and consider even that a windfall. But otherwise he will be cheated of his money, and undeservedly gain himself an enemy; the man will pay him back in curses and abuse, and with insults of honour.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	7	Many, not out of malice, refuse to lend; they are merely anxious not to be cheated for nothing.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	8	Nevertheless, be patient with those who are badly off, do not keep them waiting on your generosity.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	9	In obedience to the commandment, help the poor; do not turn the poor away empty-handed in their need.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	10	Spend your money on your brother or your friend, do not leave it under a stone to rust away.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	11	Use your wealth as the Most High has decreed; you will find that more profitable than gold.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	12	Stock your store-rooms with almsgiving; this will save you from all misfortune.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	13	Better than sturdy shield or weighty spear, this will fight for you against the enemy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	14	A good man will go surety for his neighbour; only a shameless wretch would desert him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	15	Do not forget the favour your guarantor has done you; he has given his life for you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	16	A sinner is careless of his guarantor's prosperity, the ungrateful forgets his deliverer.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	17	Going surety has ruined many who were prosperous, tossing them about in a heavy sea.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	18	It has driven the powerful from home to wander among foreign nations.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	19	A wicked man in a hurry to stand guarantor in the hope of profit, is hurrying to be sentenced.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	20	Come to your neighbour's help as far as you can, but take care not to fall into the same plight.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	21	The first thing in life is water, and bread, and clothing, and a house for the sake of privacy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	22	Better the life of the poor under a roof of planks, than lavish fare in somebody else's house.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	23	Whether you have little or much, be content with it, and you will not hear your household complaining.
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	24	It is a miserable life, going from house to house; wherever you stay, you dare not open your mouth,
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	25	you do not belong, you receive no thanks for the drink you pour out and hear embittering words into the bargain:
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	26	'Come along, stranger, lay the table, what have you got ready? give me something to eat!'
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	27	'Go away, stranger, make room for someone important; my brother is coming to stay, I need the house.'
 Sirach	Sir	28	29	28	It is hard for the reasonable to be begrudged hospitality to be shamed like a debtor.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	1	Whoever loves his son will beat him frequently so that in after years the son may be his comfort.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	2	Whoever is strict with his son will reap the benefit, and be able to boast of him to his acquaintances.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	3	Whoever educates his son will be the envy of his enemy, and will be proud of him among his friends.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	4	Even when the father dies, he might well not be dead, since he leaves his likeness behind him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	5	In life he has had the joy of his company, dying, he has no anxieties.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	6	He leaves an avenger against his enemies and a rewarder of favours for his friends.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	7	Whoever coddles his son will bandage his wounds, his heart will turn over at every cry.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	8	A badly broken-in horse turns out stubborn, a son left to himself turns out headstrong.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	9	Pamper your child and he will terrorise you, play along with him and he will bring you sorrow.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	10	Do not laugh with him, or one day you will weep with him and end up gnashing your teeth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	11	While he is young, do not allow him his freedom and do not wink at his mistakes.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	12	Bend his neck in youth, bruise his ribs while he is a child, or else he will grow stubborn and disobedient, and hurt you very deeply.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	13	Be strict with your son, and persevere with him, or you will rue his insolence.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	14	Better be poor if healthy and fit than rich if tormented in body.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	15	Health and strength are better than any gold, a robust body than untold wealth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	16	No riches can outweigh bodily health, no enjoyment surpass a cheerful heart.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	17	Better death than a wretched life, and everlasting rest than chronic illness.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	18	Good things lavished on a closed mouth are like food offerings put on a grave.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	19	What use is an offering to an idol which can neither eat nor smell? How describe someone pursued by the Lord's displeasure?
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	20	He looks and sighs like a eunuch embracing a pretty girl -- how he sighs!
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	21	Do not abandon yourself to sorrow, do not torment yourself with brooding.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	22	Gladness of heart is life to anyone, joy is what gives length of days.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	23	Give your cares the slip, console your heart, chase sorrow far away; for sorrow has been the ruin of many, and is no use to anybody.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	24	Jealousy and anger shorten your days, and worry brings premature old age.
 Sirach	Sir	28	30	25	A genial heart makes a good trencherman, someone who enjoys a good meal.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	1	The sleeplessness brought by wealth makes a person lose weight, the worry it causes drives away sleep.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	2	The worries of the daytime prevent you from sleeping, like a serious illness, they keep sleep at bay.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	3	The rich for ever toils, piling up money, and then, leaving off, he is gorged with luxuries;
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	4	the poor for ever toils, barely making a living, and then, leaving off, is poorer than ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	5	No one who loves money can easily avoid sinning, whoever pursues profit will be corrupted by it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	6	Gold has been the ruin of many; their coming destruction was self-evident,
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	7	since it is a snare for those who sacrifice to it and stupid people all get caught in it.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	8	Happy the rich who is found to be blameless and does not go chasing after gold.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	9	Who is he, so that we can congratulate him, for he has achieved marvels among his fellows?
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	10	Who has been through this test and emerged perfect? He may well be proud of that! Who has had the chance to sin and has not sinned, had the chance to do wrong and has not done it?
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	11	His fortune will be firmly based and the assembly will acclaim his generosity.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	12	If you are sitting down to a lavish table, do not display your greed, do not say, 'What a lot to eat!'
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	13	Remember, it is bad to have a greedy eye. Is any creature more wicked than the eye? - That is why it is always weeping!
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	14	Do not reach out for anything your host has his eye on, do not jostle him at the dish.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	15	Judge your fellow-guest's needs by your own, be thoughtful in every way.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	16	Eat what is offered you like a well brought-up person, do not wolf your food or you will earn dislike.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	17	For politeness' sake be the first to stop; do not act the glutton, or you will give offence,
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	18	and if you are sitting with a large party, do not help yourself before the others do.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	19	A little is quite enough for a well-bred person; his breathing is easy when he lies in bed.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	20	A moderate diet ensures sound sleep, one gets up early, in the best of spirits. Sleeplessness, biliousness and gripe are what the glutton has to endure.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	21	If you are forced to eat too much, get up, go and vomit, and you will feel better.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	22	Listen to me, my child, do not disregard me, eventually you will see the force of my words. Be moderate in all your activities and illness will never overtake you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	23	People praise the person who keeps a splendid table, and their opinion of his munificence is sound.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	24	But a niggardly host provokes universal resentment and people will retail instances of his meanness.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	25	Do not play the valiant at your wine, for wine has been the undoing of many.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	26	The furnace proves the temper of steel, and wine proves hearts in the drinking bouts of braggarts.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	27	Wine gives life if drunk in moderation. What is life worth without wine? It came into being to make people happy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	28	Drunk at the right time and in the right amount, wine makes for a glad heart and a cheerful mind.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	29	Bitterness of soul comes of wine drunk to excess out of temper or bravado.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	30	Drunkenness excites the stupid to a fury to his own harm, it reduces his strength while leading to blows.
 Sirach	Sir	28	31	31	Do not provoke your fellow-guest at a wine feast, do not make fun of him when he is enjoying himself, do not take him to task or annoy him by reclaiming money owed.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	1	Have they made you the presider? Do not let it go to your head, behave like everyone else in the party, see that they are happy and then sit down yourself.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	2	Having discharged your duties, take your place so that your joy may be through theirs, and you may receive the crown for your competence.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	3	Speak, old man -- it is proper that you should -- but with discretion: do not spoil the music.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	4	If someone is singing, do not ramble on and do not play the sage at the wrong moment.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	5	An amber seal on a precious stone, such is a concert of music at a wine feast.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	6	An emerald seal in a golden setting, such are strains of music with a vintage wine.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	7	Speak, young man, when you must, but twice at most, and then only if questioned.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	8	Keep to the point, say much in few words; give the impression of knowing but not wanting to speak.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	9	Among eminent people do not behave as though you were their equal; do not make frivolous remarks when someone else is speaking.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	10	Lightning comes before the thunder, favour goes ahead of a modest person.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	11	Leave in good time, do not bring up the rear, and hurry home without loitering.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	12	There amuse yourself, and do what you have a mind to, but do not sin by arrogant talk.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	13	And for all this bless your Creator, who intoxicates you with his favours.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	14	Whoever fears the Lord will accept his correction; those who look for him will win his favour.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	15	Whoever seeks the Law will be nourished by it, the hypocrite will find it a stumbling-block.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	16	Those who fear the Lord win his approval, their good deeds shining like a light.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	17	The sinner waves reproof aside, he finds an excuse for headstrong behaviour.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	18	A sensible person never scorns a warning; foreigners and the proud do not know about fear.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	19	Never act without reflection, and you will not regret your actions.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	20	Do not venture on a rough road, for fear of stumbling over the stones.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	21	Do not be over-confident on an even road
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	22	and beware of your own children.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	23	Watch yourself in everything you do; this is also the way to keep the commandments.
 Sirach	Sir	28	32	24	Anyone who trusts in the Law obeys its precepts, no one who has confidence in the Lord will come to harm.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	1	No evil will befall one who fears the Lord, such a one will be rescued even in the ordeal.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	2	No one who hates the Law is wise, one who is hypocritical about it is like a storm-tossed ship.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	3	An intelligent person will put faith in the Law, for such a one the Law is as dependable as a prophecy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	4	Prepare what you have to say and you will get a hearing, marshal your information before you answer.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	5	The feelings of a fool are like a cart-wheel, a fool's thought revolves like a turning axle.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	6	A rutting stallion is like a sarcastic friend; he neighs, whoever rides him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	7	Why is one day better than another, though the sun gives the same daylight throughout the year?
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	8	They have been differentiated in the mind of the Lord, who has diversified the seasons and feasts;
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	9	some he has made more important and has hallowed, others he has made ordinary days.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	10	Human beings come from the ground, Adam himself was formed out of earth;
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	11	in the fullness of his wisdom the Lord has made distinctions between them, and diversified their conditions.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	12	Some of them he has blessed, hallowing and setting them near him; others he has cursed and humiliated by degrading them from their positions.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	13	Like clay in the hands of the potter to mould as it pleases him, so are human beings in the hands of their Maker to reward as he judges right.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	14	Opposite evil stands good, opposite death, life; so too opposite the devout stands the sinner.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	15	Contemplate all the works of the Most High, you will find they go in pairs, by opposites.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	16	Although the last to come, I have kept my eyes open like a man picking up what the grape-pickers have left.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	17	By the blessing of the Lord I have come in first, and like a true grape-picker have filled my winepress.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	18	And note, I have not been working merely for myself, but for all who seek instruction.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	19	Listen to me, important public figures, presidents of the assembly, give ear!
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	20	Neither to son nor wife, brother nor friend, give power over yourself during your own lifetime. And do not give your property to anyone else, in case you regret it and have to ask for it back.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	21	As long as you live and there is breath in your body, do not yield power over yourself to anyone;
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	22	better for your children to come begging to you, than for you to have to go begging to them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	23	In all you do be the master, and leave a reputation unstained.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	24	The day your life draws to a close, at the hour of death, then distribute your heritage.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	25	Fodder, the stick and burdens for a donkey, bread, discipline and work for a slave.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	26	Work your slave hard, and you will have peace of mind, leave his hands idle, and he will be asking for his freedom.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	27	Yoke and harness will bow the neck, for a bad servant, torments and the rack.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	28	Set him to work, so that he will not be idle; idleness teaches every kind of mischief.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	29	Keep him at his duties, where he should be, if he is disobedient, clap him in irons.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	30	But do not be over-exacting with anyone, and do nothing contrary to justice.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	31	You have only one slave? Treat him like yourself, since you have acquired him with blood.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	32	You have only one slave? Treat him as a brother, since you need him as you need yourself.
 Sirach	Sir	28	33	33	If you ill-treat him and he runs away, which way will you go to look for him?
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	1	Vain and deceptive hopes are for the foolish, and dreams lend wings to fools.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	2	As well clutch at shadows and chase the wind as put any faith in dreams.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	3	Dreams are no different from mirrors; confronting a face, the reflection of that face.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	4	What can be cleansed by uncleanness, what can be verified by falsehood?
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	5	Divinations, auguries and dreams are nonsense, like the fantasies of a pregnant woman.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	6	Unless sent as emissaries from the Most High, do not give them a thought;
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	7	for dreams have led many astray, and those who relied on them have come to grief.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	8	Fulfilling the Law requires no such falsehood, and wisdom is perfected in veracity.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	9	A much travelled man knows many things, and a man of great experience will talk sound sense.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	10	Someone who has never had his trials knows little; but the travelled man is master of every situation.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	11	I have seen many things on my travels, I have understood more than I can put into words.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	12	I have often been in danger of death, but I have been spared, and this is why:
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	13	the spirit of those who fear the Lord can survive, for their hope is in someone with power to save them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	14	No one who fears the Lord need ever hesitate, or ever be daunted, since the Lord is his hope.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	15	Happy the soul of one who fears the Lord. On whom does he rely? Who supports him?
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	16	The eyes of the Lord watch over those who love him, he is their powerful protection and their strong support, their screen from the desert wind, their shelter from the midday sun, a guard against stumbling, an assurance against a fall.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	17	He revives the spirit and brightens the eyes, he gives health, life and blessing.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	18	The sacrifice of an offering unjustly acquired is a mockery; the gifts of the impious are unacceptable.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	19	The Most High takes no pleasure in offerings from the godless, multiplying sacrifices will not gain pardon for sin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	20	Offering sacrifice from the property of the poor is as bad as slaughtering a son before his father's eyes.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	21	A meagre diet is the very life of the poor, to deprive them of it is to commit murder.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	22	To take away a fellow-man's livelihood is to kill him, to deprive an employee of his wages is to shed blood.
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	23	If one person builds while another pulls down, what will they get out of it but trouble?
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	24	If one person prays and another calls down a curse, to which one's voice is the Master going to listen?
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	25	If someone washes after touching a corpse, and then touches it again, what is the good of his washing?
 Sirach	Sir	28	34	26	Just so with someone who fasts for sin, and then goes and commits it again. Who is going to hear that person's prayer? What is the good of the self-abasement?
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	1	One who keeps the Law multiplies offerings; one who follows the commandments offers communion sacrifices.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	2	Proof of gratitude is an offering of fine flour, almsgiving a sacrifice of praise.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	3	To abandon wickedness is what pleases the Lord, to give up wrong-doing is an expiatory sacrifice.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	4	Do not appear empty-handed in the Lord's presence; for all these things are due under the commandment.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	5	The offering of the upright graces the altar, and its savour rises before the Most High.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	6	The sacrifice of the upright is acceptable, its memorial will not be forgotten.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	7	Honour the Lord with generosity, do not stint the first-fruits you bring.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	8	Add a smiling face to all your gifts, and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	9	Give to the Most High as he has given to you, as generously as your means can afford;
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	10	for the Lord is a good rewarder, he will reward you seven times over.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	11	Do not try to bribe him with presents, he will not accept them, do not put your faith in wrongly motivated sacrifices;
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	12	for the Lord is a judge who is utterly impartial.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	13	He never shows partiality to the detriment of the poor, he listens to the plea of the injured party.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	14	He does not ignore the orphan's supplication, nor the widow's as she pours out her complaint.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	15	Do the widow's tears not run down her cheeks, as she accuses the man who is the cause of them?
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	16	Whoever wholeheartedly serves God will be accepted, his petitions will carry to the clouds.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	17	The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds: and until it does, he is not to be consoled,
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	18	nor will he desist until the Most High takes notice of him, acquits the upright and delivers judgement.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	19	And the Lord will not be slow, nor will he be dilatory on their behalf,
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	20	until he has crushed the loins of the merciless and exacted vengeance on the nations,
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	21	until he has eliminated the hordes of the arrogant and broken the sceptres of the wicked,
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	22	until he has repaid all people as their deeds deserve and human actions as their intentions merit,
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	23	until he has judged the case of his people and made them rejoice in his mercy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	35	24	Mercy is welcome in time of trouble, like rain clouds in time of drought.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	1	Take pity on us, Master, Lord of the universe, look at us, spread fear of yourself throughout all other nations.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	2	Raise your hand against the foreign nations and let them see your might.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	3	As, in their sight, you have proved yourself holy to us, so now, in our sight, prove yourself great to them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	4	Let them acknowledge you, just as we have acknowledged that there is no God but you, Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	5	Send new portents, do fresh wonders, win glory for your hand and your right arm.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	6	Rouse your fury, pour out your rage, destroy the opponent, annihilate the enemy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	7	Hasten the day, remember the oath, and let people tell of your mighty deeds.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	8	Let fiery wrath swallow up the survivor, and destruction overtake those who oppress your people.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	9	Crush the heads of hostile rulers who say, 'There is no one else but us!'
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	10	Gather together all the tribes of Jacob, restore them their heritage as at the beginning.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	11	Take pity, Lord, on the people called by your name, on Israel whom you have made your first-born.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	12	Have compassion on your holy city, on Jerusalem, the place where you rest.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	13	Fill Zion with your praises and your sanctuary with your glory.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	14	Vindicate those whom you created first, fulfil what has been prophesied in your name.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	15	Give those who wait for you their reward, let your prophets be proved true.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	16	Grant, Lord, the prayer of your servants, in the terms of Aaron's blessing on your people,
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	17	so that all the earth's inhabitants may acknowledge that you are the Lord, the everlasting God.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	18	The stomach takes in all kinds of food, but some foods are better than others.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	19	As the palate discerns the flavour of game, so a shrewd listener detects lying words.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	20	A perverse character causes depression in others; it needs experience to know how to repay such a one.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	21	A woman will accept any husband, but some daughters are better than others.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	22	A woman's beauty delights the beholder, a man likes nothing better.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	23	If her tongue is kind and gentle, her husband is the happiest of men.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	24	The man who takes a wife has the makings of a fortune, a helper to match himself, a pillar of support.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	25	When property has no fence, it is open to plunder, when a man has no wife, he is aimless and querulous.
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	26	Will anyone trust an armed thief who flits from town to town?
 Sirach	Sir	28	36	27	So it is with the man who has no nest, and lodges wherever night overtakes him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	1	Any friend will say, 'I am your friend too,' but some friends are friends only in name.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	2	Is it not a deadly sorrow when a comrade or a friend turns enemy?
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	3	O evil inclination, why were you created, to cover the earth with deceit?
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	4	One kind of comrade congratulates a friend in prosperity but in time of trouble appears on the other side.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	5	One kind of comrade genuinely feels for a friend and when it comes to a fight, springs to arms.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	6	Do not forget the genuine friend, do not push him out of mind once you are rich.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	7	Any adviser will offer advice, but some are governed by self-interest.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	8	Beware of someone who offers advice; first find out what he wants himself- since his advice coincides with his own interest -- in case he has designs on you
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	9	and tells you, 'You are on the right road,' but stands well clear to see what will happen to you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	10	Do not consult anyone who looks at you askance, conceal your plans from people jealous of you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	11	Do not consult a woman about her rival, or a coward about war, a merchant about prices, or a buyer about selling, anyone mean about gratitude, or anyone selfish about kindness, a lazy fellow about any sort of work, or a casual worker about finishing a job, an idle servant about a major undertaking-- do not rely on these for any advice.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	12	But have constant recourse to some devout person, whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul matches your own, and who, if you go wrong, will be sympathetic.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	13	Finally, stick to the advice your own heart gives you, no one can be truer to you than that;
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	14	since a person's soul often gives a clearer warning than seven watchmen perched on a watchtower.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	15	And besides all this beg the Most High to guide your steps into the truth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	16	Reason should be the basis for every activity, reflection must come before any undertaking.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	17	Thoughts are rooted in the heart, and this sends out four branches:
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	18	good and evil, life and death, and mistress of them always is the tongue.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	19	One kind of person is clever at teaching others, yet is no good whatever to himself;
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	20	another, very eloquent, is detested and ends by starving to death,
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	21	not having won the favour of the Lord, and being destitute of all wisdom.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	22	Another considers himself wise and proclaims his intellectual conclusions as certainties.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	23	But the truly wise instructs his people and his intellectual conclusions are certainties.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	24	The wise is showered with blessings, and all who see him will call him happy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	25	Human life lasts a number of days, but the days of Israel are beyond counting.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	26	The wise will earn confidence among the people, his name will live for ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	27	During your life, my child, see what suits your constitution, do not give it what you find disagrees with it;
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	28	for not everything is good for everybody, nor does everybody like everything.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	29	Do not be insatiable for any delicacy, do not be greedy for food,
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	30	for over-eating leads to illness and excess leads to liver-attacks.
 Sirach	Sir	28	37	31	Many people have died from over-eating; control yourself, and so prolong your life.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	1	Treat the doctor with the honour that is his due, in consideration of his services; for he too has been created by the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	2	Healing itself comes from the Most High, like a gift received from a king.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	3	The doctor's learning keeps his head high, and the great regard him with awe.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	4	The Lord has brought forth medicinal herbs from the ground, and no one sensible will despise them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	5	Did not a piece of wood once sweeten the water, thus giving proof of its power?
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	6	He has also given some people knowledge, so that they may draw credit from his mighty works.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	7	He uses these for healing and relieving pain; the druggist makes up a mixture from them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	8	Thus, there is no end to his activities; thanks to him, well-being exists throughout the world.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	9	My child, when you are ill, do not rebel, but pray to the Lord and he will heal you.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	10	Renounce your faults, keep your hands unsoiled, and cleanse your heart from all sin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	11	Offer incense and a memorial of fine flour, make as rich an offering as you can afford.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	12	Then let the doctor take over -- the Lord created him too -- do not let him leave you, for you need him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	13	There are times when good health depends on doctors.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	14	For they, in their turn, will pray the Lord to grant them the grace to relieve and to heal, and so prolong your life.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	15	Whoever sins in the eyes of his Maker, let such a one come under the care of the doctor!
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	16	My child, shed tears over the dead, lament for the dead to show your sorrow, then bury the body with due ceremony and do not fail to honour the grave.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	17	Weep bitterly, beat your breast, observe the mourning the dead deserves for a day or two, to avoid censorious comment, and then be comforted in your sorrow;
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	18	for grief can lead to death, a grief-stricken heart loses all energy.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	19	In affliction sorrow persists, a life of grief is hard to bear.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	20	Do not abandon your heart to grief, drive it away, bear your own end in mind.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	21	Do not forget, there is no coming back; you cannot help the dead, and you will harm yourself.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	22	'Remember my doom, since it will be yours too; I yesterday, you today!'
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	23	Once the dead are laid to rest, let their memory rest, do not fret for them, once their spirit departs.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	24	Leisure gives the scribe the chance to acquire wisdom; a man with few commitments can grow wise.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	25	How can the ploughman become wise, whose sole ambition is to wield the goad, driving his oxen, engrossed in their work, his conversation limited to bullocks,
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	26	his thoughts absorbed in the furrows he traces and his long evenings spent in fattening heifers?
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	27	Similarly with all workmen and craftsmen, toiling day and night; those who engrave seals, for ever trying to think of a new design, concentrating on catching a good likeness and staying up late to get the work done.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	28	Similarly with the blacksmith sitting by his anvil; he considers what to do with the pig-iron, the breath of the fire scorches his skin, as he contends with the heat of the furnace; the noise of the hammer deafens him, his eyes are fixed on the pattern; he concentrates on getting the job done well and stays up late to apply the finishing touches.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	29	Similarly with the potter, sitting at his work, turning the wheel with his feet; constantly on the alert over his work, each flick of the finger premeditated;
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	30	he pummels the clay with his arm, and with his feet he kneads it; he concentrates on applying the glaze right and stays up late to clean the kiln.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	31	All these people rely on their hands and each is skilled at his own craft.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	32	A town could not be inhabited without them, there would be no settling, no travelling.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	33	But you will not find them in the parliament, they do not hold high rank in the assembly. They do not sit on the judicial bench, and they do not meditate on the Law.
 Sirach	Sir	28	38	34	They are not remarkable for their culture or judgement, nor are they found frequenting the philosophers. They sustain the structure of the world, and their prayer is concerned with their trade.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	1	Not so with one who concentrates his mind and his meditation on the Law of the Most High. He researches into the wisdom of all the Ancients, he occupies his time with the prophecies.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	2	He preserves the discourses of famous men, he is at home with the niceties of parables.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	3	He researches into the hidden sense of proverbs, he ponders the obscurities of parables.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	4	He enters the service of princes, he is seen in the presence of rulers. He travels in foreign countries, he has experienced human good and human evil.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	5	At dawn and with all his heart he turns to the Lord his Creator; he pleads in the presence of the Most High, he opens his mouth in prayer and makes entreaty for his sins.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	6	If such be the will of the great Lord, he will be filled with the spirit of intelligence, he will shower forth words of wisdom, and in prayer give thanks to the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	7	He will grow upright in purpose and learning, he will ponder the Lord's hidden mysteries.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	8	He will display the instruction he has received, taking his pride in the Law of the Lord's covenant.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	9	Many will praise his intelligence and it will never be forgotten. His memory will not disappear, generation after generation his name will live.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	10	Nations will proclaim his wisdom, the assembly will celebrate his praises.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	11	If he lives long, his name will be more glorious than a thousand others, and if he dies, that will satisfy him just as well.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	12	And here are some more of my reflections: yes, I am as full as the moon at the full!
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	13	Listen to me, devout children, and blossom like the rose that grows on the bank of a watercourse.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	14	Give off a sweet smell like incense, flower like the lily, spread your fragrance abroad, sing a song of praise blessing the Lord for all his works.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	15	Declare the greatness of his name, proclaim his praise with song and with lyre, and this is how you must sing his praises:
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	16	'How wonderful, the actions of the Lord! Whatever he orders is done at the proper time!' You must not say, 'What is this? Why is that?' There is a proper time for every question.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	17	At his word, the water stops and piles up high, at his voice, the watery reservoirs take shape,
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	18	at his command, whatever he wants is done, no one can stop him, if he intends to save.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	19	He can see whatever human beings are doing, nothing can be hidden from his eye;
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	20	his gaze stretches from eternity to eternity, and nothing can astonish him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	21	You must not say, 'What is this? Why is that?' for everything has been made for a purpose.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	22	As his blessing covers the dry land like a river and soaks it like a flood,
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	23	so retribution is his legacy to the nations, just as he has turned fresh waters to salt.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	24	His ways are as smooth for the devout, as they are full of obstacles for the wicked.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	25	Good things were created from the beginning for good people, as bad ones were for sinners.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	26	The prime needs of human beings for living are water and fire, iron and salt, wheat-flour, milk and honey, the juice of the grape, oil and clothing.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	27	All these are good for those who are good, but turn out bad for sinners.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	28	Some winds have been created for punishing, in his fury, he uses them as scourges; on the day of doom, they unleash their violence and appease the wrath of their Creator.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	29	Fire and hail, famine and death, have all been created for punishing.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	30	Wild animals' fangs, scorpions, vipers, the avenging sword for the ruin of the godless:
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	31	all of them exult in discharging his orders, ready on earth whenever the need arises and, when their time comes, not falling short of his word.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	32	That is why I was determined from the outset, why I have pondered and why I have written,
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	33	'The works of the Lord are all good, when the time is right, he gives whatever is needed.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	34	You must not say, "This is worse than that," for, sooner or later, everything proves its worth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	39	35	So now, sing with all your heart and voice, and bless the name of the Lord!'
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	1	A hard lot has been created for human beings, a heavy yoke lies on the children of Adam from the day they come out of their mother's womb, till the day they return to the mother of them all.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	2	What fills them with foreboding and their hearts with fear is dread of the day of death.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	3	From the one who sits on a glorious throne to the wretch in dust and ashes,
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	4	from the one who wears purple and a crown to the one dressed in sacking, all is fury and jealousy, turmoil and unrest, fear of death, rivalry, strife.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	5	And even at night while he rests on his bed his sleep only gives a new twist to his worries:
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	6	scarcely has he lain down to rest, when in his sleep, as if in broad daylight, he is troubled with nightmares, like one who has escaped from a battle,
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	7	and at the moment of rescue he wakes up, amazed that there was nothing to be afraid of!
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	8	For all creatures, human and animal -- and seven times more for sinners-
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	9	there is death and blood and strife and the sword, disasters, famine, affliction, plague.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	10	These things were all created for the wicked, and the Flood came because of them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	11	All that comes from the earth returns to the earth, and what comes from the water returns to the sea.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	12	All bribery and injustice will be blotted out, but good faith will stand for ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	13	Ill-gotten wealth will vanish like a torrent, like the single thunder-clap that heralds rain.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	14	When he opens his hand, he rejoices, by the same token, sinners come to ruin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	15	The sprigs of the godless will not make many branches, tainted roots find only hard rock.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	16	The reed that grows by every lake and river's edge is the first plant to be uprooted.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	17	Charity is a very paradise of blessing and almsgiving endures for ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	18	For a person of private means and one who works hard, life is pleasant, better off than either, one who finds a treasure.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	19	Children and the founding of a city perpetuate a name: more esteemed than either, a perfect wife.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	20	Wine and music cheer the heart; better than either, the love of wisdom.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	21	Flute and harp add sweetness to a song; better than either, a melodious voice.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	22	The eye longs for grace and beauty; better than either, the green of spring corn.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	23	Friend or comrade -- it is always well met; better than either, a wife and husband.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	24	Brothers and allies are good in times of trouble; better than either, almsgiving to the rescue.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	25	Gold and silver will steady your feet; more esteemed than either, good advice.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	26	Money and strength make a confident heart; better than either, the fear of the Lord. With fear of the Lord, nothing is lacking: no need to seek for other help.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	27	Fear of the Lord is a paradise of blessing, a better protection than the highest reputation.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	28	My child, do not live by sponging off others, better be dead than be a sponger.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	29	A life spent in eyeing someone else's table cannot be accounted a life at all. Other people's food defiles the gullet; a wise, well-brought-up person will beware of doing this.
 Sirach	Sir	28	40	30	What a sponger says may sound very sweet but in his belly there burns a fire.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	1	O death, how bitter it is to remember you for someone peacefully living with his possessions, for someone with no worries and everything going well and who can still enjoy his food!
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	2	O death, your sentence is welcome to one in want, whose strength is failing, to one worn out with age and a thousand worries, resentful and impatient!
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	3	Do not dread death's sentence; remember those who came before you and those who will come after.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	4	This is the sentence passed on all living creatures by the Lord, so why object to what seems good to the Most High? Whether your life lasts ten or a hundred or a thousand years, its length will not be held against you in Sheol.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	5	Hateful brats, such are the children of sinners, who foregather in the haunts of the godless.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	6	The inheritance of sinners' children is doomed to perish, their posterity will endure lasting reproach.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	7	A godless father will be blamed by his children for the reproach he has brought on them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	8	A bad outlook for you, godless people, who have forsaken the Law of God Most High.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	9	When you were born, you were born to be accursed, and when you die, that curse will be your portion.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	10	All that comes from the earth returns to the earth, so too the wicked proceed from curse to destruction.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	11	Mourning concerns only the bodies of the dead, but the worthless name of sinners will be blotted out.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	12	Be careful of your reputation, for it will last you longer than a thousand great hoards of gold.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	13	A good life lasts a certain number of days, but a good reputation lasts for ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	14	Keep my instructions and be at peace, my children. Wisdom hidden away and treasure undisplayed, what use is either of these?
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	15	Better someone who hides his folly than one who hides his wisdom.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	16	Preserve a sense of shame in the following matters, for not every kind of shame is right to harbour, nor is every situation correctly appraised by all.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	17	Be ashamed, before father and mother, of depraved behaviour, and before prince or potentate of telling lies;
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	18	of wrong-doing before judge or magistrate, and of impiety before the assembly of the people;
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	19	of sharp practice before your companion and your friend, and of theft before the neighbourhood you live in.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	20	Before the truth and covenant of God, be ashamed of leaning elbows on the table,
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	21	of being ungracious when giving or receiving, of ignoring those who greet you,
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	22	of gazing at a loose woman, of repulsing your fellow-countryman,
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	23	of misappropriating another's portion or gift, of paying court to another man's wife,
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	24	of making advances to his servant-girl -- do not go near her bed-
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	25	of saying disagreeable things to friends -- do not follow up a gift with a taunt-
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	26	of repeating everything you hear and of betraying confidences.
 Sirach	Sir	28	41	27	Then you will know what true shame is, and you will find yourself in everyone's graces.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	1	The following things you should not be ashamed of, and do not sin from fear of what others think:
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	2	of the Law of the Most High or of the covenant, of a verdict that acquits the godless,
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	3	of keeping accounts with a travelling companion, of settling property on your friends,
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	4	of being accurate over scales and weights, of making small and large profits,
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	5	of gaining from commercial transactions, of disciplining your children strictly, of lashing a wicked slave till you draw blood.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	6	With an interfering wife, it is as well to use your seal, and where there are many hands, lock things up.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	7	Whatever stores you issue, do it by number and weight, spendings and takings, put everything in writing.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	8	Do not be ashamed to correct a stupid person or a fool, or an old dotard who bickers with young people. Then you will show yourself really educated and win the approval of everyone.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	9	Unknown to her, a daughter keeps her father awake, the worry she gives him drives away his sleep: in her youth, in case she never marries, married, in case she should be disliked,
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	10	as a virgin, in case she should be defiled and found with child in her father's house, having a husband, in case she goes astray, married, in case she should be sterile!
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	11	Your daughter is headstrong? Keep a sharp look-out that she does not make you the laughing-stock of your enemies, the talk of the town, the object of common gossip, and put you to public shame.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	12	Do not stare at any man for his good looks, do not sit down with women;
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	13	for moth comes out of clothes, and woman's spite out of woman.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	14	Better a man's spite than a woman's kindness: women give rise to shame and reproach.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	15	Next, I shall remind you of the works of the Lord, and tell of what I have seen. By the words of the Lord his works come into being and all creation obeys his will.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	16	The shining sun looks down on all things, and the work of the Lord is full of his glory.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	17	The Lord has not granted the Holy Ones the power to tell of all his marvels which the Almighty Lord has solidly constructed for the universe to stand firm in his glory.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	18	He has fathomed both the abyss and the human heart and seen into their devious ways; for the Most High knows all there is to know and sees the signs of the times.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	19	He declares what is past and what will be, and reveals the trend of hidden things.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	20	Not a thought escapes him, not a single word is hidden from him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	21	He has embellished the magnificent works of his wisdom, he is from everlasting to everlasting, nothing can be added to him, nothing taken away, he needs no one's advice.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	22	How lovely, all his works, how dazzling to the eye!
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	23	They all live and last for ever, and, whatever the circumstances, all obey.
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	24	All things go in pairs, by opposites, he has not made anything imperfect:
 Sirach	Sir	28	42	25	one thing complements the excellence of another. Who could ever grow tired of gazing at his glory?
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	1	Pride of the heights, a clear vault of the sky -- such is the beauty of the heavens, a glorious sight.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	2	The sun, as he emerges, proclaims at his rising, 'How wonderful a thing, the work of the Most High!'
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	3	At his zenith, he parches the ground, who can withstand his blaze?
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	4	We have to blow the furnace to produce any heat, the sun burns the mountains three times as much; breathing out blasts of fire, flashing his rays, he dazzles the eyes.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	5	Great is the Lord who created him and whose word speeds him on his course.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	6	And then the moon, ever punctual to mark the times, an everlasting sign:
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	7	It is the moon that signals the feasts, a luminary that wanes after being full.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	8	The month derives its name from hers, she waxes wonderfully in her phases, banner of the hosts on high, shining in the vault of heaven.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	9	The glory of the stars makes the beauty of the sky, a brilliant adornment of the Lord on High.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	10	At the words of the Holy One they stand as he decrees, and never grow slack at their watch.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	11	See the rainbow and praise its Maker, so superbly beautiful in its splendour.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	12	Across the sky it forms a glorious arc drawn by the hands of the Most High.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	13	By his command he sends the snow, he speeds the lightning by his command.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	14	In the same way, his treasuries open and the clouds fly out like birds.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	15	His great power solidifies the clouds, then pulverises them into hail.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	16	at the sight of him, the mountains quake. At his will the south wind blows,or the storm from the north and the whirlwind.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	17	At the roar of his thunder, the earth writhes in labour,
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	18	He sprinkles snow like birds alighting, it comes down like locusts settling. The eye marvels at the beauty of its whiteness, and the mind is amazed at its falling.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	19	Over the earth, like salt, he also pours hoarfrost, which, when it freezes, bristles like thorns.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	20	The cold wind blows from the north, and ice forms on the water; it forms on every piece of standing water, covering it like a breastplate.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	21	The wind swallows up the mountains and scorches the desert, like a fire it consumes the vegetation.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	22	But cloud brings swift healing, and dew brings joy after the heat.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	23	By his own resourcefulness he has tamed the abyss, and planted it with islands.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	24	Those who sail the sea tell of its dangers, their accounts fill our ears with amazement:
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	25	for there too exist strange and wonderful works, animals of every kind and huge sea creatures.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	26	Thanks to God, his messenger reaches port, everything works out according to his word.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	27	We could say much more and still fall short; to put it concisely, 'He is all.'
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	28	Where shall we find sufficient power to glorify him, since he is the Great One, above all his works,
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	29	the awe-inspiring Lord, stupendously great, and wonderful in his power?
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	30	Exalt the Lord in your praises as high as you may -- still he surpasses you. Exert all your strength when you exalt him, do not grow tired -- you will never come to the end.
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	31	Who has ever seen him to describe him? Who can glorify him as he deserves?
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	32	Many mysteries remain even greater than these, for we have seen only a few of his works,
 Sirach	Sir	28	43	33	the Lord himself having created all things and given wisdom to those who are devout.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	1	Next let us praise illustrious men, our ancestors in their successive generations.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	2	The Lord has created an abundance of glory, and displayed his greatness from earliest times.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	3	Some wielded authority as kings and were renowned for their strength; others were intelligent advisers and uttered prophetic sayings.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	4	Others directed the people by their advice, by their understanding of the popular mind, and by the wise words of their teaching;
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	5	others composed musical melodies and set down ballads;
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	6	others were rich and powerful, living peacefully in their homes.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	7	All these were honoured by their contemporaries and were the glory of their day.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	8	Some of them left a name behind them, so that their praises are still sung.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	9	While others have left no memory, and disappeared as though they had not existed. They are now as though they had never been, and so too, their children after them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	10	But here is a list of illustrious men whose good works have not been forgotten.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	11	In their descendants they find a rich inheritance, their posterity.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	12	Their descendants stand by the commandments and, thanks to them, so do their children's children.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	13	Their offspring will last for ever, their glory will not fade.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	14	Their bodies have been buried in peace, and their name lives on for all generations.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	15	The peoples will proclaim their wisdom, the assembly will celebrate their praises.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	16	Enoch pleased the Lord and was transferred to heaven, an example for the conversion of all generations.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	17	Noah was found perfectly upright, in the time of retribution he became the heir: because of him a remnant was preserved for the earth at the coming of the Flood.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	18	Everlasting covenants were made with him that never again should every living creature perish by flood.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	19	Abraham, the great ancestor of a host of nations, no one was ever his equal in glory.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	20	He observed the Law of the Most High, and entered into a covenant with him. He confirmed the covenant in his own flesh, and proved himself faithful under ordeal.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	21	The Lord therefore promised him on oath to bless the nations through his descendants, to multiply him like the dust on the ground, to exalt his descendants like the stars, and to give them the land as their heritage, from one sea to the other, from the River to the ends of the earth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	22	To Isaac too, for the sake of Abraham his father, he assured
 Sirach	Sir	28	44	23	the blessing of all humanity; he caused the covenant to rest on the head of Jacob. He confirmed him in his blessings and gave him the land as his inheritance; he divided it into portions, and shared it out among the twelve tribes.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	1	From Jacob's stock he produced a generous man who found favour in the eyes of all humanity, beloved by God and people, Moses, of blessed memory.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	2	He made him the equal of the holy ones in glory and made him strong, to the terror of his enemies.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	3	By the word of Moses, he made prodigies cease and raised him high in the respect of kings; he gave him commandments for his people, and showed him something of his glory.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	4	For his loyalty and gentleness he sanctified him, choosing him alone out of all human beings;
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	5	he allowed him to hear his voice, and led him into the darkness;
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	6	he gave him the commandments face to face, the law of life and knowledge, to teach Jacob his ordinances and Israel his decrees. He raised up Aaron, a holy man like Moses, his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	7	He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the people. He adorned him with impressive vestments, he dressed him in a robe of glory.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	8	He clothed him in glorious perfection and invested him with rich ornaments, the breeches, the long robe, the ephod.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	9	To surround the robe he gave him pomegranates, and many gold bells all round to chime at every step, for their sound to be heard in the Temple as a reminder to the children of his people;
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	10	and a sacred vestment of gold and aquamarine and scarlet, the work of an embroiderer; the pectoral of judgement, the urim and thummim, of plaited crimson, the work of a craftsman;
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	11	precious stones cut like seals mounted in gold, the work of a jeweller, as a reminder with their engraved inscriptions of the number of the tribes of Israel;
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	12	and a golden diadem on his turban, engraved with the seal of consecration; superb ornamentation, magnificent work, adornment to delight the eye.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	13	There had never been such lovely things before him, and no one else has ever put them on, but only his own sons, and his descendants for all time.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	14	His sacrifices were to be burnt entirely, twice each day and for ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	15	Moses consecrated him and anointed him with holy oil; and this was an everlasting covenant for him, and for his descendants as long as the heavens endure, that he should preside over worship, act as priest, and bless the people in the name of the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	16	He chose him out of all the living to offer sacrifices to the Lord, incense and perfume as a memorial to make expiation for the people.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	17	He entrusted him with his commandments, committed to him the statutes of the Law for him to teach Jacob his decrees and enlighten Israel on his Law.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	18	Others plotted against him, they were jealous of him in the desert, Dathan and Abiram and their men, Korah and his crew in fury and rage.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	19	The Lord saw it and was displeased, his raging fury made an end of them; he worked miracles on them, consuming them by his flaming fire.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	20	And he added to Aaron's glory, he gave him an inheritance; he allotted him the offerings of the first-fruits, before all else, as much bread as he could want.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	21	Thus they eat the sacrifices of the Lord which he gave to him and his posterity.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	22	But of the people's territory he inherits nothing, he alone of all the people has no share, 'For I myself am your share and heritage.'
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	23	Phinehas son of Eleazar is third in glory because of his zeal in the fear of the Lord, because he stood firm when the people revolted, with a staunch and courageous heart; and in this way made expiation for Israel.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	24	Hence a covenant of peace was sealed with him, making him governor of both sanctuary and people, and securing to him and his descendants the high priestly dignity for ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	25	There was also a covenant with David son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, a royal succession by exclusively linear descent, but the succession of Aaron passes to all his descendants.
 Sirach	Sir	28	45	26	May God endow your hearts with wisdom to judge his people uprightly, so that the virtues of your ancestors may never fade, and their glory may pass to all their descendants!
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	1	Mighty in war was Joshua son of Nun, successor to Moses in the prophetic office, who well deserved his name, and was a great saviour of the chosen people, wreaking vengeance on the enemies who opposed him, and so bringing Israel into its inheritance.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	2	How splendid he was when, arms uplifted, he brandished his sword against cities!
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	3	Who had ever shown such determination as his? He himself led the battles of the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	4	Was not the sun held back by his hand, and one day drawn out into two?
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	5	He called on the Most High, the Mighty One, while pressing the enemies from all directions, and the great Lord answered him with hard and violent hailstones.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	6	He fell on that enemy nation, and at the Descent destroyed all resistance to make the nations acknowledge his warlike prowess and that he was waging war on behalf of the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	7	For he was a follower of the Mighty One, in the time of Moses showing his devotion, he and Caleb son of Jephunneh, by opposing the whole community, by preventing the people from sinning, and by silencing the mutters of rebellion.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	8	Hence these two alone were preserved out of six hundred thousand men on the march, and brought into their inheritance, into a land where milk and honey flow.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	9	And the Lord conferred strength on Caleb too, which stayed by him into old age, so that he could invest the highlands of the country which his descendants kept as their inheritance,
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	10	so that every Israelite might see that it is good to follow the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	11	The Judges too, each when he was called, all men whose hearts were never disloyal, who never turned their backs on the Lord -- may their memory be blessed!
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	12	May their bones flourish again from the tomb, and may the names of those illustrious men be worthily borne by their sons!
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	13	Samuel was the beloved of his Lord; prophet of the Lord, he instituted the kingdom, and anointed rulers over his people.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	14	By the Law of the Lord he judged the assembly, and the Lord watched over Jacob.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	15	By his loyalty he was recognised as a prophet, by his words he was known to be a trustworthy seer.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	16	He called on the Lord, the Mighty One, when his enemies pressed in from all directions, by offering a sucking lamb.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	17	And the Lord thundered from heaven, and made his voice heard in a rolling peal;
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	18	he massacred the leaders of the enemy, and all the rulers of the Philistines.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	19	Before the time of his everlasting rest he bore witness to the Lord and his anointed, 'Of no property, not even a pair of sandals, have I ever deprived a soul.' Nor did anyone accuse him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	46	20	And, having fallen asleep, he prophesied again, warning the king of his end; he spoke from the depths of the earth in prophecy, to blot out the wickedness of the people.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	1	After him arose Nathan, to prophesy in the time of David.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	2	As the fat is set apart from the communion sacrifice, so was David chosen out of the Israelites.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	3	He played with lions as though with kids, and with bears as though with lambs.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	4	While still a boy, did he not slay the giant and take away the people's shame, by hurling a stone from his sling and cutting short the boasting of Goliath?
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	5	For he called on the Lord Most High, who gave strength to his right arm to put a mighty warrior to death and assert the strength of his own people.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	6	Hence they gave him credit for ten thousand, and praised him while they blessed the Lord, by offering him a crown of glory.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	7	For he destroyed the enemies on every front, he annihilated his foes, the Philistines, and crushed their strength for ever.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	8	In all his activities he gave thanks to the Holy One Most High in words of glory; he put all his heart into his songs out of love for his Creator.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	9	He placed singers before the altar, melodiously to sing;
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	10	he gave the feasts their splendour, the festivals their solemn pomp, causing the Lord's holy name to be praised and the sanctuary to resound from dawn.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	11	The Lord took away his sins, making his strength ever greater; he gave him a royal covenant, and a glorious throne in Israel.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	12	A wise son succeeded him, who lived content, thanks to him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	13	Solomon reigned in a time of peace, and God gave him peace all round so that he could raise a house to his name and prepare an everlasting sanctuary.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	14	How wise you were despite your youth, like a river, brimming over with intelligence!
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	15	Your mind ranged the earth, you filled it with mysterious sayings.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	16	Your name reached the distant islands, and you were loved for your peace.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	17	Your songs, your proverbs, your sayings and your answers were the wonder of the world.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	18	In the name of the Lord God, of him who is called the God of Israel, you amassed gold like so much tin, and made silver as common as lead.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	19	You abandoned your body to women, you became the slave of your appetites.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	20	You stained your honour, you profaned your stock, so bringing retribution on your children and affliction for your folly:
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	21	the empire split in two, from Ephraim arose a rebel kingdom.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	22	But the Lord never goes back on his mercy, never cancels any of his words, will neither deny offspring to his elect nor stamp out the line of the man who loved him. And hence, he has granted a remnant to Jacob and to David a root sprung from him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	23	Solomon rested with his ancestors, leaving one of his stock as his successor, the stupidest member of the nation, brainless Rehoboam, who drove the people to rebel.
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	24	Next, Jeroboam son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, and set Ephraim on the way of evil; from then on their sins multiplied so excessively as to drive them out of their country;
 Sirach	Sir	28	47	25	for they tried out every kind of wickedness, until vengeance overtook them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	1	Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	2	It was he who brought famine on them and decimated them in his zeal.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	3	By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, three times also he brought down fire.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	4	How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah! Has anyone reason to boast as you have? -
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	5	rousing a corpse from death, from Sheol, by the word of the Most High;
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	6	dragging kings down to destruction, and high dignitaries from their beds;
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	7	hearing a rebuke on Sinai and decrees of punishment on Horeb;
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	8	anointing kings as avengers, and prophets to succeed you;
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	9	taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses;
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	10	designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God's wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	11	Blessed, those who will see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love; for we too shall certainly have life.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	12	Such was Elijah, who was enveloped in a whirlwind; and Elisha was filled with his spirit; throughout his life no ruler could shake him, and no one could subdue him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	13	No task was too hard for him, and even in death his body prophesied.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	14	In his lifetime he performed wonders, and in death his works were marvellous.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	15	Despite all this the people did not repent, nor did they give up their sins, until they were herded out of their country and scattered all over the earth;
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	16	only a few of the people were left, with a ruler of the House of David. Some of them did what pleased the Lord, others piled sin on sin.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	17	Hezekiah fortified his city, and laid on a water-supply inside it; with iron he tunnelled through the rock and constructed storage-tanks.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	18	In his days Sennacherib invaded and sent Rabshakeh; he lifted his hand against Zion, and boasted loudly in his arrogance.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	19	Then their hearts and hands trembled, they felt the pangs of a woman in labour,
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	20	but they called on the merciful Lord, stretching out their hands towards him. Swiftly the Holy One heard them from heaven and delivered them by the agency of Isaiah;
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	21	he struck the camp of the Assyrians and his Angel annihilated them.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	22	For Hezekiah did what is pleasing to the Lord, and was steadfast in the ways of David his father, enjoined on him by the prophet Isaiah, a great man trustworthy in his vision.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	23	In his days the sun moved back; he prolonged the life of the king.
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	24	In the power of the spirit he saw the last things, he comforted the mourners of Zion,
 Sirach	Sir	28	48	25	he revealed the future to the end of time, and hidden things long before they happened.
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	1	The memory of Josiah is like blended incense prepared by the perfumer's art; it is as sweet as honey to all mouths, and like music at a wine feast.
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	2	He took the right course, of converting the people, he rooted out the iniquitous abominations,
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	3	he set his heart on the Lord, in godless times he upheld the cause of religion.
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	4	Apart from David, Hezekiah and Josiah, they all heaped wrong on wrong, they abandoned the Law of the Most High: the kings of Judah disappeared;
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	5	for they handed their power over to others and their honour to a foreign nation.
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	6	The holy, chosen city was burnt down, her streets were left deserted,
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	7	as Jeremiah had predicted; for they had ill-treated him, though consecrated a prophet in his mother's womb, to tear up and afflict and destroy, but also to build up and to plant.
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	8	Ezekiel saw a vision of glory which God showed to him above the chariot of the great winged creatures,
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	9	for he mentioned the enemies in the downpour to the advantage of those who follow the right way.
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	10	As for the twelve prophets, may their bones flower again from the tomb, since they have comforted Jacob and redeemed him in faith and hope.
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	11	How shall we extol Zerubbabel? He was like a signet ring on the right hand,
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	12	so too was Joshua son of Jozadak; they who in their days built the Temple and raised a sanctuary sacred to the Lord, destined to everlasting glory.
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	13	Great too is the memory of Nehemiah, who rebuilt our walls which lay in ruins, erected the bolted gates and rebuilt our houses.
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	14	No one else has ever been created on earth to equal Enoch, for he was taken up from earth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	15	And no one else ever born has been like Joseph, the leader of his brothers, the prop of his people; his bones received a visitation.
 Sirach	Sir	28	49	16	Shem and Seth were the most honoured of men, but above every living creature is Adam.
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	1	It was the High Priest Simon son of Onias who repaired the Temple during his lifetime and in his day fortified the sanctuary.
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	2	He laid the foundations of double depth, the high buttresses of the Temple precincts.
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	3	In his day the pool was excavated, a reservoir as huge as the sea.
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	4	Anxious to save the people from ruin, he fortified the city against siege.
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	5	How splendid he was with the people thronging round him, when he emerged from the curtained shrine,
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	6	like the morning star among the clouds, like the moon at the full,
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	7	like the sun shining on the Temple of the Most High, like the rainbow gleaming against brilliant clouds,
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	8	like a rose in springtime, like a lily by a spring, like a branch of the incense tree in summer,
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	9	like fire and incense in the censer, like a massive golden vessel encrusted with every kind of precious stone,
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	10	like an olive tree loaded with fruit, like a cypress soaring to the clouds;
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	11	when he took his ceremonial robe and put on his magnificent ornaments, when he went up to the holy altar and filled the sanctuary precincts with his grandeur;
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	12	when he received the portions from the hands of the priests, himself standing by the altar hearth, crowned with the circle of his brothers, as a cedar of Lebanon is by its foliage, as though surrounded by the trunks of palm trees.
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	13	When all the sons of Aaron in their glory, with the offerings of the Lord in their hands, stood before the whole assembly of Israel,
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	14	while he completed the rites at the altars, nobly presenting the offerings to the Almighty, Most High!
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	15	He would reach out his hand to the cup and pour a libation of wine, pouring it at the foot of the altar, a fragrance pleasing to the Most High, King of All;
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	16	then the sons of Aaron would shout and blow their metal trumpets, making a mighty sound ring out as a reminder before the Most High;
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	17	and immediately the people all together would fall on their faces to the ground, in adoration of their Lord, the Almighty, God Most High,
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	18	and with the cantors chanting their hymns of praise. Sweet was the melody of all these voices,
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	19	as the people pleaded with the Lord Most High and prayed in the presence of the Merciful, until the service of the Lord was completed and the ceremony at an end.
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	20	Then he would come down and raise his hands over the whole assembly of the Israelites, to give them the Lord's blessing from his lips, being privileged to pronounce his name;
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	21	and once again the people would bow low to receive the blessing of the Most High.
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	22	And now bless the God of all things, the doer of great deeds everywhere, who has exalted our days from the womb and has acted mercifully towards us.
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	23	May he grant us cheerful hearts and bring peace in our time, in Israel for ages on ages.
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	24	May his mercy be faithfully with us, may he redeem us in our own times!
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	25	There are two nations that my soul detests, the third is not a nation at all:
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	26	the inhabitants of Mount Seir, the Philistines, and the stupid people living at Shechem.
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	27	Instruction in wisdom and knowledge is what has been written in this book by Jesus son of Sira Eleazar of Jerusalem, who has poured a rain of wisdom from his heart.
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	28	Blessed is he who devotes his time to these and grows wise by taking them to heart!
 Sirach	Sir	28	50	29	If he practises them he will be strong enough for anything, since the light of the Lord is his path.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	1	I shall give thanks to you, Lord and King, and praise you, God my Saviour, I give thanks to your name;
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	2	for you have been my guard and support and redeemed my body from destruction, from the snare of the lying tongue, from lips that fabricate falsehood; in the presence of my assailants, you were on my side; you have been my support, you have redeemed me,
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	3	true to your abounding kindness -- and the greatness of your name -- you liberated me from the fangs of those seeking to devour me, from the clutches of those seeking my life, from the many ordeals which I have endured,
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	4	from the stifling heat which hemmed me in, from the heart of a fire which I had not kindled,
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	5	from deep in the belly of Sheol,
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	6	treacherous denunciations to the king. My soul has been close to death, my life had gone down to the brink of Sheol.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	7	I was completely surrounded, there was no one to help me; I looked for someone to help me, there was no one.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	8	Then I remembered your mercy, Lord, and your deeds from earliest times, how you deliver those who wait for you patiently, and save them from the clutches of their enemies.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	9	And I sent up my plea from the earth, I begged to be delivered from death.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	10	I called on the Lord, the father of my Lord, 'Do not desert me in the days of ordeal, in the days of the proud, when we are helpless. I shall praise your name unceasingly and gratefully sing its praises.'
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	11	And my plea was heard, for you saved me from destruction, you delivered me from that time of evil.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	12	And therefore I shall thank you and praise you, and bless the name of the Lord.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	13	When I was still a youth, before I went travelling, in my prayers I asked outright for wisdom.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	14	Outside the sanctuary I would pray for her, and to the last I shall continue to seek her.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	15	From her blossoming to the ripening of her grape my heart has taken its delight in her. My foot has pursued a straight path, I have sought her ever since my youth.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	16	By bowing my ear a little, I have received her, and have found much instruction.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	17	Thanks to her I have advanced; glory be to him who has given me wisdom!
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	18	For I was determined to put her into practice, have earnestly pursued the good, and shall not be put to shame.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	19	My soul has fought to possess her, I have been scrupulous in keeping the Law; I have stretched out my hands to heaven and bewailed how little I knew of her;
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	20	I have directed my soul towards her, and in purity I have found her; having my heart fixed on her from the outset, I shall never be deserted;
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	21	my very core having yearned to discover her, I have now acquired a good possession.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	22	In reward the Lord has given me a tongue with which I shall sing his praises.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	23	Come close to me, you ignorant, take your place in my school.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	24	Why complain about lacking these things when your souls are so thirsty for them?
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	25	I have opened my mouth, I have said: 'Buy her without money,
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	26	put your necks under her yoke, let your souls receive instruction, she is near, within your reach.'
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	27	See for yourselves: how slight my efforts have been to win so much peace.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	28	Buy instruction with a large sum of silver, thanks to her you will gain much gold.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	29	May your souls rejoice in the mercy of the Lord, may you never be ashamed of praising him.
 Sirach	Sir	28	51	30	Do your work before the appointed time and at the appointed time he will give you your reward. (Subscript:) Wisdom of Jesus, son of Sira.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	1	The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he received in the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah kings of Judah.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	2	Listen, you heavens; earth, attend, for Yahweh is speaking, 'I have reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	3	The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master's crib; Israel does not know, my people do not understand.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	4	Disaster, sinful nation, people weighed down with guilt, race of wrong-doers, perverted children! They have abandoned Yahweh, despised the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away from him.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	5	Where shall I strike you next, if you persist in treason? The whole head is sick, the whole heart is diseased,
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	6	from the sole of the foot to the head there is nothing healthy: only wounds, bruises and open sores not dressed, not bandaged, not soothed with ointment,
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	7	your country a desolation, your towns burnt down, your soil, foreigners lay it waste before your eyes, a desolation like devastation by foreigners.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	8	The daughter of Zion is left like a shanty in a vineyard, like a shed in a cucumber field, like a city besieged.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	9	Had Yahweh Sabaoth not left us a few survivors, we should be like Sodom, we should be the same as Gomorrah.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	10	Hear what Yahweh says, you rulers of Sodom; listen to what our God teaches, you people of Gomorrah.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	11	'What are your endless sacrifices to me?' says Yahweh. 'I am sick of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of calves. I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	12	When you come and present yourselves before me, who has asked you to trample through my courts?
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	13	Bring no more futile cereal offerings, the smoke from them fills me with disgust. New Moons, Sabbaths, assemblies -- I cannot endure solemnity combined with guilt.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	14	Your New Moons and your meetings I utterly detest; to me they are a burden I am tired of bearing.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	15	When you stretch out your hands I turn my eyes away. You may multiply your prayers, I shall not be listening. Your hands are covered in blood,
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	16	wash, make yourselves clean. Take your wrong-doing out of my sight. Cease doing evil.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	17	Learn to do good, search for justice, discipline the violent, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	18	'Come, let us talk this over,' says Yahweh. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	19	If you are willing to obey, you shall eat the good things of the earth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	20	But if you refuse and rebel, the sword shall eat you instead -- for Yahweh's mouth has spoken.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	21	The faithful city, what a harlot she has become! Zion, once full of fair judgement, where saving justice used to dwell, but now assassins!
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	22	Your silver has turned into dross, your wine is watered.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	23	Your princes are rebels, accomplices of brigands. All of them greedy for presents and eager for bribes, they show no justice to the orphan, and the widow's cause never reaches them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	24	Hence, the Lord Yahweh Sabaoth, the Mighty One of Israel, says this, 'Disaster, I shall get the better of my enemies, I shall avenge myself on my foes.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	25	'I shall turn my hand against you, I shall purge your dross as though with potash, I shall remove all your alloy.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	26	'And I shall restore your judges as at first, your counsellors as in bygone days, after which you will be called City of Saving Justice, Faithful City.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	27	Zion will be redeemed by fair judgement, and those who return, by saving justice.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	28	Rebels and sinners alike will be destroyed, and those who abandon Yahweh will perish.
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	29	How ashamed you will be of the terebinths which gave you such delight; and how you will blush for the gardens which you chose!
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	30	For you will be like a terebinth with faded leaves, like a garden without water;
 Isaiah	Is	29	1	31	the strong will become like tinder, his work like the spark; both will go up in flames together, with no one to put them out.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	1	The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	2	It will happen in the final days that the mountain of Yahweh's house will rise higher than the mountains and tower above the heights. Then all the nations will stream to it,
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	3	many peoples will come to it and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths.' For the Law will issue from Zion and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	4	Then he will judge between the nations and arbitrate between many peoples. They will hammer their swords into ploughshares and their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation, no longer will they learn how to make war.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	5	House of Jacob, come, let us walk in Yahweh's light.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	6	You have rejected your people, the House of Jacob, for it has long been full of sorcerers like the Philistines, and is overrun with foreigners.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	7	The country is full of silver and gold and treasures unlimited, the country is full of horses, its chariots are unlimited;
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	8	the country is full of idols. They bow down before the work of their hands, before what their own fingers have made.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	9	Human nature has been humbled, humankind brought low: do not raise them again!
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	10	Go into the rock, hide in the dust, in terror of Yahweh, at the brilliance of his majesty, when he arises to make the earth quake.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	11	Human pride will lower its eyes, human arrogance will be humbled, and Yahweh alone will be exalted, on that day.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	12	That will be a day for Yahweh Sabaoth, for all who are majestic and haughty, for all who are proud, to be brought low,
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	13	for all the cedars of Lebanon, high and proud, and for all the oaks of Bashan;
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	14	for all the high mountains and for all the proud hills;
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	15	for every lofty tower and for every towering wall;
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	16	for all the ships of Tarshish and for everything held precious.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	17	Human pride will be humbled, human arrogance brought low, and Yahweh alone will be exalted, on that day.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	18	When the idols all disappear,
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	19	they will go into the caverns of the rocks and into the fissures of the earth in terror of Yahweh, at the brilliance of his majesty, when he arises to make the earth quake.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	20	That day, people will fling to moles and bats the silver idols and golden idols which have been made for them to worship,
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	21	and go into the crevices of the rocks and the clefts in the cliffs, in terror of Yahweh, at the brilliance of his majesty, when he arises to make the earth quake.
 Isaiah	Is	29	2	22	Have no more to do with humankind, which has only the breath in its nostrils. How much is this worth?
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	1	Now the Lord Yahweh Sabaoth is about to deprive Jerusalem and Judah of resources and provisions -- all reserves of food, all reserves of water-
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	2	of hero, warrior, judge, prophet, diviner, elder,
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	3	captain, dignitary, counsellor, architect, soothsayer.
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	4	'I shall give them boys for princes, raw lads to rule over them.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	5	People will be ill-treated by one another, each by his neighbour; the young will insult the aged, and the low, the respected.
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	6	Yes, a man will catch hold of his brother in their father's house, to say, 'You have a cloak, so you be leader, and rule this heap of ruins.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	7	And, that day, the other will protest, 'I am no healer; in my house there is neither food nor clothing; do not make me leader of the people.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	8	For Jerusalem has collapsed and Judah has fallen, because their words and deeds affront Yahweh and insult his glorious gaze.
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	9	Their complacency bears witness against them, they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not conceal it, all the worse for them, for they have hatched their own downfall.
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	10	Say, 'Blessed the upright, for he will feed on the fruit of his deeds;
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	11	woe to the wicked, it will go ill with him, for he will be treated as his actions deserve.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	12	O my people, their oppressors pillage them and extortioners rule over them! O my people, your rulers mislead you and efface the paths you ought to follow!
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	13	Yahweh has risen to accuse, is standing to pass judgement on the people.
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	14	Yahweh is about to try the elders and the princes of his people, 'You are the ones who have ravaged the vineyard, the spoils of the poor are in your houses.
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	15	By what right do you crush my people and grind the faces of the poor?' says the Lord Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	16	Yahweh says: Because Zion's daughters are proud and walk with heads held high and enticing eyes -- with mincing steps they go, jingling the bangles on their feet-
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	17	the Lord will give Zion's daughters scabby heads, Yahweh will lay their foreheads bare.
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	18	That day the Lord will take away the ornamental chains, medallions, crescents,
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	19	pendants, bracelets, trinkets,
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	20	diadems, ankle-chains, necklaces, scent bottles, amulets,
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	21	finger-rings, nose-rings,
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	22	party dresses, cloaks, scarves, purses,
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	23	mirrors, linen clothes, turbans and mantillas.
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	24	Then, instead of perfume, a stink; instead of belt, a rope, instead of hair elaborately dressed, a shaven scalp, instead of gorgeous clothes, sacking round the waist, and brand marks instead of beauty.
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	25	Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle,
 Isaiah	Is	29	3	26	and her gates will moan and mourn; she will sit on the ground, deserted.
 Isaiah	Is	29	4	1	That day, seven women will catch hold of one man and say, 'We will eat our own food, and wear our own clothing, but just let us bear your name. Take our disgrace away.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	4	2	That day, Yahweh's seedling will turn to beauty and glory, what the earth brings forth will turn to the pride and ornament of Israel's survivors.
 Isaiah	Is	29	4	3	Those who are left in Zion and remain in Jerusalem will be called holy, all those in Jerusalem noted down to live.
 Isaiah	Is	29	4	4	When the Lord has washed away the filth of Zion's daughters and with the wind of judgement and the wind of burning cleansed Jerusalem of the blood shed in her,
 Isaiah	Is	29	4	5	Yahweh will create, over every house on Mount Zion and over those who assemble there, a cloud by day, and by night smoke with the brightness of a flaring fire. For over all will be the Glory as canopy
 Isaiah	Is	29	4	6	and tent to give shade by day from the heat, refuge and shelter from the storm and the rain.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	1	Let me sing my beloved the song of my friend for his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hillside.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	2	He dug it, cleared it of stones, and planted it with red grapes. In the middle he built a tower, he hewed a press there too. He expected it to yield fine grapes: wild grapes were all it yielded.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	3	And now, citizens of Jerusalem and people of Judah, I ask you to judge between me and my vineyard.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	4	What more could I have done for my vineyard that I have not done? Why, when I expected it to yield fine grapes, has it yielded wild ones?
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	5	Very well, I shall tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I shall take away its hedge, for it to be grazed on, and knock down its wall, for it to be trampled on.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	6	I shall let it go to waste, unpruned, undug, overgrown by brambles and thorn-bushes, and I shall command the clouds to rain no rain on it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	7	Now, the vineyard of Yahweh Sabaoth is the House of Israel, and the people of Judah the plant he cherished. He expected fair judgement, but found injustice, uprightness, but found cries of distress.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	8	Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field until there is nowhere left and they are the sole inhabitants of the country.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	9	Yahweh Sabaoth has sworn this in my hearing, 'Many houses will be brought to ruin, great and fine ones left untenanted;
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	10	for ten acres of vineyard will yield only one barrel, and ten bushel of seed will yield only one bushel.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	11	Woe to those who get up early to go after strong drink, and stay up late at night inflamed with wine.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	12	Nothing but harp and lyre, tambourine and pipe, and wine for their drinking bouts. Never a thought for the works of Yahweh, never a glance for what his hands have done.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	13	That is why my people is in exile, for want of perception; her dignitaries starving, her populace parched with thirst.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	14	That is why Sheol opens wide its throat and gapes with measureless jaw and down go her noblemen and populace and her loud revellers merry to the last!
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	15	Human nature has been humbled, humankind brought low, and the eyes of the proud have been humbled.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	16	Yahweh Sabaoth is the more respected for his judgement, God the Holy One has displayed his holiness by his justice!
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	17	Now the lambs will graze in their old pastures, and the fields laid waste by fat cattle will feed the kids.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	18	Woe to those who drag guilt along by the reins of duplicity, drag along sin as though with a cart rope;
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	19	to those who say, 'Why doesn't he do his work quickly so that we can see it; why doesn't the Holy One of Israel's design hurry up and come true so that we can experience it?'
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	20	Woe to those who call what is bad, good, and what is good, bad, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	21	Woe to those who think themselves wise and believe themselves enlightened.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	22	Woe to those whose might lies in wine bibbing, their heroism in mixing strong drinks,
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	23	who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deny justice to the upright.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	24	Yes, as the flame devours the stubble, as the straw flares up and disappears, their root will be like decay and their shoot be carried off like dust, for having rejected the law of Yahweh Sabaoth, for having despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	25	This is why Yahweh's anger has blazed out against his people; and he has raised his hand against them to strike them; why the mountains have shuddered and why corpses are lying like dung in the streets. After all this, his anger is not spent. No, his hand is still raised!
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	26	He hoists a signal for a distant nation, he whistles them up from the ends of the earth; and see how swift, how fleet they come!
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	27	None of them tired, none of them stumbling, none of them asleep or drowsy, none of them with belt unfastened, none of them with broken sandal-strap.
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	28	Their arrows are sharpened, their bows all strung, their horses' hoofs you would think were flint and their wheels, a whirlwind!
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	29	Their roar is like that of a lioness, like fierce young lions they roar, growling they seize their prey and carry it off, with no one to prevent it,
 Isaiah	Is	29	5	30	growling at it, that day, like the growling of the sea. Only look at the country: darkness and distress, and the light turned to darkness by the clouds.
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	1	In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne; his train filled the sanctuary.
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	2	Above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings: two to cover its face, two to cover its feet and two for flying;
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	3	and they were shouting these words to each other: Holy, holy, holy is Yahweh Sabaoth. His glory fills the whole earth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	4	The door-posts shook at the sound of their shouting, and the Temple was full of smoke.
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	5	Then I said: 'Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh Sabaoth.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	6	Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in its hand a live coal which it had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs.
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	7	With this it touched my mouth and said: 'Look, this has touched your lips, your guilt has been removed and your sin forgiven.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	8	I then heard the voice of the Lord saying: 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I, send me.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	9	He said: 'Go, and say to this people, "Listen and listen, but never understand! Look and look, but never perceive!"
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	10	Make this people's heart coarse, make their ears dull, shut their eyes tight, or they will use their eyes to see, use their ears to hear, use their heart to understand, and change their ways and be healed.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	11	I then said, 'Until when, Lord?' He replied, 'Until towns are in ruins and deserted, houses untenanted and a great desolation reigns in the land,
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	12	and Yahweh has driven the people away and the country is totally abandoned.
 Isaiah	Is	29	6	13	And suppose one-tenth of them are left in it, that will be stripped again, like the terebinth, like the oak, cut back to the stock; their stock is a holy seed.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	1	In the reign of Ahaz son of Jotham, son of Uzziah king of Judah, Razon king of Aram advanced on Jerusalem with Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel, to attack it; but he was unable to attack it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	2	The House of David was informed: 'Aram has halted in Ephraimite territory.' At this, his heart and his people's hearts shook like forest trees shaking in the wind.
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	3	Yahweh then said to Isaiah, 'Go out with your son Shear-Jashub, and meet Ahaz at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the road to the Fuller's Field,
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	4	and say to him, "Pay attention and keep calm. Do not be frightened or demoralised by these two smouldering sticks of firewood, by the fierce anger of Razon, Aram and the son of Remaliah,
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	5	or because Aram, Ephraim and the son of Remaliah have been plotting against you and saying:
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	6	Let us mount an attack on Judah, destroy it, force it onto our side and install the son of Tabeel there as king.
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	7	"Lord Yahweh says this: This will not happen, it will never occur,
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	8	for the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Razon; another sixty-five years, and Ephraim will cease to be a people.
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	9	The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you will not take your stand on me you will not stand firm." '
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	10	Yahweh spoke to Ahaz again and said:
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	11	Ask Yahweh your God for a sign, either in the depths of Sheol or in the heights above.
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	12	But Ahaz said, 'I will not ask. I will not put Yahweh to the test.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	13	He then said: Listen now, House of David: are you not satisfied with trying human patience that you should try my God's patience too?
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	14	The Lord will give you a sign in any case: It is this: the young woman is with child and will give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	15	On curds and honey will he feed until he knows how to refuse the bad and choose the good.
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	16	Before the child knows how to refuse the bad and choose the good, the lands whose two kings are frightening you will be deserted.
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	17	Yahweh will bring times for you, your people and your ancestral House, such as have not been seen since Ephraim broke away from Judah (the king of Assyria).
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	18	When that day comes, Yahweh will whistle up mosquitoes from the distant streams of Egypt and bees from the land of Assyria,
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	19	and they will all come and settle on the streams in the gullies, in the holes in the rocks, on all the thorn-bushes and on all the water-points.
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	20	That day the Lord will shave, with a razor hired from the other side of the River (with the king of Assyria), the head and the hair of the leg, and take off the beard, too.
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	21	When that day comes, each man will raise one heifer and two sheep,
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	22	and because of the abundant milk they give (on curds will he feed) all who are left in the country will feed on curds and honey.
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	23	When that day comes, wherever there used to be a thousand vines worth a thousand pieces of silver, all will be brambles and thorn-bushes;
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	24	to be ventured into only with arrows and bow, for the country will be nothing but brambles and thorn-bushes.
 Isaiah	Is	29	7	25	No more will you venture on any hillside formerly under the hoe for fear of the brambles and thorn-bushes; it will be fit only for pasturing the cattle, a tramping-ground for sheep.
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	1	Yahweh said to me, 'Take a large tablet and on it with an ordinary stylus write, "Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz".
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	2	And take reliable witnesses, the priest Uriah and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	3	I then had intercourse with the prophetess, who then conceived and gave birth to a son. Yahweh said to me, 'Call him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz,
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	4	for before the child knows how to say "mother" or "father", the wealth of Damascus and the booty of Samaria will be carried away while the king of Assyria looks on.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	5	Yahweh spoke to me again and said,
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	6	'Since this people has rejected the waters of Shiloah which flow smoothly, and has trembled before Razon and the son of Remaliah,
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	7	now, against it, the Lord will bring the mighty, swelling waters of the River (the king of Assyria and all his glory); the River will flood up all its channels and overflow all its banks;
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	8	it will flow into Judah, flooding everything and passing on; it will reach right up to the neck, and the spreading of its wings will cover the whole extent of your country, Immanuel!
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	9	Realise this, peoples, and be afraid, listen, all members of far-off nations! Arm yourselves yet be afraid! Arm yourselves yet be afraid!
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	10	Devise plans as you may: they will come to nothing! Make what pronouncements you like; it will not come about! For God is with us!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	11	For this was how Yahweh spoke to me when his hand seized hold of me and he taught me not to follow the path of this people, saying,
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	12	'Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy; do not dread what they dread, have no fear of that.
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	13	Yahweh Sabaoth is the one you will proclaim holy, him you will dread, him you will fear.
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	14	He will be a sanctuary, a stumbling-stone, a rock to trip up the two Houses of Israel; a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	15	over which many of them will stumble, fall and be broken, be ensnared and made captive.
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	16	Bind up the testimony, seal the instruction in the heart of my disciples.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	17	My trust is in Yahweh who hides his face from the House of Jacob; I put my hope in him.
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	18	Look, I and the children whom Yahweh has given me shall become signs and portents in Israel on behalf of Yahweh Sabaoth who dwells on Mount Zion.
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	19	And should people say to you, 'Go and consult ghosts and wizards that whisper and mutter' -- a people should certainly consult its gods and the dead on behalf of the living!
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	20	As regards instruction and testimony, without doubt this is how they will talk, and hence there will be no dawn for them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	21	Oppressed and starving he will wander the country; and, once starving, he will become frenzied and curse his king and his God; turning his gaze upward,
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	22	then down to earth, there will be only anguish, gloom, the confusion of night, swirling darkness.
 Isaiah	Is	29	8	23	For is not everything dark as night for a country in distress? As the past humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, so the future will glorify the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, the territory of the nations.
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	1	The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on the inhabitants of a country in shadow dark as death light has blazed forth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	2	You have enlarged the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest time, as they exult when they are dividing the spoils.
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	3	For the yoke that weighed on it, the bar across its shoulders, the rod of its oppressor, these you have broken as on the day of Midian.
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	4	For all the footgear clanking over the ground and all the clothing rolled in blood, will be burnt, will be food for the flames.
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	5	For a son has been born for us, a son has been given to us, and dominion has been laid on his shoulders; and this is the name he has been given, 'Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace'
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	6	to extend his dominion in boundless peace, over the throne of David and over his kingdom to make it secure and sustain it in fair judgement and integrity. From this time onwards and for ever, the jealous love of Yahweh Sabaoth will do this.
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	7	The Lord has launched a word at Jacob and it has fallen on Israel;
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	8	and the people will all soon know it, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in the pride of their arrogant hearts,
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	9	'The bricks have fallen down but we shall rebuild with dressed stone; the sycamores have been felled but we shall replace them with cedars.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	10	But, against them, Yahweh has raised their foe Razon, he has whipped up their enemies,
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	11	Aram to the east, Philistines to the west, to devour Israel with gaping jaws. After all this, his anger is not spent. No, his hand is still raised!
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	12	But the people would not come back to him who struck them, they would not seek out Yahweh Sabaoth;
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	13	hence Yahweh has topped and tailed Israel, cutting off palm and reed in a single day.
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	14	(The 'top' is the elder and the man of rank; the 'tail' is the prophet teaching lies.)
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	15	This people's leaders have led them astray, and those who are led by them are swallowed up.
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	16	Hence the Lord will no longer take delight in their young people, or pity on their orphans and widows, since all of them are godless and evil, and everything they say is madness. After all this, his anger is not spent. No, his hand is still raised!
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	17	Yes, wickedness has been burning like a fire, devouring bramble and thorn-bush, setting the forest thickets ablaze -- up they go in billowing smoke!
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	18	The country has been set on fire by the fury of Yahweh Sabaoth, and the people are like food for the flames. No one spares a thought for his brother.
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	19	They have sliced to the right and are still hungry, they have eaten to the left and are not satisfied; each devours the flesh of his own arm.
 Isaiah	Is	29	9	20	Manasseh devours Ephraim, Ephraim Manasseh, together they turn against Judah. After all this, his anger is not spent. No, his hand is still raised!
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	1	Woe to those who enact unjust decrees, who compose oppressive legislation
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	2	to deny justice to the weak and to cheat the humblest of my people of fair judgement, to make widows their prey and to rob the orphan.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	3	What will you do on the day of punishment, when disaster comes from far away? To whom will you run for help and where will you leave your riches,
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	4	to avoid squatting among the captives or falling among the slain? After all this, his anger is not spent. No, his hand is still raised!
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	5	Woe to Assyria, rod of my anger, the club in their hands is my fury!
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	6	I was sending him against a godless nation, commissioning him against the people who enraged me, to pillage and plunder at will and trample on them like the mud in the streets.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	7	But this was not his intention nor did his heart plan it so, for he dreamed of putting an end to them, of liquidating nations without number!
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	8	For he thought, 'Are not my officers all kings?
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	9	Is not Calno like Carchemish, Hamath like Arpad, Samaria like Damascus?
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	10	As my hand has found the kingdoms of the false gods, where there were more images than in Jerusalem and Samaria,
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	11	as I have treated Samaria and her false gods shall I not treat Jerusalem and her statues too?'
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	12	When the Lord has completed all his work on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, he will punish the fruit of the king of Assyria's boastful heart and the insolence of his haughty looks.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	13	For he thinks: 'By the strength of my own arm I have done this and by my own wisdom: how intelligent I have been! I have abolished the frontiers between peoples, I have plundered their treasures, like a hero, I have subjugated their inhabitants.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	14	My hand has found, as though a bird's nest, the riches of the peoples. Like someone collecting deserted eggs, I have collected the whole world while no one has fluttered a wing or opened a beak to squawk.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	15	Does the axe claim more credit than the man who wields it, or the saw more strength than the man who handles it? As though a staff controlled those who raise it, or the club could raise what is not made of wood!
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	16	That is why Yahweh Sabaoth is going to inflict leanness on his stout men, and beneath his glory kindle a fever burning like a fire.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	17	The light of Israel will become a fire and its Holy One a flame burning and devouring his thorn-bushes and brambles in a day.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	18	He will consume his luxuriant forest and productive ground, he will ravage body and soul: it will be like a consumptive wasting away;
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	19	and what remain of the trees of his forest will be so few that a child could write their number.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	20	When that day comes, the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the House of Jacob will stop relying on the man who strikes them and will truly rely on Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	21	A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	22	Israel, though your people are like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return: a destruction has been decreed which will make justice overflow,
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	23	for, throughout the country, the Lord Yahweh Sabaoth will enforce the destruction now decreed.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	24	That is why the Lord Yahweh Sabaoth says this: My people who live in Zion, do not be afraid of Assyria! He may strike you with the rod, he may raise the club against you (on the way from Egypt),
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	25	but in a very short time the retribution will come to an end, and my anger will destroy them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	26	Yahweh Sabaoth will brandish a whip at him as he struck Midian at Oreb's Rock, will brandish his rod at the Sea as he raised it on the way from Egypt.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	27	When that day comes, his burden will fall from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed . . .
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	28	He has reached Aiath, he has moved on to Migron, he has left his baggage train at Michmash.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	29	They have passed through the defile, they have bivouacked at Geba. Ramah quaked, Gibeah of Saul has fled.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	30	Cry your loudest, Bath-Gallim! Pay attention, Laish! Answer her, Anathoth!
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	31	Madmenah has run away, the inhabitants of Gebim have taken cover.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	32	This very day, as he halts at Nob, he will shake his fist at the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	33	See how the Lord Yahweh Sabaoth violently lops off the foliage! The ones standing highest are cut down, the proudest are laid low!
 Isaiah	Is	29	10	34	The forest thickets fall beneath the axe, and the Lebanon falls to the blows of a Mighty One.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	1	A shoot will spring from the stock of Jesse, a new shoot will grow from his roots.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	2	On him will rest the spirit of Yahweh, the spirit of wisdom and insight, the spirit of counsel and power, the spirit of knowledge and fear of Yahweh:
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	3	his inspiration will lie in fearing Yahweh. His judgement will not be by appearances. his verdict not given on hearsay.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	4	He will judge the weak with integrity and give fair sentence for the humblest in the land. He will strike the country with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips bring death to the wicked.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	5	Uprightness will be the belt around his waist, and constancy the belt about his hips.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	6	The wolf will live with the lamb, the panther lie down with the kid, calf, lion and fat-stock beast together, with a little boy to lead them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	7	The cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like the ox.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	8	The infant will play over the den of the adder; the baby will put his hand into the viper's lair.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	9	No hurt, no harm will be done on all my holy mountain, for the country will be full of knowledge of Yahweh as the waters cover the sea.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	10	That day, the root of Jesse, standing as a signal for the peoples, will be sought out by the nations and its home will be glorious.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	11	When that day comes, the Lord will raise his hand a second time to ransom the remnant of his people, those still left, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, Cush and Elam, from Shinar, Hamath and the islands of the Sea.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	12	He will hoist a signal for the nations and assemble the outcasts of Israel; he will gather the scattered people of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	13	Then Ephraim's jealousy will cease and Judah's enemies be suppressed; Ephraim will no longer be jealous of Judah nor Judah any longer hostile to Ephraim,
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	14	but together they will swoop on the Philistines' back, to the west, and together pillage the people of the east. Edom and Moab will be subject to their sway and the Ammonites will obey them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	15	Then Yahweh will dry up the gulf of the Sea of Egypt, he will raise his hand against the River with the heat of his breath. He will divide it into seven streams for them to cross dry-shod.
 Isaiah	Is	29	11	16	And there will be a highway for the remnant of his people for those still left, from Assyria, as there was for Israel when he came out of Egypt.
 Isaiah	Is	29	12	1	And, that day, you will say: 'I praise you, Yahweh, you have been angry with me but your anger is now appeased and you have comforted me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	12	2	Look, he is the God of my salvation: I shall have faith and not be afraid, for Yahweh is my strength and my song, he has been my salvation.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	12	3	Joyfully you will draw water from the springs of salvation
 Isaiah	Is	29	12	4	and, that day, you will say, 'Praise Yahweh, invoke his name. Proclaim his deeds to the people, declare his name sublime.
 Isaiah	Is	29	12	5	Sing of Yahweh, for his works are majestic, make them known throughout the world.
 Isaiah	Is	29	12	6	Cry and shout for joy, you who live in Zion, For the Holy One of Israel is among you in his greatness.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	1	Proclamation about Babylon, seen by Isaiah son of Amoz.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	2	On a bare hill hoist a signal, shout for them, beckon them to come to the Nobles' Gate.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	3	I have issued orders to my sacred warriors, I have summoned my heroes to serve my anger, my proud champions.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	4	The noise of a great crowd in the mountains, like an immense people, the tumultuous sound of kingdoms, of nations mustering: it is Yahweh Sabaoth marshalling the troops for battle.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	5	They come from a distant country, from the far horizons, Yahweh and the instruments of his fury to lay the whole country waste.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	6	Howl! For the Day of Yahweh is near, coming like devastation from Shaddai.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	7	This is why all hands fall limp, why all the men are losing heart;
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	8	they are panic-stricken, seized with pains and convulsions; they writhe like a woman in labour, they look at one another appalled, with feverish faces.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	9	Look, the Day of Yahweh is coming, merciless, with wrath and burning anger, to reduce the country to a desert and root out the sinners from it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	10	For in the sky the stars and Orion will shed their light no longer, the sun will be dark when it rises, and the moon will no longer give its light.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	11	I am going to punish the world for its wickedness and the wicked for their guilt, and put an end to the pride of the arrogant and humble the haughtiness of despots.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	12	I shall make people scarcer than pure gold, human life scarcer than the gold of Ophir.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	13	This is why I am going to shake the heavens, why the earth will reel on its foundations, under the wrath of Yahweh Sabaoth, the day when his anger ignites.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	14	Then like a hunted gazelle, like sheep that nobody gathers in, everyone will head back to his people, everyone will flee to his native land.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	15	All those who are found will be stabbed, all those captured will fall by the sword,
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	16	their babies dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses plundered, their wives raped.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	17	Look, against them I am stirring up the Medes who care nothing for silver, who set no value by gold.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	18	Bows will annihilate the young men, they will have no pity for the fruit of the womb, or mercy in their eyes for children.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	19	And Babylon, that pearl of kingdoms, that splendid jewel of the Chaldaeans, will, like Sodom and Gomorrah, be overthrown by God.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	20	Never again will anyone live there or reside there for all generations to come. Never again will the Arab pitch his tent there, or the shepherds bring their flocks to rest.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	21	But beasts of the desert will make their haunt there and owls fill their houses, there ostriches will settle their home, there goats will dance.
 Isaiah	Is	29	13	22	Hyenas will howl in its towers, jackals in its delightful palaces, for its doom is about to come and its days will not last long.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	1	Yahweh will have pity on Jacob, he will choose Israel once more and resettle them on their native soil. Foreigners will join them, attaching themselves to the House of Jacob.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	2	Peoples will take them and escort them home, and the House of Israel will take them as slaves, men and women on Yahweh's soil. They will enslave those who enslaved them and will master their oppressors.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	3	When that day comes, and Yahweh gives you rest from your suffering and torment and the grim servitude to which you have been subjected,
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	4	you will recite this satire on the king of Babylon and say: 'How did the tyrant end? How did his arrogance end?
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	5	Yahweh has broken the staff of the wicked, the sceptre of rulers,
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	6	furiously lashing peoples with continual blows, angrily hammering nations, pursuing without respite.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	7	The whole world is at rest and calm, shouts of joy resounding,
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	8	the cypresses, the cedars of Lebanon, rejoice aloud at your fate, "Now that you have been laid low, no one comes up to fell us."
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	9	'On your account, Sheol below is astir to greet your arrival. He has roused the ghosts to greet you, all the rulers of the world. He has made all the kings of the nations get up from their thrones.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	10	They will all greet you with the words, "So, you too are now as weak as we are! You, too, have become like us.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	11	Your pride has been flung down to Sheol with the music of your lyres; under you a mattress of maggots, over you a blanket of worms.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	12	How did you come to fall from the heavens, Daystar, son of Dawn? How did you come to be thrown to the ground, conqueror of nations?
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	13	You who used to think to yourself: I shall scale the heavens; higher than the stars of God I shall set my throne. I shall sit on the Mount of Assembly far away to the north.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	14	I shall climb high above the clouds, I shall rival the Most High."
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	15	Now you have been flung down to Sheol, into the depths of the abyss!
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	16	'When they see you, they will scrutinise you and consider what you have become, "Is this the man who made the world tremble, who overthrew kingdoms?
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	17	He made the world a desert, he levelled cities and never freed his prisoners to go home."
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	18	All other kings of nations, all of them, lie honourably, each in his own tomb;
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	19	but you have been thrown away, unburied, like a loathsome branch, covered with heaps of the slain pierced by the sword who fall on the rocks of the abyss like trampled carrion.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	20	'You will not rejoin them in the grave, for you have brought your country to ruin and destroyed your people. The offspring of the wicked leave no name behind them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	21	Make ready to slaughter his sons for the guilt of their father! Never again must they rise to conquer the world and cover the face of the earth with their cities.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	22	'I will rise against them, declares Yahweh Sabaoth, and deprive Babylon of name, remnant, offspring and posterity, declares Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	23	I shall turn it into the haunt of hedgehogs, a swamp. I shall sweep it with the broom of destruction, declares Yahweh Sabaoth.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	24	Yahweh Sabaoth has sworn it, 'Yes, what I have planned will take place, what I have decided will be so:
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	25	'I shall break Assyria in my country, I shall trample on him on my mountains. Then his yoke will slip off them, his burden will slip from their shoulders.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	26	This is the decision taken in defiance of the whole world; this, the hand outstretched in defiance of all nations.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	27	Once Yahweh Sabaoth has decided, who will stop him? Once he stretches out his hand, who can withdraw it?
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	28	In the year Ahaz died came this proclamation:
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	29	All Philistia, do not rejoice because the rod which used to beat you is now broken, for the serpent stock will produce a viper, its offspring will be a flying dragon.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	30	While the first-born of the poor are grazing and the destitute are resting in safety, I shall make your stock die of hunger and then slaughter what remains of you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	31	Howl, gate! Shriek, city! Totter, all Philistia! For a smoke is coming from the north, and there are no deserters in those battalions.
 Isaiah	Is	29	14	32	What reply will be given then to the messengers of that nation? - That Yahweh founded Zion and there the poor of his people will find refuge.
 Isaiah	Is	29	15	1	Proclamation about Moab: Laid waste in a night, Ar-Moab lies silent; Laid waste in a night, Kir-Moab lies silent.
 Isaiah	Is	29	15	2	The daughter of Dibon has climbed to the high places to weep; on Nebo and in Medeba Moab laments. Every head shaven, every beard cut off,
 Isaiah	Is	29	15	3	they wear sackcloth in their streets; on their roofs and in their squares, everyone is lamenting and collapsing in tears.
 Isaiah	Is	29	15	4	Heshbon and Elealeh are crying out in distress, their voices can be heard as far as Jahaz. That is why the warriors of Moab are shivering, his soul trembles at the sound.
 Isaiah	Is	29	15	5	His heart cries out in distress for Moab, whose fugitives are already at Zoar, nearly at Eglath-Shelishiyah. They climb the slope of Luhith, weeping as they go; on the road to Horonaim they utter heart-rending cries.
 Isaiah	Is	29	15	6	The Waters of Nimrim have become a waste land, the grass dried up, the plants withered away, nothing green any more.
 Isaiah	Is	29	15	7	That is why they are carrying what they could save of their stores across the Ravine of the Willows.
 Isaiah	Is	29	15	8	For the cry for help re-echoes round the territory of Moab; their wailing, right to Eglaim, to Beer-Elim, their wailing;
 Isaiah	Is	29	15	9	Dimon's waters are swollen with blood, and I have worse in store for Dimon: a lion for those of Moab who survive, for those left on its soil.
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	1	Send the lamb to the ruler of the land, from Sela by the desert, to the mountain of the daughter of Zion,
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	2	for soon, like a fluttered bird, like nestlings cast out, will be the women of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	3	Hold a council, make a decision. At noon spread your shadow as if it were night. Hide those who have been driven out, do not betray the fugitive,
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	4	let those who have been driven out of Moab come and live with you; be their refuge in the face of the devastator. Once the oppression is past, and the devastation has stopped and those now trampling on the country have gone away,
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	5	the throne will be made secure in faithful love and on it will sit in constancy within the tent of David, a judge seeking fair judgement and pursuing uprightness.
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	6	We have heard about Moab's pride, about how very proud it is, about its arrogance, its pride, its rage, its bravado, which will come to nothing!
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	7	And so Moab is wailing for Moab, wailing, every one of them. For the raisin cakes of Kir-Hareseth you mourn, stricken with grief.
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	8	For Heshbon's vineyards are withering, the vine of Sibmah whose red grapes used to overcome the overlords of the nations. It used to reach to Jazer, had wound its way into the desert, its shoots grew so numerous they spread across the sea.
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	9	And so I weep, as Jazer weeps, for the vine of Sibmah. I water you with my tears, Heshbon and Elealeh. For over your harvest and vintage the cheering has died away;
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	10	joy and gladness have vanished from the orchards. No more revelry in the vineyards, no more happy shouting; no more the treader treads wine in the presses, the cheering has ceased.
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	11	That is why my whole being quivers like harp strings for Moab, my very heart, for Kir-Heres.
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	12	Moab will be seen, wearing itself out on the high places and going to its temple to pray, but it will accomplish nothing.
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	13	Such was the word which Yahweh spoke about Moab in the past.
 Isaiah	Is	29	16	14	And now Yahweh has spoken in these terms, 'Within three years, as a hired worker reckons them, the glory of Moab will be humbled, despite its teeming population. It will be reduced to nothing, an insignificant remnant.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	1	Proclamation about Damascus: Damascus will soon cease to be a city, it will become a heap of ruins.
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	2	Its towns, abandoned for ever, will be pastures for flocks; there they will rest with no one to disturb them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	3	Ephraim will be stripped of its defences and Damascus of its sovereignty; and the remnant of Aram will be treated like the glory of the Israelites -- declares Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	4	When that day comes, Jacob's glory will diminish, from being fat he will grow lean;
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	5	as when a reaper gathers in the standing corn, harvesting the ears of corn with his arm, or when they glean the ears in the Valley of Rephaim,
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	6	nothing will remain but pickings, as when an olive tree is beaten; two or three berries left on the topmost bough, four or five berries on the branches of the tree -- declares Yahweh, God of Israel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	7	That day, a man will look to his Creator and his eyes will turn to the Holy One of Israel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	8	He will no longer look to altars, his own handiwork, or to what his own fingers have made: the sacred poles and incense-altars.
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	9	That day, its cities of refuge will be abandoned as were the woods and heaths at the Israelites' advance: there will be desolation.
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	10	Since you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and failed to keep the Rock, your refuge, in mind, you plant pleasure-gardens, you sow exotic seeds;
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	11	the day you plant them, you get them to sprout, and, next morning, your seedlings are in flower; but the harvest will vanish on the day of disease and incurable pain.
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	12	Disaster! The thunder of vast hordes, a thunder like the thunder of the seas, the roar of nations roaring like the roar of mighty floods,
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	13	of nations roaring like the roar of ocean! He rebukes them and far away they flee, driven like chaff on the mountains before the wind, like an eddy of dust before the storm.
 Isaiah	Is	29	17	14	At evening all is terror, by morning all have disappeared. Such will be the lot of those who plunder us, such, the fate of our despoilers.
 Isaiah	Is	29	18	1	Disaster! Land of the whirring locust beyond the rivers of Cush,
 Isaiah	Is	29	18	2	who send ambassadors by sea, in little reed-boats across the waters! Go, swift messengers to a nation tall and bronzed, to a people feared far and near, a mighty and masterful nation whose country is criss-crossed with rivers.
 Isaiah	Is	29	18	3	All you who inhabit the world, you who people the earth, when the signal is hoisted on the mountains, you will see, when the ram's-horn is sounded, you will hear.
 Isaiah	Is	29	18	4	For this is what Yahweh has told me, 'I shall sit here quietly looking down, like the burning heat in the daytime, like a dewy mist in the heat of harvest.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	18	5	For, before the harvest, once the flowering is over and blossom turns into ripening grape, the branches will be cut off with pruning knives, and the shoots taken off, cut away.
 Isaiah	Is	29	18	6	All has been abandoned to the mountain birds of prey and the wild animals: the birds of prey will summer on them, and all the wild animals winter on them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	18	7	Then, an offering will be brought to Yahweh Sabaoth on behalf of a people tall and bronzed, on behalf of a people feared far and near, on behalf of a mighty and masterful nation whose country is criss-crossed with rivers: to the place where the name of Yahweh Sabaoth resides, Mount Zion.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	1	Proclamation about Egypt: Look! Yahweh, riding a swift cloud, is coming to Egypt. The false gods of Egypt totter before him and Egypt's heart quails within her.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	2	I shall stir up Egypt against Egypt, they will fight one another, brother against brother, friend against friend, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	3	Egypt's spirit will fail within her and I shall confound her deliberations. They will consult false gods and wizards, ghosts and sorcerers.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	4	And I shall hand Egypt over to the clutches of a cruel master, a ruthless king will rule them -- declares Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	5	The waters will ebb from the sea, the river will dry up and run low,
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	6	the streams will become foul, the rivers of Egypt sink and dry up. Rush and reed will turn black,
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	7	the Nile-plants on the banks of the Nile; all the vegetation of the Nile, will wither, blow away and be no more.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	8	The fishermen will groan, it will be mourning for all who cast hook in the Nile; those who spread nets on the waters will lose heart.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	9	The workers of carded flax and the weavers of white cloth will be confounded,
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	10	the weavers dismayed, all the workmen dejected.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	11	Yes, the princes of Zoan are fools, Pharaoh's wisest councillors make up a stupid council. How dare you say to Pharaoh, 'I am descended from sages, I am descended from bygone kings'?
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	12	Where are these sages of yours? Let them tell you, so that all may know, the plans Yahweh Sabaoth has made against Egypt!
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	13	The princes of Zoan are fools, the princes of Noph, self-deceivers, the top men of her provinces have led Egypt astray.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	14	Yahweh has infused them with a giddy spirit; they have led Egypt astray in all she undertakes like a drunkard straying about as he vomits.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	15	Nowadays no one does for Egypt what top and tail, palm and reed used to do.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	16	That day Egypt will be like women, trembling and terrified at the threatening hand of Yahweh Sabaoth, when he raises it against her.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	17	The land of Judah will become Egypt's shame; whenever she is reminded of it, she will be terrified, because of the plan which Yahweh Sabaoth has laid against her.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	18	That day in Egypt there will be five towns speaking the language of Canaan and pledging themselves to Yahweh Sabaoth; one of them will be called City of the Sun.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	19	That day there will be an altar dedicated to Yahweh in the centre of Egypt and, close to the frontier, a pillar dedicated to Yahweh,
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	20	and this will be a sign and a witness to Yahweh Sabaoth in Egypt. When they cry to Yahweh for help because of oppressors, he will send them a Saviour and leader to deliver them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	21	Yahweh will reveal himself to Egypt, and the Egyptians will acknowledge Yahweh that day and will offer sacrifices and cereal offerings, and will make vows to Yahweh and perform them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	22	And if Yahweh strikes Egypt, having struck he will heal, and they will turn to Yahweh who will hear their prayers and heal them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	23	That day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. Assyria will have access to Egypt and Egypt have access to Assyria. Egypt will serve with Assyria.
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	24	That day Israel will make a third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing at the centre of the world,
 Isaiah	Is	29	19	25	and Yahweh Sabaoth will bless them in the words, 'Blessed be my people Egypt, Assyria my creation, and Israel my heritage.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	20	1	The year the general-in-chief, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and stormed and captured it
 Isaiah	Is	29	20	2	at that time Yahweh spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz and said, 'Go, undo the sackcloth round your waist and take the sandals off your feet.' And he did so, and walked about, naked and barefoot.
 Isaiah	Is	29	20	3	Yahweh then said, 'As my servant Isaiah has been walking about naked and barefoot for the last three years as a sign and portent for Egypt and Cush,
 Isaiah	Is	29	20	4	so the king of Assyria will lead the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot, their buttocks bared, to the shame of Egypt.
 Isaiah	Is	29	20	5	Then they will be afraid and ashamed of Cush their hope and Egypt their pride,
 Isaiah	Is	29	20	6	and the inhabitants of this coast will say on that day, "Look what has happened to our hope, to those to whom we fled for help, to escape from the king of Assyria. How are we going to escape?" '
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	1	Proclamation about the coastal desert: As whirlwinds sweeping over the Negeb, he comes from the desert, from a fearsome country.
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	2	A harsh vision has been shown me, 'The traitor betrays and the despoiler despoils. Advance, Elam, lay siege, Media!' I have cut short all groaning.
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	3	This is why my loins are racked with pain, why I am seized with pangs like the pangs of a woman in labour; I am too distressed to hear, too afraid to look.
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	4	My heart is bewildered, dread overwhelms me, the twilight I longed for has become my horror.
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	5	They lay the table, spread the cloth, they eat, they drink. Up, princes, grease the shield!
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	6	For this is what the Lord has told me, 'Go, post a look-out, let him report what he sees.
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	7	He will see cavalry, horsemen two by two, men mounted on donkeys, men mounted on camels; let him watch alertly, be very alert indeed!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	8	Then the look-out shouted, 'On the watchtower, Lord, I stay all day and at my post I stand all night.
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	9	Now the cavalry is coming, horsemen two by two.' He shouted again and said, 'Babylon has fallen, has fallen, and all the images of her gods he has shattered to the ground!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	10	You whom I have threshed, grain of my threshing-floor, what I have heard from Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, I am telling you now.
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	11	Proclamation about Dumah: From Seir, someone shouts to me, 'Watchman, what time of night? Watchman, what time of night?'
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	12	The watchman answers, 'Morning is coming, then night again. If you want to ask, ask! Come back! Come here!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	13	Proclamation about the wastelands: In the thickets, on the wastelands, you spend the night, you caravans of Dedanites.
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	14	Bring water for the thirsty! The inhabitants of Tema went with bread to greet the fugitive.
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	15	For these have fled before the sword, the naked sword and the bent bow, the press of battle.
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	16	For this is what the Lord has told me, 'In one year's time as a hired worker reckons it, all the glory of Kedar will be finished
 Isaiah	Is	29	21	17	and, of the valiant archers, the Kedarites, hardly any will be left, for Yahweh, God of Israel, has spoken.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	1	Prophecy on the Valley of Vision: Now what is the matter with you for you all to be up on the housetops,
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	2	full of excitement, boisterous town, joyful city? Your slain have not fallen to the sword nor died in battle.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	3	Your leaders have all fled together, captured without a bow between them, all who could be found have been captured at a blow, far though they had fled.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	4	That is why I said, 'Turn your eyes away from me, let me weep bitterly; do not try to comfort me over the ruin of the daughter of my people.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	5	For this is a day of rout, panic and confusion, the work of the Lord Yahweh Sabaoth in the Valley of Vision. The wall is sapped, cries for help ring out to the mountains.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	6	Elam has picked up his quiver, with manned chariots and horsemen, and Kir has bared his shield.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	7	Your fairest valleys are full of chariots and the horsemen take up positions at the gates;
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	8	thus falls the defence of Judah. That day you turned your gaze to the weapons in the House of the Forest.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	9	You saw how many breaches there were in the City of David. You collected the waters of the lower pool.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	10	You surveyed the houses in Jerusalem and pulled houses down to strengthen the wall.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	11	Between the two walls you made a reservoir for the waters of the old pool. But you did not look to the Creator of these things, you did not look to the One who fashioned them long ago.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	12	That day the Lord Yahweh Sabaoth called on you to weep and mourn, to shave your heads, to put on sackcloth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	13	But instead there is joy and merriment, killing of oxen, slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat, drinking of wine, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall be dead.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	14	Then Yahweh Sabaoth revealed this to my ears, 'This guilt will never be forgiven you, until you are dead,' says the Lord Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	15	The Lord Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Go and find that steward, Shebna, the master of the palace:
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	16	'What do you own here, who gave you the right for you to hew yourself a tomb here?' He is hewing himself a tomb, is digging a resting-place for himself in the rock.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	17	But Yahweh will throw you away, strong as you are, will grasp you in his grip,
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	18	will screw you up into a ball, a ball thrown into a vast space. There you will die, with your splendid chariots, disgrace to your master's palace!
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	19	I shall hound you from your office, I shall snatch you from your post
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	20	and, when that day comes, I shall summon my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	21	I shall dress him in your tunic, I shall put your sash round his waist, I shall invest him with your authority; and he will be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the House of Judah.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	22	I shall place the key of David's palace on his shoulder; when he opens, no one will close, when he closes, no one will open.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	23	I shall drive him like a nail into a firm place; and he will become a throne of glory for his family.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	24	'On him will depend all the glory of his family, the descendants and offspring, all the vessels of small capacity too, from cups to pitchers.
 Isaiah	Is	29	22	25	That day, declares Yahweh Sabaoth, the nail driven into a firm place will give way, will be torn out and fall. And the whole load hanging on it will be lost. For Yahweh has spoken.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	1	Proclamation about Tyre: Howl, ships of Tarshish, for all has been destroyed- no more houses, no way of getting in: the news has reached them from Kittim.
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	2	Be struck dumb, inhabitants of the coast, you merchants of Sidon, whose messengers cross the sea
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	3	to the wide ocean. The grain of the Canal, the harvest of the Nile, formed her revenue. She was the market for the nations.
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	4	Blush, Sidon (citadel of the seas), for this is what the sea has said, 'I have felt no birth-pangs, never given birth, never reared boys nor brought up girls.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	5	When the news reaches Egypt, they will tremble to hear Tyre's fate.
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	6	Cross to Tarshish, howl, inhabitants of the coast.
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	7	Is this your proud city founded far back in the past, whose steps led her far afield to found her colonies?
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	8	Who took this decision against Tyre, who used to hand out crowns, whose traders were princes, whose merchants, men honoured in the city?
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	9	Yahweh Sabaoth took this decision to wither the pride of all beauty and humiliate those honoured in the city.
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	10	Cultivate your country like the Delta, daughter of Tarshish, for your marine docks are no more.
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	11	He has raised his hand against the sea, he has shaken kingdoms, Yahweh has ordained the destruction of the fortresses of Canaan.
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	12	He has said, 'Exult no more, ill-treated virgin daughter of Sidon! Get up, cross to Kittim, no respite for you there, either.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	13	Look at the land of the Chaldaeans, a people who used not to exist! Assyria assigned it to the creatures of the wilds; they raised their siege-towers against it, demolished its bastions, reduced it to ruin.
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	14	Howl, ships of Tarshish, for your fortress has been destroyed.
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	15	When that day comes, Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, the length of one king's life. But when the seventy years are over, Tyre will become like the whore in the song:
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	16	'Take your harp, walk the town, whore whom men have forgotten! Play sweetly, song after song, to make them remember you.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	17	At the end of the seventy years Yahweh will visit Tyre. She will receive her pay again and play the whore with all the kingdoms of the world on the surface of the earth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	23	18	But her profits and wages will be dedicated to Yahweh. They will not be stored or hoarded, but her profits will go to those who live in Yahweh's presence, for them to have as much food as they want and splendid clothes.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	1	See how Yahweh lays the earth waste, makes it a desert, buckles its surface, scatters its inhabitants,
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	2	priest and people alike, master and slave, mistress and maid, seller and buyer, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	3	Ravaged, ravaged the earth will be, despoiled, despoiled, for Yahweh has uttered this word.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	4	The earth is mourning, pining away, the pick of earth's people are withering away.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	5	The earth is defiled by the feet of its inhabitants, for they have transgressed the laws, violated the decree, broken the everlasting covenant.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	6	That is why the curse has consumed the earth and its inhabitants pay the penalty, that is why the inhabitants of the earth have been burnt up and few people are left.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	7	The new wine is mourning, the vine is withering away, the once merry-hearted are sighing.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	8	The cheerful sound of tambourines is silent, the sound of revelling is over, the cheerful sound of the harp is silent.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	9	No more will they sing over their wine, liquor will taste bitter to the drinker.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	10	The city of nothingness is in ruins, every house is shut, no one can enter.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	11	People shout in the streets to try to get wine; all joy has vanished, happiness has been banished from the country.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	12	Nothing but rubble in the city, the gate has collapsed in ruins.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	13	For at the heart of earth's life, among the peoples, it is as at the beating of the olive trees, as at the gleaning of the grapes when the grape harvest is over.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	14	They raise their voices, shouting for joy, in Yahweh's honour they shout from the west.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	15	'Yes, in the east, give glory to Yahweh, in the islands of the sea, to the name of Yahweh, God of Israel!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	16	We have heard psalms from the remotest parts of earth, 'Glory to the Upright One!' But I thought, 'What an ordeal, what an ordeal! What misery for me!' The traitors have betrayed, the traitors have acted most treacherously.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	17	Fear, the pit and the snare for you, inhabitants of the city!
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	18	And whoever flees from the cry of fear will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in the snare. Yes, the sluice-gates above are open, the foundations of the earth are quaking.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	19	A cracking, the earth cracks open, a jolting, the earth gives a jolt, a lurching, the earth lurches backwards and forwards.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	20	The earth will reel to and fro like a drunkard, it will be shaken like a shanty; so heavy will be its sin on it, it will fall, never to rise again.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	21	When that day comes, Yahweh will punish the armies of the sky above and on earth the kings of the earth;
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	22	they will be herded together, herded together like prisoners in a dungeon and shut up in gaol, and, after long years, punished.
 Isaiah	Is	29	24	23	The moon will be confused and the sun ashamed, for Yahweh Sabaoth is king on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and the Glory will radiate on their elders.
 Isaiah	Is	29	25	1	Yahweh, you are my God, I shall praise you to the heights, I shall praise your name; for you have accomplished marvels, plans long-conceived, faithfully, firmly.
 Isaiah	Is	29	25	2	For you have made the town a heap of stones, the fortified city a ruin. The foreigners' citadel is a city no longer, it will never be rebuilt.
 Isaiah	Is	29	25	3	Hence mighty peoples will honour you, the city of pitiless nations hold you in awe;
 Isaiah	Is	29	25	4	For you have been a refuge for the weak, a refuge for the needy in distress, a shelter from the storm, shade from the heat; for the breath of the pitiless is like a winter storm.
 Isaiah	Is	29	25	5	Like heat in a dry land you calm the foreigners' tumult; as heat under the shadow of a cloud, so the song of the pitiless dies away.
 Isaiah	Is	29	25	6	On this mountain, for all peoples, Yahweh Sabaoth is preparing a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines, of succulent food, of well-strained wines.
 Isaiah	Is	29	25	7	On this mountain, he has destroyed the veil which used to veil all peoples, the pall enveloping all nations;
 Isaiah	Is	29	25	8	he has destroyed death for ever. Lord Yahweh has wiped away the tears from every cheek; he has taken his people's shame away everywhere on earth, for Yahweh has spoken.
 Isaiah	Is	29	25	9	And on that day, it will be said, 'Look, this is our God, in him we put our hope that he should save us, this is Yahweh, we put our hope in him. Let us exult and rejoice since he has saved us.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	25	10	For Yahweh's hand will rest on this mountain, and Moab will be trodden under his feet as straw is trodden into the dung-heap.
 Isaiah	Is	29	25	11	He may stretch his hands wide on the mountain like a swimmer stretching out his hands to swim. But he will humble his pride despite what his hands may attempt.
 Isaiah	Is	29	25	12	And the impregnable fortress of your walls, he has overthrown, laid low, flung to the ground, in the dust.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	1	That day, this song will be sung in Judah: 'We have a fortress city, the walls and ramparts provide safety.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	2	Open the gates! Let the upright nation come in, the nation that keeps faith!
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	3	This is the plan decreed: you will guarantee peace, the peace entrusted to you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	4	Trust in Yahweh for ever, for Yahweh is a rock for ever.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	5	He has brought low the dwellers on the heights, the lofty citadel; he lays it low, brings it to the ground, flings it down in the dust.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	6	It will be trodden under foot, by the feet of the needy, the steps of the weak.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	7	The path of the Upright One is honesty; you smooth the honest way of the upright.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	8	Following the path of your judgements, Yahweh, we set our hopes in you, your name, your memory are all our soul desires.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	9	At night my soul longs for you and my spirit within me seeks you out; for when your judgements appear on earth the inhabitants of the world learn what saving justice is.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	10	If pity is shown to the wicked without his learning what saving justice is, he will act wrongly in the land of right conduct and not see the majesty of Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	11	Yahweh, your hand is raised but they do not see! The antagonists of your people will look and grow pale; with your fiery wrath you will devour your enemies.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	12	Yahweh, you will grant us peace, having completed all our undertakings for us.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	13	Yahweh our God, other lords than you have ruled us but, loyal to you alone, we invoke your name.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	14	The dead will not come back to life, the shadows will not rise again, for you have punished them, annihilated them, wiping out their very memory.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	15	You have made the nation larger, Yahweh, made the nation larger and won yourself glory, you have rolled back the frontiers of the country.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	16	Yahweh, in distress they had recourse to you, they expended themselves in prayer, since your punishment was on them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	17	As a pregnant woman near her time of delivery writhes and cries out in her pangs, so have we been, Yahweh, in your eyes:
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	18	we have been pregnant, we have writhed, but we have given birth only to wind: we have not given salvation to the earth, no inhabitants for the world have been brought to birth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	19	Your dead will come back to life, your corpses will rise again. Wake up and sing, you dwellers in the dust, for your dew will be a radiant dew, but the earth will give birth to the shades.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	20	Go, my people, go to your private room, shut yourselves in. Hide yourselves a little while until the retribution has passed.
 Isaiah	Is	29	26	21	For see, Yahweh emerges from his dwelling to punish the inhabitants of earth for their guilt; and the earth will reveal the blood shed on it and no longer hide its slain.
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	1	That day Yahweh will punish, with his unyielding sword, massive and strong, Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will kill that dragon that lives in the sea.
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	2	That day, sing of the splendid vineyard!
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	3	I, Yahweh, am its guardian, from time to time I water it; so that no harm befall it, I guard it night and day.
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	4	-I do not have a wall. Who can reduce me to brambles and thorn-bushes? -I shall make war and trample on it and at the same time burn it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	5	Or should they beg for my protection, let them make their peace with me, peace let them make with me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	6	In days to come, Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and the surface of the world be one vast harvest.
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	7	Has he struck him as he was struck by those who struck him? Has he murdered him as he was murdered by those who murdered him?
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	8	By expelling, by excluding him, you have executed a sentence, he has blown him away with a breath as rough as the east wind.
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	9	For that is how Jacob's guilt will be forgiven, such will be the result of renouncing his sin, when all the altar-stones have been smashed to pieces like lumps of chalk, when the sacred poles and incense-altars stand no longer.
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	10	For the fortified city is abandoned now, deserted, forsaken as a desert where calves browse, where they lie down, destroying its branches.
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	11	When boughs go dry, they get burnt, women come and use them for firewood. Now, this is a people that does not understand, and so its Maker will not take pity on it, he who formed it will not show it any mercy.
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	12	When that day comes, Yahweh will start his threshing from the course of the River to the Torrent of Egypt, and you will be gathered one by one, Israelites!
 Isaiah	Is	29	27	13	When that day comes, the great ram's-horn will be sounded, and those lost in Assyria will come, and those banished to Egypt, and they will worship Yahweh on the holy mountain, in Jerusalem.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	1	Woe to the haughty crown of Ephraim's drunkards, to the fading flower of its proud splendour sited at the head of the lush valley, to those prostrated by wine!
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	2	See, a strong and mighty man in the Lord's service, like a storm of hail, a destroying tempest, like immense flood-waters overflowing, with his hand he throws them to the ground.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	3	They will be trampled underfoot, the haughty crown of Ephraim's drunkards,
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	4	and the faded flower of its proud splendour sited at the head of the lush valley. Like a fig ripe before summer comes: whoever spots it forthwith picks and swallows it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	5	That day Yahweh Sabaoth will be a crown of splendour and a proud diadem for the remnant of his people,
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	6	a spirit of fair judgement for him who sits in judgement, and the strength of those who repel the assault on the gate.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	7	These too have been confused by wine, have gone astray owing to liquor. Priest and prophet have become confused by liquor, are sodden with wine, have strayed owing to liquor, have become confused in their visions, have strayed in their decisions.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	8	Yes, every table is covered in filthy vomit, not one is clean!
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	9	'Whom does he think he is lecturing? Whom does he think his message is for? Babies just weaned? Babies just taken from the breast?
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	10	With his "Sav lasav, sav lasav, kav lakav, kav lakav, zeer sham, zeer sham!"
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	11	Now, with stammering lips and in a foreign language, he will talk to this nation.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	12	He used to say to them, 'Here you can rest! Here you can let the weary rest! Here all is quiet.' But they refused to listen.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	13	Now Yahweh is going to say this to them, 'Sav lasav, sav lasav, kav lakav, kav lakav, zeer sham, zeer sham.' So that when they walk they will fall over backwards and so be broken, trapped and taken captive.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	14	Hence listen to Yahweh's word, you insolent men, rulers of this people in Jerusalem.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	15	Because you have said, 'We have made a treaty with Death and have struck a pact with Sheol. When the scourging flood comes over, it will not touch us, for we have made lies our refuge and hidden under falsehood.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	16	So the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Now I shall lay a stone in Zion, a granite stone, a precious corner-stone, a firm foundation-stone: no one who relies on this will stumble.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	17	And I will make fair judgement the measure, and uprightness the plumb-line.' But hail will sweep away the refuge of lies and floods wash away the hiding-place;
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	18	your treaty with Death will be broken and your pact with Sheol will not hold. When the scourging flood comes over, you will be trodden down by it;
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	19	every time it comes over, it will seize on you, for it will come over, morning after morning, day by day and night by night. Nothing but fear will make you understand what you hear.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	20	For the bed is too short to stretch in, the blanket too narrow for covering.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	21	Yes, as on Mount Perazim, Yahweh will rise, as in the Valley of Gibeon, he will storm to do his work, his mysterious work, to do his deed, his extraordinary deed.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	22	Stop scoffing, then, or your bonds will be tightened further, for I have heard it: it has been irrevocably decided as regards the whole country by the Lord Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	23	Listen closely to my words, be attentive, understand what I am saying.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	24	Does the ploughman plough all day to sow, breaking up and harrowing his ground?
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	25	Once he has levelled its surface, does he not scatter fennel, sow cummin? Then he puts in wheat, millet, barley and, round the edges, spelt,
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	26	for his God has taught him this rule and instructed him.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	27	Fennel must not be crushed with a sledge, nor cart-wheels driven over cummin; fennel must be beaten with a stick, and cummin with a flail.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	28	When you are threshing wheat, you do not waste time crushing it; you get the horse and cart-wheel moving, but you do not grind it fine.
 Isaiah	Is	29	28	29	All this is a gift from Yahweh Sabaoth, marvellous advice leading to great achievements.
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	1	Woe, Ariel, Ariel, city where David encamped. Let year after year pass, let the feasts make their full round,
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	2	then I shall inflict trouble on Ariel, and there will be sighing and sobbing, and I shall make it truly Ariel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	3	I shall encamp all round you, I shall lay siege to you and mount siege-works against you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	4	You will be laid low, will speak from the underworld, your words will rise like a murmur from the dust. Your voice from the earth will be like a ghost's, it will whisper as though coming from the dust.
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	5	The horde of your enemies will be like fine dust, the horde of the warriors like flying chaff. And suddenly, in an instant,
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	6	you will be visited by Yahweh Sabaoth with thunder, earthquake, mighty din, hurricane, tempest, flame of devouring fire.
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	7	It will be like a dream, like a vision at night: the horde of all the nations at war with Ariel, all those fighting, besieging and troubling it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	8	It will be like the dream of a hungry man: he eats, then wakes up with an empty belly; or like the dream of a thirsty man: he drinks, then wakes up exhausted with a parched throat. So will it be with the horde of all the nations making war on Mount Zion.
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	9	Be stupefied and stunned, go blind, unseeing, drunk but not on wine, staggering but not through liquor.
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	10	For Yahweh has infused you with a spirit of lethargy, he has closed your eyes (the prophets), he has veiled your heads (the seers).
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	11	For to you every vision has become like the words of a sealed book. You give it to someone able to read and say, 'Read that.' He replies, 'I cannot, because it is sealed.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	12	You then give the book to someone who cannot read, and say, 'Read that.' He replies, 'I cannot read.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	13	The Lord then said: Because this people approaches me only in words, honours me only with lip-service while their hearts are far from me, and reverence for me, as far as they are concerned, is nothing but human commandment, a lesson memorised,
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	14	very well, I shall have to go on astounding this people with prodigies and wonders: for the wisdom of its wise men is doomed, the understanding of any who understand will vanish.
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	15	Woe to those who burrow down to conceal their plans from Yahweh, who scheme in the dark and say, 'Who can see us? Who knows who we are?'
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	16	How perverse you are! Is the potter no better than the clay? Something that was made, can it say of its maker, 'He did not make me'? Or a pot say of the potter, 'He does not know his job'?
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	17	Is it not true that in a very short time the Lebanon will become productive ground, so productive you might take it for a forest?
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	18	That day the deaf will hear the words of the book and, delivered from shadow and darkness, the eyes of the blind will see.
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	19	The lowly will find ever more joy in Yahweh and the poorest of people will delight in the Holy One of Israel;
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	20	for the tyrant will be no more, the scoffer has vanished and all those on the look-out for evil have been destroyed:
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	21	those who incriminate others by their words, those who lay traps for the arbitrator at the gate and groundlessly deprive the upright of fair judgement.
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	22	That is why Yahweh, God of the House of Jacob, Abraham's redeemer, says this, 'No longer shall Jacob be disappointed, no more shall his face grow pale,
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	23	for when he sees his children, my creatures, home again with him, he will acknowledge my name as holy, he will acknowledge the Holy One of Jacob to be holy and will hold the God of Israel in awe.
 Isaiah	Is	29	29	24	Erring spirits will learn to understand and murmurers accept instruction.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	1	Woe to the rebellious children -- declares Yahweh -- who make plans which do not come from me and make alliances not inspired by me, and so add sin to sin!
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	2	They are leaving for Egypt, without consulting me, to take refuge in Pharaoh's protection, to shelter in Egypt's shadow.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	3	Pharaoh's protection will be your shame, the shelter of Egypt's shadow your confounding.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	4	For his princes have gone to Zoan and his messengers have reached Hanes.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	5	Everyone has been disappointed by a people who cannot help, who bring neither aid nor profit, only disappointment and confusion.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	6	Proclamation about the beasts of the Negeb: Into the land of distress and of anguish, of lioness and roaring lion, of viper and flying dragon, they bear their riches on donkeys' backs, their treasures on camels' humps, to a nation that cannot help:
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	7	Egypt, whose help is vain and futile; and so I call her 'Rahab -the-collapsed'.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	8	Now go, inscribe this on a tablet, write it on a scroll, so that it may serve for time to come for ever and for ever.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	9	This is a rebellious people, they are lying children, children who will not listen to Yahweh's Law.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	10	To the seers they say, 'See nothing!' To the prophets, 'Do not prophesy the truth to us; tell us flattering things; have illusory visions;
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	11	turn aside from the way, leave the path, rid us of the Holy One of Israel.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	12	So the Holy One of Israel says this, 'Since you have rejected this word and put your trust in fraud and disloyalty and rely on these,
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	13	for you this guilt will prove to be a breach opening up, a bulge at the top of a wall which suddenly and all at once comes crashing down.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	14	He will shatter it like an earthenware pot, ruthlessly knocking it to pieces, so that of the fragments not one shard can be found with which to take up fire from the hearth or scoop water from the storage-well.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	15	For Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, says this, 'Your salvation lay in conversion and tranquillity, your strength in serenity and trust and you would have none of it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	16	"No," you said, "we shall flee on horses." And so flee you will! And again, "We shall ride on swift ones." And so your pursuers will be swift!
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	17	A thousand will quake at the threat of one and when five threaten you will flee, until what is left of you will be like a flagstaff on a mountain top, like a signal on a hill.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	18	But Yahweh is waiting to be gracious to you, the Exalted One, to take pity on you, for Yahweh is a God of fair judgement; blessed are all who hope in him.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	19	Yes, people of Zion living in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious to you when your cry for help rings out; as soon as he hears it, he will answer you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	20	When the Lord has given you the bread of suffering and the water of distress, he who is your teacher will hide no longer, and you will see your teacher with your own eyes.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	21	Your ears will hear these words behind you, 'This is the way, keep to it,' whether you turn to right or left.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	22	You will hold unclean the silverplating of your idols and the goldplating of your images. You will throw them away like the polluted things they are, shouting after them, 'Good riddance!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	23	He will send rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the bread that the ground provides will be rich and nourishing. That day, your cattle will graze in wide pastures.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	24	Oxen and donkeys that work the land will eat for fodder wild sorrel, spread by the shovel-load and fork-load.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	25	On every lofty mountain, on every high hill there will be streams and water-courses, on the day of the great slaughter when the strongholds fall.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	26	Then moonlight will be bright as sunlight and sunlight itself be seven times brighter -- like the light of seven days in one -- on the day Yahweh dresses his people's wound and heals the scars of the blows they have received.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	27	See, the name of Yahweh comes from afar, blazing his anger, heavy his threat. His lips are brimming over with fury, his tongue is like a devouring fire.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	28	His breath is like a river in spate coming up to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction, to harness the peoples in a bridle, that will lead them astray.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	29	Your song will be like that on a festal night, and there will be joy in your hearts as when to the sound of the flute people make a pilgrimage to the mountain of Yahweh, the Rock of Israel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	30	Yahweh will make his majestic voice ring out, he will show the weight of his arm in the heat of his anger, with a devouring fire, with thunderbolt, downpour and hailstones.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	31	Yes, at Yahweh's voice Assyria will be terrified, he will strike him with his rod;
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	32	each time he goes by, will fall the punishing rod that Yahweh will lay on him, to the sound of tambourines and harps, in the battles which he will wage against him with uplifted hand.
 Isaiah	Is	29	30	33	Yes, Topheth has been ready for a long time now, that too is ready for the king, deep and wide his pyre, fire and wood in plenty. Yahweh's breath, like a stream of brimstone, will set fire to it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	31	1	Woe to those going down to Egypt for help, who put their trust in horses, who rely on the quantity of chariots, and on great strength of cavalrymen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	31	2	Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster and he will not go back on his word; he will rise against the breed of evil-doers and against those who protect wrong-doers.
 Isaiah	Is	29	31	3	The Egyptian is human, not divine, his horses are flesh, not spirit; Yahweh will stretch out his hand: the protector will stumble, the protected will fall and all will perish together.
 Isaiah	Is	29	31	4	Yes, this is what Yahweh has said to me: As a lion or lion cub growls over its prey, when scores of shepherds are summoned to drive it off, without being frightened by their shouting or cowed by the noise they make, just so will Yahweh Sabaoth descend to fight for Mount Zion and for its hill.
 Isaiah	Is	29	31	5	Like hovering birds, so will Yahweh Sabaoth protect Jerusalem; by protecting it, he will save it, by supporting it, he will deliver it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	31	6	Come back to the one whom the Israelites have so deeply betrayed!
 Isaiah	Is	29	31	7	For, that day, each of you will throw away the false gods of silver and the false gods of gold which your own sinful hands have made.
 Isaiah	Is	29	31	8	Assyria will fall by the sword, not that of a man, will be devoured by the sword, of no human being, he will flee before the sword and his young warriors will be enslaved.
 Isaiah	Is	29	31	9	In his terror he will abandon his rock, and his panic-stricken officers desert the standard -- declares Yahweh, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace, in Jerusalem.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	1	There will be a king who reigns uprightly and princes who rule with fair judgement;
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	2	each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams on arid ground, like the shade of a solid rock in a desolate land.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	3	The eyes of seers will no longer be closed, the ears of hearers will be alert,
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	4	the heart of the hasty will learn to think things over, and the tongue of stammerers will speak promptly and clearly.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	5	The fool will no longer be called generous, nor the rascal be styled bountiful.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	6	For the fool speaks folly and his heart is set on villainy; he is godless in his actions and his words ascribe error to Yahweh; he starves the hungry of their food and refuses drink to the thirsty.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	7	Everything to do with the rascal is evil, he devises infamous plans to ruin the poor with lying words even when the needy has right on his side;
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	8	but the noble person plans only noble things, noble his every move.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	9	Stand up, you haughty women, listen to my words; you over-confident daughters, pay attention to what I say.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	10	Within one year and a few days you will tremble, you over-confident women; grape-harvesting will be finished, gathering will never happen again.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	11	Shudder, you haughty women, tremble, you over-confident women; strip, undress, put sackcloth round your waists.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	12	Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine,
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	13	for my people's soil where the bramble-bush will be growing and for all the happy houses, for the rejoicing city.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	14	For the citadel will be abandoned and the thronged city deserted, Ophel and the Keep will be denuded for ever, the playground of wild donkeys and the pasture of flocks,
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	15	until the spirit is poured out on us from above, and the desert becomes an orchard, and an orchard that seems like a forest.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	16	Fair judgement will fix its home in the desert, and uprightness live in this orchard,
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	17	and the product of uprightness will be peace, the effect of uprightness being quiet and security for ever.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	18	My people will live in a peaceful home, in peaceful houses, tranquil dwellings.
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	19	And should the forest be totally destroyed and the city gravely humiliated,
 Isaiah	Is	29	32	20	You will be happy to sow wherever there is water and to let the ox and donkey roam free.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	1	Woe to you, destroying though not yourself destroyed, betraying though not yourself betrayed; when you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed, when you have stopped betraying, you will be betrayed.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	2	Yahweh, show us your mercy, we hope in you. Be our arm every morning and our salvation in time of distress.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	3	At the sound of tumult the peoples flee, when you stand up the nations scatter.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	4	Your spoil is gathered in as a grasshopper gathers in, like a swarm of locusts people descend on it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	5	Yahweh is exalted, for he is enthroned above, he has filled Zion with fair judgement and saving justice.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	6	You can count on this all your days: wisdom and knowledge are the riches that save, the fear of Yahweh is his treasure.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	7	Look, Ariel is lamenting in the streets, the ambassadors of peace are weeping bitterly.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	8	The highways are deserted, no travellers any more on the roads. Agreements are broken, witnesses held in contempt, there is respect for no one.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	9	The land pines away in mourning, the Lebanon is withering with shame, Sharon has become like the wasteland, Bashan and Carmel are shuddering.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	10	'Now I shall stand up,' says Yahweh, 'now I shall rise, now draw myself up.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	11	You conceive chaff, you give birth to straw: like fire, my breath will devour you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	12	The peoples will be burnt up as though by quicklime, like cut thorns they will be burnt on the fire.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	13	You who are far away, listen to what I have done, and you who are near, realise my strength.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	14	The sinners in Zion are panic-stricken and fear seizes on the godless, 'Which of us can survive the devouring fire, which of us survive everlasting burning?'
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	15	The one who acts uprightly and speaks honestly, who scorns to get rich by extortion, who rejects bribes out of hand, who refuses to listen to plans involving bloodshed and shuts his eyes rather than countenance crime:
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	16	such a man will live on the heights, the craggy rocks will be his refuge, he will be fed, he will not want for water.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	17	Your eyes will gaze on the king in his beauty, they will look on a country stretching far and wide.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	18	Your heart will meditate on past terrors, 'Where is the man who did the counting? Where is the man who did the weighing? Where is the man who counted off the towers?'
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	19	No more will you see that insolent people, that people of unintelligible speech, of barbarous and meaningless tongue.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	20	Gaze at Zion, city of our feasts; your eyes will see Jerusalem as a home that is secure, a tent not to be moved, none of its tent-pegs ever to be pulled out, none of its guy-ropes ever to be broken.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	21	There it is that Yahweh shows us his power, like a place of rivers and very wide canals on which will row no galley, over which will pass no majestic ship.
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	22	(For Yahweh is our judge, Yahweh our lawgiver, Yahweh is our king and our Saviour.)
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	23	Your tackle has given way, it cannot support the mast, it cannot hoist the pennon. And so there is much booty to be shared out; the lame fall to plundering,
 Isaiah	Is	29	33	24	and no one living there will say, 'I am sickly'; the people living there will find their guilt forgiven.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	1	Come near and listen, you nations, pay attention, you peoples. Let the earth and its contents listen, the world and its entire population.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	2	For Yahweh is angry with all the nations, enraged with all their hordes. He has vowed them to destruction, handed them over to slaughter.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	3	Their dead will be thrown away, the stench will rise from their corpses, the mountains will run with their blood,
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	4	the entire array of heaven will fall apart. The heavens will be rolled up like a scroll and all their array will fade away, as fade the leaves falling from the vine, as fade those falling from the fig tree.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	5	For my sword has drunk deep in the heavens: see how it now falls on Edom, on the people vowed to destruction, to punish them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	6	Yahweh's sword is gorged with blood, it is greasy with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For Yahweh has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	7	The wild oxen will fall with them, the bullocks with the bulls; their land will be drenched with blood and their dust will be greasy with fat.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	8	For this will be Yahweh's day of vengeance, the year of retribution in Zion's lawsuit.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	9	Its streams will turn into pitch, its dust into brimstone, its country will turn into blazing pitch.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	10	Never quenched night or day, its smoke rising for ever, it will lie waste age after age, no one will travel through it for ever and ever.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	11	It will be the haunt of pelican and hedgehog, the owl and the raven will live there; over it Yahweh will stretch the measuring line of chaos and the plumb-line of emptiness.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	12	There will be no more nobles to proclaim the royal authority; there will be an end of all its princes.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	13	Brambles will grow in its bastions, nettles and thorn-bushes in its fortresses, it will be the lair of jackals, an enclosure for ostriches.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	14	Wild cats will meet hyenas there, satyr will call to satyr, there Lilith too will lurk and find somewhere to rest.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	15	The snake will nest and lay eggs there, will hatch and gather its young into the shade; and there the vultures will assemble, each one with its mate.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	16	Search in Yahweh's book, and read, not one of these will be missing, not one of them lacking a mate; for thus his mouth has ordained it, and his spirit has brought them together.
 Isaiah	Is	29	34	17	He has thrown the lot for each, his hand has measured out their share; they will possess it for ever, and live there age after age.
 Isaiah	Is	29	35	1	Let the desert and the dry lands be glad, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom; like the asphodel,
 Isaiah	Is	29	35	2	let it burst into flower, let it rejoice and sing for joy. The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; then they will see the glory of Yahweh, the splendour of our God.
 Isaiah	Is	29	35	3	Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees
 Isaiah	Is	29	35	4	and say to the faint-hearted, 'Be strong! Do not be afraid. Here is your God, vengeance is coming, divine retribution; he is coming to save you.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	35	5	Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed,
 Isaiah	Is	29	35	6	then the lame will leap like a deer and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy; for water will gush in the desert and streams in the wastelands,
 Isaiah	Is	29	35	7	the parched ground will become a marsh and the thirsty land springs of water; the lairs where the jackals used to live will become plots of reed and papyrus.
 Isaiah	Is	29	35	8	And through it will run a road for them and a highway which will be called the Sacred Way; the unclean will not be allowed to use it; He will be the one to use this road, the fool will not stray along it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	35	9	No lion will be there, no ferocious beast set foot on it, nothing of the sort be found; it will be used by the redeemed.
 Isaiah	Is	29	35	10	For those whom Yahweh has ransomed will return, they will come to Zion shouting for joy, their heads crowned with joy unending; rejoicing and gladness will escort them and sorrow and sighing will take flight.
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	1	In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria advanced on all the fortified towns of Judah and captured them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	2	From Lachish the king of Assyria sent the cupbearer-in-chief with a large force to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. The cupbearer-in-chief took up position near the conduit of the upper pool on the road to the Fuller's Field.
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	3	The master of the palace, Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Shebna the secretary and the herald Joah son of Asaph went out to him.
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	4	The cupbearer-in-chief said to them, 'Say to Hezekiah, "The great king, the king of Assyria, says this: What makes you so confident?
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	5	Do you think empty words are as good as strategy and military strength? Who are you relying on, to dare to rebel against me?
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	6	There you are, relying on that broken reed, Egypt, which pricks and pierces the hand of the person who leans on it. That is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is like to all who rely on him.
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	7	You may say to me: We rely on Yahweh our God. But haven't his high places and altars been suppressed by Hezekiah, who told Judah and Jerusalem: This is the altar before which you must worship?
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	8	Very well, then, make a wager with my lord the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses if you can find horsemen to ride them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	9	How could you repulse a single one of the least of my master's soldiers? And yet you have relied on Egypt for chariots and horsemen.
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	10	And lastly, have I marched on this country to lay it waste without warrant from Yahweh? Yahweh himself said to me: March on this country and lay it waste."
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	11	Eliakim, Shebna and Joah said to the cupbearer-in-chief, 'Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it; do not speak to us in the Judaean language within earshot of the people on the ramparts.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	12	But the cupbearer-in-chief said, 'Do you think my lord sent me here to say these things to your master or to you? On the contrary, it was to the people sitting on the ramparts who, like you, are doomed to eat their own dung and drink their own urine.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	13	The cupbearer-in-chief then drew himself up and shouted loudly in the Judaean language, 'Listen to the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	14	The king says this, "Do not let Hezekiah delude you! He will be powerless to save you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	15	Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to rely on Yahweh by saying: Yahweh is sure to save us; this city will not fall into the king of Assyria's clutches.
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	16	Do not listen to Hezekiah, for the king of Assyria says this: Make peace with me,
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	17	surrender to me, and every one of you will be free to eat the fruit of his own vine and of his own fig tree and to drink the water of his own storage-well until I come and take you away to a country like your own, a land of corn and good wine, a land of bread and vineyards.
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	18	Do not let Hezekiah delude you by saying: Yahweh will save us. Has any god of any nation been able to save his country from the king of Assyria's clutches?
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	19	Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Where are the national gods of Samaria? Did they save Samaria from my clutches?
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	20	Of all the national gods, which ones have saved their countries from my clutches, that Yahweh should be able to save Jerusalem from my clutches?" '
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	21	They, however, kept quiet and said nothing in reply, since the king had given the order, 'You are not to answer him.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	36	22	The master of the palace, Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Shebna the secretary and the herald Joah son of Asaph, with their clothes torn, went to Hezekiah and reported what the cupbearer-in-chief had said.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	1	On hearing this, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and went to the Temple of Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	2	He sent Eliakim master of the palace, Shebna the secretary and the elders of the priests, wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	3	They said to him, 'This is what Hezekiah says, "Today is a day of suffering, of punishment, of disgrace. Children come to birth and there is no strength to bring them forth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	4	May Yahweh your God hear the words of the cupbearer-in-chief whom his master, the king of Assyria, has sent to insult the living God, and may Yahweh your God punish the words he has heard! Offer your prayer for the remnant still left." '
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	5	When King Hezekiah's ministers came to Isaiah,
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	6	he said to them, 'Say to your master, "Yahweh says this: Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard or the blasphemies which the king of Assyria's minions have uttered against me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	7	Look, I am going to put a spirit in him and, on the strength of a rumour, he will go back to his own country, and in that country I shall make him fall by the sword." '
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	8	The cupbearer turned about and rejoined the king of Assyria, who was then attacking Libnah, the cupbearer having learnt that the king had already left Lachish
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	9	on hearing that Tirhakah king of Cush was on his way to attack him. Sennacherib again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	10	'Tell Hezekiah king of Judah this, "Do not let your God on whom you are relying deceive you with the promise: Jerusalem will not fall into the king of Assyria's clutches.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	11	You have learnt by now what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, putting them under the curse of destruction. Are you likely to be saved?
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	12	Did the gods of the nations whom my ancestors devastated save them-Gozan, Haran, Rezeph and the Edenites who were in Tel Basar?
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	13	Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of Lair, of Sepharvaim, of Hena, of Ivvah?" '
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	14	Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers' hands and read it; he then went up to the Temple of Yahweh and spread it out before Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	15	Hezekiah said this prayer in the presence of Yahweh,
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	16	'Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, enthroned on the winged creatures, you alone are God of all the kingdoms of the world, you made heaven and earth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	17	Give ear, Yahweh, and listen; open your eyes, Yahweh, and see! Hear the words of Sennacherib, who has sent to insult the living God.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	18	It is true, Yahweh, that the kings of Assyria have destroyed all the nations (and their countries);
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	19	they have thrown their gods on the fire, for these were not gods but human artefacts -- wood and stone -- and hence they have destroyed them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	20	But now, Yahweh our God, save us from his clutches, I beg you, and let all the kingdoms of the world know that you alone are God, Yahweh.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	21	Isaiah son of Amoz then sent the following message to Hezekiah, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "In answer to the prayer which you have addressed to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	22	Here is the pronouncement which Yahweh has made about him: She despises you, she scorns you, the virgin daughter of Zion; she tosses her head at you, the daughter of Jerusalem!
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	23	Whom have you insulted, whom did you blaspheme? Against whom raised your voice and lifted your haughty eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	24	Through your minions you have insulted the Lord, thinking: With my many chariots I have climbed the mountain-tops, the utmost peaks of Lebanon. I have felled its mighty cedars, its finest cypresses, have reached its furthest peak, its forest garden.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	25	Yes, I have dug and drunk of foreign waters; under the soles of my feet I have dried up all Egypt's rivers.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	26	Do you hear? Long ago I prepared this, from days of old I actually planned it, now I carry it out. You were to lay walled cities in heaps of ruins;
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	27	that was why their inhabitants, feeble of hand, were dismayed and discomfited, were weak as grass, were frail as plants, were like grass of housetop and meadow under the east wind.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	28	But whether you stand up or sit down, whether you go out or come in, I know it (and how you rave against me).
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	29	Because you have raved against me and your arrogance has reached my ears, I shall put a hook through your nostrils and a muzzle on your lips, and make you return by the road by which you came.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	30	And this will be the sign for you: This year will be eaten the self-sown grain, next year what sprouts in the fallow; but in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	31	The surviving remnant of the House of Judah will bring forth new roots below and fruits above;
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	32	for a remnant will issue from Jerusalem, and survivors from Mount Zion. Yahweh Sabaoth's jealous love will accomplish this." '
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	33	'This, then, is what Yahweh says about the king of Assyria: He will not enter this city, will shoot no arrow at it, confront it with no shield, throw up no earthwork against it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	34	By the road by which he came, by that he will return; he will not enter this city, declares Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	35	I shall protect this city and save it for my sake and my servant David's sake.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	36	That same night the angel of Yahweh went out and struck down a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. In the early morning when it was time to get up, there they lay, so many corpses.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	37	Sennacherib struck camp and left; he returned home and stayed in Nineveh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	37	38	One day when he was worshipping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword and escaped into the territory of Ararat. His son Esarhaddon succeeded him.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	1	About then, Hezekiah fell ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came and said to him, 'Yahweh says this, "Put your affairs in order, for you are going to die, you will not live." '
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	2	Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and addressed this prayer to Yahweh,
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	3	'Ah, Yahweh, remember, I beg you, that I have behaved faithfully and with sincerity of heart in your presence and done what you regard as right.' And Hezekiah shed many tears.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	4	Then the word of Yahweh came to Isaiah,
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	5	'Go and say to Hezekiah, "Yahweh, the God of your ancestor David, says this: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I shall cure you: in three days' time you will go up to the Temple of Yahweh. I shall add fifteen years to your life.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	6	I shall save you and this city from the king of Assyria's clutches and defend this city for my sake and my servant David's sake." '
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	7	'Here', Isaiah replied, 'is the sign from Yahweh that he will do what he has said.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	8	Look, I shall make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the steps -- the steps to Ahaz's roof-room-go back ten steps.' And the sun went back the ten steps by which it had declined.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	9	Canticle of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	10	I thought: In the noon of my life I am to depart. At the gates of Sheol I shall be held for the rest of my days.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	11	I thought: I shall never see Yahweh again in the land of the living, I shall never see again a single one of those who live on earth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	12	My home has been pulled up, and thrown away like a shepherd's tent; like a weaver, I have rolled up my life, he has cut me from the loom. From dawn to dark, you have been making an end of me;
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	13	till daybreak, I cried for help; like a lion, he has crushed all my bones, from dawn to dark, you have been making an end of me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	14	I twitter like a swallow, I moan like a dove, my eyes have grown dim from looking up. Lord, I am overwhelmed, come to my help.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	15	How can I speak and what can I say to him? He is the one to act. I must eke out the rest of my years in bitterness of soul.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	16	The Lord is over them; they live, and everything in them lives by his spirit. You will cure me. Restore me to life.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	17	At once, my bitterness turns to well-being. For you have preserved my soul from the pit of nothingness, you have thrust all my sins behind you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	18	For Sheol cannot praise you, nor Death celebrate you; those who go down to the pit can hope no longer in your constancy.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	19	The living, the living are the ones who praise you, as I do today. Fathers tell their sons about your constancy.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	20	Yahweh, come to my help and we will make our harps resound all the days of our life in the Temple of Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	21	'Bring a fig poultice,' Isaiah said, 'apply it to the ulcer and he will recover.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	38	22	Hezekiah said, 'What is the sign to tell me that I shall be going up to the Temple of Yahweh?'
 Isaiah	Is	29	39	1	At that time, the king of Babylon, Merodach-Baladan son of Baladan, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he had heard of his illness and his recovery.
 Isaiah	Is	29	39	2	Hezekiah was delighted at this and showed the ambassadors his entire treasury, the silver, gold, spices, precious oil, his armoury too, and everything to be seen in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in his whole domain that Hezekiah did not show them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	39	3	The prophet Isaiah then came to King Hezekiah and asked him, 'What have these men said, and where have they come to you from?' Hezekiah answered, 'They have come from a distant country, from Babylon.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	39	4	Isaiah said, 'What have they seen in your palace?' 'They have seen everything in my palace,' Hezekiah answered. 'There is nothing in my storehouses that I have not shown them.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	39	5	Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 'Listen to the word of Yahweh Sabaoth,
 Isaiah	Is	29	39	6	"The days are coming when everything in your palace, everything that your ancestors have amassed until now, will be carried off to Babylon. Not a thing will be left," Yahweh says.
 Isaiah	Is	29	39	7	"Sons sprung from you, sons begotten by you, will be abducted to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." '
 Isaiah	Is	29	39	8	Hezekiah said to Isaiah, 'This word of Yahweh that you announce is reassuring,' for he was thinking, 'There is going to be peace and security during my lifetime.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	1	'Console my people, console them,' says your God.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	2	'Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and cry to her that her period of service is ended, that her guilt has been atoned for, that, from the hand of Yahweh, she has received double punishment for all her sins.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	3	A voice cries, 'Prepare in the desert a way for Yahweh. Make a straight highway for our God across the wastelands.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	4	Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be levelled, every cliff become a plateau, every escarpment a plain;
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	5	then the glory of Yahweh will be revealed and all humanity will see it together, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	6	A voice said, 'Cry aloud!' and I said, 'What shall I cry?' -'All humanity is grass and all its beauty like the wild flower's.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	7	The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of Yahweh blows on them. (The grass is surely the people.)
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	8	The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God remains for ever.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	9	Go up on a high mountain, messenger of Zion. Shout as loud as you can, messenger of Jerusalem! Shout fearlessly, say to the towns of Judah, 'Here is your God.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	10	Here is Lord Yahweh coming with power, his arm maintains his authority, his reward is with him and his prize precedes him.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	11	He is like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms, holding them against his breast and leading to their rest the mother ewes.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	12	Who was it measured the water of the sea in the hollow of his hand and calculated the heavens to the nearest inch, gauged the dust of the earth to the nearest bushel, weighed the mountains in scales, the hills in a balance?
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	13	Who directed the spirit of Yahweh, what counsellor could have instructed him?
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	14	Whom has he consulted to enlighten him, to instruct him in the path of judgement, to teach him knowledge and show him how to understand?
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	15	See, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, they count as a grain of dust on the scales. See, coasts and islands weigh no more than fine powder.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	16	The Lebanon is not enough for the burning fires nor its animals enough for the burnt offering.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	17	All the nations are as nothing before him, for him they count as nothingness and emptiness.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	18	To whom can you compare God? What image can you contrive of him?
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	19	The craftsman casts an idol, a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts silver chains for it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	20	Someone too poor to afford a sacrifice chooses a piece of wood that will not rot; he then seeks out a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not totter.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	21	Did you not know, had you not heard? Was it not told you from the beginning? Have you not understood how the earth was set on its foundations?
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	22	He who sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, the inhabitants of which are like grasshoppers, stretches out the heavens like a cloth, spreads them out like a tent to live in.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	23	He reduces princes to nothing, the rulers of the world to mere emptiness.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	24	Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the soil, than he blows on them and they wither and the storm carries them away like chaff.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	25	'To whom can you compare me, or who is my equal?' says the Holy One.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	26	Lift your eyes and look: he who created these things leads out their army in order, summoning each of them by name. So mighty is his power, so great his strength, that not one fails to answer.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	27	How can you say, Jacob, how can you repeat, Israel, 'My way is hidden from Yahweh, my rights are ignored by my God'?
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	28	Did you not know? Had you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, he created the remotest parts of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary, his understanding is beyond fathoming.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	29	He gives strength to the weary, he strengthens the powerless.
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	30	Youths grow tired and weary, the young stumble and fall,
 Isaiah	Is	29	40	31	but those who hope in Yahweh will regain their strength, they will sprout wings like eagles, though they run they will not grow weary, though they walk they will never tire.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	1	Coasts and islands, fall silent before me, and let the peoples renew their strength, let them come forward and speak; let us assemble for judgement.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	2	'Who has raised from the east him whom saving justice summons in its train, him to whom Yahweh delivers up the nations and subjects kings, him who reduces them to dust with his sword, and to driven stubble with his bow,
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	3	him who pursues them and advances unhindered, his feet scarcely touching the road?
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	4	Who has acted thus, who has done this? He who calls each generation from the beginning: I, Yahweh, who am the first and till the last I shall still be there.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	5	The coasts and islands have seen and taken fright, the remotest parts of earth are trembling: they are approaching, they are here!
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	6	People help one another, they say to each other, 'Take heart!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	7	The woodworker encourages the smelter, the polisher encourages the hammerer, saying of the soldering, 'It is sound'; and he fastens it with nails to keep it steady.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	8	But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham my friend,
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	9	whom I have taken to myself, from the remotest parts of the earth and summoned from countries far away, to whom I have said, 'You are my servant, I have chosen you, I have not rejected you,'
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	10	do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be alarmed, for I am your God. I give you strength, truly I help you, truly I hold you firm with my saving right hand.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	11	Look, all those who rage against you will be put to shame and humiliated; those who picked quarrels with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	12	You will look for them but will not find them, those who used to fight you; they will be destroyed and brought to nothing, those who made war on you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	13	For I, Yahweh, your God, I grasp you by your right hand; I tell you, 'Do not be afraid, I shall help you.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	14	Do not be afraid, Jacob, you worm! You little handful of Israel! I shall help you, declares Yahweh; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	15	Look, I am making you into a threshing-sledge, new, with double teeth; you will thresh and beat the mountains to dust and reduce the hills to straw.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	16	You will winnow them and the wind will carry them off, the gale will scatter them; whereas you will rejoice in Yahweh, will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	17	The oppressed and needy search for water, and there is none, their tongue is parched with thirst. I, Yahweh, shall answer them, I, the God of Israel, shall not abandon them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	18	I shall open up rivers on barren heights and water-holes down in the ravines; I shall turn the desert into a lake and dry ground into springs of water.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	19	I shall plant the desert with cedar trees, acacias, myrtles and olives; in the wastelands I shall put cypress trees, plane trees and box trees side by side;
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	20	so that people may see and know, so that they may all observe and understand that the hand of Yahweh has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	21	'Present your case,' says Yahweh, 'Produce your arguments,' says Jacob's king.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	22	'Let them produce and reveal to us what is going to happen. What happened in the past? Reveal it so that we can consider it and know what the outcome will be. Or tell us about the future,
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	23	reveal what is to happen next, and then we shall know that you are gods. At least, do something, be it good or bad, so that we may feel alarm and fear.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	24	Look, you are less than nothingness, and what you do is less than nothing; to choose you is an outrage.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	25	I have raised him from the north and he has come, from the east he has been summoned by name. He tramples on rulers like mud, like a potter treading clay.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	26	Who revealed this from the beginning for us to know, and in the past for us to say, 'That is right'? No one in fact revealed it, no one proclaimed it, no one has heard you speak.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	27	First-fruits of Zion, look, here they come! I send a messenger to Jerusalem,
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	28	and I look -- no one, not a single counsellor among them who, if I asked, could give an answer.
 Isaiah	Is	29	41	29	Taken altogether they are nothingness, what they do is nothing, their statues, wind and emptiness.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	1	Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I have sent my spirit upon him, he will bring fair judgement to the nations.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	2	He does not cry out or raise his voice, his voice is not heard in the street;
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	3	he does not break the crushed reed or snuff the faltering wick. Faithfully he presents fair judgement;
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	4	he will not grow faint, he will not be crushed until he has established fair judgement on earth, and the coasts and islands are waiting for his instruction.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	5	Thus says God, Yahweh, who created the heavens and spread them out, who hammered into shape the earth and what comes from it, who gave breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it:
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	6	I, Yahweh, have called you in saving justice, I have grasped you by the hand and shaped you; I have made you a covenant of the people and light to the nations,
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	7	to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison, and those who live in darkness from the dungeon.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	8	I am Yahweh, that is my name! I shall not yield my glory to another, nor my honour to idols.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	9	See how the former predictions have come true. Fresh things I now reveal; before they appear I tell you of them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	10	Sing a new song to Yahweh! Let his praise be sung from remotest parts of the earth by those who sail the sea and by everything in it, by the coasts and islands and those who inhabit them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	11	Let the desert and its cities raise their voices, the encampments where Kedar lives. Let the inhabitants of the Rock cry aloud for joy and shout from the mountain tops.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	12	Let them give glory to Yahweh and, in the coasts and islands, let them voice his praise.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	13	Yahweh advances like a hero, like a warrior he rouses his fire. He shouts, he raises the war cry, he shows his might against his foes.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	14	'From long ago I have been silent, I have kept quiet, held myself in check, groaning like a woman in labour, panting and gasping for air.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	15	I shall ravage mountain and hill, shall wither all their vegetation; I shall turn the torrents into firm ground and dry up the marshes.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	16	I shall lead the blind by a road they do not know, by paths they do not know I shall conduct them. I shall turn the darkness into light before them and the quagmires into solid ground. This I shall do -- without fail.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	17	Those who trust in idols will recoil, they will blush for shame, who say to metal images, 'You are our gods.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	18	Listen, you deaf! Look and see, you blind!
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	19	Who so blind as my servant, so deaf as the messenger I send? (Who so blind as the friend I have taken to myself, so deaf as Yahweh's servant?)
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	20	You have seen many things but not observed them; your ears are open but you do not hear.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	21	Yahweh wished, because of his saving justice, to make the Law great and glorious.
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	22	Yet here is a people pillaged and plundered, all of them shut up in caves, imprisoned in dungeons. They have been pillaged, with no one to rescue them, plundered, with no one to say, 'Give it back!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	23	Which of you will listen to this, who pay attention and listen in future?
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	24	Who surrendered Jacob to the plunderer and Israel to the pillagers? Was it not Yahweh, against whom we had sinned, in whose ways they would not walk and whose Law they would not obey?
 Isaiah	Is	29	42	25	On him he poured out his blazing anger and the fury of war; it enveloped him in flames and yet he did not understand; it burned him up, but he did not learn a lesson.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	1	And now, thus says Yahweh, he who created you, Jacob, who formed you, Israel: Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	2	Should you pass through the waters, I shall be with you; or through rivers, they will not swallow you up. Should you walk through fire, you will not suffer, and the flame will not burn you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	3	For I am Yahweh, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I have given Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	4	Since I regard you as precious, since you are honoured and I love you, I therefore give people in exchange for you, and nations in return for your life.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	5	Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I shall bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	6	To the north I shall say, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back!' Bring back my sons from far away, and my daughters from the remotest part of the earth,
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	7	everyone who bears my name, whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, whom I have made.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	8	Bring forward the people that is blind, yet has eyes, that is deaf and yet has ears.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	9	Let all the nations assemble, let the peoples gather here! Which of them has proclaimed this and revealed things to us in the past? Let them bring their witnesses to justify themselves, let others hear and say, 'It is true.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	10	You yourselves are my witnesses, declares Yahweh, and the servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that it is I. No god was formed before me, nor will be after me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	11	I, I am Yahweh, and there is no other Saviour but me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	12	I have revealed, have saved, and have proclaimed, not some foreigner among you. You are my witnesses, declares Yahweh, I am God,
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	13	yes, from eternity I am. No one can deliver from my hand; when I act, who can thwart me?
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	14	Thus says Yahweh, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: For your sake I have sent to Babylon, I shall knock down all the prison bars, and the Chaldaeans' shouts of joy will change to lamentations.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	15	I am Yahweh, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your king.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	16	Thus says Yahweh, who made a way through the sea, a path in the raging waters,
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	17	who led out chariot and horse together with an army of picked troops: they lay down never to rise again, they were snuffed out, put out like a wick.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	18	No need to remember past events, no need to think about what was done before.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	19	Look, I am doing something new, now it emerges; can you not see it? Yes, I am making a road in the desert and rivers in wastelands.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	20	The wild animals will honour me, the jackals and the ostriches, for bestowing water in the desert and rivers on the wastelands for my people, my chosen one, to drink.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	21	The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	22	But, Jacob, you have not invoked me; no, Israel, you have grown weary of me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	23	You have not brought me lambs as your burnt offerings and have not honoured me with your sacrifices. I have not subjected you to cereal offering, I have not wearied you by demanding incense.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	24	You have not bought expensive reed for me or sated me with the fat of your sacrifices. Instead by your sins you have trected me like a slave, you have wearied me with your crimes,
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	25	I, I it is who blot out your acts of revolt for my own sake and shall not call your sins to mind.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	26	Remind me, and we will judge this together; state your own case and justify yourself.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	27	Your first ancestor sinned, your interpreters revolted against me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	43	28	That is why I deposed the chief men of my sanctuary, why I put Jacob under the curse of destruction and subjected Israel to insult.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	1	And now listen, Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	2	Thus says Yahweh who made you, who formed you in the womb; he will help you. Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	3	For I shall pour out water on the thirsty soil and streams on the dry ground. I shall pour out my spirit on your descendants, my blessing on your offspring,
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	4	and they will spring up among the grass, like willows on the banks of a stream.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	5	One person will say, 'I belong to Yahweh,' another will call himself by Jacob's name. On his hand another will write 'Yahweh's' and be surnamed 'Israel'.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	6	Thus says Yahweh, Israel's king, Yahweh Sabaoth, his redeemer: I am the first and I am the last; there is no God except me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	7	Who is like me? Let him call out, let him affirm it and convince me it is so; let him say what has been happening since I instituted an eternal people, and predict to them what will happen next!
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	8	Have no fear, do not be afraid: have I not told you and revealed it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God except me? There is no Rock; I know of none.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	9	The makers of idols are all nothingness; the works they delight in serve no purpose. And these are the witness against them: they see nothing, they know nothing; and so they will be put to shame.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	10	Who ever fashioned a god or cast an image without hope of gain?
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	11	Watch how all its devotees will be put to shame, and the men who made it too, who are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forward and feel both fear and shame!
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	12	The blacksmith makes an axe over the charcoal, beats it into shape with a hammer, works on it with his strong arm. Then he feels hungry and his strength deserts him; having drunk no water, he is exhausted.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	13	The wood carver takes his measurements, outlines the image with chalk, executes it with the chisel, following the outline with a compass. He makes it look like a human being, with human standards of beauty, so that it can reside in a house.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	14	He has cut down cedars, has selected an oak and a terebinth which he has grown for himself among the trees in the forest and has planted a pine tree which the rain has nourished.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	15	Once it is suitable to burn, he takes some of it to warm himself; having kindled it, he bakes bread. But he also makes a god and worships it; he makes an idol from it and bows down before it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	16	Half of it he burns on the fire, over this half he roasts meat, eats it and is replete; at the same time he warms himself and says, 'Ah, how warm I am, watching the flames!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	17	With the remainder he makes a god, his idol, bows down before it, worships it and prays to it. 'Save me,' he says, 'for you are my god.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	18	They know nothing, they understand nothing, since their eyes are incapable of seeing and their hearts of reflecting.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	19	Not one of them looks into his heart, not one of them has the knowledge and wit to think, 'I burned half of it on the fire and cooked food over the embers. Am I right to make something disgusting out of what is left? Am I right to bow down before a block of wood?'
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	20	He hankers after ashes, his deluded heart has led him astray; he will not save himself, he will not think, 'What I have in my hand is nothing but a lie!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	21	Remember these things, Jacob, and Israel, since you are my servant. I formed you, you are my servant; Israel, I shall not forget you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	22	I have dispelled your acts of revolt like a cloud and your sins like a mist. Come back to me, for I have redeemed you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	23	Heavens, shout for joy, for Yahweh has acted! Underworld, shout aloud! Shout for joy, you mountains, forests and all your trees! For Yahweh has redeemed Jacob and displayed his glory in Israel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	24	Thus says Yahweh, your redeemer, he who formed you in the womb: I, Yahweh, have made all things, I alone spread out the heavens. When I hammered the earth into shape, who was with me?
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	25	I, who foil the omens of soothsayers and make fools of diviners, who confound sages turning their knowledge into folly,
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	26	who confirm the word of my servant and make the plans of my envoys succeed; who say to Jerusalem, 'You will be inhabited,' and to the towns of Judah, 'You will be rebuilt and I shall restore the ruins of Jerusalem';
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	27	who say to the ocean, 'Dry up! I shall make your rivers run dry';
 Isaiah	Is	29	44	28	who say to Cyrus, 'My shepherd.' He will perform my entire will by saying to Jerusalem, 'You will be rebuilt,' and to the Temple, 'You will be refounded.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	1	Thus says Yahweh to his anointed one, to Cyrus whom, he says, I have grasped by his right hand, to make the nations bow before him and to disarm kings, to open gateways before him so that their gates be closed no more:
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	2	I myself shall go before you, I shall level the heights, I shall shatter the bronze gateways, I shall smash the iron bars.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	3	I shall give you secret treasures and hidden hoards of wealth, so that you will know that I am Yahweh, who call you by your name, the God of Israel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	4	It is for the sake of my servant Jacob and of Israel my chosen one, that I have called you by your name, have given you a title though you do not know me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	5	I am Yahweh, and there is no other, there is no other God except me. Though you do not know me, I have armed you
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	6	so that it may be known from east to west that there is no one except me. I am Yahweh, and there is no other,
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	7	I form the light and I create the darkness, I make well-being, and I create disaster, I, Yahweh, do all these things.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	8	Rain down, you heavens, from above, and let the clouds pour down saving justice, let the earth open up and blossom with salvation, and let justice sprout with it; I, Yahweh, have created it!
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	9	Woe to anyone who argues with his Maker, one earthenware pot among many! Does the clay say to its potter, 'What are you doing? Your work has no hands!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	10	Woe to anyone who asks a father, 'Why are you begetting?' and a woman, 'Why are you giving birth?'
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	11	Thus says Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel and his Maker: I am asked for signs regarding my sons, I am given orders about the work I do.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	12	It was I who made the earth and I created human beings on it, mine were the hands that spread out the heavens and I have given the orders to all their array.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	13	I myself have raised him in saving justice and I shall make all paths level for him. He will rebuild my city and bring my exiles home without ransom or indemnity, says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	14	Thus says Yahweh: The produce of Egypt, the commerce of Cush and the men of Seba, tall of stature, will come over to you and belong to you. They will follow you, walking in chains, they will bow before you, they will pray to you, 'With you alone is God, ad there is no other! The gods do not exist.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	15	Truly, you are a God who conceals himself, God of Israel, Saviour!
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	16	They are shamed and humbled, every one of them, humiliated they go, the makers of idols.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	17	Israel will be saved by Yahweh, saved everlastingly. You will never be ashamed or humiliated for ever and ever.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	18	For thus says Yahweh, the Creator of the heavens -- he is God, who shaped the earth and made it, who set it firm; he did not create it to be chaos, he formed it to be lived in: I am Yahweh, and there is no other.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	19	I have not spoken in secret, in some dark corner of the underworld. I did not say, 'Offspring of Jacob, search for me in chaos!' I am Yahweh: I proclaim saving justice, I say what is true.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	20	Assemble, come, all of you gather round, survivors of the nations. They have no knowledge, those who parade their wooden idols and pray to a god that cannot save.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	21	Speak up, present your case, let them put their heads together! Who foretold this in the past, who revealed it long ago? Was it not I, Yahweh? There is no other god except me, no saving God, no Saviour except me!
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	22	Turn to me and you will be saved, all you ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is no other.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	23	By my own self I swear it; what comes from my mouth is saving justice, it is an irrevocable word: All shall bend the knee to me, by me every tongue shall swear,
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	24	saying, 'In Yahweh alone are saving justice and strength,' until all those who used to rage at him come to him in shame.
 Isaiah	Is	29	45	25	In Yahweh the whole race of Israel finds justice and glory.
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	1	Bel is crouching, Nebo cowering, their idols are being put on animals, on beasts of burden, the loads you have been carrying are a burden to a weary beast.
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	2	They are cowering and crouching together, no one can save this burden, they themselves have gone into captivity.
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	3	Listen to me, House of Jacob, all who remain of the House of Israel, whom I have carried since the womb, whom I have supported since you were conceived.
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	4	Until your old age I shall be the same, until your hair is grey I shall carry you. As I have done, so I shall support you, I myself shall carry and shall save you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	5	With whom can you compare me, equate me, to whom can you liken me, making equals of us?
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	6	They lavish gold from their purses and weigh out silver on the scales. They engage a goldsmith to make a god, then bow low and actually adore!
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	7	They lift it on their shoulders and carry it, and put it down where it is meant to stand, so that it never moves from the spot. You may cry out to it in distress, it never replies, it never saves anyone in trouble.
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	8	Remember this and stand firm; rebels, look into your hearts.
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	9	Remember the things that happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	10	From the beginning I revealed the future, in advance, what has not yet occurred. I say: My purpose will come about, I shall do whatever I please;
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	11	I call a bird of prey from the east, my man predestined, from a distant land. What I have said, I shall do, what I have planned, I shall perform.
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	12	Listen to me, you hard-hearted people far removed from saving justice:
 Isaiah	Is	29	46	13	I am bringing my justice nearer, it is not far away, my salvation will not delay. I shall place my salvation in Zion and my glory in Israel.
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	1	Step down! Sit in the dust, virgin daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground, no throne, daughter of the Chaldaeans, for never again will you be called tender and delicate.
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	2	Take the grinding mill, crush up the meal. Remove your veil, tie up your skirt, bare your legs, cross the rivers.
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	3	Let your nakedness be displayed and your shame exposed. I am going to take vengeance and no one will stand in my way.
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	4	Our redeemer, Yahweh Sabaoth is his name, the Holy One of Israel, says:
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	5	Sit in silence, bury yourself in darkness, daughter of the Chaldaeans, for never again will you be called the mistress of kingdoms.
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	6	Being angry with my people, I rejected my heritage, surrendering them into your clutches. You showed them no mercy, you made your yoke very heavy on the aged.
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	7	You thought, 'I shall be a queen for ever.' You did not reflect on these matters or think about the future.
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	8	Now listen to this, voluptuous woman, lolling at ease and thinking to yourself, 'I am the only one who matters. I shall never be widowed, never know bereavement.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	9	Yet both these things will befall you, suddenly, in one day. Bereavement and widowhood will suddenly befall you in spite of all your witchcraft and the potency of your spells.
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	10	Confident in your wickedness, you thought, 'No one can see me.' Your wishes and your knowledge were what deluded you, as you thought to yourself, 'I am the only one who matters.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	11	Hence, disaster will befall you which you will not know how to charm away, calamity overtake you which you will not be able to avert, ruination will suddenly befall you, such as you have never known.
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	12	Keep to your spells then, and all your sorceries, at which you have worked so hard since you were young. Perhaps you will succeed, perhaps you will strike terror!
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	13	You have had many tiring consultations: let the astrologers come forward now and save you, the star-gazers who announce month by month what will happen to you next.
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	14	Look, they are like wisps of straw, the fire will burn them up. They will not save their lives from the power of the flame. No embers these, for keeping warm, no fire to sit beside!
 Isaiah	Is	29	47	15	Such will your wizards prove to be for you, for whom you have worked so hard since you were young; each wandering his own way, none of them can save you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	1	Listen to this, House of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel and issued from the waters of Judah, who swear by the name of Yahweh and invoke the God of Israel, though not in good faith or uprightness;
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	2	for they call themselves after the holy city and rely on the God of Israel, Yahweh Sabaoth is his name.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	3	Things now past I revealed long ago, they issued from my mouth, I proclaimed them; suddenly I acted and they happened.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	4	For I knew you to be obstinate, your neck an iron sinew and your forehead bronze.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	5	As I told you about it long before, before it happened I revealed it to you, so that you could not say, 'My statue did it, my idol, my metal image, ordained this.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	6	You have heard and seen all this, why won't you admit it? Now I am going to reveal new things to you, secrets that you do not know;
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	7	they have just been created, not long ago, and until today you have heard nothing about them, so that you cannot say, 'Yes, I knew about this.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	8	No, you have not heard, you have not known, for a long time your ear has not been attentive, for I knew how treacherous you were; you have been called a rebel since the womb.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	9	For the sake of my name I shall defer my anger, for the sake of my honour I shall be patient with you, rather than destroy you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	10	Look, I have purchased you, but not for silver, I have chosen you out of the cauldron of affliction.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	11	For my sake and my sake only shall I act, for why should my name be profaned? I will not yield my glory to another.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	12	Listen to me, Jacob, Israel whom I have called: I, and none else, am the first, I am also the last.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	13	My hand laid the foundations of earth and my right hand spread out the heavens. I summon them and they all present themselves together.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	14	Assemble, all of you, and listen; which of them has revealed this? Yahweh loves him; he will do his pleasure on Babylon and the race of the Chaldaeans;
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	15	I, I have spoken, yes, I have summoned him, I have brought him, and he will succeed.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	16	Come near and listen to this: from the first, I never spoke obscurely; when it happened, I was there, and now Lord Yahweh has sent me with his spirit.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	17	Thus says Yahweh, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am Yahweh your God and teach you for your own good, I lead you in the way you ought to go.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	18	If only you had listened to my commandments! Your prosperity would have been like a river and your saving justice like the waves of the sea.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	19	Your descendants would have been numbered like the sand, your offspring as many as its grains. Their name would never be cancelled or blotted out from my presence.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	20	Come out from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldaeans! Declare this with cries of joy, proclaim it, carry it to the remotest parts of earth, say, 'Yahweh has redeemed his servant Jacob.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	21	Those he led through the arid country never went thirsty; he made water flow for them from the rock, he split the rock and out streamed the water.
 Isaiah	Is	29	48	22	There is no peace, says Yahweh, for the wicked.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	1	Coasts and islands, listen to me, pay attention, distant peoples. Yahweh called me when I was in the womb, before my birth he had pronounced my name.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	2	He made my mouth like a sharp sword, he hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me into a sharpened arrow and concealed me in his quiver.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	3	He said to me, 'Israel, you are my servant, through whom I shall manifest my glory.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	4	But I said, 'My toil has been futile, I have exhausted myself for nothing, to no purpose.' Yet all the while my cause was with Yahweh and my reward with my God.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	5	And now Yahweh has spoken, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him and to re-unite Israel to him;-I shall be honoured in Yahweh's eyes, and my God has been my strength.-
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	6	He said, 'It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel; I shall make you a light to the nations so that my salvation may reach the remotest parts of earth.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	7	Thus says Yahweh, the redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, to the one who is despised, detested by the nation, to the slave of despots: Kings will stand up when they see, princes will see and bow low, because of Yahweh who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel who had chosen you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	8	Thus says Yahweh: At the time of my favour I have answered you, on the day of salvation I have helped you. I have formed you and have appointed you to be the covenant for a people, to restore the land, to return ravaged properties,
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	9	to say to prisoners, 'Come out,' to those who are in darkness, 'Show yourselves.' Along the roadway they will graze, and any bare height will be their pasture.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	10	They will never hunger or thirst, scorching wind and sun will never plague them; for he who pities them will lead them, will guide them to springs of water.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	11	I shall turn all my mountains into a road and my highways will be raised aloft.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	12	Look! Here they come from far away, look, these from the north and the west, those from the land of Sinim.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	13	Shout for joy, you heavens; earth, exult! Mountains, break into joyful cries! For Yahweh has consoled his people, is taking pity on his afflicted ones.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	14	Zion was saying, 'Yahweh has abandoned me, the Lord has forgotten me.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	15	Can a woman forget her baby at the breast, feel no pity for the child she has borne? Even if these were to forget, I shall not forget you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	16	Look, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands, your ramparts are ever before me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	17	Your rebuilders are hurrying, your destroyers and despoilers will soon go away.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	18	Raise your eyes and look around you: all are assembling, coming to you. By my life, declares Yahweh, you will put them all on like jewels, like a bride, you will fasten them on.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	19	For your desolate places and your ruins and your devastated country from now on will be too cramped for your inhabitants, and your devourers will be far away.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	20	Once more they will say in your hearing, the children of whom you were bereft, 'The place is too cramped for me, make room for me to live.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	21	Then you will think to yourself, 'Who has borne me these? I was bereft and barren, exiled, turned out of my home; who has reared these? I was left all alone, so where have these come from?'
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	22	Thus says Lord Yahweh: Look, I am beckoning to the nations and hoisting a signal to the peoples: they will bring your sons in their arms and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	23	Kings will be your foster-fathers and their princesses, your foster-mothers. They will fall prostrate before you, faces to the ground, and lick the dust at your feet. And you will know that I am Yahweh; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	24	Can the body be snatched from the warrior, can the tyrant's captive be set free?
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	25	But thus says Yahweh: The warrior's captive will indeed be snatched away and the tyrant's booty will indeed be set free; I myself shall fight those who fight you and I myself shall save your children.
 Isaiah	Is	29	49	26	I shall make your oppressors eat their own flesh, they will be as drunk on their own blood as on new wine. And all humanity will know that I am Yahweh, your Saviour, your redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
 Isaiah	Is	29	50	1	Thus says Yahweh: Where is your mother's writ of divorce by which I repudiated her? Or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Look, you have been sold for your own misdeeds, your mother was repudiated for your acts of rebellion.
 Isaiah	Is	29	50	2	Why was there no one there when I came? Why did no one answer when I called? Is my hand too short to redeem? Have I not strength to save? Look, with a threat I can dry the sea, and turn rivers to desert; the fish in them go rotten for want of water and die of thirst.
 Isaiah	Is	29	50	3	I dress the heavens in black, I cover them in sackcloth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	50	4	Lord Yahweh has given me a disciple's tongue, for me to know how to give a word of comfort to the weary. Morning by morning he makes my ear alert to listen like a disciple.
 Isaiah	Is	29	50	5	Lord Yahweh has opened my ear and I have not resisted, I have not turned away.
 Isaiah	Is	29	50	6	I have offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; I have not turned my face away from insult and spitting.
 Isaiah	Is	29	50	7	Lord Yahweh comes to my help, this is why insult has not touched me, this is why I have set my face like flint and know that I shall not be put to shame.
 Isaiah	Is	29	50	8	He who grants me saving justice is near! Who will bring a case against me? Let us appear in court together! Who has a case against me? Let him approach me!
 Isaiah	Is	29	50	9	Look, Lord Yahweh is coming to my help! Who dares condemn me? Look at them, all falling apart like moth-eaten clothes!
 Isaiah	Is	29	50	10	Which of you fears Yahweh and listens to his servant's voice? Which of you walks in darkness and sees no light? Let him trust in the name of Yahweh and lean on his God!
 Isaiah	Is	29	50	11	Look, all you who light a fire and arm yourselves with firebrands, walk by the light of your fire and the firebrands you have kindled! This is what you will get from me: you will lie down in torment!
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	1	Listen to me, you who pursue saving justice, you who seek Yahweh. Consider the rock from which you were hewn, the quarry from which you were dug.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	2	Consider Abraham your father and Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him he was the only one but I blessed him and made him numerous.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	3	Yes, Yahweh has pity on Zion, has pity on all her ruins; he will turn her desert into an Eden and her wastelands into the garden of Yahweh. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of music.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	4	Pay attention to me, my people, listen to me, my nation, for a law will come from me, and I shall make my saving justice the light of peoples.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	5	My justice is suddenly approaching, my salvation appears, my arm is about to judge the peoples. The coasts and islands will put their hope in me and put their trust in my arm.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	6	Raise your eyes to the heavens, look down at the earth; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth wear out like clothing and its inhabitants die like vermin, but my salvation will last for ever and my saving justice remain inviolable.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	7	Listen to me, you who know what saving justice means, a people who take my laws to heart: do not fear people's taunts, do not be alarmed by their insults,
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	8	for the moth will eat them like clothing, the grub will devour them like wool, but my saving justice will last for ever and my salvation for all generations.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	9	Awake, awake! Clothe yourself in strength, arm of Yahweh. Awake, as in the olden days, generations long ago! Was it not you who split Rahab in half, who pierced the Dragon through?
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	10	Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great Abyss; who made the sea-bed into a road for the redeemed to go across?
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	11	This is why those whom Yahweh has ransomed will return, they will enter Zion shouting for joy, their heads crowned with a joy unending; joy and gladness will escort them and sorrow and sighing will take flight.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	12	I, I am your consoler. Why then should you be afraid of mortal human beings, of a child of man, whose fate is that of the grass?
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	13	You forget about Yahweh your Creator who spread out the heavens and laid the earth's foundations; you have never stopped trembling all day long before the fury of the oppressor when he was bent on destruction. Where is the oppressor's fury now?
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	14	The despairing captive is soon to be set free; he will not die in the dungeon, nor will his food run out.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	15	I am Yahweh your God who stirs up the sea, making its waves roar -- Yahweh Sabaoth is my name.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	16	I put my words into your mouth, I hid you in the shadow of my hand, to spread out the heavens and lay the earth's foundations and say to Zion, 'You are my people.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	17	Awake, awake! To your feet, Jerusalem! You who from Yahweh's hand have drunk the cup of his wrath. The chalice, the stupefying cup, you have drained to the dregs.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	18	There is no one to guide her of all the children she has borne, no one to grasp her hand of all the children she has reared.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	19	Double disaster has befallen you -- who is there to sympathise? Pillage and ruin, famine and sword -- who is there to console you?
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	20	Your children are lying helpless at the end of every street like an antelope trapped in a net; they are filled to the brim with Yahweh's wrath, with the rebuke of your God.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	21	So listen to this, afflicted one, drunk, though not with wine.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	22	Thus says your Lord Yahweh, your God, defender of your people: Look, I am taking the stupefying cup from your hand, the chalice, the cup of my wrath, you will not have to drink again.
 Isaiah	Is	29	51	23	I shall hand it to your tormentors who used to say to you, 'On the ground! So that we can walk over you!' And you would flatten your back like the ground, like a street for them to walk on.
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	1	Awake, awake! Clothe yourself in strength, Zion. Put on your finest clothes, Jerusalem, Holy City; for the uncircumcised and the unclean will enter you no more.
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	2	Shake off your dust; get up, captive Jerusalem! The chains have fallen from your neck, captive daughter of Jerusalem!
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	3	For Yahweh says this, 'You were sold for nothing; you will be redeemed without money.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	4	For the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Long ago my people went to Egypt and settled there as aliens; finally Assyria oppressed them for no reason.
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	5	So now what is to be done,' declares Yahweh, 'since my people have been carried off for nothing, their masters howl in triumph,' declares Yahweh, 'and my name is held in contempt all day, every day?
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	6	Because of this my people will know my name, because of this they will know when the day comes, that it is I saying, Here I am!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	7	How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of the messenger announcing peace, of the messenger of good news, who proclaims salvation and says to Zion, 'Your God is king!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	8	The voices of your watchmen! Now they raise their voices, shouting for joy together, for with their own eyes they have seen Yahweh returning to Zion.
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	9	Break into shouts together, shouts of joy, you ruins of Jerusalem; for Yahweh has consoled his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	10	Yahweh has bared his holy arm for all the nations to see, and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	11	Go away, go away, leave that place, do not touch anything unclean. Get out of her, purify yourselves, you who carry Yahweh's vessels!
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	12	For you are not to hurry away, you are not to leave like fugitives. No, Yahweh marches at your head and the God of Israel is your rearguard.
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	13	Look, my servant will prosper, will grow great, will rise to great heights.
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	14	As many people were aghast at him -- he was so inhumanly disfigured that he no longer looked like a man-
 Isaiah	Is	29	52	15	so many nations will be astonished and kings will stay tight-lipped before him, seeing what had never been told them, learning what they had not heard before.
 Isaiah	Is	29	53	1	Who has given credence to what we have heard? And who has seen in it a revelation of Yahweh's arm?
 Isaiah	Is	29	53	2	Like a sapling he grew up before him, like a root in arid ground. He had no form or charm to attract us, no beauty to win our hearts;
 Isaiah	Is	29	53	3	he was despised, the lowest of men, a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering, one from whom, as it were, we averted our gaze, despised, for whom we had no regard.
 Isaiah	Is	29	53	4	Yet ours were the sufferings he was bearing, ours the sorrows he was carrying, while we thought of him as someone being punished and struck with affliction by God;
 Isaiah	Is	29	53	5	whereas he was being wounded for our rebellions, crushed because of our guilt; the punishment reconciling us fell on him, and we have been healed by his bruises.
 Isaiah	Is	29	53	6	We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and Yahweh brought the acts of rebellion of all of us to bear on him.
 Isaiah	Is	29	53	7	Ill-treated and afflicted, he never opened his mouth, like a lamb led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep dumb before its shearers he never opened his mouth.
 Isaiah	Is	29	53	8	Forcibly, after sentence, he was taken. Which of his contemporaries was concerned at his having been cut off from the land of the living, at his having been struck dead for his people's rebellion?
 Isaiah	Is	29	53	9	He was given a grave with the wicked, and his tomb is with the rich, although he had done no violence, had spoken no deceit.
 Isaiah	Is	29	53	10	It was Yahweh's good pleasure to crush him with pain; if he gives his life as a sin offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his life, and through him Yahweh's good pleasure will be done.
 Isaiah	Is	29	53	11	After the ordeal he has endured, he will see the light and be content. By his knowledge, the upright one, my servant will justify many by taking their guilt on himself.
 Isaiah	Is	29	53	12	Hence I shall give him a portion with the many, and he will share the booty with the mighty, for having exposed himself to death and for being counted as one of the rebellious, whereas he was bearing the sin of many and interceding for the rebellious.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	1	Shout for joy, barren one who has borne no children! Break into cries and shouts of joy, you who were never in labour! For the children of the forsaken one are more in number than the children of the wedded wife, says Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	2	Widen the space of your tent, extend the curtains of your home, do not hold back! Lengthen your ropes, make your tent-pegs firm,
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	3	for you will burst out to right and to left, your race will dispossess the nations and repopulate deserted towns.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	4	Do not fear, you will not be put to shame again, do not worry, you will not be disgraced again; for you will forget the shame of your youth and no longer remember the dishonour of your widowhood.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	5	For your Creator is your husband, Yahweh Sabaoth is his name, the Holy One of Israel is your redeemer, he is called God of the whole world.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	6	Yes, Yahweh has called you back like a forsaken, grief-stricken wife, like the repudiated wife of his youth, says your God.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	7	I did forsake you for a brief moment, but in great compassion I shall take you back.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	8	In a flood of anger, for a moment I hid my face from you. But in everlasting love I have taken pity on you, says Yahweh, your redeemer.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	9	For me it will be as in the days of Noah when I swore that Noah's waters should never flood the world again. So now I swear never to be angry with you and never to rebuke you again.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	10	For the mountains may go away and the hills may totter, but my faithful love will never leave you, my covenant of peace will never totter, says Yahweh who takes pity on you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	11	Unhappy creature, storm-tossed, unpitied, look, I shall lay your stones on agates and your foundations on sapphires.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	12	I shall make your battlements rubies, your gateways firestone and your entire wall precious stones.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	13	All your children will be taught by Yahweh and great will be your children's prosperity.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	14	In saving justice you will be made firm, free from oppression: you will have nothing to fear; free from terror: it will not approach you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	15	Should anyone attack you, that will not be my doing, and whoever does attack you, for your sake will fall.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	16	I created the smith who blows on the charcoal-fire to produce a weapon for his use; I also created the destroyer to ruin it.
 Isaiah	Is	29	54	17	No weapon forged against you will succeed. Any voice raised against you in court you will refute. Such is the lot of the servants of Yahweh, the saving justice I assure them, declares Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	1	Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty; though you have no money, come! Buy and eat; come, buy wine and milk without money, free!
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	2	Why spend money on what cannot nourish and your wages on what fails to satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will have good things to eat and rich food to enjoy.
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	3	Pay attention, come to me; listen, and you will live. I shall make an everlasting covenant with you in fulfilment of the favours promised to David.
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	4	Look, I have made him a witness to peoples, a leader and lawgiver to peoples.
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	5	Look, you will summon a nation unknown to you, a nation unknown to you will hurry to you for the sake of Yahweh your God, because the Holy One of Israel has glorified you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	6	Seek out Yahweh while he is still to be found, call to him while he is still near.
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	7	Let the wicked abandon his way and the evil one his thoughts. Let him turn back to Yahweh who will take pity on him, to our God, for he is rich in forgiveness;
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	8	for my thoughts are not your thoughts and your ways are not my ways, declares Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	9	For the heavens are as high above earth as my ways are above your ways, my thoughts above your thoughts.
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	10	For, as the rain and the snow come down from the sky and do not return before having watered the earth, fertilising it and making it germinate to provide seed for the sower and food to eat,
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	11	so it is with the word that goes from my mouth: it will not return to me unfulfilled or before having carried out my good pleasure and having achieved what it was sent to do.
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	12	Yes, you will go out with joy and be led away in safety. Mountains and hills will break into joyful cries before you and all the trees of the countryside clap their hands.
 Isaiah	Is	29	55	13	Cypress will grow instead of thorns, myrtle instead of nettles. And this will be fame for Yahweh, an eternal monument never to be effaced.
 Isaiah	Is	29	56	1	Thus says Yahweh: Make fair judgement your concern, act with justice, for soon my salvation will come and my saving justice be manifest.
 Isaiah	Is	29	56	2	Blessed is anyone who does this, anyone who clings to it, observing the Sabbath, not profaning it, and abstaining from every evil deed.
 Isaiah	Is	29	56	3	No foreigner adhering to Yahweh should say, 'Yahweh will utterly exclude me from his people.' No eunuch should say, 'Look, I am a dried-up tree.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	56	4	For Yahweh says this: To the eunuchs who observe my Sabbaths and choose to do my good pleasure and cling to my covenant,
 Isaiah	Is	29	56	5	I shall give them in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I shall give them an everlasting name that will never be effaced.
 Isaiah	Is	29	56	6	As for foreigners who adhere to Yahweh to serve him, to love Yahweh's name and become his servants, all who observe the Sabbath, not profaning it, and cling to my covenant:
 Isaiah	Is	29	56	7	these I shall lead to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
 Isaiah	Is	29	56	8	Lord Yahweh who gathers the exiles of Israel declares: There are others I shall gather besides those already gathered.
 Isaiah	Is	29	56	9	Come and gorge, all you wild beasts, all you beasts of the forest!
 Isaiah	Is	29	56	10	Its watchmen are all blind, they know nothing. Dumb watchdogs all, unable to bark, they dream, lie down, and love to sleep.
 Isaiah	Is	29	56	11	Greedy dogs, never satisfied, such are the shepherds, who understand nothing; they all go their own way, each to the last man after his own interest.
 Isaiah	Is	29	56	12	'Come, let me fetch wine; we will get drunk on strong drink, tomorrow will be just as wonderful as today and even more so!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	1	The upright person perishes and no one cares. The faithful is taken off and no one takes it to heart. Yes, because of the evil times the upright is taken off;
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	2	he will enter peace, and those who follow the right way will find rest on their beds.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	3	But you, you children of a witch, come here, adulterous race prostituting yourselves!
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	4	At whom are you jeering, at whom are you making faces and sticking out your tongue? Are you not the spawn of rebellion, a lying race?
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	5	Lusting among the terebinths, and under every spreading tree, sacrificing children in the ravines, below the clefts in the rocks.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	6	The smooth stones of the ravines will be your portion, yes, these will be your lot. To these you have poured libations, have brought your cereal offering. Can all this appease me?
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	7	On a mountain high and lofty you have put your bed. Thither, too, you have climbed to offer sacrifice.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	8	Behind door and doorpost you have set your reminder. Yes, far from me, you exposed yourself, climbed on to your bed, and made the most of it. You struck a profitable bargain with those whose bed you love, whoring with them often, with your eyes on the sacred symbol.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	9	You went to Molech with oil, you were prodigal with your perfumes; you sent your envoys far afield, down to Sheol itself.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	10	Though tired by so much travelling, you never said, 'It is no use.' Finding your strength revive, you never gave up.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	11	Who was it you dreaded, and feared, that you should betray me, no longer remember me and not spare a thought for me? Was I not silent for a long time? So you cannot have been afraid of me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	12	Now I shall expose this uprightness of yours, and little good it did you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	13	When you cry for help, let those thronging round you save you! The wind will carry them all away, one puff will take them off. But whoever trusts in me will inherit the country, he will own my holy mountain.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	14	Then it will be said: Level up, level up, clear the way, remove the obstacle from my people's way,
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	15	for thus says the High and Exalted One who lives eternally and whose name is holy, 'I live in the holy heights but I am with the contrite and humble, to revive the spirit of the humble, to revive the heart of the contrite.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	16	'For I do not want to be forever accusing nor always to be angry, or the spirit would fail under my onslaught, the souls that I myself have made.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	17	'Angered by his wicked cupidity, I hid and struck him in anger, but he rebelliously went the way of his choice.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	18	'I saw how he behaved, but I shall heal him, I shall lead him, fill him with consolation, him and those who mourn for him,
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	19	bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to far and near, Yahweh says, and I shall heal him.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	20	The wicked, however, are like the restless sea that cannot be still, whose waters throw up mud and dirt.
 Isaiah	Is	29	57	21	'No peace', says Yahweh, 'for the wicked.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	1	Shout for all you are worth, do not hold back, raise your voice like a trumpet. To my people proclaim their rebellious acts, to the House of Jacob, their sins.
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	2	They seek for me day after day, they long to know my ways, like a nation that has acted uprightly and not forsaken the law of its God. They ask me for laws that are upright, they long to be near God:
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	3	'Why have we fasted, if you do not see, why mortify ourselves if you never notice?' Look, you seek your own pleasure on your fastdays and you exploit all your workmen;
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	4	look, the only purpose of your fasting is to quarrel and squabble and strike viciously with your fist. Fasting like yours today will never make your voice heard on high.
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	5	Is that the sort of fast that pleases me, a day when a person inflicts pain on himself? Hanging your head like a reed, spreading out sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call fasting, a day acceptable to Yahweh?
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	6	Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me: to break unjust fetters, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break all yokes?
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	7	Is it not sharing your food with the hungry, and sheltering the homeless poor; if you see someone lacking clothes, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own kin?
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	8	Then your light will blaze out like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over. Saving justice will go ahead of you and Yahweh's glory come behind you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	9	Then you will cry for help and Yahweh will answer; you will call and he will say, 'I am here.' If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist and malicious words,
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	10	if you deprive yourself for the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, your light will rise in the darkness, and your darkest hour will be like noon.
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	11	Yahweh will always guide you, will satisfy your needs in the scorched land; he will give strength to your bones and you will be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never run dry.
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	12	Your ancient ruins will be rebuilt; you will build on age -- old foundations. You will be called 'Breach-mender', 'Restorer of streets to be lived in'.
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	13	If you refrain from breaking the Sabbath, from taking your own pleasure on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath 'Delightful', and the day sacred to Yahweh 'Honourable', if you honour it by abstaining from travel, from seeking your own pleasure and from too much talk,
 Isaiah	Is	29	58	14	then you will find true happiness in Yahweh, and I shall lead you in triumph over the heights of the land. I shall feed you on the heritage of your father Jacob, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	1	No, the arm of Yahweh is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear,
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	2	but your guilty deeds have made a gulf between you and your God. Your sins have made him hide his face from you so as not to hear you,
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	3	since your hands are stained with blood and your fingers with guilt; your lips utter lies, your tongues murmur wickedness.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	4	No one makes upright accusations or pleads sincerely. All rely on empty words, utter falsehood, conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	5	They are hatching adders' eggs and weaving a spider's web; eat one of their eggs and you die, crush one and a viper emerges.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	6	Their webs are useless for clothing, their deeds are useless for wearing; their deeds are deeds of guilt, violence fills their hands.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	7	Their feet run to do evil; they are quick to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are thoughts of guilt, wherever they go there is havoc and ruin.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	8	They do not know the way of peace, there is no fair judgement in their course, they have made their own crooked paths, and no one treading them knows any peace.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	9	Thus fair judgement is remote from us nor can uprightness overtake us. We looked for light and all is darkness, for brightness and we walk in gloom.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	10	Like the blind we feel our way along walls, we grope our way like people without eyes. We stumble as though noon were twilight, among the robust we are like the dead.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	11	We growl, all of us, like bears, like doves we make no sound but moaning, waiting for the fair judgement that never comes, for salvation, but that is far away.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	12	How often we have rebelled against you and our sins bear witness against us. Our rebellious acts are indeed with us, we are well aware of our guilt:
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	13	rebellion and denial of Yahweh, turning our back on our God, talking violence and revolt, murmuring lies in our heart.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	14	Fair judgement is driven away and saving justice stands aloof, for good faith has stumbled in the street and sincerity cannot enter.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	15	Good faith has vanished; anyone abstaining from evil is victimised. Yahweh saw this and was displeased that there was no fair judgement.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	16	He saw there was no one and wondered there was no one to intervene. So he made his own arm his mainstay, his own saving justice his support.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	17	He put on saving justice like a breastplate, on his head the helmet of salvation. He put on the clothes of vengeance like a tunic and wrapped himself in jealousy like a cloak.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	18	To each he repays his due, retribution to his enemies, reprisals on his foes, to the coasts and islands he will repay their due.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	19	From the west, Yahweh's name will be feared, and from the east, his glory, for he will come like a pent-up stream impelled by the breath of Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	20	Then for Zion will come a redeemer, for those who stop rebelling in Jacob, declares Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	59	21	'For my part, this is my covenant with them, says Yahweh. My spirit with which I endowed you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, will not leave your mouth, or the mouths of your children, or the mouths of your children's children, says Yahweh, henceforth and for ever.'
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	1	Arise, shine out, for your light has come, and the glory of Yahweh has risen on you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	2	Look! though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples, on you Yahweh is rising and over you his glory can be seen.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	3	The nations will come to your light and kings to your dawning brightness.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	4	Lift up your eyes and look around: all are assembling and coming towards you, your sons coming from far away and your daughters being carried on the hip.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	5	At this sight you will grow radiant, your heart will throb and dilate, since the riches of the sea will flow to you, the wealth of the nations come to you;
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	6	camels in throngs will fill your streets, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; everyone in Saba will come, bringing gold and incense and proclaiming Yahweh's praises.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	7	All the flocks of Kedar will gather inside you, the rams of Nebaioth will be at your service as acceptable victims on my altar, and I shall glorify my glorious house.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	8	Who are these flying like a cloud, like doves to their dovecote?
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	9	Why, the coasts and islands put their hope in me and the vessels of Tarshish take the lead in bringing your children from far away, and their silver and gold with them, for the sake of the name of Yahweh your God, of the Holy One of Israel who has made you glorious.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	10	Foreigners will rebuild your walls and their kings will serve you. For though I struck you in anger, in mercy I have pitied you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	11	Your gates will always be open, never closed, either day or night, for the riches of the nations to be brought you and their kings to be let in.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	12	For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you will perish, and the nations will be utterly destroyed.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	13	The glory of the Lebanon will come to you, cypress, plane-tree, box-tree, one and all, to adorn the site of my sanctuary, for me to honour the place where I stand.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	14	Your oppressors' children will humbly approach you, at your feet all who despised you will fall addressing you as 'City of Yahweh', 'Zion of the Holy One of Israel'.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	15	Instead of your being forsaken and hated, avoided by everyone, I will make you an object of eternal pride, a source of joy from age to age.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	16	You will suck the milk of nations, you will suck the wealth of kings, and you will know that I, Yahweh, am your Saviour, that your redeemer is the Mighty One of Jacob.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	17	For bronze I shall bring gold and for iron I shall bring silver, and for wood, bronze, and for stone, iron; I shall make Peace your administration and Saving Justice your government.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	18	Violence will no longer be heard of in your country, nor devastation and ruin within your frontiers. You will call your walls 'Salvation' and your gates 'Praise'.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	19	No more will the sun give you daylight, nor moonlight shine on you, but Yahweh will be your everlasting light, your God will be your splendour.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	20	Your sun will set no more nor will your moon wane, for Yahweh will be your everlasting light and your days of mourning will be over.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	21	Your people, all of them upright, will possess the country for ever, the shoot I myself have planted, my handiwork, for my own glory.
 Isaiah	Is	29	60	22	The smallest will grow into a thousand, the weakest one into a mighty nation. When the time is ripe, I, Yahweh, shall quickly bring it about.
 Isaiah	Is	29	61	1	The spirit of Lord Yahweh is on me for Yahweh has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the news to the afflicted, to soothe the broken-hearted,
 Isaiah	Is	29	61	2	to proclaim liberty to captives, release to those in prison, to proclaim a year of favour from Yahweh and a day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all who mourn
 Isaiah	Is	29	61	3	(to give to Zion's mourners), to give them for ashes a garland, for mourning-dress, the oil of gladness, for despondency, festal attire; and they will be called 'terebinths of saving justice', planted by Yahweh to glorify him.
 Isaiah	Is	29	61	4	They will rebuild the ancient ruins, they will raise what has long lain waste, they will restore the ruined cities, all that has lain waste for ages past.
 Isaiah	Is	29	61	5	Strangers will come forward to feed your flocks, foreigners be your ploughmen and vinedressers;
 Isaiah	Is	29	61	6	but you will be called 'priests of Yahweh' and be addressed as 'ministers of our God'. You will feed on the wealth of nations, you will supplant them in their glory.
 Isaiah	Is	29	61	7	To make up for your shame, you will receive double; instead of disgrace, shouts of joy will be their lot; yes, they will have a double portion in their country and everlasting joy will be theirs.
 Isaiah	Is	29	61	8	For I am Yahweh: I love fair judgement, I hate robbery and wrong-doing, and I shall reward them faithfully and make an everlasting covenant with them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	61	9	Their race will be famous throughout the nations and their offspring throughout the peoples. All who see them will admit that they are a race whom Yahweh has blessed.
 Isaiah	Is	29	61	10	I exult for joy in Yahweh, my soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me in garments of salvation, he has wrapped me in a cloak of saving justice, like a bridegroom wearing his garland, like a bride adorned in her jewels.
 Isaiah	Is	29	61	11	For as the earth sends up its shoots and a garden makes seeds sprout, so Lord Yahweh makes saving justice and praise spring up in the sight of all nations.
 Isaiah	Is	29	62	1	About Zion I will not be silent, about Jerusalem I shall not rest until saving justice dawns for her like a bright light and her salvation like a blazing torch.
 Isaiah	Is	29	62	2	The nations will then see your saving justice, and all kings your glory, and you will be called a new name which Yahweh's mouth will reveal.
 Isaiah	Is	29	62	3	You will be a crown of splendour in Yahweh's hand, a princely diadem in the hand of your God.
 Isaiah	Is	29	62	4	No more will you be known as 'Forsaken' or your country be known as 'Desolation'; instead, you will be called 'My Delight is in her' and your country 'The Wedded'; for Yahweh will take delight in you and your country will have its wedding.
 Isaiah	Is	29	62	5	Like a young man marrying a virgin, your rebuilder will wed you, and as the bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so will your God rejoice in you.
 Isaiah	Is	29	62	6	On your walls, Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never fall silent, day or night. No peace for you, as you keep Yahweh's attention!
 Isaiah	Is	29	62	7	And give him no peace either until he restores Jerusalem and makes her the pride of the world!
 Isaiah	Is	29	62	8	Yahweh has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: Never again shall I give your grain to feed your enemies. Never again will foreigners drink the wine for which you have toiled.
 Isaiah	Is	29	62	9	No, the reapers will eat it and praise Yahweh, the harvesters will drink it in my sacred courts!
 Isaiah	Is	29	62	10	Pass through, pass through the gates. Clear a way for my people! Level up, level up the highway, remove the stones! Hoist a signal to the peoples!
 Isaiah	Is	29	62	11	This is what Yahweh has proclaimed to the remotest part of earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Look, your salvation is coming; with him comes his reward, his achievement precedes him!'
 Isaiah	Is	29	62	12	They will be called 'The Holy People', 'Yahweh's Redeemed', while you will be called 'Sought-after', 'City-not-forsaken'.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	1	Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah in crimson garments, so magnificently dressed, marching so full of strength? - It is I, whose word is saving justice, whose power is to save.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	2	-Why are your garments red, your clothes like someone treading the winepress?
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	3	-I have trodden the winepress alone; of my people, not one was with me. So I trod them down in my anger, I trampled on them in my wrath. Their blood squirted over my garments and all my clothes are stained.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	4	For I have decided on a day of vengeance, my year of retribution has come.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	5	I looked: there was no one to help me; I was appalled but could find no supporter! Then my own arm came to my rescue and my own fury supported me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	6	I crushed the peoples in my anger, I shattered them in my fury and sent their blood streaming to the ground.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	7	I shall recount Yahweh's acts of faithful love, Yahweh's praises, in return for all that Yahweh has done for us, for his great kindness to the House of Israel, for all that he has done in his mercy, for the abundance of his acts of faithful love.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	8	For he said, 'Truly they are my people, children who will not betray me,' and he became their Saviour.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	9	In all their troubles, it was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them. In his love and pity he himself redeemed them, lifted them up and carried them throughout the days of old.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	10	But they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit. Then he became their enemy and himself waged war on them.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	11	But he called the past to mind, Moses his servant. Where is he who saved them from the sea, the Shepherd of his flock? Where was he who put his holy Spirit among them,
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	12	whose glorious arm led the way by Moses' right hand? Who divided the waters before them to win himself everlasting renown,
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	13	who led them through the depths as easily as a horse through the desert? They stumbled as little
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	14	as cattle going down to the plain. Yahweh's Spirit led them to rest. This was how you guided your people to win yourself glorious renown.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	15	Look down from heaven and see from your holy and glorious dwelling. Where is your zeal and your might? Are your deepest feelings, your mercy to me, to be restrained?
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	16	After all, you are our Father. If Abraham will not own us, if Israel will not acknowledge us, you, Yahweh, are our Father, 'Our Redeemer' is your name from of old.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	17	Why, Yahweh, do you let us wander from your ways and let our hearts grow too hard to fear you? Return, for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	18	Your holy people have owned it for so short a time, our enemies have trampled on your sanctuary.
 Isaiah	Is	29	63	19	We have long been like those you do not rule, people who do not bear your name. Oh, that you would tear the heavens open and come down -- in your presence the mountains would quake,
 Isaiah	Is	29	64	1	as fire sets brushwood alight, as fire makes water boil -- to make your name known to your foes; the nations would tremble at your presence,
 Isaiah	Is	29	64	2	at the unexpected miracles you would do. (Oh, that you would come down, in your presence the mountains would quake!)
 Isaiah	Is	29	64	3	Never has anyone heard, no ear has heard, no eye has seen any god but you act like this for the sake of those who trust him.
 Isaiah	Is	29	64	4	You come to meet those who are happy to act uprightly; keeping your ways reminds them of you. Yes, you have been angry and we have been sinners; now we persist in your ways and we shall be saved.
 Isaiah	Is	29	64	5	We have all been like unclean things and our upright deeds like filthy rags. We wither, all of us, like leaves, and all our misdeeds carry us off like the wind.
 Isaiah	Is	29	64	6	There is no one to invoke your name, to rouse himself to hold fast to you, for you have hidden your face from us and given us up to the power of our misdeeds.
 Isaiah	Is	29	64	7	And yet, Yahweh, you are our Father; we the clay and you our potter, all of us are the work of your hands.
 Isaiah	Is	29	64	8	Yahweh, do not let your anger go too far and do not remember guilt for ever. Look, please, we are all your people;
 Isaiah	Is	29	64	9	your holy cities have become a desert, Zion has become a desert, Jerusalem a wasteland.
 Isaiah	Is	29	64	10	Our holy and glorious Temple, in which our ancestors used to praise you, has been burnt to the ground; all our delight lies in ruins.
 Isaiah	Is	29	64	11	Yahweh, can you restrain yourself at all this? Will you stay silent and afflict us beyond endurance?
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	1	I have let myself be approached by those who did not consult me, I have let myself be found by those who did not seek me. I said, 'Here I am, here I am!' to a nation that did not invoke my name.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	2	Each day I stretched out my hands to a rebellious people who follow a way which is not good, as the fancy takes them;
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	3	a people constantly provoking me to my face by sacrificing in gardens, burning incense on bricks,
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	4	living in tombs, spending the night in dark corners, eating the meat of pigs, putting unclean foods on their plates.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	5	'Keep your distance,' they say, 'do not touch me, lest my sanctity come near you!' Such words are like stifling smoke to me, an ever-burning fire.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	6	Look, it is inscribed before me: I shall not be silent until I have repaid them, repaid them in full,
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	7	punished your guilt and your ancestors' guilt together, Yahweh declares. For having burnt incense on the mountains and insulted me on the hills, I shall pay them back in full for what they have done.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	8	Yahweh says this: As when a bunch of grapes is found still to have juice in it, people say, 'Do not destroy it, for it contains a blessing,' so I shall act for my servants' sake, I shall not destroy them all.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	9	I shall produce descendants from Jacob and heirs to my mountains from Judah, my chosen ones will own them and my servants will live there.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	10	Sharon will be a pasture for flocks, the Valley of Achor a feeding ground for cattle, for those of my people who have sought me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	11	But as for those of you who abandon Yahweh, who forget my holy mountain, who lay the table for Gad, who fill cups of mixed wine for Meni,
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	12	you I shall destine to the sword and all of you will stoop to be slaughtered, because I called and you would not answer, I spoke and you would not listen; you have done what I consider evil, you chose to do what displeases me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	13	Therefore Lord Yahweh says this: You will see my servants eating while you go hungry; you will see my servants drinking while you go thirsty; you will see my servants rejoicing while you are put to shame;
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	14	you will hear my servants shouting for joy of heart, while you shriek for sorrow of heart and howl with a broken spirit.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	15	And you will leave your name behind as a curse for my chosen ones, 'May Lord Yahweh strike you dead!' But to his servants he will give another name.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	16	Whoever blesses himself on earth will bless himself by the God of truth, and whoever swears an oath on earth will swear by the God of truth, for past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	17	For look, I am going to create new heavens and a new earth, and the past will not be remembered and will come no more to mind.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	18	Rather be joyful, be glad for ever at what I am creating, for look, I am creating Jerusalem to be 'Joy' and my people to be 'Gladness'.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	19	I shall be joyful in Jerusalem and I shall rejoice in my people. No more will the sound of weeping be heard there, nor the sound of a shriek;
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	20	never again will there be an infant there who lives only a few days, nor an old man who does not run his full course; for the youngest will die at a hundred, and at a hundred the sinner will be accursed.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	21	They will build houses and live in them, they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	22	They will not build for others to live in, or plant for others to eat; for the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, and my chosen ones will themselves use what they have made.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	23	They will not toil in vain, nor bear children destined to disaster, for they are the race of Yahweh's blessed ones and so are their offspring.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	24	Thus, before they call I shall answer, before they stop speaking I shall have heard.
 Isaiah	Is	29	65	25	The wolf and the young lamb will feed together, the lion will eat hay like the ox, and dust be the serpent's food. No hurt, no harm will be done on all my holy mountain, Yahweh says.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	1	Thus says Yahweh: With heaven my throne and earth my footstool, what house could you build me, what place for me to rest,
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	2	when all these things were made by me and all belong to me? - declares Yahweh. But my eyes are drawn to the person of humbled and contrite spirit, who trembles at my word.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	3	Some slaughter a bull, some kill a human being, some sacrifice a lamb, some strangle a dog, some present an offering of pig's blood, some burn memorial incense, a revolting blessing; all these people have chosen their own ways and take delight in their disgusting practices.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	4	I too take delight in making fools of them, I shall bring what they most fear down on them because I have called and no one would answer, I spoke and no one listened. They have done what I regard as evil, have chosen what displeases me.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	5	Listen to the word of Yahweh, you who tremble at his word. Your brothers, who hate and reject you because of my name, have said, 'Let Yahweh show his glory, let us witness your joy!' But they will be put to shame.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	6	Listen! An uproar from the city! A voice from the Temple! The voice of Yahweh bringing retribution on his enemies.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	7	Before being in labour she has given birth. Before the birth pangs came, she has been delivered of a child.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	8	Who ever heard of such a thing, who ever saw anything like this? Can a country be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? For Zion, scarcely in labour, has brought forth her children!
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	9	Shall I open the womb and not bring to birth? says Yahweh. Shall I, who bring to birth, close the womb? says your God.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	10	Rejoice with Jerusalem, be glad for her, all you who love her! Rejoice, rejoice with her, all you who mourned her!
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	11	So that you may be suckled and satisfied from her consoling breast, so that you may drink deep with delight from her generous nipple.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	12	For Yahweh says this: Look, I am going to send peace flowing over her like a river, and like a stream in spate the glory of the nations. You will be suckled, carried on her hip and fondled in her lap.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	13	As a mother comforts a child, so I shall comfort you; you will be comforted in Jerusalem.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	14	At the sight your heart will rejoice, and your limbs regain vigour like the grass. To his servants Yahweh will reveal his hand, but to his enemies his fury.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	15	For see how Yahweh comes in fire, his chariots like the whirlwind, to assuage his anger with burning, his rebukes with flaming fire.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	16	For by fire will Yahweh execute fair judgement, and by his sword, on all people; and Yahweh's victims will be many.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	17	As for those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to enter the gardens, following the one in the centre, who eat the flesh of pigs, revolting things and rats: their deeds and their thoughts will perish together, declares Yahweh.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	18	I am coming to gather every nation and every language. They will come to witness my glory.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	19	I shall give them a sign and send some of their survivors to the nations: to Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coasts and islands that have never heard of me or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory to the nations,
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	20	and from all the nations they will bring all your brothers as an offering to Yahweh, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules and on camels, to my holy mountain, Jerusalem, Yahweh says, like Israelites bringing offerings in clean vessels to Yahweh's house.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	21	And some of them I shall make into priests and Levites, Yahweh says.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	22	For as the new heavens and the new earth I am making will endure before me, declares Yahweh, so will your race and your name endure.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	23	From New Moon to New Moon, from Sabbath to Sabbath, all humanity will come and bow in my presence, Yahweh says.
 Isaiah	Is	29	66	24	And on their way out they will see the corpses of those who rebelled against me; for their worm will never die nor their fire be put out, and they will be held in horror by all humanity.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	1	The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests living at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	2	The word of Yahweh came to him in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	3	then in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the deportation of Jerusalem, in the fifth month.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	4	The word of Yahweh came to me, saying:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	5	'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I appointed you as prophet to the nations.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	6	I then said, 'Ah, ah, ah, Lord Yahweh; you see, I do not know how to speak: I am only a child!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	7	But Yahweh replied, 'Do not say, "I am only a child," for you must go to all to whom I send you and say whatever I command you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	8	Do not be afraid of confronting them, for I am with you to rescue you, Yahweh declares.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	9	Then Yahweh stretched out his hand and touched my mouth, and Yahweh said to me: 'There! I have put my words into your mouth.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	10	Look, today I have set you over the nations and kingdoms, to uproot and to knock down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	11	The word of Yahweh came to me, asking, 'Jeremiah, what do you see?' I answered, 'I see a branch of the Watchful Tree.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	12	Then Yahweh said, 'Well seen, for I am watching over my word to perform it.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	13	A second time the word of Yahweh came to me, asking, 'What do you see?' I answered, 'I see a cooking pot on the boil, with its mouth tilting from the north.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	14	Then Yahweh said: 'From the north disaster will come boiling over on all who live in the country,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	15	for I am now summoning all the families of the kingdoms of the north, Yahweh declares. They will come, and each will set his throne in front of the gates of Jerusalem, all round, against its walls and against all the towns of Judah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	16	I shall pronounce my judgements on them because of all their wickedness, since they have abandoned me, offering incense to other gods and worshipping what their own hands have made.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	17	'As for you, prepare yourself for action. Stand up and tell them all I command you. Have no fear of them and in their presence I will make you fearless.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	18	For look, today I have made you into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of bronze to stand against the whole country: the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests and the people of the country.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	1	19	They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you, Yahweh declares, to rescue you.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	1	The word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	2	'Go and shout this in Jerusalem's ears: 'Yahweh says this: "I remember your faithful love, the affection of your bridal days, when you followed me through the desert, through a land unsown.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	3	Israel was sacred to Yahweh; the first-fruits of his harvest; all who ate this incurred guilt, disaster befell them, Yahweh declares." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	4	Listen to Yahweh's word, House of Jacob and all the families of the House of Israel.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	5	Yahweh says this, 'What did your ancestors find wrong in me for them to have deserted me so far as to follow Futility and become futile themselves?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	6	They never said, "Where is Yahweh, who brought us out of Egypt and led us through the desert, through a land of plains and ravines, through a land of drought, of shadow dark as death, a land through which no one passes and where no human being lives?"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	7	I brought you to a country of plenty, to enjoy its produce and good things; but when you entered you defiled my country and made my heritage loathsome.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	8	The priests never asked, "Where is Yahweh?" Those skilled in the Law did not know me, the shepherds too rebelled against me and the prophets prophesied by Baal and followed the Useless Ones.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	9	So I must state my case against you once more, Yahweh declares, and state my case against your children's children:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	10	Cross to the isles of the Kittim and look, send to Kedar and carefully observe, see if anything like this has happened before!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	11	Does a nation change its gods? - and these are not gods at all! Yet my people have exchanged their Glory for the Useless One!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	12	You heavens, stand aghast at this, horrified, utterly appalled, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	13	For my people have committed two crimes: they have abandoned me, the fountain of living water, and dug water-tanks for themselves, cracked water-tanks that hold no water.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	14	'Is Israel a slave? Was he born into serfdom, for him to be preyed on like this?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	15	Lions have roared at him, they have made their voices heard. They have left this country a desert, his towns lie burnt and uninhabited.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	16	The people of Noph and Tahpanhes have shaved your skull!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	17	Have you not brought this on yourself, by abandoning Yahweh your God, when he was guiding you on your way?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	18	What is the good of going to Egypt now to drink the water of the Nile? What is the good of going to Assyria to drink the water of the River?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	19	Your wickedness will bring its own punishment, your infidelities will bring you to book, so give thought and see how evil and bitter it is to abandon Yahweh your God and not to stand in awe of me, the Lord Yahweh Sabaoth declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	20	'It is long ago now since you broke your yoke, burst your bonds and said, "I will not serve!" Yet on every high hill and under every green tree you have sprawled and played the whore.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	21	Yet I had planted you, a red vine of completely sound stock. How is it you have turned into seedlings of a vine that is alien to me?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	22	Even though you scrub yourself with soda and put in quantities of soap, the stain of your guilt would still be visible to me, the Lord Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	23	How dare you say, "I am not defiled, I have not run after the Baals?" Look at your behaviour in the Valley, realise what you have done.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	24	A wild she-donkey, at home in the desert, snuffing the breeze in desire; who can control her when she is on heat? Males need not trouble to look for her, they will find her in her month.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	25	Beware! Your own foot will go unshod, your own throat grow dry! But you said, "It is no use! No! For I love the Strangers and they are the ones I shall follow."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	26	'Like a thief ashamed at being caught, so will the House of Israel be: they, their kings, their chief men, their priests and their prophets,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	27	who say to a piece of wood, "You are my father," and to a stone, "You gave birth to me." For they turn to me their backs, never their faces; yet when trouble comes they shout, "Get up! Save us!"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	28	Where are your gods you made for yourself? Let them get up if they can save you when trouble comes! For you have as many gods as you have towns, Judah!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	29	Why make out a case against me? You have all rebelled against me, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	30	In vain I have struck your children, they have not accepted correction; your own sword has devoured your prophets like a marauding lion.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	31	Now you of this generation, listen to what Yahweh says: Have I been a desert for Israel, or a land of gloom? Why do my people say, "We are our own masters, we will come to you no more"?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	32	Does a girl forget her ornaments, a bride her sash? And yet my people have forgotten me, days beyond number.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	33	'How well you set your course in pursuit of love! And so you have schooled your ways to wicked deeds.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	34	The very skirts of your robe are stained with the blood of the poor, of innocent men you never caught breaking and entering! And in spite of all this,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	35	you say, "I am innocent, let his anger turn from me!" Now I pass sentence on you for saying, "I have not sinned."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	36	'How frivolously you undertake a change of course! But you will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	2	37	You will have to leave there too with your hands on your head, for Yahweh has rejected those that you rely on, you will come to no good with them.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	1	'If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him and becomes someone else's, has he the right to go back to her? Has not that piece of land been totally polluted? And you, having played the whore with many lovers, you claim the right to come back to me! Yahweh demands.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	2	'Lift your eyes to the bare heights and look! Where have you not offered your sex! You waited by the roadside for them like an Arab in the desert. You have polluted the country with your prostitution and your vices:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	3	this is why the showers have been withheld, the late rains have not come. 'But you maintained a prostitute's bold front, with no trace of a blush.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	4	From now on, do not cry out at me, "My father! My beloved ever since I was young!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	5	Will he keep up his anger for ever, maintain his wrath to the end?" You say this but still go on sinning, being so obstinate.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	6	In the days of King Josiah, Yahweh said to me, 'Have you seen what disloyal Israel has done? How she has made her way up every high hill and to every green tree, and played the whore there?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	7	I thought, "After doing all this she will come back to me." But she did not come back. Her faithless sister Judah saw this.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	8	She also saw that I had repudiated disloyal Israel for all her adulteries and given her her divorce papers. Her faithless sister Judah, however, was not afraid: she too went and played the whore.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	9	And with her shameless whoring, she polluted the country; she committed adultery with stones and pieces of wood.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	10	Worse than all this: Judah, her faithless sister, has come back to me not in sincerity, but only in pretence, Yahweh declares.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	11	And Yahweh said to me, 'Disloyal Israel is upright, compared with faithless Judah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	12	So go and shout words towards the north, and say: "Come back, disloyal Israel, Yahweh declares, I shall frown on you no more, since I am merciful, Yahweh declares. I shall not keep my anger for ever.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	13	Only acknowledge your guilt: how you have rebelled against Yahweh your God, how you have prostituted yourself with the Strangers under every green tree and have not listened to my voice, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	14	"Come back, disloyal children, Yahweh declares, for I alone am your Master, and I will take you, one from a town, two from a family, and bring you to Zion.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	15	I shall give you shepherds after my own heart, who will pasture you wisely and discreetly.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	16	Then, when you have increased and grown numerous in the country, Yahweh declares, no one will ever again say: The ark of the covenant of Yahweh! It will not enter their minds, they will not remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	17	When that time comes, Jerusalem will be called: The Throne of Yahweh, and all the nations will converge on her, on Yahweh's name, on Jerusalem, and will no longer follow their own stubborn and wicked inclinations.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	18	"When those days come, the House of Judah will join the House of Israel; together they will come from the land of the north to the country I gave your ancestors as their heritage."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	19	'And I was thinking: How am I to rank you as my children? I shall give you a country of delights, the fairest heritage of all the nations! I thought: You will call me Father and will never cease to follow me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	20	But like a woman betraying her lover, House of Israel, you have betrayed me,' Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	21	A noise is heard on the bare heights: the weeping and entreaty of the Israelites, for they have gone wildly astray, have forgotten Yahweh their God.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	22	'Come back, disloyal sons, I want to cure your disloyalty.' 'We are here, we are coming to you, for you are Yahweh our God.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	23	The hills are a delusion after all, so is the tumult of the mountains. Yahweh our God is, after all, the saving of Israel.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	24	Shame has devoured what our ancestors worked for ever since we were young, their flocks and herds, their sons and their daughters.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	3	25	Let us lie down in our shame, let our confusion cover us, for we have sinned against Yahweh our God, we and our ancestors, from our youth until today, and have not listened to the voice of Yahweh our God.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	1	'If you come back, Israel, Yahweh declares, if you come back to me, if you take your Horrors out of my sight, if you go roving no more,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	2	if you swear, "As Yahweh lives!" truthfully, justly, uprightly, then the nations will bless themselves by him and glory in him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	3	'For Yahweh says this to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, "Clear the ground that lies neglected, do not sow among thorns.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	4	Circumcise yourselves for Yahweh, apply circumcision to your hearts, men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will leap out like a fire and burn with no one to quench it, in return for the wickedness of your deeds." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	5	Announce it in Judah, proclaim it in Jerusalem, say, 'Sound the trumpet in the countryside, shout the message aloud: Mobilise! Take to the fortified towns!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	6	Signpost the way to Zion! Run! Do not delay! For I am bringing disaster from the north, an immense calamity.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	7	The lion is up from his thicket, the destroyer of nations is on his way, he has come from his home to reduce your land to a desert; your towns will be in ruins, uninhabited.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	8	So wrap yourselves in sackcloth, lament and wail, since Yahweh's burning anger has not turned away from us.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	9	'That day,' Yahweh declares, 'the king's heart will fail him, the princes' hearts will fail them too, the priests will stand aghast, the prophets stupefied.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	10	Then I said, 'Ah, Lord Yahweh, how sadly you deceived this people and Jerusalem when you used to say, "You will have peace," whereas the sword is now at our throats!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	11	When that time comes, this will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: The scorching wind from the desert heights comes towards the daughter of my people -and not to winnow or to cleanse!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	12	A gale of wind comes to me from over there. Now I myself shall pass sentence on them!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	13	Look, he is advancing like the clouds, his chariots like a hurricane, his horses swifter than eagles. Disaster for us! We are lost!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	14	Wash your heart clean of wickedness, Jerusalem, and so be saved. How long will you go on harbouring your pernicious thoughts?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	15	For a voice from Dan shouts the news, proclaims disaster from the highlands of Ephraim.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	16	Report it to the nations, proclaim it to Jerusalem, 'Enemies are coming from a distant country, shouting their war cry against the towns of Judah;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	17	they surround her like watchmen round a field because she has rebelled against me', Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	18	'Your own behaviour and actions have brought this on yourself. Your wickedness, how bitter, has stabbed you to the heart!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	19	In the pit of my stomach how great my agony! Walls of my heart! My heart is throbbing! I cannot keep quiet, for I have heard the trumpet call, the battle cry.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	20	Ruin on ruin is the news: the whole land is laid waste, my tents are suddenly destroyed, in one moment all that sheltered me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	21	How long must I see the standard and hear the trumpet call?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	22	'This is because my people are stupid, they do not know me, they are slow-witted children, they have no understanding, they are clever enough at doing wrong, but do not know how to do right.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	23	I looked to the earth -- it was a formless waste; to the heavens, and their light had gone.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	24	I looked to the mountains -- they were quaking and all the hills rocking to and fro.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	25	I looked -- there was no one at all, the very birds of heaven had all fled.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	26	I looked -- the fruitful land was a desert, all its towns in ruins before Yahweh, before his burning anger.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	27	Yes, Yahweh has said this, 'The whole country will be laid waste, though I shall not annihilate it completely.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	28	For this, the earth will go into mourning and the heavens above grow dark. For I have spoken, I have decided, I shall not change my mind or go back on it.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	29	At the din of horseman and archer the entire city takes to flight: some plunge into the thickets, others scale the rocks; every town is abandoned, not a single person is left there.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	30	And, once despoiled, what are you going to do? You may dress yourself in scarlet, put on ornaments of gold, enlarge your eyes with paint but you make yourself pretty in vain. Your former lovers disdain you, your life is what they are seeking.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	4	31	Yes, I hear screams like those of a woman in labour, anguish like that of a woman giving birth to her first child; they are the screams of the daughter of Zion, gasping, hands outstretched, 'Unhappy me! I am dying, the murderers have killed me!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	1	Rove the streets of Jerusalem, now look and enquire, see in her squares if you can find an individual, one individual who does right and seeks the truth, and I will pardon her, Yahweh says.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	2	Although they say, 'As Yahweh lives,' they are, in fact, swearing a false oath.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	3	Yahweh, do your eyes not look for truth? You have struck them; they have not felt it. You have annihilated them, for they ignored the lesson. They have set their faces harder than rock, they have refused to repent.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	4	I thought, 'These are only the poor! They behave stupidly since they do not know Yahweh's way or the ruling of their God.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	5	I shall approach the great men and speak to them, for these will know Yahweh's way and the ruling of their God.' But these, too, have broken the yoke, have burst the bonds.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	6	And so, a lion from the forest will slaughter them, a wolf from the plains will despoil them, a leopard will be lurking round their towns: anyone who goes out will be torn to pieces -- because of their many crimes, their countless infidelities.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	7	'Why should I pardon you? Your sons have abandoned me, to swear by gods that are not gods at all. I fed them full, and they became adulterers, they hurried to the brothel.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	8	They are well-fed, roving stallions, each neighing for his neighbour's wife.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	9	Shall I fail to punish this, Yahweh demands, or on such a nation to exact vengeance?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	10	Scale her terraces! Destroy! But do not annihilate her completely! Strip off her branches, for Yahweh does not own them!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	11	How treacherously they have treated me, the House of Israel and the House of Judah! Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	12	'They have denied Yahweh, they have said, "He is nothing; no evil will overtake us, we shall not see sword or famine.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	13	And the prophets? Nothing but wind; the word is not in them; let those very things happen to them!" '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	14	Because of this, Yahweh, God Sabaoth, says this, 'Since you have said such things, now I shall make my words a fire in your mouth, and make this people wood, for the fire to devour.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	15	Now I shall bring on you a nation from afar, House of Israel, Yahweh declares, an enduring nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know, nor can you grasp what they say.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	16	Their quiver a gaping tomb, they are all of them fighters.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	17	They will devour your harvest and your food, devour your sons and daughters, devour your flocks and herds, devour your vines and fig trees, and demolish your fortified towns in which you trust -- with the sword!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	18	'Yet even in those days, Yahweh declares, I shall not annihilate you completely.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	19	'And when you ask, "Why has Yahweh our God done all this to us?" you will give them this answer, "As you abandon me to serve alien gods in your own country, so you must serve aliens in a country not your own."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	20	'Announce this in the House of Jacob, proclaim it in Judah, and say,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	21	"Now listen to this, stupid, brainless people who have eyes and do not see, who have ears and do not hear!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	22	Have you no fear of me? Yahweh demands. Will you not tremble before me who set the sand as limit to the sea, as an everlasting barrier it cannot pass? Its waves may toss but not prevail, they may roar but cannot pass beyond.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	23	But this people has a rebellious, unruly heart; they have rebelled and gone!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	24	Nor do they say to themselves: Now we ought to fear Yahweh our God who gives the rain, of autumn and of spring, at the right season, and reserves us the weeks appointed for harvest.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	25	Your misdeeds have upset all this, your sins have deprived you of these blessings."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	26	Yes, there are wicked men among my people who watch like fowlers on the alert; they set traps and they catch human beings.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	27	Like a cage full of birds so are their houses full of loot; they have grown rich and powerful because of it,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	28	they are fat, they are sleek, in wickedness they go to any lengths: they have no respect for rights, for orphans' rights, and yet they succeed! They have not upheld the cause of the needy.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	29	Shall I fail to punish this, Yahweh demands, or on such a nation to exact vengeance?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	30	Horrible, disgusting things are happening in the land:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	5	31	the prophets prophesy falsely and the priests exploit the people. And my people love it! But when the end comes, what will you do?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	1	Flee in a body, Benjaminites, right away from Jerusalem! Sound the trumpet in Tekoa! Light the beacon on Beth-ha-Cherem! For disaster lowers from the north, an immense calamity.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	2	Beautiful, delicate as she is, I shall destroy the daughter of Zion!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	3	Shepherds are advancing on her with their flocks. They have pitched their tents all round her, each grazes his part.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	4	Prepare for holy war against her! To arms! We shall attack at noon! Disaster for us! The light is fading, the evening shadows lengthen.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	5	To arms! We shall attack at night and destroy her palaces.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	6	For Yahweh Sabaoth says this, 'Cut down trees, throw up an earthwork outside Jerusalem: this is the city to be punished, with nothing but oppression in her.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	7	As a well keeps its water fresh so she keeps her wickedness fresh. Violence and ruin are what you hear in her, wounds and blows always forced on my attention.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	8	Reform, Jerusalem, or I shall turn my attention away from you and reduce you to a desert, a land without people.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	9	Yahweh Sabaoth says this, 'They will glean, glean what is left of Israel like a vine. Like a grape-picker, pass your hand again over the branches!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	10	To whom should I speak, whom warn, for them to hear? Look, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen. Look, for them Yahweh's word is something to sneer at, they have no taste for it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	11	So I am full of Yahweh's wrath, I am weary of holding it in. Then pour it on the children in the streets, and on the bands of youths as well, for husband and wife will both be taken, the greybeard and the man weighed down with years.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	12	Their houses will pass to other men, so will their fields and wives. Yes, I shall stretch my hand over those living in this country, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	13	For, from the least to greatest, they are all greedy for gain; prophet no less than priest, all of them practise fraud.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	14	Without concern they dress my people's wound, saying, 'Peace! Peace!' whereas there is no peace.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	15	They should be ashamed of their loathsome deeds. Not they! They feel no shame, they do not even know how to blush. And so as others fall, they too will fall, will be thrown down when I come and punish them, Yahweh says.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	16	Yahweh says this, 'Stand at the crossroads and look, ask for the ancient paths: which was the good way? Take it and you will find rest for yourselves. But they have said, "We will not take it."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	17	I posted look-outs on your behalf: Listen to the sound of the trumpet! But they said, "We will not listen."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	18	Then hear, you nations, and know, assembly, what is going to happen to them!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	19	Listen, earth! Watch, I shall bring disaster on this people: it is the fruit of the way they think, since they have not listened to my words nor to my law, but have rejected it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	20	What do I care about incense imported from Sheba, or fragrant cane from a distant country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, your sacrifices do not please me.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	21	And so, Yahweh says this, 'In front of this people I shall now lay obstacles for them to stumble over; father and son alike, neighbour and friend will perish.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	22	Yahweh says this, 'Look, a people is coming from the land of the north, from the far ends of the earth a great nation is rising;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	23	they are armed with bow and spear, they are cruel and pitiless; their noise is like the roaring of the sea; they are riding horses, they are ready to fight against you as one man, against you, daughter of Zion.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	24	We have heard the news, our hands fall limp, anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labour.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	25	Do not go out into the countryside, do not venture onto the roads, for the enemy's sword is there, terror on every side.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	26	Put on sackcloth, daughter of my people, roll in ashes; mourn as for an only son, a very bitter dirge. For on us suddenly the destroyer is coming.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	27	'I have appointed you as tester of my people, to learn and to test how they behave.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	28	All of them are total rebels peddlers of slander, hard as bronze and iron, all agents of corruption.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	29	The bellows blast away to make the fire burn away the lead. In vain the smelter does his work, for the dross is not purged out.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	6	30	"Silver-reject", men call them, and indeed Yahweh has rejected them!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	1	The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	2	'Stand at the gate of the Temple of Yahweh and there proclaim this message. Say, "Listen to the word of Yahweh, all you of Judah who come in by these gates to worship Yahweh.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	3	Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this: Amend your behaviour and your actions and I will let you stay in this place.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	4	Do not put your faith in delusive words, such as: This is Yahweh's sanctuary, Yahweh's sanctuary, Yahweh's sanctuary!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	5	But if you really amend your behaviour and your actions, if you really treat one another fairly,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	6	if you do not exploit the stranger, the orphan and the widow, if you do not shed innocent blood in this place and if you do not follow other gods, to your own ruin,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	7	then I shall let you stay in this place, in the country I gave for ever to your ancestors of old.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	8	Look, you are putting your faith in delusive, worthless words!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	9	Steal, would you, murder, commit adultery, perjure yourselves, burn incense to Baal, follow other gods of whom you know nothing? -
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	10	and then come and stand before me in this Temple that bears my name, saying: Now we are safe to go on doing all these loathsome things!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	11	Do you look on this Temple that bears my name as a den of bandits? I, at any rate, can see straight, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	12	"Now go to the place which used to be mine at Shiloh, where I once gave my name a home; see what I have done to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	13	And now, since you have done all these things, Yahweh declares, and refused to listen when I spoke so urgently, so persistently, or to answer when I called you,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	14	I shall treat this Temple that bears my name, and in which you put your heart, the place that I gave you and your ancestors, just as I treated Shiloh,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	15	and I shall drive you out of my sight, as I did all your kinsfolk, the whole race of Ephraim."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	16	'You, for your part, must not intercede for this people, nor raise either plea or prayer on their behalf; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	17	Can you not see what they are doing in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	18	The children collect the wood, the fathers light the fire, the women knead the dough, to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven; and, to spite me, they pour libations to alien gods.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	19	Is it really me they spite, Yahweh demands, is it not in fact themselves, to their own confusion?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	20	So, Lord Yahweh says this, "My anger, my wrath will be poured down on this place, on man and beast, on the trees of the countryside and the fruits of the soil; it will burn, and not be quenched."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	21	'Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this, "Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat all the meat.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	22	For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt, I said nothing to them, gave them no orders, about burnt offerings or sacrifices.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	23	My one command to them was this: Listen to my voice, then I will be your God and you shall be my people. In everything, follow the way that I mark out for you, and you shall prosper.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	24	But they did not listen, they did not pay attention; they followed their own devices, their own stubborn and wicked inclinations, and got worse rather than better.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	25	From the day your ancestors left Egypt until today, I have sent you all my servants the prophets, persistently sending them day after day.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	26	But they have not listened to me, have not paid attention; they have deliberately resisted, behaving worse than their ancestors.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	27	So you will tell them all this, but they will not listen to you; you will call them, but they will not answer you."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	28	Then you are to say to them, "This is the nation that will neither listen to the voice of Yahweh its God nor take correction. Sincerity is no more, it has vanished from their mouths.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	29	"Cut off your tresses, throw them away! On the bare heights raise a dirge, for Yahweh has rejected, has abandoned, a brood that enrages him!"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	30	'Yes, the people of Judah have done what displeases me, Yahweh declares. They have set up their Horrors in the Temple that bears my name, to defile it,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	31	and have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, to burn their sons and daughters: a thing I never ordered, that had never entered my thoughts.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	32	So now the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when people will no longer say Topheth or Valley of Ben-Hinnom, but Valley of Slaughter. Topheth will become a burial ground, for lack of other space;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	33	the corpses of this people will be food for the birds of the sky and the animals of earth, and there will be no one to drive them off.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	7	34	I shall silence the shouts of rejoicing and mirth and the voices of bridegroom and bride, in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, for the country will be reduced to desert.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	1	'When that time comes, Yahweh declares, the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of its chief men, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, will be taken from their tombs.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	2	They will be spread out before the sun, the moon, the whole array of heaven, whom they have loved and served, followed, consulted and worshipped. They will not be gathered or reburied but will be left lying on the surface like dung.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	3	And death will seem preferable to life to all the survivors of this wicked race, wherever I have driven them, Yahweh Sabaoth declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	4	'You are to tell them, "Yahweh says this: If someone falls, can he not stand up again? If people stray, can they not turn back?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	5	Why does this people persist in acts of infidelity, why does Jerusalem persist in continuous infidelity? They cling to illusion, they refuse to turn back.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	6	I have listened attentively: they have never said anything like that. Not one repents of wickedness saying: What have I done? Each one keeps returning to the course like a horse charging into battle.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	7	Even the stork in the sky knows the appropriate season; turtledove, swallow and crane observe their time of migration. But my people do not know Yahweh's laws!" '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	8	How can you say, 'We are wise, since we have Yahweh's Law?' Look how it has been falsified by the lying pen of the scribes!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	9	The wise are put to shame, alarmed, caught out because they have rejected Yahweh's word. What price their wisdom now?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	10	So I shall give their wives to other men, their fields to new masters, for, from the least to greatest, they are all greedy for gain; prophet no less than priest, all of them practise fraud.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	11	Without concern they dress the wound of the daughter of my people, saying, 'Peace! Peace!' whereas there is no peace.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	12	They should be ashamed of their loathsome deeds. Not they! They feel no shame, they do not even know how to blush. And so as others fall, they too will fall, will be thrown down when the time for punishing them comes, Yahweh says.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	13	I shall put an end to them, Yahweh declares, no more grapes on the vine, no more figs on the fig tree only withered leaves: I have found them people to trample on them!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	14	Why are we sitting still? Mobilise! Take to the fortified towns and there fall silent, since Yahweh our God means to silence us by giving us poisoned water to drink because we have sinned against him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	15	We are hoping for peace -- no good came of it! For the time of healing -- nothing but terror!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	16	From Dan you can hear the snorting of his horses; at the neighing of his stallions the whole country quakes; they are coming to devour the country and its contents, the town and those that live in it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	17	Yes, now I am sending you poisonous snakes against which no charm exists; and they will bite you, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	18	Incurable sorrow overtakes me, my heart fails me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	19	Hark, from the daughter of my people the cry for help, ringing far and wide throughout the land! 'Is Yahweh no longer in Zion, her King no longer there?' (Why have they provoked me with their idols, with their futile foreign gods?)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	20	'Harvest is over, summer at an end, and we have not been saved!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	21	The wound of the daughter of my people wounds me too, all looks dark to me, terror grips me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	22	Is there no balm in Gilead any more? Is no doctor there? Then why is there no progress in the cure of the daughter of my people?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	8	23	Who will turn my head into a fountain, and my eyes into a spring of tears, that I can weep day and night over the slain of the daughter of my people?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	1	Who will find me a wayfarer's shelter in the desert, for me to quit my people, and leave them far behind? For all of them are adulterers, a conspiracy of traitors.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	2	They bend their tongues like a bow; not truth but falsehood holds sway in the land; yes, they go from crime to crime, but me they do not know, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	3	Let each be on his guard against his friend; do not trust a brother, for every brother aims but to supplant, and every friend is a peddler of slander.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	4	Each one cheats his friend, never telling the truth; they have trained their tongues to lie and devote all their energies to doing wrong.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	5	You live in a world of bad faith! Out of bad faith, they refuse to know me, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	6	And, so, Yahweh Sabaoth declares, now I shall purge them and test them, no other way to treat the daughter of my people!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	7	Their tongue is a deadly arrow, their words are in bad faith; with his mouth each wishes his neighbour peace, while in his heart plotting a trap for him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	8	Shall I fail to punish them for this, Yahweh demands, or on such a nation fail to exact vengeance?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	9	I raise the wail and lament for the mountains, the dirge for the desert pastures, for they have been burnt: no one passes there, the sound of flocks is heard no more. Birds of the sky and animals, all have fled, all are gone.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	10	I shall make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a lair for jackals, and the towns of Judah an uninhabited wasteland.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	11	Who is wise enough to understand this? To whom has Yahweh's mouth spoken to explain it? Why is the country annihilated, burnt like the desert where no one passes?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	12	Yahweh says, 'This is because they have forsaken my Law which I gave them and have not listened to my voice or followed it,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	13	but have followed their own stubborn hearts, have followed the Baals as their ancestors taught them.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	14	So Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this, 'Now I shall give this people wormwood to eat and poisoned water to drink.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	15	I shall scatter them among nations unknown to their ancestors or to them; and I shall pursue them with the sword until I have annihilated them.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	16	Yahweh Sabaoth says this, 'Prepare to call for the mourning women! Send for those who are best at it!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	17	Let them lose no time in raising the lament over us! Let our eyes rain tears, our eyelids run with weeping!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	18	A lament makes itself heard in Zion, "What ruin is ours, what utter shame! For we must leave the country, our homes have been knocked down!" '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	19	Now listen, you women, to Yahweh's word, let your ears take in the word his own mouth speaks. Teach your daughters how to wail and teach one another this dirge,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	20	'Death has climbed in at our windows, and made its way into our palaces; it has cut down the children in the street, the young people in the squares-
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	21	Speak! Yahweh declares this -- human corpses are strewn like dung in the open field, like sheaves left by the reaper, with no one to gather them.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	22	Yahweh says this, 'Let the sage not boast of wisdom, nor the valiant of valour, nor the wealthy of riches!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	23	But let anyone who wants to boast, boast of this: of understanding and knowing me. For I am Yahweh, who acts with faithful love, justice, and uprightness on earth; yes, these are what please me,' Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	24	'Look, the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when I shall punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	9	25	Egypt, Judah, Edom, the Ammonites, Moab, and all the men with shaven temples who live in the desert. For all those nations, and the whole House of Israel too, are uncircumcised at heart.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	1	Listen, House of Israel, to the word that Yahweh addresses to you. Yahweh says this:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	2	'Do not learn the ways of the nations or take alarm at the heavenly signs, alarmed though the nations may be at them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	3	Yes, the customs of the peoples are quite futile: wood, nothing more, cut out of a forest, worked with a blade by a carver's hand,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	4	then embellished with silver and gold, then fastened with hammer and nails to keep it from moving.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	5	Like scarecrows in a melon patch, they cannot talk, they have to be carried, since they cannot walk. Have no fear of them: they can do no harm -- nor any good either!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	6	Yahweh, there is no one like you, so great you are, so great your mighty name.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	7	Who would not revere you, King of nations? Yes, this is your due. Since of all the wise among the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is not a single one like you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	8	All of them are brutish and stupid: the Futile Ones' teaching is but wood,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	9	silver leaf imported from Tarshish and gold from Ophir, the work of carver or goldsmith; then dressed up in violet and purple, all the work of skilled men.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	10	But Yahweh is the true God. He is the living God, the everlasting King. The earth quakes when he is wrathful, the nations cannot endure his fury.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	11	'Tell them this, "The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth will vanish from the earth and from under these heavens." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	12	By his power he made the earth, by his wisdom set the world firm, but his discernment spread out the heavens.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	13	When he thunders there is a roaring of waters in heaven; he raises clouds from the remotest parts of the earth, makes the lightning flash for the downpour, and brings the wind from his storehouse.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	14	At this all people stand stupefied, uncomprehending, every goldsmith blushes for his idols; his castings are but delusion, with no breath in them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	15	They are futile, a laughable production; when the time comes for them to be punished, they will vanish.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	16	The Heritage of Jacob is not like these, for he is the maker of everything, and Israel is the tribe that is his heritage. His name is Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	17	Pick up your pack from the ground, you the besieged!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	18	For Yahweh says this, 'Now I shall throw out the inhabitants of the country, this time, and bring distress on them, so that they may find me!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	19	Disaster is on me! What a wound! My injury is incurable! And I used to think, 'If this is the worst, I can bear it!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	20	But now my tent is destroyed, all my ropes are snapped, my sons have left me and are no more; no one is left to put my tent up again or to hang the side-cloths.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	21	The shepherds are the ones who have been stupid: they have not searched for Yahweh. This is why they have not prospered and why their whole flock has been dispersed.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	22	Listen! A terrible noise! A mighty uproar from the land of the north to reduce the towns of Judah to desert, to a lair for jackals!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	23	I know, Yahweh, no one's course is in his control, nor is it in anyone's power, as he goes his way, to guide his own steps.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	24	Correct me, Yahweh, but with moderation, not in your anger, or you will reduce me to nothing.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	10	25	Pour out your anger on the nations who do not acknowledge you, and on the families that do not call on your name, for they have devoured Jacob, have devoured and made an end of him and reduced his home to desolation.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	1	The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	2	'Hear the terms of this covenant; tell them to the people of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	3	Tell them, "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: Cursed be anyone who will not listen to the terms of this covenant
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	4	which I ordained for your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, out of that iron-foundry. Listen to my voice, I told them, carry out all my orders, then you will be my people and I shall be your God,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	5	so that I may fulfil the oath I swore to your ancestors, that I may give them a country flowing with milk and honey, as is the case today." ' I replied, 'So be it, Yahweh!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	6	Then Yahweh said to me, 'Proclaim all these terms in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, "Listen to the terms of this covenant and obey them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	7	For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt, I solemnly warned them, and have persistently warned them until today, saying: Listen to my voice.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	8	But they did not listen, did not pay attention; instead, each followed his own stubborn and wicked inclinations. And against them, in consequence, I put into action the words of this covenant which I had ordered them to obey and which they had not obeyed."'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	9	Yahweh said to me, 'Plainly there is conspiracy among the people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	10	They have reverted to the sins of their ancestors who refused to listen to my words: they too are following other gods and serving them. The House of Israel and the House of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their ancestors.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	11	And so, Yahweh says this, "I shall now bring a disaster on them which they cannot escape; they will call to me for help, but I shall not listen to them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	12	The towns of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem will then go and call for help to the gods to whom they burn incense, but these will be no help at all to them in their time of distress!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	13	"For you have as many gods as you have towns, Judah! You have built as many altars to Shame, as many incense altars to Baal, as Jerusalem has streets!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	14	"You, for your part, must not intercede for this people, nor raise either plea or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when their distress forces them to call to me for help."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	15	'What is my beloved doing in my house? She has achieved her wicked plans. Can vows and consecrated meat turn disaster from you for you to be so happy?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	16	"Green olive-tree covered in fine fruit", was Yahweh's name for you. With a shattering noise he has set fire to it, its branches are broken.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	17	And Yahweh Sabaoth, who planted you, has decreed disaster for you because of the evil the House of Israel and the House of Judah have done, provoking me by burning incense to Baal.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	18	Yahweh informed me and I knew it; you then revealed their scheming to me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	19	I for my part was like a trustful lamb being led to the slaughterhouse, not knowing the schemes they were plotting against me, 'Let us destroy the tree in its strength, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name may no longer be remebered!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	20	Yahweh Sabaoth, whose judgement is upright, tester of motives and thoughts, I shall see your vengeance on them, for I have revealed my cause to you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	21	Against the people of Anathoth who are determined to kill me and say to me, 'Do not prophesy in the name of Yahweh or you will die at our hands!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	22	Yahweh says this, 'I am about to punish them. Their young people will die by the sword, their sons and daughters by famine.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	11	23	Not one will be left when I bring disaster on the people of Anathoth, when the year for punishing them comes.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	1	Your uprightness is too great, Yahweh, for me to dispute with you. But I should like to discuss some points of justice with you: Why is it that the way of the wicked prospers? Why do all treacherous people thrive?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	2	You plant them, they take root, they flourish, yes, and bear fruit. You are on their lips, yet far from their heart.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	3	You know me, Yahweh, you see me, you probe my heart, which is close to yours. Drag them off like sheep for the slaughterhouse, reserve them for the day of butchery.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	4	(How long will the land be in mourning, and the grass wither all over the countryside? The animals and birds are dying as a result of the wickedness of the inhabitants.) For they say, 'God does not see our fate.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	5	'If you find it exhausting to race against me on foot, how will you compete against horses? In a country at peace you feel secure, but how will you fare in the thickets of the Jordan?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	6	'For even your brothers and your own family will betray you. They will pursue you in full cry. Put no faith in them when they speak you fair!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	7	I have abandoned my house, left my heritage, I have delivered what I dearly loved into the clutches of its enemies.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	8	To me, my heritage has behaved like a lion in the forest, it roared at me ferociously: so I now hate it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	9	I see my heritage as a brightly-coloured bird of prey attacked by birds of prey on every side! Go, assemble all the wild animals, make them come and dine!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	10	Many shepherds have laid my vineyard waste, have trampled over my plot of land, the plot of land which was my joy, reducing my favourite estate to a deserted wilderness.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	11	They have made it a waste; wasted, it mourns before me. The whole country has been devastated and no one takes it to heart.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	12	The devastators have arrived on all the bare heights of the desert (for Yahweh wields a devouring sword); from one end of the country to the other, there is no peace for any living thing.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	13	Wheat they have sown, thorns they reap: they have worn themselves out, to no profit. They are disappointed in their harvests, because of Yahweh's burning anger.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	14	Yahweh says this, 'As regards all my evil neighbours who have laid hands on the heritage I granted my people Israel, look, I shall uproot them from their soil, (though I shall uproot the House of Judah from among them).
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	15	But having uprooted them, I shall take pity on them again and bring them back each to its own heritage, each to its own country,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	16	and if they carefully learn my people's ways and swear by my name, "As Yahweh lives", as they have taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will be re-established among my people.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	12	17	But if any nation refuses to listen, I shall uproot it for ever and destroy it, Yahweh declares.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	1	Yahweh said this to me, 'Go and buy a linen waistcloth and put it round your waist. But do not dip it in water.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	2	And so, as Yahweh had ordered, I bought a waistcloth and put it round my waist.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	3	A second time the word of Yahweh came to me,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	4	'Take the waistcloth that you have bought and are wearing round your waist. Up, go to the Euphrates and hide it there in a hole in the rock.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	5	So I went and hid it by the Euphrates as Yahweh had ordered me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	6	A long time later, Yahweh said to me, 'Up, go to the Euphrates and fetch the waistcloth I ordered you to hide there.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	7	So I went to the Euphrates, and I searched, and I took the waistcloth from the place where I had hidden it. And there was the waistcloth ruined, no use for anything.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	8	Then the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	9	'Yahweh says this, "In the same way I shall ruin the pride of Judah, the immense pride of Jerusalem.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	10	This evil people, these people who refuse to listen to my words, who follow their own stubborn inclinations and run after other gods, serving and worshipping them -- this people will become like this waistcloth, no good for anything.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	11	For just as a waistcloth clings to a man's waist, so I made the whole House of Israel and the whole House of Judah cling to me, Yahweh declares, to be my people, my glory, my honour and my pride. But they have not listened."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	12	'You will also say this to them, "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: Any jug can be filled with wine." And if they answer you, "Do you think we do not know that any jug can be filled with wine?"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	13	you are to say, "Yahweh says this: Look, I shall fill all the inhabitants of this country, the kings who occupy the throne of David, the priests, the prophets and all the citizens of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	14	Then I shall smash them one against the other, parents and children all together, Yahweh declares. Mercilessly, relentlessly, pitilessly, I shall destroy them." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	15	Listen and pay attention, do not be proud: Yahweh is speaking!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	16	Give glory to Yahweh your God before the darkness comes, before your feet stumble on the darkened mountains. You hope for light, but he will turn it to shadow dark as death, will change it to blackness.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	17	If you do not listen to this warning, I shall weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and stream with tears, for Yahweh's flock is being led into captivity.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	18	Tell the king and the queen mother, 'Sit in a lower place, since your glorious crown has fallen from your head.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	19	The towns of the Negeb are shut off with no one to give access to them. All Judah has been deported, deported wholesale.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	20	Raise your eyes and look at these now coming from the north. Where is the flock once entrusted to you, the flock which was your pride?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	21	What will you say when they come and punish you, you yourself having taught them? Against you, in the lead, will come your friends. Then will not anguish grip you as it grips a woman in labour?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	22	And should you ask yourself, 'Why is all this happening to me?' it is because of your great guilt that your skirts have been pulled up and you have been manhandled.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	23	Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? And you, can you do right, being so accustomed to wrong?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	24	'I shall scatter you like chaff on the desert wind.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	25	This is your share, the part allotted you, from me, Yahweh declares, because you have forgotten me and put your trust in Delusion.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	26	I am the one who pulls your skirts up over your face to let your shame be seen.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	13	27	Oh! Your adulteries, your shrieks of pleasure, your vile prostitution! On the hills, in the fields, I have seen your Horrors. Jerusalem, disaster is coming for you! How much longer till you are made clean?'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	1	The word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah on the occasion of the drought.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	2	'Judah is in mourning, her towns are pining, sinking to the ground; a cry goes up from Jerusalem.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	3	The nobles send their servants for water, they come to the water-tanks, find no water, and return with their pitchers empty. Dismayed and bewildered, they cover their heads.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	4	Because the soil is all cracked since the country has had no rain; the farmers are dismayed, they cover their heads.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	5	Even the doe in the countryside giving birth abandons her young, for there is no grass;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	6	the wild donkeys standing on the bare heights gasp for air like jackals: their eyes grow dim for lack of pasture.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	7	Although our sins witness against us, Yahweh, for your name's sake, intervene! Yes, our acts of infidelity have been many, we have sinned against you!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	8	Yahweh, hope of Israel, its Saviour in time of distress, why are you like a stranger in this country, like a traveller staying only for one night?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	9	Why are you like someone bemused, like a warrior who has no power to rescue? And yet, Yahweh, you are among us, we are called by your name. Do not desert us!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	10	Yahweh says this about this people, 'They take such pleasure in darting hither and thither, they cannot restrain their feet! But Yahweh takes pleasure in them no longer; now he will keep their guilt in mind and punish their sins.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	11	Yahweh then said to me, 'Do not intercede for this people or their welfare.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	12	If they fast, I will not listen to their plea; if they offer burnt offerings and cereal offerings I will not accept them. Rather, I shall make an end of them by sword, famine and plague.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	13	'Ah, Lord Yahweh,' I answered, 'here are the prophets telling them, "You will not see the sword, famine will not touch you; I promise you true peace in this place." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	14	Then Yahweh said to me, 'The prophets are prophesying lies in my name; I have not sent them, I gave them no orders, I never spoke to them. Delusive visions, hollow predictions, daydreams of their own, that is what they prophesy to you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	15	Therefore, Yahweh says this: The prophets who prophesy in my name when I have not sent them, and tell you there will be no sword or famine in this country, these same prophets will meet their end by sword and famine.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	16	And as for the people to whom they prophesy, they will be tossed into the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and the sword, with not a soul to bury them: neither them nor their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters. I shall pour their own wickedness down on them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	17	'So say this word to them: May my eyes shed tears night and day, unceasingly, since the daughter of my people has sustained a fearsome wound, a crippling injury.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	18	If I go into the countryside, there lie those killed by the sword; if I go into the city, I see people tortured with hunger; even prophets and priests roam the country at their wits' end.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	19	Have you rejected Judah altogether? Does your very soul revolt at Zion? Why have you struck us down without hope of cure? We were hoping for peace -- no good came of it! For the moment of cure -- nothing but terror!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	20	Yahweh, we acknowledge our wickedness and our ancestors' guilt: we have indeed sinned against you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	21	For your name's sake do not reject us, do not dishonour the throne of your glory. Remember us; do not break your covenant with us.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	14	22	Can any of the nations' Futile Ones make it rain? Can the heavens of their own accord give showers? Are you not the one, Yahweh our God? In you is our hope, since you make all these things.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	1	Yahweh said to me, 'Even if Moses and Samuel pleaded before me, I could not sympathise with this people! Drive them out of my sight; away with them!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	2	And if they ask you, "Where shall we go?" tell them this, "Yahweh says this: Those for the plague, to the plague; those for the sword, to the sword; those for famine, to famine; those for captivity, to captivity!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	3	"I shall consign them to four kinds of thing, Yahweh declares: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, the birds of heaven and wild animals of earth to devour and to destroy.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	4	I shall make them an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and what he did in Jerusalem." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	5	Who is there to pity you, Jerusalem, who to grieve for you, who to go out of his way and ask how you are?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	6	'You yourself have rejected me, Yahweh declares, you have turned your back on me; so I have stretched my hand over you and destroyed you. Tired of relenting,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	7	I have winnowed them with a winnow at the country's gates. They have been bereft, I have destroyed my people, but they refuse to leave their ways.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	8	I have made their widows outnumber the sand of the sea. On the mother of young warriors I bring the destroyer in broad daylight. Suddenly I bring anguish and terror down on her.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	9	The mother of seven sons grows faint and gasps for breath. It is still day, but already her sun has set, she is dismayed and distracted; and the rest of them I shall consign to the sword, to their enemies, Yahweh declares.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	10	A disaster for me, mother, that you bore me to be a man of strife and dissension for the whole country. I neither lend nor borrow, yet all of them curse me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	11	Have I not genuinely done my best to serve you, Yahweh? Have I not interceded with you in time of disaster and distress!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	12	'Can iron break the iron of the north and the bronze?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	13	Your wealth and your treasures I shall hand over to plunder, without repayment, because of all your sins, throughout your territory.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	14	I shall enslave you to your enemies in a country which you do not know, for my anger has kindled a fire that will burn you up.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	15	Yahweh, you know! Remember me, take care of me, and avenge me on my persecutors. However long your anger endures, do not snatch me away. Realise that I suffer insult for your sake.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	16	When your words came, I devoured them: your word was my delight and the joy of my heart; for I was called by your Name, Yahweh, God Sabaoth.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	17	I never sat in the company of scoffers amusing myself; with your hands on me I held myself aloof, since you had filled me with indignation.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	18	Why is my suffering continual, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Truly, for me you are a deceptive stream with uncertain waters!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	19	To which Yahweh replied, 'If you repent, I shall restore you to plead before me. If you distinguish between the precious and the base, you shall be as my own mouth. They will come back to you, but you must not go back to them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	20	As far as these people are concerned, I shall make you a fortified wall of bronze. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, because I am with you to save you and rescue you, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	15	21	I shall rescue you from the clutches of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the violent.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	2	'You are not to marry or have sons and daughters in this place.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	3	For Yahweh says this regarding the sons and daughters to be born in this place, about the mothers who give birth to them, and about the fathers who beget them in this land,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	4	"They will die of deadly diseases, unlamented and unburied; they will be like dung spread on the ground; they will meet their end by sword and famine, and their corpses will be food for the birds of the sky and the beasts of earth."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	5	'Yes, Yahweh says this, "Go into no house where there is mourning, do not go and lament or grieve with them; for I have withdrawn my peace from this people, Yahweh declares, and faithful love and pity too.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	6	High or low, they will die in this country, without burial or lament; there will be no gashing, no shaving of the head for them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	7	No bread will be broken for the mourner to comfort him for the dead; no cup of consolation will be offered him for his father or his mother.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	8	"And do not enter a house where there is feasting, to sit with them and eat and drink.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	9	For Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this: In this place, before your eyes, in your own days, I will silence the shouts of rejoicing and mirth and the voices of bridegroom and bride.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	10	"When you tell these people this and they ask you: Why has Yahweh decreed such complete and total disaster for us? What have we done wrong? What sin have we committed against Yahweh our God?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	11	then you are to answer: It is because your ancestors abandoned me, Yahweh declares, and followed other gods, and served and worshipped them. They abandoned me and did not keep my Law.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	12	And you for your part have behaved even worse than your ancestors. Look, each of you follows his own stubborn and wicked inclinations, without listening to me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	13	And so, I shall eject you from this country into a country unknown to you or to your ancestors, and there you can serve other gods, day and night, for I shall show you no more favour."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	14	'Look, the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when people will no longer say, "As Yahweh lives who brought the Israelites out of Egypt!"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	15	but, "As Yahweh lives who brought the Israelites back from the land of the north and all the countries to which he had driven them." I shall bring them back to the very soil I gave their ancestors.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	16	'Watch, I shall send for many fishermen, Yahweh declares, and these will fish them up; next, I shall send for many huntsmen, and these will hunt them out of every mountain, every hill, and out of the holes in the rocks.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	17	For my eyes watch all their ways, these are not hidden from me, and their guilt does not escape my gaze.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	18	I shall requite their guilt and their sin twice over, since they have polluted my country with the carcases of their Horrors, and filled my heritage with their Abominations.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	19	Yahweh, my strength, my stronghold, my refuge in time of distress! To you the nations will come from the remotest parts of the earth and say, 'Our fathers inherited nothing but Delusion, Futility of no use whatever.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	20	Can human beings make their own gods? These are not gods at all!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	16	21	'Now listen, I will make them acknowledge, this time I will make them acknowledge my hand and my might; and then they will know that Yahweh is my name.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	1	'The sin of Judah is written with an iron pen, engraved with a diamond point on the tablet of the heart and on the horns of their altars,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	2	while their children remember their altars and their sacred pole beside the green trees, on the lofty hills.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	3	My mountain on the plain, your wealth and all your treasures I shall hand over to be plundered, because of the sin of your high places throughout your territory.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	4	You will have to relinquish your heritage which I gave you; I will enslave you to your enemies in a country which you do not know, for my fiery anger kindled by you will burn for ever.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	5	Yahweh says this, 'Accursed be anyone who trusts in human beings, who relies on human strength and whose heart turns from Yahweh.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	6	Such a person is like scrub in the wastelands: when good comes, it does not affect him since he lives in the parched places of the desert, uninhabited, salt land.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	7	'Blessed is anyone who trusts in Yahweh, with Yahweh to rely on.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	8	Such a person is like a tree by the waterside that thrusts its roots to the stream: when the heat comes it has nothing to fear, its foliage stays green; untroubled in a year of drought, it never stops bearing fruit.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	9	'The heart is more devious than any other thing, and is depraved; who can pierce its secrets?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	10	I, Yahweh, search the heart, test the motives, to give each person what his conduct and his actions deserve.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	11	'The partridge will hatch eggs it has not laid. No different is the person who gets riches unjustly: his days half done, they will desert him and he prove a fool after all.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	12	A glorious throne, sublime from the beginning, such is our Holy Place.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	13	Yahweh, hope of Israel, all who abandon you will be put to shame, those who turn from you will be registered in the underworld, since they have abandoned Yahweh, the fountain of living water.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	14	Heal me, Yahweh, and I shall be healed, save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	15	Look, they keep saying to me, 'Where is Yahweh's word? Let it come true then!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	16	Yet I have never urged you to send disaster, I never desired the fatal day, this you know; what came from my lips was not concealed from you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	17	Do not be a terror to me, you, my refuge in time of disaster.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	18	Let my persecutors be confounded, not me, let them, not me, be terrified. On them bring the day of disaster, destroy them, destroy them twice over!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	19	Yahweh said this to me, 'Go and stand at the Gate of the Sons of the People by which the kings of Judah go in and out -- and at all the gates of Jerusalem.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	20	Say to them, "Listen to the word of Yahweh, you kings of Judah, all you people of Judah too, and all you inhabitants of Jerusalem who pass through the gates.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	21	Yahweh says this: As you value your lives, on no account carry a burden on the Sabbath day or bring it in through the gates of Jerusalem.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	22	Bring no burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, and do no work. Keep the Sabbath day holy, as I ordered your ancestors.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	23	They would not hear, would not pay attention; they deliberately refused to listen or accept instruction.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	24	But if you listen carefully to me, Yahweh declares, and bring no burden in through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, if you keep the Sabbath holy and do no work on that day,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	25	then, through the gates of this city, kings and princes occupying the throne of David will continue to make their entry, riding in chariots or on horseback, they, their chief men, the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And this city will be inhabited for ever.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	26	They will come from the towns of Judah, from the districts round Jerusalem, from the territory of Benjamin, from the lowlands, from the highlands, from the Negeb, to offer burnt offering and sacrifice, and cereal offering and incense, to offer thanksgiving sacrifices in the Temple of Yahweh.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	17	27	But if you do not listen to me to keep the Sabbath day holy, and to refrain from entering the gates of Jerusalem with burdens on the Sabbath day, then I shall set fire to its gates; fire will devour the palaces of Jerusalem and not be quenched." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	1	The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	2	'Get up and make your way down to the potter's house, and there I shall tell you what I have to say.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	3	So I went down to the potter's house; and there he was, working at the wheel.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	4	But the vessel he was making came out wrong, as may happen with clay when a potter is at work. So he began again and shaped it into another vessel, as he thought fit.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	5	Then the word of Yahweh came to me as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	6	'House of Israel, can I not do to you what this potter does? Yahweh demands. Yes, like clay in the potter's hand, so you are in mine, House of Israel.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	7	Sometimes I announce that I shall uproot, break down and destroy a certain nation or kingdom,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	8	but should the nation I have threatened abandon its wickedness, I then change my mind about the disaster which I had intended to inflict on it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	9	Sometimes I announce that I shall build up and plant a certain nation or kingdom,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	10	but should that nation do what displeases me and refuse to listen to my voice, I then change my mind about the good which I was intending to confer on it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	11	So now, say this to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, "Yahweh says this: Listen, I am preparing a disaster for you, I am working out a plan against you. So now, each one of you, turn back from your evil ways, amend your conduct and actions."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	12	They, however, will say, "It is no use! We shall follow our own plans; each of us will act on his own wicked inclinations." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	13	Therefore, Yahweh says this, 'Ask, please, among the nations if anyone has heard anything like this. The Virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	14	Does the snow of Lebanon ever leave the rocks of its slopes? Do the rivers of foreign lands, their cold flowing waters, ever run dry?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	15	And yet my people have forgotten me! They burn incense to a Nothing! They have been made to stumble in their ways, the ancient paths, to walk in paths, on an unmade road,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	16	to make their country an object of horror, everlastingly derided: every passer-by will be appalled at it and shake his head.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	17	Like the east wind, I shall scatter them before the enemy. I shall show them my back, not my face, the day they are ruined.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	18	'Come on,' they said, 'let us concoct a plot against Jeremiah, for the Law will not perish for lack of priests, nor advice for lack of wise men, nor the word for lack of prophets. Come on, let us slander him and pay no attention to anything he says.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	19	Pay attention to me, Yahweh, hear what my adversaries are saying.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	20	Should evil be returned for good? Now they are digging a pit for me. Remember how I pleaded before you and spoke good of them, to turn your retribution away from them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	21	So, hand their sons over to famine, abandon them to the edge of the sword. Let their wives become childless and widowed. Let their husbands die of plague, their young men be cut down by the sword in battle.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	22	Let cries re-echo from their houses as you bring raiders suddenly on them. For they have dug a pit to catch me, they have laid snares to trap my feet.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	18	23	But you, Yahweh, know all about their murderous plot against me. Do not forgive their guilt, do not efface their sin from your sight. Let them be hurled down before you, deal with them while you are angry!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	1	Then Yahweh said to Jeremiah, 'Go and buy a potter's earthenware jug. Take some of the people's elders and some of the senior priests with you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	2	Go out towards the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, just outside the Gate of the Potsherds. There proclaim the words I shall say to you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	3	You must say, "Kings of Judah, inhabitants of Jerusalem! Listen to the word of Yahweh! Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this: I am about to bring such a disaster on this place that the ears of every one who hears of it will ring.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	4	For they have abandoned me and have made this place unrecognisable, and offered incense here to other gods which neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew before. They have filled this place with the blood of the innocent;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	5	for they have built high places for Baal to burn their sons as burnt offerings to Baal, a thing I never ordered, never mentioned, that had never entered my thoughts.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	6	So now the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when people will no longer call this place Topheth, or Valley of Ben-Hinnom, but Valley of Slaughter.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	7	Because of this place, I shall empty Judah and Jerusalem of sound advice; I shall make them fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hand of those determined to kill them; I shall give their corpses as food to the birds of the sky and the animals of earth.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	8	And I shall make this city an object of horror and derision; every passer-by will be appalled at it and whistle at the sight of all the wounds it has sustained.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	9	I shall make them eat the flesh of their own sons and daughters: they will eat one another during the siege, in the shortage to which their enemies, and those determined to kill them, will reduce them."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	10	'You must break this jug in front of the men who are with you,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	11	and say to them, "Yahweh Sabaoth says this: I am going to break this people and this city just as one breaks a potter's pot, so that it can never be mended again. "Topheth will become a burial ground, for lack of other burial space.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	12	That is how I shall treat this place, Yahweh declares, and its inhabitants, by making this city like Topheth.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	13	The houses of Jerusalem and those of the kings of Judah, all the houses on the roofs of which they offered incense to the whole array of heaven and poured libations to other gods, will be unclean, like this place Topheth." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	14	Jeremiah then came back from Topheth where Yahweh had sent him to prophesy, and stood in the court of the Temple of Yahweh and said to all the people,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	19	15	'Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this, "Yes, on this city, and on all the towns belonging to it, I shall bring all the disaster which I had decreed for it, since they have stubbornly refused to listen to my words." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	1	Now the priest Pashhur son of Immer, who was the chief of police in the Temple of Yahweh, heard Jeremiah making this prophecy.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	2	Pashhur struck the prophet Jeremiah and then put him in the stocks, in the Upper Benjamin Gate leading into the Temple of Yahweh.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	3	Next day, Pashhur had Jeremiah taken out of the stocks; Jeremiah then said to him, 'Not Pashhur but Terror-on-every-Side is Yahweh's name for you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	4	For Yahweh says this, "I am going to hand you over to terror, you and all your friends; they will fall by the sword of their enemies, your own eyes will see it. The whole of Judah, too, I shall hand over to the king of Babylon; he will carry them off captive to Babylon and put them to the sword.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	5	And all the wealth of this city, all its stores, all its valuables, all the treasures of the kings of Judah, I shall hand over to their enemies who will plunder them, round them up and carry them off to Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	6	As for you, Pashhur, and your whole household, you will go into captivity; you will go to Babylon; there you will die, and there be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	7	You have seduced me, Yahweh, and I have let myself be seduced; you have overpowered me: you were the stronger. I am a laughing-stock all day long, they all make fun of me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	8	For whenever I speak, I have to howl and proclaim, 'Violence and ruin!' For me, Yahweh's word has been the cause of insult and derision all day long.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	9	I would say to myself, 'I will not think about him, I will not speak in his name any more,' but then there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones. The effort to restrain it wearied me, I could not do it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	10	I heard so many disparaging me, 'Terror on every side! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!' All those who were on good terms with me watched for my downfall, 'Perhaps he will be seduced into error. Then we shall get the better of him and take our revenge!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	11	But Yahweh is at my side like a mighty hero; my opponents will stumble, vanquished, confounded by their failure; everlasting, unforgettable disgrace will be theirs.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	12	Yahweh Sabaoth, you who test the upright, observer of motives and thoughts, I shall see your vengeance on them, for I have revealed my cause to you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	13	Sing to Yahweh, praise Yahweh, for he has delivered the soul of one in need from the clutches of evil doers.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	14	A curse on the day when I was born! May the day my mother bore me be unblessed!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	15	A curse on the man who brought my father the news, 'A son, a boy has been born to you!' making him overjoyed.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	16	May this man be like the towns that Yahweh overthrew without mercy; may he hear the warning-cry at dawn and the shout of battle at high noon,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	17	for not killing me in the womb; my mother would have been my grave and her womb pregnant for ever.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	20	18	Why ever did I come out of the womb to see toil and sorrow and end my days in shame?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	1	The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur son of Malchiah to him, with the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, to say this,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	2	'Please consult Yahweh for us, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war on us: perhaps Yahweh will work one of his many miracles for us and force him to withdraw.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	3	Jeremiah said to them, 'Take this answer to Zedekiah,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	4	"Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: I shall bring back the weapons of war which you are now carrying, and with which you are fighting the king of Babylon and the Chaldaeans now besieging you; from outside the walls, I shall stack them in the centre of this city.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	5	And I shall fight against you myself with outstretched hand and mighty arm, in anger, fury and great wrath.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	6	I shall strike down the inhabitants of this city, human and animal; they will die of a great plague.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	7	Then, Yahweh declares, I shall deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, the people and those of this city who have escaped the plague, the sword, or the famine, into the clutches of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, into the clutches of their enemies  and into the clutches of those determined to kill them; mercilessly, relentlessly, pitilessley, he will put them to the sword."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	8	'And you must say to this people, "Yahweh says this: Look, I offer you a choice between the way of life and the way of death.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	9	Anyone who stays in this city will die by sword, by famine, or by plague; but anyone who leaves it and surrenders to the Chaldaeans now besieging you will live; he will escape with his life.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	10	For I am determined on disaster, and not prosperity, for this city, Yahweh declares. It will be handed over to the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	11	To the royal House of Judah. Listen to the word of Yahweh,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	12	House of David! Yahweh says this: Each morning give fair judgement, rescue anyone who has been wronged from the hands of his oppressor, or else my wrath will leap out like a fire, it will burn and no one will be able to quench it, because of the wickedness of your actions.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	13	My quarrel is with you, resident of the valley, Rock-in-the-Plain, Yahweh declares, with you that say, 'Who would dare attack us and enter our lairs?'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	21	14	I shall punish you as your actions deserve, Yahweh declares, I shall set fire to its forest and it will devour all around it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	1	Yahweh said this, 'Go down to the palace of the king of Judah and there say this word,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	2	"Listen to the word of Yahweh, king of Judah now occupying the throne of David, you, your officials and your people who go through these gates.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	3	Yahweh says this: Act uprightly and justly; rescue from the hands of the oppressor anyone who has been wronged, do not exploit or ill-treat the stranger, the orphan, the widow; shed no innocent blood in this place.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	4	For if you are scrupulous in obeying this command, then kings occupying the throne of David will continue to make their entry through the gates of this palace riding in chariots or on horseback, they, their officials and their people.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	5	But if you do not listen to these words, then I swear by myself, Yahweh declares, this palace shall become a ruin!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	6	"Yes, this is what Yahweh says about the palace of the king of Judah: You are like Gilead to me, like a peak of Lebanon. All the same, I will reduce you to a desert, to uninhabited towns.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	7	I dedicate men to destroy you, each man with his weapons; they will cut down your finest cedars and throw them on the fire.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	8	"And when many nations pass this city, they will say to one another: Why has Yahweh treated this great city like this?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	9	And the answer will be: Because they abandoned the covenant of Yahweh their God to worship other gods and serve them." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	10	Do not weep for the man who is dead, do not raise the dirge for him. Weep rather for the one who has gone away, since he will never come back, never see his native land again.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	11	For this is what Yahweh has said about Shallum son of Josiah, king of Judah, who succeeded Josiah his father and was forced to leave this place, 'He will never come back to it
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	12	but will die in the place to which he has been taken captive; and he will never see this country again.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	13	'Disaster for the man who builds his house without uprightness, his upstairs rooms without fair judgement, who makes his fellow-man work for nothing, without paying him his wages,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	14	who says, "I shall build myself a spacious palace with airy upstairs rooms," who makes windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it vermilion.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	15	Are you more of a king because of your passion for cedar? Did your father go hungry or thirsty? But he did what is just and upright, so all went well for him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	16	He used to examine the cases of poor and needy, then all went well. Is not that what it means to know me? Yahweh demands.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	17	You on the other hand have eyes and heart for nothing but your own interests, for shedding innocent blood and perpetrating violence and oppression.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	18	That is why Yahweh says this about Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah: 'No lamenting for him, "My poor brother! My poor sister!" No lamenting for him, "His poor lordship! His poor majesty!"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	19	He will have a donkey's funeral -- dragged away and thrown out of the gates of Jerusalem.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	20	'Climb the Lebanon range and shriek, raise your voice in Bashan, shriek from the Abarim, for all your lovers have been ruined!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	21	I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, "I will not listen!" From your youth this has been how you behaved, refusing to listen to my voice.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	22	The wind will shepherd all your shepherds away and your lovers will go into captivity. Then you will blush deep with shame at the thought of all your wickedness.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	23	You who have made the Lebanon your home and made your nest among the cedars, how you will groan when anguish overtakes you, pangs like those of a woman in labour!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	24	'As I live, Yahweh declares, even if Coniah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were the signet ring on my right hand, I would still wrench you off!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	25	I shall hand you over to those determined to kill you, to those you dread, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, to the Chaldaeans.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	26	I shall hurl you and the mother who bore you into another country; you were not born there but you will both die there.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	27	They will not return to the country to which they desperately long to return.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	28	Is he a shoddy broken pot, this man Coniah, a crock that no one wants? Why are he and his offspring ejected, hurled into a country they know nothing of?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	29	O land, land, land, listen to the word of Yahweh!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	22	30	Yahweh says this, 'List this man as: Childless; a man who made a failure of his life, since none of his offspring will succeed in occupying the throne of David, or ruling in Judah again.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	1	'Disaster for the shepherds who lose and scatter the sheep of my pasture, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	2	This, therefore, is what Yahweh, God of Israel, says about the shepherds who shepherd my people, "You have scattered my flock, you have driven them away and have not taken care of them. Right, I shall take care of you for your misdeeds, Yahweh declares!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	3	But the remnant of my flock I myself shall gather from all the countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; they will be fruitful and increase in numbers.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	4	For them I shall raise up shepherds to shepherd them and pasture them. No fear, no terror for them any more; not one shall be lost, Yahweh declares!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	5	Look, the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when I shall raise an upright Branch for David; he will reign as king and be wise, doing what is just and upright in the country.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	6	In his days Judah will triumph and Israel live in safety. And this is the name he will be called, 'Yahweh-is-our-Saving-Justice.' "
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	7	'So, look, the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when people will no longer say, "As Yahweh lives who brought the Israelites out of Egypt,"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	8	but, "As Yahweh lives who led back and brought home the offspring of the House of Israel from the land of the north and all the countries to which he had driven them, to live on their own soil." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	9	On the prophets. My heart is broken within me, I tremble in all my bones; I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome with wine, because of Yahweh and his holy words:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	10	'For the country is full of adulterers; yes, because of a curse, the country is in mourning and the pasturage in the desert has dried up; they are prompt to do wrong, make no effort to do right.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	11	Yes, even prophet and priest are godless, I have detected their wickedness in my own House, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	12	Because of this, their way will prove treacherous going for them; in the darkness where they are driven, there they will fall. For I shall bring disaster on them, when the year for punishing them comes, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	13	'In the prophets of Samaria I have seen insanity: they prophesied in the name of Baal and led my people Israel astray.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	14	But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: adultery, persistent lying, such abetting of the wicked that no one renounces his wickedness. To me they are all like Sodom and its inhabitants are like Gomorrah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	15	So this is what Yahweh Sabaoth says about the prophets, "Now I shall give them wormwood to eat and make them drink poisoned water, since from the prophets of Jerusalem godlessness has spread throughout the land."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	16	'Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "Do not listen to what those prophets prophesy to you; they are deluding you, they retail visions of their own, and not what comes from Yahweh's mouth.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	17	To those who despise me, they keep saying: Yahweh has spoken: you will have peace! and to all who follow their own stubborn inclinations: No disaster will touch you."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	18	But who has been present in Yahweh's council and seen, and heard his word? Who has paid attention to his word and listened to it?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	19	Look, Yahweh's hurricane, his wrath, bursts out, a fearsome hurricane, to burst on the heads of the wicked;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	20	Yahweh's anger will not withdraw until he has performed, has carried out, what he has in mind. In the final days, you will understand this clearly,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	21	'I did not send these prophets, yet they ran! I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	22	Had they been present in my council, they could have proclaimed my words to my people and turned them from their evil way and from the wickedness of their deeds!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	23	'Am I a God when near, Yahweh demands, and not a God when far away?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	24	Can anyone hide somewhere secret without my seeing him? Yahweh demands. Do I not fill heaven and earth? Yahweh demands.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	25	'I have heard what the prophets say who make their lying prophecies in my name. "I have had a dream," they say, "I have had a dream!"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	26	How long are there to be those among the prophets who prophesy lies and are in fact prophets of their own delusions?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	27	They are doing their best, by means of the dreams that they keep telling each other, to make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name in favour of Baal.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	28	Let the prophet who has had a dream tell it for a dream! And let him who receives a word from me, deliver my word accurately! 'What have straw and wheat in common? Yahweh demands.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	29	Is my word not like fire, Yahweh demands, is it not like a hammer shattering a rock?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	30	'So, then, I have a quarrel with the prophets, Yahweh declares, that steal my words from one another.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	31	I have a quarrel with the prophets, Yahweh declares, who wag their tongues to utter prophecies.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	32	I have a quarrel with the prophets who make prophecies out of lying dreams, Yahweh declares, who recount them, and lead my people astray by their lies and their bragging. I certainly never sent them or commissioned them, and they serve no good purpose for this people, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	33	'And when this people, or a prophet, or a priest, asks you, "What is Yahweh's burden?" you must answer, "You are the burden, and I shall get rid of you, Yahweh declares!"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	34	'As for the prophet, the priest, or anyone else, who says, "Yahweh's burden", I shall punish that man, and his household too.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	35	This is what you must say to one another, among yourselves, "What answer has Yahweh given?" or "What has Yahweh said?"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	36	But stop using the expression "Yahweh's burden", for what each man says will be his own responsibility. And you twist the words of the living God, of Yahweh Sabaoth, our God.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	37	This is the way to speak to a prophet, "What answer has Yahweh given?" or "What has Yahweh said?"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	38	But if you say, "Yahweh's burden", then Yahweh says this, "Since you use the expression 'Yahweh's burden', when I have warned you to stop saying, 'Yahweh's burden',
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	39	believe me, I shall pick you up and fling you from my presence, you and the city I gave to you and to your ancestors.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	23	40	I shall bring down everlasting shame on you, everlasting and unforgettable disgrace." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	24	1	Yahweh gave me a vision: set out in front of the Temple of Yahweh were two baskets of figs. This was after Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had led Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, away into exile from Jerusalem, with the chief men of Judah, the blacksmiths and metalworkers, and had taken them to Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	24	2	One basket contained excellent figs, like those that ripen first; the other contained very bad figs, so bad they were uneatable.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	24	3	Yahweh said to me, 'What do you see, Jeremiah?' 'Figs,' I answered, 'the good ones excellent, the bad ones very bad, so bad as to be uneatable.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	24	4	Then the word of Yahweh was addressed to me,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	24	5	'Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this, "As these figs are good, so I mean to concern myself with the welfare of the exiles of Judah whom I have sent from this place to the country of the Chaldaeans.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	24	6	My eyes will watch over them for their good, to bring them back to this country, to build them up and not to break them down, to plant them and not to uproot them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	24	7	I shall give them a heart to acknowledge that I am Yahweh. They will be my people and I shall be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	24	8	As for the bad figs, the figs so bad as to be uneatable-yes, Yahweh says this -- that is how I shall treat Zedekiah king of Judah, his chief men and what is left of Jerusalem, those who remain in this country and those living in Egypt.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	24	9	I shall make them an object of horror, a disaster, to all the kingdoms of the earth, a thing of shame, a byword, a laughing-stock, a curse, wherever I shall drive them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	24	10	Sword, famine and plague I shall send against them until they have vanished from the soil I gave to them and to their ancestors." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	1	The word that was addressed to Jeremiah about all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah (that is to say the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon).
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	2	The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed it before all the people of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	3	'For twenty-three years, from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, until today, the word of Yahweh has been addressed to me and I have never tired of speaking to you (but you have not listened.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	4	Furthermore, Yahweh has untiringly sent you all his servants the prophets, but you have not listened or paid attention).
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	5	The message was this, "Turn back, each one of you, from your evil behaviour and your evil actions, and you will go on living on the soil Yahweh long ago gave to you and your ancestors for ever.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	6	(And do not follow other gods to serve and worship them, do not provoke me with things you yourselves have made, and then I shall not harm you.)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	7	But you have not listened to me (Yahweh declares, so that you have now provoked me with things you yourselves have made, and thus harmed yourselves)."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	8	'So-this is what Yahweh Sabaoth says, "Since you have not listened to my words,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	9	I shall now send for all the families of the north (Yahweh declares, that is, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, my servant) and bring them down on this country and its inhabitants (and on all these surrounding nations); I shall curse them with utter destruction and make them an object of horror, of scorn, and ruin them for ever.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	10	From them I shall banish the shouts of rejoicing and mirth, the voices of bridegroom and bride, the sound of the handmill and the light of the lamp;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	11	and this whole country will be reduced to ruin and desolation, and these nations will be enslaved to the king of Babylon for seventy years.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	12	(But when the seventy years are over, I shall punish the king of Babylon and that nation, Yahweh declares, for the wrong they have done, that is, the country of the Chaldaeans, and make it desolate for ever),
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	13	and against that country I shall perform all the words with which I have threatened it, that is, everything written in this book." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	14	What Jeremiah prophesied against all the nations. ('For these in their turn are to be enslaved to powerful nations and great kings, and I shall pay them back as their deeds and handiwork deserve.')
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	15	For Yahweh, the God of Israel, said this to me, 'Take this cup of the wine of wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	16	they will drink and reel and lose their wits, because of the sword I am sending among them.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	17	I took the cup from Yahweh's hand and made all the nations to whom Yahweh sent me drink it
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	18	(Jerusalem and the towns of Judah, its kings and its chief men, to make them a ruin, an object of horror and derision and a curse, as is the case today):
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	19	Pharaoh king of Egypt, his officials, his chief men and all his people,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	20	with the whole conglomeration of peoples there (all the kings of the country of Uz); all the kings of the country of the Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron and what is still left of Ashdod;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	21	Edom, Moab and the Ammonites;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	22	(all) the kings of Tyre, (all) the kings of Sidon, the kings of the island across the sea;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	23	Dedan, Tema, Buz, all the people with shaven temples;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	24	all the kings of Arabia (and all the kings of the conglomeration of peoples) who live in the desert
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	25	(all the kings of Zimri), all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of Media;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	26	all the kings of the north, near and far, one after another: in short, all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. (As for the king of Sheshak, he will drink last of all.)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	27	'You will say to them, "Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this: Drink! Get drunk! Vomit! Fall, never to rise again, before the sword that I am sending among you!"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	28	If they refuse to take the cup from your hand and drink, you will say to them, "Yahweh Sabaoth says this: You must drink!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	29	Look, for a start, I am bringing disaster on the city that bears my name, so are you likely to go unpunished? You certainly will not go unpunished, for next I shall summon a sword against all the inhabitants of the land, Yahweh declares."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	30	'For your part, you are to prophesy all these words to them. Say to them: "Yahweh roars from on high, he thunders from his holy dwelling-place, loudly he roars at his own fold, shouts aloud like those who tread the grape at all the inhabitants of the land.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	31	The noise resounds to the remotest parts of the earth. For Yahweh is indicting the nations, arraigning all humanity for judgement; the wicked he assigns to the sword, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	32	Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Look, disaster is spreading from nation to nation, a mighty tempest is rising from the far ends of the earth.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	33	"Those slaughtered by Yahweh that day will be scattered across the world from end to end. No dirge will be raised for them; no one will gather them or bury them; they will stay lying on the surface like dung.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	34	"Howl, shepherds, shriek, roll on the ground, you lords of the flock, for your days have come to be slaughtered and to be scattered, and like a choice vase you will fall.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	35	No refuge then for the shepherds, no escape for the lords of the flock!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	36	Listen! A shriek from the shepherds, a howl from the lords of the flock! For Yahweh has laid their pasture waste,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	37	the peaceful sheepfolds are reduced to silence owing to Yahweh's furious anger.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	25	38	The lion has left his lair and their country is a wasteland now, owing to the devastating fury, owing to his furious anger." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	1	At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	2	'Yahweh says this, "Stand in the court of the Temple of Yahweh. To all the people from the towns of Judah who come to worship in the Temple of Yahweh you will say everything I have ordered you to say, not omitting one syllable.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	3	Perhaps they will listen and each turn from his evil way: if so, I shall relent and not bring the disaster on them which I intend because of their misdeeds."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	4	Say to them, "Yahweh says this: If you will not listen to me and follow my Law which I have given you,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	5	and pay attention to the words of my servants the prophets whom I have never tired of sending to you, although you never have paid attention,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	6	I shall treat this Temple as I treated Shiloh, and make this city a curse for all the nations of the world." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	7	The priests and prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah say these words in the Temple of Yahweh.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	8	When Jeremiah had finished saying everything that Yahweh had ordered him to say to all the people, the priests and prophets and all the people seized hold of him and said, 'You will die for this!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	9	Why have you made this prophecy in Yahweh's name, "This Temple will become like Shiloh, and this city become an uninhabited ruin"?' And the people all crowded in on Jeremiah in the Temple of Yahweh.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	10	Hearing of this, the chief men of Judah came up from the royal palace to the Temple of Yahweh and took their seats at the entry of the New Gate of the Temple of Yahweh.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	11	The priests and prophets then said to the chief men and all the people, 'This man deserves to die, since he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	12	Jeremiah, however, replied to all the chief men and all the people as follows, 'Yahweh himself sent me to prophesy against this Temple and this city all the things you have heard.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	13	So now amend your behaviour and actions, listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and Yahweh will relent about the disaster that he has decreed for you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	14	For myself, I am, as you see, in your hands. Do whatever you please or think right with me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	15	But be sure of this, that if you put me to death, you will be bringing innocent blood on yourselves, on this city and on its inhabitants, since Yahweh has truly sent me to you to say all this for you to hear.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	16	The chief men and all the people then said to the priests and prophets, 'This man does not deserve to die: he has spoken to us in the name of Yahweh our God.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	17	And some of the country's elders rose to address all the assembled people.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	18	'Micah of Moresheth,' they said, 'who prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, had this to say to all the people of Judah, "Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Zion will become ploughland, Jerusalem a heap of rubble and the Temple Mount a wooded height."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	19	'Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death for this? Did they not rather, fearing Yahweh, plead with him, to such effect that Yahweh relented about the disaster which he had decreed for them? Are we now to burden our souls with such a crime?'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	20	There was another man, too, who used to prophesy in Yahweh's name, Uriah son of Shemaiah, from Kiriath-Jearim. He prophesied exactly the same things against this city and this country as Jeremiah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	21	When King Jehoiakim with all his officers and all the chief men heard what he said, the king was determined to put him to death. On hearing this, Uriah took fright and, fleeing, escaped to Egypt.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	22	King Jehoiakim, however, sent Elnathan son of Achbor to Egypt with others,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	23	who brought Uriah back from Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him put to the sword and his body thrown into the common burial ground.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	26	24	But Jeremiah had a protector in Ahikam son of Shaphan, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	1	(At the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh:)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	2	Yahweh said this to me, 'Make yourself thongs and yokes and put them on your neck.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	3	Then send them to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon, through their envoys accredited to Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	4	Give them the following message for their masters, "Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, says this: You must tell your masters this:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	5	I by my great power and outstretched arm made the earth, the human beings and the animals that are on earth, and I give them to whom I please.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	6	For the present, I have handed all these countries over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, my servant; I have even put the wild animals at his service.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	7	(All the nations will serve him, his son and his grandson, until the time for his own country comes in its turn, when mighty nations and great kings will enslave him.)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	8	Any nation or kingdom that will not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and will not bow its neck to the yoke of the king of Babylon, I shall punish that nation with sword, famine and plague, Yahweh declares, until I have destroyed it by his hand.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	9	For your own part, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, dreamers, magicians and sorcerers, who tell you: You will not be enslaved by the king of Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	10	They prophesy lies to you, the result of which will be that you will be banished from your soil, that I shall drive you out, and you will perish.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	11	The nation, however, that is prepared to bend its neck to the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I shall leave in peace on its own soil, Yahweh declares, to farm it and stay on it." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	12	To Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke in exactly the same terms. 'Bend your necks', I told him, 'to the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people and you will survive.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	13	(Why so anxious to die, you and your people, by sword, famine and plague, with which Yahweh has threatened the nation refusing to serve the king of Babylon?)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	14	Do not listen to the words the prophets say to you, "You will not be enslaved by the king of Babylon." They prophesy lies to you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	15	Since I have not sent them, Yahweh declares, they prophesy untruths to you in my name. The result will be that I shall drive you out, you will perish, and so will the prophets who prophesy to you.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	16	I also spoke to the priests and to all this people as follows, 'Yahweh says this, "Do not listen to the words of your prophets who prophesy to you as follows: Look, the vessels of the Temple of Yahweh will very shortly be brought back from Babylon. They prophesy lies to you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	17	(Do not listen to them; serve the king of Babylon and you will survive. Why should this city become a ruin?)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	18	If they are real prophets, if Yahweh's word is really with them, they ought now to be pleading with Yahweh Sabaoth that the remaining vessels in the Temple of Yahweh, in the palace of the king of Judah and elsewhere in Jerusalem, do not go to Babylon too!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	19	For this is what Yahweh Sabaoth says about (the pillars, the Sea, the stands and) the other vessels still remaining in this city,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	20	those not carried off by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon when he took Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon (with all the leading men of Judah and Jerusalem).
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	21	Yes, this is what Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, says about the vessels still remaining in the Temple of Yahweh, in the palace of the king of Judah and elsewhere in Jerusalem:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	27	22	They will be carried off to Babylon (and stay there until the day I punish them), Yahweh declares. (Then I shall bring them back and restore them to this place.)" '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	1	That same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, a Gibeonite, spoke as follows to Jeremiah in the Temple of Yahweh in the presence of the priests and of all the people,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	2	'Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this, "I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	3	In exactly two years' time I shall bring back all the vessels of the Temple of Yahweh which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from here and carried off to Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	4	And I shall also bring back Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah and all the exiles of Judah who have gone to Babylon, Yahweh declares, for I shall break the yoke of the king of Babylon." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	5	The prophet Jeremiah then replied to the prophet Hananiah in front of the priests and all the people present in the Temple of Yahweh.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	6	'So be it!' the prophet Jeremiah said, 'May Yahweh do so! May he fulfil the words that you have prophesied and bring all the vessels of the Temple of Yahweh and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	7	Listen carefully, however, to this word that I am now going to say for you and all the people to hear:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	8	From remote times, the prophets who preceded you and me prophesied war, disaster and plague for many countries and for great kingdoms;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	9	the prophet who prophesies peace can be recognised as one truly sent by Yahweh only when his word comes true.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	10	The prophet Hananiah then snatched the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	11	In front of all the people Hananiah then said, 'Yahweh says this, "This is how, in exactly two years' time, I shall break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and take it off the necks of all the nations." ' At this, the prophet Jeremiah went away.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	12	After the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke he had snatched off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	13	'Go to Hananiah and tell him this, "Yahweh says this: You have broken the wooden yokes only to make iron yokes to replace them!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	14	For Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this: An iron yoke is what I now lay on the necks of all these nations to enslave them to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. (They will be enslaved to him; I have even given him the wild animals.)" '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	15	The prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, 'Listen carefully, Hananiah: Yahweh has not sent you; and thanks to you this people is now relying on what is false.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	16	And so, Yahweh says this, "I am going to send you off the face of the earth: you will die this year (since you have preached rebellion against Yahweh)." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	28	17	The prophet Hananiah died the same year, in the seventh month.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	1	This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to those who were left of the elders in exile, to the priests, the prophets and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had deported from Jerusalem to Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	2	This was after King Jeconiah had left Jerusalem with the queen mother, the eunuchs, the chief men of Judah and Jerusalem, and the blacksmiths and metalworkers.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	3	The letter was entrusted to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah had sent to Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. The letter said:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	4	'Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this to all the exiles deported from Jerusalem to Babylon:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	5	Build houses, settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	6	marry and have sons and daughters; choose wives for your sons, find husbands for your daughters so that these can bear sons and daughters in their turn; you must increase there and not decrease.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	7	Work for the good of the city to which I have exiled you; pray to Yahweh on its behalf, since on its welfare yours depends.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	8	For Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this: Do not be deceived by the prophets who are with you or by your diviners; do not listen to the dreams you have,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	9	since they prophesy lies to you in my name. I have not sent them, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	10	For Yahweh says this: When the seventy years granted to Babylon are over, I shall intervene on your behalf and fulfil my favourable promise to you by bringing you back to this place.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	11	Yes, I know what plans I have in mind for you, Yahweh declares, plans for peace, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	12	When you call to me and come and pray to me, I shall listen to you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	13	When you search for me, you will find me; when you search wholeheartedly for me,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	14	I shall let you find me (Yahweh declares. I shall restore your fortunes and gather you in from all the nations and wherever I have driven you, Yahweh declares. I shall bring you back to the place from which I exiled you).
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	15	'Since you say: Yahweh has raised up prophets for us in Babylon-
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	16	this is what Yahweh says about the king now occupying the throne of David and all the people living in this city, your brothers who did not go with you into exile:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	17	Yahweh Sabaoth says this: I am now going to send them sword, famine and plague; I shall make them like rotten figs, so bad as to be uneatable.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	18	I shall pursue them with sword, famine and plague. I shall make them an object of terror to all the kingdoms of the earth, a curse, a thing of horror, scorn and derision to all the nations where I have driven them,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	19	because they have refused to listen to my words, Yahweh declares, although I have persistently sent them all my servants the prophets; but they would not listen, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	20	But all you exiles, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon, listen to Yahweh's word!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	21	'This is what Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who prophesy lies to you in my name: I shall hand them over now to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon who will put them to death before your very eyes.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	22	This curse, based on their fate, will be used by all the exiles of Judah in Babylon: May Yahweh treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, roasted alive by the king of Babylon,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	23	because they have done a scandalous thing in Israel, committing adultery with their neighbour's wives and speaking lying words in my name without orders from me. I know all the same and am witness to it, Yahweh declares.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	24	'And to Shemaiah of Nehelam you will speak as follows:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	25	Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, says this: Since you, on your own initiative, have sent a letter to all the people in Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah (and to all the priests), saying:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	26	Yahweh has appointed you priest in place of the priest Jehoiada to keep order in the Temple of Yahweh, to put any crazy fellow posing as a prophet in the stocks and collar,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	27	why then have you not disciplined Jeremiah of Anathoth, now posing as a prophet to you?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	28	Why, he has even sent us a message in Babylon, saying: It will be a long time. Build houses, settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.'. . .
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	29	(Now, after the priest Zephaniah had read this letter to the prophet Jeremiah),
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	30	the word of Yahweh came then to Jeremiah as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	31	'Send this message to all the exiles, "This is what Yahweh says about Shemaiah of Nehelam: Since Shemaiah has prophesied to you without my sending him, and since he has caused you to rely on what is false
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	29	32	for that reason, Yahweh declares, I shall punish Shemaiah of Nehelam and his descendants; no male member of his family will survive among this people to see the happiness that I will bestow on my people (Yahweh declares, since he has preached rebellion against Yahweh)."'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	1	The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	2	'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "Write for yourself in a book all the words I have spoken to you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	3	For look, the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when I shall bring back the captives of my people Israel (and Judah), Yahweh says. I shall make them come back and take possession of the country I gave to their ancestors." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	4	These are the words Yahweh spoke about Israel (and Judah):
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	5	Yahweh says this: We have heard a cry of panic, of terror, not of peace.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	6	Now ask and see: can a man bear children? Then why do I see each man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labour? Why has every face grown pale?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	7	Disaster! This is the great day, no other like it: a time of distress for Jacob, though he will be saved from it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	8	(That day, Yahweh Sabaoth declares, I shall break the yoke now on your neck and snap your chains; and foreigners will enslave you no more,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	9	but Israel and Judah will serve Yahweh their God, and David their king whom I shall raise up for them.)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	10	So do not be afraid, my servant Jacob, Yahweh declares, Israel, do not be alarmed: for look, I shall rescue you from distant countries and your descendants from the country where they are captive. Jacob will return and be at peace, secure, with no one to trouble him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	11	For I am with you to save you, Yahweh declares, I shall make an end of all the nations where I have driven you, but I shall not make an end of you, only discipline you in moderation, not to let you go quite unpunished.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	12	Yes, Yahweh says this: Your wound is incurable, your injury past healing.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	13	There is no one to plead your cause; for an ulcer there are remedies, but for you no cure at all.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	14	All your lovers have forgotten you, they look for you no more. Yes, I have struck you as an enemy strikes, with cruel punishment (because of your great guilt and countless sins).
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	15	Why cry out because of your wound? Your pain is incurable! Because of your great guilt and countless sins, I have treated you like this.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	16	But all those who devoured you will be devoured, all your enemies, all, go into captivity, those who despoiled you will be despoiled, and all who pillaged you be pillaged.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	17	For I shall restore you to health and heal your wounds, Yahweh declares, you who used to be called 'Outcast', 'Zion for whom no one cares'.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	18	Yahweh says this: Look, I shall restore the tents of Jacob and take pity on his dwellings: the town will be rebuilt on its mound, the stronghold where it ought to stand.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	19	From them will come thanksgiving and shouts of joy. I shall make them increase, they will not decrease; I shall make them honoured, no more to be humbled.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	20	Their sons will be as once they were, their community fixed firmly before me, and I shall punish all their oppressors.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	21	Their prince will be one of their own, their ruler come from their own people, and I shall permit him to approach me freely; for who, otherwise, would be so bold as to approach me, Yahweh demands?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	22	You will be my people and I shall be your God.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	23	Look, Yahweh's hurricane, his wrath, bursts out, a roaring hurricane, to burst on the heads of the wicked;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	30	24	Yahweh's burning anger will not turn aside until he has performed, has carried out, what he has in mind. In the final days, you will understand this.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	1	When that time comes, Yahweh declares, I shall be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	2	Yahweh says this: They have found pardon in the desert, those who have survived the sword. Israel is marching to his rest.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	3	Yahweh has appeared to me from afar; I have loved you with an everlasting love and so I still maintain my faithful love for you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	4	I shall build you once more, yes, you will be rebuilt, Virgin of Israel! Once more in your best attire, and with your tambourines, you will go out dancing gaily.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	5	Once more you will plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria (those who plant will themselves enjoy the fruit).
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	6	Yes, a day will come when the watchmen shout on the mountains of Ephraim, 'Up! Let us go up to Zion, to Yahweh our God!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	7	For Yahweh says this: Shout with joy for Jacob! Hail the chief of nations! Proclaim! Praise! Shout, 'Yahweh has saved his people, the remnant of Israel!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	8	Watch, I shall bring them back from the land of the north and gather them in from the far ends of the earth. With them, the blind and the lame, women with child, women in labour, all together: a mighty throng will return here!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	9	In tears they will return, in prayer I shall lead them. I shall guide them to streams of water, by a smooth path where they will not stumble. For I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born son.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	10	Listen, nations, to the word of Yahweh. On the farthest coasts and islands proclaim it, say, 'He who scattered Israel is gathering him, will guard him as a shepherd guarding his flock.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	11	For Yahweh has ransomed Jacob, rescued him from a hand stronger than his own.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	12	They will come, shouting for joy on the heights of Zion, thronging towards Yahweh's lavish gifts, for wheat, new wine and oil, sheep and cattle; they will be like a well-watered garden, they will sorrow no more.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	13	The young girl will then take pleasure in the dance, and young men and old alike; I shall change their mourning into gladness, comfort them, give them joy after their troubles;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	14	I shall refresh my priests with rich food, and my people will gorge themselves on my lavish gifts, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	15	Yahweh says this: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamenting and weeping bitterly: it is Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	16	Yahweh says this: Stop your lamenting dry your eyes, for your labour will have a reward, Yahweh declares, and they will return from the enemy's country.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	17	There is hope for your future after all, Yahweh declares, your children will return to their homeland.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	18	I have indeed heard Ephraim's grieving, 'You flogged me, I took a flogging, like a young, untrained bull. Bring me back, let me come back, for you are Yahweh my God!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	19	For, since I turned away, I have repented; having understood, I beat my breast. I was deeply ashamed, I blushed, aware of the disgrace incurred when I was young.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	20	Is Ephraim, then, so dear a son to me, a child so favoured, that whenever I mention him I remember him lovingly still? That is why I yearn for him, why I must take pity on him, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	21	Set up your signposts, raise yourself landmarks, fix your mind on the road, the way by which you went. Come home, Virgin of Israel, come home to these towns of yours.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	22	How long will you hesitate, rebellious daughter? For Yahweh is creating something new on earth: the Woman sets out to find her Husband again.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	23	Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this, 'In the country of Judah and in its towns, they will use these words once more, when I bring their captives home: "Yahweh bless you, home of saving justice, holy mountain!"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	24	'And in this country, Judah and all its towns, the ploughmen and those who wander with their flocks, will live together,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	25	for I shall give the weary all they need and satisfy all those whose strength has gone.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	26	At this, I awoke and saw that my sleep had been sweet to me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	27	'Look, the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when I shall sow the House of Israel and the House of Judah with the seed both of people and of cattle.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	28	And as I once watched over them to uproot, to knock down, to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so now I shall watch over them to build and to plant, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	29	'In those days people will no longer say: "The fathers have eaten unripe grapes; the children's teeth are set on edge."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	30	But each will die for his own guilt. Everyone who eats unripe grapes will have his own teeth set on edge.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	31	'Look, the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when I shall make a new covenant with the House of Israel (and the House of Judah),
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	32	but not like the covenant I made with their ancestors the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of Egypt, a covenant which they broke, even though I was their Master, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	33	No, this is the covenant I shall make with the House of Israel when those days have come, Yahweh declares. Within them I shall plant my Law, writing it on their hearts. Then I shall be their God and they will be my people.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	34	There will be no further need for everyone to teach neighbour or brother, saying, "Learn to know Yahweh!" No, they will all know me, from the least to the greatest, Yahweh declares, since I shall forgive their guilt and never more call their sin to mind.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	35	Yahweh who provides the sun to shine by day, who regulates moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs the sea, making its waves roar, he whose name is Yahweh Sabaoth, says this,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	36	'Were this established order ever to pass away before me, Yahweh declares, then the race of Israel would also cease being a nation for ever before me!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	37	Yahweh says this, 'Were the heavens above ever to be measured, the foundations of the earth below ever to be fathomed, then I too would reject the whole race of Israel for all that they have done, Yahweh declares.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	38	'Look, the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when the City will be rebuilt for Yahweh, from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	39	Then once again the measuring line will stretch straight to the Hill of Gareb, turning then to Goah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	31	40	And the whole valley, with its corpses and ashes, and all the ground beside the ravine of the Kidron as far as the corner of the Horse Gate, eastwards, will be consecrated to Yahweh. It will never be destroyed or demolished again.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	1	The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	2	The army of the king of Babylon was then besieging Jerusalem, and the prophet Jeremiah was confined in the Court of the Guard in the king of Judah's palace,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	3	where Zedekiah king of Judah had confined him, saying, 'Why do you keep prophesying like this, "Yahweh says this: I am going to hand this city over to the king of Babylon and he will capture it;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	4	and Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape the clutches of the Chaldaeans, but will certainly be handed over to the king of Babylon, speak to him personally and see him face to face.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	5	He will take Zedekiah away to Babylon and there he will stay (until I attend to him, Yahweh declares. If you fight the Chaldaeans you will not succeed!)" '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	6	Jeremiah said, 'The word of Yahweh has been addressed to me as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	7	"Look, Hanamel the son of your uncle Shallum will come to you and say: Buy my field at Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to purchase it."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	8	And, as Yahweh had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me, in the Court of the Guard and said, "Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin, for you have the right of inheritance and right of redemption; buy it." I knew then that this was Yahweh's order.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	9	Accordingly, I bought the field from my cousin Hanamel of Anathoth and weighed him out the money: seventeen silver shekels.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	10	I drew up the deeds and sealed it, called in witnesses and weighed out the money on the scales.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	11	I then took both the sealed deed of purchase (with its stipulations and clauses) and its open copy
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	12	and handed over the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, of the witnesses who had signed the deed of purchase, and of all the Judaeans who then happened to be in the Court of the Guard.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	13	In their presence I gave Baruch this order,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	14	"Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, says this: Take these deeds, the sealed deed of purchase and its open copy, and put them in an earthenware pot, so that they may be preserved for a long time.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	15	For Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, says this: Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this country."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	16	'After I had entrusted the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to Yahweh as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	17	"Ah, Lord Yahweh, you made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. To you nothing is impossible.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	18	You show faithful love to thousands but repay the fathers' guilt in full to their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is Yahweh Sabaoth,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	19	great in purpose, mighty in deed, whose eyes are open on all human ways, rewarding every individual as that person's ways and actions deserve!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	20	You performed signs and wonders in Egypt, as you still do in Israel and among humanity today. You have won the name for yourself which is yours today.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	21	You brought your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders, with mighty hand and outstretched arm and fearsome terror.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	22	Then you gave them this country which you had promised on oath to their ancestors, a country flowing with milk and honey.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	23	They then entered it, taking possession of it, but they would not listen to your voice nor follow your Law: they would do nothing you ordered them to do; and so you made this total disaster befall them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	24	Look! The earthworks are already in place to take the city and, by means of sword, famine and plague, the city is now within the clutches of the Chaldaeans attacking it. What you said has now come true, as you see.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	25	Yet you yourself, Lord Yahweh, told me: Buy the field, pay for it, have it witnessed although the city is already in the Chaldaeans' clutches." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	26	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	27	'Look, I am Yahweh, God of all humanity. Is anything impossible to me?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	28	'So, Yahweh says this, "I shall hand this city over to the Chaldaeans and to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will capture it;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	29	the Chaldaeans attacking this city will enter it, fire it and burn it to the ground, with the houses on whose roofs incense has been offered to Baal and libations poured to other gods, to provoke my anger.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	30	For the people of Israel and Judah alike have done nothing but what displeases me since they were young. (The people of Israel in fact have done nothing but provoke my anger by their actions, Yahweh declares.)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	31	Yes, from the day when this city was built until today, it has been such cause of anger and wrath to me that I mean to remove it from my sight,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	32	on account of all the wickedness the people of Israel and the people of Judah have done to provoke my anger; they, their kings, their chief men, their priests, their prophets, the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	33	They turned to me their backs, never their faces; and though I taught them so urgently, so untiringly, they would not listen and accept correction.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	34	Instead, they set up their Horrors in the Temple that bears my name to defile it,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	35	and built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, to burn their sons and daughters alive in honour of Molech: a thing I have never ordered, that had never entered my thoughts -- that they would cause Judah to sin by anything so loathsome!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	36	"So now, this is what Yahweh, God of Israel, says about this city of which you now say: By means of sword, famine and plague, it is already within the king of Babylon's clutches:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	37	Look, I shall gather them in from all the countries where I have driven them in my anger, my fury and great wrath. I shall bring them back to this place and make them live in safety.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	38	Then they will be my people, and I shall be their God.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	39	I shall give them singleness of heart and singleness of conduct so that they will always fear me, for their own good and that of their children after them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	40	I shall make an everlasting covenant with them, never to cease in my efforts for their welfare, and I shall put respect for me in their hearts, so that they will never turn away from me again.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	41	My joy will lie in them and in doing them good, and I shall plant them firmly in this country, with all my heart and soul.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	42	For Yahweh says this: Just as I have brought this complete and total disaster on this people, so I shall bring them all the good things I have promised them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	43	Fields will again be bought in this country of which you now say: It is a wasteland without human or animal, already in the clutches of the Chaldaeans.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	32	44	People will buy fields, pay money, draw up deeds, seal them and have them witnessed in the territory of Benjamin, in the districts round Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah, of the highlands, of the lowlands and of the Negeb. For I shall bring back their captives, Yahweh declares."'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	1	Jeremiah was still confined to the Court of the Guard when the word of Yahweh came to him a second time, as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	2	'Yahweh who made the earth, who formed it and set it firm -- Yahweh is his name -- says this,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	3	"Call to me and I will answer you; I will tell you great secrets of which you know nothing.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	4	For this is what Yahweh, God of Israel, says about the houses of this city and the palaces of the kings of Judah which are about to be destroyed by means of the earthworks and the sword;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	5	about those now fighting the Chaldaeans, only to fill the city with corpses, those whom I have slaughtered in my furious anger, those whose wickedness has made me hide my face from this city:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	6	Look, I shall bring them remedy and cure; I shall cure them and reveal a new order of peace and loyalty to them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	7	I shall bring back the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel and shall rebuild them as before.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	8	I shall cleanse them of all their guilt, by which they have offended me, I shall forgive all their guilty actions, by which they have offended me and rebelled against me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	9	And, for me, Jerusalem will become a name of joy and praise and pride for all the nations on earth to see; when they hear of all the prosperity that I shall give, they will be seized with fear and trembling at all the prosperity and the peace that I provide for it."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	10	'Yahweh says this, "In this place of which you now say: It is a ruin, without human or animal, in the towns of Judah and desolate streets of Jerusalem where there is neither human nor animal, once more will be heard
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	11	shouts of rejoicing and mirth, the voices of bridegroom and bride, and the singing of those who bring thanksgiving sacrifices to the Temple of Yahweh: Give thanks to Yahweh Sabaoth, for Yahweh is good, for his faithful love is everlasting. For I shall bring back the country's captives, as before, Yahweh says."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	12	'Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "In this ruinous place, without human or animal, in all its towns, once again there will be pastures for the shepherds to rest their flocks.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	13	In the towns of the highlands, of the lowlands and the Negeb, in the territory of Benjamin, in the districts round Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah, once again the flocks shall pass under the hand of someone who counts them, Yahweh says.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	14	"Look, the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when I shall fulfil the promise of happiness I made to the House of Israel and the House of Judah:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	15	In those days and at that time, I shall make an upright Branch grow for David, who will do what is just and upright in the country.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	16	In those days Judah will triumph and Israel live in safety. And this is the name the city will be called: Yahweh-is-our-Saving-Justice."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	17	'For Yahweh says this, "David will never lack a male descendant to occupy the throne of the House of Israel,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	18	nor will the levitical priests ever lack male descendants to stand before me and offer the burnt offering, to burn the cereal offering and offer sacrifice every day." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	19	The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	20	'Yahweh says this, "If you could break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night so that day and night do not come at their due time,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	21	then my covenant with David my servant might also be broken and he would have no son to reign on his throne, and so also might my covenant with the levitical priests, who are my ministers.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	22	As surely as the array of heaven cannot be counted, nor the sand of the sea be measured, so surely shall I increase the heirs of David my servant and the Levites who minister to me." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	23	The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	24	'Have you not noticed what these people say, "The two families which Yahweh chose he has now rejected"? So they despise my people, whom they no longer think of as a nation.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	25	Yahweh says this, "If I have not created day and night and fixed the laws governing heaven and earth,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	33	26	why, then I shall reject the descendants of Jacob and of David my servant and cease to choose rulers from his descendants for the heirs of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! For I shall bring back their captives and take pity on them." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	1	The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his whole army, with all the kingdoms of the earth under his dominion and all the peoples, were waging war on Jerusalem and all its towns,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	2	'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him, Yahweh says this: I am going to hand this city over to the power of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	3	And you yourself will not escape his clutches but will certainly be captured and handed over to him. You will see the king of Babylon face to face and speak to him personally. Then you will go to Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	4	Even so, listen to the word of Yahweh, Zedekiah king of Judah! This is what Yahweh says about you: You will not die by the sword;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	5	you will die in peace. And as spices were burnt for your ancestors, the kings who in times past preceded you, so spices will be burnt for you and a dirge sung for you: Alas for his highness! I have spoken, Yahweh declares." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	6	The prophet Jeremiah repeated all these words to Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	7	while the army of the king of Babylon was attacking Jerusalem and all such towns of Judah as still held out, namely Lachish and Azekah, these being the only fortified towns of Judah remaining.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	8	The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to issue a proclamation freeing their slaves:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	9	each man was to free his Hebrew slaves, men and women, no one was any longer to keep a brother Judaean in slavery.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	10	All the chief men and all the people who had entered into the covenant had agreed that everyone should free his slaves, men or women, and no longer keep them as slaves: they had agreed on this and set them free.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	11	Afterwards, however, they changed their minds, recovered the slaves, men and women, whom they had set free, and reduced them to slavery again.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	12	The word of Yahweh came then to Jeremiah as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	13	'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "I made a covenant with your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; it said:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	14	At the end of seven years each one of you is to free his brother Hebrew who has sold himself to you: he may be your slave for six years, then you must send him away free. But your ancestors did not listen to me and would not pay attention.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	15	Now, today you repented and did what pleases me by proclaiming freedom for your neighbour; you made a covenant before me in the Temple that bears my name.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	16	And then you changed your minds and, profaning my name, each of you has recovered his slaves, men and women, whom you had sent away free to live their own lives, and has forced them to become your slaves again."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	17	'So Yahweh says this: "You have disobeyed me, by failing to grant freedom to brother and neighbour. Very well, I in my turn, Yahweh declares, shall leave sword, famine and plague free to deal with you and I shall make you an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	18	As for the people who have broken my covenant, who have not observed the terms of the covenant which they made before me, I shall treat them like the calf that people cut in two to pass between its pieces.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	19	The chief men of Judah and Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the country people who have passed between the pieces of the calf,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	20	I shall hand over to their enemies and those determined to kill them, and their corpses will be food for the birds of the sky and the animals of earth.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	21	As for Zedekiah king of Judah and his chief men, I shall hand them to their enemies, to those determined to kill them, and to the army of the king of Babylon which has just withdrawn.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	34	22	Listen, I shall give the order, Yahweh declares, and bring them back to this city to attack it and capture it and burn it down. And I shall make an uninhabited waste of the towns of Judah." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	1	The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	2	'Go to the clan of the Rechabites and speak to them; bring them into one of the rooms of the Temple of Yahweh and offer them wine to drink.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	3	So I took Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah, son of Habazziniah, with his brothers and all his sons, the whole Rechabite clan,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	4	and brought them to the Temple of Yahweh into the room of Ben-Johanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which was next to that of the chief men, above the room of Maaseiah son of Shallum, guardian of the threshold.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	5	I then set pitchers full of wine, and some cups, before the members of the Rechabite clan and said, 'Drink some wine.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	6	But they replied, 'We do not drink wine, because our ancestor Jonadab son of Rechab gave us this order, "You must not drink wine, neither you nor your sons for ever;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	7	nor must you build houses, sow seed, plant vineyards or own them, but must live in tents all your lives, so that you may live long on the soil to which you are alien."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	8	We have punctiliously obeyed the orders of our ancestor, Jonadab son of Rechab, never drinking wine ourselves, nor our wives, our sons or our daughters,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	9	not building houses to live in, owning neither vineyard nor field nor seed,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	10	living in tents. We have obeyed the orders of our ancestor Jonadab, respecting them in every particular.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	11	However, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded this country, we decided, "We must get away! We will go to Jerusalem to escape the armies of the Chaldaeans and Aramaeans." So that is why we are living in Jerusalem.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	12	Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	13	'Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this, "Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Will you never learn the lesson and listen to my words, Yahweh demands?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	14	The words of Jonadab son of Rechab, ordering his sons to drink no wine, have been observed; obedient to their ancestor's command, they drink none even today . But to me, who spoke to you so urgently, so untiringly, you have not listened.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	15	I have urgently and untiringly sent you all my servants the prophets to say: Turn back, each one of you, from your evil behaviour and amend your actions, do not follow other gods to serve them, and you will go on living on the soil I gave to you and your ancestors. But you have not paid attention or listened to me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	16	Thus the sons of Jonadab son of Rechab have kept the command their ancestor gave them, but this people has not listened to me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	17	And so, Yahweh, God Sabaoth, God of Israel, says this: Look, on Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem I am going to bring all the disaster which I have decreed for them, because I spoke to them and they would not listen, called to them and they would not answer."'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	18	Then Jeremiah said to the Rechabite clan, 'Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this, "Because you have obeyed the orders of your ancestor Jonadab and observed all his rules and done everything he ordered you to do,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	35	19	therefore, Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this: Jonadab son of Rechab will never lack a male descendant to stand before me for ever." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	1	In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	2	'Take a scroll and on it write all the words I have spoken to you about Israel, Judah and all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you, in the time of Josiah, until today.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	3	Perhaps when the House of Judah hears about all the disaster I intend to inflict on them, they will turn, each one of them, from their evil behaviour, so that I can forgive their sinful guilt.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	4	Jeremiah then summoned Baruch son of Neriah, who at his dictation wrote down on the scroll all the words Yahweh had spoken to him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	5	Jeremiah then gave Baruch this order, 'As I am prevented from entering the Temple of Yahweh,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	6	you yourself must go and, from the scroll you wrote at my dictation, read all Yahweh's words to the people in his Temple on the day of the fast, and in this way you can read them in the hearing also of all the Judaeans who come in from their towns.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	7	Perhaps their prayers will move Yahweh and they will turn one and all from their evil behaviour, for great is the furious anger with which Yahweh has threatened this people.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	8	Baruch son of Neriah duly carried out the order that the prophet Jeremiah had given him, to read all Yahweh's words from the book in his Temple.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	9	Now, in the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month, all the people of Jerusalem and all the people who could get to Jerusalem from the towns of Judah were summoned to a fast before Yahweh.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	10	Baruch then read Jeremiah's words from the book; this happened in the room of Gemariah son of the scribe Shaphan, in the upper court at the entry of the New Gate of the Temple of Yahweh, where all the people could hear.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	11	Micaiah son of Gemariah, son of Shaphan, having heard all Yahweh's words read from the book,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	12	went down to the royal palace, to the scribe's room. All the chief men were in session: the scribe Elishama, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah and all the other chief men;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	13	and to them Micaiah reported all the words he heard as Baruch was reading the book aloud to the people.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	14	The chief men then by common consent sent Jehudi son of Netaniah to Baruch, with Shelemiah son of Cushi, to say, 'Come, and bring the scroll with you which you have been reading to the people.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	15	Bringing the scroll with him, Baruch son of Neriah appeared before them. 'Sit down,' they said, 'and read it out.' So Baruch read it to them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	16	Having heard all the words they turned to one another in alarm and said to Baruch, 'We must certainly inform the king of this.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	17	They then questioned Baruch, 'Tell us', they said, 'how you came to write all these words.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	18	'Jeremiah dictated them all to me,' Baruch replied, 'and I wrote them down in ink in this book.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	19	The chief men said to Baruch, 'You and Jeremiah had better go into hiding; and do not tell anyone where you are.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	20	Whereupon they went off to the king in the palace court, depositing the scroll in the room of the scribe Elishama. They then informed the king of the whole affair.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	21	The king sent Jehudi for the scroll, and he brought it from the room of the scribe Elishama and read it to the king and all the chief men standing round the king.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	22	The king was sitting in his winter apartments -- it was the ninth month -- with a fire burning in a brazier in front of him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	23	Each time Jehudi had read three or four columns, the king cut them off with a scribe's knife and threw them into the fire in the brazier until the whole of the scroll had been burnt in the brazier fire.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	24	But in spite of hearing all these words, neither the king nor any of his courtiers took alarm or tore their clothes;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	25	and although Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had urged the king not to burn the scroll he would not listen to them,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	26	but ordered the king's son Jerahmeel and Seraiah son of Azriel and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest the scribe Baruch and the prophet Jeremiah. But Yahweh had hidden them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	27	Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, after the king had burnt the scroll containing the words Baruch had written at Jeremiah's dictation,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	28	'Take another scroll and write down all the words that were written on the first scroll burnt by Jehoiakim king of Judah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	29	And as regards Jehoiakim king of Judah, you are to say, "Yahweh says this: You have burnt that scroll, saying: Why have you written down: The king of Babylon will certainly come and lay this country waste and leave it without human or animal?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	30	So, this is what Yahweh says about Jehoiakim king of Judah: He will have no one to occupy the throne of David, and his corpse will be tossed out to the heat of the day and the frost of the night.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	31	I shall punish him, his offspring and his courtiers for their guilt; on them, on the citizens of Jerusalem and on the people of Judah I shall bring the total disaster which I had decreed for them but to which they have paid no attention."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	36	32	Jeremiah then took another scroll and gave it to the scribe Baruch son of Neriah, who in it at Jeremiah's dictation wrote all the words of the book that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burnt, with many similar words in addition.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	1	Zedekiah son of Josiah became king, succeeding Coniah son of Jehoiakim. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had made him king of Judah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	2	But neither he nor his courtiers nor the people of the country paid any attention to the words Yahweh spoke through the prophet Jeremiah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	3	King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to the prophet Jeremiah with this message, 'Intercede for us with Yahweh our God.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	4	Now Jeremiah was still moving freely among the people: he had not yet been put in prison.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	5	Meanwhile Pharaoh's army was on the move from Egypt and the Chaldaeans besieging Jerusalem had raised the siege when they heard the news.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	6	Then the word of Yahweh came to the prophet Jeremiah as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	7	'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, "To the king of Judah who sent you to consult me make this reply: Is Pharaoh's army marching to your aid? It will withdraw to its own country, Egypt.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	8	The Chaldaeans will return to attack this city; they will capture it and burn it down.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	9	Yahweh says this: Do not cheer yourselves up by thinking: The Chaldaeans are leaving us for good. They are not leaving.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	10	Even if you cut to pieces the whole Chaldaean army now fighting against you until there were only the wounded left, they would stand up again, each man in his tent, to burn this city down." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	11	At the time when the Chaldaean army, threatened by Pharaoh's army, had raised the siege of Jerusalem,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	12	Jeremiah set out from Jerusalem for the territory of Benjamin to see about a piece of his property among the people there.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	13	He was at the Benjamin Gate when the guard commander there, a certain Irijah son of Shelemiah, son of Hananiah, arrested the prophet Jeremiah, shouting, 'You are deserting to the Chaldaeans!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	14	Jeremiah answered, 'It is a lie! I am not deserting to the Chaldaeans.' But Irijah would not listen to Jeremiah and took him under arrest to the chief men.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	15	And the chief men, furious with Jeremiah, had him beaten and shut up in the house of the scribe Jonathan, which had been turned into a prison.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	16	Thus Jeremiah found himself in an underground vault. And there for a long time he stayed.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	17	Later, King Zedekiah had him sent for, and the king questioned him privately in his palace. 'Is there any word from Yahweh?' he asked. 'There is,' Jeremiah answered, and added, 'you will be handed over to the king of Babylon.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	18	Jeremiah then said to King Zedekiah, 'What wrong have I done you, or your courtiers or this people, for you to have put me in prison?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	19	Where are your prophets now who prophesied, "The king of Babylon will not attack you or this country"?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	20	So now I beg you to hear me, my lord king! I beg you to approve my request! Do not have me taken back to the house of the scribe Jonathan, or I shall die there.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	37	21	King Zedekiah then gave an order, and Jeremiah was confined in the Court of the Guard and given a loaf of bread a day from the Street of the Bakers as long as there was bread left in the city. So Jeremiah stayed in the Court of the Guard.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	1	But Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jucal son of Shelemiah and Pashhur son of Malchiah heard the words which Jeremiah was saying to all the people,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	2	'Yahweh says this, "Anyone who stays in this city will die by sword, famine or plague; but anyone who leaves it and surrenders to the Chaldaeans will live; he will escape with his life.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	3	Yahweh says this: This city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	4	The chief men then said to the king, 'You must have this man put to death: he is unquestionably disheartening the remaining soldiers in the city, and all the people too, by talking like this. This man is seeking not the welfare of the people but their ruin.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	5	King Zedekiah answered, 'He is in your hands as you know, for the king is powerless to oppose you.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	6	So they took Jeremiah and put him into the storage-well of the king's son Malchiah in the Court of the Guard, letting him down with ropes. There was no water in the storage-well, only mud, and into the mud Jeremiah sank.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	7	But Ebed-Melech the Cushite, a eunuch attached to the palace, heard that Jeremiah had been put into the storage-well. As the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	8	Ebed-Melech came out from the palace and spoke to the king.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	9	'My lord king,' he said, 'these men have done a wicked thing by treating the prophet Jeremiah like this: they have thrown him into the storage-well. He will starve to death there, since there is no more food in the city.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	10	At this the king gave Ebed-Melech the Cushite the following order: 'Take thirty men with you from here and pull the prophet Jeremiah out of the storage-well before he dies.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	11	Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went into the palace to the Treasury wardrobe; out of it he took some torn, worn-out rags which he lowered on ropes to Jeremiah in the storage-well.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	12	Ebed-Melech the Cushite then said to Jeremiah, 'These torn, worn-out rags are for you to put under your armpits to pad the ropes.' Jeremiah did this.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	13	Then they hauled Jeremiah up with the ropes and pulled him out of the storage-well. And Jeremiah stayed in the Court of the Guard.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	14	King Zedekiah had the prophet Jeremiah summoned to him at the third entrance to the Temple of Yahweh. 'I want to ask you for a word,' the king said to Jeremiah, 'keep nothing back from me.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	15	Jeremiah answered Zedekiah, 'If I do proclaim it to you, are you not sure to have me put to death? And if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	16	King Zedekiah then secretly swore this oath to Jeremiah, 'As Yahweh lives, giver of this life of ours, I will have you neither put to death nor handed over to these men who are determined to kill you.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	17	Jeremiah then said to Zedekiah, 'Yahweh, God Sabaoth, God of Israel, says this, "If you go out and surrender to the king of Babylon's generals, your life will be safe and this city will not be burnt down; you and your family will survive.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	18	But if you do not go out and surrender to the king of Babylon's generals, this city will be handed over to the Chaldaeans and they will burn it down; nor will you yourself escape their clutches." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	19	King Zedekiah then said to Jeremiah, 'I am afraid of the Judaeans who have already gone over to the Chaldaeans: I might be handed over to them and they would ill-treat me.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	20	'You will not be handed over to them,' Jeremiah replied. 'Please listen to Yahweh's voice as I have relayed it to you, and then all will go well with you and your life will be safe.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	21	But if you refuse to surrender, this is what Yahweh has shown me:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	22	the sight of all the women left in the king of Judah's palace being led off to the king of Babylon's generals and saying: "They have misled you, they have triumphed over you, those friends of yours! Your feet have sunk in the mud! They are up and away!"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	23	'Yes, all your wives and children will be led off to the Chaldaeans, and you yourself will not escape their clutches but will be a prisoner in the clutches of the king of Babylon. And as for this city, it will be burnt down.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	24	Zedekiah then said to Jeremiah, 'Do not let anyone else hear these words or you will die.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	25	If the chief men hear that I have been talking to you, and come and say, "Tell us what you said to the king and what the king said to you; keep nothing back from us, or we shall put you to death,"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	26	you must reply, "I presented this request to the king: that he would not have me sent back to Jonathan's house to die." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	27	And in fact all the chief men came to Jeremiah and questioned him. He told them exactly what the king had ordered him to say. They then left him in peace, since the conversation had not been overheard.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	38	28	And Jeremiah stayed in the Court of the Guard until the day Jerusalem was captured. And he was there when Jerusalem actually was captured.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	1	In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem with his entire army, and they laid siege to it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	2	In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, a breach was made in the city wall.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	3	The king of Babylon's officials, all having made their entry, took their seats in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer, Samgar-Nebo, Sar-Sechim a high dignitary of state, Nergal-Sharezer the chief astrologer, and all the king of Babylon's other officials . .
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	4	On seeing them, Zedekiah king of Judah and all the fighting men fled, leaving the city under cover of dark, by way of the king's garden through the gate between the two walls, and made their way towards the Arabah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	5	But the Chaldaean troops pursued them and caught up with Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They captured him and took him to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the territory of Hamath, where he passed sentence on him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	6	The king of Babylon had Zedekiah's sons slaughtered before his eyes at Riblah; the king of Babylon also had all the leading men of Judah put to death.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	7	He then put out Zedekiah's eyes and, loading him with chains, carried him off to Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	8	The Chaldaeans burnt down the royal palace and the private houses, and demolished the walls of Jerusalem.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	9	Nebuzaradan commander of the guard deported the remainder of the population left behind in the city, the deserters who had gone over to him, and the rest of the artisans to Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	10	But Nebuzaradan commander of the guard left some of the poor people behind in the country of Judah, those who had nothing, at the same time giving them vineyards and fields.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	11	With regard to Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given the following orders to Nebuzaradan, commander of the guard,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	12	'Take him, look after him; do him no harm, but treat him as he may ask you.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	13	He entrusted this mission to (Nebuzaradan commander of the guard,) Nebushazban the high dignitary of state, Nergal-Sharezer the chief astrologer and all the king of Babylon's other officials.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	14	These despatched men to take Jeremiah from the Court of the Guard and turned him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan for safe conduct home. So he remained among the people.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	15	While Jeremiah was confined in the Court of the Guard, the word of Yahweh came to him as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	16	'Go and say to Ebed-Melech the Cushite, "Yahweh, God of Israel says this: Look, I am about to perform my words about this city for its ruin and not for its prosperity. That day they will come true before your eyes.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	17	But I shall rescue you that day, Yahweh declares, and you will not be handed over to the hands of the men you fear.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	39	18	Yes, I shall certainly rescue you: you will not fall to the sword; you will escape with your life, because you have put your trust in me, Yahweh declares."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	1	The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh after Nebuzaradan commander of the guard had released him from Ramah, where he had found him in chains with all the other captives from Jerusalem and Judah who were being deported to Babylon:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	2	The commander of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, 'Yahweh your God foretold calamity for this country,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	3	and now he has brought it. He has done what he threatened to do, because you had sinned against Yahweh and would not listen to his voice; so all this has happened to you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	4	Look, today I am having your hands unchained. If you like to come with me to Babylon, come: I shall look after you. If you do not want to come with me to Babylon, do not. Look, you have the whole country before you: go wherever you think it best and most suitable to go.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	5	And before Jeremiah retired, he added, 'You can go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed governor of the towns of Judah, and stay with him among the people, or go anywhere else you think suitable.' With that, the commander of the guard gave him provisions and a present, and dismissed him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	6	Jeremiah went to Mizpah, to Gedaliah son of Ahikam and stayed with him, among those people still left in the country.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	7	When the military leaders who with their men were still in the field, all heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam as governor of the country, making him responsible for the men, women and children, and those of the poor country people who had not been deported to Babylon,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	8	they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah: Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, Jezaniah son of the Maacathite, they and their men.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	9	To them and to their men Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, swore an oath. 'Do not be afraid', he said, 'of serving the Chaldaeans, stay in the country, serve the king of Babylon, and all will go well with you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	10	I for my part, as the man answerable to the Chaldaeans when they come to us, shall stay here at Mizpah, whereas you can harvest the wine, summer fruit and oil, fill your storage jars and settle in the towns which you have seized.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	11	Similarly, when all the Judaeans living in Moab, with the Ammonites, in Edom and elsewhere, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan as their governor,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	12	the Judaeans all came back from wherever they had been driven. On their return to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, they harvested an immense quantity of wine and summer fruit.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	13	Now Johanan son of Kareah and all the military leaders still in the field, came to Gedaliah at Mizpah
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	14	and said to him, 'Are you aware that Baalis king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to assassinate you?' But Gedaliah son of Ahikam would not believe them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	15	Johanan son of Kareah then spoke in secret to Gedaliah at Mizpah, as follows: 'Please let me go and kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and no one will be any the wiser. Why should he assassinate you and cause the dispersal of all the Judaeans who have rallied round you. Why should the remnant of Judah perish?'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	40	16	But Gedaliah son of Ahikam replied to Johanan son of Kareah, 'You will do no such thing, for what you say about Ishmael is false.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	1	In the seventh month, however, Ishmael son of Nethaniah son of Elishama, who was of royal descent, came with officers of the king and ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah. And as they were taking their meal together, there at Mizpah,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	2	Ishmael son of Nethaniah stood up with his ten men, and attacking Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with their swords, they killed the man whom the king of Babylon had made governor of the country.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	3	And all the Judaeans who were with him, that is with Gedaliah at Mizpah, and the Chaldaean soldiers who happened to be there, Ishmael killed too.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	4	On the day after the murder of Gedaliah, before the news had become known,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	5	eighty men arrived from Shechem, Shiloh and Samaria, with their beards shaved off, their clothing torn, and covered in self-inflicted gashes; they were bringing cereal offerings and incense with them to present to the Temple of Yahweh.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	6	Ishmael son of Nethaniah went out of Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went. When he met them he said, 'Come to Gedaliah son of Ahikam.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	7	But once they were well inside the town, Ishmael son of Nethaniah slaughtered them, with the help of his men, and had them thrown into the storage-well.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	8	There were ten of them, however, who said to Ishmael, 'Do not kill us: we have stocks of wheat and barley, oil and honey, hidden away in the fields.' So he spared them and did not kill them with their brothers.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	9	The storage-well into which Ishmael threw the corpses of all the men he had killed was a large one, the one which King Asa had built as a precaution against Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the slaughtered men.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	10	Ishmael then took all the rest of the people prisoner who were at Mizpah, the king's daughters and all the remaining people in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan, commander of the guard, had entrusted to Gedaliah son of Ahikam. Ishmael son of Nethaniah took them prisoner and set out, intending to cross over to the Ammonites.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	11	When Johanan son of Kareah and all the military leaders who were with him heard about all the crimes committed by Ishmael son of Nethaniah,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	12	they mustered all their men and set out to attack Ishmael son of Nethaniah. They caught up with him at the great Pool of Gibeon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	13	At the sight of Johanan son of Kareah and all the military leaders with him, all the people with Ishmael were delighted.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	14	All the people whom Ishmael had taken as prisoners from Mizpah turned about, went back and joined Johanan son of Kareah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	15	Ishmael son of Nethaniah, however, escaped from Johanan with eight of his men and fled to the Ammonites.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	16	Johanan son of Kareah and all the military leaders with him then rallied all the remaining people whom Ishmael son of Nethaniah had taken as prisoners from Mizpah after killing Gedaliah son of Ahikam: men -- fighting men-women, children and eunuchs, whom they brought back from Gibeon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	17	Setting off, they made a halt at Khan Kimham near Bethlehem, intending to go on to Egypt,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	41	18	to get away from the Chaldaeans. They were now terrified of them, since Ishmael son of Nethaniah had killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam whom the king of Babylon had made governor of the country.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	1	Then all the military leaders, in particular Johanan son of Kareah and Azariah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from least to greatest, approached
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	2	the prophet Jeremiah and said, 'Please hear our petition and intercede with Yahweh your God for us and for all this remnant -- and how few of us are left out of many, your own eyes can see-
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	3	so that Yahweh your God may show us the way we are to go and what we must do.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	4	The prophet Jeremiah replied, 'I hear you; I will indeed pray to Yahweh your God as you ask; and whatever answer Yahweh your God gives you, I will tell you, keeping nothing back from you.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	5	They in their turn said to Jeremiah, 'May Yahweh be a true and faithful witness against us, if we do not follow the instructions that Yahweh your God sends us through you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	6	Whether we like it or not, we shall obey the voice of Yahweh our God to whom we are sending you, so that we may prosper by obeying the voice of Yahweh our God.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	7	Ten days later the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	8	He then summoned Johanan son of Kareah and all the military leaders who were with him, and all the people from least to greatest,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	9	and said, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, to whom you deputed me to present your petition says this,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	10	"If you will only stay in this country, I shall build you and not overthrow you; I shall plant you and not uproot you, for I am sorry about the disaster I have inflicted on you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	11	Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you fear now; do not fear him, Yahweh declares, for I am with you to save you and rescue you from his clutches.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	12	I shall take pity on you, so that he pities you and lets you return to your native soil.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	13	But if you say: We will not stay in this country; if you disobey the voice of Yahweh your God,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	14	and say: No, Egypt is where we shall go, where we shall not see war or hear the trumpet-call or go short of food; that is where we want to live;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	15	in that case, remnant of Judah, listen to Yahweh's word: Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, says this: If you are determined to go to Egypt, and if you do go and settle there,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	16	the sword you fear will overtake you there in Egypt, and there you will die.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	17	Yes, all those who are determined to go to Egypt and settle there, will die by sword, famine and plague: not a single one of them will survive or escape the disaster I shall inflict on them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	18	Yes, Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this: Just as my furious anger was poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so will my fury be poured out on you if you go to Egypt: you will become an object of execration and horror, a curse, a laughing-stock; and you will never see this place again."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	19	Remnant of Judah, Yahweh has told you, "Do not go into Egypt." Understand clearly that today I have given you a solemn warning.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	20	You were not being sincere when you sent me to Yahweh your God and said, "Intercede for us with Yahweh our God; tell us exactly what Yahweh our God says and we will do it."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	21	Today I have told you, but you have not obeyed the voice of Yahweh your God or any part of the message he sent me to give you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	42	22	So understand this clearly: you will die by sword, famine and plague in the place where you want to go and settle.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	1	When Jeremiah had finished telling all the people all the words of Yahweh their God, which Yahweh their God had sent him to tell them -- all the words quoted above-
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	2	Azariah son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan son of Kareah, and all those arrogant men, said to Jeremiah, 'You are lying. Yahweh our God did not send you to say, "Do not go to Egypt and settle there."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	3	It was Baruch son of Neriah, who keeps inciting you against us, to hand us over to the Chaldaeans so that they can put us to death or deport us to Babylon.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	4	So neither Johanan nor any of the military leaders nor any of the people obeyed the voice of Yahweh by staying in the country of Judah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	5	Instead, Johanan son of Kareah and all the military leaders led off the entire remnant of Judah, those who had come back from all the nations where they had been driven to live in the country of Judah:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	6	men, women, children, the royal princesses too, and every single person that Nebuzaradan commander of the guard had left with Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, including the prophet Jeremiah and Baruch son of Neriah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	7	And so, in disobedience to the voice of Yahweh, they reached Egypt and arrived at Tahpanhes.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	8	At Tahpanhes the word of Yahweh was addressed to Jeremiah as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	9	'Take some large stones and bury them in the cement on the terrace outside the entrance of Pharaoh's palace in Tahpanhes, where the Judaeans can see you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	10	Then say to them, "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: Look, I shall send for my servant Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and he will place his throne on these stones I have buried, and spread his canopy above them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	11	When he comes, he will defeat Egypt: Those for the plague, to the plague; those for captivity, to captivity; those for the sword, to the sword!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	12	"He will set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt; he will burn these gods or take them prisoner; like a shepherd wrapping his cloak round him, so he will wrap Egypt round him, and then leave without anyone laying hands on him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	43	13	He will break the obelisks of the temple of the Sun in Egypt, and burn down the temples of the gods of Egypt." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	1	The word that came to Jeremiah for all the Judaeans living in Egypt, those, that is, living in Migdol, Tahpanhes, Noph and the territory of Pathros.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	2	'Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, says this, "You have seen all the disaster I have brought on Jerusalem and all the towns of Judah; today they lie in ruins and uninhabited.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	3	This was because of the wicked deeds they committed to provoke my anger, by going and offering incense and serving other gods whom neither they, nor you, nor your ancestors knew anything about,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	4	although I urgently and untiringly sent you all my servants the prophets to say: You must not do this loathsome thing, which I hate.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	5	But they would not listen or pay attention, and turn from their wickedness and stop offering incense to other gods.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	6	And so my furious anger overflowed, burning down the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, which were reduced to ruins and wasteland, as they still are today.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	7	And now, Yahweh, God Sabaoth, God of Israel, says this: Why bring complete disaster on yourselves by cutting yourselves off from Judah -- your men, women, children and babes in arms -- so as to leave yourselves no remnant,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	8	by provoking my wrath by your actions, offering incense to other gods in Egypt where you have come to settle, as though bent on your own destruction and on becoming a curse and a laughing-stock for all the nations of the earth?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	9	Have you forgotten the wicked deeds of your ancestors, of the kings of Judah and of your princes, your own wicked deeds and those of your wives, committed in the country of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	10	To this day they have felt neither contrition nor fear; they have not observed my Law or my statutes, which I prescribed for you, as for your ancestors.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	11	So, Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, says this: Look, I have determined on disaster and shall destroy Judah completely.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	12	I shall take the remnant of Judah who were determined to come to Egypt and settle there, and in Egypt they will perish; they will fall to the sword or perish of famine, from least to greatest; by sword and famine they will die and be an object of execration and horror, a curse, a laughing-stock.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	13	I shall punish those who live in Egypt just as I punished Jerusalem: by sword, famine and plague.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	14	Of the remnant of Judah which has come to settle in Egypt, not a single one will escape or survive to return to the country of Judah where they long to return and live. For none of them will return, except a few refugees." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	15	At this, all the men who knew that their wives offered incense to other gods, and all the women who were standing there, a great crowd (and all the people living in Egypt, in Pathros), answered Jeremiah as follows,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	16	'We have no intention of listening to the word you have just spoken to us in Yahweh's name,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	17	but intend to go on doing all we have vowed to do: offering incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring libations in her honour, as we used to do, we and our ancestors, our kings and our chief men, in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem: we had food in plenty then, we lived well, we suffered no disasters.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	18	But since we gave up offering incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring libations in her honour, we have been destitute and have perished either by sword or by famine.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	19	Besides, when we offer incense to the Queen of Heaven and pour libations in her honour, do you think we make cakes for her with her features on them, and pour libations to her, without our husbands' knowledge?'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	20	To all the people, men and women, all those who had made this answer, Jeremiah retorted,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	21	'The incense you offered in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, you, your ancestors, your kings, your chief men and the people at large -- was this not what Yahweh kept remembering, and found so repellent
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	22	that Yahweh could not endure your misdeeds and your loathsome practices any longer, with the result that your country has become the uninhabited ruin, the object of horror and cursing it is today?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	23	Because you offered incense, because you sinned against Yahweh, refusing to listen to the voice of Yahweh, or to observe his Law, his statutes and his decrees -- that is why the present disaster has overtaken you.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	24	Further, Jeremiah said to all the people, and particularly to all the women, 'Listen to the word of Yahweh, all you Judaeans in Egypt,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	25	Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, says this, "You and your wives, what your mouths promised, your hands have indeed performed! You said: We shall punctiliously fulfil the vows we have made and offer incense to the Queen of Heaven and pour libations in her honour. Very well, keep your vows, perform them punctiliously!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	26	But listen to the word of Yahweh, all you Judaeans living in Egypt: I swear by my great name, Yahweh says, that my name will no longer be uttered by any man of Judah throughout Egypt; no one will say: As Lord Yahweh lives.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	27	No, I am going to keep my eye on them for disaster, not for prosperity, and all the Judaeans in Egypt will perish either by the sword or by famine until they are wiped out.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	28	Yet, though few in number, those who escape the sword will return to the country of Judah from Egypt. Then the entire remnant of Judah which has come and settled in Egypt will know whose word comes true, mine or theirs.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	29	"And here is the sign for you, Yahweh declares, that I shall punish you in this place: so that you will know that the words with which I threaten you will come true:
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	44	30	Yahweh says this: Look, I shall hand Pharaoh Hophra, king of Egypt, over to his enemies and to those determined to kill him, just as I handed Zedekiah king of Judah over to his enemy Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who was determined to kill him." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	45	1	The word that the prophet Jeremiah addressed to Baruch son of Neriah when the latter wrote these words down in a book at Jeremiah's dictation in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	45	2	'This is what Yahweh God of Israel says about you, Baruch!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	45	3	"You have been thinking: what disaster for me, and Yahweh has added further grief to my troubles! I am worn out with groaning, and find no relief!"
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	45	4	Say to him as follows, "Yahweh says this: Now I am knocking down what I have built, am uprooting what I have planted, over the whole country!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	45	5	And you ask for special treatment! Do not ask, for I am now going to bring disaster on all humanity, Yahweh declares, but you I shall allow to escape with your life, wherever you may go." '
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	1	The words of Yahweh that were addressed to the prophet Jeremiah against the nations.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	2	On Egypt. Against the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, which was at Carchemish on the River Euphrates when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated it in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	3	Buckler and shield at the ready! Onward to battle!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	4	Harness the horses: into the saddle, horsemen! To your ranks! On with your helmets! Sharpen your spears, put on your breastplates!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	5	Why do I see them retreating, panic-stricken? Their heroes, beaten back, are fleeing headlong, with not a look behind. Terror on every side, Yahweh declares!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	6	No flight for the swift, no escape for the strong! Up in the north on the River Euphrates, they have collapsed, have fallen.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	7	Who was it rose like the Nile, his waters foaming like a torrent?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	8	Why, Egypt rose like the Nile, his waters foaming like a torrent. 'I shall rise', he said, 'and drown the earth; sweep away town and its inhabitants!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	9	Charge, horses! Forward, chariots! Let the warriors advance, men from Cush and Put with shield in hand, men from Lud who bend the bow!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	10	For this is the Day of Lord Yahweh Sabaoth, a day of vengeance when he takes revenge on his foes: the sword will devour until gorged, until drunk with their blood, for Lord Yahweh Sabaoth is holding a sacrificial feast in the land of the north, on the River Euphrates.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	11	Go up to Gilead and fetch balm, virgin daughter of Egypt! You multiply remedies in vain, nothing can cure you!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	12	The nations have heard of your shame, your wailing fills the world, for warrior has stumbled against warrior, and both have fallen together.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	13	The word that came from Yahweh to the prophet Jeremiah when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced to attack Egypt.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	14	Publish it in Egypt, proclaim it in Migdol, proclaim it in Noph and Tahpanhes! Say, 'Stand your ground, be prepared, for the sword is devouring all round you!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	15	Why has Apis fled? Why has your Mighty One not stood firm? Why, Yahweh has overturned him,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	16	he has caused many to fall! Falling over one another, they say, 'Up, and back to our own people, to the country where we were born, away from the devastating sword!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	17	They have given Pharaoh king of Egypt the nickname, 'Much-noise-but-he-lets-the-chance-slip-by'!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	18	As I live, the King declares, whose name is Yahweh Sabaoth, he is coming, a very Tabor among mountains, a Carmel high above the sea!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	19	Get your bundle ready for exile, fair inhabitant of Egypt! Noph will be reduced to a desert, desolate, uninhabited.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	20	Egypt was a splendid heifer, but a gadfly from the north has settled on her.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	21	The mercenaries she had with her, these too were like fattened calves: but they too have taken to their heels, have all run away, not held their ground, for their day of disaster has overtaken them, their time for being punished.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	22	Hear her hissing like a snake as they advance in force to fall on her with their axes, like woodcutters,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	23	they will fell her forest, Yahweh declares, however impenetrable it was for they are more numerous than locusts, there is no counting them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	24	The daughter of Egypt is put to shame, handed over to a people from the north.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	25	Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, has said, 'Look, I shall punish Amon of No, Pharaoh, Egypt, its gods, its kings, Pharaoh and those who put their trust in him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	26	I shall hand him over to those who are determined to kill him, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, to his generals. But afterwards, Egypt will be inhabited again as in the past, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	27	But do not be afraid, my servant Jacob, Israel, do not be alarmed: for look, I shall rescue you from afar and your descendants from the country where they are captive. Jacob will return and be at peace, secure, with no one to trouble him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	46	28	Do not be afraid, my servant Jacob, Yahweh declares, for I am with you: I shall make an end of all the nations where I have driven you, but I shall not make an end of you, I shall discipline you only as you deserve, not leaving you quite unpunished.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	47	1	The word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah about the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	47	2	'Yahweh says this: Look, the waters are rising from the north to become an overwhelming flood, overwhelming the country and all in it, the town and its inhabitants! People cry for help, and there is wailing from all the country's inhabitants
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	47	3	at the thunder of his chargers' hoofs, the crash of his chariots, the grinding of his wheels. Fathers forget about their children, their hands fall limp
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	47	4	because the day has come for all the Philistines to be destroyed, for Tyre and Sidon to be stripped to the last of their allies. Yes, Yahweh is destroying the Philistines, the remnant from the Isle of Caphtor.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	47	5	Baldness has befallen Gaza, Ashkelon has been reduced to silence. You who remain in the valley, how long will you gash yourselves?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	47	6	Oh, sword of Yahweh, how long before you rest? Back into your scabbard, stop, keep still!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	47	7	Yet how can it rest when Yahweh has given it an order, Ashkelon and the sea coast, the targets assigned to it?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	1	On Moab. Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: Wretched Nebo, for it has been ravaged, Kiriathaim has been shamed and taken, shame and distraction on the citadel,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	2	the pride of Moab is no more! At Heshbon they plotted her downfall, 'Come, let us put an end to her as a nation!' And you too, inhabitants of Madmen, will be silenced, the sword will be after you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	3	A cry of agony goes up from Horonaim, 'Devastation! Dire calamity.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	4	Moab has been shattered,' the agonised cries of her little ones ring out.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	5	Up the slope of Luhith, weeping they go. On the road down to Horonaim is heard the shriek of disaster,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	6	'Away! Flee for your lives like the wild donkey into the desert!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	7	Yes, since you relied on your deeds and your wealth, you will be captured too. Chemosh will go into exile, with all his priests and princes.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	8	The despoiler will descend on every town, not one will escape; the Valley will be ravaged, the Plain be plundered as Yahweh has said.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	9	Give Moab wings so that she can fly away, for her towns will be laid in ruins where no one will ever live again.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	10	(Accursed be he who does Yahweh's work negligently! Accursed be he who deprives his sword of blood!)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	11	From his youth Moab lived at ease, he settled on his lees, never having been decanted, never having gone into exile: and so he kept his own flavour, his aroma was unchanged.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	12	And so the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when I shall send him decanters to decant him; they will empty his pitchers and break his wine jars to bits.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	13	Moab will be shamed by Chemosh then, as the House of Israel was shamed by Bethel in which they put their trust.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	14	How can you say, 'We are heroes, sturdy fighting men'?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	15	Moab has been ravaged, his cities scaled, the flower of his youth goes down to the slaughter, declares the King, whose name is Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	16	Moab's ruin is coming soon, his downfall comes at top speed.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	17	Grieve for him, all you living near him, all you who knew his name. Say, 'How shattered it is, that mighty rod, that splendid sceptre!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	18	Come down from your glory, sit on the parched ground, daughter of Dibon, for the despoiler of Moab has advanced on you, he has destroyed your strongholds.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	19	Stand by the roadside, keep watch, daughter of Aroer. Question fugitive and runaway, ask, 'What has happened?'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	20	'Moab has been shattered and shamed. Wail and shriek! Shout along the Arnon, Moab has been laid waste!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	21	Judgement has also come on the Plain, on Holon, Jahzah, Mephaath,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	22	Dibon, Nebo, Beth-Diblathaim,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	23	Kiriathaim, Beth-Gamul, Beth-Meon,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	24	Kerioth, Bozrah, and all the towns of Moab, far and near.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	25	Moab's horn has been cut off, his arm is broken, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	26	Make him drunk! He has set himself up against Yahweh; let Moab wallow in his vomit and become a laughing-stock in his turn.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	27	Was Israel not a laughing-stock to you? Was he caught red-handed with the thieves, for you to shake your head whenever you mention him?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	28	Leave the towns, make the rocks your home, inhabitants of Moab. Learn from the dove that makes its nest in the walls of the gaping gorge.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	29	We have heard about Moab's pride, so very proud! What arrogance! What pride! What conceit! What a haughty heart!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	30	-I know all about his presumption, Yahweh declares, his empty boasting, those empty deeds of his!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	31	-and so I lament for Moab, for all Moab I raise my cry and mourn for the people of Kir-Heres.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	32	More than for Jazer I weep for you, vineyard of Sibmah: your shoots stretched beyond the sea, they reached all the way to Jazer. On your harvest and vintage the despoiler has descended.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	33	Gladness and joy have vanished from the orchards of Moab. I have dried up the wine in the presses, the treader of grapes treads no more, the joyful shouting has ceased.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	34	The cries of Heshbon and Elealeh can be heard as far as Jahaz. The shrieks resound from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath-Shelishiyah, for even the Waters of Nimrim have become a wasteland.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	35	And in Moab I shall make an end, Yahweh declares, of anyone offering sacrifice on the high places and anyone offering incense to his gods.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	36	That is why my heart sobs like a flute for Moab, sobs like a flute for the people of Kir-Heres, since the wealth he had acquired is lost.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	37	Yes, every head is shaved, every beard cut off, gashes are on every hand, sackcloth round every waist.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	38	On all the housetops of Moab and in all its squares there is nothing but lamenting, for I have broken Moab like an unwanted pot, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	39	How shattered he is! Wail! Moab so shamefully in retreat! Moab has become a laughing-stock, a thing of horror to all his neighbours.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	40	For Yahweh says this: (Look, like an eagle, he will hover, spreading his wings over Moab.)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	41	The towns have been captured, the strongholds seized. (And the heart of Moab's warriors, that day, will be like that of a woman in labour pains.)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	42	Moab will be destroyed, no longer a people, for setting itself up against Yahweh.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	43	Terror, the pit and the snare for you, inhabitant of Moab, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	44	And anyone who escapes from terror will fall into the pit, and anyone who climbs out of the pit will be caught in the snare. Yes, I shall bring all this on Moab when the year comes for punishing them, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	45	In the shelter of Heshbon the fugitives have paused, exhausted. But fire will burst from Heshbon, a flame from the palace of Sihon, consuming the brows of Moab, the head of a turbulent brood.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	46	Disaster for you, Moab! The people of Chemosh are lost! For your sons have been taken into exile and your daughters into captivity.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	48	47	But I shall bring back Moab's captives in the final days, Yahweh declares. Thus far the judgement on Moab.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	1	To the Ammonites. Yahweh says this: Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why should Milcom have inherited Gad and his people have settled in its towns?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	2	And so the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when I shall make the war cry ring out for Rabbah-of-the-Ammonites. She will become a desolate mound and her daughter towns will be burnt down. Then Israel will inherit from his heirs, Yahweh says.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	3	Wail, Heshbon, for Ar has been laid waste! Shriek, daughters of Rabbah! Wrap yourself in sackcloth, raise the dirge, run to and fro among the sheep-pens! For Milcom is going into exile, with all his priests and princes.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	4	How you used to glory in your Valley, rebellious daughter, confident in your resources, 'Who will dare to attack me?'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	5	Look, I shall bring terror on you, Lord Yahweh Sabaoth declares, from all directions; you shall be driven away, everyone for himself, with no one to rally the fugitives.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	6	(But later I shall bring back the captive Ammonites, Yahweh declares.)
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	7	To Edom. Yahweh says this: Is there no wisdom left in Teman? Have the shrewd run out of commonsense, has their wisdom vanished?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	8	Away! Take to your heels! Go into hiding, inhabitants of Dedan, for I shall bring ruin on Esau when the time comes for me to punish him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	9	If grape-pickers were to come to you, would they not leave a few gleanings? If robbers came during the night, would they not steal only as much as they wanted?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	10	But I for my part have stripped Esau, have laid his hiding places bare: he can hide no longer. His race is destroyed, so are his brothers and neighbours; he is no more!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	11	Leave your orphans, I shall support them, and let your widows rely on me!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	12	For Yahweh says this, 'Look, those who would not have had to drink the cup will have to drink it all the same; so why should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but will certainly have to drink.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	13	For by my own self I have sworn, Yahweh declares, that Bozrah will become an object of horror, a laughing-stock, a desert, a curse, and all its towns ruins for ever.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	14	I have received a message from Yahweh, a herald has been sent throughout the nations, 'Muster! March against this people! Prepare for battle!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	15	For look, I shall reduce you to the smallest of nations, to the most despised of people.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	16	Your reputation for ferocity, your proud heart has misled you. You whose home is in the crannies of the Rock, who cling to the top of the peak! Though you make your nest as high as the eagle's, I shall bring you down from there, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	17	Edom will become an object of horror; everyone going near will be appalled, and whistle at the sight of all her wounds.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	18	As at the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbouring towns, no one will live there any more, Yahweh says, no human being settle there again.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	19	Look, like a lion he climbs from the thickets of the Jordan to the perennial pasture! In a flash, I shall make them run away, and there appoint someone I shall choose. For who is there like me? Who can hale me into court? Name me the shepherd who can stand up to me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	20	So now hear the plan that Yahweh has laid against Edom, the schemes he has in mind against the inhabitants of Teman: they will certainly be dragged away like the smallest of the flock! Their pastures will certainly be sacked before their eyes!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	21	The earth quakes at the sound of their downfall, the sound of it echoes to the Sea of Reeds.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	22	Look, like an eagle, he will soar and hover, spreading his wings over Bozrah. And the heart of Edom's warriors, that day, will be like that of a woman in labour pains.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	23	To Damascus. Hamath and Arpad are shamed, for they have heard bad news. They are convulsed with anxiety like the sea that cannot be calmed.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	24	Damascus is aghast, she prepares for flight, she is seized with trembling (anguish and sorrow have laid hold on her as on a woman in labour).
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	25	What now! That famous town deserted, that city of gaiety?
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	26	And so in her squares her young men will fall, and all her fighting men will perish, that day, Yahweh Sabaoth declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	27	I shall light a fire inside the walls of Damascus, to devour the palaces of Ben-Hadad.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	28	To Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which were conquered by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. Yahweh says this: Up! March on Kedar, destroy the sons of the east!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	29	Let their tents and their flocks be captured, their tent-cloths and all their gear; let their camels be seized and the shout go up, 'Terror on every side!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	30	Away! Get into hiding as fast as you can, inhabitants of Hazor, Yahweh declares, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has made a plan against you, he has a scheme in mind against you,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	31	Up! March on a nation at its ease, living secure, Yahweh declares, that has no gates, no bars, that lives in a remote place!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	32	Their camels will be the plunder, their countless sheep the spoil. I shall scatter them to the winds, those Crop-Heads, and bring ruin on them from every side, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	33	Hazor will become the lair of jackals, desolate for ever. No one will live there any more, no human being settle there again.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	34	The word of Yahweh that came to the prophet Jeremiah about Elam, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	35	'Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Look, I shall break Elam's bow, the source of his might.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	36	I shall bring four winds on Elam from the four corners of the sky, and I shall scatter them to all these winds: there will not be a single nation to which people expelled from Elam do not go.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	37	I shall make the Elamites tremble before their enemies, before those determined to kill them. I shall bring disaster on them, my burning anger, Yahweh declares. I shall pursue them with the sword until I have destroyed them all.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	38	I shall set up my throne in Elam, uprooting its king and princes, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	49	39	In the final days, I shall bring Elam's captives back, Yahweh declares.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	1	The word that Yahweh spoke against Babylon, against the country of the Chaldaeans, through the prophet Jeremiah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	2	Announce it to the nations, proclaim it, hoist a signal and proclaim it, making no secret of it, say, 'Babylon is captured, Bel disgraced, Marduk shattered. (Her idols are disgraced, her Obscenities shattered.)'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	3	For a nation is marching on her from the north, to turn her country into a desert: no one will live there any more; human and animal have fled and gone.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	4	In those days and at that time the people of Israel will return (they and the people of Judah); they will come weeping in search of Yahweh their God.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	5	They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces towards her, 'Come, let us bind ourselves to Yahweh by an everlasting covenant never to be forgotten!'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	6	Lost sheep, such were my people; their shepherds led them astray, the mountains misled them; from mountain to hill they went, forgetful of their fold.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	7	Whoever came across them devoured them, their enemies said, 'We are not to blame, since they have sinned against Yahweh, the Home of Justice, against Yahweh, the Hope of their ancestors.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	8	Escape from Babylon, leave the country of the Chaldaeans. Be like he-goats, leading the sheep!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	9	For look, I shall raise a league of mighty nations to attack Babylon, from the land of the north. They will take up position against her; by them she will be taken. Their arrows, like an experienced soldier's, never return in vain.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	10	Chaldaea will be plundered, all her plunderers will be satisfied, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	11	Rejoice! Have your triumph, you plunderers of my heritage! Be playful like a heifer let out to grass! Neigh like stallions!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	12	But your mother is covered with shame, disgraced is the woman who bore you; she is the least of nations now; a desert, a parched land, a wasteland.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	13	Because of Yahweh's anger, no one will live there any more, she will become a total solitude. All who pass by Babylon will be appalled and whistle at the sight of all her wounds.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	14	Take position against Babylon, surround her, all you who bend the bow. Shoot at her! Do not spare your arrows, for she has sinned against Yahweh!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	15	Raise the war cry against her from all sides. She surrenders! Her bastions fall! Her walls collapse! This is Yahweh's vengeance! Take revenge on her. Treat her as she has treated others.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	16	Deprive Babylon of the man who sows, of the man who wields the sickle at harvest. Away from the devastating sword, let everyone return to his own people, let everyone flee to his own country!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	17	Israel was a straying sheep pursued by lions. First, the king of Assyria devoured him, and latterly Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon crunched his bones.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	18	So Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel, says this: Look, I shall punish the king of Babylon and his country as I punished the king of Assyria.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	19	I will bring Israel back to his pastures to browse on Carmel and in Bashan, on the highlands of Ephraim and in Gilead, and he will be satisfied.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	20	In those days and at that time, Yahweh declares, you may look for Israel's guilt, it will not be there, for Judah's sins, you will not find them, for I shall pardon the remnant that I leave.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	21	March on the country of Merathaim, march on it and on the inhabitants of Pekod; slaughter and curse with destruction every last one of them, Yahweh declares, carry out my orders to the letter!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	22	The din of battle fills the country, immense destruction.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	23	How utterly shattered that hammer of the whole world! What a thing of horror Babylon has become throughout the nations!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	24	I set a snare for you, Babylon; you were caught before you knew it. You have been found and overpowered for having defied Yahweh.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	25	Yahweh has opened his armoury and taken out the weapons of his fury. For Lord Yahweh Sabaoth has work to do in the country of the Chaldaeans.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	26	Fall on her from every side, open her granaries, pile her in heaps, curse her with destruction, until nothing is left of her.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	27	Slaughter all her bulls, down to the slaughterhouse with them! Disaster on them, their day has come, their time for being punished.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	28	Listen! Fugitives and runaways from the country of Babylon arrive in Zion and proclaim the revenge of Yahweh our God, revenge for his Temple!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	29	Call up the archers against Babylon! All you who bend the bow, invest her on all sides, leave her no way of escape. Repay her as her deeds deserve; treat her as she has treated others, for she was arrogant to Yahweh, to the Holy One of Israel.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	30	And so in her squares her young men will fall, and all her fighting men will perish, that day, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	31	My quarrel is with you, 'Arrogance!' Lord Yahweh Sabaoth declares, your day has come, the time for me to punish you.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	32	'Arrogance' will stumble, she will fall, no one will lift her up: I shall set fire to her towns and it will devour all around it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	33	Yahweh Sabaoth says this: The people of Israel are oppressed (and the people of Judah too), all their captors hold them fast, they will not let them go.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	34	But their redeemer is strong: Yahweh Sabaoth is his name. He will take up their cause, to give our country rest but make the inhabitants of Babylon tremble.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	35	A sword against the Chaldaeans, Yahweh declares, against the inhabitants of Babylon, against her princes and her sages!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	36	A sword against her diviners: may they lose their wits! A sword against her warriors: may they panic!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	37	A sword against her horses, her chariots and the conglomeration of people inside her: may they be like women! A sword against her treasures: may they be plundered!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	38	Drought on her waters: may they dry up! For it is a country of idols, and they are mad about those bogeys of theirs!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	39	Hence wild cats and jackals will live there, and ostriches make their home there. She will never again be inhabited, for ever, but remain uninhabited age after age.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	40	As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and their neighbouring towns, Yahweh declares, no one will live there any more, no human being settle there again.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	41	Look, a people is coming from the north, a mighty nation; from the far ends of the earth many kings are stirring.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	42	They are armed with bow and spear, they are cruel and pitiless; their noise is like the roaring of the sea; they ride horses, ready as one man to fight you, daughter of Babylon!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	43	The king of Babylon has heard the news, his hands fall limp, anguish has seized him, pain like that of a woman in labour.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	44	Look, like a lion he climbs the thickets of the Jordan to the perennial pasture! In a flash I shall make them run away and there appoint someone I shall choose. For who is there like me? Who can hale me into court? Name me the shepherd who can stand up to me.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	45	So now hear the plan that Yahweh has laid against Babylon, the schemes he has in mind against the country of the Chaldaeans: they will certainly be dragged away like the smallest in the flock! Their pastures will certainly be sacked before their eyes!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	50	46	The earth quakes at the sound of Babylon's capture, and the shouting echoes through the nations.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	1	Yahweh says this: Against Babylon and the inhabitants of Leb-Kamai I shall rouse a destructive wind.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	2	I shall send winnowers to Babylon to winnow her and leave her country bare, for she will be beleaguered on all sides, on the day of disaster.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	3	Let no archer bend his bow! Let no man swagger in his breastplate!-No quarter for her young men! Curse her whole army with destruction!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	4	In the country of the Chaldaeans the slaughtered will fall, in the streets of Babylon, those run through by the sword.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	5	For Israel and Judah have not been bereft of their God, Yahweh Sabaoth, although their country was full of sin against the Holy One of Israel.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	6	Escape from Babylon (save your lives, each one of you); do not perish for her guilt, for now is the time for Yahweh's vengeance: he will pay her her reward!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	7	Babylon was a golden cup in Yahweh's hand, she made the whole world drunk, the nations drank her wine and then went mad.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	8	Babylon has suddenly fallen, is broken: wail for her! Fetch balm for her wounds, perhaps she can be cured!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	9	-'We tried to cure Babylon; she has got no better. Leave her alone and let us each go to his own country.' -Yes, her sentence reaches to the sky, rises to the very clouds.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	10	Yahweh has shown the uprightness of our cause. Come, let us tell in Zion what Yahweh our God has done.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	11	Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers! Yahweh has roused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because he has a plan against Babylon to destroy it; this is Yahweh's revenge, revenge for his Temple.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	12	Against the walls of Babylon raise the standard! Strengthen the guard! Post the sentries! Take up concealed positions! For Yahweh has both planned and done what he promised he would to the inhabitants of Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	13	Enthroned beside abundant waters, rich in treasures, you now meet your end, the finish of your pillaging.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	14	By his own self Yahweh Sabaoth has sworn: I shall fill you with men as though with grasshoppers, and over you they will raise the triumph-shout.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	15	By his power he made the earth, by his wisdom set the world firm, by his discernment spread out the heavens.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	16	When he thunders there is a roaring of waters in heaven; he raises clouds from the furthest limits of the earth, makes the lightning flash for the downpour, and brings the wind from his storehouse.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	17	At this everyone stands stupefied, uncomprehending, every goldsmith blushes for his idols; his castings are but delusion, with no breath in them.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	18	They are futile, a laughable production, when the time comes for them to be punished, they will vanish.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	19	The Heritage of Jacob is not like these, for he is the maker of everything, and Israel is the tribe that is his heritage; His name is Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	20	You were my mace, a weapon of war. With you I crushed nations, struck kingdoms down,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	21	with you crushed horse and rider, with you crushed chariot and charioteer,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	22	with you crushed man and woman, with you crushed old man and young, with you crushed young man and girl,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	23	with you crushed shepherd and flock, with you crushed ploughman and team, with you crushed governors and magistrates,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	24	and I shall repay Babylon and the inhabitants of Chaldaea, before your eyes, for all the wrongs they have done to Zion, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	25	I am setting myself against you, mountain of destruction, Yahweh declares, destroyer of the whole world! I shall reach out my hand for you and send you tumbling from the crags and make you a burnt-out mountain.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	26	No corner-stone will be taken from you again and no foundation-stone, for you will be a desert for ever, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	27	Raise the standard throughout the world, sound the trumpet among the nations! Consecrate nations to make war on her; summon kingdoms against her: Ararat, Minni, Ashkenaz; appoint a recruiting-officer for her enemies, bring up the cavalry, bristling like locusts.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	28	Consecrate nations to make war on her: the kings of Media, her governors, all her magistrates and the whole territory under their rule.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	29	Then the earth trembled and writhed, for Yahweh's plan against Babylon was being executed: to change the country of Babylon into an unpopulated desert.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	30	The warriors of Babylon have done with fighting, they have stayed inside their fortresses; their courage exhausted, they are now like women. Her houses are on fire, her gates are shattered.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	31	Courier follows close on courier, messenger on messenger, to tell the king of Babylon that his city has been taken from all sides,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	32	the fords occupied, the bastions burnt down and the fighting men seized with panic.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	33	For Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this: the daughter of Babylon is like a threshing-floor when it is being trodden: a little while, and then the time for harvesting her will come.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	34	He devoured me, consumed me, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, left me like an empty dish, like the Dragon he has swallowed me whole, filled his belly with my titbits and threw me out.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	35	'On Babylon be the wounds I suffered!' the daughter of Zion will say. 'On the inhabitants of Chaldaea be my blood!' Jerusalem will say.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	36	So, Yahweh says this: Look, I am taking up your cause to make sure you are avenged. I shall dry her river up, make her springs run dry.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	37	Babylon will become a heap of stones, the lair of jackals, a thing of horror and of scorn, with no one living in it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	38	Like lions they roar together, they growl like lions' whelps.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	39	Are they feverish? I will prepare them a drink and make them drink until they are tipsy and fall into an everlasting sleep, never to wake again, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	40	I will drag them away to the slaughterhouse like lambs, like rams and goats.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	41	What! Has Sheshak been taken, been conquered, the pride of the whole world? What a thing of horror Babylon has become throughout the nations!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	42	The sea has risen over Babylon, she sinks beneath its boisterous waves.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	43	Her towns have been turned into wasteland, a parched land, a desert, a country where no one lives and where nobody goes.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	44	I shall punish Bel in Babylon and make him disgorge what he has swallowed. In future the nations will stream to him no more. The very walls of Babylon will fall.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	45	Get out of her, my people; save your lives, each one of you, from Yahweh's furious anger.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	46	But do not be faint-hearted! Do not take fright at rumours hawked round the country: one rumour spreads one year, next year another follows; violence rules on earth and one tyrant succeeds another.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	47	So look, the days are coming when I shall punish the idols of Babylon. Her entire country will be humbled, with all her slaughtered lying on home-soil.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	48	The heaven and earth and all within them will shout for joy over Babylon, for the destroyers from the north are coming to her, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	49	Babylon in her turn must fall, you slaughtered ones of Israel, just as through Babylon there fell men slaughtered all over the world.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	50	You who have escaped her sword, leave her, do not wait! Remember Yahweh from afar, let Jerusalem come into your mind.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	51	-'We were ashamed when we heard of the outrage, we were covered in confusion because foreigners had entered the Temple of Yahweh's holy places.'
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	52	-So look, the days are coming, Yahweh declares, when I shall punish her idols, and the wounded will groan throughout her country.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	53	Were Babylon to scale the heavens or reinforce her towering citadel, destroyers would still come to her on my orders, Yahweh declares.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	54	The din of shouting from Babylon, of immense destruction, from the country of the Chaldaeans!
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	55	Yes, Yahweh is laying Babylon waste and silencing her monstrous din, whose waves used to roar like the ocean and their tumultuous voices rang out.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	56	For the destroyer has fallen on Babylon, her warriors are captured, their bows are broken. Yes, Yahweh is a God of retribution, he never fails to repay.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	57	I shall make her princes and her sages drink, her governors, her magistrates, her warriors; they will fall into an everlasting sleep, never to wake again, declares the King, whose name is Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	58	Yahweh Sabaoth says this: The walls of Babylon the Great will be rased to the ground, and her lofty gates will be burnt down. Thus peoples toil for nothing and nations wear themselves out, for the flames.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	59	This is the order that the prophet Jeremiah gave to Seraiah son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah when Seraiah left for Babylon with Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year of his reign. Seraiah was lord chamberlain.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	60	Now, on one sheet, Jeremiah had written down the entire disaster that was to befall Babylon, that is, all these words recorded here against Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	61	Jeremiah then said to Seraiah, 'When you reach Babylon, see to it that you read all these words aloud.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	62	Then say, "You, Yahweh, have promised to destroy this place, so that no one will live here ever again, neither human nor animal, and it will be desolate for ever."
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	63	Then, when you have finished reading this sheet, tie a stone to it and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	51	64	with the words, "So shall Babylon sink, never to rise again from the disaster which I am going to bring on her." ' Thus far the words of Jeremiah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	1	Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamital daughter of Jeremiah, of Libnah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	2	He did what is displeasing to Yahweh, just as Jehoiakim had done.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	3	That this should happen to Jerusalem and Judah was due to Yahweh's anger, resulting in his casting them away from his presence. Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	4	In the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem with his entire army; he pitched camp in front of the city and threw up earthworks round it.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	5	The city lay under siege till the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	6	In the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, when famine was raging in the city and there was no food for the populace,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	7	a breach was made in the city wall. The king and all the fighting men then fled, leaving the city under cover of dark, by way of the gate between the two walls, which is near the king's garden -- the Chaldaeans had surrounded the city -- and made his way towards the Arabah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	8	The Chaldaean troops pursued the king and caught up with Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, where all his troops deserted.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	9	But the Chaldaeans captured the king and took him to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the territory of Hamath, where he passed sentence on him.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	10	He had Zedekiah's sons slaughtered before his eyes; he also had all the chief men of Judah put to death at Riblah.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	11	He then put out Zedekiah's eyes and, loading him with chains, the king of Babylon carried him off to Babylon where he kept him prisoner until his dying day.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	12	In the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month -- it was in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon -- Nebuzaradan commander of the guard, a member of the king of Babylon's staff, entered Jerusalem.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	13	He burnt down the Temple of Yahweh, the royal palace and all the houses in Jerusalem.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	14	The Chaldaean troops who accompanied the commander of the guard demolished all the walls surrounding Jerusalem.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	15	Nebuzaradan commander of the guard deported (some of the poor people and) the remainder of the population left in the city, the deserters who had gone over to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the artisans.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	16	But Nebuzaradan commander of the guard left some of the poor country-people behind as vineyard workers and ploughmen.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	17	The Chaldaeans broke up the bronze pillars from the Temple of Yahweh, the wheeled stands and the bronze Sea, which were in the Temple of Yahweh, and took all the bronze away to Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	18	They also took the ash containers, the scoops, the knives, the sprinkling bowls, the incense bowls, and all the bronze furnishings used in worship.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	19	The commander of the guard also took the bowls, the censers, the sprinkling bowls, the ash containers, the lamp-stands, the goblets and the saucers: everything that was made of gold and everything made of silver.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	20	As regards the two pillars, the one Sea, the twelve bronze oxen supporting the Sea, and the wheeled stands, which King Solomon had made for the Temple of Yahweh, there was no reckoning the weight of bronze in all these objects.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	21	As regards the pillars, the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits, its circumference was twelve cubits, it was four fingers thick, and hollow inside;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	22	on it stood a capital of bronze, the height of the capital being five cubits; round the capital were filigree and pomegranates, all in bronze. So also for the second pillar.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	23	There were ninety-six pomegranates round the sides, making a hundred pomegranates round the filigree in all.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	24	The commander of the guard took prisoner Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest next in rank, and the three guardians of the threshold.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	25	In the city he took prisoner an official who was in command of the fighting men, seven of the king's personal friends who were discovered in the city, the secretary to the army commander responsible for military conscription, and sixty men of distinction discovered in the city.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	26	Nebuzaradan commander of the guard took these men and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah,
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	27	and at Riblah, in the territory of Hamath, the king of Babylon had them put to death. Thus Judah was deported from its country.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	28	The number of people deported by Nebuchadnezzar was as follows. In the seventh year: three thousand and twenty-three Judaeans;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	29	in the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar, eight hundred and thirty-two persons were deported from Jerusalem;
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	30	in the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan commander of the guard deported seven hundred and forty-five Judaeans. In all: four thousand six hundred persons.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	31	But in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year he came to the throne, pardoned Jehoiachin king of Judah and released him from prison.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	32	He treated him kindly and allotted him a seat above those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	33	So Jehoiachin laid aside his prisoner's garb and for the rest of his life always ate at the king's table.
 Jeremiah	Jer	30	52	34	And his upkeep was permanently ensured by the king, day after day, for the rest of his life until the day he died.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	1	How deserted she sits, the city once thronged with people! Once the greatest of nations, she is now like a widow. Once the princess of states, she is now put to forced labour.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	2	All night long she is weeping, tears running down her cheeks. Not one of all her lovers remains to comfort her. Her friends have all betrayed her and become her enemies.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	3	Judah has gone into exile after much pain and toil. Living among the nations she finds no respite; her persecutors all overtake her where there is no way out.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	4	The roads to Zion are in mourning; no one comes to her festivals now. Her gateways are all deserted; her priests groan; her young girls are grief-stricken; she suffers bitterly.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	5	Her foes now have the upper hand, her enemies prosper, for Yahweh has made her suffer for her many, many crimes; her children have gone away into captivity driven in front of the oppressor.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	6	And from the daughter of Zion all her splendour has departed. Her princes were like stags which could find no pasture, exhausted, as they flee before the hunter.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	7	Jerusalem remembers her days of misery and distress; when her people fell into the enemy's clutches there was no one to help her. Her enemies looked on and laughed at her downfall.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	8	Jerusalem has sinned so gravely that she has become a thing unclean. All who used to honour her despise her, having seen her nakedness; she herself groans aloud and turns her face away.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	9	Her filth befouls her skirts -- she never thought to end like this, and hence her astonishing fall with no one to comfort her. Yahweh, look at my misery, for the enemy is triumphant!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	10	The enemy stretched out his hand for everything she treasured; she saw the heathen enter her sanctuary, whom you had forbidden to enter your Assembly.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	11	All her people are groaning, looking for something to eat; they have bartered their treasures for food, to keep themselves alive. Look, Yahweh, and consider how despised I am!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	12	All you who pass this way, look and see: is any sorrow like the sorrow inflicted on me, with which Yahweh struck me on the day of his burning anger?
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	13	He sent fire from on high deep into my bones; he stretched a net for my feet, he pulled me back; he left me shattered, sick all day long.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	14	He has watched out for my offences, with his hand he enmeshes me, his yoke is on my neck, he has deprived me of strength. The Lord has put me into clutches which I am helpless to resist.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	15	The Lord has rejected all my warriors within my walls, he has summoned a host against me to crush my young men; in the winepress the Lord trampled the young daughter of Judah.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	16	And that is why I weep; my eyes stream with water, since a comforter who could revive me is far away. My children are shattered, for the enemy has proved too strong.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	17	Zion stretches out her hands, with no one to comfort her. Yahweh has commanded Jacob's enemies to surround him; they treat Jerusalem as though she were unclean.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	18	Yahweh is in the right, for I rebelled against his command. Listen, all you peoples, and see my sorrow. My young girls and my young men have gone into captivity. Qophp
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	19	I called to my lovers; they failed me. My priests and my elders expired in the city, as they searched for food to keep themselves alive.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	20	Look, Yahweh. I am in distress! My inmost being is in ferment; my heart turns over inside me -- how rebellious I have been! Outside, the sword bereaves; inside it is like death.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	21	Listen, for I am groaning, with no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my disaster, they are glad about what you have done. Bring the Day you once foretold, so that they may be like me!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	1	22	Let all their wickedness come before you, and treat them as you have treated me for all my crimes; numberless are my groans, and I am sick at heart.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	1	In his anger, with what darkness has the Lord enveloped the daughter of Zion! He has flung the beauty of Israel from heaven to the ground, without regard for his footstool on the day of his anger.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	2	The Lord pitilessly engulfed all the homes of Jacob; in his fury he tore down the fortresses of the daughter of Judah; he threw to the ground, he desecrated the kingdom and its princes.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	3	In his burning anger he broke all the might of Israel, withdrew his protecting right hand at the coming of the enemy, and blazed against Jacob like a fire that burns up everything near it.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	4	Like an enemy he bent his bow, and his right hand held firm; like a foe he slaughtered all those who were a delight to see; on the tent of the daughter of Zion he poured out his fury like fire.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	5	The Lord behaved like an enemy; he engulfed Israel, he engulfed all its citadels, he destroyed its fortresses and for the daughter of Judah multiplied weeping on wailing.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	6	He wrecked his domain like a garden, destroyed his assembly-points, Yahweh erased the memory of festivals and Sabbaths in Zion; in the heat of his anger he treated king and priest with contempt.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	7	The Lord has rejected his altar, he has come to loathe his sanctuary and has given her palace walls into the clutches of the enemy; from the uproar they made in Yahweh's temple it might have been a festival day!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	8	Yahweh has resolved to destroy the walls of the daughter of Zion, stretching out the line, not staying his hand until he has engulfed everything, thus bringing mourning on wall and rampart; alike they crumbled.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	9	Her gates have sunk into the ground; he has broken and shattered their bars. Her king and her princes are among the gentiles, there is no instruction, furthermore her prophets cannot find any vision from Yahweh.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	10	Mute, they sit on the ground, the elders of the daughter of Zion; they have put dust on their heads and wrapped themselves in sackcloth. The young girls of Jerusalem bow their heads to the ground.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	11	My eyes are worn out with weeping, my inmost being is in ferment, my heart plummets at the destruction of my young people, as the children and babies grow faint in the streets of the city.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	12	They keep saying to their mothers, 'Where is some food?' as they faint like wounded men in the streets of the city, as they breathe their last on their mothers' breasts.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	13	To what can I compare or liken you, daughter of Jerusalem? Who can rescue and comfort you, young daughter of Zion? For huge as the sea is your ruin: who can heal you?
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	14	The visions your prophets had for you were deceptive whitewash; they did not lay bare your guilt so as to change your fortunes: the visions they told you were deceptive.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	15	All who pass your way clap their hands at the sight; they whistle and shake their heads over the daughter of Jerusalem, 'Is this the city they call Perfection of Beauty, the joy of the whole world?'
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	16	Your enemies open their mouths in chorus against you; they whistle and grind their teeth; they say, 'We have swallowed her up. This is the day we were waiting for; at last we have seen it!'
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	17	Yahweh has done what he planned, has carried out his threat, as he ordained long ago: he has destroyed without pity, increasing the might of your foes -- and letting your foes get the credit.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	18	Cry then to the Lord, rampart of the daughter of Zion; let your tears flow like a torrent, day and night; allow yourself no respite, give your eyes no rest!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	19	Up, cry out in the night-time as each watch begins! Pour your heart out like water in Yahweh's presence! Raise your hands to him for the lives of your children (who faint with hunger at the end of every street)!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	20	Look, Yahweh, and consider: whom have you ever treated like this? Should women eat their little ones, the children they have nursed? Should priest and prophet be slaughtered in the Lord's sanctuary?
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	21	Children and old people are lying on the ground in the streets; my young men and young girls have fallen by the sword; you have killed them, on the day of your anger, you have slaughtered them pitilessly.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	2	22	As though to a festival you called together terrors from all sides, so that, on the day of Yahweh's anger, none escaped and none survived. Those whom I had nursed and reared, my enemy has annihilated them all.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	1	I am the man familiar with misery under the rod of his fury.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	2	He has led and guided me into darkness, not light.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	3	Against none but me does he turn his hand, again and again, all day.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	4	He has wasted my flesh and skin away, has broken my bones.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	5	He has besieged me and made hardship a circlet round my head.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	6	He has forced me to dwell where all is dark, like those long-dead in their everlasting home.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	7	He has walled me in so that I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains;
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	8	even when I shout for help, he shuts out my prayer.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	9	He has closed my way with blocks of stone, he has obstructed my paths.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	10	For me he is a lurking bear, a lion in hiding.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	11	Heading me off, he has torn me apart, leaving me shattered.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	12	He has bent his bow and used me as a target for his arrows.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	13	He has shot deep into me with shafts from his quiver.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	14	I have become a joke to all my own people, their refrain all day long.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	15	He has given me my fill of bitterness, he has made me drunk with wormwood.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	16	He has broken my teeth with gravel, he has fed me on ashes.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	17	I have been deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	18	and thought, 'My lasting hope in Yahweh is lost.'
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	19	Bring to mind my misery and anguish; it is wormwood and gall!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	20	My heart dwells on this continually and sinks within me.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	21	This is what I shall keep in mind and so regain some hope:
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	22	Surely Yahweh's mercies are not over, his deeds of faithful love not exhausted;
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	23	every morning they are renewed; great is his faithfulness!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	24	'Yahweh is all I have,' I say to myself, 'and so I shall put my hope in him.'
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	25	Yahweh is good to those who trust him, to all who search for him.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	26	It is good to wait in silence for Yahweh to save.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	27	It is good for someone to bear the yoke from a young age,
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	28	to sit in solitude and silence when it weighs heavy,
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	29	to lay one's head in the dust -- maybe there is hope-
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	30	to offer one's cheek to the striker, to have one's fill of disgrace!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	31	For the Lord will not reject anyone for ever.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	32	If he brings grief, he will have pity out of the fullness of his faithful love,
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	33	for it is not for his own pleasure that he torments and grieves the human race.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	34	When all the prisoners in a country are crushed underfoot,
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	35	when human rights are overridden in defiance of the Most High,
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	36	when someone is cheated of justice, does not the Lord see it?
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	37	Who has only to speak and it is so done? Who commands, if not the Lord?
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	38	From where, if not from the mouth of the Most High, do evil and good come?
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	39	Why then should anyone complain? Better to be bold against one's sins.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	40	Let us examine our path, let us ponder it and return to Yahweh.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	41	Let us raise our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	42	We are the ones who have sinned, who have rebelled, and you have not forgiven.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	43	You have enveloped us in anger, pursuing us, slaughtering without pity.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	44	You have wrapped yourself in a cloud too thick for prayer to pierce.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	45	You have reduced us to rubbish and refuse among the nations.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	46	Our enemies open their mouths in chorus against us.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	47	Terror and pitfall have been our lot, ravage and ruin.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	48	My eyes dissolve in torrents of tears at the ruin of my beloved people.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	49	My eyes will weep ceaselessly, without relief,
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	50	until Yahweh looks down and sees from heaven.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	51	My eyes have grown sore over all the daughters of my city.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	52	Unprovoked, my enemies hunted me down like a bird.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	53	They shut me finally in a pit, they closed me in with a stone.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	54	The waters rose over my head; I thought, 'I am lost!'
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	55	Yahweh, I called on your name from the deep pit.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	56	You heard my voice, do not close your ear to my prayer, to my cry.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	57	You are near when I call to you. You said, 'Do not be afraid!'
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	58	Lord, you defended my cause, you have redeemed my life.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	59	Yahweh, you have seen the wrong done to me, grant me redress.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	60	You have seen their vindictiveness, all their plots against me.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	61	You have heard their insults, Yahweh, all their plots against me,
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	62	the whispering and murmuring of my enemies against me all day long.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	63	Look, whether they sit or stand, I am their refrain.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	64	Yahweh, repay them as their deeds deserve.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	65	Lay hardness of heart as your curse on them.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	3	66	Angrily pursue them, root them out from under your heavens!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	1	How the gold has tarnished, how the fine gold has changed! The sacred stones lie scattered at the corner of every street.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	2	The children of Zion, as precious as finest gold -- to think that they should now be reckoned like crockery made by a potter!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	3	The very jackals give the breast, and suckle their young: but the daughter of my people is as cruel as the ostriches of the desert.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	4	The tongue of the baby at the breast sticks to its palate for thirst; little children ask for bread, no one gives them any.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	5	Those who used to eat only the best, now lie dying in the streets; those who were reared in the purple claw at the rubbish heaps,
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	6	for the wickedness of the daughter of my people exceeded the sins of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment without a hand being laid on it.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	7	Once her young people were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; rosier than coral their bodies, their hue like sapphire.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	8	Now their faces are blacker than soot, they are not recognised in the streets, the skin has shrunk over their bones, as dry as a stick.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	9	Happier those killed by the sword than those killed by famine: they waste away, sunken for lack of the fruits of the earth.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	10	With their own hands, kindly women cooked their children; this was their food when the daughter of my people was ruined.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	11	Yahweh indulged his fury, he vented his fierce anger, he lit a fire in Zion which devoured her foundations.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	12	The kings of the earth never believed, nor did any of the inhabitants of the world, that foe or enemy would ever penetrate the gates of Jerusalem.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	13	Owing to the sins of her prophets and the crimes of her priests, who had shed the blood of the upright, in the heart of the city,
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	14	they wandered blindly through the streets, polluted with blood, so that no one dared to touch their clothes.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	15	'Keep away! Unclean!' people shouted, 'Keep away! Keep away! Don't touch!' If they left and fled to the nations, they were not allowed to stay there either.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	16	The face of Yahweh destroyed them, he will look on them no more. There was no respect for the priests, no deference for the elders.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	17	Continually we were wearing out our eyes, watching for help -- in vain. From our towers we watched for a nation which could not save us anyway.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	18	Men dogged our steps, to keep us out of our streets. Our end was near, our days were done, our end had come.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	19	Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they hounded our steps through the mountains, they lay in ambush for us in the wilds.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	20	The breath of our nostrils, Yahweh's anointed, was caught in their traps, he of whom we said, 'In his shadow we shall live among the nations.'
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	21	Rejoice, exult, daughter of Edom, you who reside in Uz! To you in turn the cup will pass; you will get drunk and strip yourself naked!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	4	22	Your wickedness is atoned for, daughter of Zion, he will never banish you again. But your wickedness, daughter of Edom, will he punish, your sins he will lay bare!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	1	Yahweh, remember what has happened to us; consider, and see our degradation.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	2	Our heritage has passed to strangers, our homes to foreigners.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	3	We are orphans, we are fatherless; our mothers are like widows.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	4	We have to buy our own water to drink, our own wood we can get only at a price.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	5	The yoke is on our necks; we are persecuted; exhausted we are, allowed no rest.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	6	We made a pact with Egypt, with Assyria, to have plenty of food.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	7	Our ancestors sinned; they are no more, and we bear the weight of their guilt.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	8	Slaves rule us; there is no one to rescue us from their clutches.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	9	At peril of our lives we earn our bread, by risking the sword of the desert.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	10	Our skin is as hot as an oven, from the scorch of famine.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	11	The women in Zion have been raped, the young girls in the towns of Judah.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	12	Princes have been hanged by their hands; the face of the old has won no respect.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	13	Youths have been put to the mill, boys stagger under loads of wood.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	14	The elders have deserted the gateway; the young have given up their music.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	15	Joy has vanished from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	16	The crown has fallen from our heads. Alas that ever we sinned!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	17	This is why our hearts are sick; this is why our eyes are dim:
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	18	because Mount Zion is desolate; jackals roam to and fro on it.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	19	Yet you, Yahweh, rule from eternity; your throne endures from age to age.
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	20	Why do you never remember us? Why do you abandon us so long?
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	21	Make us come back to you, Yahweh, and we will come back. Restore us as we were before!
 Lamentations	Lam	31	5	22	Unless you have utterly rejected us, in an anger which knows no limit.
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	1	This is the text of the book written in Babylon by Baruch son of Neraiah, son of Mahseiah, son of Zedekiah, son of Hasadiah, son of Hilkiah,
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	2	in the fifth year, on the seventh day of the month, at the time when the Chaldaeans had captured Jerusalem and burned it down.
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	3	Baruch read the text of this book aloud to Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and to all the people who had come to hear the reading,
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	4	to the nobles and the sons of the king, and to the elders; to the whole people, that is, to the least no less than to the greatest, to all who lived in Babylon beside the river Sud.
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	5	On hearing it they wept, fasted and prayed before the Lord;
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	6	and they collected as much money as each could afford
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	7	and sent it to Jerusalem to the priest Jehoiakim son of Hilkiah, son of Shallum, and the other priests, and all the people who were with him in Jerusalem.
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	8	Also on the tenth day of Sivan he was given the utensils of the house of the Lord, which had been removed from the Temple, to take them back to the land of Judah; these were silver utensils which Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah, had had made
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	9	after Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had deported Jeconiah from Jerusalem to Babylon, together with the princes, the metalworkers, the nobles and the common people.
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	10	Now, they wrote, we are sending you money to pay for burnt offerings, offerings for sin, and incense. Prepare oblations and offer them on the altar of the Lord our God;
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	11	and pray for the long life of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and of his son Belshazzar, that they may endure on earth as long as the heavens endure;
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	12	and that the Lord may give us strength and enlighten our eyes, so that we may lead our lives under the protection of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and of his son Belshazzar, and that we may serve them for a long time and win their favour.
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	13	Also pray to the Lord our God for us, because we have sinned against him, and the anger, the fury of the Lord, has still not turned away from us.
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	14	Lastly, you must read the booklet which we are sending you, publicly in the house of the Lord on the feastday and appropriate days.
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	15	You must say: Saving justice is the Lord's, we have only the look of shame we bear, as is the case today for the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	16	for our kings and princes, our priests, our prophets, and for our ancestors,
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	17	because we have sinned before the Lord,
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	18	have disobeyed him, and have not listened to the voice of the Lord our God telling us to follow the commandments which the Lord had ordained for us.
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	19	From the day when the Lord brought our ancestors out of Egypt until today we have been disobedient to the Lord our God, we have been disloyal, refusing to listen to his voice.
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	20	And we are not free even today of the disasters and the curse which the Lord pronounced through his servant Moses the day he brought our ancestors out of Egypt to give us a land flowing with milk and honey.
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	21	We have not listened to the voice of the Lord our God in all the words of those prophets he sent us;
 Baruch	Bar	32	1	22	but, each following the dictates of our evil heart, we have taken to serving alien gods, and doing what is displeasing to the Lord our God.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	1	And so the Lord has carried out the sentence which he passed on us, on our judges who governed Israel, on our kings and leaders and on the people of Israel and of Judah;
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	2	what he did to Jerusalem has never been paralleled under the wide heavens -- in conformity with what was written in the Law of Moses;
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	3	we were each reduced to eating the flesh of our own sons and daughters.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	4	Furthermore, he has handed them over into the power of all the kingdoms that surround us, to be the contempt and execration of all the neighbouring peoples among whom the Lord scattered them.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	5	Instead of being masters, they found themselves enslaved, because we had sinned against the Lord our God by not listening to his voice.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	6	Saving justice is the Lord's; we and our ancestors have only the look of shame we bear today.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	7	All those disasters which the Lord pronounced against us have now befallen us.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	8	And yet we have not tried to win the favour of the Lord by each of us renouncing the dictates of our own wicked heart;
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	9	so the Lord has been alert to our misdeeds and has brought disaster down on us, since the Lord is upright in everything he had commanded us to do,
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	10	and we have not listened to his voice so as to follow the commandments which the Lord had ordained for us.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	11	And now, Lord, God of Israel, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand, with signs and wonders, with great power and with outstretched arm, to win yourself a name such as you have today,
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	12	we have sinned, we have committed sacrilege; Lord our God, we have broken all your precepts.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	13	Let your anger turn from us since we are no more than a little remnant among the nations where you have dispersed us.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	14	Listen, Lord, to our prayers and our entreaties; deliver us for your own sake and let us win the favour of the people who have deported us,
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	15	so that the whole world may know that you are the Lord our God, since Israel and his descendants bear your name.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	16	Look down, Lord, from your holy dwelling-place and think of us, bow your ear and listen,
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	17	open your eyes, Lord, and look; the dead down in Sheol, whose breath has been taken from their bodies, are not the ones to give glory and due recognition to the Lord;
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	18	whoever is overcome with affliction, who goes along bowed down and frail, with failing eyes and hungering soul, that is the one to give you glory and due recognition, Lord.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	19	We do not rely on the merits of our ancestors and of our kings to offer you our humble plea, Lord our God.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	20	No, you have sent down your anger and your fury on us, as you threatened through your servants the prophets when they said,
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	21	'The Lord says this: Bend your necks and serve the king of Babylon, and you will remain in the country which I gave to your ancestors.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	22	But if you do not listen to the voice of the Lord and serve the king of Babylon
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	23	then I shall silence the shouts of rejoicing and mirth and the voices of bridegroom and bride in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, and the whole country will be reduced to desert, with no inhabitants.'
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	24	But we would not listen to your voice and serve the king of Babylon, and so you carried out what you had threatened through your servants the prophets: that the bones of our kings and of our ancestors would be dragged from their resting places.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	25	They were indeed tossed out to the heat of the day and the frost of the night. And people died in dreadful agony, from famine, sword and plague.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	26	And so, because of the wickedness of the House of Israel and the House of Judah, you have made this House, that bears your name, what it is today.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	27	And yet, Lord our God, you have treated us in a way worthy of all your goodness and boundless tenderness,
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	28	just as you had promised through your servant Moses, the day you told him to write your Law in the presence of the Israelites, and said,
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	29	'If you do not listen to my voice, this great and innumerable multitude will certainly be reduced to a tiny few among the nations where I shall scatter them-
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	30	for I knew that, being an obstinate people, they would not listen to me. But in the country of their exile, they will come to themselves
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	31	and acknowledge that I am the Lord their God. I shall give them a heart and an attentive ear,
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	32	and they will sing my praises in the country of their exile, they will remember my name;
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	33	they will stop being obstinate and, remembering what became of their ancestors who sinned before the Lord, will turn from their evil deeds.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	34	Then I shall bring them back to the country which I promised on oath to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and make them masters in it. I shall make their numbers grow; they will not dwindle again.
 Baruch	Bar	32	2	35	And I shall make an everlasting covenant with them; so that I am their God and they are my people. And never again shall I drive my people Israel out of the country which I have given them.'
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	1	Almighty Lord, God of Israel, a soul in anguish, a troubled heart now cries to you:
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	2	Listen and have pity, Lord, for we have sinned before you.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	3	You sit enthroned for ever, while we are perishing for ever.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	4	Almighty Lord, God of Israel, hear the prayer of the dead of Israel, of the children of those who have sinned against you and have not listened to the voice of the Lord their God; hence the disasters which dog us.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	5	Do not call to mind the misdeeds of our ancestors, but remember instead your power and your name.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	6	You are indeed the Lord our God and we will praise you, Lord,
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	7	since you have put respect for you in our hearts to encourage us to call on your name. We long to praise you in our exile, for we have rid our hearts of the wickedness of our ancestors who sinned against you.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	8	Look, today we are still in exile where you have scattered us as something contemptible, accursed, condemned, for all the misdeeds of our ancestors who had abandoned the Lord our God.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	9	Listen, Israel, to commands that bring life; hear, and learn what knowledge means.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	10	Why, Israel, why are you in the country of your enemies, growing older and older in an alien land,
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	11	defiling yourselves with the dead, reckoned with those who go to Sheol?
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	12	It is because you have forsaken the fountain of wisdom!
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	13	Had you walked in the way of God, you would be living in peace for ever.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	14	Learn where knowledge is, where strength, where understanding, and so learn where length of days is, where life, where the light of the eyes and where peace.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	15	But who has found out where she lives, who has entered her treasure house?
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	16	Where now are the leaders of the nations and those who ruled even the beasts of earth,
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	17	those who sported with the birds of heaven, those who accumulated silver and gold on which all people rely, and whose possessions had no end,
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	18	those who worked so carefully in silver -but of whose works no trace is to be found?
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	19	They have vanished, gone down to Sheol. Others have risen to their places,
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	20	more recent generations have seen the day and peopled the earth in their turn, but the way of knowledge they have not found;
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	21	they have not recognised the paths she treads. Nor have their children had any grasp of her, remaining far from her way.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	22	Nothing has been heard of her in Canaan, nothing has been seen of her in Teman;
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	23	the children of Hagar in search of worldly wisdom, the merchants of Midian and Teman, the tale-spinners and the philosophers have none of them found the way to wisdom or remembered the paths she treads.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	24	How great, Israel, is the house of God, how wide his domain,
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	25	immeasurably wide, infinitely lofty!
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	26	In it were born the giants, famous from the beginning, immensely tall, expert in war;
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	27	God's choice did not fall on these, he did not show them the way of knowledge;
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	28	they perished for lack of wisdom, perished by their own folly.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	29	Who has ever climbed the sky and seized her to bring her down from the clouds?
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	30	Who has ever crossed the ocean and found her to bring her back in exchange for the finest gold?
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	31	No one can learn the way to her, no one can understand the path she treads.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	32	But the One who knows all discovers her, he has grasped her with his own intellect, he has set the earth firm for evermore and filled it with four-footed beasts,
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	33	he sends the light -- and it goes, he recalls it -- and trembling it obeys;
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	34	the stars shine joyfully at their posts;
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	35	when he calls them, they answer, 'Here we are'; they shine to delight their Creator.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	36	It is he who is our God, no other can compare with him.
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	37	He has uncovered the whole way of knowledge and shown it to his servant Jacob, to Israel his well-beloved;
 Baruch	Bar	32	3	38	only then did she appear on earth and live among human beings.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	1	She is the book of God's commandments, the Law that stands for ever; those who keep her shall live, those who desert her shall die.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	2	Turn back, Jacob, seize her, in her radiance make your way to light:
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	3	do not yield your glory to another, your privilege to a people not your own.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	4	Israel, blessed are we: what pleases God has been revealed to us!
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	5	Take courage, my people, memorial of Israel!
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	6	You were sold to the nations, but not for extermination. You provoked God; and so were delivered to your enemies,
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	7	since you had angered your Creator by offering sacrifices to demons, and not to God.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	8	You had forgotten the eternal God who reared you. You had also grieved Jerusalem who nursed you,
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	9	for when she saw God's anger falling on you, she said: Listen, you neighbours of Zion: God has sent me great sorrow.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	10	I have seen my sons and daughters taken into captivity, which the Eternal brought down on them.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	11	I had reared them joyfully; in tears, in sorrow, I watched them go away.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	12	Do not, any of you, exult over me, a widow, deserted by so many; I am bereaved because of the sins of my children, who turned away from the Law of God,
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	13	who did not want to know his precepts and would not follow the ways of his commandments or tread the paths of discipline as his justice directed.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	14	Come here, neighbours of Zion! Remember my sons' and daughters' captivity, which the Eternal brought down on them.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	15	How he brought a distant nation down on them, a ruthless nation speaking a foreign language, they showed neither respect for the aged, nor pity for the child;
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	16	they carried off the widow's cherished sons, they left her quite alone, bereft of her daughters.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	17	For my part, how could I help you?
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	18	He who brought those disasters down on you, is the one to deliver you from your enemies' clutches.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	19	Go, my children, go your way! I must stay bereft and lonely;
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	20	I have taken off the clothes of peace and put on the sackcloth of entreaty; all my life I shall cry to the Eternal.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	21	Take courage, my children, call on God: he will deliver you from tyranny, from the clutches of your enemies;
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	22	for I look to the Eternal for your rescue, and joy has come to me from the Holy One at the mercy soon to reach you from your Saviour, the Eternal.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	23	In sorrow and tears I watched you go away, but God will give you back to me in joy and gladness for ever.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	24	As the neighbours of Zion have now witnessed your captivity, so will they soon see your rescue by God, which will come upon you with great glory and splendour of the Eternal.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	25	My children, patiently bear the anger brought on you by God. Your enemy has persecuted you, but soon you will witness his destruction and set your foot on his neck.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	26	My favourite children have travelled by rough roads, carried off like a flock by a marauding enemy.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	27	Take courage, my children, call on God: he who brought this on you will remember you.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	28	As by your will you first strayed from God, so now turn back and search for him ten times harder;
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	29	for as he has been bringing down those disasters on you, so will he rescue you and give you eternal joy.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	30	Take courage, Jerusalem: he who gave you your name will console you.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	31	Disaster will come to all who have ill-treated you and gloated over your fall.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	32	Disaster will come to the cities where your children were slaves; disaster to whichever one received your children,
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	33	for just as she rejoiced at your fall and was happy to see you ruined, so will she grieve over her own desolation.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	34	I shall deprive her of the joy of a populous city, and her insolence will turn to mourning;
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	35	fire from the Eternal will befall her for many a day, and demons will dwell in her for ages.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	36	Jerusalem, turn your eyes to the east, see the joy that is coming to you from God.
 Baruch	Bar	32	4	37	Look, the children you watched go away are on their way home; reassembled from east and west, they are on their way home at the Holy One's command, rejoicing in God's glory.
 Baruch	Bar	32	5	1	Jerusalem, take off your dress of sorrow and distress, put on the beauty of God's glory for evermore,
 Baruch	Bar	32	5	2	wrap the cloak of God's saving justice around you, put the diadem of the Eternal One's glory on your head,
 Baruch	Bar	32	5	3	for God means to show your splendour to every nation under heaven,
 Baruch	Bar	32	5	4	and the name God gives you for evermore will be, 'Peace-through-Justice, and Glory-through-Devotion'.
 Baruch	Bar	32	5	5	Arise, Jerusalem, stand on the heights and turn your eyes to the east: see your children reassembled from west and east at the Holy One's command, rejoicing because God has remembered.
 Baruch	Bar	32	5	6	Though they left you on foot driven by enemies, now God brings them back to you, carried gloriously, like a royal throne.
 Baruch	Bar	32	5	7	For God has decreed the flattening of each high mountain, of the everlasting hills, the filling of the valleys to make the ground level so that Israel can walk safely in God's glory.
 Baruch	Bar	32	5	8	And the forests and every fragrant tree will provide shade for Israel, at God's command;
 Baruch	Bar	32	5	9	for God will guide Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with the mercy and saving justice which come from him. A copy of the letter which Jeremiah sent to those about to be led captive to Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to tell them what he had been commanded by God:
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	1	'Because of the sins which you have committed before God you are to be deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of the Babylonians.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	2	Once you have reached Babylon you will stay there for many years, as long as seven generations; after which I shall bring you home in peace.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	3	Now in Babylon you will see gods made of silver, of gold, of wood, being carried shoulder-high, and filling the gentiles with fear.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	4	Be on your guard! Do not imitate the foreigners, do not have any fear of their gods
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	5	as you see their worshippers prostrating themselves before and behind them. Instead, say in your hearts, "Master, it is you that we must worship."
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	6	For my angel is with you; your lives will be in his care.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	7	'Overlaid with gold and silver, their tongues polished smooth by a craftsman, they are counterfeit and have no power to speak.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	8	As though for a girl fond of finery, these people take gold and make crowns for the heads of their gods.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	9	And sometimes, the priests filch gold and silver from their gods to spend on themselves, even giving some of it to the prostitutes on the terrace.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	10	They dress up these gods of silver, gold and wood, in clothes, like human beings; on their own they cannot protect themselves from either tarnish or woodworm;
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	11	when they have been dressed in purple cloaks, their faces have to be dusted, because of the temple dust which settles thick on them.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	12	One holds a sceptre like the governor of a province, yet is powerless to put to death anyone who offends him;
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	13	another holds sword and mace in his right hand, yet is powerless to defend himself against war or thieves.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	14	From this it is evident that they are not gods; do not be afraid of them.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	15	'Just as a pot in common use becomes useless once it is broken, so are these gods enshrined inside their temples.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	16	Their eyes are full of dust raised by the feet of those who enter.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	17	Just as the doors are locked on all sides on someone who has offended a king and is under sentence of death, so the priests secure the temples of these gods with gates and bolts and bars for fear of burglary.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	18	They light more lamps for them than they do for themselves, and the gods see none of them.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	19	They are like one of the temple beams, which are said to be gnawed away from within; the termites creep out of the ground and eat them and their clothes too, and they feel nothing.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	20	Their faces are blackened by the smoke that rises from the temple.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	21	Bats, swallows, birds of every kind perch on their bodies and heads, and so do cats.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	22	From this, you can see for yourselves that they are not gods; do not be afraid of them.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	23	'The gold with which they are parading their futility before the world is supposed to make them look beautiful, but if someone does not rub off the tarnish, these gods will not be shining much on their own, and even while they were being cast, they felt nothing.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	24	However much was paid for them, there is still no breath of life in them.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	25	Being unable to walk, they have to be carried on men's shoulders, which shows how futile they are. It is humiliating for their worshippers, too, who have to stand them up again if they fall over.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	26	Once they have been stood up, they cannot move on their own; if they tilt askew, they cannot right themselves; offerings made to them might as well be made to the dead.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	27	Whatever is sacrificed to them, the priests re-sell and pocket the profit; while their wives salt down part of it, but give nothing to the poor or to the helpless. As to the sacrifices themselves, why, women during their periods and women in childbed are not afraid to touch them!
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	28	From all this you can tell that they are not gods; do not be afraid of them.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	29	'Indeed, how can they even be called gods, when women do the offering to these gods of silver, gold and wood?
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	30	In their temples, the priests stay sitting down, their garments torn, heads and beard shaved and heads uncovered;
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	31	they roar and shriek before their gods as people do at funeral feasts.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	32	The priests take robes from the gods to clothe their own wives and children.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	33	Whether these gods are treated badly or well, they are incapable of paying back either treatment; as incapable too of making or unmaking kings,
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	34	equally incapable of distributing wealth or money. If anyone fails to honour a vow he has made to them, they cannot call him to account.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	35	They can neither save anyone from death nor rescue the weak from the strong,
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	36	nor restore sight to the blind, nor save anyone in trouble,
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	37	nor take pity on a widow, nor be generous to an orphan.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	38	These wooden gods overlaid with gold and silver are about as much use as rocks cut out of the mountain side. Their worshippers will be confounded!
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	39	So how can anyone think or say that they are gods?
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	40	'The Chaldaeans themselves do them no honour; if they find someone who is dumb and cannot speak, they present him to Bel, entreating him for the gift of speech, as though he could perceive it!
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	41	And they are incapable of drawing the conclusion and abandoning those gods -- such is their lack of perception.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	42	Women with strings round their waists sit in the streets, burning bran like incense;
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	43	when one of these has been picked up by a passer-by and been to bed with him, she then gloats over her neighbour for not having been thought as worthy as herself and for not having had her string broken.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	44	Whatever is done for them is spurious. So how can anyone think or say that they are gods?
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	45	'Made by woodworkers and goldsmiths, they are only what those workmen decide to make them.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	46	Their makers have not long to live themselves, so how can the things they make be gods?
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	47	Their legacy to their descendants is nothing but delusion and dishonour.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	48	If war or disasters befall them, the priests discuss where best to hide themselves and these gods;
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	49	how can anyone fail to realise that they are not gods, if they cannot save themselves from war or from disasters?
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	50	And since they are only made of wood overlaid with gold or silver, it will later become apparent that they are spurious; it will be obvious to everyone, to nations as to kings, that they are not gods but the work of human hands, and that there is no divine activity in them.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	51	Does anyone still need convincing that they are not gods?
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	52	'They can neither appoint a king over a country, nor give rain to humankind,
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	53	nor regulate their own affairs, nor rescue anyone who suffers a wrong; they are as helpless as crows between sky and ground.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	54	If fire falls on the temple of these wooden gods overlaid with gold or silver, their priests fly to safety while they for their part stay there like beams, to be burnt.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	55	They cannot put up any resistance to a king or to enemies.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	56	So how can anyone think or say that they are gods?
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	57	'These wooden gods overlaid with gold or silver cannot evade thieves or marauders; strong men may rob them of their gold and silver and make off with the robes they are dressed in; yet they are powerless to help even themselves.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	58	Better to be a king displaying his prowess, a household pot of use to its owner, than to be these counterfeit gods; or merely the door of a house, protecting what is inside, than these counterfeit gods; or a wooden pillar in a palace than these counterfeit gods.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	59	The sun, the moon and the stars, which shine and have been given work to do, are obedient;
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	60	similarly, the lightning, as it flashes, is a fine sight; in the same way, the wind blows across every country,
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	61	the clouds execute the order God gives them to pass over the whole earth, and the fire, sent from above to consume mountain and forest, carries out its orders.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	62	Now these gods are not their equals, either in beauty or in power.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	63	So, no one can think or say that they are gods, powerless as they are to administer justice or to do anyone any good.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	64	Therefore, knowing that they are not gods, do not be afraid of them.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	65	'For they can neither curse nor bless kings,
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	66	nor produce signs in heaven for the nations, nor shine like the sun, nor shed light like the moon.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	67	The animals are better off than they are, being able to look after themselves by making for cover.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	68	There is not the slightest shred of evidence that they are gods; so do not be afraid of them!
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	69	'Their wooden gods overlaid with gold and silver are like a scarecrow in a field of cucumbers -- protecting nothing.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	70	Or again, their wooden gods overlaid with gold and silver are like a thorn-bush in a garden -- any kind of bird may perch on it -- or like a corpse thrown out into the dark.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	71	From the purple and linen rotting on their backs you can tell that they are not gods; and in the end, eaten away, they will be the dishonour of the country.
 Baruch	Bar	32	6	72	Better, then, someone upright who has no idols; dishonour will never come near him.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	1	In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, as I was among the exiles by the River Chebar, heaven opened and I saw visions from God.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	2	On the fifth of the month -- it was the fifth year of exile for King Jehoiachin-
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	3	the word of Yahweh was addressed to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi, in Chaldaea by the River Chebar. There the hand of Yahweh came on him.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	4	I looked; a stormy wind blew from the north, a great cloud with flashing fire and brilliant light round it, and in the middle, in the heart of the fire, a brilliance like that of amber,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	5	and in the middle what seemed to be four living creatures. They looked like this: They were of human form.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	6	Each had four faces, each had four wings.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	7	Their legs were straight; they had hooves like calves, glittering like polished brass.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	8	Below their wings, they had human hands on all four sides corresponding to their four faces and four wings.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	9	They touched one another with their wings; they did not turn as they moved; each one moved straight forward.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	10	As to the appearance of their faces, all four had a human face, and a lion's face to the right, and all four had a bull's face to the left, and all four had an eagle's face.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	11	Their wings were spread upwards, each had one pair touching its neighbour's, and the other pair covering its body.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	12	And each one moved straight forward; they went where the spirit urged them, they did not turn as they moved.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	13	Between these living creatures were what looked like blazing coals, like torches, darting backwards and forwards between the living creatures; the fire gave a brilliant light, and lightning flashed from the fire,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	14	and the living creatures kept disappearing and reappearing like flashes of lightning.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	15	Now, as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel touching the ground beside each of the four-faced living creatures.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	16	The appearance and structure of the wheels were like glittering chrysolite. All four looked alike, and their appearance and structure were such that each wheel seemed to have another wheel inside it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	17	In whichever of the four directions they moved, they did not need to turn as they moved.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	18	Their circumference was of awe-inspiring size, and the rims of all four sparkled all the way round.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	19	When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them; and when the living creatures left the ground, the wheels too left the ground.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	20	They moved in whichever direction the spirit chose to go, and the wheels rose with them, since the wheels shared the spirit of the animals.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	21	When the living creatures moved on, they moved on; when the former halted, the latter halted; when the former left the ground, the wheels too left the ground, since the wheels shared the spirit of the animals.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	22	Over the heads of the living creatures was what looked like a solid surface glittering like crystal, spread out over their heads, above them,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	23	and under the solid surface, their wings were spread out straight, touching one another, and each had a pair covering its body.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	24	I also heard the noise of their wings; when they moved, it was like the noise of flood-waters, like the voice of Shaddai, like the noise of a storm, like the noise of an armed camp; and when they halted, they lowered their wings;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	25	there was a noise too.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	26	Beyond the solid surface above their heads, there was what seemed like a sapphire, in the form of a throne. High above on the form of a throne was a form with the appearance of a human being.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	27	I saw a brilliance like amber, like fire, radiating from what appeared to be the waist upwards; and from what appeared to be the waist downwards, I saw what looked like fire, giving a brilliant light all round.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	1	28	The radiance of the encircling light was like the radiance of the bow in the clouds on rainy days. The sight was like the glory of Yahweh. I looked and fell to the ground, and I heard the voice of someone speaking to me.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	2	1	He said, 'Son of man, get to your feet; I will speak to you.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	2	2	As he said these words the spirit came into me and put me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	2	3	He said, 'Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to the rebels who have rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been in revolt against me up to the present day.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	2	4	Because they are stubborn and obstinate children, I am sending you to them, to say, "Lord Yahweh says this."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	2	5	Whether they listen or not, this tribe of rebels will know there is a prophet among them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	2	6	And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or of what they say, though you find yourself surrounded with brambles and sitting on scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or alarmed by their looks, for they are a tribe of rebels.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	2	7	You are to deliver my words to them whether they listen or not, for they are a tribe of rebels.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	2	8	But you, son of man, are to listen to what I say to you; do not be a rebel like that rebellious tribe. Open your mouth and eat what I am about to give you.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	2	9	When I looked, there was a hand stretch- ing out to me, holding a scroll.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	2	10	He un- rolled it in front of me; it was written on, front and back; on it was written 'Lamentations, dirges and cries of grief '.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	1	He then said, 'Son of man, eat what you see; eat this scroll, then go and speak to the House of Israel.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	2	I opened my mouth; he gave me the scroll to eat
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	3	and then said, 'Son of man, feed on this scroll which I am giving you and eat your fill.' So I ate it, and it tasted sweet as honey.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	4	He then said, 'Son of man, go to the House of Israel and tell them what I have said.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	5	You are not being sent to a nation that speaks a difficult foreign language; you are being sent to the House of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	6	Not to big nations that speak difficult foreign languages, and whose words you would not understand -- if I sent you to them, they would listen to you;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	7	but the House of Israel will not listen to you because it will not listen to me. The whole House of Israel is defiant and obstinate.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	8	But now, I am making you as defiant as they are, and as obstinate as they are;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	9	I am making your resolution as hard as a diamond, harder than flint. So do not be afraid of them, do not be overawed by them, for they are a tribe of rebels.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	10	Then he said, 'Son of man, take to heart everything I say to you, listen carefully,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	11	then go to your exiled countrymen and talk to them. Say to them, "Lord Yahweh says this," whether they listen or not.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	12	The spirit lifted me up, and behind me I heard a great vibrating sound, 'Blessed be the glory of Yahweh in his dwelling-place!'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	13	This was the sound of the living creatures' wings beating against each other, and the sound of the wheels beside them: a great vibrating sound.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	14	The spirit lifted me up and took me, and I went, bitter and angry, and the hand of Yahweh lay heavy on me.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	15	I came to Tel Abib, to the exiles beside the River Chebar where they were living, and there I stayed with them in a stupor for seven days.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	16	After seven days the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	17	'Son of man, I have appointed you as watchman for the House of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, warn them from me.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	18	If I say to someone wicked, "You will die," and you do not warn this person; if you do not speak to warn someone wicked to renounce evil and so save his life, it is the wicked person who will die for the guilt, but I shall hold you responsible for that death.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	19	If, however, you do warn someone wicked who then fails to renounce wickedness and evil ways, the wicked person will die for the guilt, but you yourself will have saved your life.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	20	When someone upright renounces uprightness to do evil and I set a trap for him, it is he who will die; since you failed to warn him, he will die for his guilt, and the uprightness he practised will no longer be remembered; but I shall hold you responsible for his death.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	21	If, however, you warn someone upright not to sin and this person does not sin, such a one will live, thanks to your warning, and you too will have saved your life.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	22	While I was there the hand of Yahweh came on me; he said, 'Get up, go out into the valley, and there I shall speak to you.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	23	I got up and went out into the valley; the glory of Yahweh was resting there, like the glory I had seen by the River Chebar, and I fell to the ground.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	24	The spirit of Yahweh then entered me and put me on my feet and spoke to me. He said, 'Go and shut yourself in your house.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	25	Son of man, you are about to be tied and bound, and unable to mix with other people.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	26	I am going to make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth; you will be dumb, and no longer able to reprove them, for they are a tribe of rebels.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	3	27	When I speak to you, however, I shall open your mouth and then you will say to them, "Lord Yahweh says this: Let anyone prepared to listen, listen; let anyone who refuses, refuse!"-for they are a tribe of rebels.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	1	'For your part, son of man, take a brick and lay it in front of you; on it scratch a city, Jerusalem.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	2	You are then to besiege it, trench round it, build earthworks, pitch camps and bring up battering-rams all round.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	3	Then take an iron pan and place it as though it were an iron wall between you and the city. Then fix your gaze on it; it is being besieged and you are besieging it. This is a sign for the House of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	4	'Lie down on your left side and take the guilt of the House of Israel on yourself. You will bear their guilt for as many days as you lie on that side.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	5	Allowing one day for every year of their guilt, I ordain that you bear it for three hundred and ninety days; this is how you will bear the House of Israel's guilt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	6	And when you have finished doing this, you are to lie down again, on your right side, and bear the guilt of the House of Judah for forty days. I have set the length for you as one day for one year.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	7	Then fix your gaze on the siege of Jerusalem, raise your bared arm and prophesy against her.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	8	Look, I am going to tie you up and you will not be able to turn over from one side to the other until the period of your seclusion is over.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	9	'Now take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt; put them all in the same pot and make them into bread for yourself. You are to eat it for as many days as you are lying on your side -- three hundred and ninety days.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	10	Of this food, you are to weigh out a daily portion of twenty shekels and eat it a little piece at a time.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	11	And you are to ration the water you drink -- a sixth of a hin -- drinking that a little at a time.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	12	You are to eat this in the form of a barley cake baked where they can see you, on human dung.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	13	And Yahweh said, 'This is how the Israelites will have to eat their defiled food, wherever I disperse them among the nations.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	14	I then said, 'Lord Yahweh, my soul is not defiled. From my childhood until now, I have never eaten an animal that has died a natural death or been savaged; no tainted meat has ever entered my mouth.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	15	'Very well,' he said, 'I grant you cow-dung instead of human dung; you are to bake your bread on that.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	16	He then said, 'Son of man, I am going to cut off Jerusalem's food supply; in their extremity, the food they eat will be weighed out; to their horror, the water they drink will be rationed,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	4	17	until there is no food or water left, and they fall into a stupor and waste away because of their guilt.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	1	'Son of man, take a sharp sword, use it like a barber's razor and run it over your head and beard. Then take scales and divide the hair you have cut off.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	2	Burn one-third inside the city, while the days of the siege are working themselves out. Then take another third and chop it up with the sword all round the city. The last third you are to scatter to the wind, while I unsheathe the sword behind them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	3	Also take a few hairs and tie them up in the folds of your cloak;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	4	and of these again take a few, and throw them on the fire and burn them. From them fire will come on the whole House of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	5	'The Lord Yahweh says this, "This is Jerusalem, which I have placed in the middle of the nations, surrounded with foreign countries.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	6	She has rebelled more perversely against my observances than the nations have, and against my laws than the surrounding countries have; for they have rejected my observances and not kept my laws."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	7	'Therefore, the Lord Yahweh says this, "Because your disorders are worse than those of the nations round you, since you do not keep my laws or respect my observances, and since you do not respect even the observances of the surrounding nations,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	8	very well, the Lord Yahweh says this: I, too, am against you and shall execute my judgements on you for the nations to see.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	9	Because of all your loathsome practices I shall do such things as I have never done before, nor shall ever do again.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	10	Those of you who are parents will eat their children, and children will eat their parents. I shall execute judgement on you and disperse what remains of you to the winds.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	11	For, as I live -- declares Lord Yahweh -- as sure as you have defiled my sanctuary with all your horrors and all your loathsome practices, so I too shall reject you without a glance of pity, I shall not spare you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	12	A third of your citizens will die of plague or starve to death inside you; a third will fall by the sword round you; and a third I shall scatter to the winds, unsheathing the sword behind them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	13	I shall sate my anger and bring my fury to rest on them until I am avenged; and when I have sated my fury on them, then they will know that I, Yahweh, spoke out of jealousy for you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	14	Yes, I shall reduce you to a ruin, an object of derision to the surrounding nations, in the eyes of all who pass by.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	15	You will be an object of derision and insults, an example, an object of amazement to the surrounding nations, when I execute judgement on you in furious anger and furious punishments. I, Yahweh, have spoken.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	16	On them I shall send the deadly arrows of famine, which will destroy you -- for I shall send them to destroy you; then I shall make the famine worse and cut off your food supply.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	5	17	I shall send famine and wild animals on you to rob you of your children; plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I shall bring the sword down on you. I, Yahweh, have spoken." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	2	'Son of man, turn towards the mountains of Israel and prophesy against them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	3	Say, "Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord Yahweh. The Lord Yahweh says this to mountains and hills and ravines and valleys: Look, I am going to summon the sword against you and destroy your high places.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	4	Your altars will be wrecked, and your incense burners smashed; I shall fling your butchered inhabitants down in front of your foul idols;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	5	I shall lay the corpses of the Israelites in front of their foul idols and scatter their bones all round your altars.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	6	Wherever you live, the towns will be destroyed and the high places wrecked, to the ruin and wrecking of your altars, the shattering and abolition of your foul idols, the smashing of your incense burners and the utter destruction of all your works.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	7	As the butchered fall about you, you will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	8	"But I shall spare some of you to escape the sword among the nations, when you have been dispersed in their lands;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	9	and your survivors will remember me among the nations where they are held captive, since I shall have broken their adulterous hearts for having deserted me, and destroyed their eyes for having turned adulterously towards their foul idols. They will loathe themselves for all the wrong they have caused by their loathsome practices.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	10	Then they will know that I am Yahweh and that I was not talking lightly when I said that I would inflict these disasters on them."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	11	'The Lord Yahweh says this, "Clap your hands, stamp your feet, and say: Alas for all the loathsome sins of the House of Israel, which is about to fall by sword, famine and plague!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	12	Far off, they will die by plague; near at hand they will fall by the sword; and any who survive or are spared will die of famine. This is how I shall sate my fury on them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	13	Then you will know that I am Yahweh, when their butchered corpses lie among their foul idols, all round their altars, on every high hill, on every mountain top, under every green tree, under every leafy oak, wherever they offer a smell pleasing to all their idols.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	6	14	I shall point my finger at them and reduce the country to an empty wasteland from the desert to Riblah, everywhere they live, and they will know that I am Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	2	'Son of man, say, "Lord Yahweh says this to the land of Israel: Finished! The end is coming for the four corners of the country.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	3	This is the end for you; I shall unleash my anger on you, and judge you as your conduct deserves and call you to account for all your loathsome practices.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	4	I shall show you no pity, I shall not spare you; I shall repay you for your conduct and for the loathsome practices in which you persist. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	5	"The Lord Yahweh says this: Disaster, a unique disaster, is coming.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	6	The end is coming, the end is coming, it is on the move towards you, it is coming now.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	7	Now it is your turn, you who dwell in this country. Doom is coming, the day is near; no joy now, only tumult, on the mountains.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	8	Now I shall soon vent my fury on you and sate my anger on you: I shall judge you as your conduct deserves and repay you for all your loathsome practices.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	9	I shall show neither pity nor mercy, but shall repay you for your conduct and the loathsome practices in which you persist. Then you will know that I am Yahweh and that I strike.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	10	"Now is the day, your turn has come, it has come, it appears, the sceptre has blossomed, pride is at its peak.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	11	Violence has risen to become the scourge of wickedness . . .
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	12	Doom is coming, the day is near. Neither should buyer rejoice, nor seller regret, for the fury rests on everyone alike.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	13	The seller will not be able to go back on his bargain; each persists in his sins; they take no defensive measures.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	14	The trumpet sounds, all is ready, but no one goes into battle, since my fury rests on all alike.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	15	"Outside, the sword; inside, plague and famine. Whoever is living in the countryside will die by the sword; whoever is living in the city will be devoured by famine and plague.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	16	And those who escape will escape to the mountains and there, like doves of the valleys, I shall slaughter them all, each one for his sin.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	17	Every hand will grow limp, every knee turn to water.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	18	They will put on sackcloth, each one trembling. Every face will be ashamed and every head be shaved.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	19	They will throw their silver away in the streets and their gold they will regard as a pollution; neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of Yahweh's fury. Never again will they have enough to eat, never again will they fill their bellies, since that was the occasion for their guilt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	20	They used to pride themselves on the beauty of their jewellery, out of which they made their loathsome images, their horrors; so now I have made it pollute them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	21	I shall hand it over as plunder to foreigners, as loot to the most evil people on earth. They will profane it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	22	I shall turn my face away from them, while my treasure-house is profaned and robbers will force their way in and profane it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	23	"Forge yourself a chain; for the country is full of bloody executions and the city full of deeds of violence,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	24	so I shall bring the cruellest of the nations to seize their houses. I shall put an end to the pride of their e'lite, and their sanctuary will be profaned.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	25	Terror is on the way: they will look for peace and there will be none.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	26	Disaster will follow on disaster, rumour on rumour; they will pester the prophet for a vision; the priest will be at a loss over the law and the elders on how to advise.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	7	27	The king will go into mourning, the prince be plunged in grief, the hands of the country people tremble. I shall treat them as their conduct deserves, and judge them as their own verdicts merit. Then they will know that I am Yahweh!" '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	1	In the sixth year, on the fifth day of the sixth month, I was sitting at home and the elders of Judah were sitting with me, when suddenly the hand of the Lord Yahweh fell on me there.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	2	I looked, and there was a form with the appearance of a human being. Downwards from what seemed to be the waist there was fire; and upwards from the waist there was a brilliance like the glitter of amber.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	3	Something like a hand was stretched out and it took me by a lock of my hair; and the spirit lifted me between heaven and earth and, in visions from God, took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the inner north gate, where stands the idol that provokes jealously.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	4	There was the glory of the God of Israel; it looked like what I had seen in the valley.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	5	He said, 'Son of man, raise your eyes to the north.' I raised my eyes to the north, and there, to the north of the altar gate, stood this statue of jealousy at the entrance.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	6	He said, 'Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the monstrous, loathsome things that the House of Israel is practising here, to drive me out of my sanctuary? And you will see practices more loathsome still.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	7	He next took me to the entrance to the court. I looked; there was a hole in the wall.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	8	He said, 'Son of man, bore through the wall.' I bored through the wall, until I had made an opening.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	9	He said, 'Go in and look at the loathsome things they are doing inside.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	10	I went in and looked and there was every kind of reptile and repulsive animal, and all the foul idols of the House of Israel, carved all round the walls.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	11	Seventy elders of the House of Israel were worshipping the idols -- among them Jaazaniah son of Shaphan -- each one with his censer in his hand, from which rose a fragrant cloud of incense.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	12	He said, 'Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the House of Israel do in the dark, each in his personal image-shrine? They say, "Yahweh cannot see us; Yahweh has abandoned the country." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	13	He said, 'You will see them at practices more loathsome still.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	14	He next took me to the entrance of the north gate of the Temple of Yahweh where women were sitting, weeping for Tammuz.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	15	He said, 'Son of man, do you see that? You will see even more loathsome things than that.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	16	He then led me to the inner court of the Temple of Yahweh. And there, at the entrance to Yahweh's sanctuary, between the portico and the altar, there were about twenty-five men, with their backs to Yahweh's sanctuary and their faces turned towards the east, before the rising sun.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	17	He said to me, 'Son of man, do you see that? Is it not bad enough for the House of Judah to be doing the loathsome things they are doing here? But they fill the country with violence and provoke my anger further; look at them now putting that branch to their nostrils.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	8	18	And so I shall react in fury; I shall show neither pity nor mercy. They may cry as loudly as they like to me; I will not listen.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	9	1	Then he shouted loudly for me to hear, 'The scourges of the city are approaching, each carrying his weapon of destruction!'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	9	2	Immediately six men advanced from the upper north gate, each holding a deadly weapon. Among them was a man dressed in linen, with a scribe's ink-horn in his belt. They came in and halted in front of the bronze altar.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	9	3	The glory of the God of Israel rose from above the winged creature where it had been, towards the threshold of the Temple. He called to the man dressed in linen with a scribe's ink-horn in his belt
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	9	4	and Yahweh said to him, 'Go all through the city, all through Jerusalem, and mark a cross on the foreheads of all who grieve and lament over all the loathsome practices in it.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	9	5	I heard him say to the others, 'Follow him through the city and strike. Not one glance of pity; show no mercy;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	9	6	old men, young men, girls, children, women, kill and exterminate them all. But do not touch anyone with a cross on his forehead. Begin at my sanctuary.' So they began with the old men who were in the Temple.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	9	7	He said to them, 'Defile the Temple; fill the courts with corpses; then go out!' They went out and hacked their way through the city.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	9	8	While they were hacking them down, I was left alone; I fell on my face, crying out, 'Ah, Lord Yahweh, are you going to annihilate all that is left of Israel by venting your fury on Jerusalem?'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	9	9	He said, 'The guilt of the House of Israel and Judah is immense; the country is full of bloodshed, the city full of perversity, for they say, "Yahweh has abandoned the country, Yahweh cannot see."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	9	10	Then, I too shall neither give one glance of pity nor show any mercy. I shall repay them for what they have done.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	9	11	The man dressed in linen with the scribe's ink-horn in his belt then came back and made his report, 'I have carried out your orders.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	1	Then, in vision I saw that above the solid surface over the heads of the winged creatures there was above them something like sapphire, which seemed to be like a throne.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	2	He then said to the man dressed in linen, 'Go in between the wheels below the winged creatures; take a handful of burning coal from between the winged creatures and scatter it over the city.' He went in as I watched.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	3	The winged creatures were on the right of the Temple as the man went in, and the cloud filled the inner court.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	4	The glory of Yahweh rose from above the winged creatures, towards the threshold of the Temple; the Temple was filled by the cloud and the court was full of the brightness of the glory of Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	5	The noise of the winged creatures' wings could be heard even in the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	6	When he had given the order to the man dressed in linen, 'Take the fire from between the wheels, between the winged creatures,' the man went in and stood by one of the wheels.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	7	One of the winged creatures then reached his hand out towards the fire between the winged creatures, took some of it and put it into the hands of the man dressed in linen, who took it and came out again.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	8	There appeared to be what looked like a human hand under the winged creatures' wings.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	9	And I looked, and there were four wheels beside the winged creatures, one wheel beside each winged creature, and the appearance of the wheels was like the sparkle of chrysolite.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	10	In appearance, all four looked alike, as though each wheel had another wheel inside it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	11	In whichever of the four directions they moved, they did not need to turn as they moved, but whichever way the head was facing there they followed; they did not turn as they moved,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	12	and their entire bodies, their backs, their hands, their wings, as well as the wheels, had eyes all the way round (the wheels of all four).
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	13	In my hearing, these wheels were called 'galgal'.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	14	Each had four faces; the first was a winged creature's face, the second a human face, the third a lion's face and the fourth an eagle's face.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	15	The winged creatures rose; this was the being I had seen by the River Chebar.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	16	When the winged creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them; and when the winged creatures raised their wings to leave the ground, the wheels did not turn beside them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	17	When the former halted the latter halted; when the former rose, the latter rose with them, since they shared the same living spirit.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	18	The glory of Yahweh then came out over the Temple threshold and paused over the winged creatures.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	19	These raised their wings and rose from the ground as I watched, and the wheels were beside them. They paused at the entrance to the east gate of the Temple of Yahweh, with the glory of the God of Israel over them, above.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	20	This was the winged creature I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the River Chebar; I knew that they were winged creatures.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	21	Each had four faces and four wings and what seemed to be human hands under their wings.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	10	22	Their faces were like those I had seen by the River Chebar. Each one moved straight forward.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	1	The spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of the Temple of Yahweh, the gate that looks eastwards. There at the entrance to the gate stood twenty-five men, among whom I saw Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, leaders of the people.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	2	He said to me, 'Son of man, these are the wicked schemers who are spreading their bad advice through this city.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	3	They say, "There will be no house-building yet awhile. The city is the cooking pot and we are the meat."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	4	So prophesy against them, prophesy, son of man!'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	5	The spirit of Yahweh fell on me, and he said to me, 'Say, "Yahweh says this: I know what you are saying, House of Israel, I know how insolent you are.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	6	You have filled this city with more and more of your victims; you have strewn its streets with victims.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	7	And so the Lord Yahweh says this: Your victims, whom you have put in it, are the meat, and the city is the cooking pot; but I shall take you out of it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	8	You are afraid of the sword and I shall bring the sword down on you -- declares the Lord Yahweh-
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	9	and I shall take you out of it and hand you over to foreigners and bring you to justice;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	10	you will fall by the sword on the soil of Israel; I shall execute justice on you, and you will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	11	This city will be no cooking pot for you, nor will you be the meat inside; I shall execute justice on you on the soil of Israel;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	12	and you will know that I am Yahweh, whose laws you have not obeyed and whose judgements you have not kept; instead, you have adopted the customs of the nations round you." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	13	Now as I was prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah dropped dead. I fell to the ground and cried out, 'Ah, Lord Yahweh, are you going to annihilate the remnant of Israel?'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	14	The word of Yahweh was then addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	15	'Son of man, to your brothers one and all, to your kinsfolk and to the whole House of Israel, the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, "Keep well away from Yahweh. This country has now been made over to us!"
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	16	So say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Yes, I have sent them far away among the nations and I have dispersed them to foreign countries; and for a while I have been a sanctuary for them in the country to which they have gone."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	17	So say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: I shall gather you back from the peoples, I shall collect you in from the countries where you have been scattered and give you the land of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	18	When they come back, they will purge it of all its horrors and loathsome practices.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	19	I shall give them a single heart and I shall put a new spirit in them; I shall remove the heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	20	so that they can keep my laws and respect my judgements and put them into practice. Then they will be my people and I shall be their God.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	21	But those whose hearts are set on their horrors and loathsome practices I shall repay for their conduct -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	22	The winged creatures then raised their wings and the wheels moved with them, with the glory of the God of Israel over them, above.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	23	And the glory of Yahweh rose from the centre of the city and halted on the mountain to the east of the city.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	24	Then the spirit lifted me up and took me, in vision, in the spirit of God, to the exiles in Chaldaea, and the vision which I had seen faded.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	11	25	I then told the exiles everything that Yahweh had shown me.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	2	'Son of man, you are living among a tribe of rebels who have eyes and never see, they have ears and never hear, because they are a tribe of rebels.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	3	So, son of man, pack an exile's bundle and set off for exile by daylight while they watch. You will leave your home and go somewhere else while they watch. Then perhaps they will see that they are a tribe of rebels.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	4	You will pack your baggage like an exile's bundle, by daylight, while they watch, and leave like an exile in the evening, while they watch.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	5	While they watch, make a hole in the wall, and go out through it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	6	While they watch, you will shoulder your pack and go out into the dark; you will cover your face so that you cannot see the ground, since I have made you an omen for the House of Israel.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	7	I did as I had been told. I packed my baggage like an exile's bundle, by daylight; and in the evening I made a hole through the wall with my hands; then I went out into the dark and shouldered my pack while they watched.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	8	Next morning the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	9	'Son of man, did not the House of Israel, did not that tribe of rebels, ask you, "What are you doing?"
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	10	Say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: This prophecy concerns Jerusalem and the whole House of Israel who live there."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	11	Say, "I am an omen for you; as I have done, so will be done to them; they will be deported into exile.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	12	Their prince will shoulder his pack in the dark and go out through the wall; a hole will be made to let him out; he will cover his face, so that he cannot see the country.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	13	I shall throw my net over him and catch him in my mesh; I shall take him to Babylon, to the land of the Chaldaeans, though he will not see it; and there he will die.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	14	And all those in attendance on him, his army and all his troops, I shall scatter to all the winds and unsheathe the sword behind them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	15	Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I scatter them throughout the nations and disperse them in foreign countries.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	16	But I shall let a few of them escape the sword, famine and plague, to describe all their loathsome practices to the peoples among whom they will go, so that these too may know that I am Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	17	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	18	'Son of man, you are to tremble as you eat your food and shudder apprehensively as you drink your water,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	19	and you are to say to the people of the country, "The Lord Yahweh says this to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They will shudder apprehensively as they eat their food, and drink their water in fear, so that the country and its population may be freed from the violence of its inhabitants.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	20	When the populous cities have been destroyed and the country has been reduced to desert, then you will know that I am Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	21	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	22	'Son of man, what do you understand by the saying pronounced over the land of Israel, "Days go by and visions fade"?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	23	'Very well, tell them, "The Lord Yahweh says this: I shall put an end to this saying; it will never be used in Israel again." Instead, tell them: "The days are coming when every vision will come true,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	24	for there will be no more futile visions or deceptive prophecy in the House of Israel,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	25	since I, Yahweh, shall speak. And what I shall say will come true without delay; for what I shall say, I shall perform in your own lifetime, you tribe of rebels -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	26	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	27	'Son of man, the House of Israel is now saying, "The vision that this man sees concerns the distant future; he is prophesying for times far ahead."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	12	28	Very well, tell them, "The Lord Yahweh says this: There will be no further delay in the fulfilling of any of my words. What I have said shall be done now -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	2	'Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel; prophesy, and say to those who make up prophecies out of their own heads, "Hear what Yahweh says:
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	3	The Lord Yahweh says this: Disaster is in store for the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	4	Your prophets, Israel, are like ruin-haunting jackals!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	5	"You have not ventured into the breach; you have not built up the wall round the House of Israel, to hold fast in battle on the Day of Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	6	Theirs are futile visions and false predictions, who say: A prophecy from Yahweh, when Yahweh has not sent them; yet they expect their words to come true.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	7	Have not the visions you see been futile, have not the predictions you make been false, although you say: A prophecy of Yahweh, when I have not spoken?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	8	"Very well, the Lord Yahweh says this: Because of your futile words and false predictions, I am now against you -- declares Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	9	My hand will be against the prophets who have futile visions and give false predictions; they will not be admitted to the council of my people, their names will not be entered in the roll of the House of Israel, they will not set foot on the soil of Israel; and they will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	10	This is because they have misled my people by saying Peace! when there is no peace. When my people were repairing a wall, these men came and plastered it over!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	11	Tell these plasterers: It will rain hard, it will hail, it will blow a gale,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	12	and down will come the wall! Will not people ask you: What has become of the plaster you slapped on it?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	13	Well then, the Lord Yahweh says this: I am going to unleash a stormy wind in my fury, torrential rain in my anger, hailstones in my destructive fury,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	14	and I shall shatter the wall you plastered and knock it down and lay its foundations bare. It will fall and you will perish under it; then you will know that I am Yahweh."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	15	'When I have sated my anger on the wall and those who plastered it, I shall say to you, "The wall is gone, and so are those who plastered over it,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	16	the prophets of Israel who prophesy about Jerusalem and have visions of peace for her when there is no peace -- declares the Lord Yahweh."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	17	'Also, son of man, turn to the women of your people who make up prophecies out of their own heads; prophesy against them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	18	Say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Disaster is in store for women who sew ribbons round each wrist and make head-cloths for people of all sizes, in their hunt for souls! Are you to hunt the souls of my people and keep your own souls safe?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	19	You dishonour me in front of my people for a few handfuls of barley, a few bits of bread, killing those who ought not to die and sparing those who ought not to live, lying to my people who love listening to lies.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	20	"Very well, the Lord Yahweh says this: Look, I am now against your ribbons, with which you hunt souls like birds, and I shall tear them off your arms and free those souls whom you hunt like birds.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	21	I shall tear your head-cloths to pieces and rescue my people from your clutches; no longer will they be fair game for you to ensnare. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	22	"For having intimidated with lies the heart of the upright whom I had done nothing to alarm, and for having encouraged the wicked not to give up wicked ways and so be saved,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	13	23	very well, you will have no more futile visions and make no more predictions, for I shall rescue my people from your clutches, and you will know that I am Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	1	Next, some elders of Israel visited me and while they were sitting with me,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	2	the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	3	'Son of man, these men have enshrined their foul idols in their hearts and placed the cause of their sinning right before their eyes. Why should I let myself be consulted by them?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	4	So speak to them; tell them this, "Lord Yahweh says this: Every member of the House of Israel who enshrines his foul idols in his heart and places the cause of his sinning right before his eyes, and who then approaches the prophet, will get this answer from me, Yahweh, as the multiplicity of his idols deserves,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	5	and in this way I hope to win back the hearts of the House of Israel who have all been estranged from me by their foul idols."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	6	'So say to the House of Israel, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Come back, turn away from your foul idols, turn your backs on all your loathsome practices;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	7	for if any member of the House of Israel -- or any foreigner living in Israel -- deserts me to enshrine his foul idols in his heart and places the cause of his sinning right before his eyes and then approaches a prophet to consult me through him, he will get his answer from me, Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	8	I shall set my face against that person; I shall make him an example and a byword; I shall rid my people of him, and you will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	9	And if the prophet is seduced into saying something, I, Yahweh, shall have seduced that prophet; I shall point my finger at him and rid my people Israel of him.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	10	Both will be punished for their guilt; the prophet's punishment will be the same as that of the person who consults him,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	11	so that the House of Israel will never stray from me again or defile themselves again with these crimes, but be my people and I their God -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	12	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me:
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	13	'Son of man, when a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I point my finger at it and destroy its supply of food, inflicting famine on it and denuding it of human and animal,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	14	even if the three men, Noah, Danel and Job, were living in it, they would save no one but themselves by their uprightness -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	15	Were I to unleash wild beasts on that country to rob it of its children and reduce it to a desert which no one would dare to cross because of the animals,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	16	even if these three men were living there, as I live -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- they would not be able to save either son or daughter; they alone would be saved, and the country would become a desert.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	17	Were I to bring the sword down on that country and say, "Sword, cross the country!" so as to denude it of human and animal,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	18	even if these three men were living there, as I live -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- they would not be able to save either son or daughter; they alone would be saved.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	19	If I were to send the plague on that country and vent my fury on it by bloodshed, so as to denude it of human and animal,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	20	even if Noah and Danel and Job were living there, as I live -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- they would be able to save neither son nor daughter, only themselves by their uprightness.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	21	'The Lord Yahweh says this, "Even if I send my four dreadful scourges on Jerusalem-sword, famine, wild beasts and plague -- to denude it of human and animal,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	22	even so, there will be a remnant left, a few men and women who come through; when they come to you and you see their conduct and actions, you will take comfort in spite of the disaster which I have brought on Jerusalem, in spite of all I have brought on her.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	14	23	They will comfort you, when you see their conduct and actions, and so you will know that I have not done in vain all I have done to her -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	15	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows:
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	15	2	Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than wood from the branch of a forest tree?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	15	3	Is its wood used for making anything? Are pegs on which to hang things made from it?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	15	4	There it is, thrown on the fire for fuel. The fire burns off both ends; the middle is charred; can it be kept for anything now?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	15	5	While it was intact, you could make nothing with it; burned and charred, is it any more useful now?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	15	6	So, the Lord Yahweh says this: As the wood of the vine among the forest trees, which I have thrown on the fire for fuel, so shall I treat the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	15	7	I shall set my face against them. They have escaped one fire, but fire will devour them yet. And you will know that I am Yahweh, when I set my face against them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	15	8	I shall reduce the country to a desert, because of their infidelity- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	2	'Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her loathsome practices!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	3	Say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: By origin and birth you belong to the land of Canaan. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	4	At birth, the very day you were born, there was no one to cut your navel-string, or wash you in water to clean you, or rub you with salt, or wrap you in swaddling clothes.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	5	No one looked at you with pity enough to do any of these things out of sympathy for you. You were exposed in the open fields in your own dirt on the day you were born.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	6	"I saw you kicking on the ground in your blood as I was passing, and I said to you as you lay in your blood: Live!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	7	and I made you grow like the grass of the fields. You developed, you grew, you reached marriageable age. Your breasts became firm and your hair grew richly, but you were stark naked.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	8	Then I saw you as I was passing. Your time had come, the time for love. I spread my cloak over you and covered your nakedness; I gave you my oath, I made a covenant with you -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- and you became mine.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	9	I bathed you in water, I washed the blood off you, I anointed you with oil.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	10	I gave you embroidered dresses, fine leather shoes, a linen headband and a cloak of silk.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	11	I loaded you with jewels, gave you bracelets for your wrists and a necklace for your throat.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	12	I gave you nose-ring and earrings; I put a beautiful diadem on your head.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	13	You were loaded with gold and silver and dressed in linen and silk and brocade. Your food was the finest flour, honey and oil. You grew more and more beautiful; and you rose to be queen.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	14	The fame of your beauty spread through the nations, since it was perfect, because I had clothed you with my own splendour -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	15	"But you became infatuated with your own beauty and used your fame to play the whore, lavishing your debauchery on all comers.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	16	You took some of your clothes to make for yourself high places bright with colours and there you played the whore.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	17	You also took your jewellery, made with my gold and silver which I had given you, and made yourself male images to serve your whorings.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	18	You took your embroidered clothes and used these to dress them up, and you offered them my oil and my incense.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	19	And the bread I gave you, the finest flour, the oil and honey with which I fed you, you offered them as a pleasing smell. "What is more -- declares the Lord Yahweh-
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	20	you took the sons and daughters you had borne me and sacrificed them as food to the images. Was not your whoring enough in itself,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	21	for you to slaughter my children and hand them over to be burnt in their honour?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	22	And in all your loathsome practices and your whorings you never called your early days to mind, when you were stark naked, kicking on the ground in your own blood.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	23	"To crown your wickedness -- disaster upon you, disaster! declares the Lord Yahweh-
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	24	you built yourself a mound and made yourself a high place in every open space.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	25	At the entry to every alley you made yourself a high place, defiling your beauty and opening your legs to all comers in countless acts of fornication.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	26	You have also fornicated with your big-membered neighbours, the Egyptians, provoking my anger with further acts of fornication.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	27	So now I have raised my hand against you, I have cut down on your food, I have put you at the mercy of your enemies, the Philistine women, who blush at your lewd behaviour.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	28	Still unsatisfied, you prostituted yourself to the Assyrians; you played the whore with them, but were not satisfied even then.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	29	You committed further acts of fornication in the country of merchants, with the Chaldaeans, and these did not satisfy you either.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	30	"How simple-minded you are!-declares the Lord Yahweh -- for although you do all the things that a professional prostitute would,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	31	in building a mound and making yourself a high place in every street, you do not act like a proper prostitute because you disdain to take a fee.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	32	An adulteress welcomes strangers instead of her husband.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	33	All prostitutes accept presents, but you give presents to all your lovers, you bribe them to come from all over the place to fornicate with you!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	34	In fornicating, you are the opposite of other women, since no one runs after you to fornicate with you; since you give the fee and do not get one, you are the very opposite!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	35	"Very well, whore, hear the word of Yahweh!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	36	The Lord Yahweh says this: For having squandered your money and let yourself be seen naked while whoring with your lovers and all the foul idols of your loathsome practices and for giving them your children's blood-
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	37	for all this, I shall assemble all the lovers to whom you have given pleasure, all the ones you liked and also all the ones you disliked; yes, I shall assemble them round you and strip you naked in front of them, and let them see you naked from head to foot.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	38	I shall pass on you the sentence that adulteresses and murderesses receive; I shall hand you over to their jealous fury;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	39	I shall hand you over to them; they will destroy your mound and pull down your high place; they will tear off your clothes, take away your jewels and leave you stark naked.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	40	Then they will call an assembly of citizens to deal with you, who will stone you to death and hack you to pieces with their swords,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	41	and burn down your premises and execute justice on you, while many other women look on; and I shall put an end to your whoring: no more paid lovers for you!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	42	Once my fury is exhausted with you, then my jealousy will leave you; I shall be calm and not angry any more.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	43	Since you never called to mind your early days and have done nothing but provoke me, now I in my turn shall bring your conduct down on your own head -- declares the Lord Yahweh! "Have you not added this lewd behaviour to your other loathsome practices?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	44	So now all dealers in proverbs will apply this one to you: Like mother, like daughter.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	45	Yes; you are a true daughter of your mother, who hated her husband and her children; you are a true sister of your sisters, who hated their husbands and their children. Your mother was a Hittite and your father an Amorite.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	46	Your elder sister is Samaria, who lives to the north of you with her daughters. Your younger sister is Sodom, who lives to the south of you with her daughters.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	47	You never failed to imitate their behaviour and copy their loathsome practices, and soon your behaviour was more corrupt than theirs was.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	48	As I live -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- your sister Sodom and her daughters never did what you and your daughters have done.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	49	The crime of your sister Sodom was pride, gluttony, calm complacency; such were hers and her daughters' crimes. They never helped the poor and needy;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	50	they were proud, and engaged in loathsome practices before me, and so I swept them away as you have seen.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	51	And yet Samaria never committed half the crimes that you have. "You have done more loathsome things than they have. By all your loathsome practices you have made your sisters seem innocent,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	52	and now you bear the shame of which you have freed your sisters; since the sins which you have committed are more revolting than theirs, they are more upright than you are. So now, bear the disgrace and shame of having put your sisters in the right.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	53	"I shall restore their fortunes, I shall restore Sodom and her daughters, I shall re- store Samaria and her daughters, and then I shall restore your fortune with theirs,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	54	so that you can bear your shame and disgrace for all you have done, and so console them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	55	When your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, are restored to what they were, and Samaria and her daughters are restored to what they were, then you too and your daughters will be restored to what you were.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	56	Did you not gloat over your sister Sodom when you were so proud,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	57	before you were stripped naked? Like her, you are now the laughing-stock of the women of Edom, of all the women round, of the women of Philistia, who pour out their contempt on you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	58	You have brought this on yourself, with your lewdness and your loathsome practices -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	59	"For the Lord Yahweh says this: I shall treat you as you have deserved for making light of an oath and breaking a covenant,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	60	but I shall remember my covenant with you when you were a girl and shall conclude a covenant with you that will last for ever.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	61	And you for your part will remember your behaviour and feel ashamed of it when you receive your elder and younger sisters and I make them your daughters, although this is not included in my covenant with you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	62	I shall renew my covenant with you; and you will know that I am Yahweh,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	16	63	and so remember and feel ashamed and in your confusion be reduced to silence, when I forgive you for everything you have done -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	2	'Son of man, put a riddle, propound a parable to the House of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	3	Say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: A great eagle with great wings, long-pinioned, rich with many-coloured plumage, came to the Lebanon.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	4	He took the top of the cedar tree, he plucked off the top branch, he carried it off to the country of merchants and set it down in a city of shopkeepers.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	5	Next, he took one of the country's seeds and put it in a fertile field; by the side of a generous stream, like a willow tree, he placed it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	6	It grew and became a fruitful vine of modest size, grew up towards the eagle, its roots grew downwards. So it became a vine, branching out and sprouting new shoots.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	7	But there was another great eagle with great wings and thick plumage. And now the vine twisted its roots towards him and stretched its branches towards him, for him to water it away from the bed where it was planted.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	8	It was in a fertile field, by the side of a wide stream that the vine had been planted, to branch out and bear fruit and become a noble vine."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	9	Say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Will it succeed? Will the eagle not tear out its roots and strip off its fruit, so that all the new leaves it puts out will wither, and no great strength is needed nor many people to pull it up by the roots?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	10	Planted it may be -- will it succeed? Will it not shrivel up when the east wind blows? It will wither in the bed where it was growing!" '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	11	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows:
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	12	'Say to that tribe of rebels, "Do you not know what this means?" Say this, 'Look, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem; he carried away the king and the princes, and took them to his home in Babylon.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	13	He took a member of the royal family and made a treaty with him, forcing him to swear loyalty, having already deported the leading men of the country,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	14	so that the kingdom would remain modest and without ambitions, and would keep and honour his treaty.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	15	But the prince rebelled against him and sent envoys to Egypt to procure himself horses and a large number of troops. Will he succeed? Will a man who has done this go unpunished? Can he break a treaty and go unpunished?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	16	As I live, I swear it -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- in Babylon, in the country of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he has disregarded and whose treaty he has broken, there he will die.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	17	Despite the pharaoh's great army and hordes of men, he will not be able to save him by fighting, however many earthworks are raised, however many trenches dug to the loss of many lives.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	18	He has disregarded the oath by breaking the treaty to which he had pledged himself and, having done all this, will not go unpunished.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	19	"So, the Lord Yahweh says this: As I live, I swear it: my oath which he has disregarded, my treaty which he has broken, I shall make them both recoil on his own head.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	20	I shall throw my net over him, he will be caught in my mesh; I shall take him to Babylon and punish him there for being unfaithful to me.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	21	All the pick of all his troops will fall by the sword, and the survivors be scattered to all the winds. And you will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	22	"The Lord Yahweh says this: From the top of the tall cedar tree, from the highest branch I shall take a shoot and plant it myself on a high and lofty mountain.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	23	I shall plant it on the highest mountain in Israel. It will put out branches and bear fruit and grow into a noble cedar tree. Every kind of bird will live beneath it, every kind of winged creature will rest in the shade of its branches.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	17	24	And all the trees of the countryside will know that I, Yahweh, am the one who lays the tall tree low and raises the low tree high, who makes the green tree wither and makes the withered bear fruit. I, Yahweh, have spoken, and I will do it." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	2	'Why do you keep repeating this proverb in the land of Israel: The parents have eaten unripe grapes; and the children's teeth are set on edge?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	3	'As I live -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- you will have no further cause to repeat this proverb in Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	4	Look, all life belongs to me; the father's life and the son's life, both alike belong to me. The one who has sinned is the one to die.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	5	'But if a man is upright, his actions law-abiding and upright,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	6	and he does not eat on the mountains or raise his eyes to the foul idols of the House of Israel, does not defile his neighbour's wife or touch a woman during her periods,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	7	oppresses no one, returns the pledge on a debt, does not rob, gives his own food to the hungry, his clothes to those who lack clothing,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	8	does not lend for profit, does not charge interest, abstains from evil, gives honest judgement between one person and another,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	9	keeps my laws and sincerely respects my judgements -- someone like this is truly upright and will live -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	10	'But if he has a son prone to violence and bloodshed, who commits one of these misdeeds-
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	11	even though the father never has -- a son who dares to eat on the mountains, who defiles his neighbour's wife,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	12	who oppresses the poor and needy, robs, fails to return pledges, raises his eyes to foul idols, engages in loathsome practices,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	13	lends for profit, or charges interest, such a person will by no means live; having committed all these appalling crimes he will die, and his blood be on his own head.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	14	'But if he in turn has a son who, in spite of seeing all the sins that his father has committed, does not imitate him,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	15	does not eat on the mountains or raise his eyes to the foul idols of the House of Israel, does not defile his neighbour's wife,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	16	oppresses no one, takes no pledges, does not rob, gives his own food to the hungry, his clothes to those who lack clothing,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	17	abstains from evil, does not lend for profit or charge interest, respects my judgements and keeps my laws, he will not die for his father's sins: he will most certainly live.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	18	But his father, because he was violent, robbed others and never did good among his people, will most certainly die in his guilt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	19	'Now, you say, "Why doesn't the son bear his father's guilt?" If the son has been law-abiding and upright, has kept all my laws and followed them, most certainly he will live.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	20	The one who has sinned is the one who must die; a son is not to bear his father's guilt, nor a father his son's guilt. The upright will be credited with his uprightness, and the wicked with his wickedness.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	21	'If the wicked, however, renounces all the sins he has committed, respects my laws and is law-abiding and upright, he will most certainly live; he will not die.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	22	None of the crimes he committed will be remembered against him from then on; he will most certainly live because of his upright actions.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	23	Would I take pleasure in the death of the wicked -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- and not prefer to see him renounce his wickedness and live?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	24	'But if the upright abandons uprightness and does wrong by copying all the loathsome practices of the wicked, is he to live? All his upright actions will be forgotten from then on; for the infidelity of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, he will most certainly die.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	25	'Now, you say, "What the Lord does is unjust." Now listen, House of Israel: is what I do unjust? Is it not what you do that is unjust?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	26	When the upright abandons uprightness and does wrong and dies, he dies because of the wrong which he himself has done.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	27	Similarly, when the wicked abandons wickedness to become law-abiding and upright, he saves his own life.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	28	Having chosen to renounce all his previous crimes, he will most certainly live: he will not die.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	29	And yet the House of Israel says, "What the Lord does is unjust." Is what I do unjust, House of Israel? Is it not what you do that is unjust?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	30	So in future, House of Israel, I shall judge each of you by what that person does -- declares the Lord Yahweh. Repent, renounce all your crimes, avoid all occasions for guilt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	31	Shake off all the crimes you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why die, House of Israel?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	18	32	I take no pleasure in the death of anyone -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- so repent and live!'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	1	'Now, raise a lament for the princes of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	2	Say: What was your mother? A lioness among lions; lying among the cubs she nursed her whelps.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	3	She reared one of her whelps: he grew into a young lion; he learnt to tear his prey; he became a man-eater.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	4	The nations came to hear of him; he was caught in their pit; they dragged him away with hooks to Egypt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	5	Her expectation thwarted, and seeing her hope dashed, she took another of her whelps and made a young lion of him.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	6	He prowled among the lions, he grew into a young lion, he learnt to tear his prey; he became a man-eater.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	7	He tore down their palaces, he destroyed their cities; the land and all its inhabitants were appalled by the sound of his roars.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	8	The nations marched out against him from the surrounding provinces; they spread their net over him; he was caught in their pit.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	9	They shackled him with hooks, they took him to the king of Babylon and threw him into a fortress, so that his voice could never again be heard on the mountains of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	10	Your mother was like a vine planted beside the water, fruitful and leafy, because the water flowed so full.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	11	She had stout stems which became kingly sceptres; she grew higher and higher, up into the clouds; she was admired for her height and the number of her branches.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	12	But she was furiously uprooted and thrown on the ground; the east wind dried up her fruit, she was broken to pieces; her stout stem dried up, the fire devoured it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	13	Now she has been transplanted to the desert, to a dry and thirsty land.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	19	14	Fire burst out of her stem devouring her branches and fruit. No more stout stem for her, no more kingly sceptre.' This is a lament; it was used as such.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	1	In the seventh year, on the tenth day of the fifth month, some of the elders of Israel came to consult Yahweh and were sitting with me,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	2	when the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	3	'Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel. Say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Have you come to consult me? As I live, I will not be consulted by you -- declares the Lord Yahweh."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	4	'Are you ready to judge them? Are you ready to judge them, son of man? Confront them with the loathsome practices of their ancestors.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	5	Say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: On the day when I chose Israel, when I pledged my word to the House of Jacob, I made myself known to them in Egypt; I pledged my word to them and said: I am Yahweh your God.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	6	That day I pledged them my word that I would bring them out of Egypt to a country which I had reconnoitred for them, a country flowing with milk and honey, and the loveliest of them all.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	7	And I said to them: Each of you must reject the horrors which attract you; do not pollute yourselves with the foul idols of Egypt; I am Yahweh your God.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	8	But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me. Not one of them rejected the horrors which attracted them; they did not give up the foul idols of Egypt. I then resolved to vent my fury on them, to sate my anger on them in Egypt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	9	But respect for my own name kept me from letting it be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, and before whom I had made myself known to them and promised to bring them out of Egypt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	10	So I brought them out of Egypt and led them into the desert.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	11	I gave them my laws and taught them my judgements, in whose observance people find life.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	12	And I also gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between me and them, so that they might know that I, Yahweh, am the one who sanctifies them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	13	The House of Israel, however, rebelled against me in the desert; they refused to keep my laws, they scorned my judgements, in whose observance people find life, and they grossly profaned my Sabbaths. I then resolved to vent my fury on them in the desert and destroy them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	14	But respect for my own name kept me from letting it be profaned in the eyes of the nations, before whom I had brought them out.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	15	Even so, I pledged them my word in the desert that I would not lead them to the country which I had given them, a country flowing with milk and honey, and the loveliest of them all,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	16	since they had scorned my judgements, had refused to keep my laws and had profaned my Sabbaths, their hearts being attached to foul idols.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	17	In spite of this, I took pity on them; I refrained from destroying them and did not make an end of them in the desert.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	18	"I said to their children in the desert: Do not follow the laws of your ancestors, do not practise their judgements, do not defile yourselves with their foul idols.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	19	I am Yahweh your God. Keep my laws, respect my judgements and practise them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	20	Keep my Sabbaths holy; let them be a sign between me and you, so that people may know that I am Yahweh your God.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	21	Their children, however, rebelled against me; they refused to keep my laws, they did not respect or practise my judgements, which must be practised by all who want to live; they profaned my Sabbaths. I then resolved to vent my fury on them, to sate my anger on them  in the desert.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	22	But I restrained my hand; respect for my own name kept me from letting it be profaned in the eyes of the nations, before whom I had brought them out.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	23	Once again, however, I pledged them my word that I would scatter them throughout the nations and disperse them in foreign countries,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	24	because they had not followed my judgements but had rejected my laws and profaned my Sabbaths, their eyes being fastened on the foul idols of their ancestors.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	25	And for this reason I gave them laws that were not good and judgements by which they could never live;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	26	and I polluted them with their own offerings, making them sacrifice every first-born son in order to fill them with revulsion, so that they would know that I am Yahweh."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	27	'For this reason, son of man, speak to the House of Israel. Say to them, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Here is another way by which your ancestors outraged me by their infidelity.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	28	Once I had brought them into the country which I had pledged my word to give them, they then saw all sorts of high hills, all kinds of leafy trees, and there they performed their sacrifices and made offerings that provoked my anger; there they set out their pleasing smell and poured their libations.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	29	I then said to them: What is this high place where you go? And they gave, and still give it, the name of Bamah."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	30	'So, say to the House of Israel, "The Lord Yahweh says this: If you are polluting yourselves as your ancestors did by fornicating with their horrors-
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	31	for by offering your gifts and by burning your children as sacrifices, you have been polluting yourselves with all your foul idols to this very day -- shall I let myself be consulted by you, House of Israel? As I live -- declares Lord Yahweh -- I shall not let myself be consulted by you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	32	And what you sometimes imagine will never be so, when you say: We shall be like the peoples, the tribes of foreign lands, worshipping wood and stone.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	33	As I live I swear it -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- I am the one who will reign over you, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, once my fury is sated.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	34	With a strong hand and outstretched arm, once my fury is sated, I shall bring you back from the peoples and gather you again from the countries throughout which you have been scattered.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	35	I shall lead you into the desert of the nations and there I shall judge you face to face.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	36	As I judged your ancestors in the desert of Egypt, so will I judge you -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	37	I shall make you pass under the crook, bring you to respect the covenant
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	38	and rid you of the rebels who have revolted against me; I shall bring them out of the country where they are staying, but they will not enter the country of Israel, and you will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	39	House of Israel, Lord Yahweh says this: Go on, all of you, worship your foul idols, but later we shall see if you don't listen to me! Then you will stop profaning my holy name with your offerings and your foul idols.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	40	For on my holy mountain, on the high mountain of Israel -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- is where the whole House of Israel, everyone in the country, will worship me. There I shall accept and there expect your presents, your choicest offering and all your consecrated gifts.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	41	I shall welcome you like a pleasing smell when I bring you back from the peoples and gather you from the countries throughout which you have been scattered, and through you I shall display my holiness for all the nations to see;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	42	and you will know that I am Yahweh, when I bring you back to the soil of Israel, to the country which I pledged my word to give to your ancestors.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	43	There you will remember your past behaviour and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the wrongs which you have committed.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	20	44	And you will know that I am Yahweh, when I treat you as respect for my own name requires, and not as your wicked behaviour and corrupt actions deserve, House of Israel -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	2	'Son of man, turn to the right; utter your word towards the south, prophesy against the forest land of the Negeb.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	3	Say to the forest of Negeb, "Hear the word of Yahweh! The Lord Yahweh says this: Listen; I am about to kindle a fire in you which will burn up every green tree in you as well as every dry one; it will be an unquenchable blaze and every face will be scorched by it from the Negeb to the north.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	4	All humanity will see that it was I, Yahweh, who kindled it, and it will not be extinguished." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	5	I said, 'Lord Yahweh, they say of me, "He does nothing but speak in riddles!"'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	6	Then the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	7	'Son of man, turn towards Jerusalem, utter your word towards the sanctuary and prophesy against the land of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	8	Say to the land of Israel, "Yahweh says this: Now I am against you; I am about to unsheathe my sword and rid you of the upright and the wicked alike.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	9	Since I am going to rid you of upright and wicked alike, I shall unsheathe my sword against everyone alive, from the Negeb to the north,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	10	so that everyone alive will know that I, Yahweh, am the one who has unsheathed my sword; it will not go back again."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	11	'Son of man, groan as though your heart were breaking. Utter your bitter groans where they can see you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	12	And if they say, "Why these groans?" reply, "Because of the news which is about to come, all hearts will sink, all hands grow weak, all spirits grow faint and all knees turn to water. It is coming now, it is here!-declares Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	13	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	14	'Son of man, prophesy. Say, "The Lord says this. Say: The sword, the sword has been sharpened and polished,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	15	sharpened for slaughter, polished to flash like lightning . . .
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	16	He has had it polished to be wielded, this sword sharpened and polished to put in the slaughterer's hand!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	17	Shout and wail, son of man, for it will come on my people, on all the chief men of Israel doomed like my people to the sword! So beat your breast,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	18	for this will be an ordeal . . . declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	19	So prophesy, son of man, and clap your hands! Let the sword pass three times, that sword for victims, that sword for a great victim, threatening them from every side!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	20	To make hearts sink and make sure many fall, I have posted the slaughtering sword at every gate to flash like lightning, polished for slaughter.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	21	Be sharp, on the right, be ready on the left, whichever way your blade is needed!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	22	I too shall clap my hands and sate my fury! I, Yahweh, have spoken." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	23	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	24	'Son of man, mark out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to come along, making both of them begin from the same country. Then put up a signpost, put it where the road leaves for the city,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	25	trace the route which the sword should take for Rabbah-of-the-Ammonites, and for Judah, to the fortress of Jerusalem.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	26	For the king of Babylon has halted at the fork where these two roads diverge, to take the omens. He has shaken the arrows, questioned the household gods, inspected the liver.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	27	The lot marked 'Jerusalem' is in his right hand: there to set up battering-rams, give the word for slaughter, raise the war cry, level battering-rams against the gates, cast up earthworks, build entrenchments.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	28	The inhabitants will believe that these omens are idle, for they have received sworn guarantees, but he will bring their guilt to mind and capture them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	29	And so the Lord Yahweh says this, "Since you have brought your guilt to mind by parading your misdeeds and flaunting your sins in everything you do: because you have drawn attention to yourselves, you will be captured.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	30	As for you, impious and wicked prince of Israel, whose doom is approaching to put an end to your crimes,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	31	the Lord Yahweh says this: They will take away your diadem and remove your crown. Everything will be changed; the low will be raised and the high brought low!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	32	Ruin, ruin, I shall bring such ruin as never was before, until the rightful ruler comes, on whom I shall bestow it."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	33	'Son of man, prophesy and say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: In reply to the Ammonites and their jeers, say: The sword, the sword is drawn for slaughter, polished to devour, to flash like lightning-
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	34	while you have empty visions and consult lying omens-to cut the throats of the wicked, whose doom is approaching to put an end to their crimes.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	35	Put it back in the scabbard. The place where you were created, the land of your origin, will be where I judge you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	36	I shall vent my fury on you, breathe the fire of my rage against you and hand you over to barbarous men whose trade is destruction.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	21	37	You will be fuel for the fire, your blood will flow through the country, you will leave no memory behind you; for I, Yahweh, have spoken!" '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	2	'Son of man, are you ready to judge? Are you ready to judge the blood-stained city? Confront her with all her loathsome practices!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	3	Say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: City shedding blood inside yourself to hasten your doom, making foul idols on your soil to defile yourself,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	4	you have incurred guilt by the blood you have shed, you have defiled yourself with the foul idols you have made, you have shortened your days, you have come to the end of your years. This is why I have made you an object of scorn to the nations and a laughing-stock to every country.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	5	From far and near they will taunt you with your infamous disorders.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	6	"Look! In you the princes of Israel, one and all, have furthered their own interests at the cost of bloodshed;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	7	in you people have despised their fathers and mothers; in you they have ill-treated the settler; in you they have oppressed the widow and orphan.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	8	You have treated my sanctuary with contempt, you have profaned my Sabbaths.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	9	In you informers incite to bloodshed; in you people eat on the mountains and act licentiously;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	10	in you they have sexual intercourse with their fathers; in you they force themselves on women in their periods;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	11	in you one man engages in loathsome practices with his neighbour's wife, another lewdly defiles his daughter-in-law, another violates his sister, his own father's daughter.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	12	In you people take bribes for shedding blood; you lend for profit and charge interest, you profit from your fellow by extortion and have forgotten about me -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	13	"Now I shall clap my hands at your acts of banditry and the blood that flows in you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	14	Will your heart be able to resist, will your hands be steady, the day when I call you to account? I, Yahweh, have spoken and shall act.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	15	I shall scatter you among the nations and disperse you in foreign countries, and so put an end to the filthiness now inside you;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	16	through your own fault, you will be profaned in the eyes of the nations, and you will know that I am Yahweh!" '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	17	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	18	'Son of man, for me, the House of Israel has become dross: copper, tin, iron, lead, all mixed up together in the melting-pot; they are dross.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	19	And so, Lord Yahweh says this, "Since you have all become dross, right! I shall collect you inside Jerusalem.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	20	As silver, copper, iron, lead and tin are collected in the melting-pot, and the fire is blown underneath to melt them down, so I shall collect you in my furious anger and have you melted down;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	21	I shall collect you and blow up the fire of my rage for you and have you melted down inside the city.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	22	As silver is melted in the melting-pot, so you will be melted down inside the city, and you will know that I, Yahweh, have vented my fury on you." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	23	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	24	'Son of man, say to her, "You are a land that has not received rain or shower on the day of anger.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	25	In you, the princes are like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They have eaten the people, seized wealth and jewels and widowed many inside her.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	26	Her priests have violated my law and desecrated my sanctuary; they have made no distinction between sacred and profane, they have not taught people the difference between clean and unclean; they have turned their eyes away from my Sabbaths and I have been dishonoured by them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	27	In her the leaders are wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood and killing people to steal their possessions.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	28	Her prophets have plastered these things over with their empty visions and lying prophecies, saying: Yahweh says this, although Yahweh has not spoken.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	29	The people of the country have taken to extortion and banditry; they have oppressed the poor and needy and ill-treated the settler in a way that is unjustifiable.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	30	I have been looking for someone among them to build a barricade and oppose me in the breach, to defend the country and prevent me from destroying it; but I have found no one.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	22	31	Hence I have vented my fury on them; I have put an end to them in the fire of my rage. I have made their conduct recoil on their own heads -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	2	'Son of man, there were once two women, daughters of the same mother.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	3	They played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore when they were still girls. There their nipples were handled, there their virgin breasts were first fondled.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	4	Their names were: Oholah the elder, Oholibah her sister. They belonged to me and bore sons and daughters. As regards their names, Samaria is Oholah, Jerusalem Oholibah.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	5	Now Oholah played the whore, although she belonged to me; she lusted after her lovers, her neighbours the Assyrians,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	6	dressed in purple, governors and magistrates, all of them young and desirable, and skilful horsemen.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	7	She played the whore with all of them, the pick of Assyria, and defiled herself with all the foul idols of all those with whom she was in love,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	8	nor did she give up the whoring begun in Egypt, where men had slept with her from her girlhood, fondling her virgin breasts, debauching her over and over again.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	9	'That is why I have handed her over to her lovers, to the Assyrians with whom she was in love.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	10	They stripped her naked, seized her sons and daughters and put her to the sword. She became notorious among women for the justice done on her.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	11	'Her sister Oholibah saw all this, but she was even more depraved, and her whorings were worse than her sister's.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	12	She fell in love with her neighbours the Assyrians, governors and magistrates, dressed in sumptuous clothes, skilful horsemen, all young and desirable.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	13	Then I saw that she had defiled herself, that both sisters were equally bad.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	14	She began whoring worse than ever; no sooner had she seen wall-carvings of men, pictures of Chaldaeans coloured vermilion,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	15	men with sashes round their waists and elaborate turbans on their heads, all so lordly of bearing, depicting the Babylonians, natives of Chaldaea,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	16	than she fell in love with them at first sight and sent messengers to them in Chaldaea.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	17	The Babylonians came to her, shared her love-bed and defiled her with their whoring. Once defiled by them, she withdrew her affection from them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	18	Thus she flaunted her whoring, exposing her body, until I withdrew my affection from her as I had withdrawn it from her sister.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	19	But she began whoring worse than ever, remembering her girlhood, when she had played the whore in Egypt,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	20	when she had been in love with their profligates, big-membered as donkeys, ejaculating as violently as stallions.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	21	'You were hankering for the debauchery of your girlhood, when they used to handle your nipples in Egypt and fondle your young breasts.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	22	And so, Oholibah, Lord Yahweh says this, "I shall set all your lovers against you, from whom you have withdrawn your affection, and bring them to assault you from all directions:
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	23	the Babylonians and all the Chaldaeans, the men of Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, young and desirable, all governors and magistrates, all famous lords and skilful horsemen.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	24	From the north, they will advance on you with chariots and wagons and an international army and beset you with shield, buckler and helmet on all sides. I shall charge them to pass sentence on you and they will pass sentence on you as they think fit.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	25	I shall direct my jealousy against you; they will treat you with fury; they will cut off your nose and ears, and what is left of your family will fall by the sword; they will seize your sons and daughters, and what is left will be burnt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	26	They will strip off your garments and rob you of your jewels.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	27	I shall put an end to your debauchery and to the whorings you began in Egypt; you will not look to the Egyptians any more, you will never think of them again.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	28	For the Lord Yahweh says this: Now, I shall hand you over to those you hate, to those for whom you no longer feel affection.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	29	They will treat you with hatred, they will rob you of the entire fruit of your labours and leave you stark naked. And thus your shameful whorings will be exposed, your debauchery and your whorings.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	30	This will happen to you because you have played the whore with the nations and have defiled yourself with their foul idols.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	31	Since you have copied your sister's behaviour, I shall put her cup in your hand."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	32	The Lord Yahweh says this: You will drink your sister's cup, a cup both deep and wide, leading to laughter and mockery, so ample the draught it holds.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	33	You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow. Cup of affliction and devastation, the cup of your sister Samaria,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	34	you will drink it, you will drain it; then you will break it in pieces and lacerate your own breasts. For I have spoken -- declared the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	35	"And so, the Lord Yahweh says this: Since you have forgotten me and have turned your back on me, you too will have to bear the weight of your debauchery and whorings." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	36	And Yahweh said to me, 'Son of man, are you ready to judge Oholah and Oholibah and charge them with their loathsome practices?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	37	They have been adulteresses, their hands are dripping with blood, they have committed adultery with their foul idols. As for the children they had borne me, they have offered them as burnt sacrifices to feed them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	38	And here is something else they have done to me: they have defiled my sanctuary today and have profaned my Sabbaths.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	39	The same day as sacrificing their children to their idols, they have been to my sanctuary and profaned it. Yes, this is what they have done in my own house.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	40	'Worse still, they summoned men from far away, invited by messenger, and they came. For them you bathed, you painted your eyes, put on your jewels
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	41	and sat on a sumptuous bed, by which a table was laid out. On this you had put my incense and my oil.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	42	The noise of the carefree company resounded, made by the crowd of men brought in from the desert; they put bracelets on the women's arms and magnificent crowns on their heads.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	43	I thought, "That woman, worn out with adultery! Are they going to fornicate with her too?"
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	44	Yet they visit her like any common prostitute, just as they visited those profligate women Oholah and Oholibah.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	45	All the same, there are upright men who will judge them as adulteresses and murderesses are judged, since they are adulteresses and their hands are dripping with blood."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	46	'The Lord Yahweh says this, "Summon an assembly to deal with them, and hand them over to terror and pillage;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	47	let the assembly stone them and dispatch them with their swords; let their sons and daughters be slaughtered and their houses set on fire.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	48	This is how I shall purge the country of debauchery, so that all women will be taught the lesson never to ape your debauchery again.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	23	49	Your debauchery will recoil on yourselves, and you will bear the weight of the sins committed with your foul idols and you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	1	In the ninth year, on the tenth day of the tenth month, the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	2	'Son of man, write down today's date, yes, today's, for this very day the king of Babylon began his attack on Jerusalem.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	3	So pronounce a parable for this tribe of rebels. Say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Put the pot on the fire; put it on; pour the water in!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	4	Now put the cuts of meat all in together, all the best cuts, leg and shoulder. Fill it with the best bones.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	5	Take the best of the flock, then heap wood underneath; boil it thoroughly until even the bones are cooked.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	6	"For the Lord Yahweh says this: Disaster is in store for the bloody city, for that rusty cooking pot whose rust will not come off! Empty it, bit by bit, not bothering to draw lots;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	7	for she is still full of bloodshed, she has put blood on the naked rock; she did not pour it on the ground so as to cover it with dust.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	8	To make anger rise, to exact vengeance, I have put her blood on the naked rock, so that it should not be covered:
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	9	"So, the Lord Yahweh says this: Disaster is in store for the bloody city! I too plan to build a great fire.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	10	Heap on the wood, light it, cook the meat, prepare the seasoning let the bones burn!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	11	Put the empty pot on the coals to make it hot, until the bronze glows, the filth inside melts and the rust is burnt away!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	12	"But all that rust would not come off in the fire.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	13	Your filth is infamous. Since I have tried to purge you and you would not let yourself be purged of your filth, so now you will never be purged of your filth until I have sated my anger on you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	14	I, Yahweh, have spoken; this will happen; I shall act and not relent; I shall show no pity, no compassion. You will be judged as your conduct and actions deserve -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	15	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	16	'Son of man, at a blow I am about to deprive you of the delight of your eyes. But you are not to lament, not to weep, not to let your tears run down.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	17	Groan in silence, do not go into mourning for the dead, knot your turban round your head, put your sandals on your feet, do not cover your beard, do not eat the usual food.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	18	I told this to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening, and the next morning I did as I had been ordered.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	19	The people then said to me, 'Will you not explain what meaning these actions have for us?'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	20	I replied, 'The word of Yahweh has been addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	21	"Say to the House of Israel, the Lord Yahweh says this: I am about to profane my sanctuary, the pride of your strength, the delight of your eyes, the joy of your hearts. Your sons and daughters whom you have left behind will fall by the sword.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	22	Then you will do as I have done: you will not cover your beards or eat the usual food;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	23	you will keep your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet; you will not lament or weep but will waste away for your crimes, groaning among yourselves.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	24	Thus Ezekiel is a sign for you. You will do exactly what he has done. And when this happens, you will know that I am Lord Yahweh!"
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	25	'And, son of man, the day that I deprive them of their strength, their crowning joy, the delight of their eyes, the joy of their hearts, their sons and daughters,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	26	that day a survivor will bring you the news.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	24	27	That day your mouth will be opened to speak to the survivor; you will speak and no longer be dumb; you will be a sign for them, and they will know that I am Yahweh.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	2	'Son of man, turn towards the Ammonites and prophesy against them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	3	Say to the Ammonites, "Hear the word of the Lord Yahweh. The Lord Yahweh says this: "Since you gloated over my sanctuary when it was profaned, and over the land of Israel when it was ravaged, and over the House of Judah when it went into exile,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	4	I shall let the sons of the East take possession of you; they will pitch their camps inside you, they will make their home in you. They will be the ones to eat your produce and drink your milk.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	5	I shall turn Rabbah into a camel yard and the towns of Ammon into sheepfolds. And so you will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	6	"The Lord Yahweh says this: Since you have clapped your hands and danced for joy, full of malicious delight at Israel's fate,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	7	my hand will be against you for this; I shall hand you over to be looted by the peoples, obliterate you as a nation and wipe you out as a country. I shall reduce you to nothing, and you will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	8	"The Lord Yahweh says this: "Since Moab and Seir have said: Look at the House of Judah; it is no different from any other nation;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	9	very well, I shall expose Moab's heights; its cities will no longer be cities throughout the land -- the jewels of the country, Beth-Jeshimoth, Baal-Meon and Kiriathaim.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	10	I shall let the sons of the East and the Ammonites take possession of them, so that they will no longer be remembered by the nations.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	11	I shall bring Moab to justice, and they will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	12	"The Lord Yahweh says this: "Since Edom has taken revenge on the House of Judah and committed great crimes in doing so,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	13	very well, the Lord Yahweh says this: My hand will be against Edom and denude it of human and animal. I shall lay it waste, from Teman as far as Dedan they will be put to the sword.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	14	I shall take vengeance on Edom by means of my people Israel. They will treat Edom as my anger and fury dictate, and they will know this is my vengeance -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	15	"The Lord Yahweh says this, "Since the Philistines have acted in revenge and, motivated by malice, have taken revenge, doing their best to destroy because of their long-standing hatred,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	16	very well, the Lord Yahweh says this: My hand will be against the Philistines; I shall exterminate the Cherethites and destroy the rest of the coastal peoples.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	25	17	I shall perform frightful acts of vengeance and inflict furious punishments on them; and they will know that I am Yahweh, when I exact my vengeance on them." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	1	In the eleventh year, on the first of the month, the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	2	'Son of man, since Tyre has said of Jerusalem: "Aha! She is shattered, the Gateway to the Nations; she now gives way to me. Her riches are ruined!"
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	3	Very well, the Lord Yahweh says this, "Now, Tyre, I am against you,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	4	I shall raise many nations against you as the sea raises its waves. They will destroy the walls of Tyre, they will demolish her towers; I shall sweep the dust of her away and reduce her to a naked rock.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	5	She will be a drying-ground out to sea for fishing-nets. For I have spoken- declares Lord Yahweh. She will be the prey of the nations.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	6	As for her daughters on the mainland, these will be put to the sword, and they will know that I am Yahweh."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	7	'For the Lord Yahweh says this, "From the north, I shall bring Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, king of kings, down on Tyre with horses, chariots, cavalry and an enormous army.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	8	He will put your daughters on the mainland to the sword. He will build siege-works against you, cast up a siege-ramp against you, raise a screen against you;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	9	he will pound your walls with his battering-rams, and demolish your towers with his siege-engines.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	10	His horses are so many that their dust will hide you. The noise of his horsemen and his chariot-wheels will make your walls tremble as he enters your gates as though storming into a city through the breach.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	11	With his horses' hoofs he will trample through all your streets; he will put your people to the sword, and throw your massive pillars to the ground.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	12	Your wealth will be seized, your merchandise looted, your walls rased, your luxurious houses shattered, your stones, your timbers, your very dust, thrown into the sea.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	13	I shall put an end to the sound of your songs; the sound of your harps will not be heard again.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	14	I shall reduce you to a naked rock, and make you into a drying-ground for fishing-nets, never to be rebuilt; for I, Yahweh, have spoken -declares the Lord Yahweh."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	15	'The Lord Yahweh says this to Tyre, "Will not the islands quake at the sound of your fall, while the wounded groan and the slaughter takes place inside you?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	16	All the princes of the sea will leave their thrones, lay aside their cloaks, take off their embroidered robes. Dressed in terror they will sit on the ground trembling incessantly, stunned at your fate.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	17	"They will raise the lament for you as follows: You are destroyed then, vanished from the seas, famous city, former sea-power, who with her citizens, used to spread terror all over the mainland!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	18	Now the islands are trembling on the day of your fall; the islands of the sea are terrified by your end.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	19	"For the Lord Yahweh says this: "When I make you a ruined city like other deserted cities, when I raise the deep against you and the ocean covers you,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	20	when I fling you down with those who go down into the abyss, with the people of long ago, and put you deep in the underworld, in the ruins of long ago with those who sink into oblivion, so that you can never come back or be restored to the land of the living,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	26	21	I will make you an object of terror; you will not exist. People will look for you but never find you again -- declares the Lord Yahweh!" '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	2	'Son of man, raise the lament for Tyre.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	3	Say to Tyre, "City enthroned at the gateway of the sea, agent between the peoples and the many islands, Lord Yahweh says this: Tyre, you used to say: I am a ship perfect in beauty.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	4	Your frontiers were far out to sea; those who built you made you perfect in beauty.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	5	Cypress from Senir they used for all your planking. They took a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast above you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	6	From oaks of Bashan they made your oars. They built you a deck of cedar inlaid with ivory from the Kittim isles.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	7	Embroidered linen from Egypt was used for your sail and for your flag. Purple and scarlet from the Elishah islands formed your deck-tent.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	8	The people of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen. The sages of Tyre were aboard, serving as sailors.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	9	The elders and craftsmen of Gebal were there to caulk your seams. "Every sea-going ship and crew frequented you to guarantee your trade.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	10	Men from Persia, Lud and Put served as warriors in your army; hanging up shield and helmet in you, they displayed your splendour.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	11	The sons of Arvad with their army manned your walls all round, while the Gammadians manned your towers; hanging their shields all round your walls, they completed your beauty.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	12	Tarshish traded with you because of your abundant resources and exchanged your merchandise for silver, iron, tin and lead.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	13	Javan, Tubal and Meshech traded with you. For your merchandise they traded slaves and bronze artefacts.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	14	The people of Beth-Togarmah traded your horses, chargers, mules.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	15	The people of Dedan traded with you; many islands were your customers and paid you in ivory tusks and ebony.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	16	Edom traded with you for the sake of your many manufactured goods, exchanging garnets, purple, embroideries, fine linen, coral and rubies for your goods.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	17	Judah and the land of Israel also traded with you, bringing corn from Minnith, pannag, honey, oil and balm.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	18	Damascus traded with you, for quantities of your manufactured goods and other goods of all kinds, furnishing you with wine from Helbon and wool from Zahar.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	19	Dan and Javan, from Uzal onwards, supplied you with wrought iron, cassia and reeds in exchange for your goods.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	20	Dedan traded with you in saddle-cloths.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	21	Arabia and all the sheikhs of Kedar were your customers; they paid in lambs, rams and he-goats.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	22	The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; they supplied you with the finest spices, precious stones and gold for your merchandise.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	23	Haran, Canneh and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur and Chilmad traded with you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	24	They traded rich clothes, embroidered and purple cloaks, multi-coloured materials and strong plaited cords for your markets.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	25	Ships of Tarshish sailed on your business; you were full and heavily loaded far out to sea.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	26	Out to the open sea your oarsmen rowed you. The east wind has wrecked you far out to sea.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	27	Your riches, your goods, your cargo, your seamen, your sailors, your caulkers, your commercial agents, all the warriors you carry, and all the passengers who are aboard will founder far out to sea on the day of your shipwreck.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	28	When they hear the cries of your sailors the coasts will tremble.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	29	Then the oarsmen will all desert their ships. The sailors and seafaring people will stay ashore.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	30	They will raise their voices for you and weep bitterly. They will throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	31	they will shave their heads for you and put sackcloth round their waists. With heartfelt bitterness they will weep for you, bitterly wail.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	32	Wailing, they will raise the lament for you, they will lament over you: Who is like Tyre, far out to sea?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	33	When you unloaded your goods to satisfy so many peoples, you enriched the kings of the earth with your excess of wealth and goods.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	34	Now you have been wrecked by the waves, by the depths of the sea. Your cargo and all your passengers have foundered with you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	35	All those who live in the islands will be stunned at your fate. Their kings will quake with horror, with downcast expressions.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	27	36	The merchants of the nations will whistle at your fate. You will be an object of terror, gone for ever." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	2	'Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Because your heart has grown proud, you thought: I am a god; I am divinely enthroned far out to sea. Though you are human, not divine, you have allowed yourself to think like God.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	3	So, you are wiser than Danel; no sage as wise as you!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	4	By your wisdom and your intelligence you have made yourself a fortune, you have put gold and silver into your treasuries.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	5	Such is your skill in trading, your fortune has continued to increase, and your fortune has made your heart grow prouder.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	6	"And so, the Lord Yahweh says this: Since you have allowed yourself to think like God,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	7	very well, I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most barbarous of the nations. They will draw sword against your fine wisdom, they will desecrate your splendour,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	8	they will throw you down into the grave and you will die a violent death far out to sea.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	9	Will you still think: I am a god, when your slaughterers confront you? But you will be human, not divine, in the clutches of the ones who strike you down!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	10	You will die like the uncircumcised at the hand of foreigners. "For I have spoken -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	11	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	12	'Son of man, raise a lament for the king of Tyre. Say to him, "The Lord Yahweh says this: You used to be a model of perfection, full of wisdom, perfect in beauty;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	13	you were in Eden, in the garden of God. All kinds of gem formed your mantle: sard, topaz, diamond, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, garnet, emerald, and your ear-pendants and spangles were made of gold; all was ready on the day you were created.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	14	I made you a living creature with outstretched wings, as guardian, you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked amid red-hot coals.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	15	Your behaviour was exemplary from the day you were created until guilt first appeared in you,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	16	because your busy trading has filled you with violence and sin. I have thrown you down from the mountain of God and destroyed you, guardian winged creature, amid the coals.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	17	Your heart has grown proud because of your beauty, your wisdom has been corrupted by your splendour. I have thrown you to the ground; I have made you a spectacle for kings.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	18	By the immense number of your crimes, by the dishonesty of your trading, you have defiled your sanctuary. So I have brought fire out of you to devour you; I have reduced you to ashes on the ground before the eyes of all who saw you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	19	Of the nations, all who know you are stunned at your fate. You are an object of terror; gone for ever." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	20	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	21	'Son of man, turn towards Sidon and prophesy against her.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	22	Say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: I am against you, Sidon, I will show my glory in you! They will know I am Yahweh, once I execute sentence on her and display my holiness in her.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	23	For I shall send her the plague, and there will be blood in her streets, and in her the dead will fall under the sword raised against her from all sides, and they will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	24	"No more, for the House of Israel, shall any of the hostile nations surrounding them be a thorn that wounds or a briar that tears; and they will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	25	"The Lord Yahweh says this: When I gather the House of Israel back from the peoples where they are dispersed, I shall display my glory in them for the nations to see. They will live on the soil which I gave to my servant Jacob.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	28	26	They will live there in confidence, build houses, plant vineyards. They will live in safety, once I inflict punishments on all the hostile nations surrounding them, and they will know that I am Yahweh their God." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	1	In the tenth year, on the twelfth day of the tenth month, the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	2	'Son of man, turn towards Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against the whole of Egypt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	3	Speak and say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Look, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt- the great crocodile wallowing in his Niles who thought: My Nile is mine, I made it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	4	I shall put hooks through your jaws, make your Nile fish stick to your scales, and pull you out of your Niles with all your Nile fish sticking to your scales.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	5	I shall drop you in the desert, with all your Nile fish. You will fall in the wilds and not be taken up or buried. I shall give you as food to the wild animals and the birds of heaven,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	6	and all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Yahweh, for they have given no more support than a reed to the House of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	7	Wherever they grasped you, you broke in their hands and cut their hands all over. Whenever they leaned on you, you broke, making all their limbs give way.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	8	"So, the Lord Yahweh says this: I shall send the sword against you to denude you of human and animal.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	9	Egypt will become a desolate waste, and they will know that I am Yahweh. Because he thought: The Nile is mine, I made it,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	10	very well, I am against you and your Niles. I shall make Egypt a waste and a desolation, from Migdol to Syene and beyond to the frontiers of Ethiopia.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	11	No human foot will pass through it, no animal foot will pass through it. For forty years it will remain uninhabited.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	12	I shall make Egypt the most desolate of countries; for forty years its cities will be the most desolate of wasted cities. And I shall scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the countries.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	13	The Lord Yahweh, however, says this: After forty years have passed, I shall gather the Egyptians back from the nations where they were dispersed.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	14	I shall bring the Egyptian captives back and re-install them in the land of Pathros, in the country of their origin. There they will constitute a modest kingdom.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	15	Egypt will be the most modest of kingdoms and no longer dominate other nations; for I shall reduce it, so that it will not rule other nations ever again.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	16	It will no longer be anything for the House of Israel to trust in, but will be a reminder of the guilt which lay in turning to it for help. And they will know that I am Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	17	In the twenty-seventh year, on the first day of the first month, the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows:
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	18	'Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has taken his army in a great expedition against Tyre. Their heads have all gone bald, their shoulders are all chafed, but even so he has derived no profit, either for himself or for his army, from the expedition mounted against Tyre.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	19	Since this is so, the Lord Yahweh says this, "Look, I shall hand Egypt over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He will carry off its riches, loot it, put it to the sack; that will be the wages for his army.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	20	As wages for the trouble he has taken, I am giving him Egypt instead (for they have been working for me)-declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	29	21	"That day, I shall raise up a new stock for the House of Israel and allow you to open your mouth among them. And they will know that I am Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	2	'Son of man, prophesy and say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Howl: Disaster day!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	3	For the day is near, the day of Yahweh is near; it will be a day dark with cloud, a time of doom for the nations.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	4	"The sword will come on Egypt, and anguish on the country of Cush when the slaughtered fall in Egypt, when her riches are carried away and her foundations are destroyed.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	5	Cush, Put and Lud, all Arabia, Cub and the children of the country of the covenant will fall by the sword with them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	6	"Yahweh says this: "The supports of Egypt will fall; the pride of her strength will crumble; they will fall by the sword from Migdol to Syene -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	7	"They will be the most desolate of desolate countries, and its cities the most ruined of cities.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	8	And they will know that I am Yahweh when I set fire to Egypt and all its supports are shattered.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	9	"That day, I shall send messengers by ship to terrify the carefree Cushites, and anguish will overtake them on the day of Egypt -- it is coming now!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	10	The Lord Yahweh says this: I shall destroy the huge population of Egypt at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	11	He and his people, the most barbarous of nations, will be brought to ravage the country. They will draw the sword against Egypt and fill the country with corpses.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	12	I shall dry up the courses of the Nile and sell the country to the wicked. I shall lay the whole country waste and everything in it, at the hand of foreigners. I, Yahweh, have spoken.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	13	"The Lord Yahweh says this: I shall destroy the foul idols and take the false gods away from Noph. Egypt will be left without a ruler. I shall spread fear through Egypt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	14	I shall lay Pathros waste, set Zoan on fire, inflict my punishments on No.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	15	I shall vent my fury on Sin, the bastion of Egypt; I shall wipe out the throngs of No.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	16	I shall set fire to Egypt; Sin will be seized with convulsions; a breach will be opened at No and the waters flood out.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	17	The young men of On and Pi-Beseth will fall by the sword and the cities themselves go into captivity.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	18	At Tahpanhes day will turn to darkness when I shatter the sceptres of Egypt there, when the pride of her strength ceases. A cloud will cover Egypt itself, and its daughters will go into captivity.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	19	Such will be the punishments I inflict on Egypt. And they will know that I am Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	20	In the eleventh year, on the seventh day of the first month, the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	21	'Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; you can see that no one has dressed his wound by applying remedies to it, by bandaging it and by dressing it, to make it strong enough to wield the sword.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	22	This being so, the Lord Yahweh says this, "Look, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt; I shall break his arms, the sound one and the broken one, and make the sword drop from his hand.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	23	I shall scatter Egypt among the nations and disperse it among the countries.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	24	I shall strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put my sword in his hand. I shall break Pharaoh's arms and, confronted with his enemy, he will groan like a dying man.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	25	I shall strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh will fall. And they will know that I am Yahweh, when I put my sword into the hands of the king of Babylon and he wields it against Egypt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	30	26	I shall scatter Egypt among the nations and disperse it among the countries; and they will know that I am Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	1	In the eleventh year, on the first day of the third month, the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	2	'Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and his throng of subjects: "What can compare with you for greatness?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	3	I know: a cedar tree in the Lebanon with noble branches, dense foliage, lofty height. Its top pierces the clouds.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	4	The waters have made it grow, the deep has made it tall, pouring its rivers round the place where it is planted, sending rivulets to all the wild trees.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	5	This is why its height was greater than that of other wild trees, its branches increased in number, its boughs stretched wide, because of the plentiful waters making it grow.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	6	All the birds of heaven nested in its branches; under its boughs all wild animals dropped their young; in its shade sat many, many people.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	7	It was beautiful in its size, in the span of its boughs; for its roots were in plentiful waters.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	8	There was no cedar like it in the garden of God, no cypress had branches such as these, no plane tree could match its boughs, no tree in the garden of God could rival its beauty.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	9	I had made it so lovely with its many branches that it was the envy of every tree in Eden, in the garden of God.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	10	"Very well, the Lord Yahweh says this: "Since it has raised itself to its full height, has lifted its top into the clouds, and has grown arrogant about its height,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	11	I have handed it over to the prince of the nations, for him to treat as its wickedness deserves; I have rejected it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	12	Foreigners, the most barbarous of nations, have cut it down and deserted it. On the mountains, in all the valleys, lie its branches; its broken boughs are in every ravine throughout the country; everybody in the country has fled its shade and deserted it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	13	On its wreckage perch all the birds of heaven; all the wild animals have advanced on its branches.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	14	"So in future let no tree rear its height beside the waters, none push its top into the clouds, no watered tree stretch its height towards them. For all of them are doomed to death, to the depths of the underworld, with the common run of humanity, with those who sink into oblivion.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	15	"The Lord Yahweh says this: The day it went down to Sheol, I imposed mourning, I closed the deep over it. I stopped its rivers and the plentiful waters dried up; I made Lebanon dark because of it, and all the wild trees wilted because of it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	16	With the noise when it fell I made the nations quake, as I hurled it down to Sheol, with those who sink into oblivion. In the depths of the underworld all the trees of Eden took comfort, the pick of the loveliest trees of the Lebanon, all irrigated by the waters.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	17	And its offspring among the nations, once living in its shade, went down to Sheol with it, to those who have been slaughtered by the sword.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	31	18	"Which of the trees of Eden compares with you for glory and greatness? Yet you have been hurled down with the trees of Eden, to the depths of the underworld, among the uncircumcised, and there you lie with those who have been slaughtered by the sword. So much for Pharaoh and all his throng-- declared the Lord Yahweh."'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	1	In the twelfth year, on the first day of the twelfth month, the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	2	'Son of man, raise a lament for Pharaoh king of Egypt. Say to him: "Young lion of nations, you are destroyed! Once you were like a crocodile in the lagoons; emerging from your rivers, you churned up the water with your trampling and fouled their streams.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	3	"The Lord Yahweh says this: I shall throw my net over you in a great concourse of nations; and they will trawl you up in my net. Then I shall leave you high and dry,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	4	I shall throw you out into the wilds and make all the birds of heaven settle on you, and glut all the beasts of the earth with you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	5	I shall strew your flesh on your mountains and fill the valleys with your corruption;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	6	I shall water the country with what flows from you, with your blood, on the mountainsides, and you will fill the ravines.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	7	When I extinguish you I shall cover the skies and darken the stars. I shall cover the sun with clouds and the moon will not give its light.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	8	I shall dim every luminary in heaven because of you and cover your country in darkness -declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	9	"I shall grieve the heart of many peoples when I bring about your destruction among the nations, in countries unknown to you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	10	I shall stun many peoples with shock at your fate; their kings will tremble with horror at your fate, when I brandish my sword before their eyes. The day you fall, each will tremble in terror for his life.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	11	For the Lord Yahweh says this: The sword of the king of Babylon will overtake you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	12	I shall make your throngs of subjects fall at the swords of my warriors. They are the most barbarous of nations. They will annihilate the pride of Egypt, and all its throngs will be destroyed.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	13	I shall also destroy all its cattle beside the plentiful waters. No human foot will churn them, no animal foot will churn them up again;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	14	then I shall let their waters settle and make their rivers glide like oil -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	15	"When I reduce Egypt to a ruin and the country is stripped of its contents, when I strike all those who live there, they will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	16	"Such is the lament which the daughters of the nations will raise. They will raise it over Egypt and all its throng. This is the lament they will raise -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	17	In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the first month, the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	18	'Son of man, lament over the throng of Egypt, for down she must go with the daughters of majestic nations to the depths of the underworld with those who sink into oblivion.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	19	'Whom do you surpass in beauty? Down with you, make your bed with the uncircumcised,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	20	with those who have been slaughtered by the sword. (The sword has been given, it has been drawn.) She and all her throngs have fallen.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	21	From the depths of Sheol, the mightiest heroes, her allies, will say to her, "They have come down, they have lain down, uncircumcised, slaughtered by the sword."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	22	'Assyria is there and all her hordes, with their graves all round her; all of them slaughtered, fallen by the sword;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	23	their graves have been made in the deepest part of the abyss, and her hordes, with their graves all round her; all of them slaughtered, killed by the sword, who once spread terror through the world of the living.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	24	'Elam is there and all her throng round her grave, all of them slaughtered, fallen by the sword; they have gone down uncircumcised to the depths of the underworld, who once spread terror throughout the world of the living. They have borne their shame with those who sink into oblivion.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	25	Among the slaughtered, they have put a bed for her, among her throng with their tombs round her, all of them uncircumcised, slaughtered by the sword for having spread terror throughout the world of the living. They have borne their shame with those who sink into oblivion. They have been put among the slaughtered.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	26	'Meshech, Tubal are there and all her throng, with their graves round her, all of them uncircumcised, slaughtered by the sword for having spread terror through the world of the living.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	27	They do not lie with the heroes who fell long ago, those who went down to Sheol fully armed, who had their swords laid under their heads and their shields put under their bones, since the heroes inspired the world of the living with terror.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	28	But you will be broken with the uncircumcised and lie with those slaughtered by the sword.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	29	'Edom is there, her kings and all her princes who, despite their valour, have been laid with those slaughtered by the sword. They lie with the uncircumcised, with those who sink into oblivion.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	30	'All the princes of the north and all the Sidonians are there, who have gone down with the slaughtered, because of the terror which their power inspired. Ashamed, uncircumcised, they lie among those slaughtered by the sword and bear their shame with those who sink into oblivion.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	31	'Pharaoh will see them and take comfort at the sight of all this throng slaughtered by the sword -- Pharaoh and all his throng -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	32	32	For having spread terror through the world of the living, he will be laid with the uncircumcised, with those slaughtered by the sword, Pharaoh and all his throng -- declares the Lord Yahweh.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	2	'Son of man, speak to the people of your country. Say to them, "When I send the sword against the people of that country, take one of their number and post him as a watchman;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	3	if he sees the sword coming against the country, he must sound his horn to warn the people.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	4	If someone hears the sound of the horn but pays no attention and the sword overtakes him and destroys him, he will have been responsible for his own death.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	5	He has heard the sound of the horn and paid no attention; his death will be his own responsibility. But the life of someone who pays attention will be secure.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	6	"If, however, the watchman has seen the sword coming but has not blown his horn, and so the people are not alerted and the sword overtakes them and destroys a single one of them, that person will indeed die for his guilt, but I shall hold the watchman responsible for his death."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	7	'Son of man I have appointed you as watchman for the House of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, warn them from me.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	8	If I say to someone wicked, "Evil- doer, you are to die," and you do not speak to warn the wicked person to renounce such ways, the wicked person will die for this guilt, but I shall hold you responsible for the death.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	9	If, however, you do warn someone wicked to renounce such ways and repent, and that person does not repent, then the culprit will die for this guilt, but you yourself will have saved your life.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	10	'Son of man, say to the House of Israel, "You are continually saying: Our crimes and sins weigh heavily on us; we are wasting away because of them. How are we to go on living?"
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	11	Say to them, "As I live -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- I do not take pleasure in the death of the wicked but in the conversion of the wicked who changes his ways and saves his life. Repent, turn back from your evil ways. Why die, House of Israel?"
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	12	'Son of man, say to the members of your nation, "The uprightness of an upright person will not save him once he takes to wrong-doing; the wickedness of a wicked person will not ruin him once he renounces his wickedness. No one upright will be able to live on the strength of uprightness, having once taken to sinning.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	13	If I say to someone upright: You are to live, and then, trusting in this uprightness, he does wrong, none of the uprightness will be remembered; because of the wrong-doing, he will die.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	14	If, however, I say to someone wicked: You are to die, and he turns back from sin and does what is lawful and upright,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	15	if he returns pledges, restores what he has stolen, keeps the laws that give life and no longer does wrong, he will live and will not die.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	16	None of his previous sins will be remembered against him; having done what is lawful and upright, he will live.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	17	"But the members of your nation say: What the Lord does is unjust. But it is what you do that is unjust.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	18	When an upright person gives up being upright and does wrong, he dies for it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	19	And when a wicked person gives up being wicked and does what is lawful and upright, because of this he lives.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	20	But you say: What the Lord does is unjust! I shall judge each of you by what you do, House of Israel." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	21	In the twelfth year of our captivity, on the fifth day of the tenth month, a fugitive arrived from Jerusalem and said to me, 'The city has been taken.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	22	Now the hand of the Lord had been on me the evening before the fugitive arrived; he had opened my mouth before the fugitive came to me the next morning; my mouth had been opened and I was dumb no longer.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	23	The word of Yahweh was then addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	24	'Son of man, the people living in those ruins on the soil of Israel say this, "Abraham was alone when he was given possession of this country. But we are many; the country has been given us as our heritage."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	25	'Very well, tell them, "The Lord Yahweh says this: You eat blood, you raise your eyes to your foul idols, you shed blood; are you to own the country?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	26	You rely on your swords, you engage in loathsome practices, each of you defiles his neighbour's wife; are you to own the country?"
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	27	Tell them this, "The Lord Yahweh says this: As I live, I swear it, those in the ruins will fall to the sword, those in the countryside I shall give to the wild animals for them to eat, and those among the crags and in caves will die of plague.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	28	I shall make the country a desolate waste, and the pride of its strength will be at an end. The mountains of Israel will be deserted and no one will pass that way again.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	29	Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I make the country a desolate waste because of all the filthy things they have done."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	30	'Son of man, the members of your nation are talking about you on the ramparts and in doorways. They keep saying to one another, "Come and hear the word that has come from Yahweh."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	31	They throng towards you; my people sit down in front of you and listen to your words, but they do not act on them. What they act on is the lie in their mouths, and their hearts are set on dishonest gain.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	32	As far as they are concerned, you are like a love song pleasantly sung to a good musical accompaniment. They listen to your words, but no one acts on them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	33	33	When the thing takes place -- and it is beginning now -- they will know that there has been a prophet among them.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	2	'Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them, "Shepherds, the Lord Yahweh says this: Disaster is in store for the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Are not shepherds meant to feed a flock?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	3	Yet you have fed on milk, you have dressed yourselves in wool, you have sacrificed the fattest sheep, but failed to feed the flock.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	4	You have failed to make weak sheep strong, or to care for the sick ones, or bandage the injured ones. You have failed to bring back strays or look for the lost. On the contrary, you have ruled them cruelly and harshly.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	5	For lack of a shepherd they have been scattered, to become the prey of all the wild animals; they have been scattered.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	6	My flock is astray on every mountain and on every high hill; my flock has been scattered all over the world; no one bothers about them and no one looks for them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	7	"Very well, shepherds, hear the word of Yahweh:
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	8	As I live, I swear it -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- since my flock has been pillaged and for lack of a shepherd is now the prey of every wild animal, since my shepherds have ceased to bother about my flock, since my shepherds feed themselves rather than my flock,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	9	very well, shepherds, hear the word of Yahweh:
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	10	The Lord Yahweh says this: Look, I am against the shepherds. I shall take my flock out of their charge and henceforth not allow them to feed my flock. And the shepherds will stop feeding themselves, because I shall rescue my sheep from their mouths to stop them from being food for them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	11	"For the Lord Yahweh says this: Look, I myself shall take care of my flock and look after it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	12	As a shepherd looks after his flock when he is with his scattered sheep, so shall I look after my sheep. I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered on the day of clouds and darkness.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	13	I shall bring them back from the peoples where they are; I shall gather them back from the countries and bring them back to their own land. I shall pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the inhabited parts of the country.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	14	I shall feed them in good pasturage; the highest mountains of Israel will be their grazing ground. There they will rest in good grazing grounds; they will browse in rich pastures on the mountains of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	15	I myself shall pasture my sheep, I myself shall give them rest -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	16	I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the injured and make the sick strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	17	"As for you, my sheep, the Lord Yahweh says this: I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and he-goats.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	18	Not content to drink the clearest of the water, you foul the rest with your feet.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	19	And my sheep must graze on what your feet have trampled and drink what your feet have fouled.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	20	Very well, the Lord Yahweh says this: I myself shall judge between the fat sheep and the thin sheep.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	21	Since you have jostled with flank and shoulder and butted all the ailing sheep with your horns, until you have scattered them outside,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	22	I shall come and save my sheep and stop them from being victimised. I shall judge between sheep and sheep.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	23	"I shall raise up one shepherd, my servant David, and put him in charge of them to pasture them; he will pasture them and be their shepherd.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	24	I, Yahweh, shall be their God, and my servant David will be ruler among them. I, Yahweh, have spoken.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	25	I shall make a covenant of peace with them; I shall rid the country of wild animals. They will be able to live secure in the desert and go to sleep in the woods.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	26	I shall settle them round my hill; I shall send rain at the proper time; it will be a rain of blessings.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	27	The trees of the countryside will yield their fruit and the soil will yield its produce; they will be secure on their soil. And they will know that I am Yahweh when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the clutches of their slave-masters.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	28	No more will they be a prey to the nations, no more will the wild animals of the country devour them. They will live secure, with no one to frighten them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	29	I shall make splendid vegetation grow for them; no more will they suffer from famine in the country; no more will they have to bear the insults of other nations.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	30	So they will know that I, their God, am with them and that they, the House of Israel, are my people -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	34	31	And you, my sheep, are the flock of my human pasture, and I am your God -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	2	'Son of man, turn towards Mount Seir and prophesy against it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	3	Say to it, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Look, I am against you, Mount Seir; I shall stretch out my hand against you; I shall make you a desolate waste;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	4	I shall lay your towns in ruins. You will become a waste and you will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	5	Since, following a long-standing hatred, you betrayed the Israelites to the sword on the day of their distress, on the day when an end came for their guilt,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	6	very well, as I live -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- I destine you to bloodshed, and bloodshed will pursue you. I swear it; you have incurred guilt by shedding blood, and bloodshed will pursue you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	7	I shall make Mount Seir a desolate waste and denude it of anyone travelling to and fro.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	8	I shall fill its mountains with its slaughtered; on your hills, in your valleys and in all your ravines, those slaughtered by the sword will fall.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	9	I shall make you a perpetual waste, your towns will never be inhabited again, and you will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	10	"Since you said: The two nations and the two countries will be mine; we are going to take possession of it, although Yahweh was there,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	11	very well, as I live -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- I shall act with the same anger and jealousy as you acted in your hatred for them. I shall make myself known for their sake, when I punish you,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	12	and you will know that I, Yahweh, have heard all the blasphemies which you have uttered against the mountains of Israel, such as: They have been laid waste, they have been given to us for us to devour.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	13	Great was your insolence towards me, many your speeches against me; I have heard!
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	14	Lord Yahweh says this: To the joy of the whole world, I shall make you a waste.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	35	15	Since you rejoiced because the heritage of the House of Israel had been laid waste, I shall do the same to you, Mount Seir; and you will become a waste, and so will the whole of Edom; and they will know that I am Yahweh.' "
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	1	'Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel. Say, "Mountains of Israel, hear the word of Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	2	The Lord Yahweh says this: Since the enemy has gloated over you by saying: Aha! These eternal heights are owned by us now,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	3	very well, prophesy! Say: The Lord Yahweh says this: Since you have been ravaged and seized on from all sides, and have become the property of the rest of the nations, and become the subject of people's talk and gossip,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	4	very well, mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord Yahweh! The Lord Yahweh says this to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the devastated ruins and abandoned cities which have been put to the sack and have become a laughing-stock to the rest of the nations all round;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	5	very well, the Lord Yahweh says this: I swear it in the heat of my jealousy; I am speaking to the rest of the nations and to the whole of Edom who so exultantly and contemptuously took possession of my country to despoil its pastureland."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	6	'Because of this, prophesy about the land of Israel. Say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, "The Lord Yahweh says this: I am speaking in my jealousy and rage; because you are enduring the insults of the nations,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	7	very well, the Lord Yahweh says this: I raise my hand and I swear that the nations all around you shall have their own insults to bear.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	8	"Mountains of Israel, you will grow branches and bear fruit for my people Israel, who will soon return.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	9	Yes, I am coming to you, I shall turn to you; you will be tilled and sown.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	10	I shall increase your population, the whole House of Israel, yes, all. The cities will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	11	I shall increase your population, both human and animal; they will be fertile and reproduce. I shall repopulate you as you were before; I shall make you more prosperous than you were before, and you will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	12	Thanks to me, men will tread your soil again, my people Israel; they will own you and you will be their heritage, and never again will you rob them of their children.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	13	"The Lord Yahweh says this: Since people have said of you: You are a man-eater, you have robbed your nation of its children,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	14	very well, you will eat no more men, never rob your nation of its children again -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	15	I shall never again let you hear the insults of the nations, you will never again have to bear the taunts of the peoples, you will never again rob the nation of its children -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	16	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	17	'Son of man, the members of the House of Israel used to live in their own territory, but they defiled it by their conduct and actions; to me their conduct was as unclean as a woman's menstruation.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	18	I then vented my fury on them because of the blood they shed in the country and the foul idols with which they defiled it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	19	I scattered them among the nations and they were dispersed throughout the countries. I sentenced them as their conduct and actions deserved.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	20	They have profaned my holy name among the nations where they have gone, so that people say of them, "These are the people of Yahweh; they have been exiled from his land."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	21	But I have been concerned about my holy name, which the House of Israel has profaned among the nations where they have gone.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	22	And so, say to the House of Israel, "The Lord Yahweh says this: I am acting not for your sake, House of Israel, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	23	I am going to display the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am Yahweh -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- when in you I display my holiness before their eyes.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	24	For I shall take you from among the nations and gather you back from all the countries, and bring you home to your own country.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	25	I shall pour clean water over you and you will be cleansed; I shall cleanse you of all your filth and of all your foul idols.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	26	I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	27	I shall put my spirit in you, and make you keep my laws, and respect and practice my judgments.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	28	You will live in the country which I gave your ancestors. You will be my people and I shall be your God.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	29	I shall save you from everything that defiles you, I shall summon the wheat and make it plentiful and impose no more famines on you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	30	I shall increase the yield of tree and field, so that you will never again bear the ignominy of famine among the nations.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	31	Then you will remember your evil conduct and actions. You will loathe yourselves for your guilt and your loathsome practices.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	32	I assure you that I am not doing this for your sake -- declares the Lord Yahweh. Be ashamed and blush for your conduct, House of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	33	"The Lord Yahweh says this: On the day I cleanse you from all your guilt, I shall repopulate the cities and cause the ruins to be rebuilt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	34	Waste land, once desolate for every passer-by to see, will now be farmed again.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	35	And people will say: This land, so recently a waste, is now like a garden of Eden, and the ruined cities once abandoned and levelled to the ground are now strongholds with people living in them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	36	And the nations left round you will know that I, Yahweh, have rebuilt what was levelled and replanted what was ruined. I, Yahweh, have spoken and shall do it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	37	"The Lord Yahweh says this: As a further mark of favour, I shall let myself be consulted by the House of Israel; I shall increase their numbers like a human flock,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	36	38	like a flock of sacrificial animals, like the flock in Jerusalem on her solemn feasts. So your ruined cities will be filled with human flocks, and they will know that I am Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	1	The hand of Yahweh was on me; he carried me away by the spirit of Yahweh and set me down in the middle of the valley, a valley full of bones.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	2	He made me walk up and down and all around among them. There were vast quantities of these bones on the floor of the valley; and they were completely dry.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	3	He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' I said, 'You know, Lord Yahweh.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	4	He said, 'Prophesy over these bones. Say, "Dry bones, hear the word of Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	5	The Lord Yahweh says this to these bones: I am now going to make breath enter you, and you will live.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	6	I shall put sinews on you, I shall make flesh grow on you, I shall cover you with skin and give you breath, and you will live; and you will know that I am Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	7	I prophesied as I had been ordered. While I was prophesying, there was a noise, a clattering sound; it was the bones coming together.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	8	And as I looked, they were covered with sinews; flesh was growing on them and skin was covering them, yet there was no breath in them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	9	He said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man. Say to the breath, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Come from the four winds, breath; breathe on these dead, so that they come to life!" '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	10	I prophesied as he had ordered me, and the breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet, a great, an immense army.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	11	Then he said, 'Son of man, these bones are the whole House of Israel. They keep saying, "Our bones are dry, our hope has gone; we are done for."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	12	So, prophesy. Say to them, "The Lord Yahweh says this: I am now going to open your graves; I shall raise you from your graves, my people, and lead you back to the soil of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	13	And you will know that I am Yahweh, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, my people,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	14	and put my spirit in you, and you revive, and I resettle you on your own soil. Then you will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken and done this -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	15	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	16	'Son of man, take a stick and write on it, "Judah and those Israelites loyal to him." Take another stick and write on it, "Joseph (Ephraim's wood) and all the House of Israel loyal to him."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	17	'Join one to the other to make a single piece of wood, a single stick in your hand.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	18	And when the members of your nation say, "Will you not tell us what you mean?"
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	19	say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: I am taking the stick of Joseph (now in Ephraim's hand) and those tribes of Israel loyal to him and shall join them to the stick of Judah. I shall make one stick out of the two, a single stick in my hand."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	20	'When the pieces of wood you have written on are in your hand in full sight of them,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	21	say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: I shall take the Israelites from the nations where they have gone. I shall gather them to- gether from everywhere and bring them home to their own soil.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	22	I shall make them into one nation in the country, on the mountains of Israel, and one king is to be king of them all; they will no longer form two nations, nor be two separate kingdoms.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	23	They will no longer defile themselves with their foul idols, their horrors and any of their crimes. I shall save them from the acts of infidelity which they have committed and shall cleanse them; they will be my people and I shall be their God.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	24	My servant David will reign over them, one shepherd for all; they will follow my judgements, respect my laws and practise them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	25	They will live in the country which I gave to my servant Jacob, the country in which your ancestors lived. They will live in it, they, their children, their children's children, for ever. David my servant is to be their prince for ever.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	26	I shall make a covenant of peace with them, an eternal covenant with them. I shall resettle them and make them grow; I shall set my sanctuary among them for ever.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	27	I shall make my home above them; I shall be their God, and they will be my people.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	37	28	And the nations will know that I am Yahweh the sanctifier of Israel, when my sanctuary is with them for ever." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	2	'Son of man, turn towards Gog, to the country of Magog, towards the paramount prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	3	Say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: I am against you, Gog, paramount prince of Meshech and Tubal.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	4	I shall turn you about, I shall fix hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your entire army, horses and horsemen, all perfectly equipped, a huge array armed with shields and bucklers, and all wielding swords.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	5	Persia and Cush and Put are with them, all with buckler and helmet;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	6	Gomer and all its troops, Beth-Togarmah in the far north and all its troops, and many nations with you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	7	Be ready, be well prepared, you and all your troops and the others rallying to you, and hold yourself at my service.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	8	"Many days will pass before you are given orders; in the final years you will march on this country, whose inhabitants will have been living in confidence, remote from other peoples, since they escaped the sword and were gathered in from various nations, here in the long-deserted mountains of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	9	Like a storm you will approach, you will advance and cover the country like a cloud, you, all your troops and many nations with you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	10	"The Lord Yahweh says this: That day, a thought will enter your mind and you will form a sinister plan.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	11	You will think: I shall attack this undefended country and march on this peaceful nation living secure, all living in towns without walls or bars or gates.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	12	You will come to plunder and loot and turn your might against the ruins they live in, against this people gathered back from the nations, these stock-breeders and traders who live at the Navel of the World.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	13	Sheba and Dedan, the merchants and all the magnates of Tarshish will ask you: Have you come for plunder? Are you massing your troops with a view to looting? To make off with gold and silver, seize cattle and goods, and come away with unlimited spoil?"
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	14	'So, son of man, prophesy. Say to Gog, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Is it not true that you will set out at a time when my people Israel is living secure?
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	15	You will leave your home in the far north, you and many nations with you, a great army of countless troops all mounted.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	16	You will invade Israel, my people. You will be like a cloud covering the country. In the final days, I myself shall bring you to attack my country, so that the nations will know who I am, when I display my holiness to them, by means of you, Gog.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	17	"The Lord Yahweh says this: It was of you that I spoke in the past through my servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days, foretelling your invasion.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	18	The day Gog attacks the land of Israel -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- my furious wrath will boil up. In my anger,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	19	in my jealousy, in the heat of my fury I say it: That day, I swear, there will be such a huge earthquake in the land of Israel,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	20	that the fish in the sea and the birds of heaven, the wild beasts, all the reptiles creeping along the ground, and all people on the surface of the earth will quake before me. Mountains will fall, cliffs crumble, all walls collapse, and
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	21	I shall summon every kind of sword against him -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- and each will turn his sword against his comrade.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	22	I shall punish him with plague and bloodshed, and rain down torrential rain, hailstones, fire and brimstone on him, on his troops and on the many nations with him.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	38	23	I shall display my greatness and holiness and bring the many nations to acknowledge me; and they will know that I am Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	1	'So, son of man, prophesy against Gog. Say, "The Lord Yahweh says this: Look, I am against you, Gog, paramount prince of Meshech and Tubal.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	2	I shall turn you about, lead you on, and bring you from the farthest north against the mountains of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	3	I shall break the bow in your left hand and dash the arrows out of your right.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	4	You will fall on the mountains of Israel, you, all your troops and the nations with you. I shall make you food for every kind of bird of prey and wild animals.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	5	You will fall in the wilds, for I have spoken -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	6	I shall send down fire on Magog and on those living undisturbed in the islands, and they will know that I am Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	7	I shall see that my holy name is acknowledged by my people Israel, and no longer allow my holy name to be profaned; and the nations will know that I am Yahweh, holy in Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	8	"All this is to happen, all this is to take place -- declares the Lord Yahweh. This is the day I predicted.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	9	"The inhabitants of the towns of Israel will go out and set fire to and burn the weapons, the shields and bucklers, bows and arrows, javelins and spears. They will burn these for seven years
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	10	and not fetch wood from the countryside or cut it in the forests, since they will be burning the weapons. They will plunder those who plundered them, and despoil those who despoiled them -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	11	"That day, I shall give Gog a famous spot in Israel for his grave, the valley of the Obarim, east of the Sea -- the valley that halts the traveller -- and there Gog and his whole throng will be buried, and it will be called the Valley of Hamon-Gog.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	12	The House of Israel will take seven months to bury them and cleanse the country.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	13	All the people of the country will dig their graves, thus winning themselves renown, the day when I display my glory -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	14	And men will be detailed to the permanent duty of going through the country and burying those left above ground and cleansing it. They will begin their search once the seven months are over,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	15	and as they go through the country, if one of them sees any human bones, he will set up a marker beside them until the gravediggers have buried them in the valley of Hamon-Gog
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	16	(and Hamonah is also the name of a town) and have cleansed the country."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	17	'Son of man, the Lord Yahweh says this, "Say to the birds of every kind and to all the wild animals: Muster, come, gather from everywhere around for the sacrifice I am making for you, a great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, so that you can eat flesh and drink blood.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	18	You will eat the flesh of heroes, you will drink the blood of the princes of the world. They are all rams and lambs, goats and fat bulls of Bashan.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	19	You will glut yourselves on fat and drink yourselves drunk on blood at this sacrifice I am making for you.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	20	You will glut yourselves at my table on horses and chargers, on heroes and every kind of warrior -- declares the Lord Yahweh."
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	21	'I shall display my glory to the nations, and all nations will see my sentence when I inflict it and my hand when I strike them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	22	The House of Israel will know that I am Yahweh their God, from that day forward for ever.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	23	The nations too will know that the House of Israel were exiled for their guilt; because they were unfaithful to me, I hid my face from them and put them into the clutches of their enemies, so that they all fell by the sword.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	24	I treated them as their loathsome acts of infidelity deserved and hid my face from them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	25	'So, the Lord Yahweh says this, "Now I shall bring Jacob's captives back and take pity on the whole House of Israel and show myself jealous for my holy name.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	26	They will forget their disgrace and all the acts of infidelity which they committed against me when they were living safely in their own country, with no one to disturb them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	27	When I bring them home from the peoples, when I gather them back from the countries of their enemies, when I display my holiness in them for many nations to see,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	28	they will know that I am Yahweh their God who, having sent them into exile among the nations, have reunited them in their own country, not leaving a single one behind.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	39	29	I shall never hide my face from them again, since I shall pour out my spirit on the House of Israel -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	1	In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, fourteen years to the day from the capture of the city, the hand of Yahweh was on me. He carried me away:
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	2	in divine visions, he carried me away to the land of Israel and put me down on a very high mountain, on the south of which there seemed to be built a city.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	3	He took me to it, and there I saw a man, whose appearance was like brass. He had a flax cord and a measuring rod in his hand and was standing in the gateway.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	4	The man said to me, 'Son of man, look carefully, listen closely and pay attention to everything I show you, since you have been brought here only for me to show it to you. Tell the House of Israel everything that you see.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	5	Now, the Temple was surrounded on all sides by an outer wall. The man was holding a measuring rod six cubits long, each cubit a forearm and a handsbreadth. He measured the thickness of this construction -- one rod; and its height -- one rod.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	6	He went to the east gate, climbed the steps and measured its threshold: one rod deep.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	7	Each guardroom one rod by one rod; and the piers between the guardrooms five cubits thick, and the threshold of the gate inwards from the porch of the gate: one rod.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	8
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	9	He measured the porch of the gate: eight cubits; its piers: two cubits; the porch of the gate was at the inner end.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	10	There were three guardrooms on each side of the east gate, all three of the same size; the piers between them all of the same thickness each side.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	11	He measured the width of the entrance: ten cubits; and the width all down the gateway: thirteen cubits.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	12	There was a rail in front of the guardrooms; each rail on either side was one cubit. And the guardrooms on either side were six cubits square.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	13	He measured the width of the gate from the back wall of one guardroom to the back wall of the other; it was twenty-five cubits across, the openings being opposite each other.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	14	He measured the porch: twenty cubits; the court surrounded the gate on all sides.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	15	From the front of the entrance gate, to the far end of the porch of the inner gate: fifty cubits.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	16	All round inside the gate there were trellised windows in the guardrooms and in their piers; similarly, in the porch there were windows all round and palm trees on the piers.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	17	He then took me to the outer court, which had rooms and a paved terrace going all the way round; there were thirty rooms on this terrace.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	18	This terrace, which came up to the sides of the gates and matched their depth, was the Lower Terrace. He measured the width of the court,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	19	from the front of the lower gate to the fac ade of the inner court, outside: a hundred cubits (on the east and on the north).
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	20	He measured the length and breadth of the north gate of the outer court.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	21	It had three guardrooms on each side; its piers and porch were of the same size as those of the first gate: fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	22	Its windows, its porch and its palm trees were of the same size as those of the east gate. There were seven steps up to it, and its porch was at the inner end.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	23	In the inner court there was, opposite the north gate, a gate like the one opposite the east gate. He measured the distance from one gate to the other: a hundred cubits.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	24	He took me to the south side where there was a south gate; he measured its guardrooms, piers and porch; they were of the same size as the others.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	25	The gateway, as well as its porch, had windows all round, like the windows of the others; it was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	26	and it had seven steps up to it; its porch was at the inner end and had palm trees on its piers, one on either side.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	27	The inner court had a south gate; he measured the distance southwards from one gate to the other: a hundred cubits.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	28	He then took me into the inner court by the south gate; he measured the south gate which was of the same size as the others.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	29	Its guardrooms, piers and porch were of the same size as the others.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	30	The gateway, as well as its porch, had windows all round; it was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	31	The porch gave on to the outer court. It had palm trees on its piers and eight steps leading up to it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	32	He took me to the eastern part of the inner court and measured the gate. It was of the same size as the others.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	33	Its guardrooms, piers and porch were of the same size as the others. The gateway, as well as its porch, had windows all round; it was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	34	Its porch gave on to the outer court. There were palm trees on its piers on either side and eight steps leading up to it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	35	He then took me to the north gate and measured it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	36	Its guardrooms, piers and porch were of the same size as the others. The gateway had windows all round; it was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	37	Its porch gave on to the outer court. There were palm trees on its piers on either side and eight steps leading up to it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	38	There was a room, the entrance to which was in the porch of the gateway, where they washed the burnt offerings.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	39	And inside the porch of the gateway were slabs, two on either side, for slaughtering the burnt offerings, the sacrifice for sin and the sacrifice of reparation.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	40	Outside, at the approach to the entrance of the north gate, were two slabs, and on the other side, at the porch end of the gate were two slabs.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	41	There were four slabs on one side and four slabs on the other side of the gateway, eight slabs in all, on which the slaughtering was done.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	42	There were also four slabs of dressed stone for the burnt offerings, a cubit and a half long, a cubit and a half wide and a cubit high, on which the instruments for slaughtering the burnt offerings and sacrifice were placed;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	43	runnels a handsbreadth wide went all round the top, and on these slabs was put the sacrificial flesh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	44	Then he took me into the inner court; there were two rooms in the inner court, one on the side of the north gate, facing south, the other on the side of the south gate, facing north.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	45	He told me, 'The room looking south is for the priests responsible for the service of the Temple,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	46	and the room looking north is for the priests responsible for the service of the altar. These are the sons of Zadok, those of the sons of Levi who approach Yahweh to serve him.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	47	He measured the court; it was a hundred cubits long and a hundred cubits wide, a square with the altar standing in front of the Temple.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	48	He took me to the Ulam of the Temple and measured the piers of the Ulam: five cubits either side; and the width of the entrance was three cubits either side.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	40	49	The length of the Ulam was twenty cubits and its width twelve cubits. There were ten steps leading up to it, and there were columns by the piers, one on either side.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	1	He took me to the Hekal and measured its piers: six cubits wide on the one side, six cubits wide on the other.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	2	The width of the entrance was ten cubits, and the returns of the entrance were five cubits on the one side and five cubits on the other. He measured its length: forty cubits; and its width: twenty cubits.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	3	He then went inside and measured the pier at the entrance: two cubits; then the entrance; six cubits; and the returns of the entrance: seven cubits.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	4	He measured its length; twenty cubits; and its width against the Hekal: twenty cubits. He then said to me, 'This is the Holy of Holies.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	5	He then measured the wall of the Temple: six cubits. The width of the lateral structure was four cubits, all round the Temple.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	6	The cells were one above the other in three tiers of thirty cells each. The cells were recessed into the wall, the wall of the structure comprising the cells, all round, forming offsets; but there were no offsets in the wall of the Temple itself.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	7	The width of the cells increased, storey by storey, corresponding to the amount taken in from the wall from one storey to the next, all round the Temple.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	8	Then I saw that there was a paved terrace all round the Temple. The height of this, which formed the base of the side cells, was one complete rod of six cubits.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	9	The outer wall of the side cells was five cubits thick. There was a passage between the cells of the Temple
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	10	and the rooms, twenty cubits wide, all round the Temple.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	11	As a way in to the lateral cells on the passage there was one entrance on the north side and one entrance on the south side. The width of the passage was five cubits right round.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	12	The building on the west side of the court was seventy cubits wide, the wall of the building was five cubits thick all round and its length was ninety cubits.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	13	He measured the length of the Temple: a hundred cubits.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	14	The length of the court plus the building and its walls: a hundred cubits.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	15	He measured the length of the building, along the court, at the back, and its galleries on either side: a hundred cubits. The inside of the Hekal and the porches of the court,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	16	the thresholds, the windows, the galleries on three sides, facing the threshold, were panelled with wood all round from floor to windows, and the windows were screened with latticework.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	17	From the door to the inner part of the Temple, as well as outside, and on the wall all round, both inside and out,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	18	were carved great winged creatures and palm trees, one palm tree between two winged creatures; each winged creature had two faces:
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	19	a human face turned towards the palm tree on one side and the face of a lion towards the palm tree on the other side, throughout the Temple, all round.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	20	Winged creatures and palm trees were carved on the wall from the floor to above the entrance.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	21	The doorposts of the Temple were square. In front of the sanctuary there was something like
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	22	a wooden altar, three cubits high and two cubits square. Its corners, base and sides were of wood. He said to me, 'This is the table in the presence of Yahweh.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	23	The Hekal had double doors and the sanctuary
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	24	double doors. These doors had two hinged leaves, two leaves for the one door, two leaves for the other.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	25	On them (on the doors of the Hekal), were carved great winged creatures and palm trees like those carved on the walls. There was a wooden porch roof on the front of the Ulam on the outside,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	41	26	and windows with flanking palm trees on the sides of the Ulam, the cells to the side of the Temple and the porch-roofs.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	1	He then took me out into the outer court on the north side and led me to the room facing the court, that is to say, to the front of the building on the north side.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	2	Along the front, it was a hundred cubits long on the north side and fifty cubits wide.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	3	Facing the gateways of the inner court and facing the paving of the outer court was a gallery in front of the triple gallery,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	4	and in front of the rooms was a walk, ten cubits measured inwards and a hundred cubits long; their doors looked north.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	5	The top-floor rooms were narrow because the galleries took up part of the width, being narrower than those on the ground floor or those on the middle floor of the building;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	6	these were divided into three storeys and had no columns such as the court had. Hence they were narrower than the ground floor ones or the middle-floor ones (below them).
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	7	The outer wall parallel to the rooms, facing them and giving onto the outer court, was fifty cubits long,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	8	the length of the rooms facing the outer court being fifty cubits, while for those facing the hall of the Temple it was a hundred cubits.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	9	Beneath the rooms there was an entrance from the east, leading in from the outer court.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	10	In the thickness of the wall of the court, on the south side fronting the court and the building, were rooms.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	11	A walk ran in front of them, as with the rooms built on the north side; they were of the same length and breadth, and were of similar design with similar doors in and out.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	12	Before the rooms on the south side there was an entrance at the end of each walk, opposite the corresponding wall on the east side, at their entries.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	13	He said to me, 'The northern and southern rooms giving onto the court are the rooms of the sanctuary, in which the priests who approach Yahweh will eat the most holy things. In them will be placed the most holy things: the oblation, the sacrifice for sin  sin and the sacrifice of reparation, since this is a holy place.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	14	Once the priests have entered, they will not go out of the holy place into the outer court without leaving their liturgical vestments there, since these vestments are holy; they will put on other clothes before going near places assigned to the people.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	15	When he had finished measuring the inside of the Temple, he took me out to the east gate and measured it right round the sides.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	16	He measured the east side with his measuring rod: a total of five hundred cubits by the measuring rod.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	17	He then measured the north side: a total of five hundred cubits by the measuring rod.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	18	He then measured the south side: five hundred cubits by the measuring rod
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	19	was the total. On the west side he measured five hundred cubits by the measuring rod.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	42	20	He measured the entire enclosing wall on all four sides: length five hundred, breadth five hundred, separating the sacred from the profane.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	1	He took me to the gate, the one facing east.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	2	I saw the glory of the God of Israel approaching from the east. A sound came with him like the sound of the ocean, and the earth shone with his glory.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	3	This vision was like the one I had seen when I had come for the destruction of the city, and like the one I had seen by the River Chebar. Then I fell to the ground.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	4	The glory of Yahweh arrived at the Temple by the east gate.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	5	The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; I saw the glory of Yahweh fill the Temple.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	6	And I heard someone speaking to me from the Temple while the man stood beside me.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	7	He said, 'Son of man, this is the dais of my throne, the step on which I rest my feet. I shall live here among the Israelites for ever; and the House of Israel, they and their kings, will never again defile my holy name with their whorings and the corpses of their kings,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	8	by putting their threshold beside my threshold and their doorposts beside my door-posts, with a party wall shared by them and me. They used to defile my holy name by their loathsome practices, and this is why I put an end to them in my anger.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	9	From now on they will banish their whorings and the corpses of their kings from my presence and I shall live among them for ever.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	10	'Son of man, describe this Temple to the House of Israel, to shame them out of their loathsome practices. (Let them draw up the plan of it.)
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	11	And, if they are ashamed of their behaviour, show them the design and plan of the Temple, its exits and entrances, its shape, how all of it is arranged, the entire design and all its principles. Give them all this in writing so that they can see and take note of its design and the way it is all arranged and carry it out.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	12	This is the charter of the Temple: all the surrounding space on the mountain top is an especially holy area. (Such is the charter of the Temple.)'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	13	These were the dimensions of the altar, in cubits each of a cubit plus a handsbreadth. The base: one cubit high and one cubit wide; the space by the runnel, all round the edge of the altar, one handsbreadth.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	14	From the ground level of the base up to the lower plinth, two cubits high and one cubit wide; from the lesser plinth to the greater plinth, four cubits high and one cubit wide.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	15	The altar hearth: four cubits high, with four horns projecting from the hearth,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	16	the hearth was four-square: twelve cubits by twelve cubits;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	17	and the square plinth: fourteen cubits by fourteen cubits; and the ledge all round: half a cubit; and the base: one cubit all round. The steps were on the east side.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	18	He said to me, 'Son of man, the Lord Yahweh says this, "As regards the altar, this is how things must be done when it has been built for the sacrifice of the burnt offering and for the pouring of blood.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	19	To the levitical priests -- those of the race of Zadok -- who approach me to serve me -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- you must give a young bull as a sacrifice for sin.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	20	You must take some of its blood and put it on the four horns, on the four corners of the plinth and on the surrounding ledge. In this way you will purify it and make expiation on it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	21	Then take the bull of the sacrifice for sin and burn it in that part of the Temple which is cut off from the sanctuary.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	22	On the second day, you must offer an unblemished he-goat as the sacrifice for sin, and the altar must be purified again as was done with the bull.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	23	When you have finished the purification, you must offer a young, unblemished bull and an unblemished ram from the flock.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	24	You must present them before Yahweh, and the priests will sprinkle salt on them and offer them as burnt offerings to Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	25	As a sacrifice for sin, every day for seven days you must offer a he-goat, a bull and an unblemished ram from the flock.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	26	In this way the altar will be expiated and will be purified and inaugurated.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	43	27	At the end of that time, on the eighth day and afterwards, the priest will offer your burnt offerings and your communion sacrifices on the altar, and I shall look favourably on you -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	1	He brought me back to the outer east gate of the sanctuary. It was shut.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	2	Yahweh said to me, 'This gate will be kept shut. No one may open it or go through it, since Yahweh, God of Israel, has been through it. And so it must be kept shut.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	3	The prince himself, however, may sit there to take his meal in the presence of Yahweh. He must enter and leave through the porch of the gate.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	4	He led me through the north gate to the front of the Temple. And then I looked; I saw the glory of Yahweh filling the Temple of Yahweh; and I fell to the ground.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	5	Yahweh said to me, 'Son of man, pay attention, look carefully and listen closely to everything I explain; these are all the arrangements of the Temple of Yahweh and all its laws. Be careful about who is admitted to the Temple and who is excluded from the sanctuary.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	6	And say to the rebels of the House of Israel, "The Lord Yahweh says this: You have gone beyond all bounds with all your loathsome practices, House of Israel,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	7	by admitting aliens, uncircumcised in heart and body, to frequent my sanctuary and profane my Temple, while offering my food, the fat and the blood, and breaking my covenant with all your loathsome practices.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	8	Instead of maintaining the service of my holy things, you have deputed someone else to maintain my service in my sanctuary.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	9	The Lord Yahweh says this: No alien, uncircumcised in heart and body, may enter my sanctuary, none of the aliens living among the Israelites.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	10	"As regards the Levites who abandoned me when Israel strayed far from me by following its idols, they must bear the weight of their own sin.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	11	They must be servants in my sanctuary, responsible for guarding the Temple gates and serving the Temple. They will kill the burnt offerings and the sacrifice for the people, and hold themselves at the service of the people.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	12	Since they used to be at their service in front of their idols and were an occasion of guilt for the House of Israel, very well, I stretch out my hand against them -- declares the Lord Yahweh -- they will bear the weight of their guilt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	13	They may never approach me again to perform the priestly office in my presence, nor touch my holy things and my most holy things; they must bear the disgrace of their loathsome practices.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	14	I shall give them the responsibility of serving the Temple; I shall make them responsible for serving it and for everything to be done in it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	15	"As regards the levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who maintained the service of my sanctuary when the Israelites strayed far from me, they will approach me to serve me; they will stand in my presence to offer me the fat and blood -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	16	They will enter my sanctuary and approach my table to serve me; they will maintain my service.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	17	Once they enter the gates of the inner court, they must wear linen vestments; they must wear no wool when they serve inside the gates of the inner court and in the Temple.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	18	They must wear linen caps on their heads and linen breeches on their loins; they may not wear anything round their waists that makes them sweat.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	19	When they go out to the people in the outer court, they must remove the vestments in which they have performed the liturgy and leave them in the rooms of the Holy Place, and put on other clothes, so as not to hallow the people with their vestments.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	20	They may neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow long, but must cut their hair carefully.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	21	No priest may drink wine on the day he enters the inner court.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	22	They may not marry widows or divorced women, but only virgins of the race of Israel; they may, however, marry a widow, if she is the widow of a priest.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	23	They must teach my people the difference between what is sacred and what is profane and make them understand the difference between what is clean and what is unclean.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	24	They must be judges in law-suits; they must judge in the spirit of my judgements; they must follow my laws and ordinances at all my feasts and keep my Sabbaths holy.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	25	They may not go near a dead person, in case they become unclean, except in these permissible cases, that is, for father, mother, daughter, son, brother or unmarried sister.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	26	After one of them has been purified, seven days must elapse;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	27	then, the day he enters the Holy Place in the inner court to minister in the Holy Place, he must offer his sacrifice for sin -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	28	They may have no heritage; I myself shall be their heritage. You may give them no patrimony in Israel; I myself shall be their patrimony.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	29	Their food must be the oblation, the sacrifice for sin and the sacrifice of reparation. Everything dedicated by vow in Israel shall be for them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	30	The best of all your first-fruits and of all the dues and of everything you offer, must go to the priests; and the best of your dough you must also give to the priests, so that a blessing may rest on your house.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	44	31	Priests must not eat the flesh of anything that has died a natural death or been savaged, be it bird or animal." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	1	' "When you draw lots to divide the country by heritage, you must set a sacred portion of the country aside for Yahweh: twenty-five thousand cubits long and twenty thousand wide. The whole of this land must be sacred,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	2	and of this an area five hundred by five hundred cubits must be for the sanctuary, with a boundary fifty cubits wide right round.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	3	Out of this area you must also measure a section twenty-five thousand by ten thousand cubits, in which will be the sanctuary, the Holy of Holies.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	4	This will be the sacred portion of the country, belonging to the priests who officiate in the sanctuary and approach Yahweh to serve him. It will contain room for their houses and room for the sanctuary.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	5	A portion twenty-five thousand by ten thousand cubits will be owned by the Levites serving the Temple, with towns for them to live in.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	6	You must give the city possession of an area five thousand by twenty-five thousand cubits, near the land belonging to the sanctuary; this must be for the whole House of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	7	"The prince must have a territory either side of the sacred portion and of the property of the city, adjacent to the sacred portion and the property of the city, stretching westwards from the west and eastwards from the east, its size equal to one of the portions between the west and the east frontiers
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	8	of the country. This will be his property in Israel. Then my princes will no longer oppress my people; they must leave the rest of the country for the House of Israel, for its tribes.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	9	"The Lord Yahweh says this: Enough, princes of Israel! Give up your violence and plundering, do what is upright and just, stop crushing my people with taxation -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	10	Have fair scales, a fair ephah, a fair bat.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	11	Let the ephah and bat be equal, let the bat hold one-tenth of a homer and the ephah one-tenth of a homer. Let the measures be based on the homer.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	12	The shekel must be twenty gerah. Twenty shekels, twenty-five shekels and fifteen shekels must make one mina.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	13	"This is the offering that you must levy: the sixth of an ephah for every homer of wheat, and the sixth of an ephah for every homer of barley.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	14	The dues on oil: one bat of oil out of every ten bat or out of every kor (which is equal to ten bat or one homer, since ten bat equal one homer).
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	15	You must levy one sheep on every flock of two hundred from the pastures of Israel for the oblation, the burnt offerings and the communion sacrifice. This must form your expiation -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	16	Let all the people of the country be subject to this due for the prince of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	17	The prince must make himself responsible for providing the burnt offerings, the oblation and the libations for feasts, New Moons, Sabbaths and all the solemn festivals of the House of Israel. He must provide the sacrifice for sin, the oblation, the burnt offerings and the communion sacrifices to make expiation for the House of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	18	"The Lord Yahweh says this: On the first day of the first month, you must take a young bull without blemish, to purify the sanctuary.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	19	The priest must take blood from the sacrifice for sin and put it on the doorposts of the Temple, on the four corners of the altar plinth and on the doorposts of the gates of the inner court.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	20	You must do the same on the seventh of the month, on behalf of anyone who has sinned through inadvertence or ignorance. This is how you must make expiation for the Temple.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	21	On the fourteenth day of the first month, you must celebrate the feast of the Passover. For seven days everyone must eat unleavened loaves.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	22	On that day, the prince must offer a bull as a sacrifice for sin, for himself and all the people of the country.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	23	For the seven days of the feast, he must offer Yahweh burnt offerings of seven bulls and seven rams without blemish, daily for a week, and one he-goat daily as a sacrifice for sin,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	24	and as an oblation, one ephah for each bull and one ephah for each ram, and a hin of oil for every ephah.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	45	25	"For the feast that falls on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, he must do the same for seven days, offering the sacrifice for sin, the burnt offerings, the oblation and the oil." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	1	' "The Lord Yahweh says this: The east gate of the inner court must be kept shut for the six working days. On the Sabbath day, however, it must be opened, as also on the day of the New Moon;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	2	and the prince must go in through the porch of the outer gate and take his position by the doorposts of the gate. The priests must then offer his burnt offerings and his communion sacrifice. He must prostrate himself on the threshold of the gate and go out, and the gate must not be shut again until the evening.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	3	The people of the country must prostrate themselves in the presence of Yahweh at the entrance to the gate on Sabbaths and days of the New Moon.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	4	The burnt offering offered to Yahweh by the prince on the Sabbath day must consist of six unblemished lambs and one unblemished ram,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	5	with an oblation of one ephah for the ram, and such oblation as he pleases for the lambs, and a hin of oil for every ephah.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	6	On the day of the New Moon it must consist of an unblemished young bull, six unblemished lambs and one unblemished ram,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	7	when he must make an oblation of one ephah for the bull and one ephah for the ram, and what he pleases for the lambs, and a hin of oil for every ephah.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	8	"When the prince goes in, he must enter by the porch of the gate, and he must leave by the same way.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	9	When the people of the country come into the presence of Yahweh at the solemn festivals, those who have come in by the north gate to prostrate themselves must go out by the south gate, and those who have come in by the south gate must go out by the north gate; no one must turn back to leave through the gate by which he entered but must go out on the opposite side.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	10	The prince will be with them, coming in like them and going out like them.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	11	"On feast days and solemn festivals the oblation must be one ephah for every bull, one ephah for every ram, what he pleases for the lambs, and a hin of oil for every ephah.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	12	When the prince offers Yahweh voluntary burnt offerings or a voluntary communion sacrifice, the east gate must be opened for him, and he must offer his burnt offerings and his communion sacrifice as he does on the Sabbath day; when he has gone out, the gate must shut after him.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	13	Every day he must offer an unblemished lamb one year old as a burnt offering to Yahweh; he must offer this every morning.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	14	Every morning in addition he must offer an oblation of one-sixth of an ephah and one-third of a hin of oil, for mixing with the flour. This is the oblation to Yahweh, a perpetual decree, fixed for ever.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	15	The lamb, the oblation and the oil must be offered morning after morning for ever.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	16	"Lord Yahweh says this: If the prince presents part of his hereditary portion to one of his sons, the gift must pass into the ownership of his sons and become their hereditary property.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	17	If, however, he presents part of his hereditary portion to one of his slaves, it will belong to the man only until the year of liberation and then must revert to the prince. Only his sons may retain his hereditary portion.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	18	The prince may not take any part of the people's hereditary portion, thus robbing them of what is theirs; he must provide the patrimony of his sons out of his own property, so that no member of my people is robbed of what is his!" '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	19	He took me through the entrance at the side of the north gate that leads to the rooms of the Holy Place set apart for the priests. And there before us, to the west, was a space at the end.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	20	He said to me, 'This is where the priests must boil the slaughtered animals for the sacrifice for sin and the sacrifice of reparation, and where they must bake the oblation, without having to carry them into the outer court and so run the risk of hallowing the people.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	21	He then took me into the outer court and led me to each of its four corners; in each corner of the outer court was a compound;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	22	in other words, the four corners of the court contained four small compounds, forty cubits by thirty, all four being the same size.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	23	All four were enclosed by a wall, with hearths all round the bottom of the wall.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	46	24	He said, 'These are the kitchens where the Temple servants must boil the sacrifices offered by the people.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	1	He brought me back to the entrance of the Temple, where a stream flowed eastwards from under the Temple threshold, for the Temple faced east. The water flowed from under the right side of the Temple, south of the altar.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	2	He took me out by the north gate and led me right round outside as far as the outer east gate where the water flowed out on the right-hand side.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	3	The man went off to the east holding his measuring line and measured off a thousand cubits; he then made me wade across the stream; the water reached my ankles.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	4	He measured off another thousand and made me wade across the stream again; the water reached my knees. He measured off another thousand and made me wade across the stream again; the water reached my waist.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	5	He measured off another thousand; it was now a river which I could not cross; the stream had swollen and was now deep water, a river impossible to cross.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	6	He then said, 'Do you see, son of man?' He then took me and brought me back to the bank on the river.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	7	Now, when I reached it, I saw an enormous number of trees on each bank of the river.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	8	He said, 'This water flows east down to the Arabah and to the sea; and flowing into the sea it makes its waters wholesome.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	9	Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	10	There will be fishermen on its banks. Fishing nets will be spread from En-Gedi to En-Eglaim. The species of fish will be the same as the fish of the Great Sea.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	11	The marshes and lagoons, however, will not become wholesome, but will remain salt.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	12	Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.'
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	13	'The Lord Yahweh says this, "This will be the territory which you must distribute among the twelve tribes of Israel, with two portions for Joseph.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	14	You will each have a fair share of it, since I swore to your fathers that I would give it to them, and this country now falls to you as your heritage.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	15	These will be the frontiers of the country. On the north, from the Great Sea, the road from Hethlon to the Pass of Hamath, Zedad,
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	16	Berothah, Sibraim lying between the territories of Damascus and Hamath, to Hazer-ha-Tikon on the borders of Hauran;
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	17	the frontier will extend from the sea to Hazer-Enon, with the territory of Damascus and the territory of Hamath to the north; that will be the northern frontier.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	18	On the east, the Jordan will serve as frontier between Hauran and Damascus, between Gilead and Israel, down to the Eastern Sea as far as Tamar; that will be the eastern frontier.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	19	On the south, from Tamar southward to the Waters of Meribah in Kadesh, to the Wadi and the Great Sea; that will be the southern frontier.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	20	And to the west, the Great Sea will serve as frontier up to the point opposite the Pass of Hamath; that will be the western frontier.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	21	You must distribute this country among yourselves, among the tribes of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	22	You must distribute it as a heritage for yourselves and the aliens settled among you who have fathered children among you, since you must treat them as citizens of Israel. They must draw lots for their heritage with you, among the tribes of Israel.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	47	23	You will give the alien his heritage in the tribe where he has settled -- declares the Lord Yahweh." '
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	1	' "This is the list of the tribes. One portion in the far north by way of Hethlon to the Pass of Hamath, to Hazer-Enon, with the territory of Damascus to the north, and marching with Hamath, from the eastern limit to the western limit: Dan.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	2	One portion bordering Dan, from the eastern limit to the western limit: Asher.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	3	One portion bordering Asher, from the eastern limit to the western limit: Naphtali.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	4	One portion bordering Naphtali, from the eastern limit to the western limit: Manasseh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	5	One portion bordering Manasseh, from the eastern limit to the western limit: Ephraim.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	6	One portion bordering Ephraim, from the eastern limit to the western limit: Reuben.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	7	One portion bordering Reuben, from the eastern limit to the western limit: Judah.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	8	One portion bordering Judah, from the eastern limit to the western limit, is the portion which you must set aside, twenty-five thousand cubits wide, and as long as each of the other portions from the eastern limit to the western limit. The sanctuary will be in the centre of it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	9	"The portion which you must set aside for Yahweh must be twenty-five thousand cubits long and ten thousand cubits wide.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	10	This sacred portion must belong to the priests, being, on the north side, twenty-five thousand cubits; on the west side ten thousand cubits wide, on the east side ten thousand cubits wide and on the south side twenty-five thousand cubits long; the sanctuary of Yahweh will be in the centre of it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	11	This will be for the consecrated priests, those of the sons of Zadok who maintained my liturgy and did not go astray with the straying Israelites, as the Levites went astray.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	12	And so their portion must be taken out of the especially holy portion of the land, near the territory of the Levites.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	13	The territory of the Levites, like the territory of the priests, must be twenty-five thousand cubits long and ten thousand wide -- the whole length being twenty-five thousand and the width ten thousand.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	14	It will be illegal for them to sell or exchange any part of it, and the domain can never be alienated, since it is consecrated to Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	15	As regards the remainder, an area of five thousand cubits by twenty-five thousand, this must be for the common use of the city, for houses and pastures. In the middle will be the city.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	16	These will be its dimensions: on the north side, four thousand five hundred cubits; on the south side, four thousand five hundred cubits; on the east side, four thousand five hundred cubits; on the west side, four thousand five hundred cubits.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	17	The pasture land of the city must extend two hundred and fifty cubits to the north, two hundred and fifty to the south, two hundred and fifty to the east, two hundred and fifty to the west.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	18	One strip, contiguous to the sacred portion, must be left over, consisting of ten thousand cubits to eastward and ten thousand to westward, marching with the sacred portion; this will bring in a revenue for feeding the municipal workmen.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	19	And the municipal workmen, drawn from all the tribes of Israel, will farm it.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	20	The portion must have a total area of twenty-five thousand cubits by twenty-five thousand. You must allocate a square area from the sacred portion to constitute the city.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	21	What is left over will be for the prince, on either side of the sacred portion and of the property of the city, marching with the twenty-five thousand cubits to eastward to the eastern frontier, and marching with the twenty-five thousand cubits to westward to the western frontier-- running parallel with the other portions and belonging to the prince. In the centre will be the sacred portion and the sanctuary of the Temple.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	22	Thus, apart from the property of the Levites and the property of the city which lie in the middle of the prince's portion, everything between the borders of Judah and the borders of Ben- jamin must belong to the prince.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	23	"As regards the rest of the tribes: One portion from the eastern limit to the western limit: Benjamin.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	24	One portion bordering Benjamin, from the eastern limit to the western limit: Simeon.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	25	One portion bordering Simeon, from the eastern limit to the western limit: Issachar.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	26	One portion bordering Issachar, from the eastern limit to the western limit: Zebulun.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	27	One portion bordering Zebulun, from the eastern limit to the western limit: Gad.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	28	On the southern border of Gad, on the south side, the border will run from Tamar to the Waters of Meribah in Kadesh, to the Wadi and the Great Sea.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	29	This is how you must distribute the country to the tribes of Israel as their heritage, and these must be their portions -- declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	30	"Here are the exits from the city. On the north side, four thousand five hundred cubits are to be measured off.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	31	The gates of the city are to be named after the tribes of Israel. Three gates to the north: one the gate of Reuben; one the gate of Judah; one the gate of Levi.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	32	On the east side, there will be four thousand five hundred cubits and three gates: one the gate of Joseph; one the gate of Benjamin; one the gate of Dan.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	33	On the south side, four thousand five hundred cubits are to be measured off, and there are to be three gates: one the gate of Simeon; one the gate of Issachar; one the gate of Zebulun.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	34	On the west side, there will be four thousand five hundred cubits and three gates: one the gate of Gad; one the gate of Asher; one the gate of Naphtali.
 Ezekiel	Ezek	33	48	35	Total perimeter: eighteen thousand cubits. "The name of the city in future must be: Yahweh-is-there." '
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	1	In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched on Jerusalem and besieged it.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	2	The Lord let Jehoiakim king of Judah fall into his power, as well as some of the vessels belonging to the Temple of God. These he took away to Shinar, putting the vessels into the treasury of his own gods.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	3	From the Israelites, the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring a certain number of boys of royal or noble descent;
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	4	they had to be without any physical defect, of good appearance, versed in every branch of wisdom, well-informed, discerning, suitable for service at the royal court. Ashpenaz was to teach them to speak and write the language of the Chaldaeans.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	5	The king assigned them a daily allowance of food and wine from the royal table. They were to receive an education lasting for three years, after which they would enter the royal service.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	6	Among them were the Judaeans Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	7	The chief eunuch gave them other names, calling Daniel Belteshazzar, Hananiah Shadrach, Mishael Meshach, and Azariah Abed-Nego.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	8	Daniel, who was determined not to incur pollution by food and wine from the royal table, begged the chief eunuch to spare him this defilement.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	9	God allowed Daniel to receive faithful love and sympathy from the chief eunuch.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	10	But the eunuch warned Daniel, 'I am afraid of my lord the king: he has assigned you food and drink, and if he sees you looking thinner in the face than the other boys of your age, my head will be in danger with the king because of you.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	11	To the guard assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah by the chief eunuch, Daniel then said,
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	12	'Please allow your servants a ten days' trial, during which we are given only vegetables to eat and water to drink.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	13	You can then compare our looks with those of the boys who eat the king's food; go by what you see, and treat your servants accordingly.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	14	The man agreed to do what they asked and put them on ten days' trial.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	15	When the ten days were over, they looked better and fatter than any of the boys who had eaten their allowance from the royal table;
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	16	so the guard withdrew their allowance of food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	17	To these four boys God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and learning; Daniel also had the gift of interpreting every kind of vision and dream.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	18	When the time stipulated by the king for the boys to be presented to him came round, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	19	The king conversed with them, and among all the boys found none to equal Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. So they became members of the king's court,
 Daniel	Dan	34	1	20	and on whatever point of wisdom or understanding he might question them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and soothsayers in his entire kingdom. Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	1	In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had a series of dreams; he was perturbed by this and sleep deserted him.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	2	The king then had magicians and soothsayers, sorcerers and Chaldaeans summoned to tell him what his dreams meant. They arrived and stood in the king's presence.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	3	The king said to them, 'I have had a dream, and my mind is troubled by a wish to understand it.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	4	The Chaldaeans answered the king: 'May your majesty live for ever! Tell your servants the dream, and we shall reveal its meaning for you.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	5	The king answered the Chaldaeans, 'This is my firm resolve: if you cannot tell me what I dreamt and what it means, I shall have you torn limb from limb and your houses turned into dunghills.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	6	If, on the other hand, you can tell me what I dreamt and what it means, I shall give you presents, rewards and high honour. So tell me what I dreamt and what it means.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	7	A second time they said, 'Let the king tell his dream to his servants, and we shall reveal its meaning.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	8	But the king retorted, 'It is plain to me that you are trying to gain time, knowing my proclaimed resolve.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	9	If you do not interpret my dream for me, there will be but one sentence passed on you all; you have agreed among yourselves to make me misleading and tortuous speeches while the time goes by. So tell me what my dream was, and then I shall know whether you can interpret it.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	10	The Chaldaeans answered the king, 'Nobody in the world could explain the king's problem; what is more, no other king, governor or chief would think of putting such a question to any magician, soothsayer or Chaldaean.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	11	The question the king asks is difficult, and no one can find the king an answer to it, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	12	At this the king flew into a rage and ordered all the Babylonian sages to be put to death.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	13	On publication of the decree to have the sages killed, search was made for Daniel and his companions to have them put to death.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	14	Then, with shrewd and cautious words, Daniel approached Arioch, the king's chief executioner, when he was on his way to kill the Babylonian sages.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	15	To this royal official Arioch he said, 'Why has the king issued such a harsh decree?' Arioch explained matters to Daniel,
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	16	and Daniel went off to ask the king for a stay of execution to give him the opportunity of revealing his interpretation to the king.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	17	Daniel then went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah what had happened,
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	18	urging them to beg the God of heaven to show his mercy and explain the mysterious secret, so that Daniel and his friends might be spared the fate of the other Babylonian sages.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	19	The mystery was then revealed to Daniel in a night-vision, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	20	This is what Daniel said: May the name of God be blessed for ever and ever, since wisdom and power are his alone.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	21	It is he who controls the procession of times and seasons, who makes and unmakes kings, who confers wisdom on the wise, and knowledge on those with discernment,
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	22	who uncovers depths and mysteries, who knows what lies in darkness; and light dwells with him.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	23	To you, God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise for having given me wisdom and strength: to me you have explained what we asked you, to us you have explained the king's problem.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	24	So Daniel went to see Arioch, whom the king had made responsible for putting the Babylonian sages to death. Going in, he said, 'Do not put the Babylonian sages to death. Take me into the king's presence and I will reveal the meaning to the king.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	25	Arioch lost no time in bringing Daniel to the king. 'Among the exiles from Judah,' he said, 'I have discovered a man who can reveal the meaning to the king.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	26	The king said to Daniel (who had been given the name Belteshazzar), 'Can you tell me what I dreamt and what it means?'
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	27	Facing the king, Daniel replied, 'None of the sages, soothsayers, magicians or exorcists has been able to tell the king the truth of the mystery which the king has propounded;
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	28	but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries and who has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what is to take place in the final days. These, then, are the dream and the visions that passed through your head as you lay in bed:
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	29	'Your Majesty, on your bed your thoughts turned to what would happen in the future, and the Revealer of Mysteries disclosed to you what is to take place.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	30	This mystery has been revealed to me, not that I am wiser than anyone else, but for this sole purpose: that the king should learn what it means, and that you should understand your inmost thoughts.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	31	'You have had a vision, Your Majesty; this is what you saw: a statue, a great statue of extreme brightness, stood before you, terrible to see.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	32	The head of this statue was of fine gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze,
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	33	its legs of iron, its feet part iron, part clay.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	34	While you were gazing, a stone broke away, untouched by any hand, and struck the statue, struck its feet of iron and clay and shattered them.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	35	Then, iron and clay, bronze, silver and gold, all broke into pieces as fine as chaff on the threshing-floor in summer. The wind blew them away, leaving not a trace behind. And the stone that had struck the statue grew into a great mountain, filling the whole world.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	36	This was the dream; we shall now explain to the king what it means.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	37	'You, Your Majesty, king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength and honour-
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	38	human beings, wild animals, birds of the air, wherever they live, he has entrusted to your rule, making you king of them all -- you are the golden head.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	39	And, after you, another kingdom will rise, not as great as yours, and then a third, of bronze, which will rule the whole world.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	40	There will be a fourth kingdom, hard as iron, as iron that pulverises and crushes all. Like iron that breaks everything to pieces, it will crush and break all the earlier kingdoms.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	41	The feet you saw, part earthenware, part iron, are a kingdom which will be split in two, but which will retain something of the strength of iron, just as you saw the iron and the clay of the earthenware mixed together.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	42	The feet were part iron, part potter's clay: the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	43	And just as you saw the iron and the clay of the earthenware mixed together, so the two will be mixed together in human seed; but they will not hold together any more than iron will blend with clay.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	44	In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not pass into the hands of another race: it will shatter and absorb all the previous kingdoms and itself last for ever-
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	45	just as you saw a stone, untouched by hand, break away from the mountain and reduce iron, bronze, earthenware, silver and gold to powder. The Great God has shown the king what is to take place. The dream is true, the interpretation exact.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	46	At this, King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel; he gave orders for Daniel to be offered an oblation and a fragrant sacrifice.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	47	The king said to Daniel, 'Your god is indeed the God of gods, the Master of kings, and the Revealer of Mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	48	The king then conferred high rank on Daniel and gave him many handsome presents. He also made him governor of the whole province of Babylon and head of all the sages of Babylon.
 Daniel	Dan	34	2	49	At Daniel's request, the king entrusted the affairs of the province of Babylon to Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego; Daniel himself remained in attendance on the king.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	1	King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden statue made, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, which he set up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	2	King Nebuchadnezzar then summoned the satraps, magistrates, governors, counsellors, treasurers, judges, lawyers, and all the provincial authorities to assemble and attend the dedication of the statue set up by King Nebuchadnezzar.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	3	Satraps, magistrates, governors, counsellors, treasurers, judges, lawyers and all the provincial authorities then assembled for the dedication of the statue set up by King Nebuchadnezzar and stood in front of the statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	4	A herald then loudly proclaimed: 'Peoples, nations, languages! Thus are you commanded:
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	5	the moment you hear the sound of horn, pipe, lyre, zither, harp, bagpipe and every other kind of instrument, you will prostrate yourselves and worship the golden statue set up by King Nebuchadnezzar.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	6	Anyone who does not prostrate himself and worship will immediately be thrown into the burning fiery furnace.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	7	And so, the instant all the peoples heard the sound of horn, pipe, lyre, zither, harp, bagpipe and all the other instruments, all the peoples, nations and languages prostrated themselves and worshipped the statue set up by King Nebuchadnezzar.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	8	Some Chaldaeans then came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	9	They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, 'May Your Majesty live for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	10	You have issued a decree, Your Majesty, to the effect that everyone on hearing the sound of horn, pipe, lyre, zither, harp, bagpipe and every other kind of instrument is to prostrate himself and worship the golden statue;
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	11	and that anyone who does not prostrate himself and worship is to be thrown into the burning fiery furnace.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	12	Now, there are certain Jews to whom you have entrusted the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego; these men have ignored your command, Your Majesty; they do not serve your gods, and refuse to worship the golden statue you have set up.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	13	Shaking with fury, Nebuchadnezzar sent for Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. The men were immediately brought before the king.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	14	Nebuchadnezzar addressed them, 'Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, is it true that you do not serve my gods, and that you refuse to worship the golden statue I have set up?
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	15	When you hear the sound of horn, pipe, lyre, zither, harp, bagpipe and every other kind of instrument, are you prepared to prostrate yourselves and worship the statue I have made? If you refuse to worship it, you will be thrown forthwith into the burning fiery furnace; then which of the gods could save you from my power?'
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	16	Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego replied to King Nebuchadnezzar, 'Your question needs no answer from us:
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	17	if our God, the one we serve, is able to save us from the burning fiery furnace and from your power, Your Majesty, he will save us;
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	18	and even if he does not, then you must know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your god or worship the statue you have set up.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	19	This infuriated King Nebuchadnezzar; his expression was changed now as he looked at Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. He gave orders for the furnace to be made seven times hotter than usual
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	20	and commanded certain stalwarts from his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego and throw them into the burning fiery furnace.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	21	They were then bound in their cloaks, trousers, headgear and other garments, and thrown into the burning fiery furnace.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	22	The king's command was so urgent and the heat of the furnace was so fierce, that the men carrying Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were burnt to death by the flames from the fire;
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	23	the three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego fell, bound, into the burning fiery furnace.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	24	And they walked in the heart of the flames, praising God and blessing the Lord.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	25	Azariah stood in the heart of the fire, praying aloud thus:
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	26	May you be blessed and revered, Lord, God of our ancestors, may your name be held glorious for ever.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	27	For you are upright in all that you have done for us, all your deeds are true, all your ways right, all your judgements true.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	28	True is the sentence you have given in all that you have brought down on us and on Jerusalem, the holy city of our ancestors, for you have treated us rightly and truly, as our sins deserve.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	29	Yes, we have sinned and committed a crime by deserting you, yes, we have greatly sinned; we have not listened to your commandments,
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	30	we have not observed them, we have not done what you commanded us to do for our own good.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	31	Yes, all that you have brought down on us, all that you have done to us, you have been fully justified in doing.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	32	You have handed us over to our enemies, to a lawless people, the worst of the godless, to an unjust king, the worst in the whole world;
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	33	today we have no right to open our mouths, shame and dishonour are the lot of those who serve and worship you.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	34	Do not abandon us for ever, for the sake of your name; do not repudiate your covenant,
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	35	do not withdraw your favour from us, for the sake of Abraham, your friend, of Isaac, your servant, and of Israel, your holy one,
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	36	to whom you promised to make their descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the grains of sand on the seashore.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	37	Lord, we have become the least of all nations, we are put to shame today throughout the world, because of our sins.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	38	We now have no leader, no prophet, no prince, no burnt offering, no sacrifice, no oblation, no incense, no place where we can make offerings to you
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	39	and win your favour. But may the contrite soul, the humbled spirit, be as acceptable to you
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	40	as burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, as thousands of fat lambs: such let our sacrifice be to you today, and may it please you that we follow you whole-heartedly, since those who trust in you will not be shamed.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	41	And now we put our whole heart into following you, into fearing you and seeking your face once more.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	42	Do not abandon us to shame but treat us in accordance with your gentleness, in accordance with the greatness of your mercy.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	43	Rescue us in accordance with your wonderful deeds and win fresh glory for your name, O Lord.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	44	Confusion seize all who ill-treat your servants: may they be covered with shame, deprived of all their power, and may their strength be broken.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	45	Let them learn that you alone are God and Lord, glorious over the whole world.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	46	All this time, the king's servants, who had thrown them into the furnace, had been stoking it with crude oil, pitch, tow and brushwood
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	47	until the flames rose forty-nine cubits above the furnace
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	48	and, leaping out, burnt those Chaldaeans to death who were standing round it.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	49	But the angel of the Lord came down into the furnace beside Azariah and his companions; he drove the flames of the fire outwards from the furnace
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	50	and, in the heart of the furnace, wafted a coolness to them as of the breeze and dew, so that the fire did not touch them at all and caused them no pain or distress.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	51	Then all three in unison began to sing, glorifying and blessing God in the furnace, with the words:
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	52	May you be blessed, Lord, God of our ancestors, be praised and extolled for ever. Blessed be your glorious and holy name, praised and extolled for ever.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	53	May you be blessed in the Temple of your sacred glory, exalted and glorified above all for ever:
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	54	blessed on the throne of your kingdom, exalted above all, glorified for ever:
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	55	blessed are you who fathom the abyss, enthroned on the winged creatures, praised and exalted above all for ever:
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	56	blessed in the expanse of the heavens, exalted and glorified for ever.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	57	Bless the Lord, all the Lord's creation: praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	58	Bless the Lord, angels of the Lord, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	59	Bless the Lord, heavens, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	60	Bless the Lord, all the waters above the heavens, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	61	Bless the Lord, powers of the Lord, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	62	Bless the Lord, sun and moon, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	63	Bless the Lord, stars of heaven, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	64	Bless the Lord, all rain and dew, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	65	Bless the Lord, every wind, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	66	Bless the Lord, fire and heat, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	67	Bless the Lord, cold and warmth, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	68	Bless the Lord, dew and snow-storm, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	69	Bless the Lord, frost and cold, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	70	Bless the Lord, ice and snow, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	71	Bless the Lord, nights and days, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	72	Bless the Lord, light and darkness, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	73	Bless the Lord, lightning and cloud, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	74	Let the earth bless the Lord: praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	75	Bless the Lord, mountains and hills, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	76	Bless the Lord, every plant that grows, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	77	Bless the Lord, springs of water, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	78	Bless the Lord, seas and rivers, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	79	Bless the Lord, whales, and everything that moves in the waters, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	80	Bless the Lord, every kind of bird, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	81	Bless the Lord, all animals wild and tame, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	82	Bless the Lord, all the human race: praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	83	Bless the Lord, O Israel, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	84	Bless the Lord, priests, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	85	Bless the Lord, his servants, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	86	Bless the Lord, spirits and souls of the upright, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	87	Bless the Lord, faithful, humble-hearted people, praise and glorify him for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	88	Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael, bless the Lord, praise and glorify him for ever!-For he has rescued us from the Underworld, he has saved us from the hand of Death, he has snatched us from the burning fiery furnace, he has drawn us from the heart of the flame!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	89	Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his love is everlasting.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	90	Bless the Lord, the God of gods, all who fear him, give praise and thanks to him, for his love is everlasting!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	91	King Nebuchadnezzar sprang to his feet in amazement. He said to his advisers, 'Did we not have these three men thrown bound into the fire?' They answered the king, 'Certainly, Your Majesty'.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	92	'But', he went on, 'I can see four men walking free in the heart of the fire and quite unharmed! And the fourth looks like a child of the gods!'
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	93	Nebuchadnezzar approached the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and said, 'Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, servants of God Most High, come out, come here!' And from the heart of the fire out came Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	94	The satraps, magistrates, governors, and advisers of the king crowded round the three men to examine them: the fire had had no effect on their bodies: not a hair of their heads had been singed, their cloaks were not scorched, no smell of burning hung about them. Nebuchadnezzar said,
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	95	'Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego: he has sent his angel to rescue his servants who, putting their trust in him, defied the order of the king, and preferred to forfeit their bodies rather than serve or worship any god but their God.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	96	I therefore decree as follows, "Peoples, nations, and languages! Let any of you speak disrespectfully of the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, and I shall have him torn limb from limb and his house turned into a dunghill; for there is no other god who can save like this."'
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	97	The king then showered favours on Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	98	'King Nebuchadnezzar, to all peoples, nations and languages dwelling throughout the world: may you prosper more and more!
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	99	'It is my pleasure to make known the signs and wonders with which the Most High God has favoured me.
 Daniel	Dan	34	3	100	How great his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, his empire endures age after age!'
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	1	'I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living comfortably in my house, prosperously in my palace.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	2	I had a dream; it appalled me. Dread assailed me as I lay in bed; the visions that passed through my head tormented me.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	3	So I decreed that all the sages of Babylon be summoned to explain to me what the dream meant.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	4	Magicians, soothsayers, Chaldaeans and exorcists came, and I told them what I had dreamt, but they could not interpret it for me.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	5	Daniel, renamed Belteshazzar after my own god, and in whom the spirit of the holy gods resides, then came into my presence. I told him my dream:
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	6	' "Belteshazzar, chief of magicians," I said, "I know that the spirit of the holy gods resides in you and that no mystery puts you at a loss. This is the dream I have had; tell me what it means.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	7	' "The visions that passed through my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw a tree in the middle of the world; it was very tall.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	8	The tree grew taller and stronger, until its top reached the sky and it could be seen from the very ends of the earth.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	9	Its foliage was beautiful, its fruit abundant, in it was food for all. For the wild animals it provided shade, the birds of heaven nested in its branches, all living creatures found their food on it.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	10	' "I watched the visions passing through my head as I lay in bed: Next, a Watchful One, a holy one, came down from heaven.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	11	At the top of his voice he shouted: Cut the tree down, lop off its branches, strip off its leaves, throw away its fruit; let the animals flee from its shelter and the birds from its branches.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	12	But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, bound with hoops of iron and bronze, in the grass of the countryside. Let it be drenched by the dew of heaven and have its lot with the animals, eating grass!
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	13	Let it cease to have a human heart, and be given the heart of a beast, and seven times shall pass over him!
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	14	Such is the sentence proclaimed by the Watchers, the verdict announced by the holy ones- so that every living thing may learn that the Most High rules over human sovereignty; he confers it on whom he pleases, and raises the lowest of humankind.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	15	' "This was the dream I had-I, Nebuchadnezzar the king. Now it is for you, Belteshazzar, to pronounce on its meaning, since not one of the sages in my kingdom has been able to interpret it for me; you, however, can do so, since the spirit of the holy gods resides in you."'
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	16	Daniel, known as Belteshazzar, was confused for a time and upset. The king said, 'Belteshazzar, do not be upset at the dream and its meaning.' Belteshazzar answered, 'My lord, may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its meaning to your foes!
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	17	The tree you saw, so large and strong and tall that it reached the sky and could be seen throughout the world,
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	18	the tree with beautiful foliage and abundant fruit, with food for all in it, providing shade for the wild animals, with the birds of heaven nesting in its branches:
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	19	that tree is yourself, Your Majesty, for you have grown great and strong; your stature is now so great that it reaches the sky, and your empire extends to the ends of the earth.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	20	'And the Watchful One seen by the king, the holy one coming down from heaven and saying, "Cut the tree down and destroy it, but leave stump and roots in the ground, bound with hoops of iron and bronze in the grass of the countryside; let it be drenched by the dew and have its lot with the wild animals until seven times have passed over":
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	21	the meaning of this, Your Majesty, the verdict of the Most High passed on my lord the king, is this:
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	22	You will be driven from human society and will make your home with the wild animals, you will feed on grass, as oxen do, you will be drenched by the dew of heaven; seven times will pass over you until you have learnt that the Most High rules over human sovereignty and confers it on whom he pleases.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	23	'And the order, "Leave the stump and roots of the tree", means that your kingdom will be kept for you until you come to understand that Heaven rules all.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	24	May it please the king to accept my advice: by upright actions break with your sins, break with your crimes by showing mercy to the poor, and so live long and peacefully.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	25	This all happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	26	At the end of twelve months, while strolling on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon,
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	27	the king was saying, 'Great Babylon! Was it not built by me as a royal residence, by the force of my might and for the majesty of my glory?'
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	28	The words were not out of his mouth when a voice came down from heaven: 'Of you, King Nebuchadnezzar, it is decreed: the empire has been taken from you,
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	29	you will be driven from human society and will make your home with the wild animals; you will feed on grass, as oxen do, and seven times will pass over you until you have learnt that the Most High rules over human sovereignty and gives it to whom he pleases.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	30	The words were immediately fulfilled: Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society and ate grass as oxen do; he was drenched by the dew of heaven; his hair grew like an eagle's feathers, and his nails became like a bird's talons.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	31	'When the time was over, I, Nebuchad- nezzar, raised my eyes to heaven: my reason returned. And I blessed the Most High, praising and glorifying him who lives for ever, for his empire is an everlasting empire, his kingship endures, age after age.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	32	All who dwell on earth count for nothing; as he thinks fit, he disposes the army of heaven and those who dwell on earth. No one can arrest his hand or ask him, "What have you done?"
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	33	'At that moment my reason returned and, for the honour of my royal state, my glory and splendour returned too. My counsellors and noblemen acclaimed me; I was restored to my throne, and to my past greatness even more was added.
 Daniel	Dan	34	4	34	And now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, extol and glorify the King of heaven, all of whose deeds are true, all of whose ways are right, and who can humble those who walk in pride.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	1	King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for his noblemen, a thousand of them, and, in the presence of this thousand, he drank his wine.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	2	Having tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave orders for the gold and silver vessels to be brought which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the sanctuary in Jerusalem, so that the king, his noblemen, his wives and the women who sang for him could drink out of them.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	3	The gold and silver vessels taken from the sanctuary of the Temple of God in Jerusalem were brought in, and the king, his noblemen, his wives and the women who sang for him drank out of them.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	4	They drank their wine and praised their idols of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	5	Suddenly, the fingers of a human hand appeared and began to write on the plaster of the palace wall, directly behind the lamp-stand; and the king could see the hand as it wrote.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	6	The king turned pale with alarm: his hip-joints went slack and his knees began to knock.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	7	He shouted for his soothsayers, Chaldaeans, and exorcists. And the king said to the Babylonian sages, 'Anyone who can read this writing and tell me what it means shall be dressed in purple, and have a chain of gold put round his neck, and be one of the three men who govern the kingdom.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	8	The king's sages all crowded forward, but they could neither read the writing nor explain to the king what it meant.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	9	Greatly alarmed, King Belshazzar turned even paler, and his noblemen were equally disturbed.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	10	Then the queen, attracted by the noise made by the king and his noblemen, came into the banqueting hall. 'May Your Majesty live for ever!' said the queen. 'Do not be alarmed, do not look so pale.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	11	In your kingdom there is a man in whom lives the spirit of the holy gods. In your father's days he was known for a perception, intelligence and wisdom comparable to that of the gods. King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, made him head of the magicians, soothsayers, Chaldaeans and exorcists.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	12	Since this man Daniel, whom the king had renamed Belteshazzar, is filled with such a marvellous spirit and such knowledge and intelligence in interpreting dreams, solving enigmas and unravelling difficult problems, send for him; he will be able to tell you what this means.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	13	Daniel was brought into the king's presence; the king said to Daniel, 'Are you the Daniel who was one of the Judaean exiles brought by my father the king from Judah?
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	14	I am told that the spirit of the gods lives in you, and that you are known for your perception, intelligence and marvellous wisdom.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	15	The sages and soothsayers have already been brought to me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they have been unable to reveal its meaning.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	16	I am told that you are able to give interpretations and to unravel difficult problems, so if you can read the writing and tell me what it means, you shall be dressed in purple, and have a chain of gold put round your neck, and be one of the three men who govern the kingdom.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	17	Then Daniel spoke up in the presence of the king. 'Keep your gifts for yourself,' he said, 'and give your rewards to others! I can certainly read the writing to the king and tell him what it means.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	18	Your Majesty, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father sovereignty, greatness, majesty and glory.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	19	He made him so great that all peoples, nations and languages shook with dread before him: he killed whom he pleased, spared whom he pleased, promoted whom he pleased, degraded whom he pleased.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	20	But because his heart grew swollen with pride, and his spirit stiff with arrogance, he was deposed from his sovereign throne and stripped of his glory.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	21	He was driven from human society, his heart was more like an animal's than a man's; he lived with the wild donkeys; he fed on grass like oxen; his body was drenched by the dew of heaven, until he had learnt that the Most High rules over human sovereignty and appoints whom he pleases to rule it.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	22	But you, Belshazzar, who are his son, you have not humbled your heart, in spite of knowing all this.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	23	You have defied the Lord of heaven, you have had the vessels from his Temple brought to you, and you, your noblemen, your wives and the women singing for you have drunk your wine out of them. You have praised gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone, which can neither see, hear nor understand; but you have given no glory to the God in whose hands are your breath itself and all your fortunes.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	24	That is why he has sent the hand which has written these words.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	25	The writing reads: mene, mene, teqel and parsin.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	26	The meaning of the words is this: mene: God has measured your sovereignty and put an end to it;
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	27	teqel: you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting;
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	28	parsin: your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	29	At Belshazzar's order Daniel was dressed in purple, a chain of gold was put round his neck and he was proclaimed as one of the three men who governed the kingdom.
 Daniel	Dan	34	5	30	That same night, the Chaldaean king Belshazzar was murdered,
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	1	and Darius the Mede received the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	2	It pleased Darius to appoint a hundred and twenty satraps over his kingdom for the various parts,
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	3	and over them three presidents -- of whom Daniel was one -- to whom the satraps were to be responsible. This was to safeguard the king's interests.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	4	This Daniel, by virtue of the marvellous spirit residing in him, was so evidently superior to the other presidents and satraps that the king considered appointing him to rule the whole kingdom.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	5	The presidents and satraps, in consequence, started hunting for some affair of state by which they could discredit Daniel; but they could find nothing to his discredit, and no case of negligence; he was so punctilious that they could not find a single instance of maladministration or neglect.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	6	These men then thought, 'We shall never find a way of discrediting Daniel unless we try something to do with the law of his God.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	7	The presidents and satraps then went in a body to the king. 'King Darius,' they said, 'live for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	8	We are all agreed, presidents of the realm, magistrates, satraps, councillors and governors, that the king should issue an edict enforcing the following regulation: Whoever within the next thirty days prays to anyone, divine or human, other than to yourself, Your Majesty, is to be thrown into the lions' den.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	9	Your Majesty, ratify the edict at once by signing this document, making it unalterable, as befits the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	10	King Darius accordingly signed the document embodying the edict.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	11	When Daniel heard that the document had been signed, he retired to his house. The windows of his upstairs room faced towards Jerusalem. Three times each day, he went down on his knees, praying and giving praise to God as he had always done.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	12	These men came along in a body and found Daniel praying and pleading with God.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	13	They then went to the king and reminded him of the royal edict, 'Have you not signed an edict forbidding anyone for the next thirty days to pray to anyone, divine or human, other than to yourself, Your Majesty, on pain of being thrown into the lions' den?' 'The decision stands' the king replied, ' as befits the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	14	They then said to the king, 'Your Majesty, this man Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, disregards both you and the edict which you have signed: he is at his prayers three times each day.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	15	When the king heard these words he was deeply distressed and determined to save Daniel; he racked his brains until sunset to find some way to save him.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	16	But the men kept pressing the king, 'Your Majesty, remember that in conformity with the law of the Medes and the Persians, no edict or decree can be altered when once issued by the king.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	17	The king then ordered Daniel to be brought and thrown into the lion pit. The king said to Daniel, 'Your God, whom you have served so faithfully, will have to save you.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	18	A stone was then brought and laid over the mouth of the pit; and the king sealed it with his own signet and with that of his noblemen, so that there could be no going back on the original decision about Daniel.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	19	The king returned to his palace, spent the night in fasting and refused to receive any of his concubines. Sleep eluded him,
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	20	and at the first sign of dawn he got up and hurried to the lion pit.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	21	As he approached the pit he called in anguished tones to Daniel, 'Daniel, servant of the living God! Has your God, whom you serve so faithfully, been able to save you from the lions?'
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	22	Daniel answered the king, 'May Your Majesty live for ever!
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	23	My God sent his angel who sealed the lions' jaws; they did me no harm, since in his sight I am blameless; neither have I ever done you any wrong, Your Majesty.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	24	The king was overjoyed and ordered Daniel to be released from the pit. Daniel was released from the pit and found to be quite unhurt, because he had trusted in his God.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	25	The king then sent for the men who had accused Daniel and had them thrown into the lion pit, and their wives and children too; and before they reached the floor of the pit the lions had seized them and crushed their bones to pieces.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	26	King Darius then wrote to all nations, peoples and languages dwelling throughout the world: 'May you prosper more and more!
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	27	This is my decree: Throughout every dominion of my realm, let all tremble with fear before the God of Daniel: He is the living God, he endures for ever, his kingdom will never be destroyed and his empire never come to an end.
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	28	He saves, sets free, and works signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth; he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	6	29	This Daniel flourished in the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	1	In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions that passed through his head as he lay in bed. He wrote the dream down, and this is how the narrative began:
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	2	Daniel said, 'I have been seeing visions in the night. I saw that the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea;
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	3	four great beasts emerged from the sea, each different from the others.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	4	The first was like a lion with eagle's wings and, as I looked, its wings were torn off, and it was lifted off the ground and set standing on its feet like a human; and it was given a human heart.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	5	And there before me was a second beast, like a bear, rearing up on one side, with three ribs in its mouth, between its teeth. "Up!" came the command. "Eat quantities of flesh!"
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	6	After this I looked; and there before me was another beast, like a leopard, and with four bird's wings on its flanks; it had four heads and was granted authority.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	7	Next, in the visions of the night, I saw another vision: there before me was a fourth beast, fearful, terrifying, very strong; it had great iron teeth, and it ate its victims, crushed them, and trampled their remains underfoot. It was different from the previous beasts and had ten horns.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	8	'While I was looking at these horns, I saw another horn sprouting among them, a little one; three of the original horns were pulled out by the roots to make way for it; and in this horn I saw eyes like human eyes, and a mouth full of boasting.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	9	While I was watching, thrones were set in place and one most venerable took his seat. His robe was white as snow, the hair of his head as pure as wool. His throne was a blaze of flames, its wheels were a burning fire.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	10	A stream of fire poured out, issuing from his presence. A thousand thousand waited on him, ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was in session and the books lay open.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	11	'I went on watching: then, because of the noise made by the boastings of the horn, as I watched, the beast was put to death, and its body destroyed and committed to the flames.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	12	The other beasts were deprived of their empire, but received a lease of life for a season and a time.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	13	I was gazing into the visions of the night, when I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, as it were a son of man. He came to the One most venerable and was led into his presence.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	14	On him was conferred rule, honour and kingship, and all peoples, nations and languages became his servants. His rule is an everlasting rule which will never pass away, and his kingship will never come to an end.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	15	'I, Daniel, was deeply disturbed and the visions that passed through my head alarmed me.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	16	So I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him about all this. And in reply he revealed to me what these things meant.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	17	"These four great beasts are four kings who will rise up from the earth.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	18	Those who receive royal power are the holy ones of the Most High, and kingship will be theirs for ever, for ever and ever."
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	19	Then I asked about the fourth beast, different from all the rest, very terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws; it ate its victims, crushed them, and trampled their remains underfoot;
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	20	and about the ten horns on its head -- and why the other horn sprouted and the three original horns fell, and why this horn had eyes and a mouth full of boasting, and why it looked more impressive than its fellows.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	21	This was the horn I had watched making war on the holy ones and proving the stronger,
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	22	until the coming of the One most venerable who gave judgement in favour of the holy ones of the Most High, when the time came for the holy ones to assume kingship.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	23	This is what he said: "The fourth beast is to be a fourth kingdom on earth, different from all other kingdoms. It will devour the whole world, trample it underfoot and crush it.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	24	As for the ten horns: from this kingdom will rise ten kings, and another after them; this one will be different from the previous ones and will bring down three kings;
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	25	he will insult the Most High, and torment the holy ones of the Most High. He will plan to alter the seasons and the Law, and the Saints will be handed over to him for a time, two times, and half a time.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	26	But the court will sit, and he will be stripped of his royal authority which will be finally destroyed and reduced to nothing.
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	27	And kingship and rule and the splendours of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High, whose royal power is an eternal power, whom every empire will serve and obey."
 Daniel	Dan	34	7	28	'Here the narrative ends. 'I, Daniel, was greatly disturbed in mind, and I grew pale; but I kept these things to myself.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	1	In the third year of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after the one that had originally appeared to me.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	2	I gazed at the vision, and as I gazed I found myself in Susa, the citadel in the province of Elam; gazing at the vision, I found myself at the Ulai Gate.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	3	I raised my eyes to look, and I saw a ram standing in front of the gate. It had two horns; both were tall, but one taller than the other, and the one that rose the higher was the second.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	4	I saw the ram butting westwards, northwards and southwards. No animal could stand up to it, nothing could escape its power. It did as it pleased and became strong.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	5	This is what I observed: a he-goat from the west, encroaching over the entire surface of the world though never touching the ground, and between its eyes the goat had one majestic horn.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	6	It advanced on the two-horned ram, which I had seen standing in front of the gate, and charged at it in the full force of its fury.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	7	I saw it reach the ram; it was enraged with the ram and struck it, breaking both its horns, so that the ram was not strong enough to hold its ground; it threw it to the ground and trampled it underfoot; no one was there to rescue the ram.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	8	The he-goat then grew more powerful than ever; but at the height of its strength the great horn snapped, and in its place sprouted four majestic horns, pointing to the four winds of heaven.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	9	From one of these, the small one, sprang a horn which grew to great size towards south and east and towards the Land of Splendour.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	10	It grew right up to the armies of heaven and flung armies and stars to the ground, and trampled them underfoot.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	11	It even challenged the power of the Prince of the army; it abolished the perpetual sacrifice and overthrew the foundation of his sanctuary,
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	12	and the army too; over the sacrifice it installed iniquity and flung truth to the ground; the horn was active and successful.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	13	I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one say to the speaker, 'How long is this vision to be -- of perpetual sacrifice, of horrifying iniquity, of sanctuary and army trampled underfoot?'
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	14	The first replied, 'Until two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings have gone by: then the sanctuary will have its rights restored.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	15	As I, Daniel, gazed at the vision and tried to understand it, I saw someone standing in front of me who looked like a man.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	16	I heard a human voice cry over the Ulai, 'Gabriel, tell him the meaning of the vision!'
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	17	He approached the place where I was standing; as he approached, I was seized with terror and fell prostrate on the ground. 'Son of man,' he said to me, 'understand this: the vision shows the time of the End.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	18	He was still speaking, when I fainted, face downwards on the ground. He touched me, however, and raised me to my feet.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	19	'Come,' he said, 'I shall tell you what is going to happen when the Retribution is over, about the final times.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	20	As for the ram which you saw, its two horns are the kings of Media and of Persia.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	21	The hairy he-goat is the king of Greece, the large horn between its eyes is the first king.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	22	The horn which snapped and the four horns which sprouted in its place are four kingdoms rising from his nation but not having his strength.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	23	'And at the end of their reign, when the measure of their sins is full, a king will arise, a proud-faced, ingenious-minded man.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	24	His power will grow greater and greater, though not through any power of his own; he will plot incredible schemes, he will succeed in whatever he undertakes, he will destroy powerful men and the holy ones, God's people.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	25	Such will be his resourcefulness of mind that all his treacherous activities will succeed. He will grow arrogant of heart and destroy many people by taking them unawares. He will challenge the power of the Prince of princes but, without any human intervention, he will be broken.
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	26	The vision of the evenings and the mornings which has been revealed is true, but you must keep the vision secret, for there are still many days to go.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	8	27	At this I, Daniel, lost consciousness; I was ill for several days. Then I got up to discharge my duties in the king's service, keeping the vision a secret and still not understanding what it meant.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	1	It was the first year of Darius son of Artaxerxes, a Mede by race who assumed the throne of Chaldaea.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	2	In the first year of his reign I, Daniel, was studying the scriptures, counting over the number of years -- as revealed by Yahweh to the prophet Jeremiah -- that were to pass before the desolation of Jerusalem would come to an end, namely seventy years.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	3	I turned my face to the Lord God begging for time to pray and to plead, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	4	I pleaded with Yahweh my God and made this confession: 'O my Lord, God great and to be feared, you keep the covenant and show faithful love towards those who love you and who observe your commandments:
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	5	we have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly, we have betrayed your commandments and rulings and turned away from them.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	6	We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our chief men, our ancestors and all people of the country.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	7	Saving justice, Lord, is yours; we have only the look of shame we wear today, we, the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the whole of Israel, near and far away, in every country to which you have dispersed us because of the treachery we have committed against you.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	8	To us, our kings, our chief men and our ancestors, belongs the look of shame, O Yahweh, since we have sinned against you.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	9	And it is for the Lord our God to have mercy and to pardon, since we have betrayed him,
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	10	and have not listened to the voice of Yahweh our God nor followed the laws he has given us through his servants the prophets.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	11	The whole of Israel has flouted your Law and turned away, unwilling to listen to your voice; and the curse and imprecation written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have come pouring down on us, because we have sinned against him.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	12	He has carried out the threats which he made against us and the chief men who governed us -- that he would bring so great a disaster down on us that the fate of Jerusalem would find no parallel under all heaven.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	13	And now, as written in the Law of Moses, this whole calamity has befallen us; even so, we have not appeased Yahweh our God by renouncing our crimes and learning your truth.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	14	Yahweh has watched for the right moment to bring disaster on us, since Yahweh our God is just in all his dealings with us, and we have not listened to his voice.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	15	And now, Lord our God, who by your mighty hand brought us out of Egypt -- the renown you won then endures to this day -- we have sinned, we have done wrong.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	16	Lord, by all your acts of saving justice, turn away your anger and your fury from Jerusalem, your city, your holy mountain, for as a result of our sins and the crimes of our ancestors, Jerusalem and your people are objects of scorn to all who surround us.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	17	And now, our God, listen to the prayer and pleading of your servant. For your own sake, Lord, let your face smile again on your desolate sanctuary.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	18	Listen, my God, listen to us; open your eyes and look at our plight and at the city that bears your name. Relying not on our upright deeds but on your great mercy, we pour out our plea to you.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	19	Listen, Lord! Forgive, Lord! Hear, Lord, and act! For your own sake, my God, do not delay -- since your city and your people alike bear your name.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	20	I was still speaking, still at prayer, confessing my own sins and the sins of my people Israel, and placing my plea before Yahweh my God for the holy mountain of my God,
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	21	still speaking, still at prayer, when Gabriel, the being I had originally seen in vision, swooped on me in full flight at the hour of the evening sacrifice.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	22	He came, he spoke, he said to me, 'Now, Daniel; I have come down to teach you how to understand.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	23	When your pleading began, a word was uttered, and I have come to tell you. You are a man specially chosen. Grasp the meaning of the word, understand the vision:
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	24	'Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city, for putting an end to transgression, for placing the seal on sin, for expiating crime, for introducing everlasting uprightness for setting the seal on vision and on prophecy, for anointing the holy of holies.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	25	Know this, then, and understand: From the time there went out this message: "Return and rebuild Jerusalem" to the coming of an Anointed Prince, seven weeks and sixty-two weeks, with squares and ramparts restored and rebuilt, but in a time of trouble.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	26	And after the sixty-two weeks an Anointed One put to death without his . . . city and sanctuary ruined by a prince who is to come. The end of that prince will be catastrophe and, until the end, there will be war and all the devastation decreed.
 Daniel	Dan	34	9	27	He will strike a firm alliance with many people for the space of a week; and for the space of one half-week he will put a stop to sacrifice and oblation, and on the wing of the Temple will be the appalling abomination until the end, until the doom assigned to the devastator.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	1	In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was made to Daniel known as Belteshazzar, a true revelation of a great conflict. He grasped the meaning of the revelation; what it meant was disclosed to him in a vision.
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	2	At that time, I, Daniel, was doing a three-week penance;
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	3	I ate no agreeable food, touched no meat or wine, and did not anoint myself, until these three weeks were over.
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	4	On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I stood on the bank of that great river, the Tigris,
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	5	I raised my eyes to look about me, and this is what I saw: A man dressed in linen, with a belt of pure gold round his waist:
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	6	his body was like beryl, his face looked like lightning, his eyes were like fiery torches, his arms and his face had the gleam of burnished bronze, the sound of his voice was like the roar of a multitude.
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	7	I, Daniel, alone saw the apparition; the men who were with me did not see the vision, but so great a trembling overtook them that they fled to hide.
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	8	I was left alone, gazing on this great vision; I was powerless, my appearance was changed and contorted; my strength deserted me.
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	9	I heard a voice speaking, and at the sound of the voice I fell fainting, face downwards on the ground.
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	10	I felt a hand touching me, setting my knees and my hands trembling.
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	11	He said, 'Daniel, you are a man specially chosen; understand the words that I am about to say; stand up; I have been sent to you now.' He said this, and I stood up trembling.
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	12	He then said, 'Daniel, do not be afraid: from that first day when, the better to understand, you resolved to mortify yourself before God, your words have been heard; and your words are the reason why I have come.
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	13	The Prince of the kingdom of Persia has been resisting me for twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the Chief Princes, came to my assistance. I have left him confronting the kings of Persia
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	14	and have come to tell you what will happen to your people in the final days. For here is a new vision about those days.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	15	When he had said these things to me, I prostrated myself on the ground, without saying a word;
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	16	then someone looking like a man touched my lips. I opened my mouth to speak, and I said to the person standing in front of me, 'My lord, anguish overcomes me at this vision, and my strength deserts me.
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	17	How can your servant speak to my lord now that I have no strength left and my breath fails me?'
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	18	Once again, the person like a man touched me; he gave me strength.
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	19	'Do not be afraid,' he said, 'you are a man specially chosen; peace be with you; play the man, be strong!' And as he spoke to me I felt strong again and said, 'Let my lord speak, you have given me strength.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	20	He then said, 'Do you know why I have come to you?
 Daniel	Dan	34	10	21	It is to tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. I must go back to fight the Prince of Persia; when I have overcome him, the Prince of Javan will come next.In all this, there is no one to lend me support except Michael your Prince,
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	1	on whom I rely to give me support and to reinforce me.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	2	And now I shall tell you the truth about these things. 'Three more kings are going to rise in Persia; a fourth will come and be richer than all the others, and when, thanks to his wealth, he has grown powerful, he will make war on all the kingdoms of Greece.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	3	A mighty king will rise and govern a vast empire and do whatever he pleases.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	4	But once he has come to power, his empire will be broken up and parcelled out to the four winds of heaven, though not to his descendants: it will not be ruled as he ruled it, for his sovereignty will be uprooted and will pass to others than his own descendants.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	5	'The king of the south will grow powerful, but one of his princes will grow more powerful still, with an empire greater than his own.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	6	Some years later, these will conclude a treaty and, to ratify the agreement, the daughter of the king of the south will go to the king of the north. Her arm will not, however, retain its strength, nor his posterity endure: she will be handed over, she, her escorts and her child, and he who has had authority over her. In due time
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	7	a sprig from her roots will rise in his place, will march on the defences, force the stronghold of the king of the north, and succeed in overcoming them.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	8	He will even carry off all their gods, their statues, their precious gold and silver vessels as booty to Egypt. For some years he will leave the king of the north in peace,
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	9	but the latter will invade the kingdom of the king of the south, then retire to his own country.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	10	His sons will next be on the march, mustering a host of powerful forces; and he will advance, deploy, break through and march on the southern stronghold once again.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	11	The king of the south will fly into a rage and set out to give battle to the king of the north, who will have an immense army on his side, but this army will be defeated by him.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	12	The army will be annihilated; he will be triumphant; he will overthrow tens of thousands; yet he will have no enduring strength.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	13	The king of the north will come back, having recruited an even larger army than before, and finally, after some years, he will advance a second time with a great army and plentiful supplies.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	14	At that time, many will take up arms against the king of the south, and the more violent of your own people will rebel in the hope of realising the vision; but they will fail.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	15	The king of the north will then come and throw up siege-works to capture a strongly fortified city. The forces of the south will not stand their ground; the pick of the people will not be strong enough to resist.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	16	The invader will do as he pleases, no one will be able to resist him: he will take his stand in the Land of Splendour, destruction in his hands.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	17	He will set about conquering his entire kingdom, but will then make a treaty with him and, to overthrow the kingdom, give him a woman's hand; but this will not last or be to his advantage.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	18	He will next turn to the coasts and islands and conquer many of them, but a magistrate will put a stop to his outrages in such a way that he will be unable to repay outrage for outrage.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	19	'He will then turn on the strongholds of his own country, but will stumble, fall, and never be seen again.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	20	In his place there will rise a man who will send an extortioner to despoil the royal splendour; in a few days he will be shattered, though neither publicly nor in battle.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	21	'In his place will rise a wretch: royal honours will not be given to him, but rather he will insinuate himself into them at his pleasure and will gain possession of the kingdom by intrigue.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	22	Armies will be utterly routed and crushed by him, the Prince of the covenant too.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	23	Through his alliances he will act treacherously and, despite the smallness of his following, grow ever stronger.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	24	At his pleasure, he will invade rich provinces, acting as his fathers or his fathers' fathers never acted, distributing among them plunder, spoil and wealth, plotting his stratagems against the fortresses -- for a time.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	25	'He will summon up his might and courage against the king of the south with a great army. The king of the south will march to war with a huge and powerful army but will not succeed, since he will be outwitted by trickery.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	26	Those who shared his food will ruin him; his army will be swept away, many will fall in the slaughter.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	27	'The two kings, seated at one table, hearts bent on evil, will tell their lies; but they will not have their way, for the appointed time is still to come.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	28	Then the wretch will return greatly enriched to his own country, his heart set against the holy covenant; he will take action and then return to his own country.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	29	In due time, he will make his way southwards again, but this time the outcome will not be as before.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	30	The ships of the Kittim will oppose him, and he will be worsted. He will retire and take furious action against the holy covenant and, as before, will favour those who forsake that holy covenant.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	31	'Forces of his will come and profane the Citadel-Sanctuary; they will abolish the perpetual sacrifice and install the appalling abomination there.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	32	Those who break the covenant he will seduce by his blandishments, but the people who know their God will stand firm and take action.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	33	Those of the people who are wise leaders will instruct many; for some days, however, they will stumble from sword and flame, captivity and pillage.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	34	And thus stumbling, little help will they receive, though many will be scheming in their support.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	35	Of the wise leaders some will stumble, and so a number of them will be purged, purified and made clean -- until the time of the End, for the appointed time is still to come.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	36	'The king will do as he pleases, growing more and more arrogant, considering himself greater than all the gods; he will utter incredible blasphemies against the God of gods, and he will thrive until the wrath reaches bursting point; for what has been decreed will certainly be fulfilled.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	37	Heedless of his fathers' gods, heedless of the god whom women love, heedless of any god whatever, he will consider himself greatest of all.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	38	Instead of them, he will honour the god of fortresses, will honour a god unknown to his ancestors with gold and silver, precious stones and valuable presents.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	39	He will use the people of an alien god to defend the fortresses; he will confer great honours on those whom he acknowledges, by giving them wide authority and by parcelling the country out for rent.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	40	'When the time comes for the End, the king of the south will try conclusions with him; but the king of the north will come storming down on him with chariots, cavalry, and a large fleet. He will invade countries, overrun them and drive on.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	41	He will invade the Land of Splendour, and many will fall; but Edom, Moab, and what remains of the sons of Ammon will escape him.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	42	'He will reach out to attack countries: Egypt will not escape him.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	43	The gold and silver treasures and all the valuables of Egypt will lie in his power. Libyans and Cushites will be at his feet:
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	44	but reports coming from the East and the north will worry him, and in great fury he will set out to bring ruin and complete destruction to many.
 Daniel	Dan	34	11	45	He will pitch the tents of his royal headquarters between the sea and the mountains of the Holy Splendour. Yet he will come to his end -- there will be no help for him.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	1	'At that time Michael will arise -- the great Prince, defender of your people. That will be a time of great distress, unparalleled since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, your own people will be spared -- all those whose names are found written in the Book.
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	2	'Of those who are sleeping in the Land of Dust, many will awaken, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace.
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	3	Those who are wise will shine as brightly as the expanse of the heavens, and those who have instructed many in uprightness, as bright as stars for all eternity.
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	4	'But you, Daniel, must keep these words secret and keep the book sealed until the time of the End. Many will roam about, this way and that, and wickedness will continue to increase.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	5	I, Daniel, then looked and saw two other people standing, one on the near bank of the river, the other on the far.
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	6	One of them said to the man dressed in linen who was standing further up the stream, 'How long until these wonders take place?'
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	7	I heard the man speak who was dressed in linen, standing further up the stream: he raised his right hand and his left to heaven and swore by him who lives for ever, 'A time and two times, and half a time; and all these things will come true, once the crushing of the holy people's power is over.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	8	I listened but did not understand. I then said, 'My lord, what is to be the outcome?'
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	9	'Go, Daniel,' he said. 'These words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the End.
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	10	Many will be cleansed, made white and purged; the wicked will persist in doing wrong; the wicked will never understand; those who are wise will understand.
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	11	From the moment that the perpetual sacrifice is abolished and the appalling abomination set up: a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	12	Blessed is he who perseveres and attains a thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
 Daniel	Dan	34	12	13	But you, go away and rest; and you will rise for your reward at the end of time.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	1	In Babylon there lived a man named Joakim.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	2	He was married to a woman called Susanna daughter of Hilkiah, a woman of great beauty; and she was God-fearing, for
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	3	her parents were worthy people and had instructed their daughter in the Law of Moses.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	4	Joakim was a very rich man and had a garden by his house; he used to be visited by a considerable number of the Jews, since he was held in greater respect than any other man.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	5	Two elderly men had been selected from the people, that year, to act as judges. Of such the Lord had said, 'Wickedness has come to Babylon through the elders and judges posing as guides to the people.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	6	These men were often at Joakim's house, and all who were engaged in litigation used to come to them.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	7	At midday, when the people had gone away, Susanna would take a walk in her husband's garden.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	8	The two elders, who used to watch her every day as she came in to take her walk, gradually began to desire her.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	9	They threw reason aside, making no effort to turn their eyes to Heaven, and forgetting the demands of virtue.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	10	Both were inflamed by passion for her, but they hid their desire from each other,
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	11	for they were ashamed to admit the longing to sleep with her,
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	12	but they made sure of watching her every day.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	13	One day, having parted with the words, 'Let us go home, then, it is time for the midday meal,' they went off in different directions,
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	14	only to retrace their steps and find themselves face to face again. Obliged then to explain, they admitted their desire and agreed to look for an opportunity of surprising her alone.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	15	So they waited for a favourable moment; and one day Susanna came as usual, accompanied only by two young maidservants. The day was hot and she wanted to bathe in the garden.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	16	There was no one about except the two elders, spying on her from their hiding place.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	17	She said to the servants, 'Bring me some oil and balsam and shut the garden door while I bathe.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	18	They did as they were told, shutting the garden door and going back to the house by a side entrance to fetch what she had asked for; they knew nothing about the elders, for they had concealed themselves.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	19	Hardly were the maids gone than the two elders sprang up and rushed upon her.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	20	'Look,' they said, 'the garden door is shut, no one can see us. We want to have you, so give in and let us!
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	21	Refuse, and we shall both give evidence that a young man was with you and that this was why you sent your maids away.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	22	Susanna sighed. 'I am trapped,' she said, 'whatever I do. If I agree, it means death for me; if I resist, I cannot get away from you.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	23	But I prefer to fall innocent into your power than to sin in the eyes of the Lord.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	24	She then cried out as loud as she could. The two elders began shouting too, putting the blame on her,
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	25	and one of them ran to open the garden door.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	26	The household, hearing the shouting in the garden, rushed out by the side entrance to see what had happened to her.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	27	Once the elders had told their story, the servants were thoroughly taken aback, since nothing of this sort had ever been said of Susanna.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	28	Next day a meeting was held at the house of her husband Joakim. The two elders arrived, full of their wicked plea against Susanna, to have her put to death.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	29	They addressed the company, 'Summon Susanna daughter of Hilkiah and wife of Joakim.' She was sent for,
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	30	and came accompanied by her parents, her children and all her relations.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	31	Susanna was very graceful and beautiful to look at;
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	32	she was veiled, so the wretches made her unveil in order to feast their eyes on her beauty.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	33	All her own people were weeping, and so were all the others who saw her.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	34	The two elders stood up, with all the people round them, and laid their hands on her head.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	35	Tearfully she turned her eyes to Heaven, her heart confident in God.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	36	The elders then spoke, 'While we were walking by ourselves in the garden, this woman arrived with two maids. She shut the garden door and then dismissed the servants.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	37	A young man, who had been hiding, went over to her and they lay together.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	38	From the end of the garden where we were, we saw this crime taking place and hurried towards them.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	39	Though we saw them together, we were unable to catch the man: he was too strong for us; he opened the door and took to his heels.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	40	We did, however, catch this woman and ask her who the young man was.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	41	She refused to tell us. That is our evidence.' Since they were elders of the people and judges, the assembly accepted their word: Susanna was condemned to death.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	42	She cried out as loud as she could, 'Eternal God, you know all secrets and everything before it happens;
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	43	you know that they have given false evidence against me. And now I must die, innocent as I am of everything their malice has invented against me!'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	44	The Lord heard her cry
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	45	and, as she was being led away to die, he roused the holy spirit residing in a young boy called Daniel
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	46	who began to shout, 'I am innocent of this woman's death!'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	47	At this all the people turned to him and asked, 'What do you mean by that?'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	48	Standing in the middle of the crowd, he replied, 'Are you so stupid, children of Israel, as to condemn a daughter of Israel unheard, and without troubling to find out the truth?
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	49	Go back to the scene of the trial: these men have given false evidence against her.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	50	All the people hurried back, and the elders said to Daniel, 'Come and sit with us and tell us what you mean, since God has given you the gifts that elders have.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	51	Daniel said, 'Keep the men well apart from each other, for I want to question them.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	52	When the men had been separated, Daniel had one of them brought to him. 'You have grown old in wickedness,' he said, 'and now the sins of your earlier days have overtaken you,
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	53	you with your unjust judgements, your condemnation of the innocent, your acquittal of the guilty, although the Lord has said, "You must not put the innocent and upright to death."
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	54	Now then, since you saw her so clearly, tell me what sort of tree you saw them lying under.' He replied, 'Under an acacia tree.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	55	Daniel said, 'Indeed! Your lie recoils on your own head: the angel of God has already received from him your sentence and will cut you in half.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	56	He dismissed the man, ordered the other to be brought and said to him, 'Son of Canaan, not of Judah, beauty has seduced you, lust has led your heart astray!
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	57	This is how you have been behaving with the daughters of Israel, and they have been too frightened to resist; but here is a daughter of Judah who could not stomach your wickedness!
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	58	Now then, tell me what sort of tree you surprised them under.' He replied, 'Under an aspen tree.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	59	Daniel said, 'Indeed! Your lie recoils on your own head: the angel of God is waiting with a sword to rend you in half, and destroy the pair of you.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	60	Then the whole assembly shouted, blessing God, the Saviour of those who trust in him.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	61	And they turned on the two elders whom Daniel had convicted of false evidence out of their own mouths.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	62	As the Law of Moses prescribes, they were given the same punishment as they had schemed to inflict on their neighbour. They were put to death. And thus, that day, an innocent life was saved.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	63	Hilkiah and his wife gave thanks to God for their daughter Susanna, and so did her husband Joakim and all his relations, because she had been acquitted of anything dishonourable.
 Daniel	Dan	34	13	64	From that day onwards, Daniel's reputation stood high with the people.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	1	When King Astyages joined his ancestors, Cyrus of Persia succeeded him.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	2	Daniel was very close to the king, who respected him more than any of his other friends.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	3	Now, in Babylon there was an idol called Bel, to which twelve bushels of the finest flour, forty sheep and six measures of wine were offered every day.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	4	The king venerated this idol and used to go and worship it every day. Daniel, however, worshipped his own God.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	5	'Why do you not worship Bel?' the king asked Daniel. 'I do not worship idols made by human hand,' Daniel replied, 'I worship the living God who made heaven and earth and who is lord over all living creatures.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	6	'Do you not believe, then,' said the king, 'that Bel is a living god? Can you not see how much he eats and drinks each day?'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	7	Daniel laughed. 'Your Majesty,' he said, 'do not be taken in; he is clay inside, and bronze outside, and has never eaten or drunk anything.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	8	This made the king angry; he summoned his priests, 'Tell me who eats all this food,' he said, 'or die. Prove to me that Bel really eats it, and I will have Daniel put to death for blaspheming him.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	9	Daniel said to the king, 'Let it be as you say.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	10	There were seventy of these priests, to say nothing of their wives and children. The king went to the temple of Bel, taking Daniel with him.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	11	The priests of Bel said to him, 'We shall now go out, and you, Your Majesty, will lay out the meal and mix the wine and set it out. Then, lock the door and seal it with your personal seal. If, when you return in the morning, you do not find that everything has been eaten by Bel,let us be put to death; otherwise let Daniel, that slanderer!'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	12	They were thinking -- hence their confidence -- of a secret entrance which they had made under the table, and by which they came in regularly and took the offerings away.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	13	When the priests had gone and the king had set out the food for Bel,
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	14	Daniel made his servants bring ashes and spread them all over the temple floor, with no other witness than the king. They then left the building, shut the door and, sealing it with the king's seal, went away.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	15	That night, as usual, the priests came with their wives and children; they ate and drank everything.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	16	The king was up very early next morning, and Daniel with him.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	17	'Daniel,' said the king, 'are the seals intact?' 'They are intact, Your Majesty,' he replied.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	18	The king then opened the door and, taking one look at the table, exclaimed, 'You are great, O Bel! There is no deception in you!'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	19	But Daniel laughed; and, restraining the king from going in any further, he said, 'Look at the floor and take note whose footmarks these are!'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	20	'I can see the footmarks of men, of women and of children,' said the king,
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	21	and angrily ordered the priests to be arrested, with their wives and children. They then showed him the secret door through which they used to come and take what was on the table.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	22	The king had them put to death and handed Bel over to Daniel who destroyed both the idol and its temple.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	23	There was a great dragon which the Babylonians worshipped too.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	24	The king said to Daniel, 'Are you going to tell me that this is made of bronze? Look, it is alive; it eats and drinks; you cannot deny that this is a living god; worship it, then.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	25	Daniel replied, 'I will worship the Lord my God; he is the living God. With your permission, Your Majesty, without using either sword or club, I shall kill this dragon.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	26	'You have my permission,' said the king.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	27	Whereupon, Daniel took some pitch, some fat and some hair and boiled them up together, rolled the mixture into balls and fed them to the dragon; the dragon swallowed them and burst. Daniel said, 'Now look at the sort of thing you worship!'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	28	The Babylonians were furious when they heard about this and rose against the king. 'The king has turned Jew,' they said, 'he has allowed Bel to be overthrown, and the dragon to be killed, and he has put the priests to death.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	29	So they went to the king and said, 'Hand Daniel over to us or else we shall kill you and your family.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	30	They pressed him so hard that the king found himself forced to hand Daniel over to them.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	31	They threw Daniel into the lion pit, and there he stayed for six days.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	32	In the pit were seven lions, which were given two human bodies and two sheep every day; but for this period they were not given anything, to make sure they would eat Daniel.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	33	Now, the prophet Habakkuk was in Judaea: he had been making a stew and breaking up bread into a basket. He was on his way to the fields, taking this to the harvesters,
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	34	when the angel of the Lord spoke to him, 'Take the meal you are carrying to Babylon, and give it to Daniel in the lion pit.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	35	'Lord,' replied Habakkuk, 'I have not even seen Babylon and know nothing about this pit.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	36	The angel of the Lord took hold of his head and carried him off by the hair to Babylon where, with a great blast of his breath, he set Habakkuk down on the edge of the pit.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	37	'Daniel, Daniel,' Habakkuk shouted, 'take the meal that God has sent you.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	38	And Daniel said, 'You have kept me in mind, O God; you have not deserted those who love you.'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	39	Rising to his feet, he ate the meal, while the angel of God carried Habakkuk back in a moment to his own country.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	40	On the seventh day, the king came to lament over Daniel; on reaching the pit he looked inside, and there sat Daniel.
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	41	'You are great, O Lord, God of Daniel,' he exclaimed, 'there is no god but you!'
 Daniel	Dan	34	14	42	He then had Daniel released from the pit and the plotters of Daniel's ruin thrown in instead, where they were instantly eaten before his eyes.
 Hosea	Hos	35	1	1	The word of Yahweh which came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel.
 Hosea	Hos	35	1	2	The beginning of what Yahweh said through Hosea: Yahweh said to Hosea, 'Go, marry a whore, and get children with a whore; for the country itself has become nothing but a whore by abandoning Yahweh.'
 Hosea	Hos	35	1	3	So he went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, who conceived and bore him a son.
 Hosea	Hos	35	1	4	Yahweh then said to him, 'Call him Jezreel, for in a little while I shall punish the House of Jehu for the bloodshed at Jezreel and put an end to the sovereignty of the House of Israel.
 Hosea	Hos	35	1	5	When that day comes, I shall break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.'
 Hosea	Hos	35	1	6	She conceived a second time and gave birth to a daughter. Yahweh then said to him, 'Call her Lo-Ruhamah, for I shall show no more pity for the House of Israel, I shall never forgive them again.
 Hosea	Hos	35	1	7	(Instead, I shall take pity on the House of Judah and shall save them, not by bow or sword or force of arms, not by horses or horsemen, but by Yahweh their God.)'
 Hosea	Hos	35	1	8	After weaning Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived and gave birth to a son.
 Hosea	Hos	35	1	9	Yahweh said, 'Call him Lo-Ammi, for you are not my people and I do not exist for you.'
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	1	But the Israelites will become as numerous as the sands of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. In the very place where they were told, 'You are not my people,' they will be told they are 'Children of the living God'.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	2	The Judaeans and Israelites will be reunited and will choose themselves a single head, and will spread far beyond their country, for great will be the Day of Jezreel!
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	3	Then call your brothers, 'My people', and your sisters, 'You have been pitied'.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	4	To court, take your mother to court! For she is no longer my wife nor am I her husband. She must either remove her whoring ways from her face and her adulteries from between her breasts,
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	5	or I shall strip her and expose her naked as the day she was born; I shall make her as bare as the desert, I shall make her as dry as arid country, and let her die of thirst.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	6	And I shall feel no pity for her children since they are the children of her whorings.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	7	Yes, their mother has played the whore, she who conceived them has disgraced herself by saying, 'I shall chase after my lovers; they will assure me my keep, my wool, my flax, my oil and my drinks.'
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	8	This is why I shall block her way with thorns, and wall her in to stop her in her tracks;
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	9	then if she chases her lovers she will not catch them, if she looks for them she will not find them, and then she will say, 'I shall go back to my first husband, I was better off then than I am now;'
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	10	she had never realised before that I was the one who was giving her the grain, new wine and oil, giving her more and more silver and gold which they have spent on Baal!
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	11	This is why I shall take back my grain when it is due and my new wine, when the season for it comes. I shall withdraw my wool and my flax which were to cover her naked body,
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	12	and then display her infamy before her lovers' eyes- no one will take her from me then!
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	13	I shall put an end to all her merrymaking, her festivals, her New Moons and her Sabbaths and all her solemn feasts.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	14	I shall make her vines and fig trees derelict of which she used to say, 'These are the pay my lovers gave me.' I shall turn them into a jungle: wild animals will feed on them.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	15	I mean to make her pay for the feast-days on which she burnt incense to the Baals, when she tricked herself out in her earrings and necklaces to chase after her lovers, and forget me! -declares Yahweh.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	16	But look, I am going to seduce her and lead her into the desert and speak to her heart.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	17	There I shall give her back her vineyards, and make the Vale of Achor a gateway of hope. There she will respond as when she was young, as on the day when she came up from Egypt.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	18	When that day comes- declares Yahweh- you will call me, 'My husband', no more will you call me, 'My Baal'.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	19	I shall banish the names of the Baals from her lips and their name will be mentioned no more.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	20	When that day comes I shall make a treaty for them with the wild animals, with the birds of heaven and the creeping things of the earth; I shall break the bow and the sword and warfare, and banish them from the country, and I will let them sleep secure.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	21	I shall betroth you to myself for ever, I shall betroth you in uprightness and justice, and faithful love and tenderness.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	22	Yes, I shall betroth you to myself in loyalty and in the knowledge of Yahweh.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	23	When that day comes, I shall respond -declares Yahweh- I shall respond to the heavens and they will respond to the earth
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	24	and the earth will respond to the grain, the new wine and oil, and they will respond to Jezreel.
 Hosea	Hos	35	2	25	I shall sow her in the country to be mine, I shall take pity on Lo-Ruhamah, I shall tell Lo-Ammi, 'You are my people,' and he will say, 'You are my God.'
 Hosea	Hos	35	3	1	Yahweh said to me, 'Go again, love a woman who loves another man, an adulteress, and love her as Yahweh loves the Israelites although they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.'
 Hosea	Hos	35	3	2	So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver, a homer of barley and a skin of wine,
 Hosea	Hos	35	3	3	and I said to her, 'You will have to spend a long time waiting for me without playing the whore and without giving yourself to any man, and I will behave in the same way towards you.'
 Hosea	Hos	35	3	4	For the Israelites will have to spend a long time without king or leader, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or domestic images;
 Hosea	Hos	35	3	5	but after that, the Israel- ites will return and again seek Yahweh their God and David their king, and turn trembling to Yahweh for his bounty in the final days.
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	1	Israelites, hear what Yahweh says, for Yahweh indicts the citizens of the country: there is no loyalty, no faithful love, no knowledge of God in the country,
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	2	only perjury and lying, murder, theft, adultery and violence, bloodshed after bloodshed.
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	3	This is why the country is in mourning and all its citizens pining away, the wild animals also and birds of the sky, even the fish in the sea will disappear.
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	4	But let no one denounce, no one rebuke; it is you, priest, that I denounce.
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	5	Priest, you will stumble in broad daylight, and the prophet will stumble with you in the dark, and I will make your mother perish.
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	6	My people perish for want of knowledge. Since you yourself have rejected knowledge, so I shall reject you from my priesthood; since you have forgotten the teaching of your God, I in my turn shall forget your children.
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	7	The more of them there have been, the more they have sinned against me; they have bartered their Glory for Shame.
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	8	They feed on the sin of my people, they are greedy for their iniquity.
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	9	But as with the people, so with the priest, I shall punish them for their conduct, I shall pay them back for their deeds.
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	10	They will eat but never be satisfied, they will play the whore but not grow more prolific, since they have deserted Yahweh to give themselves up
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	11	to whoring. Old wine and new wine addle my people's wits,
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	12	they consult their block of wood, and their stick explains what they should do. For an urge to go whoring has led them astray and whoring they go and desert their God;
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	13	they offer sacrifice on the mountain tops, they burn incense on the hills, under oak and poplar and terebinth, for pleasant is their shade. So, although your daughters play the whore and your daughters-in-law commit adultery,
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	14	I shall not punish your daughters for playing the whore nor your daughters-in-law for committing adultery, when the men themselves are wandering off with whores and offering sacrifice with sacred prostitutes, for a people with no understanding is doomed.
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	15	Though you, Israel, play the whore, there is no need for Judah to sin too. Do not go to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-Aven, do not swear oaths 'by Yahweh's life',
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	16	for Israel is as stubborn as a stubborn heifer; so is Yahweh likely to pasture him like a lamb in a broad meadow?
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	17	Ephraim has made a pact with idols- let him alone!
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	18	Their drunken orgy over, they do nothing but play the whore, preferring Shame to their Pride;
 Hosea	Hos	35	4	19	the wind with its wings will carry them off and their sacrifices will bring them nothing but disgrace.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	1	Hear this, you priests, listen, House of Israel, pay attention, royal House, for it is you who have justice in your care, but you have been a snare at Mizpah and a net outspread on Tabor.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	2	They have dug the ditch deep at Shittim and so I am going to punish them all.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	3	Ephraim have I known, Israel is not hidden from me; and yet, Ephraim, you have played the whore, Israel is befouled.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	4	Their deeds do not allow them to return to their God, since an urge to play the whore possesses them and they no longer know Yahweh.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	5	Israel's arrogance is his accuser, the guilt of Israel and Ephraim is their undoing, Judah too will be undone with them.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	6	Though they go in search of Yahweh with their sheep and cattle, they will not find him; he has withdrawn from them.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	7	They have betrayed Yahweh because they have fathered bastards; now the new moon will devour them and their fields.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	8	Sound the horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah, raise the war cry in Beth-Aven, 'We are behind you, Benjamin!'
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	9	When the day of punishment comes, Ephraim will be a wasteland; on the tribes of Israel I have pronounced certain doom.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	10	The rulers of Judah act like men who move the boundary stone; I shall pour my wrath out on them like a flood.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	11	Ephraim is oppressed, crushed by the sentence, for having deliberately followed a Lie.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	12	Because of this, I shall be like ringworm for Ephraim and like gangrene for the House of Judah.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	13	Once Ephraim realised that he was sick and Judah that he had an ulcer, Ephraim then went to Assyria, he sent messengers to the Great King; but he has no power to cure you or to heal you of your sore;
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	14	for I shall be like a lion to Ephraim, like a young lion to the House of Judah; I myself shall rend them, then go my way, shall carry them off, beyond hope of rescue.
 Hosea	Hos	35	5	15	I shall go back to my place until they confess their guilt and seek me, seek me eagerly in their distress.
 Hosea	Hos	35	6	1	Come, let us return to Yahweh. He has rent us and he will heal us; he has struck us and he will bind up our wounds;
 Hosea	Hos	35	6	2	after two days he will revive us, on the third day he will raise us up and we shall live in his presence.
 Hosea	Hos	35	6	3	Let us know, let us strive to know Yahweh; that he will come is as certain as the dawn. He will come to us like a shower, like the rain of springtime to the earth.
 Hosea	Hos	35	6	4	What am I to do with you, Ephraim? What am I to do with you, Judah? For your love is like morning mist, like the dew that quickly disappears.
 Hosea	Hos	35	6	5	This is why I have hacked them to pieces by means of the prophets, why I have killed them with words from my mouth, why my sentence will blaze forth like the dawn-
 Hosea	Hos	35	6	6	for faithful love is what pleases me, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not burnt offerings.
 Hosea	Hos	35	6	7	But they have broken the covenant at Adam, there they have betrayed me.
 Hosea	Hos	35	6	8	Gilead is a city of evil-doers, full of bloody footprints.
 Hosea	Hos	35	6	9	Like so many robbers in ambush, a gang of priests commits murder on the road to Shechem- what infamous behaviour!
 Hosea	Hos	35	6	10	At Bethel I have seen a horrible thing; there Ephraim plays the whore, Israel is befouled.
 Hosea	Hos	35	6	11	For you too, Judah, a harvest is in store, when I restore my people's fortunes.
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	1	Whenever I would heal Israel, I am confronted by the guilt of Ephraim and the evil-doings of Samaria; for deceit is their principle of behaviour; the thief breaks into the house, marauders raid in the open;
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	2	and they never pause to consider that I remember all their wicked deeds; and now their own deeds hem them in and stare me in the face.
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	3	They amuse the king with their wickedness and the chief men with their lies.
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	4	They are all adulterers, hot as an oven which the baker need not stoke from the time he has kneaded the dough until it rises.
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	5	At the holiday for our king, the ministers become inflamed with wine, while he accepts the homage of people
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	6	who laugh at him. Their hearts are like an oven as they plot, all night their passion slumbers, then in the morning it bursts into flame;
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	7	yes, all of them as hot as ovens, they consume their rulers. All their kings have fallen thus, not one of them has ever called on me.
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	8	Ephraim mixes with the nations. Ephraim is a half-baked cake.
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	9	Foreigners have eaten his strength away but he is unconscious of it; even his hair is turning grey but he is unconscious of it.
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	10	(Israel's arrogance is his own accuser; but they do not come back to Yahweh their God or seek him, despite all this.)
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	11	Ephraim is like a silly, witless pigeon calling on Egypt, turning to Assyria.
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	12	Wherever they turn, I shall spread my net over them, I shall bring them down like the birds of the sky, I shall punish them for their perversity.
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	13	Woe to them for having fled from me! Ruin seize them for having wronged me! I have rescued them again and again and they have only told lies about me.
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	14	Theirs is no heartfelt cry to me when they lament on their beds; when they gash themselves over the grain and new wine, they are still rebelling against me.
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	15	Though I supported and gave strength to their arms, they plan how to hurt me.
 Hosea	Hos	35	7	16	They turn to what does not exist, they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their arrogant talk; how they will be laughed at in Egypt!
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	1	Put the trumpet to your lips! Like an eagle, disaster is swooping on Yahweh's home! Because they have violated my covenant and been unfaithful to my Law,
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	2	in vain will they cry, 'My God!' In vain, 'We, Israel, know you!'
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	3	Israel has rejected the good, the enemy will pursue them.
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	4	They have set up kings, but without my consent, and appointed princes, but without my knowledge. With their silver and gold, they have made themselves idols, but only to be destroyed.
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	5	I spurn your calf, Samaria! My anger blazes against them! How long will it be before they recover their innocence?
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	6	For it is the product of Israel- a craftsman made the thing, it is no god at all! The calf of Samaria will be broken to pieces!
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	7	Since they sow the wind, they will reap the whirlwind; stalk without ear, it will never yield flour- or if it does, foreigners will swallow it.
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	8	Israel has himself been swallowed; now they are lost among the nations like something no one wants,
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	9	for having made approaches to Assyria- like a wild donkey, all alone. Ephraim has rented lovers
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	10	and because he has rented them from the nations I am now going to round them up; soon they will feel the weight of the king of princes!
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	11	Ephraim keeps building altars for his sins, these very altars are themselves a sin.
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	12	However much of my Law I write for him, Ephraim regards it as alien to him.
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	13	They offer sacrifices to me and eat the meat, they do not win Yahweh's favour. On the contrary, he will remember their guilt and punish their sins; they will have to go back to Egypt.
 Hosea	Hos	35	8	14	Israel has forgotten his Maker and has built palaces, while Judah keeps on building fortified towns; but I shall send fire down on his cities to devour their citadels.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	1	No merrymaking, Israel, for you, no rejoicing like other peoples, for you have deserted your God to play the whore, you have loved the fee of prostitution on every threshing-floor.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	2	The threshing-floor and wine-press will not feed them; they will be disappointed of new wine.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	3	No more will they live in Yahweh's country; Ephraim will have to go back to Egypt, and eat polluted food in Assyria.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	4	No more will they pour libations of wine to Yahweh, and their sacrifices will not win his favour but will be like funeral fare for them: whoever eats them will be polluted; for their food will be for themselves alone, not being offered in Yahweh's home.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	5	What will you do on the solemn feast-day, on the day of Yahweh's festival?
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	6	What a scene of devastastion they have left! Egypt will round them up, Memphis will bury them, nettles will inherit their fields and thorn-bushes invade their homesteads.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	7	The days of punishment have come, the days of retribution are here; Israel knows it! 'The prophet is mad and the inspired man a fool!' Great has been your guilt- all the greater then the hostility!
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	8	The watchman of Ephraim is with my God: it is the prophet- and a fowler's trap is placed on all his paths; and in the shrine of his God there is enmity towards him.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	9	They have become deeply corrupt as in the days of Gibeah; he will remember their guilt, he will punish their sins.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	10	It was like finding grapes in the desert when I found Israel, like seeing early fruit on a fig tree when I saw your ancestors; but when they reached Baal-Peor they devoted themselves to Shame and became as loathsome as the thing they loved.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	11	The glory of Ephraim will fly away like a bird: no giving birth, no pregnancy, no conceiving.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	12	If they rear their children, I shall take them away before they grow up! Woe to them indeed when I leave them!
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	13	Ephraim looked to me like Tyre, planted in a meadow, so Ephraim will present his children to the slaughterer.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	14	Give them, Yahweh- what are you to give? - give them wombs that miscarry and dried-up breasts.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	15	Their wickedness appeared in full at Gilgal, there I came to hate them. Because of the wickedness of their deeds I shall drive them from my home, I shall love them no longer; all their princes are rebels.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	16	Ephraim is blasted, their root has dried out, they will bear no more fruit. And even if they do bear children I shall slaughter the darlings of their womb.
 Hosea	Hos	35	9	17	Because they have not listened to him, my God will cast them off and they will become wanderers among the nations.
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	1	Israel was a luxuriant vine yielding plenty of fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; the richer his land became, the richer he made the sacred pillars.
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	2	Theirs is a divided heart; now they will have to pay for it. He himself will hack down their altars and wreck their sacred pillars.
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	3	Then they will say, 'We have no king because we have not feared Yahweh, but what could the king do for us?'
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	4	Speeches are made, oaths sworn to no purpose, agreements concluded, and so-called justice spreads like a poisonous weed along the furrows of the fields!
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	5	Samaria's citizens will tremble for the calf of Beth-Aven; the people there will mourn for it, so will its idol-priests, as they exult in its glory once it has been carried away!
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	6	It will be carried off to Assyria as tribute to the Great King. Ephraim will reap the shame, and Israel blush for his intentions.
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	7	Samaria has had her day. Her king is like a straw drifting on the water.
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	8	The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed; thorns and thistles will grow over their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, 'Cover us!' and to the hills, 'Fall on us!'
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	9	Since the days of Gibeah, Israel, you have sinned. There they have taken their stand, and will not war overtake the guilty at Gibeah?
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	10	I am coming to punish them; nations will muster against them to punish them for their two crimes.
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	11	Ephraim is a well-trained heifer that loves to tread the grain. But I have laid a yoke on her fine neck, I shall put Ephraim into harness, Judah will have to plough, Jacob must draw the harrow.
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	12	Sow saving justice for yourselves, reap a harvest of faithful love; break up your fallow ground: it is time to seek out Yahweh until he comes to rain saving justice down on you.
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	13	You have ploughed wickedness, you have reaped iniquity, you have eaten the fruit of falsehood. Because you have trusted in your chariots, in your great numbers of warriors,
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	14	turmoil is going to break out among your people, and all your fortresses will be laid waste. As Shalman laid Beth-Arbel waste on the day of battle, dashing mothers to pieces on their children,
 Hosea	Hos	35	10	15	so it shall be done to you, Bethel, because of your great wickedness; at dawn, the king of Israel will be no more.
 Hosea	Hos	35	11	1	When Israel was a child I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.
 Hosea	Hos	35	11	2	But the more I called, the further they went away from me; they offered sacrifice to Baal and burnt incense to idols.
 Hosea	Hos	35	11	3	I myself taught Ephraim to walk, I myself took them by the arm, but they did not know that I was the one caring for them,
 Hosea	Hos	35	11	4	that I was leading them with human ties, with leading-strings of love, that, with them, I was like someone lifting an infant to his cheek, and that I bent down to feed him.
 Hosea	Hos	35	11	5	He will not have to go back to Egypt, Assyria will be his king instead! Since he has refused to come back to me,
 Hosea	Hos	35	11	6	the sword will rage through his cities, destroying the bars of his gates, devouring them because of their plots.
 Hosea	Hos	35	11	7	My people are bent on disregarding me; if they are summoned to come up, not one of them makes a move.
 Hosea	Hos	35	11	8	Ephraim, how could I part with you? Israel, how could I give you up? How could I make you like Admah or treat you like Zeboiim? My heart within me is overwhelmed, fever grips my inmost being.
 Hosea	Hos	35	11	9	I will not give rein to my fierce anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again, for I am God, not man, the Holy One in your midst, and I shall not come to you in anger.
 Hosea	Hos	35	11	10	They will follow Yahweh; he will roar like a lion, and when he roars, his children will come fluttering from the west,
 Hosea	Hos	35	11	11	fluttering like sparrows from Egypt, like pigeons from Assyria, and I shall settle them in their homes -declares Yahweh.
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	1	Ephraim besieges me with lying, the House of Israel with duplicity. (But Judah still is on God's side, he is faithful to the Holy One.)
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	2	Ephraim feeds himself on wind, all day he chases the wind from the East, he heaps up cheating and violence; they make a treaty with Assyria, at the same time sending oil to Egypt.
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	3	Yahweh has a case against Judah, he will punish Jacob as his conduct merits, he will repay him as his deeds deserve.
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	4	In the very womb he overreached his brother, in maturity he wrestled against God.
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	5	He wrestled with the angel and beat him, he wept and pleaded with him. He met him at Bethel and there God spoke to us-
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	6	yes, Yahweh, God Sabaoth, Yahweh is his title!
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	7	So turn back with God's help, maintain faithful love and loyalty and always put your trust in your God.
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	8	Merchants use fraudulent scales. To defraud is his delight.
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	9	'How rich I have become!' says Ephraim, 'I have made a fortune.' But of all his gains he will keep nothing because of the sin of which he is guilty.
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	10	But I have been Yahweh your God since your days in Egypt and will make you live in tents again as in the days of Meeting.
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	11	I will speak through prophets, I will give vision after vision and through the ministry of prophets will speak in parables.
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	12	Is Gilead a sink of iniquity? Yes, they are a worthless lot! At Gilgal they sacrifice to bulls, that is why their altars are like heaps of stones in a ploughed field.
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	13	Jacob fled to the countryside of Aram, Israel slaved to win a wife, to win a wife he looked after sheep.
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	14	By a prophet Yahweh brought Israel out of Egypt and by a prophet Israel was preserved.
 Hosea	Hos	35	12	15	Ephraim gave bitter provocation- Yahweh will bring his bloodshed down on him, his Lord will repay him for his insult.
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	1	When Ephraim used to speak, all trembled; he was a power in Israel; but once he had incurred guilt with Baal, he died.
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	2	And now they compound their sins by casting images for themselves out of their silver, idols of their own invention, the work of craftsmen, all of it! 'Sacrifice to them,' they say! Men bestow kisses to calves!
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	3	That is why they will be like morning mist, like the dew that quickly disappears, like the chaff whirled from the threshing-floor, like smoke escaping through the window.
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	4	But I have been Yahweh your God since your days in Egypt when you knew no god but me, since you had no one else to save you.
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	5	I cared for you in the desert, in the land of dreadful drought.
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	6	I pastured them, and they were satisfied; once satisfied, their hearts grew proud, and therefore they forgot me.
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	7	So now I shall be like a lion to them, like a leopard I shall lurk beside the road,
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	8	like a bear robbed of her cubs I shall meet them and rend the membrane of their heart, and there like a lioness I shall eat them, like a wild beast tear them to shreds.
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	9	Israel, you have destroyed yourself though in me lies your help.
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	10	Your king, where is he now, to save you, or the governors in all your cities? - whom you once pleaded for, saying, 'Give me a king and princes!'
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	11	In my anger I gave you a king and in my wrath I have taken him away.
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	12	Ephraim's guilt is packed away, his sin is locked up.
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	13	Pangs as of childbirth overtake him, and a stupid child he is; his time is due, but he does not leave the womb.
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	14	Shall I save them from the clutches of Sheol? Shall I buy them back from Death? Where are your plagues, Death? Where are your scourges, Sheol? Compassion will be banished from my sight!
 Hosea	Hos	35	13	15	Though Ephraim bears more fruit than his brothers, the wind from the East will come, Yahweh's breath blowing up from the desert to dry his spring, to dry up his fountain, to strip his treasury of everything worth having.
 Hosea	Hos	35	14	1	Samaria will pay the penalty for having rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword, their little children will be dashed to pieces and their pregnant women disembowelled.
 Hosea	Hos	35	14	2	Israel, come back to Yahweh your God your guilt was the cause of your downfall.
 Hosea	Hos	35	14	3	Provide yourself with words and come back to Yahweh. Say to him, 'Take all guilt away and give us what is good, instead of bulls we will dedicate to you our lips.
 Hosea	Hos	35	14	4	Assyria cannot save us, we will not ride horses any more, or say, "Our God!" to our own handiwork, for you are the one in whom orphans find compassion.'
 Hosea	Hos	35	14	5	I shall cure them of their disloyalty, I shall love them with all my heart, for my anger has turned away from them.
 Hosea	Hos	35	14	6	I shall fall like dew on Israel, he will bloom like the lily and thrust out roots like the cedar of Lebanon;
 Hosea	Hos	35	14	7	he will put out new shoots, he will have the beauty of the olive tree and the fragrance of Lebanon.
 Hosea	Hos	35	14	8	They will come back to live in my shade; they will grow wheat again, they will make the vine flourish, their wine will be as famous as Lebanon's.
 Hosea	Hos	35	14	9	What has Ephraim to do with idols any more when I hear him and watch over him? I am like an evergreen cypress, you owe your fruitfulness to me.
 Hosea	Hos	35	14	10	Let the wise understand these words, let the intelligent grasp their meaning, for Yahweh's ways are straight and the upright will walk in them, but sinners will stumble.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	1	The word of Yahweh that was addressed to Joel son of Pethuel.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	2	Listen to this, you elders; everybody in the country, attend! Has anything like this ever happened in your day, or in your ancestors' days?
 Joel	Joel	36	1	3	Tell your children about it and let your children tell their children, and their children the next generation!
 Joel	Joel	36	1	4	What the nibbler has left, the grown locust has eaten, what the grown locust has left, the hopper has eaten, and what the hopper has left, the shearer has eaten.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	5	Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! All you wine-bibbers, lament for the new wine: it has been snatched from your lips.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	6	For a nation has invaded my country, mighty and innumerable, with teeth like a lion's teeth, with the fangs of a lioness.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	7	It has reduced my vines to a desolation and my fig trees to splinters, stripped them and broken them down, leaving their branches white.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	8	Mourn, as a virgin-bride in sackcloth for the bridegroom of her youth!
 Joel	Joel	36	1	9	Cereal offering and libation are lost to Yahweh's Temple. The priests, the ministers of Yahweh, are in mourning.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	10	The fields are ruined, the land is in mourning, for the grain has been ruined, the new wine has failed, of olive oil only a trickle.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	11	Stand dismayed, you farmers, wail, you vinedressers, for the wheat, for the barley! The harvest of the fields has been lost!
 Joel	Joel	36	1	12	The vine has withered, the fig tree wilts away; pomegranate, palm tree, apple tree, every tree in the countryside is dry, and for human beings joy has run dry too.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	13	Priests, put on sackcloth and lament! You ministers of the altar, wail! Come here, lie in sackcloth all night long, you ministers of my God! For the Temple of your God has been deprived of cereal offering and libation.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	14	Order a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly; you elders, summon everybody in the country to the Temple of Yahweh your God. Cry out to Yahweh:
 Joel	Joel	36	1	15	'Alas for the day! For the Day of Yahweh is near, coming as destruction from Shaddai.'
 Joel	Joel	36	1	16	Has not the food disappeared before our very eyes? Have not joy and gladness vanished from the Temple of our God?
 Joel	Joel	36	1	17	The seeds shrivel under their clods; the granaries are deserted, the barns are in ruins, because the harvest has dried out.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	18	Loudly the cattle groan! The herds of oxen are bewildered because they have no pasture. The flocks of sheep bear the punishment too.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	19	Yahweh, to you I cry: for fire has devoured the desert pastures, flame has burnt up all the trees in the countryside.
 Joel	Joel	36	1	20	Even the wild animals pant loudly for you, for the watercourses have run dry, and fire has devoured the desert pastures.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	1	Blow the ram's-horn in Zion, sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let everybody in the country tremble, for the Day of Yahweh is coming, yes, it is near.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	2	Day of darkness and gloom, Day of cloud and blackness. Like the dawn, across the mountains spreads a vast and mighty people, such as has never been before, such as will never be again to the remotest ages.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	3	In their van a fire devours, in their rear a flame consumes. The country is like a garden of Eden ahead of them and a desert waste behind them. Nothing escapes them.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	4	They look like horses, like chargers they gallop on,
 Joel	Joel	36	2	5	with a racket like that of chariots they spring over the mountain tops, with a crackling like a blazing fire devouring the stubble, a mighty army in battle array.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	6	At the sight of them, people are appalled and every face grows pale.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	7	Like fighting men they press forward, like warriors they scale the walls, each marching straight ahead, not turning from his path;
 Joel	Joel	36	2	8	they never jostle each other, each marches straight ahead: arrows fly, they still press forward, never breaking ranks.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	9	They hurl themselves at the city, they leap onto the walls, swarm up the houses, getting in through the windows like thieves.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	10	As they come on, the earth quakes, the skies tremble, sun and moon grow dark, the stars lose their brilliance.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	11	Yahweh's voice rings out at the head of his troops! For mighty indeed is his army, strong, the enforcer of his orders, for great is the Day of Yahweh, and very terrible -- who can face it?
 Joel	Joel	36	2	12	'But now -- declares Yahweh- come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning.'
 Joel	Joel	36	2	13	Tear your hearts and not your clothes, and come back to Yahweh your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and he relents about inflicting disaster.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	14	Who knows if he will not come back, relent and leave a blessing behind him, a cereal offering and a libation to be presented to Yahweh your God?
 Joel	Joel	36	2	15	Blow the ram's-horn in Zion! Order a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly,
 Joel	Joel	36	2	16	call the people together, summon the community, assemble the elders, gather the children, even infants at the breast! Call the bridegroom from his bedroom and the bride from her bower!
 Joel	Joel	36	2	17	Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, stand weeping between portico and altar, saying, 'Spare your people, Yahweh! Do not expose your heritage to the contempt, to the sarcasm of the nations! Why give the peoples cause to say, "Where is their God?" '
 Joel	Joel	36	2	18	Then, becoming jealous over his country, Yahweh took pity on his people.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	19	Yahweh said in answer to his people, 'Now I shall send you wheat, wine and olive oil until you have enough. Never again will I expose you to the contempt of the nations.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	20	I shall take the northerner far away from you and drive him into an arid, desolate land, his vanguard to the eastern sea, his rearguard to the western sea. He will give off a stench, he will give off a foul stink (for what he made bold to do).'
 Joel	Joel	36	2	21	Land, do not be afraid; be glad, rejoice, for Yahweh has done great things.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	22	Wild animals, do not be afraid; the desert pastures are green again, the trees bear fruit, vine and fig tree yield their richness.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	23	Sons of Zion, be glad, rejoice in Yahweh your God; for he has given you autumn rain as justice demands, and he will send the rains down for you, the autumn and spring rain as of old.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	24	The threshing-floors will be full of grain, the vats overflow with wine and oil.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	25	'I will make up to you for the years devoured by grown locust and hopper, by shearer and young locust, my great army which I sent to invade you.
 Joel	Joel	36	2	26	'You will eat to your heart's content, and praise the name of Yahweh your God who has treated you so wonderfully. (My people will never be humiliated again!)
 Joel	Joel	36	2	27	'And you will know that I am among you in Israel, I, Yahweh your God, and no one else. My people will never be humiliated again!'
 Joel	Joel	36	3	1	'After this I shall pour out my spirit on all humanity. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old people shall dream dreams, and your young people see visions.
 Joel	Joel	36	3	2	Even on the slaves, men and women, shall I pour out my spirit in those days.
 Joel	Joel	36	3	3	I shall show portents in the sky and on earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.'
 Joel	Joel	36	3	4	The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the Day comes, that great and terrible Day.
 Joel	Joel	36	3	5	All who call on the name of Yahweh will be saved, for on Mount Zion will be those who have escaped, as Yahweh has said, and in Jerusalem a remnant whom Yahweh is calling.
 Joel	Joel	36	4	1	'For in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
 Joel	Joel	36	4	2	I shall gather all the nations together and take them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; there I shall put them on trial because of Israel, my people and my heritage, for having scattered them among the nations and having divided my land among themselves.
 Joel	Joel	36	4	3	They drew lots for my people, bartering a boy for a whore and selling a girl for wine to drink.
 Joel	Joel	36	4	4	'And what are you to me, Tyre and Sidon and all you regions of Philistia? Can you take revenge on me? If you take revenge on me, I shall quickly, instantly, make your revenge recoil on your own heads
 Joel	Joel	36	4	5	for having taken my silver and gold away and carried off my valuable treasures to your temples,
 Joel	Joel	36	4	6	and for having sold the children of Judah and Jerusalem to the Ionians, to be taken far away from their own frontiers.
 Joel	Joel	36	4	7	Look, I shall rouse them from the places to which you have sold them; I shall make your actions recoil on your own heads
 Joel	Joel	36	4	8	by selling your sons and daughters to the sons of Judah, who in turn will sell them to the Sabaeans, to a nation far away- Yahweh has spoken!'
 Joel	Joel	36	4	9	Proclaim this among the nations. Prepare for war! Rouse the champions! All you troops, advance, march!
 Joel	Joel	36	4	10	Hammer your ploughshares into swords, your bill-hooks into spears; let the weakling say, 'I am tough!'
 Joel	Joel	36	4	11	Hurry and come, all the nations around, and assemble there! (Yahweh, send down your champions!)
 Joel	Joel	36	4	12	'Let the nations rouse themselves and march to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I shall sit in judgement on all the nations around.
 Joel	Joel	36	4	13	Ply the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come and tread, for the winepress is full; the vats are overflowing, so great is their wickedness!'
 Joel	Joel	36	4	14	Multitude on multitude in the Valley of Decision! For the Day of Yahweh is near in the Valley of the Verdict!
 Joel	Joel	36	4	15	Sun and moon grow dark, the stars lose their brilliance.
 Joel	Joel	36	4	16	Yahweh roars from Zion, he thunders from Jerusalem; heaven and earth tremble. But Yahweh will be a shelter for his people, a stronghold for the Israelites.
 Joel	Joel	36	4	17	'Then you will know that I am Yahweh your God residing on Zion, my holy mountain. Jerusalem will then be a sanctuary, no foreigners will overrun it ever again.'
 Joel	Joel	36	4	18	When that Day comes, the mountains will run with new wine and the hills will flow with milk, and all the stream-beds of Judah will run with water. A fountain will spring from Yahweh's Temple and water the Gorge of the Acacias.
 Joel	Joel	36	4	19	Egypt will become a desolation, and Edom a desert waste on account of the violence done to the children of Judah whose innocent blood they shed in their country.
 Joel	Joel	36	4	20	But Judah will be inhabited for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation!
 Joel	Joel	36	4	21	'I shall avenge their blood and let none go unpunished,' and Yahweh will dwell in Zion.
 Amos	Amos	37	1	1	Words of Amos one of the shepherds of Tekoa. The visions he had about Israel, in the time of Uzziah king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
 Amos	Amos	37	1	2	He said: Yahweh roars from Zion, and makes himself heard from Jerusalem; the shepherds' pastures mourn, and the crown of Carmel dries up.
 Amos	Amos	37	1	3	Yahweh says this: For the three crimes, the four crimes of Damascus, I have made my decree and will not relent: because they have threshed Gilead with iron threshing-sledges,
 Amos	Amos	37	1	4	I shall send fire down on the House of Hazael to devour the palaces of Ben-Hadad;
 Amos	Amos	37	1	5	I shall break the gate-bar of Damascus, I shall destroy the inhabitant of Bikath-Aven, the holder of the sceptre in Beth-Eden, and the people of Aram will be deported to Kir, Yahweh says.
 Amos	Amos	37	1	6	Yahweh says this: For the three crimes, the four crimes of Gaza, I have made my decree and will not relent: because they have deported entire nations as slaves to Edom,
 Amos	Amos	37	1	7	I shall send fire down on the walls of Gaza to devour its palaces;
 Amos	Amos	37	1	8	I shall destroy the inhabitant of Ashdod, the holder of the sceptre in Ashkelon; I shall turn my hand against Ekron and the remnant of the Philistines will perish, says the Lord Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	1	9	Yahweh says this: For the three crimes, the four crimes of Tyre, I have made my decree and will not relent: because they have handed hosts of captives over to Edom, heedless of a covenant of brotherhood,
 Amos	Amos	37	1	10	I shall send fire down on the walls of Tyre to devour its palaces.
 Amos	Amos	37	1	11	Yahweh says this: For the three crimes, the four crimes of Edom, I have made my decree and will not relent: because he has pursued his brother with the sword, because he has stifled any sense of pity, and perpetually nursed his anger and constantly cherished his rage,
 Amos	Amos	37	1	12	I shall send fire down on Teman to devour the palaces of Bozrah.
 Amos	Amos	37	1	13	Yahweh says this: For the three crimes, the four crimes of the Ammonites, I have made my decree and will not relent: because they have disembowelled the pregnant women of Gilead in order to extend their own frontiers,
 Amos	Amos	37	1	14	I shall light a fire against the walls of Rabbah to devour its palaces amid war cries on the day of battle, in a whirlwind on the day of storm,
 Amos	Amos	37	1	15	and their king shall go into captivity, he and his chief men with him, says Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	2	1	Yahweh says this: For the three crimes, the four crimes of Moab, I have made my decree and will not relent: because they have burnt the bones of the king of Edom to ash,
 Amos	Amos	37	2	2	I shall send fire down into Moab to devour the palaces of Kerioth, and Moab will die in the tumult, amid war cries and the blare of trumpets;
 Amos	Amos	37	2	3	I shall destroy the ruler there and slaughter all the chief men there with him, says Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	2	4	Yahweh says this: For the three crimes, the four crimes of Judah, I have made my decree and will not relent: because they have despised Yahweh's law and not kept his commandments, since their Falsehoods, which their ancestors followed, have led them astray,
 Amos	Amos	37	2	5	I shall send fire down on Judah to devour the palaces of Jerusalem.
 Amos	Amos	37	2	6	Yahweh says this: For the three crimes, the four crimes of Israel, I have made my decree and will not relent: because they have sold the upright for silver and the poor for a pair of sandals,
 Amos	Amos	37	2	7	because they have crushed the heads of the weak into the dust and thrust the rights of the oppressed to one side, father and son sleeping with the same girl and thus profaning my holy name,
 Amos	Amos	37	2	8	lying down beside every altar on clothes acquired as pledges, and drinking the wine of the people they have fined in the house of their god.
 Amos	Amos	37	2	9	Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, he who was as tall as the cedars, as strong as the oaks; I who destroyed his fruit above ground and his roots below.
 Amos	Amos	37	2	10	It was I who brought you up from Egypt and for forty years led you through the desert to take possession of the Amorite's country;
 Amos	Amos	37	2	11	I who raised up prophets from your sons and Nazirites from your young men. Israelites, is this not true? -declares Yahweh!
 Amos	Amos	37	2	12	But you have made the Nazirite drink wine and given orders to the prophets, 'Do not prophesy.'
 Amos	Amos	37	2	13	Very well! Like a cart overloaded with sheaves I shall crush you where you stand;
 Amos	Amos	37	2	14	flight will be cut off for the swift, the strong will have no chance to exert his strength nor the warrior be able to save his life;
 Amos	Amos	37	2	15	the archer will not stand his ground, the swift of foot will not escape, nor will the horseman save his life;
 Amos	Amos	37	2	16	even the bravest of warriors will jettison his arms and run away, that day! -declares Yahweh!
 Amos	Amos	37	3	1	Listen, Israelites, to this prophecy which Yahweh pronounces against you, against the whole family which I brought up from Egypt:
 Amos	Amos	37	3	2	You alone have I intimately known of all the families of earth, that is why I shall punish you for all your wrong-doings.
 Amos	Amos	37	3	3	Do two people travel together unless they have agreed to do so?
 Amos	Amos	37	3	4	Does the lion roar in the forest if it has no prey? Does the young lion growl in his lair if it has caught nothing?
 Amos	Amos	37	3	5	Does a bird fall on the ground in a net unless a trap has been set for it? Will the net spring up from the ground without catching something?
 Amos	Amos	37	3	6	Does the trumpet sound in the city without the people being alarmed? Does misfortune come to a city if Yahweh has not caused it?
 Amos	Amos	37	3	7	No indeed, Lord Yahweh does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.
 Amos	Amos	37	3	8	The lion roars: who is not afraid? Lord Yahweh has spoken: who will not prophesy?
 Amos	Amos	37	3	9	From the palace roofs of Assyria and from the palace roofs of Egypt, proclaim aloud, 'Assemble on the hills of Samaria and observe the grave disorders inside her and the acts of oppression there!'
 Amos	Amos	37	3	10	Little they know of right conduct -declares Yahweh- who cram their palaces with violence and extortion.
 Amos	Amos	37	3	11	This is why -- Lord Yahweh says this- an enemy will soon besiege the land, he will bring down your strength and your palaces will be looted.
 Amos	Amos	37	3	12	Yahweh says this: As the shepherd rescues two legs or the tip of an ear from the lion's mouth, so will the children of Israel be salvaged who now loll in Samaria in the corners of their beds, on their divans of Damascus.
 Amos	Amos	37	3	13	Listen and testify against the House of Jacob -declares the Lord Yahweh, God Sabaoth-
 Amos	Amos	37	3	14	the day when I punish Israel for his crimes I shall also punish the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be hacked off and will fall to the ground.
 Amos	Amos	37	3	15	I shall blast winter house with summer house, ivory houses will be destroyed and many mansions cease to be -declares Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	4	1	Listen to this saying, you cows of Bashan living on the hill of Samaria, exploiting the weak and ill-treating the poor, saying to your husbands, 'Bring us something to drink!'
 Amos	Amos	37	4	2	The Lord God has sworn by his holiness: Look, the days will soon be on you when he will use hooks to drag you away and fish-hooks for the very last of you;
 Amos	Amos	37	4	3	through the breaches in the wall you will leave, each one straight ahead, and be herded away towards Hermon -declares Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	4	4	Go to Bethel, and sin, to Gilgal, and sin even harder! Bring your sacrifices each morning, your tithes every third day,
 Amos	Amos	37	4	5	burn your thank-offering of leaven and widely publicise your free-will offerings, for this, children of Israel, is what makes you happy -declares the Lord Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	4	6	I even gave you clean teeth in all your towns and a shortage of food in all your villages and still you would not come back to me -declares Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	4	7	I even withheld the rain from you full three months before harvest-time; I caused rain to fall in one town and caused no rain to fall in another; one field was rained on and the next for want of rain dried up;
 Amos	Amos	37	4	8	two towns, three towns went tottering to one town for water to drink but went unsatisfied, and still you would not come back to me -declares Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	4	9	I struck you with blight and mildew, I dried up your gardens and vineyards; the locust devoured your fig trees and olive trees and still you would not come back to me -declares Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	4	10	I sent plague on you like Egypt's plague, I slaughtered your young men with the sword and at the same time your horses were captured; I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camps and still you would not come back to me -declares Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	4	11	I overturned you as God overturned Sodom and Gomorrah; you were like a brand snatched from the blaze and still you would not come back to me -declares Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	4	12	So this, Israel, is what I plan to do to you. Because I am going to do this to you, Israel, prepare to meet your God!
 Amos	Amos	37	4	13	For look, he it is who forges the mountains, creates the wind, who reveals his mind to humankind, changes the dawn into darkness and strides on the heights of the world: Yahweh, God Sabaoth, is his name.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	1	Listen to this word which I utter against you, it is a dirge, House of Israel:
 Amos	Amos	37	5	2	She has fallen down, never to rise again, the virgin Israel. There she lies on her own soil, with no one to lift her up.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	3	For Lord Yahweh says this: The town which used to put a thousand in the field will be left with a hundred, and the one which used to put a hundred will be left with ten, to fight for the House of Israel.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	4	For Yahweh says this to the House of Israel: Seek me out and you will survive,
 Amos	Amos	37	5	5	but do not seek out Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba, for Gilgal is going into captivity and Bethel will be brought to nothing.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	6	Seek out Yahweh and you will survive or else he will sweep like fire upon the House of Joseph and burn it down, with no one at Bethel able to quench the flames.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	7	They turn justice into wormwood and throw uprightness to the ground.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	8	He it is who makes the Pleiades and Orion, who turns shadow dark as death into morning and day to darkest night, who summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the surface of the land. Yahweh is his name.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	9	He brings destruction on the strong and ruin comes on the fortress.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	10	They hate the man who teaches justice at the city gate and detest anyone who declares the truth.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	11	For trampling on the poor man and for extorting levies on his wheat: although you have built houses of dressed stone, you will not live in them; although you have planted pleasant vineyards, you will not drink wine from them:
 Amos	Amos	37	5	12	for I know how many your crimes are and how outrageous your sins, you oppressors of the upright, who hold people to ransom and thrust the poor aside at the gates.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	13	That is why anyone prudent keeps silent now, since the time is evil.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	14	Seek good and not evil so that you may survive, and Yahweh, God Sabaoth, be with you as you claim he is.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	15	Hate evil, love good, let justice reign at the city gate: it may be that Yahweh, God Sabaoth, will take pity on the remnant of Joseph.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	16	Therefore Yahweh Sabaoth, the Lord, says this: In every public square there will be lamentation, in every street they will cry out, 'Alas! Alas!' The farmer will be called on to mourn, the professional mourners to lament,
 Amos	Amos	37	5	17	and there will be wailing in every vineyard, for I mean to pass through among you, Yahweh says.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	18	Disaster for you who long for the Day of Yahweh! What will the Day of Yahweh mean for you? It will mean darkness, not light,
 Amos	Amos	37	5	19	as when someone runs away from a lion, only to meet a bear; he goes into his house and puts his hand on the wall, only for a snake to bite him.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	20	Will not the Day of Yahweh be darkness, not light, totally dark, without a ray of light?
 Amos	Amos	37	5	21	I hate, I scorn your festivals, I take no pleasure in your solemn assemblies.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	22	When you bring me burnt offerings . . . your oblations, I do not accept them and I do not look at your communion sacrifices of fat cattle.
 Amos	Amos	37	5	23	Spare me the din of your chanting, let me hear none of your strumming on lyres,
 Amos	Amos	37	5	24	but let justice flow like water, and uprightness like a never-failing stream!
 Amos	Amos	37	5	25	Did you bring me sacrifices and oblations those forty years in the desert, House of Israel?
 Amos	Amos	37	5	26	Now you must shoulder Sakkuth your king and the star of your God, Kaiwan, those idols you made for yourselves;
 Amos	Amos	37	5	27	for I am about to drive you into captivity beyond Damascus, Yahweh says -- God Sabaoth is his name.
 Amos	Amos	37	6	1	Disaster for those so comfortable in Zion and for those so confident on the hill of Samaria, the notables of this first of nations, those to whom the House of Israel has recourse!
 Amos	Amos	37	6	2	Travel to Calneh and look, go on from there to Hamath the great, then go down to Gath in Philistia. Are they more powerful than these kingdoms? Is their territory larger than yours?
 Amos	Amos	37	6	3	Thinking to defer the evil day, you are hastening the reign of violence.
 Amos	Amos	37	6	4	Lying on ivory beds and sprawling on their divans, they dine on lambs from the flock, and stall-fattened veal;
 Amos	Amos	37	6	5	they bawl to the sound of the lyre and, like David, they invent musical instruments;
 Amos	Amos	37	6	6	they drink wine by the bowlful, and lard themselves with the finest oils, but for the ruin of Joseph they care nothing.
 Amos	Amos	37	6	7	That is why they will now go into captivity, heading the column of captives. The sprawlers' revelry is over.
 Amos	Amos	37	6	8	Lord Yahweh has sworn by his own self -declares Yahweh, God Sabaoth: I detest the pride of Jacob, I hate his palaces, I shall hand over the city and all in it.
 Amos	Amos	37	6	9	If ten people are left in a single house, they will die
 Amos	Amos	37	6	10	and a few will be left to carry the bones from the house, and they will say to anyone deep inside the house, 'Any more there?' and he will answer, 'No.' Then he will say, 'Hush!-Yahweh's name must not be mentioned.'
 Amos	Amos	37	6	11	For look, Yahweh gives the command: as he strikes, the great house falls to pieces and the small house is in fragments.
 Amos	Amos	37	6	12	Can horses gallop over rocks? Can the sea be ploughed with oxen? Yet you have changed justice into poison, and the fruit of uprightness into wormwood,
 Amos	Amos	37	6	13	while rejoicing over Lo-Debar and saying, 'Wasn't it by our own strength that we captured Karnaim?'
 Amos	Amos	37	6	14	But look, House of Israel, against you -declares Yahweh, God Sabaoth- I am raising a nation to oppress you from the Pass of Hamath to the Gorge of the Arabah.
 Amos	Amos	37	7	1	This is what Lord Yahweh showed me: there was a swarm of locusts when the second crop was sprouting, full-grown locusts, after the king's hay had been cut.
 Amos	Amos	37	7	2	When they had eaten all the grass in the land, I said, 'Lord Yahweh, forgive, I beg you. How can Jacob survive, being so small?'
 Amos	Amos	37	7	3	Then Yahweh relented; 'It will not happen,' said Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	7	4	This is what Lord Yahweh showed me: Lord Yahweh summoning fire in punishment; it had devoured the great Abyss and was encroaching on the land,
 Amos	Amos	37	7	5	when I said, 'Lord Yahweh, stop, I beg you. How can Jacob survive, being so small?'
 Amos	Amos	37	7	6	Then Yahweh relented; 'This will not happen either,' said the Lord Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	7	7	This is what he showed me: the Lord standing by a wall, with a plumb-line in his hand.
 Amos	Amos	37	7	8	'What do you see, Amos?' Yahweh asked me. 'A plumb-line,' I said. Then the Lord said, 'Look, I am going to put a plumb-line in among my people Israel; never again will I overlook their offences.
 Amos	Amos	37	7	9	The high places of Isaac will be ruined and the sanctuaries of Israel laid waste, and, sword in hand, I will attack the House of Jeroboam.'
 Amos	Amos	37	7	10	Amaziah the priest of Bethel then sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel as follows, 'Amos is plotting against you in the heart of the House of Israel; the country cannot tolerate his speeches.
 Amos	Amos	37	7	11	For this is what Amos says, "Jeroboam is going to die by the sword, and Israel will go into captivity far from its native land." '
 Amos	Amos	37	7	12	To Amos himself Amaziah said, 'Go away, seer, take yourself off to Judah, earn your living there, and there you can prophesy!
 Amos	Amos	37	7	13	But never again will you prophesy at Bethel, for this is a royal sanctuary, a national temple.'
 Amos	Amos	37	7	14	'I am not a prophet,' Amos replied to Amaziah, 'nor do I belong to a prophetic brotherhood. I am merely a herdsman and dresser of sycamore-figs.
 Amos	Amos	37	7	15	But Yahweh took me as I followed the flock, and Yahweh said to me, "Go and prophesy to my people Israel."
 Amos	Amos	37	7	16	So now listen to what Yahweh says: "You say: Do not prophesy against Israel, do not foretell doom on the House of Isaac!"
 Amos	Amos	37	7	17	Very well, this is what Yahweh says, "Your wife will become a prostitute in the streets, your sons and daughters will fall by the sword, your land will be parcelled out by measuring line, and you yourself will die on polluted soil and Israel will go into captivity far from its own land!"'
 Amos	Amos	37	8	1	This is what Lord Yahweh showed me: A basket of ripe fruit.
 Amos	Amos	37	8	2	'What do you see, Amos?' he asked. 'A basket of ripe fruit,' I said. Then Yahweh said, 'The time is ripe for my people Israel; I will not continue to overlook their offences.
 Amos	Amos	37	8	3	That day, the palace songs will turn to howls, -declares the Lord Yahweh- the corpses will be many that are thrown down everywhere. Keep silent!'
 Amos	Amos	37	8	4	Listen to this, you who crush the needy and reduce the oppressed to nothing,
 Amos	Amos	37	8	5	you who say, 'When will New Moon be over so that we can sell our corn, and Sabbath, so that we can market our wheat? Then, we can make the bushel-measure smaller and the shekel-weight bigger, by fraudulently tampering with the scales.
 Amos	Amos	37	8	6	We can buy up the weak for silver and the poor for a pair of sandals, and even get a price for the sweepings of the wheat.'
 Amos	Amos	37	8	7	Yahweh has sworn by the pride of Jacob, 'Never will I forget anything they have done.'
 Amos	Amos	37	8	8	Will not the earth tremble for this and all who live on it lament, as it all rises together like the Nile in Egypt, it swells and then subsides like the Egyptian Nile?
 Amos	Amos	37	8	9	'On that Day- declares the Lord Yahweh- I shall make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.
 Amos	Amos	37	8	10	I shall turn your festivals into mourning and all your singing into lamentation; I shall make you all wear sacking round your waists and have all your heads shaved. I shall make it like the mourning for an only child, and it will end like the bitterest of days.
 Amos	Amos	37	8	11	'The days are coming- declares the Lord Yahweh- when I shall send a famine on the country, not hunger for food, not thirst for water, but famine for hearing Yahweh's word.
 Amos	Amos	37	8	12	People will stagger from sea to sea, will wander from the north to the east, searching for Yahweh's word, but will not find it.
 Amos	Amos	37	8	13	'That Day, fine girls and stalwart youths will faint from thirst.
 Amos	Amos	37	8	14	The people who swear by the Sin of Samaria, who say, "Long live your god, Dan!" and "Hurrah for the pilgrimage to Beersheba!" will all fall, never to rise again.'
 Amos	Amos	37	9	1	I saw the Lord standing by the altar, and he said, 'Strike the top of the pillar so that the thresholds shake! Smash their heads in, one and all! And I shall put any survivors to the sword; whoever runs away will not run far, whoever escapes will not make good his escape.
 Amos	Amos	37	9	2	Should they burrow into Sheol, my hand will haul them out; should they climb to heaven, I shall bring them down.
 Amos	Amos	37	9	3	Should they hide on the top of Carmel, I shall track them down and catch them; should they hide from me on the sea bed, I shall order the Serpent there to bite them;
 Amos	Amos	37	9	4	if their enemies herd them into captivity, I shall order the sword to kill them there, and I shall fix my eyes on them for evil and not for good.'
 Amos	Amos	37	9	5	Lord Yahweh Sabaoth- he touches the earth and it melts, and all living things on it lament, as all rises together like the Nile in Egypt and then subsides like the Egyptian Nile.
 Amos	Amos	37	9	6	He who builds his mansions in the heavens, supporting his vault on the earth; who summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the surface of the land: Yahweh is his name.
 Amos	Amos	37	9	7	Are not you and the Cushites all the same to me, children of Israel? - declares Yahweh. Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Aramaeans from Kir?
 Amos	Amos	37	9	8	Look, Lord Yahweh's eyes are on the sinful kingdom, I shall wipe it off the face of the earth, although I shall not destroy the House of Jacob completely -declares Yahweh.
 Amos	Amos	37	9	9	For look, I shall give the command and shall shake out the House of Israel among all nations as a sieve is shaken out without one grain falling on the ground.
 Amos	Amos	37	9	10	All the sinners of my people will perish by the sword, who say, 'Disaster will never approach or overtake us.'
 Amos	Amos	37	9	11	On that Day, I shall rebuild the tottering hut of David, make good the gaps in it, restore its ruins and rebuild it as it was in the days of old,
 Amos	Amos	37	9	12	for them to be master of what is left of Edom and of all the nations once called mine -Yahweh declares, and he will perform it.
 Amos	Amos	37	9	13	The days are coming- declares Yahweh- when the ploughman will tread on the heels of the reaper, and the treader of grapes on the heels of the sower of seed, and the mountains will run with new wine and the hills all flow with it.
 Amos	Amos	37	9	14	I shall restore the fortunes of my people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them, they will plant vineyards and drink their wine, they will lay out gardens and eat their produce.
 Amos	Amos	37	9	15	And I shall plant them in their own soil and they will never be uprooted again from the country which I have given them, declares Yahweh, your God.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	1	Vision of Obadiah: about Edom. I have received a message from Yahweh, a herald has been sent throughout the nations: 'Up! Let us march against this people. Into battle!' The Lord Yahweh says this:
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	2	Look, I have reduced you to the smallest of nations, you are now beneath contempt.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	3	Your proud heart has misled you, you whose home is in the crannies of the Rock, who make the heights your dwelling, who think to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to earth?'
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	4	Though you soar like an eagle, though you set your nest among the stars, I shall bring you down from there!-declares Yahweh.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	5	If thieves were to come to you (or robbers during the night) surely they would steal only as much as they wanted? If grape-pickers were to come to you, surely they would leave a few gleanings? But how you have been pillaged!
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	6	How Esau has been looted, his hidden treasures routed out!
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	7	Your allies all pursued you right to the frontier, your confederates kept you in suspense, then got the better of you, your own guests laid a trap for you, 'He has quite lost his wits.'
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	8	When that day comes- declares Yahweh- shall I not eliminate sages from Edom and intelligence from Mount Esau?
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	9	Your warriors, Teman, will be so demoralised that the people of Mount Esau will be massacred to the last one. For the slaughter,
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	10	for the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame will cover you and you will be annihilated for ever.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	11	On the day, when you stood aloof while strangers carried off his riches, while foreigners passed through his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were as bad as the rest of them.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	12	Do not feast your eyes on your brother on the day of his misfortune. Do not gloat over the children of Judah on the day of their ruin. Do not play the braggart on the day of distress.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	13	Do not enter my people's gate on their day of calamity. Do not, you especially, feast your eyes on their suffering on their day of calamity. Do not touch their possessions on their day of calamity.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	14	Do not wait at the crossroads to annihilate their fugitives. Do not hand over their survivors on the day of distress.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	15	For the Day of Yahweh is near for all the nations. As you have done, so will it be done to you: your deeds will recoil on your own head.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	16	Just as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so will all the nations drink continually, they will drink, will drink greedily, but they will be as though they had never been!
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	17	But on Mount Zion will be those who have escaped -it will be a sanctuary- and the House of Jacob will recover what is rightfully theirs.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	18	Then the House of Jacob will be a fire, the House of Joseph a flame, and the House of Esau like stubble. They will set it alight and burn it up, and no one of the House of Esau will survive. Yahweh has spoken.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	19	People from the Negeb will occupy the Mount of Esau, people from the lowlands the country of the Philistines; they will occupy Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will occupy Gilead.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	20	The exiles of this army, the sons of Israel, will have the Canaanites' land as far as Zarephthah, while the exiles from Jerusalem now in Sepharad will have the cities of the Negeb.
 Obadiah	Obad	38	1	21	Victorious, they will climb Mount Zion to rule over Mount Esau, and sovereignty will be Yahweh's!
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to Jonah son of Amittai:
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	2	'Up!' he said, 'Go to Nineveh, the great city, and proclaim to them that their wickedness has forced itself upon me.'
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	3	Jonah set about running away from Yahweh, and going to Tarshish. He went down to Jaffa and found a ship bound for Tarshish; he paid his fare and boarded it, to go with them to Tarshish, to get away from Yahweh.
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	4	But Yahweh threw a hurricane at the sea, and there was such a great storm at sea that the ship threatened to break up.
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	5	The sailors took fright, and each of them called on his own god, and to lighten the ship they threw the cargo overboard. Jonah, however, had gone below, had lain down in the hold and was fast asleep,
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	6	when the boatswain went up to him and said, 'What do you mean by sleeping? Get up! Call on your god! Perhaps he will spare us a thought and not leave us to die.'
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	7	Then they said to each other, 'Come on, let us draw lots to find out who is to blame for bringing us this bad luck.' So they cast lots, and the lot pointed to Jonah.
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	8	Then they said to him, 'Tell us, what is your business? Where do you come from? What is your country? What is your nationality?'
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	9	He replied, 'I am a Hebrew, and I worship Yahweh, God of Heaven, who made both sea and dry land.'
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	10	The sailors were seized with terror at this and said, 'Why ever did you do this?' since they knew that he was trying to escape from Yahweh, because he had told them so.
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	11	They then said, 'What are we to do with you, to make the sea calm down for us?' For the sea was growing rougher and rougher.
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	12	He replied, 'Take me and throw me into the sea, and then it will calm down for you. I know it is my fault that this great storm has struck you.'
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	13	The sailors rowed hard in an effort to reach the shore, but in vain, since the sea was growing rougher and rougher.
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	14	So at last they called on Yahweh and said, 'O, Yahweh, do not let us perish for the sake of this man's life, and do not hold us responsible for causing an innocent man's death; for you, Yahweh, have acted as you saw fit.'
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	15	And taking hold of Jonah they threw him into the sea; and the sea stopped raging.
 Jonah	Jon	39	1	16	At this, the men were seized with dread of Yahweh; they offered a sacrifice to Yahweh and made vows to him.
 Jonah	Jon	39	2	1	Now Yahweh ordained that a great fish should swallow Jonah; and Jonah remained in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.
 Jonah	Jon	39	2	2	From the belly of the fish, Jonah prayed to Yahweh, his God; he said:
 Jonah	Jon	39	2	3	Out of my distress I cried to Yahweh and he answered me, from the belly of Sheol I cried out; you heard my voice!
 Jonah	Jon	39	2	4	For you threw me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the floods closed round me. All your waves and billows passed over me;
 Jonah	Jon	39	2	5	then I thought, 'I am banished from your sight; how shall I ever see your holy Temple again?'
 Jonah	Jon	39	2	6	The waters round me rose to my neck, the deep was closing round me, seaweed twining round my head.
 Jonah	Jon	39	2	7	To the roots of the mountains, I sank into the underworld, and its bars closed round me for ever. But you raised my life from the Pit, Yahweh my God!
 Jonah	Jon	39	2	8	When my soul was growing ever weaker, Yahweh, I remembered you, and my prayer reached you in your holy Temple.
 Jonah	Jon	39	2	9	Some abandon their faithful love by worshipping false gods,
 Jonah	Jon	39	2	10	but I shall sacrifice to you with songs of praise. The vow I have made I shall fulfil! Salvation comes from Yahweh!
 Jonah	Jon	39	2	11	Yahweh spoke to the fish, which then vomited Jonah onto the dry land.
 Jonah	Jon	39	3	1	The word of Yahweh was addressed to Jonah a second time.
 Jonah	Jon	39	3	2	'Up!' he said, 'Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to it as I shall tell you.'
 Jonah	Jon	39	3	3	Jonah set out and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of Yahweh. Now Nineveh was a city great beyond compare; to cross it took three days.
 Jonah	Jon	39	3	4	Jonah began by going a day's journey into the city and then proclaimed, 'Only forty days more and Nineveh will be overthrown.'
 Jonah	Jon	39	3	5	And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least.
 Jonah	Jon	39	3	6	When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes.
 Jonah	Jon	39	3	7	He then had it proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles, as follows: 'No person or animal, herd or flock, may eat anything; they may not graze, they may not drink any water.
 Jonah	Jon	39	3	8	All must put on sackcloth and call on God with all their might; and let everyone renounce his evil ways and violent behaviour.
 Jonah	Jon	39	3	9	Who knows? Perhaps God will change his mind and relent and renounce his burning wrath, so that we shall not perish.'
 Jonah	Jon	39	3	10	God saw their efforts to renounce their evil ways. And God relented about the disaster which he had threatened to bring on them, and did not bring it.
 Jonah	Jon	39	4	1	This made Jonah very indignant; he fell into a rage.
 Jonah	Jon	39	4	2	He prayed to Yahweh and said, 'Please, Yahweh, isn't this what I said would happen when I was still in my own country? That was why I first tried to flee to Tarshish, since I knew you were a tender, compassionate God, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, who relents about inflicting disaster.
 Jonah	Jon	39	4	3	So now, Yahweh, please take my life, for I might as well be dead as go on living.'
 Jonah	Jon	39	4	4	Yahweh replied, 'Are you right to be angry?'
 Jonah	Jon	39	4	5	Jonah then left the city and sat down to the east of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, to see what would happen to the city.
 Jonah	Jon	39	4	6	Yahweh God then ordained that a castor-oil plant should grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head and soothe his ill-humour; Jonah was delighted with the castor-oil plant.
 Jonah	Jon	39	4	7	But at dawn the next day, God ordained that a worm should attack the castor-oil plant -- and it withered.
 Jonah	Jon	39	4	8	Next, when the sun rose, God ordained that there should be a scorching east wind; the sun beat down so hard on Jonah's head that he was overcome and begged for death, saying, 'I might as well be dead as go on living.'
 Jonah	Jon	39	4	9	God said to Jonah, 'Are you right to be angry about the castor-oil plant?' He replied, 'I have every right to be angry, mortally angry!'
 Jonah	Jon	39	4	10	Yahweh replied, 'You are concerned for the castor-oil plant which has not cost you any effort and which you did not grow, which came up in a night and has perished in a night.
 Jonah	Jon	39	4	11	So why should I not be concerned for Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, to say nothing of all the animals?'
 Micah	Mic	40	1	1	The word of Yahweh which came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah kings of Judah. His visions about Samaria and Jerusalem.
 Micah	Mic	40	1	2	Listen, all you peoples, attend, earth and everyone on it! Yahweh intends to give evidence against you, the Lord, from his holy temple.
 Micah	Mic	40	1	3	For look, Yahweh is leaving his home, down he comes, he treads the heights of earth.
 Micah	Mic	40	1	4	Beneath him, the mountains melt, and valleys are torn open, like wax near a fire, like water pouring down a slope.
 Micah	Mic	40	1	5	All this is because of the crime of Jacob, the sin of the House of Israel. What is the crime of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? What is the sin of the House of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem?
 Micah	Mic	40	1	6	So I shall make Samaria a ruin in the open country, a place for planting vines. I shall send her stones rolling into the valley, until I have laid her foundations bare.
 Micah	Mic	40	1	7	All her images will be shattered, all her earnings consumed by fire. I shall leave all her idols derelict- they were amassed out of prostitutes' earnings and prostitutes' earnings once more they will be.
 Micah	Mic	40	1	8	This is why I shall howl and wail, why I shall go barefoot and naked, why I shall howl like the jackals, why I shall shriek like the owls;
 Micah	Mic	40	1	9	for there is no cure for the wounds that Yahweh inflicts: the blow falls on Judah, it falls on the gateway of my people, on Jerusalem itself.
 Micah	Mic	40	1	10	Do not announce it in Gath, in . . . shed no tears! In Beth-Leaphrah roll in the dust!
 Micah	Mic	40	1	11	Sound the horn, inhabitant of Shaphir! She has not left her city, she who lives in Zaanan. Beth-Ezel is torn from its foundations, from its strong supports.
 Micah	Mic	40	1	12	What hope has she of happiness, she who lives in Maroth? Instead Yahweh sent down disaster on the gateway of Jerusalem itself!
 Micah	Mic	40	1	13	Harness the horse to the chariot, you inhabitant of Lachish! That is where the sin of the daughter of Zion began; the crimes of Israel can be traced to you!
 Micah	Mic	40	1	14	And so you must provide a dowry for Moresheth-Gath. Beth-Achzib will prove a disappointment for the kings of Israel.
 Micah	Mic	40	1	15	The plunderer will come to you again, you citizen of Mareshah! And into Adullam will vanish the glory of Israel.
 Micah	Mic	40	1	16	Off with your hair, shave your head, for the children that were your joy. Make yourselves bald like the vulture, for they have left you for exile.
 Micah	Mic	40	2	1	Disaster for those who plot evil, who lie in bed planning mischief! No sooner is it dawn than they do it, since they have the power to do so.
 Micah	Mic	40	2	2	Seizing the fields that they covet, they take over houses as well, owner and house they seize alike, the man himself as well as his inheritance.
 Micah	Mic	40	2	3	So Yahweh says this: Look, I am now plotting a disaster for this breed from which you will not extricate your necks; you will not hold your heads up then, for the times will be disastrous indeed.
 Micah	Mic	40	2	4	That day they will make a satire on you, they will strike up a dirge and say, 'We have been stripped of everything; my people's land has been divided up, no one else can restore it to them, our fields have been awarded to our despoiler.'
 Micah	Mic	40	2	5	Because of this, you will have no one to measure out a share in Yahweh's community.
 Micah	Mic	40	2	6	'Do not drivel,' they drivel, 'do not drivel like this! Disgrace will not overtake us!
 Micah	Mic	40	2	7	'Can the House of Jacob be accursed? Has Yahweh grown short-tempered? Is that his way of going to work? His prophecies can only be favourable for his people Israel!'
 Micah	Mic	40	2	8	But you are the ones who play the enemy to my people. From the inoffensive man you snatch his cloak, on those who feel safe you inflict the damage of war.
 Micah	Mic	40	2	9	My people's women you evict from the homes they love, and deprive the children of my glory for ever,
 Micah	Mic	40	2	10	saying, 'Up and off with you! You can't stay here!' For a worthless thing you exact an extortionate pledge.
 Micah	Mic	40	2	11	If a man of the spirit came and invented this lie, 'I prophesy wine and liquor for you,' he would be the prophet for a people like this.
 Micah	Mic	40	2	12	I shall assemble the whole of Jacob, I shall gather the remnant of Israel, I shall gather them together like sheep in an enclosure. And like a flock within their fold, they will bleat far away from anyone,
 Micah	Mic	40	2	13	their leader will break out first, then all break out through the gate and escape, with their king leading the way and with Yahweh at their head.
 Micah	Mic	40	3	1	Then I said, 'Kindly listen, you leaders of the House of Jacob, you princes of the House of Israel. Surely you are the ones who ought to know what is right,
 Micah	Mic	40	3	2	and yet you hate what is good and love what is evil, skinning people alive, pulling the flesh off their bones,
 Micah	Mic	40	3	3	eating my people's flesh, stripping off their skin, breaking up their bones, chopping them up small like flesh for the pot, like meat in the stew-pan?'
 Micah	Mic	40	3	4	Then they will call to Yahweh, but he will not answer them. When the time comes he will hide his face from them because of the crimes they have committed.
 Micah	Mic	40	3	5	Yahweh says this against the prophets who lead my people astray: So long as they have something to eat they cry 'Peace'. But on anyone who puts nothing into their mouths they declare war.
 Micah	Mic	40	3	6	And so, for you, night will be without vision and for you the darkness without divination. The sun will set for the prophets, the daylight will go black above them.
 Micah	Mic	40	3	7	Then the seers will be covered with shame, the diviners with confusion; they will all put their hands over their mouths because there is no answer from God.
 Micah	Mic	40	3	8	Not so with me, I am full of strength (full of Yahweh's spirit), of the sense of right, of energy to accuse Jacob of his crime and Israel of his sin.
 Micah	Mic	40	3	9	Kindly listen to this, you leaders of the House of Jacob, you princes of the House of Israel, who detest justice, wresting it from its honest course,
 Micah	Mic	40	3	10	who build Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity!
 Micah	Mic	40	3	11	Her leaders give verdicts for presents, her priests take a fee for their rulings, her prophets divine for money and yet they rely on Yahweh! 'Isn't Yahweh among us?' they say, 'No disaster is going to overtake us.'
 Micah	Mic	40	3	12	That is why, thanks to you, Zion will become ploughland, Jerusalem a heap of rubble and the Temple Mount a wooded height.
 Micah	Mic	40	4	1	But in days to come Yahweh's Temple Mountain will tower above the mountains, rise higher than the hills.
 Micah	Mic	40	4	2	Then the peoples will stream to it, then many nations will come and say, 'Come, we will go up to Yahweh's mountain, to the Temple of the God of Jacob, so that he may teach us his ways and we may walk in his paths; for the Law issues from Zion and Yahweh's word from Jerusalem.'
 Micah	Mic	40	4	3	He will judge between many peoples and arbitrate between mighty nations. They will hammer their swords into ploughshares and their spears into bill-hooks. Nation will not lift sword against nation or ever again be trained to make war.
 Micah	Mic	40	4	4	But each man will sit under his vine and fig tree with no one to trouble him. The mouth of Yahweh Sabaoth has spoken.
 Micah	Mic	40	4	5	For all peoples go forward, each in the name of its god, while we go forward in the name of Yahweh our God for ever and ever.
 Micah	Mic	40	4	6	That day -- declares Yahweh- I shall gather in the lame and bring together the strays and those whom I have treated harshly.
 Micah	Mic	40	4	7	From the footsore I shall make a remnant, and from the far-flung a mighty nation. And Yahweh will reign over them on Mount Zion thenceforth and for ever.
 Micah	Mic	40	4	8	And to you, Tower of the Flock, Ophel of the daughter of Zion, to you your former sovereignty will return, the royal power of the daughter of Jerusalem.
 Micah	Mic	40	4	9	Why are you crying out now? Have you no king? Has your counsellor perished, for pangs to grip you like those of a woman in labour?
 Micah	Mic	40	4	10	Writhe in pain and cry aloud, daughter of Zion, like a woman in labour, for now you must leave the city and camp in the open country; to Babylon you must go, and there you will be rescued; there Yahweh will ransom you from the clutches of your enemies.
 Micah	Mic	40	4	11	Now many nations have mustered against you. They say, 'Let us desecrate her, let us gloat over Zion!'
 Micah	Mic	40	4	12	But they do not know Yahweh's thoughts, they do not understand his design: he has collected them like sheaves on the threshing-floor.
 Micah	Mic	40	4	13	Start your threshing, daughter of Zion, for I shall make your horn like iron, I shall make your hooves like bronze, so that you can crush many peoples. And you will devote what they have stolen to Yahweh, their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth.
 Micah	Mic	40	4	14	Now look to your fortifications, Fortress! They have laid siege to us; the ruler of Israel will be struck on the cheek with a rod.
 Micah	Mic	40	5	1	But you (Bethlehem) Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, from you will come for me a future ruler of Israel whose origins go back to the distant past, to the days of old.
 Micah	Mic	40	5	2	Hence Yahweh will abandon them only until she who is in labour gives birth, and then those who survive of his race will be reunited to the Israelites.
 Micah	Mic	40	5	3	He will take his stand and he will shepherd them with the power of Yahweh, with the majesty of the name of his God, and they will be secure, for his greatness will extend henceforth to the most distant parts of the country.
 Micah	Mic	40	5	4	He himself will be peace! Should the Assyrian invade our country, should he set foot in our land, we shall raise seven shepherds against him, eight leaders of men;
 Micah	Mic	40	5	5	they will shepherd Assyria with the sword, the country of Nimrod with naked blade. He will save us from the Assyrian, should he invade our country, should he set foot inside our frontiers.
 Micah	Mic	40	5	6	Then what is left of Jacob, surrounded by many peoples, will be like a dew from Yahweh, like showers on the grass, which do not depend on human agency and are beyond human control.
 Micah	Mic	40	5	7	Then what is left of Jacob, surrounded by many peoples, will be like a lion among the forest beasts, like a fierce lion among flocks of sheep trampling as he goes, mangling his prey which no one takes from him.
 Micah	Mic	40	5	8	You will be victorious over your foes and all your enemies will be torn to pieces.
 Micah	Mic	40	5	9	When that day comes- declares Yahweh- I shall tear your horses away from you, I shall destroy your chariots;
 Micah	Mic	40	5	10	I shall tear the cities from your country, I shall overthrow all your fortresses;
 Micah	Mic	40	5	11	I shall tear the spells out of your hands and you will have no more soothsayers;
 Micah	Mic	40	5	12	I shall tear away your images and your sacred pillars from among you, and no longer will you worship things which your own hands have made!
 Micah	Mic	40	5	13	I shall uproot your sacred poles and shall destroy your cities!
 Micah	Mic	40	5	14	In furious anger I shall wreak vengeance on the nations who have disobeyed me!
 Micah	Mic	40	6	1	Now listen to what Yahweh says: 'Stand up, state your case to the mountains and let the hills hear what you have to say!'
 Micah	Mic	40	6	2	Listen, mountains, to the case as Yahweh puts it, give ear, you foundations of the earth, for Yahweh has a case against his people and he will argue it with Israel.
 Micah	Mic	40	6	3	'My people, what have I done to you, how have I made you tired of me? Answer me!
 Micah	Mic	40	6	4	For I brought you up from Egypt, I ransomed you from the place of slave-labour and sent Moses, Aaron and Miriam to lead you.
 Micah	Mic	40	6	5	My people, please remember: what was Balak king of Moab's plan and how did Balaam son of Beor answer him? . . . from Shittim to Gilgal, for you to know Yahweh's saving justice.
 Micah	Mic	40	6	6	'With what shall I enter Yahweh's presence and bow down before God All-high? Shall I enter with burnt offerings, with calves one year old?
 Micah	Mic	40	6	7	Will he be pleased with rams by the thousand, with ten thousand streams of oil? Shall I offer my eldest son for my wrong-doing, the child of my own body for my sin?
 Micah	Mic	40	6	8	'You have already been told what is right and what Yahweh wants of you. Only this, to do what is right, to love loyalty and to walk humbly with your God.'
 Micah	Mic	40	6	9	Yahweh's voice! He thunders to the city, 'Listen, tribe of assembled citizens!
 Micah	Mic	40	6	10	Can I overlook the false measure, that abomination, the short bushel?
 Micah	Mic	40	6	11	Can I connive at rigged scales and at the bag of fraudulent weights?
 Micah	Mic	40	6	12	For the rich there are steeped in violence, and the citizens there are habitual liars.
 Micah	Mic	40	6	13	'I myself have therefore begun to strike you down, to bring you to ruin for your sins.
 Micah	Mic	40	6	14	You will eat but not be satisfied; you will store up but never keep safe; what you do keep safe I shall hand over to the sword;
 Micah	Mic	40	6	15	you will sow but will not reap, press the olive but will not rub yourself with oil, tread the grape but will not drink the wine.
 Micah	Mic	40	6	16	'For you keep the laws of Omri; what the House of Ahab did, you have done; by modelling yourselves on their standards, you force me to make an appalling example of you and reduce your citizens to a laughing-stock; hence you will endure the scorn of other people.'
 Micah	Mic	40	7	1	How wretched I am, a harvester in summer time, like a gleaner at the vintage: not a single cluster to eat, none of those early figs I love!
 Micah	Mic	40	7	2	The faithful have vanished from the land: there is no one honest left. All of them are on the alert for blood, every man hunting his brother with a net.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	3	Their hands are adept at wrong-doing: the official makes his demands, the judge gives judgement for a bribe, the man in power pronounces as he pleases.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	4	The best of them is like a briar, the most honest of them like a thorn-hedge. Now from the north their punishment approaches! That will be when they are confounded!
 Micah	Mic	40	7	5	Trust no neighbour, put no confidence in a friend; do not open your mouth to the wife who shares your bed.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	6	For son insults father, daughter rebels against mother, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law; a person's enemies come from within the household itself.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	7	But I shall look to Yahweh, my hope is in the God who will save me; my God will hear me.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	8	Do not gloat over me, my enemy: though I have fallen, I shall rise; though I live in darkness, Yahweh is my light.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	9	I must endure Yahweh's anger for I have sinned against him, until he takes up my cause and rights my wrongs; he will bring me out into the light, and then I shall contemplate his saving justice.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	10	When my enemy sees this, she will be covered with shame, having sneered, 'Where is Yahweh your God?' This time, I shall be watching as she is trampled underfoot like mud in the streets.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	11	That will be the day for rebuilding your walls! The day for expanding your frontiers!
 Micah	Mic	40	7	12	The day when others come to you all the way from Assyria, from Egypt, from Tyre and all the way from the Euphrates, from sea to sea, from the mountains to the mountains!
 Micah	Mic	40	7	13	The earth will become a desert by reason of its inhabitants, in return for what they have done.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	14	With shepherd's crook lead your people to pasture, the flock that is your heritage, living confined in a forest with meadow land all round. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old!
 Micah	Mic	40	7	15	As in the days when you came out of Egypt, grant us to see wonders!
 Micah	Mic	40	7	16	The nations will see and be confounded in spite of all their power; they will put their hands over their mouths, their ears will be deafened.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	17	They will lick the dust like snakes, like reptiles that crawl on the earth. They will creep trembling out of their lairs, in terror before you.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	18	What god can compare with you for pardoning guilt and for overlooking crime? He does not harbour anger for ever, since he delights in showing faithful love.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	19	Once more have pity on us, tread down our faults; throw all our sins to the bottom of the sea.
 Micah	Mic	40	7	20	Grant Jacob your faithfulness, and Abraham your faithful love, as you swore to our ancestors from the days of long ago.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	1	Prophecy about Nineveh. Book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	2	Yahweh is a jealous and vengeful God, Yahweh takes vengeance, he is rich in wrath; Yahweh takes vengeance on his foes, he stores up fury for his enemies.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	3	Yahweh is slow to anger but great in power, Yahweh never lets evil go unpunished. In storm and whirlwind he takes his way, the clouds are the dust stirred up by his feet.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	4	He rebukes the sea, dries it up, and makes all the rivers run dry. . . . Bashan and Carmel wither, the greenery of the Lebanon withers too.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	5	The mountains tremble before him, the hills reel; the earth collapses before him, the world and all who live in it.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	6	His fury -- who can withstand it? Who can endure his burning wrath? His anger pours out like fire and the rocks break apart before him.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	7	Yahweh is better than a fortress in time of distress; he recognises those who trust in him
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	8	even when the flood rushes on; he will make an end once and for all of those who defy him, and pursue his foes into darkness.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	9	What are your thoughts about Yahweh? He it is who makes a final end: his adversaries will not rise up a second time;
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	10	like a thicket of tangled brambles, like dry straw, they will be burnt up completely. To Assyria
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	11	From you has emerged someone plotting evil against Yahweh, one of Belial's counsellors. To Judah
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	12	Yahweh says this: Unopposed and many though they be, they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have made you suffer, I shall make you suffer no more,
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	13	for now I shall break his yoke which presses hard on you and snap your chains. To the king of Nineveh
 Nahum	Nahum	41	1	14	As for you, this is Yahweh's decree: You will have no heirs to your name, from the temple of your gods I shall remove carved image and cast image, and I shall devastate your tomb, for you are accursed!
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	1	To Judah See on the mountains the feet of the herald! 'Peace!' he proclaims. Judah, celebrate your feasts, carry out your vows, for Belial will never pass through you again; he has been utterly destroyed.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	2	The destroyer has advanced on you, guarding the siege-works, watching the road, bracing himself, mustering great strength!
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	3	(For Yahweh has restored the vine of Jacob, yes, the vine of Israel, although the plunderers had plundered them, although they had snapped off their vine-shoots!)
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	4	The shields of his fighting men show red, his warriors are dressed in scarlet; the metal of the chariots sparkles as he prepares for battle; the horsemen are impatient for action;
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	5	the chariots storm through the streets, jostling one another in the squares; they look like blazing flames, like lightning they dash to and fro.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	6	His captains are called out; stumbling as they go, they speed towards the wall, and the mantelet is put in position.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	7	The sluices of the River are opened, and the palace melts in terror.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	8	Beauty is taken captive, carried away, her slave-girls moaning like doves
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	9	and beating their breasts. Nineveh is like a lake, whose waters are draining away. 'Stop! Stop!' But no one turns back.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	10	'Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold!' There is no end to the treasure, a mass of everything you could desire!
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	11	Ravaged, wrecked, ruined! Heart fails and knees give way, anguish is in the loins of all, and every face grows pale!
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	12	Where is the lions' den now, the cave of the lion's whelps, where the lion and lioness walked with their cubs and no one molested them,
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	13	where the lion would tear up food for his whelps and strangle the kill for his mates, where he filled his caverns with prey and his lairs with spoil?
 Nahum	Nahum	41	2	14	Look, I am against you!- declares Yahweh Sabaoth- I shall send your chariots up in smoke, and the sword will devour your whelps; I shall cut short your depredations on earth, and the voices of your envoys will be heard no more.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	1	Disaster to the city of blood, packed throughout with lies, stuffed with booty, where plundering has no end!
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	2	The crack of the whip! The rumble of wheels! Galloping horse, jolting chariot,
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	3	charging cavalry, flashing swords, gleaming spears, a mass of wounded, hosts of dead, countless corpses; they stumble over corpses-
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	4	because of the countless whorings of the harlot, the graceful beauty, the cunning witch, who enslaved nations by her harlotries and tribes by her spells.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	5	Look, I am against you!- declares Yahweh Sabaoth- I shall lift your skirts as high as your face and show your nakedness to the nations, your shame to the kingdoms.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	6	I shall pelt you with filth, I shall shame you and put you in the pillory.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	7	Then all who look at you will shrink from you and say, 'Nineveh has been ruined!' Who will mourn for her? Where would I find people to comfort you?
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	8	Are you better off than No-Amon situated among rivers, her defences the seas, her rampart the waters?
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	9	In Ethiopia and Egypt lay her strength, and it was boundless; Put and the Libyans served in her army.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	10	But she too went into exile, into captivity; her little ones too were dashed to pieces at every crossroad; lots were drawn for her nobles, all her great men were put in chains.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	11	You too will become drunk, you will go into hiding; you too will have to search for a refuge from the enemy.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	12	Your fortifications are all fig trees, with early ripening figs: as soon as they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	13	Look at your people: you are a nation of women! The gates of your country gape open to your enemies; fire has devoured their bars!
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	14	Draw yourselves water for the siege, strengthen your fortifications! Into the mud with you, puddle the clay, repair the brick-kiln!
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	15	There the fire will burn you up, the sword will cut you down. Make yourselves as numerous as locusts, make yourselves as numerous as the hoppers,
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	16	let your commercial agents outnumber the stars of heaven,
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	17	your garrisons, like locusts, and your marshals, like swarms of hoppers! They settle on the walls when the day is cold. The sun appears, the locusts spread their wings, they fly away,away they fly, no one knows where. Alas,
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	18	your shepherds are asleep, king of Assyria, your bravest men slumber; your people are scattered on the mountains with no one to gather them.
 Nahum	Nahum	41	3	19	There is no remedy for your wound, your injury is past healing. All who hear the news of you clap their hands at your downfall. For who has not felt your unrelenting cruelty?
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	1	The charge that Habakkuk the prophet received in a vision.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	2	How long, Yahweh, am I to cry for help while you will not listen; to cry, 'Violence!' in your ear while you will not save?
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	3	Why do you make me see wrong-doing, why do you countenance oppression? Plundering and violence confront me, contention and discord flourish.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	4	And so the law loses its grip and justice never emerges, since the wicked outwits the upright and so justice comes out perverted.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	5	Cast your eyes over the nations, look, and be amazed, astounded. For I am doing something in your own days which you will not believe if you are told of it.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	6	For look, I am stirring up the Chaldaeans, that fierce and fiery nation who march miles across country to seize the homes of others.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	7	They are dreadful and awesome, a law and authority to themselves.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	8	Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at night; their horsemen gallop on, their horsemen advance from afar, swooping like an eagle anxious to feed.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	9	They are all bent on violence, their faces scorching like an east wind; they scoop up prisoners like sand.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	10	They scoff at kings, they despise princes. They make light of all fortresses: they heap up earth and take them.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	11	Then the wind changes and is gone . . . Guilty is he who makes his strength his god.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	12	Surely you, Yahweh, are from ancient times, my holy God, who never dies! Yahweh, you have appointed him to execute judgement; O Rock, you have set him firm to punish.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	13	Your eyes are too pure to rest on evil, you cannot look on at oppression. Why do you look on at those who play the traitor, why say nothing while the wicked swallows someone more upright than himself?
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	14	Why treat people like fish of the sea, like gliding creatures who have no leader?
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	15	They haul them all up on their hook, they catch them in their net, they sweep them up in their dragnet and then make merry and rejoice.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	16	And so they offer a sacrifice to their net, and burn incense to their dragnet, for by these they get a rich living and live off the fat of the land.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	1	17	Are they to go on emptying their net unceasingly, slaughtering the nations without pity?
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	1	I shall stand at my post, I shall station myself on my watch-tower, watching to see what he will say to me, what answer he will make to my complaints.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	2	Then Yahweh answered me and said, 'Write the vision down, inscribe it on tablets to be easily read.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	3	For the vision is for its appointed time, it hastens towards its end and it will not lie; although it may take some time, wait for it, for come it certainly will before too long.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	4	'You see, anyone whose heart is not upright will succumb, but the upright will live through faithfulness.'
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	5	Now, surely, wealth is treacherous! He is arrogant, for ever on the move, with appetite as large as Sheol and as insatiable as Death, gathering in all the nations, and making a harvest of all peoples.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	6	Are not the peoples all bound to satirise and make up cryptic riddles about him? As for instance: Disaster to anyone who amasses goods not his (for how long?) and to anyone who weighs himself down with goods taken in pledge!
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	7	Will not your creditors suddenly stand up, will not those who make you shiver wake up, and you will fall a prey to them?
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	8	Since you have plundered many nations, all the nations that remain will plunder you, because of the bloodshed and violence done to the country, to the city and to all who live in it.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	9	Disaster to anyone who amasses ill-gotten gains for his house, so as to fix his nest on high and so evade the reach of misfortune!
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	10	You have conspired to bring shame on your house: by overthrowing many peoples you have worked your own ruin.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	11	For the very stone will protest from the wall, and the beam will respond from the framework.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	12	Disaster to anyone who builds a town with bloodshed and founds a city on wrong-doing!
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	13	Is it not thanks to Yahweh Sabaoth that the peoples' toil is fuel for the fire, and the nations' labour came to nothing?
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	14	But the earth will be full of the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh as the waters cover the depths of the sea.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	15	Disaster to anyone who makes his neighbours drink, pouring out his poison until they are drunk, so that he can see them naked!
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	16	You are full of shame, not glory! Your turn now to drink and show your foreskin. The cup in Yahweh's right hand comes round to you, and disgrace will overshadow your glory.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	17	For the violence done to the Lebanon will overwhelm you and the massacre of animals will terrify you, because of the bloodshed and violence done to the country, to the city and to all who live in it. Disaster to anyone who says to the log, 'Wake up!', to the dumb stone, 'On your feet!' (This is the prophecy!) Look, he is encased in gold and silver,-- but not a breath of life inside it!
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	18	What use is a sculpted image that a sculptor should make it? - a metal image, a lying instructor! And why does the image-maker put his trust in it, that he should make dumb idols?
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	19	Trouble is coming to the man who says to the piece of wood, 'Wake up!' to the dumb stone, 'On your feet!' (And that is the oracle.) Plated it may be with gold and silver, but not a breath of life inside it.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	2	20	But Yahweh is in his holy Temple: let the whole earth be silent before him.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	1	A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk; tone as for dirges.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	2	Yahweh, I have heard of your renown; your work, Yahweh, inspires me with dread. Make it live again in our time, make it known in our time; in wrath remember mercy.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	3	Eloah comes from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His majesty covers the heavens, and his glory fills the earth.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	4	His brightness is like the day, rays flash from his hands, that is where his power lies hidden.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	5	Pestilence goes before him and Plague follows close behind.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	6	When he stands up, he makes the earth tremble, with his glance he makes the nations quake. And the eternal mountains are dislodged, the everlasting hills sink down, his pathway from of old.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	7	I saw the tents of Cushan in trouble, the tent-curtains of Midian shuddering.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	8	Yahweh, are you enraged with the rivers, are you angry with the sea, that you should mount your chargers, your rescuing chariots?
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	9	You uncover your bow, and give the string its fill of arrows. You drench the soil with torrents;
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	10	the mountains see you and tremble, great floods sweep by, the abyss roars aloud, lifting high its waves.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	11	Sun and moon stay inside their dwellings, they flee at the light of your arrows, at the flash of your lightning-spear.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	12	In rage you stride across the land, in anger you trample the nations.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	13	You marched to save your people, to save your anointed one; you wounded the head of the house of the wicked, laid bare the foundation to the rock.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	14	With your shafts you pierced the leader of his warriors who stormed out with shouts of joy to scatter us, as if they meant to devour some poor wretch in their lair.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	15	With your horses you trampled through the sea, through the surging abyss!
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	16	When I heard, I trembled to the core, my lips quivered at the sound; my bones became disjointed and my legs gave way beneath me. Calmly I await the day of anguish which is dawning on the people now attacking us.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	17	(For the fig tree is not to blossom, nor will the vines bear fruit, the olive crop will disappoint and the fields will yield no food; the sheep will vanish from the fold; no cattle in the stalls.)
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	18	But I shall rejoice in Yahweh, I shall exult in God my Saviour.
 Habakkuk	Hab	42	3	19	Yahweh my Lord is my strength, he will make my feet as light as a doe's, and set my steps on the heights. For the choirmaster; on stringed instruments.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	1	The word of Yahweh which was addressed to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	2	I shall sweep away everything off the face of the earth, declares Yahweh.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	3	I shall sweep away humans and animals, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, I shall topple the wicked and wipe all people off the face of the earth -declares Yahweh.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	4	I shall raise my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem, and from this place I will wipe out Baal's remnant, the very name of his priests,
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	5	and those who prostrate themselves on the roofs before the array of heaven, and those who prostrate themselves before Yahweh but swear by Milcom,
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	6	and those who have turned their back on Yahweh, who do not seek Yahweh and do not consult him.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	7	Silence before Lord Yahweh, for the Day of Yahweh is near! Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his guests.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	8	On the Day of Yahweh's sacrifice, I shall punish the courtiers, the royal princes and all who dress in outlandish clothes.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	9	On that day I shall punish all who go up the Step and fill the Temple of their lords, with violence and deceit.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	10	On that Day -- declares Yahweh -- uproar will be heard from the Fish Gate, wailing from the New Quarter and a great crash from the hills.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	11	Wail, you who live in the Hollow, for it is all over with the merchants, all the money-bags have been wiped out!
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	12	When that time comes I shall search Jerusalem by lamplight and punish the men stagnating over the remains of their wine, who say in their hearts, 'Yahweh can do nothing, either good or bad.'
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	13	For this, their wealth will be looted and their houses laid in ruins; they will build houses but not live in them, they will plant vineyards but not drink their wine.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	14	The great Day of Yahweh is near, near, and coming with great speed. How bitter the sound of the Day of Yahweh, the Day when the warrior shouts his cry of war.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	15	That Day is a day of retribution, a day of distress and tribulation, a day of ruin and of devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of cloud and thick fog,
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	16	a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against fortified town and high corner-tower.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	17	I shall bring such distress on humanity that they will grope their way like the blind for having sinned against Yahweh. Their blood will be poured out like mud, yes, their corpses like dung;
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	1	18	nor will their silver or gold be able to save them. On the Day of Yahweh's anger, by the fire of his jealousy, the whole earth will be consumed. For he will destroy, yes, annihilate everyone living on earth.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	1	Gather together, gather together, nations without shame,
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	2	before you are dispersed like chaff which disappears in a day; before Yahweh's burning anger overtakes you (before the Day of Yahweh's anger overtakes you).
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	3	Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the earth, who obey his commands. Seek uprightness, seek humility: you may perhaps find shelter on the Day of Yahweh's anger.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	4	For Gaza will be abandoned and Ashkelon reduced to ruins; Ashdod will be driven out in broad daylight and Ekron uprooted.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	5	Disaster to the members of the coastal league, to the nation of the Cherethites! This is the word of Yahweh against you: I shall subdue you, land of the Philistines, I shall destroy you till there are no inhabitants left;
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	6	and the coastal league will be reduced to pasture land, to grazing grounds for shepherds and folds for sheep;
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	7	and the league will belong to the remnant of the House of Judah; they will pasture their flocks there, at night they will rest in the houses of Ashkelon; for, when Yahweh their God has punished them, he will restore their fortunes.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	8	I have heard the taunt of Moab and the insults of the Ammonites, as they taunted my people and boasted of their own domains.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	9	For this, as I live -- declares Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel -- Moab will become like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah: a realm of nettles, a heap of salt, a desolation for ever. What is left of my people will plunder them, the survivors of my nation will take their heritage.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	10	This will be the price of their pride for having taunted and boasted over the people of Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	11	Yahweh will be fearsome to them, for he will scatter all the gods of the earth, and they will bow down to him, each from his own place -- all the islands of the nations.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	12	You Ethiopians too will be run through by my sword.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	13	He will raise his hand against the north and bring Assyria down in ruins; he will make Nineveh a waste, as dry as a desert.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	14	Flocks will rest inside there, so will wild animals; pelican and porcupine will nest round her cornices at night; the owl will hoot at the window and the raven croak on the doorstep -- for the cedar has been torn down.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	2	15	This is what the city will be like, once living happy and carefree and thinking to itself, 'I have no rival -- not I!' And what will it be now? A ruin, a lair for wild beasts to rest in, and everyone who passes by will whistle and throw up his hands.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	1	Disaster to the rebellious, the befouled, the tyrannical city!
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	2	She has not listened to the call, she has not bowed to correction, she has not trusted in Yahweh, she has not drawn near to her God.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	3	The rulers she has are roaring lions, her judges are wolves of the wastelands which leave nothing over for the morning,
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	4	her prophets are braggarts, impostors, her priests have profaned what is holy and violated the Law.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	5	Yahweh the Upright is in her, he does no wrong; morning by morning he gives judgement, each dawn unfailingly (but the wrong-doer knows no shame).
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	6	I have exterminated the nations, their corner-towers lie in ruins; I have emptied their streets, no one walks through them; their cities have been destroyed and are now deserted and unpeopled.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	7	I thought, 'At least you will fear me, at least you will bow to correction,' and none of the punishments I brought on them will disappear from their view. But no, it only made them more anxious to do whatever was corrupt.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	8	So wait for me -- declares Yahweh -- for the day when I rise as accuser, for I am determined to gather the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, and on you to vent my fury, the whole heat of my anger (for the whole earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy).
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	9	Yes, then I shall purge the lips of the peoples, so that all may invoke the name of Yahweh and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	10	From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, my suppliants will bring me tribute.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	11	When that Day comes you will never again be ashamed of all the deeds with which you once rebelled against me, for I shall rid you of those who exult in your pride; never again will you strut on my holy mountain.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	12	But in you I shall leave surviving a humble and lowly people,
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	13	and those who are left in Israel will take refuge in the name of Yahweh. They will do no wrong, will tell no lies; nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths. But they will be able to graze and rest with no one to alarm them.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	14	Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	15	Yahweh has repealed your sentence; he has turned your enemy away. Yahweh is king among you, Israel, you have nothing more to fear.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	16	When that Day comes, the message for Jerusalem will be: Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	17	Yahweh your God is there with you, the warrior-Saviour. He will rejoice over you with happy song, he will renew you by his love, he will dance with shouts of joy for you,
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	18	as on a day of festival. I have taken away your misfortune, no longer need you bear the disgrace of it.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	19	I am taking action here and now against your oppressors. When that time comes I will rescue the lame, and gather the strays, and I will win them praise and renown when I restore their fortunes.
 Zephaniah	Zeph	43	3	20	At that time I shall be your guide, at the time when I gather you in, I shall give you praise and renown among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes under your own eyes, declares Yahweh.
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	1	In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of Yahweh was addressed through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel governor of Judah and to Joshua son of Jehozadak the high priest as follows,
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	2	'Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "This people says: The time has not yet come to rebuild the Temple of Yahweh." '
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	3	(And the word of Yahweh was addressed through the prophet Haggai, as follows,)
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	4	'Is this a time for you to live in your panelled houses, when this House lies in ruins?
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	5	So now, Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "Think carefully about your behaviour.
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	6	You have sown much and harvested little; you eat but never have enough, drink but never have your fill, put on clothes but feel no warmth. The wage-earner gets his wages only to put them in a bag with a hole in it."
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	7	Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "Think carefully about your behaviour.
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	8	Go up into the hills, fetch timber and rebuild the House; and I shall take pleasure in it and manifest my glory there -- Yahweh says.
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	9	The abundance you expected proved to be little. When you brought the harvest in, I blasted it. And why? - Yahweh Sabaoth declares. Because while my House lies in ruins, each of you is busy with his own house.
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	10	That is why the sky has withheld the rain and the earth withheld its yield.
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	11	I have called down drought on land and hills, on grain, on new wine, on olive oil and on all the produce of the ground, on humans and animals and all your labours." '
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	12	Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak the high priest and the entire remnant of the people, paid attention to the voice of Yahweh their God and to the words of the prophet Haggai, which Yahweh their God had sent him to deliver. And the people were filled with fear before Yahweh.
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	13	Haggai, the messenger of Yahweh, then passed on Yahweh's message to the people, 'I am with you -- declares Yahweh.'
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	14	And Yahweh roused the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel governor of Judah, the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak the high priest and the spirit of the entire remnant of the people; they came and set to work in the Temple of Yahweh Sabaoth, their God.
 Haggai	Hag	44	1	15	This was on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month. In the second year of King Darius,
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	1	on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of Yahweh was addressed through the prophet Haggai, as follows,
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	2	'You are to speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak the high priest and to the remnant of the people. Say this,
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	3	"Is there anyone left among you who saw this Temple in its former glory? And how does it look to you now? Does it not seem as though there is nothing there?
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	4	But take courage now, Zerubbabel!-Yahweh declares. Courage, Joshua son of Jehozadak high priest! Courage, all you people of the country!-Yahweh declares. To work! I am with you -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares-
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	5	and my spirit is present among you. Do not be afraid!
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	6	For Yahweh Sabaoth says this: A little while now, and I shall shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	7	I shall shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will flow in, and I shall fill this Temple with glory, says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	8	Mine is the silver, mine the gold!-Yahweh Sabaoth declares.
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	9	The glory of this new Temple will surpass that of the old, says Yahweh Sabaoth, and in this place I shall give peace -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares." '
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	10	On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh was addressed to the prophet Haggai as follows,
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	11	'Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "Ask the priests to give a ruling on this:
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	12	If someone is carrying consecrated meat in the fold of his gown and allows the fold to touch bread, broth, wine, oil or food of any kind, will that become holy?" ' The priests replied, 'No.'
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	13	Haggai then said, 'If anyone rendered unclean by contact with a corpse touches any of these things, will that become unclean?' The priests replied, 'It will become unclean.'
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	14	Haggai then spoke out. 'It is the same with this people,' he said, 'the same with this nation, in my view -- Yahweh declares -- the same with everything they turn their hands to; and whatever they offer here is unclean.
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	15	'So now think carefully, today and henceforth: before one stone had been laid on another in the sanctuary of Yahweh,
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	16	what state were you in? You would come to a twenty-measure heap and find only ten; you would come to a vat to draw fifty measures and find only twenty.
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	17	Everything you turned your hands to, I struck with wind-blast, mildew and hail, and still you would not return to me -- Yahweh declares.
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	18	So think carefully, today and henceforth (from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day the foundation of the sanctuary of Yahweh was laid, think carefully)
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	19	if seed-corn is still short in the barn, and if vine and fig tree, pomegranate and olive tree still bear no fruit. 'From today onwards I intend to bless you.'
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	20	On the twenty-fourth day of the month the word of Yahweh was addressed a second time to Haggai, as follows,
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	21	'Speak to Zerubbabel governor of Judah. Say this, "I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	22	I shall overturn the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kings of the nations. I shall overthrow the chariots and their crews; horses and their riders will fall, every one to the sword of his comrade.
 Haggai	Hag	44	2	23	When that day comes -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares -- I shall take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel my servant -- Yahweh declares -- and make you like a signet ring. For I have chosen you -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares." '
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	1	In the second year of Darius, in the eighth month, the word of Yahweh was addressed to the prophet Zechariah (son of Berechiah), son of Iddo, as follows,
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	2	'Yahweh was deeply angry with your ancestors.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	3	So say this to them, "Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Return to me -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares -- and I will return to you, says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	4	Do not be like your ancestors when the prophets in the past cried to them: Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Turn back from your evil ways and evil deeds -- they would not listen or pay attention to me -- Yahweh declares.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	5	Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live for ever?
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	6	But did not my words and statutes, with which I had charged my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors just the same?" ' So they repented and said, 'Yahweh Sabaoth has treated us as he resolved to do, and as our ways and deeds deserved.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	7	On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month (the month of Shebat), in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh was addressed to the prophet Zechariah (son of Berechiah), son of Iddo, as follows,
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	8	'I had a vision during the night. There was a man riding a red horse standing among the deep-rooted myrtles; behind him were other horses-red, chestnut and white.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	9	I said, "What are these, my lord?" And the angel who was talking to me said, "I will show you what they are."
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	10	The man standing among the myrtles then replied, "Those are they whom Yahweh has sent to patrol the world."
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	11	They reported to the angel of Yahweh as he stood among the myrtles, "We have been patrolling the world, and indeed the whole world is still and at peace."
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	12	The angel of Yahweh then spoke and said, "Yahweh Sabaoth, how long will you wait before taking pity on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, on which you have inflicted your anger for the past seventy years?"
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	13	Yahweh then replied with kind and comforting words to the angel who was talking to me.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	14	The angel who was talking to me then said to me, "Make this proclamation: Yahweh Sabaoth says this: I am burning with jealousy for Jerusalem and Zion
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	15	but am deeply angry with the nations now at ease; before, I was only mildly angry, but they contributed to the disaster.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	16	So now Yahweh says this: In compassion I have returned to Jerusalem; my Temple will be rebuilt there -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares -- and the measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	1	17	Make this proclamation too: Yahweh Sabaoth says this: My cities are once more to be very prosperous. Yahweh will comfort Zion once again, and again make Jerusalem his choice." '
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	1	Then, raising my eyes, I had a vision. It was this: There were four horns.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	2	I said to the angel who was talking to me, 'What are these?' He said to me, 'These are the horns which scattered Judah (Israel) and Jerusalem.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	3	Yahweh then showed me four smiths.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	4	And I said, 'What are these coming to do?' He said to me, '(Those horns scattered Judah so completely that no one dared to raise his head; but) these have come to terrify them, to throw down the horns of the nations who raised their horns over the land of Judah to scatter it.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	5	Then, raising my eyes, I had a vision. There was a man with a measuring line in his hand.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	6	I asked him, 'Where are you going?' He said, 'To measure Jerusalem, to calculate her width and length.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	7	And then, while the angel who was talking to me walked away, another angel came out to meet him.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	8	He said to him, 'Run, and tell that young man this, "Jerusalem is to remain unwalled, because of the great number of men and cattle inside.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	9	For I -- Yahweh declares -- shall be a wall of fire all round her and I shall be the Glory within her." '
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	10	Look out! Look out! Flee from the land of the north -- Yahweh declares- for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven -- Yahweh declares.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	11	Look out! Make your escape, Zion, now living with the daughter of Babylon!
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	12	For Yahweh Sabaoth says this, since the Glory commissioned me, about the nations who plundered you, 'Whoever touches you touches the apple of my eye.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	13	Now look, I shall wave my hand over them and they will be plundered by those whom they have enslaved.' Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me!
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	14	Sing, rejoice, daughter of Zion, for now I am coming to live among you -Yahweh declares!
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	15	And on that day many nations will be converted to Yahweh. Yes, they will become his people, and they will live among you. Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me to you!
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	16	Yahweh will take possession of Judah, his portion in the Holy Land, and again make Jerusalem his choice.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	2	17	Let all people be silent before Yahweh, now that he is stirring from his holy Dwelling!
 Zechariah	Zech	45	3	1	He then showed me the high priest Joshua, standing before the angel of Yahweh, with Satan standing on his right to accuse him.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	3	2	The angel of Yahweh said to Satan, 'May Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! May Yahweh rebuke you, since he has made Jerusalem his choice. Is not this man a brand snatched from the fire?'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	3	3	Now Joshua was dressed in dirty clothes as he stood before the angel.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	3	4	The latter then spoke as follows to those who were standing before him, 'Take off his dirty clothesand dress him in splendid robes
 Zechariah	Zech	45	3	5	and put a clean turban on his head.' So they put a clean turban on his head and dressed him in clean clothes, while the angel of Yahweh stood byand said, 'You see, I have taken your guilt away.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	3	6	The angel of Yahweh then made this declaration to Joshua,
 Zechariah	Zech	45	3	7	'Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "If you walk in my ways and keep my ordinances, you shall govern my house, you shall watch over my courts, and I will give you free access among those in attendance here.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	3	8	'So listen, High Priest Joshua, you and the colleagues over whom you preside -- for they are an omen of things to come -- for now I shall bring in my servant the Branch, and I shall remove this country's guilt in a single day.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	3	9	For this is the stone which I have put before Joshua, a stone on which are seven eyes; and I myself shall cut the inscription on it -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares."
 Zechariah	Zech	45	3	10	On that day -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares -- invite each other to come under your vine and your fig tree." '
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	1	The angel who was talking to me came back and roused me as though rousing someone who was asleep.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	2	And he asked me, 'What do you see?' I replied, 'As I look, there is a lamp-stand entirely of gold with a bowl at the top of it; it holds seven lamps, with seven openings for the lamps on it.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	3	By it are two olive trees, one to the right and the other to the left.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	4	I then said to the angel who was talking to me, 'What are those things, my lord?'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	5	The angel who was talking to me replied, 'Do you not know what they are?' I said, 'No, my lord.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	6	He then gave me this answer,'These seven are the eyes of Yahweh, which range over the whole world.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	7	'What are you, great mountain? Beside Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! He will bring out the keystone while it is cheered with Hurrah! Hurrah!'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	8	The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	9	'The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this Temple; his hands will finish it. (Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me to you.)
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	10	A day of little things, no doubt, but who would dare despise it? How they will rejoice when they see the chosen stone in the hands of Zerubbabel!'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	11	Then I went on to ask him, 'What is the meaning of these two olive trees, to right and left of the lamp-stand?'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	12	(And I went on to ask him further, 'What is the meaning of the two olive branches discharging oil through the two golden openings?')
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	13	He replied, 'Do you not know what they are?' I said, 'No, my lord.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	4	14	He said, 'These are the two anointed ones in attendance on the Lord of the whole world. This is the word of Yahweh with regard to Zerubbabel, 'Not by might and not by power, but by my spirit' -- says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	5	1	Again raising my eyes, I had a vision. There was a flying scroll.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	5	2	The angel who was talking to me said, 'What do you see?' I replied, 'I see a flying scroll; it is twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	5	3	He then said to me, 'This is God's curse sweeping across the face of the whole country; for, according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished and, according to what it says on the other, everyone who commits perjury in my name will be banished from it.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	5	4	I am going to release it -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares -- for it to enter the house of the thief and of anyone who commits perjury in my name, for it to settle deep within his house and consume it, timber, stone and all.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	5	5	The angel who was talking to me appeared and said to me, 'Raise your eyes, and see what this is, going along.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	5	6	I said, 'What is it?' He said, 'It is a bushel measure going along.' He went on, 'This is their guilt throughout the country.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	5	7	At this, a disc of lead was raised, and I saw a woman sitting inside the barrel.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	5	8	He said, 'This is Wickedness.' And he rammed her back into the barrel and jammed its mouth shut with the mass of lead.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	5	9	I raised my eyes, and there were two women appearing. The wind caught their wings -- they had wings like a stork's; they raised the barrel midway between earth and heaven.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	5	10	I then said to the angel who was talking to me, 'Where are they taking the barrel?'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	5	11	He replied, 'To build a temple for it in the land of Shinar and make a pedestal on which to put it.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	1	Again I raised my eyes, and this is what I saw: four chariots coming out between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	2	The first chariot had red horses, the second chariot had black horses,
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	3	the third chariot had white horses and the fourth chariot had vigorous, piebald horses.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	4	I asked the angel who was talking to me, 'What are these, my lord?'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	5	The angel replied, 'They are the four winds of heaven now leaving, after attending the Lord of the whole world.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	6	The black horses are leaving for the land of the north; the white are following them, and the piebald are leaving for the land of the south.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	7	They came out vigorously, eager to patrol the world. He said to them, 'Go and patrol the world.' And they patrolled the world.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	8	He called to me and said, 'Look, the ones going to the land of the north brought my spirit to rest on the land of the north.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	9	Then the word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows,
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	10	'Collect silver and gold from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah, then (you yourself go the same day) go to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah, who has arrived from Babylon.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	11	Then, taking the silver and gold, make a crown and place it on the head of the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	12	And say this to him, "Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Here is a man whose name is Branch; where he is, there will be a branching out (and he will rebuild Yahweh's sanctuary).
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	13	Yes, he is the one who will rebuild Yahweh's sanctuary; he will wear the royal insignia and sit on his throne and govern, with a priest on his right. Perfect peace will reign between these two.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	14	And the crown will serve Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah and the son of Zephaniah as a memorial of favour in Yahweh's sanctuary.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	6	15	And those now far away will come and work on the building of Yahweh's sanctuary." 'Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me to you. It will happen if you diligently obey the voice of Yahweh your God.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	1	In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of Yahweh was addressed to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Chislev.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	2	Bethel sent Sharezer with a deputation to entreat Yahweh's favour
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	3	and to ask the priests in the Temple of Yahweh Sabaoth and the prophets, 'Ought I to go on mourning and fasting in the fifth month as I have been doing for so many years past?'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	4	Then the word of Yahweh Sabaoth was addressed to me as follows,
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	5	'Say to all the people of the country and to the priests, "While you have been fasting and mourning in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, have you really been fasting for my sake?
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	6	And when you were eating and drinking, were you not eating and drinking for your own sake?
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	7	Do you not know the words which Yahweh proclaimed through the prophets in the past, when Jerusalem was inhabited and secure, as were her surrounding towns, and when the Negeb and the lowlands were inhabited?" ' (
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	8	The word of Yahweh was addressed to Zechariah as follows,
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	9	'Yahweh Sabaoth says this.) He said, "Apply the law fairly, and show faithful love and compassion towards one another.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	10	Do not oppress the widow and the orphan, the foreigner and the poor, and do not secretly plan evil against one another."
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	11	But they would not listen; they turned a rebellious shoulder; they stopped their ears rather than hear;
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	12	they made their hearts adamant rather than listen to the teaching and the words that Yahweh Sabaoth had sent -- by his spirit -- through the prophets in the past; and consequently the fury of Yahweh Sabaoth overtook them.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	13	And so, since when he called they would not listen, "I would not listen when they called", says Yahweh Sabaoth,
 Zechariah	Zech	45	7	14	"but scattered them among all the nations unknown to them. Hence, after they had gone, the country was deserted, and no one came or went. They had turned a land of delights into a desert." '
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	1	The word of Yahweh Sabaoth came as follows:
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	2	Yahweh Sabaoth says this: I have been burning with jealousy for Zion, with furious jealousy for her sake.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	3	Yahweh says this: I am coming back to Zion and shall live in the heart of Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called Faithful City and the mountain of Yahweh Sabaoth, the Holy Mountain.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	4	Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Aged men and women once again will sit in the squares of Jerusalem, each with a stick to lean on because of their great age.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	5	And the squares of the city will be full of boys and girls playing there.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	6	Yahweh Sabaoth says this: If this seems a miracle to the remnant of this people (in those days), will it seem one to me? declares Yahweh.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	7	Yahweh Sabaoth says this: Look, I shall rescue my people from the countries of the east and from the countries of the west.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	8	I shall bring them back to live in the heart of Jerusalem, and they will be my people and I shall be their God, faithful and just.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	9	'Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "Take heart, you who today hear these promises uttered by the prophets since the day when the foundations of the Temple of Yahweh Sabaoth were laid, that the sanctuary would indeed be rebuilt.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	10	For up to now, men were not paid their wages and nothing was paid for the animals either; and it has not been safe for anyone to come and go, because of the enemy, since I had set each one against everyone else.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	11	But from now on, I shall not treat the remnant of this people as I have treated them in time past -- declares Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	12	Now they will sow in peace; the vine will give its fruit, the soil will give its produce and heaven will give its dew. I shall bestow all these on the remnant of this people.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	13	Just as once you were a curse among the nations, House of Judah and House of Israel, so now I shall save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid. Take heart!"
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	14	'For Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "Just as I resolved to ill-treat you when your ancestors provoked me to anger and did not relent -- says Yahweh Sabaoth-
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	15	so now I have changed my mind and intend to treat Jerusalem and the House of Judah well. Do not be afraid!
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	16	"These are the things that you must do. Speak the truth to one another; at your gates, administer fair judgement conducive to peace;
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	17	do not secretly plot evil against one another; do not love perjury; since I hate all this -- Yahweh declares." '
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	18	The word of Yahweh Sabaoth was addressed to me as follows:
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	19	'Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth are to become glad, joyful, happy festivals for the House of Judah. So love truth and peace!" '
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	20	'Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "In the future, peoples and citizens of many cities will come;
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	21	and citizens of one city will go to the next and say: We must certainly go to entreat Yahweh's favour and seek out Yahweh Sabaoth; I am going myself.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	22	Yes, many peoples and great nations will seek out Yahweh Sabaoth in Jerusalem and entreat Yahweh's favour."
 Zechariah	Zech	45	8	23	'Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "In those days, ten men from nations of every language will take a Jew by the sleeve and say: We want to go with you, since we have learnt that God is with you." '
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	1	A proclamation. The word of Yahweh is against Hadrach, it has come to rest on Damascus, for the source of Aram belongs to Yahweh no less than all the tribes of Israel;
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	2	on Hamath too, which borders on it, and on (Tyre and) Sidon, despite her acumen.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	3	Tyre has built herself a fortress, has heaped up silver like dust and gold like the dirt of the streets.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	4	And now the Lord is going to dispossess her; at sea he will break her power, and she herself will go up in flames.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	5	Seeing this, Ashkelon will be terrified, Gaza too, and writhe with grief, Ekron too, at the ruin of her prospects; the king will vanish from Gaza and Ashkelon be unpeopled,
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	6	while a half-breed will live in Ashdod! Yes, I shall destroy the pride of the Philistine;
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	7	I shall snatch his blood from his mouth, his abominations from between his teeth. But his remnant too will belong to our God, becoming like a clan in Judah, and Ekron will become like a Jebusite.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	8	I shall stand guard before my home to defend it against all comers, and no oppressor will overrun them ever again, for now I am on the alert.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	9	Rejoice heart and soul, daughter of Zion! Shout for joy, daughter of Jerusalem! Look, your king is approaching, he is vindicated and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	10	He will banish chariots from Ephraim and horses from Jerusalem; the bow of war will be banished. He will proclaim peace to the nations, his empire will stretch from sea to sea, from the River to the limits of the earth.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	11	As for you, because of the blood of your covenant I have released your prisoners from the pit in which there is no water.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	12	Come back to the fortress, you prisoners waiting in hope. This very day, I vow, I shall make it up to you twice over.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	13	For I have strung Judah as a bow for myself, laid Ephraim on the string as an arrow, have roused your sons, Zion, against your sons, Javan, and have made you like a warrior's sword.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	14	Then Yahweh will appear above them and his arrow will flash out like lightning. (The Lord) Yahweh will sound the trumpet and advance in the storm-winds of the south.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	15	Yahweh Sabaoth will protect them! They will devour, will trample on the sling-stones, they will drink blood like wine, awash like bowls, like the corners of the altar.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	16	Yahweh their God will give them victory when that day comes, like the sheep who are his people; yes, the stones of a diadem will sparkle over his country.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	9	17	How fine, how splendid that will be, with wheat to make the young men flourish, and new wine the maidens!
 Zechariah	Zech	45	10	1	Ask Yahweh for rain in autumn and at the time of the spring rains. Yahweh is the one to make the storm-clouds. He will give them showers of rain; to each, grass in his field.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	10	2	Since the domestic idols have talked nonsense, and the diviners have seen false signs, and dreams have purveyed delusions, affording empty comfort, that is why they have strayed like sheep, in distress for want of a shepherd.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	10	3	My anger has been roused by the shepherds, and I shall vent it on the he-goats. When Yahweh Sabaoth comes to visit his flock, the House of Judah, he will make it his royal war-horse.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	10	4	From it will emerge Cornerstone and Tent-peg, from it, Bow-ready-for-Battle, from it, every type of leader. Together
 Zechariah	Zech	45	10	5	they will be like warriors trampling the dirt of the streets in battle; when they fight, because Yahweh is with them, they will put mounted men to rout.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	10	6	Then I shall make the House of Judah mighty and the House of Joseph victorious. I shall restore them, because I have taken pity on them, and they will be as though I had never cast them off, for I am Yahweh their God and shall answer their prayer.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	10	7	Ephraim will be like a warrior. Their hearts will be cheered as though by wine. Their children will see this and rejoice, their hearts will exult in Yahweh.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	10	8	I shall whistle to them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them; they will be as numerous as they used to be.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	10	9	I shall scatter them among the peoples but in distant countries they will remember me, they will instruct their children and then return.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	10	10	I shall bring them home from Egypt and gather them back from Assyria; I shall lead them into Gilead and the Lebanon, and even that will not be large enough for them.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	10	11	They will cross the sea of Egypt (and the waves of the sea will be struck); all the depths of the River will be dried up. The arrogance of Assyria will be cast down and the sceptre of Egypt taken away.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	10	12	I shall make them mighty in Yahweh, and they will march in my name -- Yahweh declares.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	1	Open your gateways, Lebanon, and the fire shall burn down your cedar trees!
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	2	Wail, juniper, for the cedar tree has fallen, the majestic ones have been ravaged! Wail, oaks of Bashan, for the impenetrable forest has been felled!
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	3	The sound of the wailing of shepherds! Their majesty has been ravaged. The sound of the roaring of young lions! The pride of the Jordan has been ravaged.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	4	Yahweh my God says this, 'Pasture the sheep for slaughter,
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	5	whose buyers kill them and go unpunished, whose sellers say of them, "Blessed be Yahweh; now I am rich!" and whose own shepherds show them no pity.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	6	For I shall show no further pity for the inhabitants of the country -- Yahweh declares! Instead, I shall put everyone into the clutches of a neighbour, into the clutches of the king. They will crush the country and I shall not rescue anyone from their clutches.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	7	Then I pastured for slaughter the sheep belonging to the sheep-dealers. I took two staves: the one I called 'Goodwill', the other 'Couplers'; and I pastured the sheep myself,
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	8	getting rid of three shepherds in one month. But I lost patience with them, and they equally detested me.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	9	I then said, 'I am not going to pasture you any more; the one doomed to die can die; the one doomed to perish can perish; and the rest can devour one another.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	10	I then took my staff, 'Goodwill', and broke it in half, to break my covenant, which I had made with all the peoples.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	11	When it was broken, that day the sheep-dealers, who were watching me, realised that this had been a word of Yahweh.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	12	I then said to them, 'If you see fit, give me my wages; if not, never mind.' So they weighed out my wages: thirty shekels of silver.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	13	Yahweh said to me, 'Throw it to the smelter, this princely sum at which they have valued me!' Taking the thirty shekels of silver, I threw them into the Temple of Yahweh, for the smelter.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	14	I then broke my second staff, 'Couplers,' in half, to rupture the brotherly relationship between Judah and Israel.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	15	Next, Yahweh said to me, 'This time, take the gear of a good-for-nothing shepherd.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	16	For I am now going to raise a shepherd in this country, who will not bother about the lost, who will not go in search of the stray, who will not heal the injured, who will not support the swollen, but who will eat the meat of the fat ones, tearing off their very hoofs.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	11	17	Disaster to the shepherd who deserts his flock! May the sword attack his arm and his right eye! May his arm shrivel completely and his right eye be totally blinded!'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	1	A proclamation. The word of Yahweh about Israel (and also about Judah). Yahweh, who spread out the heaven and founded the earth and formed the human spirit within, declares:
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	2	'Look, I shall make Jerusalem a cup to set all the surrounding peoples reeling. (That will be at the time of the siege of Jerusalem.)
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	3	'When that day comes, I shall make Jerusalem a stone too heavy for all the peoples to lift; all those who try to lift it will hurt themselves severely, although all the nations of the world will be massed against her.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	4	When that day comes -- declares Yahweh -- I shall strike all the horses with panic and their riders with madness. And I shall strike all the peoples with blindness. (But I shall keep watch over Judah.)
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	5	Then the rulers of Judah will say to themselves, "The strength of the inhabitants of Jerusalem lies in Yahweh Sabaoth their God."
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	6	When that day comes, I shall make the rulers of Judah like a brazier burning in a pile of wood, like a torch flaming in a sheaf; and they will devour all the peoples round them to right and left. And Jerusalem will be full of people as before, where she stands (in Jerusalem).
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	7	Yahweh will first save the tents of Judah, so that the glory of the House of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not increase at Judah's expense.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	8	When that day comes, Yahweh will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and the frailest of them will be like David when that day comes, and the House of David will be like God, like the angel of Yahweh, at their head.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	9	'When that day comes, I shall set about destroying all the nations who advance against Jerusalem.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	10	But over the House of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem I shall pour out a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look to me. They will mourn for the one whom they have pierced as though for an only child, and weep for him as people weep for a first-born child.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	11	When that day comes, the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad Rimmon in the Plain of Megiddo.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	12	And the country will mourn clan by clan: The clan of the House of David by itself, and their women by themselves; the clan of the House of Nathan by itself, and their women by themselves;
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	13	the clan of the House of Levi by itself, and their women by themselves; the clan of the House of Shimei by itself, and their women by themselves;
 Zechariah	Zech	45	12	14	all the rest of the clans, every clan by itself, and their women by themselves.'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	13	1	'When that day comes, a fountain will be opened for the House of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to wash sin and impurity away.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	13	2	'When that day comes -- Yahweh declares -- I shall cut off the names of the idols from the country, and they will never be remembered again; I shall also rid the country of the prophets, and of the spirit of impurity.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	13	3	Then, if anyone still goes on prophesying, his parents, his own father and mother will say to him, "You shall not live, since you utter lies in Yahweh's name." And even while he is prophesying, his parents, his own father and mother will pierce him through.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	13	4	When that day comes, the prophets will all be ashamed to relate their visions when they prophesy and no longer put on their hair cloaks with intent to deceive.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	13	5	Instead, they will say, "I am no prophet. I am a man who tills the soil, for the land has been my living since I was a boy."
 Zechariah	Zech	45	13	6	And if anyone asks him, "What are those gashes on your chest?" he will reply, "I got them when I was with my friends." '
 Zechariah	Zech	45	13	7	Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me- declares Yahweh Sabaoth! Strike the shepherd, scatter the sheep! And I shall turn my hand against the young!
 Zechariah	Zech	45	13	8	So it will be, throughout the country- declares Yahweh Sabaoth- two-thirds in it will be cut off (be killed) and the other third will be left.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	13	9	I shall pass this third through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, test them as gold is tested. He will call on my name and I shall answer him; I shall say, 'He is my people,' and he will say, 'Yahweh is my God!'
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	1	Look, the Day of Yahweh is coming, when the spoils taken from you will be shared out among you.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	2	For I shall gather all the nations to Jerusalem for battle. The city will be taken, the houses plundered, the women ravished. Half the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be ejected from the city.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	3	Then Yahweh will sally out and fight those nations as once he fought on the day of battle.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	4	When that day comes, his feet will rest on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives will be split in half from east to west, forming a huge valley; half the Mount will recede northwards, the other half southwards.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	5	The valley between the hills will be filled in, yes, it will be blocked as far as Jasol, it will be filled in as it was by the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. And Yahweh my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	6	That Day, there will be no light, but only cold and frost.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	7	And it will be one continuous day -- Yahweh knows -- there will be no more day and night, and it will remain light right into the time of evening.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	8	When that Day comes, living waters will issue from Jerusalem, half towards the eastern sea, half towards the western sea; they will flow summer and winter.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	9	Then Yahweh will become king of the whole world. When that Day comes, Yahweh will be the one and only and his name the one name.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	10	The entire country will be transformed into plain, from Geba to Rimmon in the Negeb, but Jerusalem will stand high in her place and be full of people from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the earlier gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's wine-presses.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	11	People will make their homes there. The curse of destruction will be lifted; Jerusalem will be safe to live in.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	12	And this is the plague with which Yahweh will strike all the nations who have fought against Jerusalem; their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet; their eyes will rot in their sockets; their tongues will rot in their mouths.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	13	When that Day comes, a great terror will fall on them from Yahweh; each man will grab his neighbour's hand and they will fall to fighting among themselves.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	14	Even Judah will fight against Jerusalem. The wealth of all the surrounding nations will be heaped together: gold, silver, clothing, in vast quantity.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	15	And the plague afflicting the horses, mules, camels, donkeys and all the other animals in those armies will be the same.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	16	After this, all the survivors of all the nations which have attacked Jerusalem will come up year after year to worship the King, Yahweh Sabaoth, and to keep the feast of Shelters.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	17	Should one of the races of the world fail to come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Yahweh Sabaoth, there will be no rain for that one.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	18	Should the race of Egypt fail to come up and pay its visit, on it will fall the plague which Yahweh will inflict on each of those nations which fail to come up to keep the feast of Shelters.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	19	Such will be the punishment for Egypt and the punishment for all the nations which fail to come up to keep the feast of Shelters.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	20	When that Day comes, the very bells on the horses will be inscribed with the words, 'Sacred to Yahweh', and the cooking pots of the house of Yahweh will be as holy as the sprinkling bowls before the altar.
 Zechariah	Zech	45	14	21	Yes, every cooking pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be sacred to Yahweh Sabaoth, and all who come to offer sacrifice will help themselves and do their cooking in them, and there will be no more traders in the Temple of Yahweh Sabaoth, when that Day comes.
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	1	A message. The word of Yahweh to Israel through Malachi.
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	2	'I have loved you, says Yahweh. But you ask, "How have you shown your love?" Was not Esau Jacob's brother? declares Yahweh; even so, I loved Jacob
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	3	but I hated Esau. I turned his mountains into a desert and his heritage into dwellings in the wastelands.
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	4	If Edom says, "We have been struck down but we shall rebuild our ruins," Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "Let them build, but I shall pull down! They will be known as Land of Wickedness and Nation-with-which-Yahweh-is-angry-for-ever.
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	5	You will see this yourselves and you will say: Yahweh is mighty beyond the borders of Israel."
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	6	'The son honours his father, the slave stands in awe of his master. But if I am indeed father, where is the honour due to me? And if I am indeed master, where is the awe due to me? says Yahweh Sabaoth to you priests who despise my name. You ask, "How have we despised your name?"
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	7	By putting polluted food on my altar. You ask, "How have we polluted you?" By saying, "The table of Yahweh deserves no respect."
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	8	When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is this not wrong? When you bring the lame and the diseased, is this not wrong? If you offer them to your governor, see if he is pleased with them or receives you graciously, says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	9	In that case, try pleading with God to take pity on us (that is what you have done), and will he take any notice? says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	10	Why does one of you not close the doors and so stop the pointless lighting of fires on my altar? I am not pleased with you, says Yahweh Sabaoth; from your hands I find no offerings acceptable.
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	11	But from farthest east to farthest west my name is great among the nations, and everywhere incense and a pure gift are offered to my name, since my name is great among the nations, says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	12	'But you have profaned it by saying, "The table of the Lord is polluted, hence the food offered on it deserves no respect."
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	13	You say, "How tiresome it all is!" and sniff disdainfully at me, says Yahweh Sabaoth. You bring a stolen, lame or diseased animal, you bring that as an offering! Am I to accept this from you? says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Malachi	Mal	46	1	14	Cursed be the rogue who has a male in his flock but pays his vow by sacrificing a blemished animal to me! For I am a great king, says Yahweh Sabaoth, and among the nations my name inspires awe.'
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	1	'And now, priests, this commandment is for you.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	2	If you will not listen, if you will not sincerely resolve to glorify my name, says Yahweh Sabaoth, I shall certainly lay a curse on you and I shall curse your blessing. Indeed I will lay a curse, for none of you makes this resolve.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	3	Now, I am going to break your arm and throw offal in your faces -- the offal of your solemn feasts -- and sweep you away with it.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	4	Then you will know that I sent this commandment to you, to affirm my intention to maintain my covenant with Levi, says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	5	My covenant was with him -- a covenant of life and peace, and these were what I gave him -- a covenant of respect, and he respected me and held my name in awe.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	6	The law of truth was in his mouth and guilt was not found on his lips; he walked in peace and justice with me and he converted many from sinning.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	7	The priest's lips ought to safeguard knowledge; his mouth is where the law should be sought, since he is Yahweh Sabaoth's messenger.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	8	But you yourselves have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to lapse by your teaching. Since you have destroyed the covenant of Levi, says Yahweh Sabaoth,
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	9	so I in my turn have made you contemptible and vile to the whole people, for not having kept my ways and for being partial in applying the law.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	10	'Is there not one Father of us all? Did not one God create us? Why, then, do we break faith with one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	11	Judah has broken faith; a detestable thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned Yahweh's beloved sanctuary; he has married the daughter of an alien god.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	12	May Yahweh deprive such an offender of witness and advocate in the tents of Jacob among those who present offerings to Yahweh Sabaoth!
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	13	'And here is something else you do: you cover the altar of Yahweh with tears, with weeping and wailing, because he now refuses to consider the offering or to accept it from you.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	14	And you ask, "Why?" Because Yahweh stands as witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have broken faith, even though she was your partner and your wife by covenant.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	15	Did he not create a single being, having flesh and the breath of life? And what does this single being seek? God -- given offspring! Have respect for your own life then, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	16	For I hate divorce, says Yahweh, God of Israel, and people concealing their cruelty under a cloak, says Yahweh Sabaoth. Have respect for your own life then, and do not break faith.
 Malachi	Mal	46	2	17	'You have wearied Yahweh with your talk. You ask, "How have we wearied him?" When you say, "Any evil-doer is good as far as Yahweh is concerned; indeed he is delighted with them"; or when you say, "Where is the God of fair judgement now?"
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	1	'Look, I shall send my messenger to clear a way before me. And suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to his Temple; yes, the angel of the covenant, for whom you long, is on his way, says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	2	Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire, like fullers' alkali.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	3	He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they can make the offering to Yahweh with uprightness.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	4	The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be acceptable to Yahweh as in former days, as in the years of old.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	5	I am coming to put you on trial and I shall be a ready witness against sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, and against those who oppress the wage-earner, the widow and the orphan, and who rob the foreigner of his rights and do not respect me, says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	6	'No; I, Yahweh, do not change; and you have not ceased to be children of Jacob!
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	7	Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have evaded my statutes and not observed them. Return to me and I will return to you, says Yahweh Sabaoth. You ask, "How are we to return?
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	8	Can a human being cheat God?" Yet you try to cheat me! You ask, "How do we try to cheat you?" Over tithes and contributions.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	9	A curse lies on you because you, this whole nation, try to cheat me.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	10	Bring the tithes in full to the treasury, so that there is food in my house; put me to the test now like this, says Yahweh Sabaoth, and see if I do not open the floodgates of heaven for you and pour out an abundant blessing for you.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	11	For your sakes, I shall forbid the locust to destroy the produce of your soil or prevent the vine from bearing fruit in your field, says Yahweh Sabaoth,
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	12	and all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delights, says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	13	'You have said harsh things about me, says Yahweh. And yet you say, "What have we said against you?"
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	14	You have said, "It is useless to serve God; what is the good of keeping his commands or of walking mournfully before Yahweh Sabaoth?
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	15	In fact, we now call the proud the happy ones; the evil-doers are the ones who prosper; they put God to the test, yet come to no harm!" '
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	16	Then those who feared Yahweh talked to one another about this, and Yahweh took note and listened; and a book of remembrance was written in his presence recording those who feared him and kept his name in mind.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	17	'On the day when I act, says Yahweh Sabaoth, they will be my most prized possession, and I shall spare them in the way a man spares the son who serves him.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	18	Then once again you will see the difference between the upright person and the wicked one, between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve him.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	19	'For look, the Day is coming, glowing like a furnace. All the proud and all the evil-doers will be the stubble, and the Day, when it comes, will set them ablaze, says Yahweh Sabaoth, leaving them neither root nor branch.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	20	But for you who fear my name, the Sun of justice will rise with healing in his rays, and you will come out leaping like calves from the stall,
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	21	and trample on the wicked, who will be like ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act, says Yahweh Sabaoth.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	22	'Remember the Law of my servant Moses to whom at Horeb I prescribed decrees and rulings for all Israel.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	23	'Look, I shall send you the prophet Elijah before the great and awesome Day of Yahweh comes.
 Malachi	Mal	46	3	24	He will reconcile parents to their children and children to their parents, to forestall my putting the country under the curse of destruction.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	1	Roll of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	2	Abraham fathered Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers,
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	3	Judah fathered Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Ram,
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	4	Ram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon,
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	5	Salmon fathered Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed fathered Jesse;
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	6	and Jesse fathered King David. David fathered Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	7	Solomon fathered Rehoboam, Rehoboam fathered Abijah, Abijah fathered Asa,
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	8	Asa fathered Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat fathered Joram, Joram fathered Uzziah,
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	9	Uzziah fathered Jotham, Jotham fathered Ahaz, Ahaz fathered Hezekiah,
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	10	Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, Manasseh fathered Amon, Amon fathered Josiah;
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	11	and Josiah fathered Jechoniah and his brothers. Then the deportation to Babylon took place.
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	12	After the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah fathered Shealtiel, Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel,
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	13	Zerubbabel fathered Abiud, Abiud fathered Eliakim, Eliakim fathered Azor,
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	14	Azor fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Achim, Achim fathered Eliud,
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	15	Eliud fathered Eleazar, Eleazar fathered Matthan, Matthan fathered Jacob;
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	16	and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	17	The sum of generations is therefore: fourteen from Abraham to David; fourteen from David to the Babylonian deportation; and fourteen from the Babylonian deportation to Christ.
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	18	This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	19	Her husband Joseph, being an upright man and wanting to spare her disgrace, decided to divorce her informally.
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	20	He had made up his mind to do this when suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit.
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	21	She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	22	Now all this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	23	Look! the virgin is with child and will give birth to a son whom they will call Immanuel, a name which means 'God-is-with-us'.
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	24	When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home;
 Matthew	Mt	47	1	25	he had not had intercourse with her when she gave birth to a son; and he named him Jesus.
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	1	After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, suddenly some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	2	asking, 'Where is the infant king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	3	When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem.
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	4	He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	5	They told him, 'At Bethlehem in Judaea, for this is what the prophet wrote:
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	6	And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the leaders of Judah, for from you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	7	Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	8	and sent them on to Bethlehem with the words, 'Go and find out all about the child, and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	9	Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was.
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	10	The sight of the star filled them with delight,
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	11	and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	12	But they were given a warning in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	13	After they had left, suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	14	So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt,
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	15	where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: I called my son out of Egypt.
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	16	Herod was furious on realising that he had been fooled by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or less, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men.
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	17	Then were fulfilled the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	18	A voice is heard in Ramah, lamenting and weeping bitterly: it is Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more.
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	19	After Herod's death, suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	20	and said, 'Get up, take the child and his mother with you and go back to the land of Israel, for those who wanted to kill the child are dead.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	21	So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, went back to the land of Israel.
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	22	But when he learnt that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as ruler of Judaea he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the region of Galilee.
 Matthew	Mt	47	2	23	There he settled in a town called Nazareth. In this way the words spoken through the prophets were to be fulfilled: He will be called a Nazarene.
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	1	In due course John the Baptist appeared; he proclaimed this message in the desert of Judaea,
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	2	'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	3	This was the man spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said: A voice of one that cries in the desert, 'Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	4	This man John wore a garment made of camel-hair with a leather loin-cloth round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	5	Then Jerusalem and all Judaea and the whole Jordan district made their way to him,
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	6	and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins.
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	7	But when he saw a number of Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism he said to them, 'Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming retribution?
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	8	Produce fruit in keeping with repentance,
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	9	and do not presume to tell yourselves, "We have Abraham as our father," because, I tell you, God can raise children for Abraham from these stones.
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	10	Even now the axe is being laid to the root of the trees, so that any tree failing to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown on the fire.
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	11	I baptise you in water for repentance, but the one who comes after me is more powerful than I, and I am not fit to carry his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	12	His winnowing-fan is in his hand; he will clear his threshing-floor and gather his wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	13	Then Jesus appeared: he came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John.
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	14	John tried to dissuade him, with the words, 'It is I who need baptism from you, and yet you come to me!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	15	But Jesus replied, 'Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that uprightness demands.' Then John gave in to him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	16	And when Jesus had been baptised he at once came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	3	17	And suddenly there was a voice from heaven, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	1	Then Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the desert to be put to the test by the devil.
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	2	He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was hungry,
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	3	and the tester came and said to him, 'If you are Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	4	But he replied, 'Scripture says: Human beings live not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	5	The devil then took him to the holy city and set him on the parapet of the Temple.
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	6	'If you are Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down; for scripture says: He has given his angels orders about you, and they will carry you in their arms in case you trip over a stone.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	7	Jesus said to him, 'Scripture also says: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	8	Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour.
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	9	And he said to him, 'I will give you all these, if you fall at my feet and do me homage.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	10	Then Jesus replied, 'Away with you, Satan! For scripture says: The Lord your God is the one to whom you must do homage, him alone you must serve.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	11	Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels appeared and looked after him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	12	Hearing that John had been arrested he withdrew to Galilee,
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	13	and leaving Nazara he went and settled in Capernaum, beside the lake, on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali.
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	14	This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	15	Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea beyond Jordan. Galilee of the nations!
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	16	The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a country of shadow dark as death a light has dawned.
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	17	From then onwards Jesus began his proclamation with the message, 'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	18	As he was walking by the Lake of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast into the lake with their net, for they were fishermen.
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	19	And he said to them, 'Come after me and I will make you fishers of people.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	20	And at once they left their nets and followed him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	21	Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	22	And at once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	23	He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and illness among the people.
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	24	His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralysed, were all brought to him, and he cured them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	4	25	Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea and Transjordan.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	1	Seeing the crowds, he went onto the mountain. And when he was seated his disciples came to him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	2	Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	3	How blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	4	Blessed are the gentle: they shall have the earth as inheritance.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	5	Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	6	Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for uprightness: they shall have their fill.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	7	Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	8	Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	9	Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognised as children of God.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	10	Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of uprightness: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	11	'Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	12	Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	13	'You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled under people's feet.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	14	'You are light for the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	15	No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	16	In the same way your light must shine in people's sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	17	'Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	18	In truth I tell you, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, is to disappear from the Law until all its purpose is achieved.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	19	Therefore, anyone who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of Heaven; but the person who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of Heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	20	'For I tell you, if your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of Heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	21	'You have heard how it was said to our ancestors, You shall not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	22	But I say this to you, anyone who is angry with a brother will answer for it before the court; anyone who calls a brother "Fool" will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and anyone who calls him "Traitor" will answer for it in hell fire.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	23	So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	24	leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	25	Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	26	In truth I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	27	'You have heard how it was said, You shall not commit adultery.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	28	But I say this to you, if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	29	If your right eye should be your downfall, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of yourself than to have your whole body thrown into hell.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	30	And if your right hand should be your downfall, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of yourself than to have your whole body go to hell.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	31	'It has also been said, Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	32	But I say this to you, everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of an illicit marriage, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	33	'Again, you have heard how it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	34	But I say this to you, do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God's throne;
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	35	or by earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great King.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	36	Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	37	All you need say is "Yes" if you mean yes, "No" if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the Evil One.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	38	'You have heard how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	39	But I say this to you: offer no resistance to the wicked. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well;
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	40	if someone wishes to go to law with you to get your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	41	And if anyone requires you to go one mile, go two miles with him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	42	Give to anyone who asks you, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	43	'You have heard how it was said, You will love your neighbour and hate your enemy.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	44	But I say this to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you;
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	45	so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the bad as well as the good, and sends down rain to fall on the upright and the wicked alike.
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	46	For if you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even the tax collectors do as much?
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	47	And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional?
 Matthew	Mt	47	5	48	Do not even the gentiles do as much? You must therefore be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	1	'Be careful not to parade your uprightness in public to attract attention; otherwise you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	2	So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win human admiration. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	3	But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing;
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	4	your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	5	'And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	6	But when you pray, go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	7	'In your prayers do not babble as the gentiles do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	8	Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	9	So you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be held holy,
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	10	your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	11	Give us today our daily bread.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	12	And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	13	And do not put us to the test, but save us from the Evil One.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	14	'Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours;
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	15	but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	16	'When you are fasting, do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they go about looking unsightly to let people know they are fasting. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	17	But when you fast, put scent on your head and wash your face,
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	18	so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	19	'Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and woodworm destroy them and thieves can break in and steal.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	20	But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor woodworm destroys them and thieves cannot break in and steal.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	21	For wherever your treasure is, there will your heart be too.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	22	'The lamp of the body is the eye. It follows that if your eye is clear, your whole body will be filled with light.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	23	But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be darkness. If then, the light inside you is darkened, what darkness that will be!
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	24	'No one can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or be attached to the first and despise the second. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	25	'That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and what you are to wear. Surely life is more than food, and the body more than clothing!
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	26	Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they are?
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	27	Can any of you, however much you worry, add one single cubit to your span of life?
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	28	And why worry about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin;
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	29	yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his royal robes was clothed like one of these.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	30	Now if that is how God clothes the wild flowers growing in the field which are there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you who have so little faith?
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	31	So do not worry; do not say, "What are we to eat? What are we to drink? What are we to wear?"
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	32	It is the gentiles who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	33	Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on God's saving justice, and all these other things will be given you as well.
 Matthew	Mt	47	6	34	So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	1	'Do not judge, and you will not be judged;
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	2	because the judgements you give are the judgements you will get, and the standard you use will be the standard used for you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	3	Why do you observe the splinter in your brother's eye and never notice the great log in your own?
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	4	And how dare you say to your brother, "Let me take that splinter out of your eye," when, look, there is a great log in your own?
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	5	Hypocrite! Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother's eye.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	6	'Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls in front of pigs, or they may trample them and then turn on you and tear you to pieces.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	7	'Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	8	Everyone who asks receives; everyone who searches finds; everyone who knocks will have the door opened.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	9	Is there anyone among you who would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread?
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	10	Or would hand him a snake when he asked for a fish?
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	11	If you, then, evil as you are, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	12	'So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the Law and the Prophets.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	13	'Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to destruction is wide and spacious, and many take it;
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	14	but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	15	'Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	16	You will be able to tell them by their fruits. Can people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	17	In the same way, a sound tree produces good fruit but a rotten tree bad fruit.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	18	A sound tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a rotten tree bear good fruit.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	19	Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown on the fire.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	20	I repeat, you will be able to tell them by their fruits.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	21	'It is not anyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	22	When the day comes many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?"
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	23	Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, all evil doers!
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	24	'Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	25	Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	26	But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand.
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	27	Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	28	Jesus had now finished what he wanted to say, and his teaching made a deep impression on the people
 Matthew	Mt	47	7	29	because he taught them with authority, unlike their own scribes.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	1	After he had come down from the mountain large crowds followed him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	2	Suddenly a man with a virulent skin-disease came up and bowed low in front of him, saying, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can cleanse me.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	3	Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him saying, 'I am willing. Be cleansed.' And his skin-disease was cleansed at once.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	4	Then Jesus said to him, 'Mind you tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering prescribed by Moses, as evidence to them.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	5	When he went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	6	'Sir,' he said, 'my servant is lying at home paralysed and in great pain.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	7	Jesus said to him, 'I will come myself and cure him.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	8	The centurion replied, 'Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	9	For I am under authority myself and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man, "Go," and he goes; to another, "Come here," and he comes; to my servant, "Do this," and he does it.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	10	When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, 'In truth I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found faith as great as this.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	11	And I tell you that many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of Heaven;
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	12	but the children of the kingdom will be thrown out into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	13	And to the centurion Jesus said, 'Go back, then; let this be done for you, as your faith demands.' And the servant was cured at that moment.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	14	And going into Peter's house Jesus found Peter's mother-in-law in bed and feverish.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	15	He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	16	That evening they brought him many who were possessed by devils. He drove out the spirits with a command and cured all who were sick.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	17	This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: He himself bore our sicknesses away and carried our diseases.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	18	When Jesus saw the crowd all about him he gave orders to leave for the other side.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	19	One of the scribes then came up and said to him, 'Master, I will follow you wherever you go.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	20	Jesus said, 'Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	21	Another man, one of the disciples, said to him, 'Lord, let me go and bury my father first.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	22	But Jesus said, 'Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their dead.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	23	Then he got into the boat followed by his disciples.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	24	Suddenly a storm broke over the lake, so violent that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But he was asleep.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	25	So they went to him and woke him saying, 'Save us, Lord, we are lost!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	26	And he said to them, 'Why are you so frightened, you who have so little faith?' And then he stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	27	They were astounded and said, 'Whatever kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	28	When he reached the territory of the Gadarenes on the other side, two demoniacs came towards him out of the tombs -- they were so dangerously violent that nobody could use that path.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	29	Suddenly they shouted, 'What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the time?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	30	Now some distance away there was a large herd of pigs feeding,
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	31	and the devils pleaded with Jesus, 'If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	32	And he said to them, 'Go then,' and they came out and made for the pigs; and at that the whole herd charged down the cliff into the lake and perished in the water.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	33	The herdsmen ran off and made for the city, where they told the whole story, including what had happened to the demoniacs.
 Matthew	Mt	47	8	34	Suddenly the whole city set out to meet Jesus; and as soon as they saw him they implored him to leave their neighbourhood.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	1	He got back in the boat, crossed the water and came to his home town.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	2	And suddenly some people brought him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, 'Take comfort, my child, your sins are forgiven.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	3	And now some scribes said to themselves, 'This man is being blasphemous.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	4	Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, 'Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts?
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	5	Now, which of these is easier: to say, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Get up and walk"?
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	6	But to prove to you that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins,' -- then he said to the paralytic-'get up, pick up your bed and go off home.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	7	And the man got up and went home.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	8	A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for having given such authority to human beings.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	9	As Jesus was walking on from there he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he got up and followed him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	10	Now while he was at table in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	11	When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, 'Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	12	When he heard this he replied, 'It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	13	Go and learn the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice. And indeed I came to call not the upright, but sinners.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	14	Then John's disciples came to him and said, 'Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	15	Jesus replied, 'Surely the bridegroom's attendants cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	16	No one puts a piece of unshrunken cloth onto an old cloak, because the patch pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	17	Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, the wine runs out, and the skins are lost. No; they put new wine in fresh skins and both are preserved.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	18	While he was speaking to them, suddenly one of the officials came up, who bowed low in front of him and said, 'My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	19	Jesus rose and, with his disciples, followed him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	20	Then suddenly from behind him came a woman, who had been suffering from a haemorrhage for twelve years, and she touched the fringe of his cloak,
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	21	for she was thinking, 'If only I can touch his cloak I shall be saved.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	22	Jesus turned round and saw her; and he said to her, 'Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you.' And from that moment the woman was saved.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	23	When Jesus reached the official's house and saw the flute-players, with the crowd making a commotion, he said,
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	24	'Get out of here; the little girl is not dead; she is asleep.' And they ridiculed him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	25	But when the people had been turned out he went inside and took her by the hand; and she stood up.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	26	And the news of this spread all round the countryside.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	27	As Jesus went on his way two blind men followed him shouting, 'Take pity on us, son of David.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	28	And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up to him and he said to them, 'Do you believe I can do this?' They said, 'Lord, we do.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	29	Then he touched their eyes saying, 'According to your faith, let it be done to you.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	30	And their sight returned. Then Jesus sternly warned them, 'Take care that no one learns about this.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	31	But when they had gone away, they talked about him all over the countryside.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	32	They had only just left when suddenly a man was brought to him, a dumb demoniac.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	33	And when the devil was driven out, the dumb man spoke and the people were amazed and said, 'Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	34	But the Pharisees said, 'It is through the prince of devils that he drives out devils.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	35	Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	36	And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.
 Matthew	Mt	47	9	37	Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers to his harvest.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	1	He summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to drive them out and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	2	These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon who is known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	3	Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	4	Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who was also his betrayer.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	5	These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: 'Do not make your way to gentile territory, and do not enter any Samaritan town;
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	6	go instead to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	7	And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	8	Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those suffering from virulent skin-diseases, drive out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	9	Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with coppers for your purses,
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	10	with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the labourer deserves his keep.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	11	'Whatever town or village you go into, seek out someone worthy and stay with him until you leave.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	12	As you enter his house, salute it,
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	13	and if the house deserves it, may your peace come upon it; if it does not, may your peace come back to you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	14	And if anyone does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town shake the dust from your feet.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	15	In truth I tell you, on the Day of Judgement it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	16	Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be cunning as snakes and yet innocent as doves.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	17	'Be prepared for people to hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	18	You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as evidence to them and to the gentiles.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	19	But when you are handed over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes,
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	20	because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	21	'Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will come forward against their parents and have them put to death.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	22	You will be universally hated on account of my name; but anyone who stands firm to the end will be saved.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	23	If they persecute you in one town, take refuge in the next; and if they persecute you in that, take refuge in another. In truth I tell you, you will not have gone the round of the towns of Israel before the Son of man comes.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	24	'Disciple is not superior to teacher, nor slave to master.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	25	It is enough for disciple to grow to be like teacher, and slave like master. If they have called the master of the house "Beelzebul", how much more the members of his household?
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	26	'So do not be afraid of them. Everything now covered up will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	27	What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	28	'Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	29	Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	30	Why, every hair on your head has been counted.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	31	So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	32	'So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of human beings, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	33	But the one who disowns me in the presence of human beings, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	34	'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	35	For I have come to set son against father, daughter against mother, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law;
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	36	a person's enemies will be the members of his own household.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	37	'No one who prefers father or mother to me is worthy of me. No one who prefers son or daughter to me is worthy of me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	38	Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	39	Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	40	'Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	41	'Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will have a prophet's reward; and anyone who welcomes an upright person because he is upright will have the reward of an upright person.
 Matthew	Mt	47	10	42	'If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then in truth I tell you, he will most certainly not go without his reward.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	1	When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	2	Now John had heard in prison what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him,
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	3	'Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	4	Jesus answered, 'Go back and tell John what you hear and see;
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	5	the blind see again, and the lame walk, those suffering from virulent skin-diseases are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life and the good news is proclaimed to the poor;
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	6	and blessed is anyone who does not find me a cause of falling.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	7	As the men were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John, 'What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No?
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	8	Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	9	Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet:
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	10	he is the one of whom scripture says: Look, I am going to send my messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	11	'In truth I tell you, of all the children born to women, there has never been anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	12	Since John the Baptist came, up to this present time, the kingdom of Heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent are taking it by storm.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	13	Because it was towards John that all the prophecies of the prophets and of the Law were leading;
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	14	and he, if you will believe me, is the Elijah who was to return.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	15	Anyone who has ears should listen!
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	16	'What comparison can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	17	We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn't dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn't be mourners.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	18	'For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, "He is possessed."
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	19	The Son of man came, eating and drinking, and they say, "Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners." Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	20	Then he began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles had been worked, because they refused to repent.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	21	'Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	22	Still, I tell you that it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on Judgement Day than for you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	23	And as for you, Capernaum, did you want to be raised as high as heaven? You shall be flung down to hell. For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have been standing yet.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	24	Still, I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on Judgement Day than for you.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	25	At that time Jesus exclaimed, 'I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	26	Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	27	Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	28	'Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	29	Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
 Matthew	Mt	47	11	30	Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	1	At that time Jesus went through the cornfields one Sabbath day. His disciples were hungry and began to pick ears of corn and eat them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	2	The Pharisees noticed it and said to him, 'Look, your disciples are doing something that is forbidden on the Sabbath.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	3	But he said to them, 'Have you not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry-
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	4	how he went into the house of God and they ate the loaves of the offering although neither he nor his followers were permitted to eat them, but only the priests?
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	5	Or again, have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath day the Temple priests break the Sabbath without committing any fault?
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	6	Now here, I tell you, is something greater than the Temple.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	7	And if you had understood the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the blameless.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	8	For the Son of man is master of the Sabbath.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	9	He moved on from there and went to their synagogue;
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	10	now a man was there with a withered hand. They asked him, 'Is it permitted to cure somebody on the Sabbath day?' hoping for something to charge him with.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	11	But he said to them, 'If any one of you here had only one sheep and it fell down a hole on the Sabbath day, would he not get hold of it and lift it out?
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	12	Now a man is far more important than a sheep, so it follows that it is permitted on the Sabbath day to do good.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	13	Then he said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He stretched it out and his hand was restored, as sound as the other one.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	14	At this the Pharisees went out and began to plot against him, discussing how to destroy him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	15	Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	16	but warned them not to make him known.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	17	This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	18	Look! My servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul delights, I will send my Spirit upon him, and he will present judgement to the nations;
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	19	he will not brawl or cry out, his voice is not heard in the streets,
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	20	he will not break the crushed reed, or snuff the faltering wick,
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	21	until he has made judgement victorious; in him the nations will put their hope.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	22	Then they brought to him a blind and dumb demoniac; and he cured him, so that the dumb man could speak and see.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	23	All the people were astounded and said, 'Can this be the son of David?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	24	But when the Pharisees heard this they said, 'The man drives out devils only through Beelzebul, the chief of the devils.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	25	Knowing what was in their minds he said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin; and no town, no household divided against itself can last.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	26	Now if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself; so how can his kingdom last?
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	27	And if it is through Beelzebul that I drive devils out, through whom do your own experts drive them out? They shall be your judges, then.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	28	But if it is through the Spirit of God that I drive out devils, then be sure that the kingdom of God has caught you unawares.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	29	'Or again, how can anyone make his way into a strong man's house and plunder his property unless he has first tied up the strong man? Only then can he plunder his house.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	30	'Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not gather in with me throws away.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	31	And so I tell you, every human sin and blasphemy will be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	32	And anyone who says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but no one who speaks against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven either in this world or in the next.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	33	'Make a tree sound and its fruit will be sound; make a tree rotten and its fruit will be rotten. For the tree can be told by its fruit.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	34	You brood of vipers, how can your speech be good when you are evil? For words flow out of what fills the heart.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	35	Good people draw good things from their store of goodness; bad people draw bad things from their store of badness.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	36	So I tell you this, that for every unfounded word people utter they will answer on Judgement Day,
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	37	since it is by your words you will be justified, and by your words condemned.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	38	Then some of the scribes and Pharisees spoke up. 'Master,' they said, 'we should like to see a sign from you.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	39	He replied, 'It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	40	For as Jonah remained in the belly of the sea-monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	41	On Judgement Day the men of Nineveh will appear against this generation and they will be its condemnation, because when Jonah preached they repented; and look, there is something greater than Jonah here.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	42	On Judgement Day the Queen of the South will appear against this generation and be its condemnation, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look, there is something greater than Solomon here.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	43	'When an unclean spirit goes out of someone it wanders through waterless country looking for a place to rest, and cannot find one.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	44	Then it says, "I will return to the home I came from." But on arrival, finding it unoccupied, swept and tidied,
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	45	it then goes off and collects seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and set up house there, and so that person ends up worse off than before. That is what will happen to this wicked generation.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	46	He was still speaking to the crowds when suddenly his mother and his brothers were standing outside and were anxious to have a word with him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	47	Someone said to him: Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to speak to you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	48	But to the man who told him this Jesus replied, 'Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	49	And stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers.
 Matthew	Mt	47	12	50	Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	1	That same day, Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside,
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	2	but such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the shore,
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	3	and he told them many things in parables. He said, 'Listen, a sower went out to sow.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	4	As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	5	Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up at once, because there was no depth of earth;
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	6	but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	7	Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	8	Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	9	Anyone who has ears should listen!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	10	Then the disciples went up to him and asked, 'Why do you talk to them in parables?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	11	In answer, he said, 'Because to you is granted to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not granted.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	12	Anyone who has will be given more and will have more than enough; but anyone who has not will be deprived even of what he has.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	13	The reason I talk to them in parables is that they look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	14	So in their case what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah is being fulfilled: Listen and listen, but never understand! Look and look, but never perceive!
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	15	This people's heart has grown coarse, their ears dulled, they have shut their eyes tight to avoid using their eyes to see, their ears to hear, their heart to understand, changing their ways and being healed by me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	16	'But blessed are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear!
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	17	In truth I tell you, many prophets and upright people longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	18	'So pay attention to the parable of the sower.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	19	When anyone hears the word of the kingdom without understanding, the Evil One comes and carries off what was sown in his heart: this is the seed sown on the edge of the path.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	20	The seed sown on patches of rock is someone who hears the word and welcomes it at once with joy.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	21	But such a person has no root deep down and does not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, at once he falls away.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	22	The seed sown in thorns is someone who hears the word, but the worry of the world and the lure of riches choke the word and so it produces nothing.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	23	And the seed sown in rich soil is someone who hears the word and understands it; this is the one who yields a harvest and produces now a hundredfold, now sixty, now thirty.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	24	He put another parable before them, 'The kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	25	While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	26	When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, then the darnel appeared as well.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	27	The owner's labourers went to him and said, "Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?"
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	28	He said to them, "Some enemy has done this." And the labourers said, "Do you want us to go and weed it out?"
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	29	But he said, "No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	30	Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn." '
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	31	He put another parable before them, 'The kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	32	It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the biggest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air can come and shelter in its branches.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	33	He told them another parable, 'The kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	34	In all this Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables; indeed, he would never speak to them except in parables.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	35	This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet: I will speak to you in parables, unfold what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	36	Then, leaving the crowds, he went to the house; and his disciples came to him and said, 'Explain to us the parable about the darnel in the field.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	37	He said in reply, 'The sower of the good seed is the Son of man.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	38	The field is the world; the good seed is the subjects of the kingdom; the darnel, the subjects of the Evil One;
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	39	the enemy who sowed it, the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; the reapers are the angels.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	40	Well then, just as the darnel is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it will be at the end of time.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	41	The Son of man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of falling and all who do evil,
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	42	and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	43	Then the upright will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Anyone who has ears should listen!
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	44	'The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off in his joy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	45	'Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls;
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	46	when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	47	'Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that is cast in the sea and brings in a haul of all kinds of fish.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	48	When it is full, the fishermen bring it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in baskets and throw away those that are no use.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	49	This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the upright,
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	50	to throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	51	'Have you understood all these?' They said, 'Yes.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	52	And he said to them, 'Well then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of Heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom new things as well as old.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	53	When Jesus had finished these parables he left the district;
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	54	and, coming to his home town, he taught the people in their synagogue in such a way that they were astonished and said, 'Where did the man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	55	This is the carpenter's son, surely? Is not his mother the woman called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Jude?
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	56	His sisters, too, are they not all here with us? So where did the man get it all?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	57	And they would not accept him. But Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is despised only in his own country and in his own house,'
 Matthew	Mt	47	13	58	and he did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	1	At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the reputation of Jesus
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	2	and said to his court, 'This is John the Baptist himself; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	3	Now it was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	4	For John had told him, 'It is against the Law for you to have her.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	5	He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	6	Then, during the celebrations for Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and so delighted Herod
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	7	that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	8	Prompted by her mother she said, 'Give me John the Baptist's head, here, on a dish.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	9	The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered it to be given her,
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	10	and sent and had John beheaded in the prison.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	11	The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	12	John's disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	13	When Jesus received this news he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the crowds heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	14	So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	15	When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, 'This is a lonely place, and time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	16	Jesus replied, 'There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	17	But they answered, 'All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	18	So he said, 'Bring them here to me.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	19	He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves he handed them to his disciples, who gave them to the crowds.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	20	They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps left over, twelve baskets full.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	21	Now about five thousand men had eaten, to say nothing of women and children.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	22	And at once he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he sent the crowds away.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	23	After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	24	while the boat, by now some furlongs from land, was hard pressed by rough waves, for there was a head-wind.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	25	In the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the sea,
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	26	and when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. 'It is a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	27	But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, 'Courage! It's me! Don't be afraid.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	28	It was Peter who answered. 'Lord,' he said, 'if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	29	Jesus said, 'Come.' Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water,
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	30	but then noticing the wind, he took fright and began to sink. 'Lord,' he cried, 'save me!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	31	Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. 'You have so little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	32	And as they got into the boat the wind dropped.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	33	The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, 'Truly, you are the Son of God.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	34	Having made the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	35	When the local people recognised him they spread the news through the whole neighbourhood and took all that were sick to him,
 Matthew	Mt	47	14	36	begging him just to let them touch the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched it were saved.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	1	Then Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus and said,
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	2	'Why do your disciples break away from the tradition of the elders? They eat without washing their hands.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	3	He answered, 'And why do you break away from the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	4	For God said, "Honour your father and your mother" and "Anyone who curses his father or mother will be put to death."
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	5	But you say, "If anyone says to his father or mother: Anything I might have used to help you is dedicated to God,
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	6	he is rid of his duty to father or mother." In this way you have made God's word ineffective by means of your tradition.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	7	Hypocrites! How rightly Isaiah prophesied about you when he said:
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	8	This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	9	Their reverence of me is worthless; the lessons they teach are nothing but human commandments.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	10	He called the people to him and said, 'Listen, and understand.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	11	What goes into the mouth does not make anyone unclean; it is what comes out of the mouth that makes someone unclean.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	12	Then the disciples came to him and said, 'Do you know that the Pharisees were shocked when they heard what you said?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	13	He replied, 'Any plant my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	14	Leave them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind; and if one blind person leads another, both will fall into a pit.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	15	At this, Peter said to him, 'Explain the parable for us.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	16	Jesus replied, 'Even you -- don't you yet understand?
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	17	Can't you see that whatever goes into the mouth passes through the stomach and is discharged into the sewer?
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	18	But whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and it is this that makes someone unclean.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	19	For from the heart come evil intentions: murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, slander.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	20	These are the things that make a person unclean. But eating with unwashed hands does not make anyone unclean.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	21	Jesus left that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	22	And suddenly out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, 'Lord, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	23	But he said not a word in answer to her. And his disciples went and pleaded with him, saying, 'Give her what she wants, because she keeps shouting after us.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	24	He said in reply, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	25	But the woman had come up and was bowing low before him. 'Lord,' she said, 'help me.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	26	He replied, 'It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to little dogs.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	27	She retorted, 'Ah yes, Lord; but even little dogs eat the scraps that fall from their masters' table.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	28	Then Jesus answered her, 'Woman, you have great faith. Let your desire be granted.' And from that moment her daughter was well again.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	29	Jesus went on from there and reached the shores of the Lake of Galilee, and he went up onto the mountain. He took his seat,
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	30	and large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others; these they put down at his feet, and he cured them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	31	The crowds were astonished to see the dumb speaking, the cripples whole again, the lame walking and the blind with their sight, and they praised the God of Israel.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	32	But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, or they might collapse on the way.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	33	The disciples said to him, 'Where in a deserted place could we get sufficient bread for such a large crowd to have enough to eat?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	34	Jesus said to them, 'How many loaves have you?' They said, 'Seven, and a few small fish.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	35	Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground,
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	36	and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks he broke them and began handing them to the disciples, who gave them to the crowds.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	37	They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected what was left of the scraps, seven baskets full.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	38	Now four thousand men had eaten, to say nothing of women and children.
 Matthew	Mt	47	15	39	And when he had sent the crowds away he got into the boat and went to the territory of Magadan.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	1	The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to put him to the test they asked if he would show them a sign from heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	2	He replied, 'In the evening you say, "It will be fine; there's a red sky,"
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	3	and in the morning, "Stormy weather today; the sky is red and overcast." You know how to read the face of the sky, but you cannot read the signs of the times.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	4	It is an evil and unfaithful generation asking for a sign, and the only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah.' And he left them and went off.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	5	The disciples, having crossed to the other side, had forgotten to take any food.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	6	Jesus said to them, 'Keep your eyes open, and be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	7	And they said among themselves, 'It is because we have not brought any bread.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	8	Jesus knew it, and he said, 'You have so little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	9	Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand and the number of baskets you collected?
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	10	Or the seven loaves for the four thousand and the number of baskets you collected?
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	11	How could you fail to understand that I was not talking about bread? What I said was: Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	12	Then they understood that he was telling them to be on their guard, not against yeast for making bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	13	When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of man is?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	14	And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	15	'But you,' he said, 'who do you say I am?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	16	Then Simon Peter spoke up and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	17	Jesus replied, 'Simon son of Jonah, you are a blessed man! Because it was no human agency that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	18	So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my community. And the gates of the underworld can never overpower it.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	19	I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven: whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	20	Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to say to anyone that he was the Christ.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	21	From then onwards Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	22	Then, taking him aside, Peter started to rebuke him. 'Heaven preserve you, Lord,' he said, 'this must not happen to you.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	23	But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because you are thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	24	Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	25	Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	26	What, then, will anyone gain by winning the whole world and forfeiting his life? Or what can anyone offer in exchange for his life?
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	27	'For the Son of man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his behaviour.
 Matthew	Mt	47	16	28	In truth I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming with his kingdom.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	1	Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	2	There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as dazzling as light.
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	3	And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	4	Then Peter spoke to Jesus. 'Lord,' he said, 'it is wonderful for us to be here; if you want me to, I will make three shelters here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	5	He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and suddenly from the cloud there came a voice which said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	6	When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear.
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	7	But Jesus came up and touched them, saying, 'Stand up, do not be afraid.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	8	And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but Jesus.
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	9	As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, 'Tell no one about this vision until the Son of man has risen from the dead.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	10	And the disciples put this question to him, 'Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	11	He replied, 'Elijah is indeed coming, and he will set everything right again;
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	12	however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of man will suffer similarly at their hands.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	13	Then the disciples understood that he was speaking of John the Baptist.
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	14	As they were rejoining the crowd a man came up to him and went down on his knees before him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	15	'Lord,' he said, 'take pity on my son: he is demented and in a wretched state; he is always falling into fire and into water.
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	16	I took him to your disciples and they were unable to cure him.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	17	In reply, Jesus said, 'Faithless and perverse generation! How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	18	And when Jesus rebuked it the devil came out of the boy, who was cured from that moment.
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	19	Then the disciples came privately to Jesus. 'Why were we unable to drive it out?' they asked.
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	20	He answered, 'Because you have so little faith. In truth I tell you, if your faith is the size of a mustard seed you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move; nothing will be impossible for you.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	21
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	22	When they were together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, 'The Son of man is going to be delivered into the power of men;
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	23	they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised up again.' And a great sadness came over them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	24	When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel came to Peter and said, 'Does your master not pay the half-shekel?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	25	'Yes,' he replied, and went into the house. But before he could speak, Jesus said, 'Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do earthly kings take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	26	And when he replied, 'From foreigners,' Jesus said, 'Well then, the sons are exempt.
 Matthew	Mt	47	17	27	However, so that we shall not be the downfall of others, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that rises, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for yourself.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	1	At this time the disciples came to Jesus and said, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	2	So he called a little child to him whom he set among them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	3	Then he said, 'In truth I tell you, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	4	And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	5	'Anyone who welcomes one little child like this in my name welcomes me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	6	But anyone who is the downfall of one of these little ones who have faith in me would be better drowned in the depths of the sea with a great millstone round his neck.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	7	Alas for the world that there should be such causes of falling! Causes of falling indeed there must be, but alas for anyone who provides them!
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	8	'If your hand or your foot should be your downfall, cut it off and throw it away: it is better for you to enter into life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	9	And if your eye should be your downfall, tear it out and throw it away: it is better for you to enter into life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the hell of fire.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	10	'See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	11
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	12	'Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray?
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	13	In truth I tell you, if he finds it, it gives him more joy than do the ninety-nine that did not stray at all.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	14	Similarly, it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	15	'If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	16	If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: whatever the misdemeanour, the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain the charge.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	17	But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a gentile or a tax collector.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	18	'In truth I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	19	'In truth I tell you once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	20	For where two or three meet in my name, I am there among them.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	21	Then Peter went up to him and said, 'Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	22	Jesus answered, 'Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	23	'And so the kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	24	When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents;
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	25	he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	26	At this, the servant threw himself down at his master's feet, with the words, "Be patient with me and I will pay the whole sum."
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	27	And the servant's master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	28	Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow-servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him, saying, "Pay what you owe me."
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	29	His fellow-servant fell at his feet and appealed to him, saying, "Be patient with me and I will pay you."
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	30	But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	31	His fellow-servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	32	Then the master sent for the man and said to him, "You wicked servant, I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	33	Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow-servant just as I had pity on you?"
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	34	And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt.
 Matthew	Mt	47	18	35	And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	1	Jesus had now finished what he wanted to say, and he left Galilee and came into the territory of Judaea on the far side of the Jordan.
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	2	Large crowds followed him and he healed them there.
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	3	Some Pharisees approached him, and to put him to the test they said, 'Is it against the Law for a man to divorce his wife on any pretext whatever?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	4	He answered, 'Have you not read that the Creator from the beginning made them male and female
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	5	and that he said: This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh?
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	6	They are no longer two, therefore, but one flesh. So then, what God has united, human beings must not divide.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	7	They said to him, 'Then why did Moses command that a writ of dismissal should be given in cases of divorce?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	8	He said to them, 'It was because you were so hard-hearted, that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not like this from the beginning.
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	9	Now I say this to you: anyone who divorces his wife -- I am not speaking of an illicit marriage -- and marries another, is guilty of adultery.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	10	The disciples said to him, 'If that is how things are between husband and wife, it is advisable not to marry.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	11	But he replied, 'It is not everyone who can accept what I have said, but only those to whom it is granted.
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	12	There are eunuchs born so from their mother's womb, there are eunuchs made so by human agency and there are eunuchs who have made themselves so for the sake of the kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	13	Then people brought little children to him, for him to lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples scolded them,
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	14	but Jesus said, 'Let the little children alone, and do not stop them from coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of Heaven belongs.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	15	Then he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	16	And now a man came to him and asked, 'Master, what good deed must I do to possess eternal life?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	17	Jesus said to him, 'Why do you ask me about what is good? There is one alone who is good. But if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	18	He said, 'Which ones?' Jesus replied, 'These: You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false witness.
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	19	Honour your father and your mother. You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	20	The young man said to him, 'I have kept all these. What more do I need to do?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	21	Jesus said, 'If you wish to be perfect, go and sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	22	But when the young man heard these words he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	23	Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'In truth I tell you, it is hard for someone rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	24	Yes, I tell you again, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	25	When the disciples heard this they were astonished. 'Who can be saved, then?' they said.
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	26	Jesus gazed at them. 'By human resources', he told them, 'this is impossible; for God everything is possible.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	27	Then Peter answered and said, 'Look, we have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	28	Jesus said to them, 'In truth I tell you, when everything is made new again and the Son of man is seated on his throne of glory, you yourselves will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	29	And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times as much, and also inherit eternal life.
 Matthew	Mt	47	19	30	'Many who are first will be last, and the last, first.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	1	'Now the kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard.
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	2	He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day and sent them to his vineyard.
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	3	Going out at about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	4	and said to them, "You go to my vineyard too and I will give you a fair wage."
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	5	So they went. At about the sixth hour and again at about the ninth hour, he went out and did the same.
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	6	Then at about the eleventh hour he went out and found more men standing around, and he said to them, "Why have you been standing here idle all day?"
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	7	"Because no one has hired us," they answered. He said to them, "You go into my vineyard too."
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	8	In the evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his bailiff, "Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last arrivals and ending with the first."
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	9	So those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came forward and received one denarius each.
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	10	When the first came, they expected to get more, but they too received one denarius each.
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	11	They took it, but grumbled at the landowner saying,
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	12	"The men who came last have done only one hour, and you have treated them the same as us, though we have done a heavy day's work in all the heat."
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	13	He answered one of them and said, "My friend, I am not being unjust to you; did we not agree on one denarius?
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	14	Take your earnings and go. I choose to pay the lastcomer as much as I pay you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	15	Have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why should you be envious because I am generous?"
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	16	Thus the last will be first, and the first, last.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	17	Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and on the road he took the Twelve aside by themselves and said to them,
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	18	'Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	19	and will hand him over to the gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised up again.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	20	Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came with her sons to make a request of him, and bowed low;
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	21	and he said to her, 'What is it you want?' She said to him, 'Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	22	Jesus answered, 'You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?' They replied, 'We can.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	23	He said to them, 'Very well; you shall drink my cup, but as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	24	When the other ten heard this they were indignant with the two brothers.
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	25	But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that among the gentiles the rulers lord it over them, and great men make their authority felt.
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	26	Among you this is not to happen. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant,
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	27	and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave,
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	28	just as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	29	As they left Jericho a large crowd followed him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	30	And now there were two blind men sitting at the side of the road. When they heard that it was Jesus who was passing by, they shouted, 'Lord! Have pity on us, son of David.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	31	And the crowd scolded them and told them to keep quiet, but they only shouted the louder, 'Lord! Have pity on us, son of David.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	32	Jesus stopped, called them over and said, 'What do you want me to do for you?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	33	They said to him, 'Lord, let us have our sight back.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	20	34	Jesus felt pity for them and touched their eyes, and at once their sight returned and they followed him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	1	When they were near Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	2	saying to them, 'Go to the village facing you, and you will at once find a tethered donkey and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	3	If anyone says anything to you, you are to say, "The Master needs them and will send them back at once." '
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	4	This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet:
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	5	Say to the daughter of Zion: Look, your king is approaching, humble and riding on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	6	So the disciples went and did as Jesus had told them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	7	They brought the donkey and the colt, then they laid their cloaks on their backs and he took his seat on them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	8	Great crowds of people spread their cloaks on the road, while others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in his path.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	9	The crowds who went in front of him and those who followed were all shouting: Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heavens!
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	10	And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil as people asked, 'Who is this?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	11	and the crowds answered, 'This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	12	Jesus then went into the Temple and drove out all those who were selling and buying there; he upset the tables of the money-changers and the seats of the dove-sellers.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	13	He said to them, 'According to scripture, my house will be called a house of prayer; but you are turning it into a bandits' den.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	14	There were also blind and lame people who came to him in the Temple, and he cured them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	15	At the sight of the wonderful things he did and of the children shouting, 'Hosanna to the son of David' in the Temple, the chief priests and the scribes were indignant and said to him,
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	16	'Do you hear what they are saying?' Jesus answered, 'Yes. Have you never read this: By the mouths of children, babes in arms, you have made sure of praise?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	17	With that he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	18	As he was returning to the city in the early morning, he felt hungry.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	19	Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it and found nothing on it but leaves. And he said to it, 'May you never bear fruit again,' and instantly the fig tree withered.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	20	The disciples were amazed when they saw it and said, 'How is it that the fig tree withered instantly?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	21	Jesus answered, 'In truth I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt at all, not only will you do what I have done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, "Be pulled up and thrown into the sea," it will be done.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	22	And if you have faith, everything you ask for in prayer, you will receive.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	23	He had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and said, 'What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	24	In reply Jesus said to them, 'And I will ask you a question, just one; if you tell me the answer to it, then I will tell you my authority for acting like this.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	25	John's baptism: what was its origin, heavenly or human?' And they argued this way among themselves, 'If we say heavenly, he will retort to us, "Then why did you refuse to believe him?";
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	26	but if we say human, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	27	So their reply to Jesus was, 'We do not know.' And he retorted to them, 'Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	28	'What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, "My boy, go and work in the vineyard today."
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	29	He answered, "I will not go," but afterwards thought better of it and went.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	30	The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, "Certainly, sir," but did not go.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	31	Which of the two did the father's will?' They said, 'The first.' Jesus said to them, 'In truth I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	32	For John came to you, showing the way of uprightness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	33	'Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	34	When vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	35	But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	36	Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	37	Finally he sent his son to them thinking, "They will respect my son."
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	38	But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, "This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance."
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	39	So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	40	Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	41	They answered, 'He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him at the proper time.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	42	Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing and we marvel at it?
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	43	'I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	44
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	45	When they heard his parables, the chief priests and the scribes realised he was speaking about them,
 Matthew	Mt	47	21	46	but though they would have liked to arrest him they were afraid of the crowds, who looked on him as a prophet.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	1	Jesus began to speak to them in parables once again,
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	2	'The kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a king who gave a feast for his son's wedding.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	3	He sent his servants to call those who had been invited, but they would not come.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	4	Next he sent some more servants with the words, "Tell those who have been invited: Look, my banquet is all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, everything is ready. Come to the wedding."
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	5	But they were not interested: one went off to his farm, another to his business,
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	6	and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them and killed them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	7	The king was furious. He despatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	8	Then he said to his servants, "The wedding is ready; but as those who were invited proved to be unworthy,
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	9	go to the main crossroads and invite everyone you can find to come to the wedding."
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	10	So these servants went out onto the roads and collected together everyone they could find, bad and good alike; and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	11	When the king came in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment,
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	12	and said to him, "How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?" And the man was silent.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	13	Then the king said to the attendants, "Bind him hand and foot and throw him into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth."
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	14	For many are invited but not all are chosen.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	15	Then the Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap him in what he said.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	16	And they sent their disciples to him, together with some Herodians, to say, 'Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in all honesty, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because human rank means nothing to you.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	17	Give us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	18	But Jesus was aware of their malice and replied, 'You hypocrites! Why are you putting me to the test?
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	19	Show me the money you pay the tax with.' They handed him a denarius,
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	20	and he said, 'Whose portrait is this? Whose title?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	21	They replied, 'Caesar's.' Then he said to them, 'Very well, pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar -- and God what belongs to God.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	22	When they heard this they were amazed; they left him alone and went away.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	23	That day some Sadducees -- who deny that there is a resurrection -- approached him and they put this question to him,
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	24	'Master, Moses said that if a man dies childless, his brother is to marry the widow, his sister-in-law, to raise children for his brother.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	25	Now we had a case involving seven brothers; the first married and then died without children, leaving his wife to his brother;
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	26	the same thing happened with the second and third and so on to the seventh,
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	27	and then last of all the woman herself died.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	28	Now at the resurrection, whose wife among the seven will she be, since she had been married to them all?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	29	Jesus answered them, 'You are wrong, because you understand neither the scriptures nor the power of God.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	30	For at the resurrection men and women do not marry; no, they are like the angels in heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	31	And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you never read what God himself said to you:
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	32	I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob? He is God, not of the dead, but of the living.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	33	And his teaching made a deep impression on the people who heard it.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	34	But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees they got together
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	35	and, to put him to the test, one of them put a further question,
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	36	'Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	37	Jesus said to him, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	38	This is the greatest and the first commandment.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	39	The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself.
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	40	On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets too.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	41	While the Pharisees were gathered round, Jesus put to them this question,
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	42	'What is your opinion about the Christ? Whose son is he?' They told him, 'David's.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	43	He said to them, 'Then how is it that David, moved by the Spirit, calls him Lord, where he says:
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	44	The Lord declared to my Lord, take your seat at my right hand, till I have made your enemies your footstool?
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	45	'If David calls him Lord, how then can he be his son?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	22	46	No one could think of anything to say in reply, and from that day no one dared to ask him any further questions.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	1	Then addressing the crowds and his disciples Jesus said,
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	2	'The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	3	You must therefore do and observe what they tell you; but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practise what they preach.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	4	They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people's shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they!
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	5	Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader headbands and longer tassels,
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	6	like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues,
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	7	being greeted respectfully in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	8	'You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one Master, and you are all brothers.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	9	You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	10	Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	11	The greatest among you must be your servant.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	12	Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	13	'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut up the kingdom of Heaven in people's faces, neither going in yourselves nor allowing others to go who want to.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	14
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	15	'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte, and anyone who becomes one you make twice as fit for hell as you are.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	16	'Alas for you, blind guides! You say, "If anyone swears by the Temple, it has no force; but anyone who swears by the gold of the Temple is bound."
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	17	Fools and blind! For which is of greater value, the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred?
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	18	Again, "If anyone swears by the altar it has no force; but anyone who swears by the offering on the altar, is bound."
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	19	You blind men! For which is of greater worth, the offering or the altar that makes the offering sacred?
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	20	Therefore, someone who swears by the altar is swearing by that and by everything on it.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	21	And someone who swears by the Temple is swearing by that and by the One who dwells in it.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	22	And someone who swears by heaven is swearing by the throne of God and by the One who is seated there.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	23	'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay your tithe of mint and dill and cummin and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law-justice, mercy, good faith! These you should have practised, those not neglected.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	24	You blind guides, straining out gnats and swallowing camels!
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	25	'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of cup and dish and leave the inside full of extortion and intemperance.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	26	Blind Pharisee! Clean the inside of cup and dish first so that it and the outside are both clean.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	27	'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look handsome on the outside, but inside are full of the bones of the dead and every kind of corruption.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	28	In just the same way, from the outside you look upright, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	29	'Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build the sepulchres of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the upright,
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	30	saying, "We would never have joined in shedding the blood of the prophets, had we lived in our ancestors' day."
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	31	So! Your own evidence tells against you! You are the children of those who murdered the prophets!
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	32	Very well then, finish off the work that your ancestors began.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	33	'You serpents, brood of vipers, how can you escape being condemned to hell?
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	34	This is why -- look -- I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some you will slaughter and crucify, some you will scourge in your synagogues and hunt from town to town;
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	35	and so you will draw down on yourselves the blood of every upright person that has been shed on earth, from the blood of Abel the holy to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	36	In truth I tell you, it will all recoil on this generation.
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	37	'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you refused!
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	38	Look! Your house will be deserted,
 Matthew	Mt	47	23	39	for, I promise, you shall not see me any more until you are saying: Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	1	Jesus left the Temple, and as he was going away his disciples came up to draw his attention to the Temple buildings.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	2	He said to them in reply, 'You see all these? In truth I tell you, not a single stone here will be left on another: everything will be pulled down.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	3	And while he was sitting on the Mount of Olives the disciples came and asked him when they were by themselves, 'Tell us, when is this going to happen, and what sign will there be of your coming and of the end of the world?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	4	And Jesus answered them, 'Take care that no one deceives you,
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	5	because many will come using my name and saying, "I am the Christ," and they will deceive many.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	6	You will hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for this is something that must happen, but the end will not be yet.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	7	For nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	8	All this is only the beginning of the birthpangs.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	9	'Then you will be handed over to be tortured and put to death; and you will be hated by all nations on account of my name.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	10	And then many will fall away; people will betray one another and hate one another.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	11	Many false prophets will arise; they will deceive many,
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	12	and with the increase of lawlessness, love in most people will grow cold;
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	13	but anyone who stands firm to the end will be saved.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	14	'This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed to the whole world as evidence to the nations. And then the end will come.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	15	'So when you see the appalling abomination, of which the prophet Daniel spoke, set up in the holy place (let the reader understand),
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	16	then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains;
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	17	if anyone is on the housetop, he must not come down to collect his belongings from the house;
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	18	if anyone is in the fields, he must not turn back to fetch his cloak.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	19	Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come!
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	20	Pray that you will not have to make your escape in winter or on a Sabbath.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	21	For then there will be great distress, unparalleled since the world began, and such as will never be again.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	22	And if that time had not been shortened, no human being would have survived; but shortened that time shall be, for the sake of those who are chosen.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	23	'If anyone says to you then, "Look, here is the Christ," or "Over here," do not believe it;
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	24	for false Christs and false prophets will arise and provide great signs and portents, enough to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	25	Look! I have given you warning.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	26	'If, then, they say to you, "Look, he is in the desert," do not go there; "Look, he is in some hiding place," do not believe it;
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	27	because the coming of the Son of man will be like lightning striking in the east and flashing far into the west.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	28	Wherever the corpse is, that is where the vultures will gather.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	29	'Immediately after the distress of those days the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	30	And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven; then, too, all the peoples of the earth will beat their breasts; and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	31	And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet to gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	32	'Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	33	So with you when you see all these things: know that he is near, right at the gates.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	34	In truth I tell you, before this generation has passed away, all these things will have taken place.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	35	Sky and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	36	But as for that day and hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, no one but the Father alone.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	37	'As it was in Noah's day, so will it be when the Son of man comes.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	38	For in those days before the Flood people were eating, drinking, taking wives, taking husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark,
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	39	and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept them all away. This is what it will be like when the Son of man comes.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	40	Then of two men in the fields, one is taken, one left;
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	41	of two women grinding at the mill, one is taken, one left.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	42	'So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	43	You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	44	Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	45	'Who, then, is the wise and trustworthy servant whom the master placed over his household to give them their food at the proper time?
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	46	Blessed that servant if his master's arrival finds him doing exactly that.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	47	In truth I tell you, he will put him in charge of everything he owns.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	48	But if the servant is dishonest and says to himself, "My master is taking his time,"
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	49	and sets about beating his fellow-servants and eating and drinking with drunkards,
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	50	his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know.
 Matthew	Mt	47	24	51	The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	1	'Then the kingdom of Heaven will be like this: Ten wedding attendants took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	2	Five of them were foolish and five were sensible:
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	3	the foolish ones, though they took their lamps, took no oil with them,
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	4	whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	5	The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	6	But at midnight there was a cry, "Look! The bridegroom! Go out and meet him."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	7	Then all those wedding attendants woke up and trimmed their lamps,
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	8	and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, "Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	9	But they replied, "There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	10	They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	11	The other attendants arrived later. "Lord, Lord," they said, "open the door for us."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	12	But he replied, "In truth I tell you, I do not know you."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	13	So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	14	'It is like a man about to go abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	15	To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one, each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out on his journey.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	16	The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	17	The man who had received two made two more in the same way.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	18	But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	19	Now a long time afterwards, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	20	The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. "Sir," he said, "you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	21	His master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have shown you are trustworthy in small things; I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	22	Next the man with the two talents came forward. "Sir," he said, "you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	23	His master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have shown you are trustworthy in small things; I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	24	Last came forward the man who had the single talent. "Sir," said he, "I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you had not sown and gathering where you had not scattered;
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	25	so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	26	But his master answered him, "You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered?
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	27	Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have got my money back with interest.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	28	So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the ten talents.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	29	For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but anyone who has not, will be deprived even of what he has.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	30	As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	31	'When the Son of man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	32	All nations will be assembled before him and he will separate people one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	33	He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	34	Then the King will say to those on his right hand, "Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take as your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	35	For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome,
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	36	lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	37	Then the upright will say to him in reply, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	38	When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome, lacking clothes and clothe you?
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	39	When did we find you sick or in prison and go to see you?"
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	40	And the King will answer, "In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	41	Then he will say to those on his left hand, "Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	42	For I was hungry and you never gave me food, I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink,
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	43	I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, lacking clothes and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	44	Then it will be their turn to ask, "Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or lacking clothes, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?"
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	45	Then he will answer, "In truth I tell you, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me."
 Matthew	Mt	47	25	46	And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the upright to eternal life.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	1	Jesus had now finished all he wanted to say, and he told his disciples,
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	2	'It will be Passover, as you know, in two days' time, and the Son of man will be handed over to be crucified.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	3	Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	4	and made plans to arrest Jesus by some trick and have him put to death.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	5	They said, however, 'It must not be during the festivities; there must be no disturbance among the people.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	6	Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon, a man who had suffered from a virulent skin-disease, when
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	7	a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and poured it on his head as he was at table.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	8	When they saw this, the disciples said indignantly, 'Why this waste?
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	9	This could have been sold for a high price and the money given the poor.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	10	But Jesus noticed this and said, 'Why are you upsetting the woman? What she has done for me is indeed a good work!
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	11	You have the poor with you always, but you will not always have me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	12	When she poured this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	13	In truth I tell you, wherever in all the world this gospel is proclaimed, what she has done will be told as well, in remembrance of her.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	14	Then one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	15	and said, 'What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?' They paid him thirty silver pieces,
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	16	and from then onwards he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	17	Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, 'Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	18	He said, 'Go to a certain man in the city and say to him, "The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples." '
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	19	The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	20	When evening came he was at table with the Twelve.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	21	And while they were eating he said, 'In truth I tell you, one of you is about to betray me.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	22	They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, 'Not me, Lord, surely?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	23	He answered, 'Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	24	The Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	25	Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, 'Not me, Rabbi, surely?' Jesus answered, 'It is you who say it.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	26	Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to the disciples. 'Take it and eat,' he said, 'this is my body.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	27	Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he handed it to them saying, 'Drink from this, all of you,
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	28	for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	29	From now on, I tell you, I shall never again drink wine until the day I drink the new wine with you in the kingdom of my Father.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	30	After the psalms had been sung they left for the Mount of Olives.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	31	Then Jesus said to them, 'You will all fall away from me tonight, for the scripture says: I shall strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered,
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	32	but after my resurrection I shall go ahead of you to Galilee.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	33	At this, Peter said to him, 'Even if all fall away from you, I will never fall away.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	34	Jesus answered him, 'In truth I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will have disowned me three times.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	35	Peter said to him, 'Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.' And all the disciples said the same.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	36	Then Jesus came with them to a plot of land called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, 'Stay here while I go over there to pray.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	37	He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. And he began to feel sadness and anguish.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	38	Then he said to them, 'My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here and stay awake with me.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	39	And going on a little further he fell on his face and prayed. 'My Father,' he said, 'if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	40	He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, 'So you had not the strength to stay awake with me for one hour?
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	41	Stay awake, and pray not to be put to the test. The spirit is willing enough, but human nature is weak.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	42	Again, a second time, he went away and prayed: 'My Father,' he said, 'if this cup cannot pass by, but I must drink it, your will be done!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	43	And he came back again and found them sleeping, their eyes were so heavy.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	44	Leaving them there, he went away again and prayed for the third time, repeating the same words.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	45	Then he came back to the disciples and said to them, 'You can sleep on now and have your rest. Look, the hour has come when the Son of man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinners.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	46	Get up! Let us go! Look, my betrayer is not far away.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	47	And suddenly while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared, and with him a large number of men armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	48	Now the traitor had arranged a sign with them saying, 'The one I kiss, he is the man. Arrest him.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	49	So he went up to Jesus at once and said, 'Greetings, Rabbi,' and kissed him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	50	Jesus said to him, 'My friend, do what you are here for.' Then they came forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	51	And suddenly, one of the followers of Jesus grasped his sword and drew it; he struck the high priest's servant and cut off his ear.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	52	Jesus then said, 'Put your sword back, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	53	Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, who would promptly send more than twelve legions of angels to my defence?
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	54	But then, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this is the way it must be?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	55	It was at this time that Jesus said to the crowds, 'Am I a bandit, that you had to set out to capture me with swords and clubs? I sat teaching in the Temple day after day and you never laid a hand on me.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	56	Now all this happened to fulfil the prophecies in scripture. Then all the disciples deserted him and ran away.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	57	The men who had arrested Jesus led him off to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	58	Peter followed him at a distance right to the high priest's palace, and he went in and sat down with the attendants to see what the end would be.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	59	The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus, however false, on which they might have him executed.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	60	But they could not find any, though several lying witnesses came forward. Eventually two came forward
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	61	and made a statement, 'This man said, "I have power to destroy the Temple of God and in three days build it up." '
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	62	The high priest then rose and said to him, 'Have you no answer to that? What is this evidence these men are bringing against you?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	63	But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, 'I put you on oath by the living God to tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	64	Jesus answered him, 'It is you who say it. But, I tell you that from this time onward you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	65	Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, 'He has blasphemed. What need of witnesses have we now? There! You have just heard the blasphemy.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	66	What is your opinion?' They answered, 'He deserves to die.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	67	Then they spat in his face and hit him with their fists; others said as they struck him,
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	68	'Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit you then?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	69	Meanwhile Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came up to him saying, 'You, too, were with Jesus the Galilean.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	70	But he denied it in front of them all. 'I do not know what you are talking about,' he said.
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	71	When he went out to the gateway another servant-girl saw him and said to the people there, 'This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	72	And again, with an oath, he denied it, 'I do not know the man.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	73	A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, 'You are certainly one of them too! Why, your accent gives you away.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	74	Then he started cursing and swearing, 'I do not know the man.' And at once the cock crowed,
 Matthew	Mt	47	26	75	and Peter remembered what Jesus had said, 'Before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	1	When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people met in council to bring about the death of Jesus.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	2	They had him bound and led him away to hand him over to Pilate, the governor.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	3	When he found that Jesus had been condemned, then Judas, his betrayer, was filled with remorse and took the thirty silver pieces back to the chief priests and elders
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	4	saying, 'I have sinned. I have betrayed innocent blood.' They replied, 'What is that to us? That is your concern.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	5	And flinging down the silver pieces in the sanctuary he made off, and went and hanged himself.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	6	The chief priests picked up the silver pieces and said, 'It is against the Law to put this into the treasury; it is blood-money.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	7	So they discussed the matter and with it bought the potter's field as a graveyard for foreigners,
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	8	and this is why the field is still called the Field of Blood.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	9	The word spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was then fulfilled: And they took the thirty silver pieces, the sum at which the precious One was priced by the children of Israel,
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	10	and they gave them for the potter's field, just as the Lord directed me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	11	Jesus, then, was brought before the governor, and the governor put to him this question, 'Are you the king of the Jews?' Jesus replied, 'It is you who say it.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	12	But when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders he refused to answer at all.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	13	Pilate then said to him, 'Do you not hear how many charges they have made against you?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	14	But to the governor's amazement, he offered not a word in answer to any of the charges.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	15	At festival time it was the governor's practice to release a prisoner for the people, anyone they chose.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	16	Now there was then a notorious prisoner whose name was Barabbas.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	17	So when the crowd gathered, Pilate said to them, 'Which do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	18	For Pilate knew it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	19	Now as he was seated in the chair of judgement, his wife sent him a message, 'Have nothing to do with that upright man; I have been extremely upset today by a dream that I had about him.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	20	The chief priests and the elders, however, had persuaded the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas and the execution of Jesus.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	21	So when the governor spoke and asked them, 'Which of the two do you want me to release for you?' they said, 'Barabbas.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	22	Pilate said to them, 'But in that case, what am I to do with Jesus who is called Christ?' They all said, 'Let him be crucified!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	23	He asked, 'But what harm has he done?' But they shouted all the louder, 'Let him be crucified!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	24	Then Pilate saw that he was making no impression, that in fact a riot was imminent. So he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd and said, 'I am innocent of this man's blood. It is your concern.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	25	And the people, every one of them, shouted back, 'Let his blood be on us and on our children!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	26	Then he released Barabbas for them. After having Jesus scourged he handed him over to be crucified.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	27	Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus with them into the Praetorium and collected the whole cohort round him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	28	And they stripped him and put a scarlet cloak round him,
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	29	and having twisted some thorns into a crown they put this on his head and placed a reed in his right hand. To make fun of him they knelt to him saying, 'Hail, king of the Jews!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	30	And they spat on him and took the reed and struck him on the head with it.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	31	And when they had finished making fun of him, they took off the cloak and dressed him in his own clothes and led him away to crucifixion.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	32	On their way out, they came across a man from Cyrene, called Simon, and enlisted him to carry his cross.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	33	When they had reached a place called Golgotha, that is, the place of the skull,
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	34	they gave him wine to drink mixed with gall, which he tasted but refused to drink.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	35	When they had finished crucifying him they shared out his clothing by casting lots,
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	36	and then sat down and stayed there keeping guard over him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	37	Above his head was placed the charge against him; it read: 'This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	38	Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	39	The passers-by jeered at him; they shook their heads
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	40	and said, 'So you would destroy the Temple and in three days rebuild it! Then save yourself if you are God's son and come down from the cross!'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	41	The chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him in the same way,
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	42	with the words, 'He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the king of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	43	He has put his trust in God; now let God rescue him if he wants him. For he did say, "I am God's son." '
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	44	Even the bandits who were crucified with him taunted him in the same way.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	45	From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	46	And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, eli, lama sabachthani?' that is, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	47	When some of those who stood there heard this, they said, 'The man is calling on Elijah,'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	48	and one of them quickly ran to get a sponge which he filled with vinegar and, putting it on a reed, gave it him to drink.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	49	But the rest of them said, 'Wait! And see if Elijah will come to save him.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	50	But Jesus, again crying out in a loud voice, yielded up his spirit.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	51	And suddenly, the veil of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, the rocks were split,
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	52	the tombs opened and the bodies of many holy people rose from the dead,
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	53	and these, after his resurrection, came out of the tombs, entered the holy city and appeared to a number of people.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	54	The centurion, together with the others guarding Jesus, had seen the earthquake and all that was taking place, and they were terrified and said, 'In truth this man was son of God.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	55	And many women were there, watching from a distance, the same women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and looked after him.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	56	Among them were Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	57	When it was evening, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, called Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	58	This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be handed over.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	59	So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean shroud
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	60	and put it in his own new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a large stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	61	Now Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulchre.
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	62	Next day, that is, when Preparation Day was over, the chief priests and the Pharisees went in a body to Pilate
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	63	and said to him, 'Your Excellency, we recall that this impostor said, while he was still alive, "After three days I shall rise again."
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	64	Therefore give the order to have the sepulchre kept secure until the third day, for fear his disciples come and steal him away and tell the people, "He has risen from the dead." This last piece of fraud would be worse than what went before.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	65	Pilate said to them, 'You may have your guard; go and make all as secure as you know how.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	27	66	So they went and made the sepulchre secure, putting seals on the stone and mounting a guard.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	1	After the Sabbath, and towards dawn on the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to visit the sepulchre.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	2	And suddenly there was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled away the stone and sat on it.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	3	His face was like lightning, his robe white as snow.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	4	The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they were like dead men.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	5	But the angel spoke; and he said to the women, 'There is no need for you to be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	6	He is not here, for he has risen, as he said he would. Come and see the place where he lay,
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	7	then go quickly and tell his disciples, "He has risen from the dead and now he is going ahead of you to Galilee; that is where you will see him." Look! I have told you.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	8	Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	9	And suddenly, coming to meet them, was Jesus. 'Greetings,' he said. And the women came up to him and, clasping his feet, they did him homage.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	10	Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; there they will see me.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	11	Now while they were on their way, some of the guards went off into the city to tell the chief priests all that had happened.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	12	These held a meeting with the elders and, after some discussion, handed a considerable sum of money to the soldiers
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	13	with these instructions, 'This is what you must say, "His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep."
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	14	And should the governor come to hear of this, we undertake to put things right with him ourselves and to see that you do not get into trouble.'
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	15	So they took the money and carried out their instructions, and to this day that is the story among the Jews.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	16	Meanwhile the eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	17	When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	18	Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	19	Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
 Matthew	Mt	47	28	20	and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	1	The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	2	It is written in the prophet Isaiah: Look, I am going to send my messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	3	A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	4	John the Baptist was in the desert, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	5	All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	6	John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	7	In the course of his preaching he said, 'After me is coming someone who is more powerful than me, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	8	I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	9	It was at this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	10	And at once, as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	11	And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	12	And at once the Spirit drove him into the desert
 Mark	Mk	48	1	13	and he remained there for forty days, and was put to the test by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels looked after him.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	14	After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the gospel from God saying,
 Mark	Mk	48	1	15	'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel.'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	16	As he was walking along by the Lake of Galilee he saw Simon and Simon's brother Andrew casting a net in the lake -- for they were fishermen.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	17	And Jesus said to them, 'Come after me and I will make you into fishers of people.'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	18	And at once they left their nets and followed him.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	19	Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending the nets.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	20	At once he called them and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	21	They went as far as Capernaum, and at once on the Sabbath he went into the synagogue and began to teach.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	22	And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	23	And at once in their synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit, and he shouted,
 Mark	Mk	48	1	24	'What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	25	But Jesus rebuked it saying, 'Be quiet! Come out of him!'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	26	And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	27	The people were so astonished that they started asking one another what it all meant, saying, 'Here is a teaching that is new, and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	28	And his reputation at once spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	29	And at once on leaving the synagogue, he went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	30	Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed and feverish, and at once they told him about her.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	31	He went in to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to serve them.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	32	That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	33	The whole town came crowding round the door,
 Mark	Mk	48	1	34	and he cured many who were sick with diseases of one kind or another; he also drove out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	35	In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house and went off to a lonely place and prayed there.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	36	Simon and his companions set out in search of him,
 Mark	Mk	48	1	37	and when they found him they said, 'Everybody is looking for you.'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	38	He answered, 'Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can proclaim the message there too, because that is why I came.'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	39	And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out devils.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	40	A man suffering from a virulent skin-disease came to him and pleaded on his knees saying, 'If you are willing, you can cleanse me.'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	41	Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said to him, 'I am willing. Be cleansed.'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	42	And at once the skin-disease left him and he was cleansed.
 Mark	Mk	48	1	43	And at once Jesus sternly sent him away and said to him,
 Mark	Mk	48	1	44	'Mind you tell no one anything, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your cleansing prescribed by Moses as evidence to them.'
 Mark	Mk	48	1	45	The man went away, but then started freely proclaiming and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but stayed outside in deserted places. Even so, people from all around kept coming to him.
 Mark	Mk	48	2	1	When he returned to Capernaum, some time later word went round that he was in the house;
 Mark	Mk	48	2	2	and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them
 Mark	Mk	48	2	3	when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men,
 Mark	Mk	48	2	4	but as they could not get the man to him through the crowd, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay.
 Mark	Mk	48	2	5	Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, 'My child, your sins are forgiven.'
 Mark	Mk	48	2	6	Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves,
 Mark	Mk	48	2	7	'How can this man talk like that? He is being blasphemous. Who but God can forgive sins?'
 Mark	Mk	48	2	8	And at once, Jesus, inwardly aware that this is what they were thinking, said to them, 'Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts?
 Mark	Mk	48	2	9	Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven" or to say, "Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk"?
 Mark	Mk	48	2	10	But to prove to you that the Son of man has authority to forgive sins on earth' --
 Mark	Mk	48	2	11	he said to the paralytic-'I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.'
 Mark	Mk	48	2	12	And the man got up, and at once picked up his stretcher and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astonished and praised God saying, 'We have never seen anything like this.'
 Mark	Mk	48	2	13	He went out again to the shore of the lake; and all the people came to him, and he taught them.
 Mark	Mk	48	2	14	As he was walking along he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he got up and followed him.
 Mark	Mk	48	2	15	When Jesus was at dinner in his house, a number of tax collectors and sinners were also sitting at table with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many of them among his followers.
 Mark	Mk	48	2	16	When the scribes of the Pharisee party saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, 'Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?'
 Mark	Mk	48	2	17	When Jesus heard this he said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I came to call not the upright, but sinners.'
 Mark	Mk	48	2	18	John's disciples and the Pharisees were keeping a fast, when some people came to him and said to him, 'Why is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?'
 Mark	Mk	48	2	19	Jesus replied, 'Surely the bridegroom's attendants cannot fast while the bridegroom is still with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
 Mark	Mk	48	2	20	But the time will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then, on that day, they will fast.
 Mark	Mk	48	2	21	No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.
 Mark	Mk	48	2	22	And nobody puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins too. No! New wine into fresh skins!'
 Mark	Mk	48	2	23	It happened that one Sabbath day he was taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples began to make a path by plucking ears of corn.
 Mark	Mk	48	2	24	And the Pharisees said to him, 'Look, why are they doing something on the Sabbath day that is forbidden?'
 Mark	Mk	48	2	25	And he replied, 'Have you never read what David did in his time of need when he and his followers were hungry-
 Mark	Mk	48	2	26	how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the loaves of the offering which only the priests are allowed to eat, and how he also gave some to the men with him?'
 Mark	Mk	48	2	27	And he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath;
 Mark	Mk	48	2	28	so the Son of man is master even of the Sabbath.'
 Mark	Mk	48	3	1	Another time he went into the synagogue, and there was a man present whose hand was withered.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	2	And they were watching him to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath day, hoping for something to charge him with.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	3	He said to the man with the withered hand, 'Get up and stand in the middle!'
 Mark	Mk	48	3	4	Then he said to them, 'Is it permitted on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?' But they said nothing.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	5	Then he looked angrily round at them, grieved to find them so obstinate, and said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He stretched it out and his hand was restored.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	6	The Pharisees went out and began at once to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	7	Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, and great crowds from Galilee followed him. From Judaea,
 Mark	Mk	48	3	8	and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea and Transjordan and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	9	And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	10	For he had cured so many that all who were afflicted in any way were crowding forward to touch him.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	11	And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, would fall down before him and shout, 'You are the Son of God!'
 Mark	Mk	48	3	12	But he warned them strongly not to make him known.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	13	He now went up onto the mountain and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him
 Mark	Mk	48	3	14	and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to proclaim the message,
 Mark	Mk	48	3	15	with power to drive out devils.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	16	And so he appointed the Twelve, Simon to whom he gave the name Peter,
 Mark	Mk	48	3	17	James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or 'Sons of Thunder';
 Mark	Mk	48	3	18	Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot
 Mark	Mk	48	3	19	and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	20	He went home again, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	21	When his relations heard of this, they set out to take charge of him; they said, 'He is out of his mind.'
 Mark	Mk	48	3	22	The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, 'Beelzebul is in him,' and, 'It is through the prince of devils that he drives devils out.'
 Mark	Mk	48	3	23	So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables,
 Mark	Mk	48	3	24	'How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	25	And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never last.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	26	Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot last either -- it is the end of him.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	27	But no one can make his way into a strong man's house and plunder his property unless he has first tied up the strong man. Only then can he plunder his house.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	28	'In truth I tell you, all human sins will be forgiven, and all the blasphemies ever uttered;
 Mark	Mk	48	3	29	but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin.'
 Mark	Mk	48	3	30	This was because they were saying, 'There is an unclean spirit in him.'
 Mark	Mk	48	3	31	Now his mother and his brothers arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	32	A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, 'Look, your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.'
 Mark	Mk	48	3	33	He replied, 'Who are my mother and my brothers?'
 Mark	Mk	48	3	34	And looking at those sitting in a circle round him, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers.
 Mark	Mk	48	3	35	Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.'
 Mark	Mk	48	4	1	Again he began to teach them by the lakeside, but such a huge crowd gathered round him that he got into a boat on the water and sat there. The whole crowd were at the lakeside on land.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	2	He taught them many things in parables, and in the course of his teaching he said to them,
 Mark	Mk	48	4	3	'Listen! Imagine a sower going out to sow.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	4	Now it happened that, as he sowed, some of the seed fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	5	Some seed fell on rocky ground where it found little soil and at once sprang up, because there was no depth of earth;
 Mark	Mk	48	4	6	and when the sun came up it was scorched and, not having any roots, it withered away.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	7	Some seed fell into thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no crop.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	8	And some seeds fell into rich soil, grew tall and strong, and produced a good crop; the yield was thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold.'
 Mark	Mk	48	4	9	And he said, 'Anyone who has ears for listening should listen!'
 Mark	Mk	48	4	10	When he was alone, the Twelve, together with the others who formed his company, asked what the parables meant.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	11	He told them, 'To you is granted the secret of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside everything comes in parables,
 Mark	Mk	48	4	12	so that they may look and look, but never perceive; listen and listen, but never understand; to avoid changing their ways and being healed.'
 Mark	Mk	48	4	13	He said to them, 'Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?
 Mark	Mk	48	4	14	What the sower is sowing is the word.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	15	Those on the edge of the path where the word is sown are people who have no sooner heard it than Satan at once comes and carries away the word that was sown in them.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	16	Similarly, those who are sown on patches of rock are people who, when first they hear the word, welcome it at once with joy.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	17	But they have no root deep down and do not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, at once they fall away.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	18	Then there are others who are sown in thorns. These have heard the word,
 Mark	Mk	48	4	19	but the worries of the world, the lure of riches and all the other passions come in to choke the word, and so it produces nothing.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	20	And there are those who have been sown in rich soil; they hear the word and accept it and yield a harvest, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.'
 Mark	Mk	48	4	21	He also said to them, 'Is a lamp brought in to be put under a tub or under the bed? Surely to be put on the lamp-stand?
 Mark	Mk	48	4	22	For there is nothing hidden, but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	23	Anyone who has ears for listening should listen!'
 Mark	Mk	48	4	24	He also said to them, 'Take notice of what you are hearing. The standard you use will be used for you -- and you will receive more besides;
 Mark	Mk	48	4	25	anyone who has, will be given more; anyone who has not, will be deprived even of what he has.'
 Mark	Mk	48	4	26	He also said, 'This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the land.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	27	Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	28	Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	29	And when the crop is ready, at once he starts to reap because the harvest has come.'
 Mark	Mk	48	4	30	He also said, 'What can we say that the kingdom is like? What parable can we find for it?
 Mark	Mk	48	4	31	It is like a mustard seed which, at the time of its sowing, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	32	Yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.'
 Mark	Mk	48	4	33	Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	34	He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were by themselves.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	35	With the coming of evening that same day, he said to them, 'Let us cross over to the other side.'
 Mark	Mk	48	4	36	And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	37	Then it began to blow a great gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	38	But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	39	They woke him and said to him, 'Master, do you not care? We are lost!' And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Quiet now! Be calm!' And the wind dropped, and there followed a great calm.
 Mark	Mk	48	4	40	Then he said to them, 'Why are you so frightened? Have you still no faith?'
 Mark	Mk	48	4	41	They were overcome with awe and said to one another, 'Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	1	They reached the territory of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake,
 Mark	Mk	48	5	2	and when he disembarked, a man with an unclean spirit at once came out from the tombs towards him.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	3	The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain,
 Mark	Mk	48	5	4	because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	5	All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	6	Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet
 Mark	Mk	48	5	7	and shouted at the top of his voice, 'What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? In God's name do not torture me!'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	8	For Jesus had been saying to him, 'Come out of the man, unclean spirit.'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	9	Then he asked, 'What is your name?' He answered, 'My name is Legion, for there are many of us.'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	10	And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	11	Now on the mountainside there was a great herd of pigs feeding,
 Mark	Mk	48	5	12	and the unclean spirits begged him, 'Send us to the pigs, let us go into them.'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	13	So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake, and there they were drowned.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	14	The men looking after them ran off and told their story in the city and in the country round about; and the people came to see what had really happened.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	15	They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there -- the man who had had the legion in him -- properly dressed and in his full senses, and they were afraid.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	16	And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	17	Then they began to implore Jesus to leave their neighbourhood.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	18	As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	19	Jesus would not let him but said to him, 'Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	20	So the man went off and proceeded to proclaim in the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	21	When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lake.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	22	Then the president of the synagogue came up, named Jairus, and seeing him, fell at his feet
 Mark	Mk	48	5	23	and begged him earnestly, saying, 'My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her that she may be saved and may live.'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	24	Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	25	Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years;
 Mark	Mk	48	5	26	after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she had spent all she had without being any the better for it; in fact, she was getting worse.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	27	She had heard about Jesus, and she came up through the crowd and touched his cloak from behind, thinking,
 Mark	Mk	48	5	28	'If I can just touch his clothes, I shall be saved.'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	29	And at once the source of the bleeding dried up, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	30	And at once aware of the power that had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my clothes?'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	31	His disciples said to him, 'You see how the crowd is pressing round you; how can you ask, "Who touched me?" '
 Mark	Mk	48	5	32	But he continued to look all round to see who had done it.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	33	Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	34	'My daughter,' he said, 'your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free of your complaint.'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	35	While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the president of the synagogue to say, 'Your daughter is dead; why put the Master to any further trouble?'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	36	But Jesus overheard what they said and he said to the president of the synagogue, 'Do not be afraid; only have faith.'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	37	And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	38	So they came to the house of the president of the synagogue, and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	39	He went in and said to them, 'Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	40	But they ridiculed him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child's father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay.
 Mark	Mk	48	5	41	And taking the child by the hand he said to her, 'Talitha kum!' which means, 'Little girl, I tell you to get up.'
 Mark	Mk	48	5	42	The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At once they were overcome with astonishment,
 Mark	Mk	48	5	43	and he gave them strict orders not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	1	Leaving that district, he went to his home town, and his disciples accompanied him.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	2	With the coming of the Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, 'Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him?
 Mark	Mk	48	6	3	This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?' And they would not accept him.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	4	And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is despised only in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house';
 Mark	Mk	48	6	5	and he could work no miracle there, except that he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	6	He was amazed at their lack of faith. He made a tour round the villages, teaching.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	7	Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	8	And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	9	They were to wear sandals but, he added, 'Don't take a spare tunic.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	10	And he said to them, 'If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	11	And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust under your feet as evidence to them.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	12	So they set off to proclaim repentance;
 Mark	Mk	48	6	13	and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	14	King Herod had heard about him, since by now his name was well known. Some were saying, 'John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	15	Others said, 'He is Elijah,' others again, 'He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	16	But when Herod heard this he said, 'It is John whose head I cut off; he has risen from the dead.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	17	Now it was this same Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife whom he had married.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	18	For John had told Herod, 'It is against the law for you to have your brother's wife.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	19	As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him, but she was not able to do so,
 Mark	Mk	48	6	20	because Herod was in awe of John, knowing him to be a good and upright man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	21	An opportunity came on Herod's birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	22	When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, 'Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	23	And he swore her an oath, 'I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	24	She went out and said to her mother, 'What shall I ask for?' She replied, 'The head of John the Baptist.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	25	The girl at once rushed back to the king and made her request, 'I want you to give me John the Baptist's head, immediately, on a dish.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	26	The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	27	At once the king sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John's head.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	28	The man went off and beheaded him in the prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	29	When John's disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	30	The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	31	And he said to them, 'Come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while'; for there were so many coming and going that there was no time for them even to eat.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	32	So they went off in the boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	33	But people saw them going, and many recognised them; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	34	So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	35	By now it was getting very late, and his disciples came up to him and said, 'This is a lonely place and it is getting very late,
 Mark	Mk	48	6	36	so send them away, and they can go to the farms and villages round about, to buy themselves something to eat.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	37	He replied, 'Give them something to eat yourselves.' They answered, 'Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	38	He asked, 'How many loaves have you? Go and see.' And when they had found out they said, 'Five, and two fish.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	39	Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass,
 Mark	Mk	48	6	40	and they sat down on the ground in squares of hundreds and fifties.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	41	Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing; then he broke the loaves and began handing them to his disciples to distribute among the people. He also shared out the two fish among them all.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	42	They all ate as much as they wanted.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	43	They collected twelve basketfuls of scraps of bread and pieces of fish.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	44	Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	45	And at once he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side near Bethsaida, while he himself sent the crowd away.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	46	After saying goodbye to them he went off into the hills to pray.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	47	When evening came, the boat was far out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	48	He could see that they were hard pressed in their rowing, for the wind was against them; and about the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the sea. He was going to pass them by,
 Mark	Mk	48	6	49	but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost and cried out;
 Mark	Mk	48	6	50	for they had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke to them and said, 'Courage! It's me! Don't be afraid.'
 Mark	Mk	48	6	51	Then he got into the boat with them and the wind dropped. They were utterly and completely dumbfounded,
 Mark	Mk	48	6	52	because they had not seen what the miracle of the loaves meant; their minds were closed.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	53	Having made the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored there.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	54	When they disembarked people at once recognised him,
 Mark	Mk	48	6	55	and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was.
 Mark	Mk	48	6	56	And wherever he went, to village or town or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were saved.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	1	The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round him,
 Mark	Mk	48	7	2	and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	3	For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, keep the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow;
 Mark	Mk	48	7	4	and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them to keep, concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	5	So the Pharisees and scribes asked him, 'Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?'
 Mark	Mk	48	7	6	He answered, 'How rightly Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites in the passage of scripture: This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	7	Their reverence of me is worthless; the lessons they teach are nothing but human commandments.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	8	You put aside the commandment of God to observe human traditions.'
 Mark	Mk	48	7	9	And he said to them, 'How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition!
 Mark	Mk	48	7	10	For Moses said: Honour your father and your mother, and, Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	11	But you say, "If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Korban (that is, dedicated to God),"
 Mark	Mk	48	7	12	then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	13	In this way you make God's word ineffective for the sake of your tradition which you have handed down. And you do many other things like this.'
 Mark	Mk	48	7	14	He called the people to him again and said, 'Listen to me, all of you, and understand.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	15	Nothing that goes into someone from outside can make that person unclean; it is the things that come out of someone that make that person unclean.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	16	Anyone who has ears for listening should listen!'
 Mark	Mk	48	7	17	When he had gone into the house, away from the crowd, his disciples questioned him about the parable.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	18	He said to them, 'Even you -- don't you understand? Can't you see that nothing that goes into someone from outside can make that person unclean,
 Mark	Mk	48	7	19	because it goes not into the heart but into the stomach and passes into the sewer?
 Mark	Mk	48	7	20	And he went on, 'It is what comes out of someone that makes that person unclean.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	21	For it is from within, from the heart, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder,
 Mark	Mk	48	7	22	adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	23	All these evil things come from within and make a person unclean.'
 Mark	Mk	48	7	24	He left that place and set out for the territory of Tyre. There he went into a house and did not want anyone to know he was there; but he could not pass unrecognised.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	25	At once a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him and came and fell at his feet.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	26	Now this woman was a gentile, by birth a Syro-Phoenician, and she begged him to drive the devil out of her daughter.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	27	And he said to her, 'The children should be fed first, because it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to little dogs.'
 Mark	Mk	48	7	28	But she spoke up, 'Ah yes, sir,' she replied, 'but little dogs under the table eat the scraps from the children.'
 Mark	Mk	48	7	29	And he said to her, 'For saying this you may go home happy; the devil has gone out of your daughter.'
 Mark	Mk	48	7	30	So she went off home and found the child lying on the bed and the devil gone.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	31	Returning from the territory of Tyre, he went by way of Sidon towards the Lake of Galilee, right through the Decapolis territory.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	32	And they brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they asked him to lay his hand on him.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	33	He took him aside to be by themselves, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man's ears and touched his tongue with spittle.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	34	Then looking up to heaven he sighed; and he said to him, 'Ephphatha,' that is, 'Be opened.'
 Mark	Mk	48	7	35	And his ears were opened, and at once the impediment of his tongue was loosened and he spoke clearly.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	36	And Jesus ordered them to tell no one about it, but the more he insisted, the more widely they proclaimed it.
 Mark	Mk	48	7	37	Their admiration was unbounded, and they said, 'Everything he does is good, he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	1	And now once again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat. So he called his disciples to him and said to them,
 Mark	Mk	48	8	2	'I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	3	If I send them off home hungry they will collapse on the way; some have come a great distance.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	4	His disciples replied, 'Where could anyone get these people enough bread to eat in a deserted place?'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	5	He asked them, 'How many loaves have you?' And they said to him, 'Seven.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	6	Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and began handing them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them among the crowd.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	7	They had a few small fishes as well, and over these he said a blessing and ordered them to be distributed too.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	8	They ate as much as they wanted, and they collected seven basketfuls of the scraps left over.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	9	Now there had been about four thousand people. He sent them away
 Mark	Mk	48	8	10	and at once, getting into the boat with his disciples, went to the region of Dalmanutha.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	11	The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with him; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to put him to the test.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	12	And with a profound sigh he said, 'Why does this generation demand a sign? In truth I tell you, no sign shall be given to this generation.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	13	And, leaving them again, he re-embarked and went away to the other side.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	14	The disciples had forgotten to take any bread and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	15	Then he gave them this warning, 'Keep your eyes open; look out for the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	16	And they said to one another, 'It is because we have no bread.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	17	And Jesus knew it, and he said to them, 'Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not understand, still not realise? Are your minds closed?
 Mark	Mk	48	8	18	Have you eyes and do not see, ears and do not hear? Or do you not remember?
 Mark	Mk	48	8	19	When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?' They answered, 'Twelve.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	20	'And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?' And they answered, 'Seven.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	21	Then he said to them, 'Do you still not realise?'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	22	They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man whom they begged him to touch.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	23	He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Then, putting spittle on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked, 'Can you see anything?'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	24	The man, who was beginning to see, replied, 'I can see people; they look like trees as they walk around.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	25	Then he laid his hands on the man's eyes again and he saw clearly; he was cured, and he could see everything plainly and distinctly.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	26	And Jesus sent him home, saying, 'Do not even go into the village.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	27	Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, 'Who do people say I am?'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	28	And they told him, 'John the Baptist, others Elijah, others again, one of the prophets.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	29	'But you,' he asked them, 'who do you say I am?' Peter spoke up and said to him, 'You are the Christ.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	30	And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	31	Then he began to teach them that the Son of man was destined to suffer grievously, and to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be put to death, and after three days to rise again;
 Mark	Mk	48	8	32	and he said all this quite openly. Then, taking him aside, Peter tried to rebuke him.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	33	But, turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said to him, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are thinking not as God thinks, but as human beings do.'
 Mark	Mk	48	8	34	He called the people and his disciples to him and said, 'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	35	Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
 Mark	Mk	48	8	36	What gain, then, is it for anyone to win the whole world and forfeit his life?
 Mark	Mk	48	8	37	And indeed what can anyone offer in exchange for his life?
 Mark	Mk	48	8	38	For if anyone in this sinful and adulterous generation is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	1	And he said to them, 'In truth I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	2	Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain on their own by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured:
 Mark	Mk	48	9	3	his clothes became brilliantly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	4	Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	5	Then Peter spoke to Jesus, 'Rabbi,' he said, 'it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	6	He did not know what to say; they were so frightened.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	7	And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and from the cloud there came a voice, 'This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	8	Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	9	As they were coming down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of man had risen from the dead.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	10	They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what 'rising from the dead' could mean.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	11	And they put this question to him, 'Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	12	He said to them, 'Elijah is indeed first coming to set everything right again; yet how is it that the scriptures say about the Son of man that he must suffer grievously and be treated with contempt?
 Mark	Mk	48	9	13	But I tell you that Elijah has come and they have treated him as they pleased, just as the scriptures say about him.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	14	As they were rejoining the disciples they saw a large crowd round them and some scribes arguing with them.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	15	At once, when they saw him, the whole crowd were struck with amazement and ran to greet him.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	16	And he asked them, 'What are you arguing about with them?'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	17	A man answered him from the crowd, 'Master, I have brought my son to you; there is a spirit of dumbness in him,
 Mark	Mk	48	9	18	and when it takes hold of him it throws him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and goes rigid. And I asked your disciples to drive it out and they were unable to.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	19	In reply he said to them, 'Faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	20	They brought the boy to him, and at once the spirit of dumbness threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell to the ground and lay writhing there, foaming at the mouth.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	21	Jesus asked the father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' 'From childhood,' he said,
 Mark	Mk	48	9	22	'and it has often thrown him into fire and into water, in order to destroy him.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	23	But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	24	'If you can?' retorted Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who has faith.' At once the father of the boy cried out, 'I have faith. Help my lack of faith!'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	25	And when Jesus saw that a crowd was gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit. 'Deaf and dumb spirit,' he said, 'I command you: come out of him and never enter him again.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	26	Then it threw the boy into violent convulsions and came out shouting, and the boy lay there so like a corpse that most of them said, 'He is dead.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	27	But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him up, and he was able to stand.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	28	When he had gone indoors, his disciples asked him when they were by themselves, 'Why were we unable to drive it out?'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	29	He answered, 'This is the kind that can be driven out only by prayer.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	30	After leaving that place they made their way through Galilee; and he did not want anyone to know,
 Mark	Mk	48	9	31	because he was instructing his disciples; he was telling them, 'The Son of man will be delivered into the power of men; they will put him to death; and three days after he has been put to death he will rise again.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	32	But they did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	33	They came to Capernaum, and when he got into the house he asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the road?'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	34	They said nothing, because on the road they had been arguing which of them was the greatest.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	35	So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	36	He then took a little child whom he set among them and embraced, and he said to them,
 Mark	Mk	48	9	37	'Anyone who welcomes a little child such as this in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes not me but the one who sent me.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	38	John said to him, 'Master, we saw someone who is not one of us driving out devils in your name, and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.'
 Mark	Mk	48	9	39	But Jesus said, 'You must not stop him; no one who works a miracle in my name could soon afterwards speak evil of me.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	40	Anyone who is not against us is for us.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	41	'If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, then in truth I tell you, he will most certainly not lose his reward.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	42	'But anyone who is the downfall of one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone hung round his neck.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	43	And if your hand should be your downfall, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that can never be put out.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	44
 Mark	Mk	48	9	45	And if your foot should be your downfall, cut it off; it is better for you enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	46
 Mark	Mk	48	9	47	And if your eye should be your downfall, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell
 Mark	Mk	48	9	48	where their worm will never die nor their fire be put out.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	49	For everyone will be salted with fire.
 Mark	Mk	48	9	50	Salt is a good thing, but if salt has become insipid, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	1	After leaving there, he came into the territory of Judaea and Transjordan. And again crowds gathered round him, and again he taught them, as his custom was.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	2	Some Pharisees approached him and asked, 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?' They were putting him to the test.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	3	He answered them, 'What did Moses command you?'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	4	They replied, 'Moses allowed us to draw up a writ of dismissal in cases of divorce.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	5	Then Jesus said to them, 'It was because you were so hard hearted that he wrote this commandment for you.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	6	But from the beginning of creation he made them male and female.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	7	This is why a man leaves his father and mother,
 Mark	Mk	48	10	8	and the two become one flesh. They are no longer two, therefore, but one flesh.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	9	So then, what God has united, human beings must not divide.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	10	Back in the house the disciples questioned him again about this,
 Mark	Mk	48	10	11	and he said to them, 'Whoever divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery against her.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	12	And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another she is guilty of adultery too.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	13	People were bringing little children to him, for him to touch them. The disciples scolded them,
 Mark	Mk	48	10	14	but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	15	In truth I tell you, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	16	Then he embraced them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	17	He was setting out on a journey when a man ran up, knelt before him and put this question to him, 'Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	18	Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	19	You know the commandments: You shall not kill; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	20	And he said to him, 'Master, I have kept all these since my earliest days.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	21	Jesus looked steadily at him and he was filled with love for him, and he said, 'You need to do one thing more. Go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	22	But his face fell at these words and he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	23	Jesus looked round and said to his disciples, 'How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	24	The disciples were astounded by these words, but Jesus insisted, 'My children,' he said to them, 'how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
 Mark	Mk	48	10	25	It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of God.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	26	They were more astonished than ever, saying to one another, 'In that case, who can be saved?'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	27	Jesus gazed at them and said, 'By human resources it is impossible, but not for God: because for God everything is possible.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	28	Peter took this up. 'Look,' he said to him, 'we have left everything and followed you.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	29	Jesus said, 'In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel
 Mark	Mk	48	10	30	who will not receive a hundred times as much, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land -- and persecutions too -- now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	31	Many who are first will be last, and the last, first.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	32	They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem; Jesus was walking on ahead of them; they were in a daze, and those who followed were apprehensive. Once more taking the Twelve aside he began to tell them what was going to happen to him,
 Mark	Mk	48	10	33	'Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the gentiles,
 Mark	Mk	48	10	34	who will mock him and spit at him and scourge him and put him to death; and after three days he will rise again.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	35	James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him. 'Master,' they said to him, 'We want you to do us a favour.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	36	He said to them, 'What is it you want me to do for you?'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	37	They said to him, 'Allow us to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	38	But Jesus said to them, 'You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I shall drink, or be baptised with the baptism with which I shall be baptised?'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	39	They replied, 'We can.' Jesus said to them, 'The cup that I shall drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I shall be baptised you shall be baptised,
 Mark	Mk	48	10	40	but as for seats at my right hand or my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	41	When the other ten heard this they began to feel indignant with James and John,
 Mark	Mk	48	10	42	so Jesus called them to him and said to them, 'You know that among the gentiles those they call their rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	43	Among you this is not to happen. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant,
 Mark	Mk	48	10	44	and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	45	For the Son of man himself came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	46	They reached Jericho; and as he left Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus -- that is, the son of Timaeus -- a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	47	When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and cry out, 'Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	48	And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, 'Son of David, have pity on me.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	49	Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him here.' So they called the blind man over. 'Courage,' they said, 'get up; he is calling you.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	50	So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus.
 Mark	Mk	48	10	51	Then Jesus spoke, 'What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man said to him, 'Rabbuni, let me see again.'
 Mark	Mk	48	10	52	Jesus said to him, 'Go; your faith has saved you.' And at once his sight returned and he followed him along the road.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	1	When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, close by the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples
 Mark	Mk	48	11	2	and said to them, 'Go to the village facing you, and as you enter it you will at once find a tethered colt that no one has yet ridden. Untie it and bring it here.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	3	If anyone says to you, "What are you doing?" say, "The Master needs it and will send it back here at once." '
 Mark	Mk	48	11	4	They went off and found a colt tethered near a door in the open street. As they untied it,
 Mark	Mk	48	11	5	some men standing there said, 'What are you doing, untying that colt?'
 Mark	Mk	48	11	6	They gave the answer Jesus had told them, and the men let them go.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	7	Then they took the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on its back, and he mounted it.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	8	Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others greenery which they had cut in the fields.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	9	And those who went in front and those who followed were all shouting, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord!
 Mark	Mk	48	11	10	Blessed is the coming kingdom of David our father! Hosanna in the highest heavens!'
 Mark	Mk	48	11	11	He entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple; and when he had surveyed it all, as it was late by now, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	12	Next day as they were leaving Bethany, he felt hungry.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	13	Seeing a fig tree in leaf some distance away, he went to see if he could find any fruit on it, but when he came up to it he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season for figs.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	14	And he addressed the fig tree, 'May no one ever eat fruit from you again.' And his disciples heard him say this.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	15	So they reached Jerusalem and he went into the Temple and began driving out the men selling and buying there; he upset the tables of the money changers and the seats of the dove sellers.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	16	Nor would he allow anyone to carry anything through the Temple.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	17	And he taught them and said, 'Does not scripture say: My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples? But you have turned it into a bandits' den.'
 Mark	Mk	48	11	18	This came to the ears of the chief priests and the scribes, and they tried to find some way of doing away with him; they were afraid of him because the people were carried away by his teaching.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	19	And when evening came he went out of the city.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	20	Next morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered to the roots.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	21	Peter remembered. 'Look, Rabbi,' he said to Jesus, 'the fig tree that you cursed has withered away.'
 Mark	Mk	48	11	22	Jesus answered, 'Have faith in God.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	23	In truth I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, "Be pulled up and thrown into the sea," with no doubt in his heart, but believing that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	24	I tell you, therefore, everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already, and it will be yours.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	25	And when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody, soyour Father in heaven may forgive your failings too.'
 Mark	Mk	48	11	26
 Mark	Mk	48	11	27	They came to Jerusalem again, and as Jesus was walking in the Temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him,
 Mark	Mk	48	11	28	and they said to him, 'What authority have you for acting like this? Or who gave you authority to act like this?'
 Mark	Mk	48	11	29	Jesus said to them, 'And I will ask you a question, just one; answer me and I will tell you my authority for acting like this.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	30	John's baptism, what was its origin, heavenly or human? Answer me that.'
 Mark	Mk	48	11	31	And they argued this way among themselves, 'If we say heavenly, he will say, "Then why did you refuse to believe him?"
 Mark	Mk	48	11	32	But dare we say human?' -- they had the people to fear, for everyone held that John had been a real prophet.
 Mark	Mk	48	11	33	So their reply to Jesus was, 'We do not know.' And Jesus said to them, 'Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.'
 Mark	Mk	48	12	1	He went on to speak to them in parables, 'A man planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug out a trough for the winepress and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	2	When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	3	But they seized the man, thrashed him and sent him away empty handed.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	4	Next he sent another servant to them; him they beat about the head and treated shamefully.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	5	And he sent another and him they killed; then a number of others, and they thrashed some and killed the rest.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	6	He had still someone left: his beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, "They will respect my son."
 Mark	Mk	48	12	7	But those tenants said to each other, "This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours."
 Mark	Mk	48	12	8	So they seized him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	9	Now what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and make an end of the tenants and give the vineyard to others.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	10	Have you not read this text of scripture: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
 Mark	Mk	48	12	11	this is the Lord's doing, and we marvel at it ?'
 Mark	Mk	48	12	12	And they would have liked to arrest him, because they realised that the parable was aimed at them, but they were afraid of the crowds. So they left him alone and went away.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	13	Next they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to catch him out in what he said.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	14	These came and said to him, 'Master, we know that you are an honest man, that you are not afraid of anyone, because human rank means nothing to you, and that you teach the way of God in all honesty. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or not?'
 Mark	Mk	48	12	15	Recognising their hypocrisy he said to them, 'Why are you putting me to the test? Hand me a denarius and let me see it.'
 Mark	Mk	48	12	16	They handed him one and he said to them, 'Whose portrait is this? Whose title?' They said to him, 'Caesar's.'
 Mark	Mk	48	12	17	Jesus said to them, 'Pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar -- and God what belongs to God.' And they were amazed at him.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	18	Then some Sadducees -- who deny that there is a resurrection -- came to him and they put this question to him,
 Mark	Mk	48	12	19	'Master, Moses prescribed for us that if a man's brother dies leaving a wife but no child, the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	20	Now there were seven brothers; the first married a wife and then died leaving no children.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	21	The second married the widow, and he too died leaving no children; with the third it was the same,
 Mark	Mk	48	12	22	and none of the seven left any children. Last of all the woman herself died.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	23	Now at the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be, since she had been married to all seven?'
 Mark	Mk	48	12	24	Jesus said to them, 'Surely the reason why you are wrong is that you understand neither the scriptures nor the power of God.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	25	For when they rise from the dead, men and women do not marry; no, they are like the angels in heaven.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	26	Now about the dead rising again, have you never read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him and said: I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?
 Mark	Mk	48	12	27	He is God, not of the dead, but of the living. You are very much mistaken.'
 Mark	Mk	48	12	28	One of the scribes who had listened to them debating appreciated that Jesus had given a good answer and put a further question to him, 'Which is the first of all the commandments?'
 Mark	Mk	48	12	29	Jesus replied, 'This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one, only Lord,
 Mark	Mk	48	12	30	and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	31	The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.'
 Mark	Mk	48	12	32	The scribe said to him, 'Well spoken, Master; what you have said is true, that he is one and there is no other.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	33	To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, this is far more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice.'
 Mark	Mk	48	12	34	Jesus, seeing how wisely he had spoken, said, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' And after that no one dared to question him any more.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	35	While teaching in the Temple, Jesus said, 'How can the scribes maintain that the Christ is the son of David?
 Mark	Mk	48	12	36	David himself, moved by the Holy Spirit, said: The Lord declared to my Lord, take your seat at my right hand till I have made your enemies your footstool.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	37	David himself calls him Lord; in what way then can he be his son?' And the great crowd listened to him with delight.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	38	In his teaching he said, 'Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted respectfully in the market squares,
 Mark	Mk	48	12	39	to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets;
 Mark	Mk	48	12	40	these are the men who devour the property of widows and for show offer long prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.'
 Mark	Mk	48	12	41	He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	42	A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny.
 Mark	Mk	48	12	43	Then he called his disciples and said to them, 'In truth I tell you, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury;
 Mark	Mk	48	12	44	for they have all put in money they could spare, but she in her poverty has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.'
 Mark	Mk	48	13	1	As he was leaving the Temple one of his disciples said to him, 'Master, look at the size of those stones! Look at the size of those buildings!'
 Mark	Mk	48	13	2	And Jesus said to him, 'You see these great buildings? Not a single stone will be left on another; everything will be pulled down.'
 Mark	Mk	48	13	3	And while he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, facing the Temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew questioned him when they were by themselves,
 Mark	Mk	48	13	4	'Tell us, when is this going to happen, and what sign will there be that it is all about to take place?'
 Mark	Mk	48	13	5	Then Jesus began to tell them, 'Take care that no one deceives you.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	6	Many will come using my name and saying, "I am he," and they will deceive many.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	7	When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this is something that must happen, but the end will not be yet.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	8	For nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is the beginning of the birth-pangs.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	9	'Be on your guard: you will be handed over to sanhedrins; you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as evidence to them,
 Mark	Mk	48	13	10	since the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	11	'And when you are taken to be handed over, do not worry beforehand about what to say; no, say whatever is given to you when the time comes, because it is not you who will be speaking; it is the Holy Spirit.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	12	Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will come forward against their parents and have them put to death.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	13	You will be universally hated on account of my name; but anyone who stands firm to the end will be saved.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	14	'When you see the appalling abomination set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains;
 Mark	Mk	48	13	15	if a man is on the housetop, he must not come down or go inside to collect anything from his house;
 Mark	Mk	48	13	16	if a man is in the fields, he must not turn back to fetch his cloak.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	17	Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come!
 Mark	Mk	48	13	18	Pray that this may not be in winter.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	19	For in those days there will be great distress, unparalleled since God created the world, and such as will never be again.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	20	And if the Lord had not shortened that time, no human being would have survived; but he did shorten the time, for the sake of the elect whom he chose.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	21	'And if anyone says to you then, "Look, here is the Christ" or, "Look, he is there," do not believe it;
 Mark	Mk	48	13	22	for false Christs and false prophets will arise and produce signs and portents to deceive the elect, if that were possible.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	23	You, therefore, must be on your guard. I have given you full warning.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	24	'But in those days, after that time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,
 Mark	Mk	48	13	25	the stars will come falling out of the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	26	And then they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	27	And then he will send the angels to gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of the sky.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	28	'Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	29	So with you when you see these things happening: know that he is near, right at the gates.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	30	In truth I tell you, before this generation has passed away all these things will have taken place.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	31	Sky and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	32	'But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	33	'Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	34	It is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from his home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own work to do; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	35	So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow or dawn;
 Mark	Mk	48	13	36	if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep.
 Mark	Mk	48	13	37	And what I am saying to you I say to all: Stay awake!'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	1	It was two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by some trick and have him put to death.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	2	For they said, 'It must not be during the festivities, or there will be a disturbance among the people.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	3	He was at Bethany in the house of Simon, a man who had suffered from a virulent skin-disease; he was at table when a woman came in with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the ointment on his head.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	4	Some who were there said to one another indignantly, 'Why this waste of ointment?
 Mark	Mk	48	14	5	Ointment like this could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor'; and they were angry with her.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	6	But Jesus said, 'Leave her alone. Why are you upsetting her? What she has done for me is a good work.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	7	You have the poor with you always, and you can be kind to them whenever you wish, but you will not always have me.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	8	She has done what she could: she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	9	In truth I tell you, wherever throughout all the world the gospel is proclaimed, what she has done will be told as well, in remembrance of her.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	10	Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, approached the chief priests with an offer to hand Jesus over to them.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	11	They were delighted to hear it, and promised to give him money; and he began to look for a way of betraying him when the opportunity should occur.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	12	On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, his disciples said to him, 'Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	13	So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 'Go into the city and you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him,
 Mark	Mk	48	14	14	and say to the owner of the house which he enters, "The Master says: Where is the room for me to eat the Passover with my disciples?"
 Mark	Mk	48	14	15	He will show you a large upper room furnished with couches, all prepared. Make the preparations for us there.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	16	The disciples set out and went to the city and found everything as he had told them, and prepared the Passover.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	17	When evening came he arrived with the Twelve.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	18	And while they were at table eating, Jesus said, 'In truth I tell you, one of you is about to betray me, one of you eating with me.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	19	They were distressed and said to him, one after another, 'Not me, surely?'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	20	He said to them, 'It is one of the Twelve, one who is dipping into the same dish with me.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	21	Yes, the Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	22	And as they were eating he took bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to them. 'Take it,' he said, 'this is my body.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	23	Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he handed it to them, and all drank from it,
 Mark	Mk	48	14	24	and he said to them, 'This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, poured out for many.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	25	In truth I tell you, I shall never drink wine any more until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	26	After the psalms had been sung they left for the Mount of Olives.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	27	And Jesus said to them, 'You will all fall away, for the scripture says: I shall strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered;
 Mark	Mk	48	14	28	however, after my resurrection I shall go before you into Galilee.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	29	Peter said, 'Even if all fall away, I will not.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	30	And Jesus said to him, 'In truth I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will have disowned me three times.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	31	But he repeated still more earnestly, 'If I have to die with you, I will never disown you.' And they all said the same.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	32	They came to a plot of land called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Stay here while I pray.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	33	Then he took Peter and James and John with him.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	34	And he began to feel terror and anguish. And he said to them, 'My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here, and stay awake.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	35	And going on a little further he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, this hour might pass him by.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	36	'Abba, Father!' he said, 'For you everything is possible. Take this cup away from me. But let it be as you, not I, would have it.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	37	He came back and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, 'Simon, are you asleep? Had you not the strength to stay awake one hour?
 Mark	Mk	48	14	38	Stay awake and pray not to be put to the test. The spirit is willing enough, but human nature is weak.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	39	Again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	40	And once more he came back and found them sleeping, their eyes were so heavy; and they could find no answer for him.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	41	He came back a third time and said to them, 'You can sleep on now and have your rest. It is all over. The hour has come. Now the Son of man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinners.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	42	Get up! Let us go! My betrayer is not far away.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	43	And at once, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came up and with him a number of men armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	44	Now the traitor had arranged a signal with them saying, 'The one I kiss, he is the man. Arrest him, and see he is well guarded when you lead him away.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	45	So when the traitor came, he went up to Jesus at once and said, 'Rabbi!' and kissed him.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	46	The others seized him and arrested him.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	47	Then one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck out at the high priest's servant and cut off his ear.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	48	Then Jesus spoke. 'Am I a bandit,' he said, 'that you had to set out to capture me with swords and clubs?
 Mark	Mk	48	14	49	I was among you teaching in the Temple day after day and you never laid a hand on me. But this is to fulfil the scriptures.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	50	And they all deserted him and ran away.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	51	A young man followed with nothing on but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him,
 Mark	Mk	48	14	52	but he left the cloth in their hands and ran away naked.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	53	They led Jesus off to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes assembled there.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	54	Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the high priest's palace, and was sitting with the attendants warming himself at the fire.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	55	The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus in order to have him executed. But they could not find any.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	56	Several, indeed, brought false witness against him, but their evidence was conflicting.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	57	Some stood up and submitted this false evidence against him,
 Mark	Mk	48	14	58	'We heard him say, "I am going to destroy this Temple made by human hands, and in three days build another, not made by human hands." '
 Mark	Mk	48	14	59	But even on this point their evidence was conflicting.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	60	The high priest then rose before the whole assembly and put this question to Jesus, 'Have you no answer to that? What is this evidence these men are bringing against you?'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	61	But he was silent and made no answer at all. The high priest put a second question to him saying, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	62	'I am,' said Jesus, 'and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	63	The high priest tore his robes and said, 'What need of witnesses have we now?
 Mark	Mk	48	14	64	You heard the blasphemy. What is your finding?' Their verdict was unanimous: he deserved to die.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	65	Some of them started spitting at his face, hitting him and saying, 'Play the prophet!' And the attendants struck him too.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	66	While Peter was down below in the courtyard, one of the high priest's servant-girls came up.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	67	She saw Peter warming himself there, looked closely at him and said, 'You too were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	68	But he denied it. 'I do not know, I do not understand what you are talking about,' he said. And he went out into the forecourt, and a cock crowed.
 Mark	Mk	48	14	69	The servant-girl saw him and again started telling the bystanders, 'This man is one of them.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	70	But again he denied it. A little later the bystanders themselves said to Peter, 'You are certainly one of them! Why, you are a Galilean.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	71	But he started cursing and swearing, 'I do not know the man you speak of.'
 Mark	Mk	48	14	72	And at once the cock crowed for the second time, and Peter recalled what Jesus had said to him, 'Before the cock crows twice, you will have disowned me three times.' And he burst into tears.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	1	First thing in the morning, the chief priests, together with the elders and scribes and the rest of the Sanhedrin, had their plan ready. They had Jesus bound and took him away and handed him over to Pilate.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	2	Pilate put to him this question, 'Are you the king of the Jews?' He replied, 'It is you who say it.'
 Mark	Mk	48	15	3	And the chief priests brought many accusations against him.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	4	Pilate questioned him again, 'Have you no reply at all? See how many accusations they are bringing against you!'
 Mark	Mk	48	15	5	But, to Pilate's surprise, Jesus made no further reply.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	6	At festival time Pilate used to release a prisoner for them, any one they asked for.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	7	Now a man called Barabbas was then in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the uprising.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	8	When the crowd went up and began to ask Pilate the customary favour,
 Mark	Mk	48	15	9	Pilate answered them, 'Do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?'
 Mark	Mk	48	15	10	For he realised it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	11	The chief priests, however, had incited the crowd to demand that he should release Barabbas for them instead.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	12	Then Pilate spoke again, 'But in that case, what am I to do with the man you call king of the Jews?'
 Mark	Mk	48	15	13	They shouted back, 'Crucify him!'
 Mark	Mk	48	15	14	Pilate asked them, 'What harm has he done?' But they shouted all the louder, 'Crucify him!'
 Mark	Mk	48	15	15	So Pilate, anxious to placate the crowd, released Barabbas for them and, after having Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	16	The soldiers led him away to the inner part of the palace, that is, the Praetorium, and called the whole cohort together.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	17	They dressed him up in purple, twisted some thorns into a crown and put it on him.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	18	And they began saluting him, 'Hail, king of the Jews!'
 Mark	Mk	48	15	19	They struck his head with a reed and spat on him; and they went down on their knees to do him homage.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	20	And when they had finished making fun of him, they took off the purple and dressed him in his own clothes. They led him out to crucify him.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	21	They enlisted a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, father of Alexander and Rufus, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	22	They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means the place of the skull.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	23	They offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he refused it.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	24	Then they crucified him, and shared out his clothing, casting lots to decide what each should get.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	25	It was the third hour when they crucified him.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	26	The inscription giving the charge against him read, 'The King of the Jews'.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	27	And they crucified two bandits with him, one on his right and one on his left.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	28
 Mark	Mk	48	15	29	The passers-by jeered at him; they shook their heads and said, 'Aha! So you would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days!
 Mark	Mk	48	15	30	Then save yourself; come down from the cross!'
 Mark	Mk	48	15	31	The chief priests and the scribes mocked him among themselves in the same way with the words, 'He saved others, he cannot save himself.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	32	Let the Christ, the king of Israel, come down from the cross now, for us to see it and believe.' Even those who were crucified with him taunted him.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	33	When the sixth hour came there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	34	And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'
 Mark	Mk	48	15	35	When some of those who stood by heard this, they said, 'Listen, he is calling on Elijah.'
 Mark	Mk	48	15	36	Someone ran and soaked a sponge in vinegar and, putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink saying, 'Wait! And see if Elijah will come to take him down.'
 Mark	Mk	48	15	37	But Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	38	And the veil of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	39	The centurion, who was standing in front of him, had seen how he had died, and he said, 'In truth this man was Son of God.'
 Mark	Mk	48	15	40	There were some women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary of Magdala, Mary who was the mother of James the younger and Joset, and Salome.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	41	These used to follow him and look after him when he was in Galilee. And many other women were there who had come up to Jerusalem with him.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	42	It was now evening, and since it was Preparation Day -- that is, the day before the Sabbath-
 Mark	Mk	48	15	43	there came Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent member of the Council, who himself lived in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God, and he boldly went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	44	Pilate, astonished that he should have died so soon, summoned the centurion and enquired if he had been dead for some time.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	45	Having been assured of this by the centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph
 Mark	Mk	48	15	46	who bought a shroud, took Jesus down from the cross, wrapped him in the shroud and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.
 Mark	Mk	48	15	47	Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joset took note of where he was laid.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	1	When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices with which to go and anoint him.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	2	And very early in the morning on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	3	They had been saying to one another, 'Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?'
 Mark	Mk	48	16	4	But when they looked they saw that the stone -- which was very big -- had already been rolled back.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	5	On entering the tomb they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right-hand side, and they were struck with amazement.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	6	But he said to them, 'There is no need to be so amazed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he has risen, he is not here. See, here is the place where they laid him.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	7	But you must go and tell his disciples and Peter, "He is going ahead of you to Galilee; that is where you will see him, just as he told you." '
 Mark	Mk	48	16	8	And the women came out and ran away from the tomb because they were frightened out of their wits; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	9	Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	10	She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	11	But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	12	After this, he showed himself under another form to two of them as they were on their way into the country.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	13	These went back and told the others, who did not believe them either.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	14	Lastly, he showed himself to the Eleven themselves while they were at table. He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy, because they had refused to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	15	And he said to them, 'Go out to the whole world; proclaim the gospel to all creation.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	16	Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.
 Mark	Mk	48	16	17	These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues;
 Mark	Mk	48	16	18	they will pick up snakes in their hands and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.'
 Mark	Mk	48	16	19	And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven; there at the right hand of God he took his place,
 Mark	Mk	48	16	20	while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	1	Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have reached their fulfilment among us,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	2	as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	3	I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	4	so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	5	In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	6	Both were upright in the sight of God and impeccably carried out all the commandments and observances of the Lord.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	7	But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in years.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	8	Now it happened that it was the turn of his section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God
 Luke	Lk	49	1	9	when it fell to him by lot, as the priestly custom was, to enter the Lord's sanctuary and burn incense there.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	10	And at the hour of incense all the people were outside, praying.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	11	Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	12	The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	13	But the angel said to him, 'Zechariah, do not be afraid, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you shall name him John.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	14	He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	15	for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must drink no wine, no strong drink; even from his mother's womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	16	and he will bring back many of the Israelites to the Lord their God.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	17	With the spirit and power of Elijah, he will go before him to reconcile fathers to their children and the disobedient to the good sense of the upright, preparing for the Lord a people fit for him.'
 Luke	Lk	49	1	18	Zechariah said to the angel, 'How can I know this? I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years.'
 Luke	Lk	49	1	19	The angel replied, 'I am Gabriel, who stand in God's presence, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	20	Look! Since you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time, you will be silenced and have no power of speech until this has happened.'
 Luke	Lk	49	1	21	Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he stayed in the sanctuary so long.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	22	When he came out he could not speak to them, and they realised that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. But he could only make signs to them and remained dumb.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	23	When his time of service came to an end he returned home.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	24	Some time later his wife Elizabeth conceived and for five months she kept to herself, saying,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	25	'The Lord has done this for me, now that it has pleased him to take away the humiliation I suffered in public.'
 Luke	Lk	49	1	26	In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	27	to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	28	He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favor! The Lord is with you.'
 Luke	Lk	49	1	29	She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	30	but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	31	Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	32	He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David;
 Luke	Lk	49	1	33	he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.'
 Luke	Lk	49	1	34	Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?'
 Luke	Lk	49	1	35	The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	36	And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	37	for nothing is impossible to God.'
 Luke	Lk	49	1	38	Mary said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.' And the angel left her.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	39	Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in Judah.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	40	She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	41	Now it happened that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	42	She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	43	Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?
 Luke	Lk	49	1	44	Look, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	45	Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.'
 Luke	Lk	49	1	46	And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
 Luke	Lk	49	1	47	and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
 Luke	Lk	49	1	48	because he has looked upon the humiliation of his servant. Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	49	for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	50	and his faithful love extends age after age to those who fear him.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	51	He has used the power of his arm, he has routed the arrogant of heart.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	52	He has pulled down princes from their thrones and raised high the lowly.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	53	He has filled the starving with good things, sent the rich away empty.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	54	He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his faithful love
 Luke	Lk	49	1	55	-according to the promise he made to our ancestors -- of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	56	Mary stayed with her some three months and then went home.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	57	The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son;
 Luke	Lk	49	1	58	and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had lavished on her his faithful love, they shared her joy.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	59	Now it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	60	but his mother spoke up. 'No,' she said, 'he is to be called John.'
 Luke	Lk	49	1	61	They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name,'
 Luke	Lk	49	1	62	and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	63	The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, 'His name is John.' And they were all astonished.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	64	At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	65	All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	66	All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. 'What will this child turn out to be?' they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	67	His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
 Luke	Lk	49	1	68	Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people, he has set them free,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	69	and he has established for us a saving power in the House of his servant David,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	70	just as he proclaimed, by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	71	that he would save us from our enemies and from the hands of all those who hate us,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	72	and show faithful love to our ancestors, and so keep in mind his holy covenant.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	73	This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	74	that he would grant us, free from fear, to be delivered from the hands of our enemies,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	75	to serve him in holiness and uprightness in his presence, all our days.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	76	And you, little child, you shall be called Prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare a way for him,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	77	to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	78	because of the faithful love of our God in which the rising Sun has come from on high to visit us,
 Luke	Lk	49	1	79	to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow dark as death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
 Luke	Lk	49	1	80	Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit grew strong. And he lived in the desert until the day he appeared openly to Israel.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	1	Now it happened that at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be made of the whole inhabited world.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	2	This census -- the first -- took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria,
 Luke	Lk	49	2	3	and everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	4	So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee for Judaea, to David's town called Bethlehem, since he was of David's House and line,
 Luke	Lk	49	2	5	in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	6	Now it happened that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child,
 Luke	Lk	49	2	7	and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the living-space.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	8	In the countryside close by there were shepherds out in the fields keeping guard over their sheep during the watches of the night.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	9	An angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified,
 Luke	Lk	49	2	10	but the angel said, 'Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	11	Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	12	And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.'
 Luke	Lk	49	2	13	And all at once with the angel there was a great throng of the hosts of heaven, praising God with the words:
 Luke	Lk	49	2	14	Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace for those he favours.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	15	Now it happened that when the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go to Bethlehem and see this event which the Lord has made known to us.'
 Luke	Lk	49	2	16	So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	17	When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him,
 Luke	Lk	49	2	18	and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds said to them.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	19	As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	20	And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	21	When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	22	And when the day came for them to be purified in keeping with the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord-
 Luke	Lk	49	2	23	observing what is written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord-
 Luke	Lk	49	2	24	and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is prescribed in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	25	Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to the restoration of Israel and the Holy Spirit rested on him.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	26	It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	27	Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required,
 Luke	Lk	49	2	28	he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
 Luke	Lk	49	2	29	Now, Master, you are letting your servant go in peace as you promised;
 Luke	Lk	49	2	30	for my eyes have seen the salvation
 Luke	Lk	49	2	31	which you have made ready in the sight of the nations;
 Luke	Lk	49	2	32	a light of revelation for the gentiles and glory for your people Israel.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	33	As the child's father and mother were wondering at the things that were being said about him,
 Luke	Lk	49	2	34	Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Look, he is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed-
 Luke	Lk	49	2	35	and a sword will pierce your soul too -- so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.'
 Luke	Lk	49	2	36	There was a prophetess, too, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years
 Luke	Lk	49	2	37	before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	38	She came up just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	39	When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	40	And as the child grew to maturity, he was filled with wisdom; and God's favour was with him.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	41	Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	42	When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	43	When the days of the feast were over and they set off home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	44	They assumed he was somewhere in the party, and it was only after a day's journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	45	When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	46	It happened that, three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions;
 Luke	Lk	49	2	47	and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	48	They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, 'My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.'
 Luke	Lk	49	2	49	He replied, 'Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?'
 Luke	Lk	49	2	50	But they did not understand what he meant.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	51	He went down with them then and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart.
 Luke	Lk	49	2	52	And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and with people.
 Luke	Lk	49	3	1	In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar's reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the territories of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	2	and while the high-priesthood was held by Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah, in the desert.
 Luke	Lk	49	3	3	He went through the whole Jordan area proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	4	as it is written in the book of the sayings of Isaiah the prophet: A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight!
 Luke	Lk	49	3	5	Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be levelled, winding ways be straightened and rough roads made smooth,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	6	and all humanity will see the salvation of God.
 Luke	Lk	49	3	7	He said, therefore, to the crowds who came to be baptised by him, 'Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming retribution?
 Luke	Lk	49	3	8	Produce fruit in keeping with repentance, and do not start telling yourselves, "We have Abraham as our father," because, I tell you, God can raise children for Abraham from these stones.
 Luke	Lk	49	3	9	Yes, even now the axe is being laid to the root of the trees, so that any tree failing to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown on the fire.'
 Luke	Lk	49	3	10	When all the people asked him, 'What must we do, then?'
 Luke	Lk	49	3	11	he answered, 'Anyone who has two tunics must share with the one who has none, and anyone with something to eat must do the same.'
 Luke	Lk	49	3	12	There were tax collectors, too, who came for baptism, and these said to him, 'Master, what must we do?'
 Luke	Lk	49	3	13	He said to them, 'Exact no more than the appointed rate.'
 Luke	Lk	49	3	14	Some soldiers asked him in their turn, 'What about us? What must we do?' He said to them, 'No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!'
 Luke	Lk	49	3	15	A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to wonder whether John might be the Christ,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	16	so John declared before them all, 'I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, who is more powerful than me, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
 Luke	Lk	49	3	17	His winnowing-fan is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.'
 Luke	Lk	49	3	18	And he proclaimed the good news to the people with many other exhortations too.
 Luke	Lk	49	3	19	But Herod the tetrarch, censured by John for his relations with his brother's wife Herodias and for all the other crimes he had committed,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	20	added a further crime to all the rest by shutting John up in prison.
 Luke	Lk	49	3	21	Now it happened that when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened
 Luke	Lk	49	3	22	and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical form, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son; today have I fathered you.'
 Luke	Lk	49	3	23	When he began, Jesus was about thirty years old, being the son, as it was thought, of Joseph son of Heli,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	24	son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	25	son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	26	son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	27	son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	28	son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	29	son of Jesus, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	30	son of Symeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	31	son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	32	son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala, son of Nahshon,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	33	son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	34	son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	35	son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	36	son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	37	son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan,
 Luke	Lk	49	3	38	son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	1	Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
 Luke	Lk	49	4	2	for forty days being put to the test by the devil. During that time he ate nothing and at the end he was hungry.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	3	Then the devil said to him, 'If you are Son of God, tell this stone to turn into a loaf.'
 Luke	Lk	49	4	4	But Jesus replied, 'Scripture says: Human beings live not on bread alone.'
 Luke	Lk	49	4	5	Then leading him to a height, the devil showed him in a moment of time all the kingdoms of the world
 Luke	Lk	49	4	6	and said to him, 'I will give you all this power and their splendour, for it has been handed over to me, for me to give it to anyone I choose.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	7	Do homage, then, to me, and it shall all be yours.'
 Luke	Lk	49	4	8	But Jesus answered him, 'Scripture says: You must do homage to the Lord your God, him alone you must serve.'
 Luke	Lk	49	4	9	Then he led him to Jerusalem and set him on the parapet of the Temple. 'If you are Son of God,' he said to him, 'throw yourself down from here,
 Luke	Lk	49	4	10	for scripture says: He has given his angels orders about you, to guard you, and again:
 Luke	Lk	49	4	11	They will carry you in their arms in case you trip over a stone.'
 Luke	Lk	49	4	12	But Jesus answered him, 'Scripture says: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'
 Luke	Lk	49	4	13	Having exhausted every way of putting him to the test, the devil left him, until the opportune moment.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	14	Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	15	He taught in their synagogues and everyone glorified him.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	16	He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read,
 Luke	Lk	49	4	17	and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:
 Luke	Lk	49	4	18	The spirit of the Lord is on me, for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the afflicted. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,
 Luke	Lk	49	4	19	to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	20	He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	21	Then he began to speak to them, 'This text is being fulfilled today even while you are listening.'
 Luke	Lk	49	4	22	And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. They said, 'This is Joseph's son, surely?'
 Luke	Lk	49	4	23	But he replied, 'No doubt you will quote me the saying, "Physician, heal yourself," and tell me, "We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own country." '
 Luke	Lk	49	4	24	And he went on, 'In truth I tell you, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	25	'There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah's day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land,
 Luke	Lk	49	4	26	but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a town in Sidonia.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	27	And in the prophet Elisha's time there were many suffering from virulent skin-diseases in Israel, but none of these was cured -- only Naaman the Syrian.'
 Luke	Lk	49	4	28	When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	29	They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him off the cliff,
 Luke	Lk	49	4	30	but he passed straight through the crowd and walked away.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	31	He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught them on the Sabbath.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	32	And his teaching made a deep impression on them because his word carried authority.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	33	In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean devil, and he shouted at the top of his voice,
 Luke	Lk	49	4	34	'Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.'
 Luke	Lk	49	4	35	But Jesus rebuked it, saying, 'Be quiet! Come out of him!' And the devil, throwing the man into the middle, went out of him without hurting him at all.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	36	Astonishment seized them and they were all saying to one another, 'What is it in his words? He gives orders to unclean spirits with authority and power and they come out.'
 Luke	Lk	49	4	37	And the news of him travelled all through the surrounding countryside.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	38	Leaving the synagogue he went to Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was in the grip of a high fever and they asked him to do something for her.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	39	Standing over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to serve them.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	40	At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	41	Devils too came out of many people, shouting, 'You are the Son of God.' But he warned them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
 Luke	Lk	49	4	42	When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them,
 Luke	Lk	49	4	43	but he answered, 'I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.'
 Luke	Lk	49	4	44	And he continued his proclamation in the synagogues of Judaea.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	1	Now it happened that he was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God,
 Luke	Lk	49	5	2	when he caught sight of two boats at the water's edge. The fishermen had got out of them and were washing their nets.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	3	He got into one of the boats -- it was Simon's -- and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	4	When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	5	Simon replied, 'Master, we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	6	And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear,
 Luke	Lk	49	5	7	so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled both boats to sinking point.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	8	When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, 'Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	9	For he and all his companions were completely awestruck at the catch they had made;
 Luke	Lk	49	5	10	so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. But Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid; from now on it is people you will be catching.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	11	Then, bringing their boats back to land they left everything and followed him.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	12	Now it happened that Jesus was in one of the towns when suddenly a man appeared, covered with a skin-disease. Seeing Jesus he fell on his face and implored him saying, 'Sir, if you are willing you can cleanse me.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	13	He stretched out his hand, and touched him saying, 'I am willing. Be cleansed.' At once the skin-disease left him.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	14	He ordered him to tell no one, 'But go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering for your cleansing just as Moses prescribed, as evidence to them.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	15	But the news of him kept spreading, and large crowds would gather to hear him and to have their illnesses cured,
 Luke	Lk	49	5	16	but he would go off to some deserted place and pray.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	17	Now it happened that he was teaching one day, and Pharisees and teachers of the Law, who had come from every village in Galilee, from Judaea and from Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was there so that he should heal.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	18	And now some men appeared, bringing on a bed a paralysed man whom they were trying to bring in and lay down in front of him.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	19	But as they could find no way of getting the man through the crowd, they went up onto the top of the house and lowered him and his stretcher down through the tiles into the middle of the gathering, in front of Jesus.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	20	Seeing their faith he said, 'My friend, your sins are forgiven you.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	21	The scribes and the Pharisees began to think this over. 'Who is this man, talking blasphemy? Who but God alone can forgive sins?'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	22	But Jesus, aware of their thoughts, made them this reply, 'What are these thoughts you have in your hearts?
 Luke	Lk	49	5	23	Which of these is easier: to say, "Your sins are forgiven you," or to say, "Get up and walk"?
 Luke	Lk	49	5	24	But to prove to you that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins,' -- he said to the paralysed man-'I order you: get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	25	And immediately before their very eyes he got up, picked up what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	26	They were all astounded and praised God and were filled with awe, saying, 'We have seen strange things today.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	27	When he went out after this, he noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting at the tax office, and said to him, 'Follow me.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	28	And leaving everything Levi got up and followed him.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	29	In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	30	The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	31	Jesus said to them in reply, 'It is not those that are well who need the doctor, but the sick.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	32	I have come to call not the upright but sinners to repentance.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	33	They then said to him, 'John's disciples are always fasting and saying prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees, too, but yours go on eating and drinking.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	34	Jesus replied, 'Surely you cannot make the bridegroom's attendants fast while the bridegroom is still with them?
 Luke	Lk	49	5	35	But the time will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them; then, in those days, they will fast.'
 Luke	Lk	49	5	36	He also told them a parable, 'No one tears a piece from a new cloak to put it on an old cloak; otherwise, not only will the new one be torn, but the piece taken from the new will not match the old.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	37	'And nobody puts new wine in old wineskins; otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins and run to waste, and the skins will be ruined.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	38	No; new wine must be put in fresh skins.
 Luke	Lk	49	5	39	And nobody who has been drinking old wine wants new. "The old is good," he says.'
 Luke	Lk	49	6	1	It happened that one Sabbath he was walking through the cornfields, and his disciples were picking ears of corn, rubbing them in their hands and eating them.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	2	Some of the Pharisees said, 'Why are you doing something that is forbidden on the Sabbath day?'
 Luke	Lk	49	6	3	Jesus answered them, 'So you have not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry-
 Luke	Lk	49	6	4	how he went into the house of God and took the loaves of the offering and ate them and gave them to his followers, loaves which the priests alone are allowed to eat?'
 Luke	Lk	49	6	5	And he said to them, 'The Son of man is master of the Sabbath.'
 Luke	Lk	49	6	6	Now on another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and began to teach, and a man was present, and his right hand was withered.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	7	The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him to see if he would cure somebody on the Sabbath, hoping to find something to charge him with.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	8	But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man with the withered hand, 'Get up and stand out in the middle!' And he came forward and stood there.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	9	Then Jesus said to them, 'I put it to you: is it permitted on the Sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?'
 Luke	Lk	49	6	10	Then he looked round at them all and said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He did so, and his hand was restored.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	11	But they were furious and began to discuss the best way of dealing with Jesus.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	12	Now it happened in those days that he went onto the mountain to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	13	When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them; he called them 'apostles':
 Luke	Lk	49	6	14	Simon whom he called Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
 Luke	Lk	49	6	15	Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon called the Zealot,
 Luke	Lk	49	6	16	Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	17	He then came down with them and stopped at a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples, with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon
 Luke	Lk	49	6	18	who had come to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. People tormented by unclean spirits were also cured,
 Luke	Lk	49	6	19	and everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him because power came out of him that cured them all.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	20	Then fixing his eyes on his disciples he said: How blessed are you who are poor: the kingdom of God is yours.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	21	Blessed are you who are hungry now: you shall have your fill. Blessed are you who are weeping now: you shall laugh.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	22	'Blessed are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of man.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	23	Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, look!-your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	24	But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	25	Alas for you who have plenty to eat now: you shall go hungry. Alas for you who are laughing now: you shall mourn and weep.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	26	'Alas for you when everyone speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	27	'But I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
 Luke	Lk	49	6	28	bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	29	To anyone who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek as well; to anyone who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	30	Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from someone who takes it.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	31	Treat others as you would like people to treat you.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	32	If you love those who love you, what credit can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	33	And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit can you expect? For even sinners do that much.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	34	And if you lend to those from whom you hope to get money back, what credit can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	35	Instead, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	36	'Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	37	Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	38	Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap; because the standard you use will be the standard used for you.'
 Luke	Lk	49	6	39	He also told them a parable, 'Can one blind person guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit?
 Luke	Lk	49	6	40	Disciple is not superior to teacher; but fully trained disciple will be like teacher.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	41	Why do you observe the splinter in your brother's eye and never notice the great log in your own?
 Luke	Lk	49	6	42	How can you say to your brother, "Brother, let me take out that splinter in your eye," when you cannot see the great log in your own? Hypocrite! Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter in your brother's eyes.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	43	'There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	44	Every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	45	Good people draw what is good from the store of goodness in their hearts; bad people draw what is bad from the store of badness. For the words of the mouth flow out of what fills the heart.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	46	'Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?
 Luke	Lk	49	6	47	'Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and acts on them -- I will show you what such a person is like.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	48	Such a person is like the man who, when he built a house, dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built.
 Luke	Lk	49	6	49	But someone who listens and does nothing is like the man who built a house on soil, with no foundations; as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	1	When he had come to the end of all he wanted the people to hear, he went into Capernaum.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	2	A centurion there had a servant, a favourite of his, who was sick and near death.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	3	Having heard about Jesus he sent some Jewish elders to him to ask him to come and heal his servant.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	4	When they came to Jesus they pleaded earnestly with him saying, 'He deserves this of you,
 Luke	Lk	49	7	5	because he is well disposed towards our people; he built us our synagogue himself.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	6	So Jesus went with them, and was not very far from the house when the centurion sent word to him by some friends to say to him, 'Sir, do not put yourself to any trouble because I am not worthy to have you under my roof;
 Luke	Lk	49	7	7	and that is why I did not presume to come to you myself; let my boy be cured by your giving the word.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	8	For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man, "Go," and he goes; to another, "Come here," and he comes; to my servant, "Do this," and he does it.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	9	When Jesus heard these words he was astonished at him and, turning round, said to the crowd following him, 'I tell you, not even in Israel have I found faith as great as this.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	10	And when the messengers got back to the house they found the servant in perfect health.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	11	It happened that soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	12	Now when he was near the gate of the town there was a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople was with her.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	13	When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her and said to her, 'Don't cry.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	14	Then he went up and touched the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, 'Young man, I tell you: get up.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	15	And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	16	Everyone was filled with awe and glorified God saying, 'A great prophet has risen up among us; God has visited his people.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	17	And this view of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	18	The disciples of John gave him all this news, and John, summoning two of his disciples,
 Luke	Lk	49	7	19	sent them to the Lord to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	20	When the men reached Jesus they said, 'John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, "Are you the one who is to come or are we to expect someone else?" '
 Luke	Lk	49	7	21	At that very time he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and of evil spirits, and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	22	Then he gave the messengers their answer, 'Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, those suffering from virulent skin-diseases are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the good news is proclaimed to the poor;
 Luke	Lk	49	7	23	and blessed is anyone who does not find me a cause of falling.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	24	When John's messengers had gone he began to talk to the people about John,
 Luke	Lk	49	7	25	'What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No! Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who go in magnificent clothes and live luxuriously are to be found at royal courts!
 Luke	Lk	49	7	26	Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet:
 Luke	Lk	49	7	27	he is the one of whom scripture says: Look, I am going to send my messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	28	'I tell you, of all the children born to women, there is no one greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	29	All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God's saving justice by accepting baptism from John;
 Luke	Lk	49	7	30	but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers thwarted God's plan for them.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	31	'What comparison, then, can I find for the people of this generation? What are they like?
 Luke	Lk	49	7	32	They are like children shouting to one another while they sit in the market place: We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn't dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn't cry.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	33	'For John the Baptist has come, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you say, "He is possessed."
 Luke	Lk	49	7	34	The Son of man has come, eating and drinking, and you say, "Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners."
 Luke	Lk	49	7	35	Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	36	One of the Pharisees invited him to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee's house and took his place at table,
 Luke	Lk	49	7	37	suddenly a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	38	She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	39	When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is and what sort of person it is who is touching him and what a bad name she has.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	40	Then Jesus took him up and said, 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' He replied, 'Say on, Master.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	41	'There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	42	They were unable to pay, so he let them both off. Which of them will love him more?'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	43	Simon answered, 'The one who was let off more, I suppose.' Jesus said, 'You are right.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	44	Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, 'You see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	45	You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	46	You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
 Luke	Lk	49	7	47	For this reason I tell you that her sins, many as they are, have been forgiven her, because she has shown such great love. It is someone who is forgiven little who shows little love.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	48	Then he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	49	Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, 'Who is this man, that even forgives sins?'
 Luke	Lk	49	7	50	But he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	1	Now it happened that after this he made his way through towns and villages preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve,
 Luke	Lk	49	8	2	as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
 Luke	Lk	49	8	3	Joanna the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their own resources.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	4	With a large crowd gathering and people from every town finding their way to him, he told this parable:
 Luke	Lk	49	8	5	'A sower went out to sow his seed. Now as he sowed, some fell on the edge of the path and was trampled on; and the birds of the air ate it up.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	6	Some seed fell on rock, and when it came up it withered away, having no moisture.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	7	Some seed fell in the middle of thorns and the thorns grew with it and choked it.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	8	And some seed fell into good soil and grew and produced its crop a hundredfold.' Saying this he cried, 'Anyone who has ears for listening should listen!'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	9	His disciples asked him what this parable might mean,
 Luke	Lk	49	8	10	and he said, 'To you is granted to understand the secrets of the kingdom of God; for the rest it remains in parables, so that they may look but not perceive, listen but not understand.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	11	'This, then, is what the parable means: the seed is the word of God.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	12	Those on the edge of the path are people who have heard it, and then the devil comes and carries away the word from their hearts in case they should believe and be saved.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	13	Those on the rock are people who, when they first hear it, welcome the word with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of trial they give up.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	14	As for the part that fell into thorns, this is people who have heard, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life and never produce any crops.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	15	As for the part in the rich soil, this is people with a noble and generous heart who have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	16	'No one lights a lamp to cover it with a bowl or to put it under a bed. No, it is put on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	17	For nothing is hidden but it will be made clear, nothing secret but it will be made known and brought to light.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	18	So take care how you listen; anyone who has, will be given more; anyone who has not, will be deprived even of what he thinks he has.'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	19	His mother and his brothers came looking for him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	20	He was told, 'Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see you.'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	21	But he said in answer, 'My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	22	It happened that one day he got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, 'Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.' So they set out,
 Luke	Lk	49	8	23	and as they sailed he fell asleep. When a squall of wind came down on the lake the boat started shipping water and they found themselves in danger.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	24	So they went to rouse him saying, 'Master! Master! We are lost!' Then he woke up and rebuked the wind and the rough water; and they subsided and it was calm again.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	25	He said to them, 'Where is your faith?' They were awestruck and astounded and said to one another, 'Who can this be, that gives orders even to winds and waves and they obey him?'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	26	They came to land in the territory of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	27	He was stepping ashore when a man from the city who was possessed by devils came towards him; for a long time the man had been living with no clothes on, not in a house, but in the tombs.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	28	Catching sight of Jesus he gave a shout, fell at his feet and cried out at the top of his voice, 'What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I implore you, do not torture me.'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	29	For Jesus had been telling the unclean spirit to come out of the man. It had seized on him a great many times, and then they used to secure him with chains and fetters to restrain him, but he would always break the fastenings, and the devil would drive him out into the wilds.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	30	Jesus asked him, 'What is your name?' He said, 'Legion' -- because many devils had gone into him.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	31	And these begged him not to order them to depart into the Abyss.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	32	Now there was a large herd of pigs feeding there on the mountain, and the devils begged him to let them go into these. So he gave them leave.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	33	The devils came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd charged down the cliff into the lake and was drowned.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	34	When the swineherds saw what had happened they ran off and told their story in the city and in the country round about;
 Luke	Lk	49	8	35	and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus they found the man from whom the devils had gone out sitting at the feet of Jesus, wearing clothes and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	36	Those who had witnessed it told them how the man who had been possessed came to be saved.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	37	The entire population of the Gerasene territory was in great fear and asked Jesus to leave them. So he got into the boat and went back.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	38	The man from whom the devils had gone out asked to be allowed to stay with him, but he sent him away saying,
 Luke	Lk	49	8	39	'Go back home and report all that God has done for you.' So the man went off and proclaimed throughout the city all that Jesus had done for him.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	40	On his return Jesus was welcomed by the crowd, for they were all there waiting for him.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	41	And suddenly there came a man named Jairus, who was president of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus' feet and pleaded with him to come to his house,
 Luke	Lk	49	8	42	because he had an only daughter about twelve years old, who was dying. And the crowds were almost stifling Jesus as he went.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	43	Now there was a woman suffering from a haemorrhage for the past twelve years, whom no one had been able to cure.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	44	She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak; and the haemorrhage stopped at that very moment.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	45	Jesus said, 'Who was it that touched me?' When they all denied it, Peter said, 'Master, it is the crowds round you, pushing.'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	46	But Jesus said, 'Somebody touched me. I felt that power had gone out from me.'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	47	Seeing herself discovered, the woman came forward trembling, and falling at his feet explained in front of all the people why she had touched him and how she had been cured at that very moment.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	48	'My daughter,' he said, 'your faith has saved you; go in peace.'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	49	While he was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the president of the synagogue to say, 'Your daughter has died. Do not trouble the Master any further.'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	50	But Jesus heard this, and he spoke to the man, 'Do not be afraid, only have faith and she will be saved.'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	51	When he came to the house he allowed no one to go in with him except Peter and John and James, and the child's father and mother.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	52	They were all crying and mourning for her, but Jesus said, 'Stop crying; she is not dead, but asleep.'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	53	But they ridiculed him, knowing she was dead.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	54	But taking her by the hand himself he spoke to her, 'Child, get up.'
 Luke	Lk	49	8	55	And her spirit returned and she got up at that very moment. Then he told them to give her something to eat.
 Luke	Lk	49	8	56	Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	1	He called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases,
 Luke	Lk	49	9	2	and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	3	He said to them, 'Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and do not have a spare tunic.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	4	Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave let your departure be from there.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	5	As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as evidence against them.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	6	So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	7	Meanwhile Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was going on; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead,
 Luke	Lk	49	9	8	others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	9	But Herod said, 'John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?' And he was anxious to see him.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	10	On their return the apostles gave him an account of all they had done. Then he took them with him and withdrew towards a town called Bethsaida where they could be by themselves.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	11	But the crowds got to know and they went after him. He made them welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	12	It was late afternoon when the Twelve came up to him and said, 'Send the people away, and they can go to the villages and farms round about to find lodging and food; for we are in a lonely place here.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	13	He replied, 'Give them something to eat yourselves.' But they said, 'We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we are to go ourselves and buy food for all these people.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	14	For there were about five thousand men. But he said to his disciples, 'Get them to sit down in parties of about fifty.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	15	They did so and made them all sit down.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	16	Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing over them; then he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the crowd.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	17	They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps left over were collected they filled twelve baskets.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	18	Now it happened that he was praying alone, and his disciples came to him and he put this question to them, 'Who do the crowds say I am?'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	19	And they answered, 'Some say John the Baptist; others Elijah; others again one of the ancient prophets come back to life.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	20	'But you,' he said to them, 'who do you say I am?' It was Peter who spoke up. 'The Christ of God,' he said.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	21	But he gave them strict orders and charged them not to say this to anyone.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	22	He said, 'The Son of man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	23	Then, speaking to all, he said, 'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	24	Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, will save it.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	25	What benefit is it to anyone to win the whole world and forfeit or lose his very self?
 Luke	Lk	49	9	26	For if anyone is ashamed of me and of my words, of him the Son of man will be ashamed when he comes in his own glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	27	'I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	28	Now about eight days after this had been said, he took with him Peter, John and James and went up the mountain to pray.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	29	And it happened that, as he was praying, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became sparkling white.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	30	And suddenly there were two men talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah
 Luke	Lk	49	9	31	appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	32	Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they woke up and saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	33	As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, 'Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.' He did not know what he was saying.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	34	As he was saying this, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	35	And a voice came from the cloud saying, 'This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	36	And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	37	Now it happened that on the following day when they were coming down from the mountain a large crowd came to meet him.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	38	And suddenly a man in the crowd cried out. 'Master,' he said, 'I implore you to look at my son: he is my only child.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	39	A spirit will suddenly take hold of him, and all at once it gives a sudden cry and throws the boy into convulsions with foaming at the mouth; it is slow to leave him, but when it does, it leaves the boy worn out.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	40	I begged your disciples to drive it out, and they could not.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	41	In reply Jesus said, 'Faithless and perverse generation! How much longer must I be among you and put up with you? Bring your son here.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	42	Even while the boy was coming, the devil threw him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and cured the boy and gave him back to his father,
 Luke	Lk	49	9	43	and everyone was awestruck by the greatness of God. But while everyone was full of admiration for all he did, he said to his disciples,
 Luke	Lk	49	9	44	'For your part, you must have these words constantly in mind: The Son of man is going to be delivered into the power of men.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	45	But they did not understand what he said; it was hidden from them so that they should not see the meaning of it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	46	An argument started between them about which of them was the greatest.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	47	Jesus knew what thoughts were going through their minds, and he took a little child whom he set by his side
 Luke	Lk	49	9	48	and then he said to them, 'Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. The least among you all is the one who is the greatest.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	49	John spoke up. 'Master,' he said, 'we saw someone driving out devils in your name, and because he is not with us we tried to stop him.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	50	But Jesus said to him, 'You must not stop him: anyone who is not against you is for you.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	51	Now it happened that as the time drew near for him to be taken up, he resolutely turned his face towards Jerusalem
 Luke	Lk	49	9	52	and sent messengers ahead of him. These set out, and they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him,
 Luke	Lk	49	9	53	but the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	54	Seeing this, the disciples James and John said, 'Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	55	But he turned and rebuked them,
 Luke	Lk	49	9	56	and they went on to another village.
 Luke	Lk	49	9	57	As they travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	58	Jesus answered, 'Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	59	Another to whom he said, 'Follow me,' replied, 'Let me go and bury my father first.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	60	But he answered, 'Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	61	Another said, 'I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say good -- bye to my people at home.'
 Luke	Lk	49	9	62	Jesus said to him, 'Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	1	After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself would be visiting.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	2	And he said to them, 'The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to do his harvesting.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	3	Start off now, but look, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	4	Take no purse with you, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	5	Whatever house you enter, let your first words be, "Peace to this house!"
 Luke	Lk	49	10	6	And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	7	Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	8	Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is put before you.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	9	Cure those in it who are sick, and say, "The kingdom of God is very near to you."
 Luke	Lk	49	10	10	But whenever you enter a town and they do not make you welcome, go out into its streets and say,
 Luke	Lk	49	10	11	"We wipe off the very dust of your town that clings to our feet, and leave it with you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God is very near."
 Luke	Lk	49	10	12	I tell you, on the great Day it will be more bearable for Sodom than for that town.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	13	'Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	14	And still, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the Judgement than for you.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	15	And as for you, Capernaum, did you want to be raised high as heaven? You shall be flung down to hell.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	16	'Anyone who listens to you listens to me; anyone who rejects you rejects me, and those who reject me reject the one who sent me.'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	17	The seventy-two came back rejoicing. 'Lord,' they said, 'even the devils submit to us when we use your name.'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	18	He said to them, 'I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	19	Look, I have given you power to tread down serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	20	Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven.'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	21	Just at this time, filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, he said, 'I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children. Yes, Father, for that is what it has pleased you to do.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	22	Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	23	Then turning to his disciples he spoke to them by themselves, 'Blessed are the eyes that see what you see,
 Luke	Lk	49	10	24	for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	25	And now a lawyer stood up and, to test him, asked, 'Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	26	He said to him, 'What is written in the Law? What is your reading of it?'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	27	He replied, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	28	Jesus said to him, 'You have answered right, do this and life is yours.'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	29	But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbour?'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	30	In answer Jesus said, 'A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of bandits; they stripped him, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	31	Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	32	In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	33	But a Samaritan traveller who came on him was moved with compassion when he saw him.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	34	He went up to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him onto his own mount and took him to an inn and looked after him.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	35	Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper and said, "Look after him, and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have."
 Luke	Lk	49	10	36	Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the bandits' hands?'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	37	He replied, 'The one who showed pity towards him.' Jesus said to him, 'Go, and do the same yourself.'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	38	In the course of their journey he came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	39	She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and listened to him speaking.
 Luke	Lk	49	10	40	Now Martha, who was distracted with all the serving, came to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.'
 Luke	Lk	49	10	41	But the Lord answered, 'Martha, Martha,' he said, 'you worry and fret about so many things,
 Luke	Lk	49	10	42	and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part, and it is not to be taken from her.'
 Luke	Lk	49	11	1	Now it happened that he was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.'
 Luke	Lk	49	11	2	He said to them, 'When you pray, this is what to say: Father, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come;
 Luke	Lk	49	11	3	give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
 Luke	Lk	49	11	4	for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us. And do not put us to the test.'
 Luke	Lk	49	11	5	He also said to them, 'Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, "My friend, lend me three loaves,
 Luke	Lk	49	11	6	because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him;"
 Luke	Lk	49	11	7	and the man answers from inside the house, "Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up to give it to you."
 Luke	Lk	49	11	8	I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it to him for friendship's sake, persistence will make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	9	'So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	10	For everyone who asks receives; everyone who searches finds; everyone who knocks will have the door opened.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	11	What father among you, if his son asked for a fish, would hand him a snake?
 Luke	Lk	49	11	12	Or if he asked for an egg, hand him a scorpion?
 Luke	Lk	49	11	13	If you then, evil as you are, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!'
 Luke	Lk	49	11	14	He was driving out a devil and it was dumb; and it happened that when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	15	But some of them said, 'It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he drives devils out.'
 Luke	Lk	49	11	16	Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven;
 Luke	Lk	49	11	17	but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, 'Any kingdom which is divided against itself is heading for ruin, and house collapses against house.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	18	So, too, with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? - since you claim that it is through Beelzebul that I drive devils out.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	19	Now if it is through Beelzebul that I drive devils out, through whom do your own sons drive them out? They shall be your judges, then.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	20	But if it is through the finger of God that I drive devils out, then the kingdom of God has indeed caught you unawares.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	21	So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own home, his goods are undisturbed;
 Luke	Lk	49	11	22	but when someone stronger than himself attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	23	'Anyone who is not with me is against me; and anyone who does not gather in with me throws away.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	24	'When an unclean spirit goes out of someone it wanders through waterless country looking for a place to rest, and not finding one it says, "I will go back to the home I came from."
 Luke	Lk	49	11	25	But on arrival, finding it swept and tidied,
 Luke	Lk	49	11	26	it then goes off and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and set up house there, and so that person ends up worse off than before.'
 Luke	Lk	49	11	27	It happened that as he was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, 'Blessed the womb that bore you and the breasts that fed you!'
 Luke	Lk	49	11	28	But he replied, 'More blessed still are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'
 Luke	Lk	49	11	29	The crowds got even bigger and he addressed them, 'This is an evil generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	30	For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of man be a sign to this generation.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	31	On Judgement Day the Queen of the South will stand up against the people of this generation and be their condemnation, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, look, there is something greater than Solomon here.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	32	On Judgement Day the men of Nineveh will appear against this generation and be its condemnation, because when Jonah preached they repented; and, look, there is something greater than Jonah here.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	33	'No one lights a lamp and puts it in some hidden place or under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	34	The lamp of the body is your eye. When your eye is clear, your whole body, too, is filled with light; but when it is diseased your body, too, will be darkened.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	35	See to it then that the light inside you is not darkness.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	36	If, therefore, your whole body is filled with light, and not darkened at all, it will be light entirely, as when the lamp shines on you with its rays.'
 Luke	Lk	49	11	37	He had just finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. He went in and sat down at table.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	38	The Pharisee saw this and was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	39	But the Lord said to him, 'You Pharisees! You clean the outside of cup and plate, while inside yourselves you are filled with extortion and wickedness.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	40	Fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside too?
 Luke	Lk	49	11	41	Instead, give alms from what you have and, look, everything will be clean for you.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	42	But alas for you Pharisees, because you pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and neglect justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without neglecting the others.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	43	Alas for you Pharisees, because you like to take the seats of honour in the synagogues and to be greeted respectfully in the market squares!
 Luke	Lk	49	11	44	Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that people walk on without knowing it!'
 Luke	Lk	49	11	45	A lawyer then spoke up. 'Master,' he said, 'when you speak like this you insult us too.'
 Luke	Lk	49	11	46	But he said, 'Alas for you lawyers as well, because you load on people burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not touch with your fingertips.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	47	'Alas for you because you build tombs for the prophets, the people your ancestors killed!
 Luke	Lk	49	11	48	In this way you both witness to what your ancestors did and approve it; they did the killing, you do the building.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	49	'And that is why the Wisdom of God said, "I will send them prophets and apostles; some they will slaughter and persecute,
 Luke	Lk	49	11	50	so that this generation will have to answer for every prophet's blood that has been shed since the foundation of the world,
 Luke	Lk	49	11	51	from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the Temple." Yes, I tell you, this generation will have to answer for it all.
 Luke	Lk	49	11	52	'Alas for you lawyers who have taken away the key of knowledge! You have not gone in yourselves and have prevented others from going in who wanted to.'
 Luke	Lk	49	11	53	When he left there, the scribes and the Pharisees began a furious attack on him and tried to force answers from him on innumerable questions,
 Luke	Lk	49	11	54	lying in wait to catch him out in something he might say.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	1	Meanwhile the people had gathered in their thousands so that they were treading on one another. And he began to speak, first of all to his disciples. 'Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees -- their hypocrisy.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	2	Everything now covered up will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	3	For this reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places will be proclaimed from the housetops.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	4	'To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	5	I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, he is the one to fear.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	6	Can you not buy five sparrows for two pennies? And yet not one is forgotten in God's sight.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	7	Why, every hair on your head has been counted. There is no need to be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	8	'I tell you, if anyone openly declares himself for me in the presence of human beings, the Son of man will declare himself for him in the presence of God's angels.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	9	But anyone who disowns me in the presence of human beings will be disowned in the presence of God's angels.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	10	'Everyone who says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven, but no one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	11	'When they take you before synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say,
 Luke	Lk	49	12	12	because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.'
 Luke	Lk	49	12	13	A man in the crowd said to him, 'Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance.'
 Luke	Lk	49	12	14	He said to him, 'My friend, who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?'
 Luke	Lk	49	12	15	Then he said to them, 'Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for life does not consist in possessions, even when someone has more than he needs.'
 Luke	Lk	49	12	16	Then he told them a parable, 'There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his land,
 Luke	Lk	49	12	17	thought to himself, "What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops."
 Luke	Lk	49	12	18	Then he said, "This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them,
 Luke	Lk	49	12	19	and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time."
 Luke	Lk	49	12	20	But God said to him, "Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?"
 Luke	Lk	49	12	21	So it is when someone stores up treasure for himself instead of becoming rich in the sight of God.'
 Luke	Lk	49	12	22	Then he said to his disciples, 'That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and how you are to clothe it.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	23	For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	24	Think of the ravens. They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouses and no barns; yet God feeds them. And how much more you are worth than the birds!
 Luke	Lk	49	12	25	Can any of you, however much you worry, add a single cubit to your span of life?
 Luke	Lk	49	12	26	If a very small thing is beyond your powers, why worry about the rest?
 Luke	Lk	49	12	27	Think how the flowers grow; they never have to spin or weave; yet, I assure you, not even Solomon in all his royal robes was clothed like one of them.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	28	Now if that is how God clothes a flower which is growing wild today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he look after you, who have so little faith!
 Luke	Lk	49	12	29	But you must not set your hearts on things to eat and things to drink; nor must you worry.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	30	It is the gentiles of this world who set their hearts on all these things. Your Father well knows you need them.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	31	No; set your hearts on his kingdom, and these other things will be given you as well.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	32	'There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	33	'Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	34	For wherever your treasure is, that is where your heart will be too.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	35	'See that you have your belts done up and your lamps lit.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	36	Be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	37	Blessed those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. In truth I tell you, he will do up his belt, sit them down at table and wait on them.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	38	It may be in the second watch that he comes, or in the third, but blessed are those servants if he finds them ready.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	39	You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what time the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	40	You too must stand ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.'
 Luke	Lk	49	12	41	Peter said, 'Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?'
 Luke	Lk	49	12	42	The Lord replied, 'Who, then, is the wise and trustworthy steward whom the master will place over his household to give them at the proper time their allowance of food?
 Luke	Lk	49	12	43	Blessed that servant if his master's arrival finds him doing exactly that.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	44	I tell you truly, he will put him in charge of everything that he owns.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	45	But if the servant says to himself, "My master is taking his time coming," and sets about beating the menservants and the servant-girls, and eating and drinking and getting drunk,
 Luke	Lk	49	12	46	his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	47	'The servant who knows what his master wants, but has got nothing ready and done nothing in accord with those wishes, will be given a great many strokes of the lash.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	48	The one who did not know, but has acted in such a way that he deserves a beating, will be given fewer strokes. When someone is given a great deal, a great deal will be demanded of that person; when someone is entrusted with a great deal, of that person even more will be expected.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	49	'I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!
 Luke	Lk	49	12	50	There is a baptism I must still receive, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!
 Luke	Lk	49	12	51	'Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	52	For from now on, a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three;
 Luke	Lk	49	12	53	father opposed to son, son to father, mother to daughter, daughter to mother, mother-in-law to daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law to mother-in-law.'
 Luke	Lk	49	12	54	He said again to the crowds, 'When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	55	And when the wind is from the south you say it's going to be hot, and it is.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	56	Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?
 Luke	Lk	49	12	57	'Why not judge for yourselves what is upright?
 Luke	Lk	49	12	58	For example: when you are going to court with your opponent, make an effort to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the officer and the officer have you thrown into prison.
 Luke	Lk	49	12	59	I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny.'
 Luke	Lk	49	13	1	It was just about this time that some people arrived and told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them,
 Luke	Lk	49	13	2	'Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than any others, that this should have happened to them?
 Luke	Lk	49	13	3	They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.
 Luke	Lk	49	13	4	Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell, killing them all? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem?
 Luke	Lk	49	13	5	They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.'
 Luke	Lk	49	13	6	He told this parable, 'A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none.
 Luke	Lk	49	13	7	He said to his vinedresser, "For three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?"
 Luke	Lk	49	13	8	"Sir," the man replied, "leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it:
 Luke	Lk	49	13	9	it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down." '
 Luke	Lk	49	13	10	One Sabbath day he was teaching in one of the synagogues,
 Luke	Lk	49	13	11	and there before him was a woman who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit that crippled her; she was bent double and quite unable to stand upright.
 Luke	Lk	49	13	12	When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, 'Woman, you are freed from your disability,'
 Luke	Lk	49	13	13	and he laid his hands on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God.
 Luke	Lk	49	13	14	But the president of the synagogue was indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, and he addressed all those present saying, 'There are six days when work is to be done. Come and be healed on one of those days and not on the Sabbath.'
 Luke	Lk	49	13	15	But the Lord answered him and said, 'Hypocrites! Is there one of you who does not untie his ox or his donkey from the manger on the Sabbath and take it out for watering?
 Luke	Lk	49	13	16	And this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has held bound these eighteen years -- was it not right to untie this bond on the Sabbath day?'
 Luke	Lk	49	13	17	When he said this, all his adversaries were covered with confusion, and all the people were overjoyed at all the wonders he worked.
 Luke	Lk	49	13	18	He went on to say, 'What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with?
 Luke	Lk	49	13	19	It is like a mustard seed which a man took and threw into his garden: it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches.'
 Luke	Lk	49	13	20	Again he said, 'What shall I compare the kingdom of God with?
 Luke	Lk	49	13	21	It is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through.'
 Luke	Lk	49	13	22	Through towns and villages he went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem.
 Luke	Lk	49	13	23	Someone said to him, 'Sir, will there be only a few saved?' He said to them,
 Luke	Lk	49	13	24	'Try your hardest to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.
 Luke	Lk	49	13	25	'Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself standing outside knocking on the door, saying, "Lord, open to us," but he will answer, "I do not know where you come from."
 Luke	Lk	49	13	26	Then you will start saying, "We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets,"
 Luke	Lk	49	13	27	but he will reply, "I do not know where you come from; away from me, all evil doers!"
 Luke	Lk	49	13	28	'Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrown out.
 Luke	Lk	49	13	29	And people from east and west, from north and south, will come and sit down at the feast in the kingdom of God.
 Luke	Lk	49	13	30	'Look, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last.'
 Luke	Lk	49	13	31	Just at this time some Pharisees came up. 'Go away,' they said. 'Leave this place, because Herod means to kill you.'
 Luke	Lk	49	13	32	He replied, 'You may go and give that fox this message: Look! Today and tomorrow I drive out devils and heal, and on the third day I attain my end.
 Luke	Lk	49	13	33	But for today and tomorrow and the next day I must go on, since it would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem.
 Luke	Lk	49	13	34	'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused!
 Luke	Lk	49	13	35	Look! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me till the time comes when you are saying: Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord!'
 Luke	Lk	49	14	1	Now it happened that on a Sabbath day he had gone to share a meal in the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely.
 Luke	Lk	49	14	2	Now there in front of him was a man with dropsy,
 Luke	Lk	49	14	3	and Jesus addressed the lawyers and Pharisees with the words, 'Is it against the law to cure someone on the Sabbath, or not?'
 Luke	Lk	49	14	4	But they remained silent, so he took the man and cured him and sent him away.
 Luke	Lk	49	14	5	Then he said to them, 'Which of you here, if his son falls into a well, or his ox, will not pull him out on a Sabbath day without any hesitation?'
 Luke	Lk	49	14	6	And to this they could find no answer.
 Luke	Lk	49	14	7	He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this,
 Luke	Lk	49	14	8	'When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited,
 Luke	Lk	49	14	9	and the person who invited you both may come and say, "Give up your place to this man." And then, to your embarrassment, you will have to go and take the lowest place.
 Luke	Lk	49	14	10	No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, "My friend, move up higher." Then, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured.
 Luke	Lk	49	14	11	For everyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be raised up.'
 Luke	Lk	49	14	12	Then he said to his host, 'When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relations or rich neighbours, in case they invite you back and so repay you.
 Luke	Lk	49	14	13	No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
 Luke	Lk	49	14	14	then you will be blessed, for they have no means to repay you and so you will be repaid when the upright rise again.'
 Luke	Lk	49	14	15	On hearing this, one of those gathered round the table said to him, 'Blessed is anyone who will share the meal in the kingdom of God!'
 Luke	Lk	49	14	16	But he said to him, 'There was a man who gave a great banquet, and he invited a large number of people.
 Luke	Lk	49	14	17	When the time for the banquet came, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, "Come along: everything is ready now."
 Luke	Lk	49	14	18	But all alike started to make excuses. The first said, "I have bought a piece of land and must go and see it. Please accept my apologies."
 Luke	Lk	49	14	19	Another said, "I have bought five yoke of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies."
 Luke	Lk	49	14	20	Yet another said, "I have just got married and so am unable to come."
 Luke	Lk	49	14	21	'The servant returned and reported this to his master. Then the householder, in a rage, said to his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame."
 Luke	Lk	49	14	22	"Sir," said the servant, "your orders have been carried out and there is still room."
 Luke	Lk	49	14	23	Then the master said to his servant, "Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and press people to come in, to make sure my house is full;
 Luke	Lk	49	14	24	because, I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet." '
 Luke	Lk	49	14	25	Great crowds accompanied him on his way and he turned and spoke to them.
 Luke	Lk	49	14	26	'Anyone who comes to me without hating father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, cannot be my disciple.
 Luke	Lk	49	14	27	No one who does not carry his cross and come after me can be my disciple.
 Luke	Lk	49	14	28	'And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it?
 Luke	Lk	49	14	29	Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, anyone who saw it would start making fun of him and saying,
 Luke	Lk	49	14	30	"Here is someone who started to build and was unable to finish."
 Luke	Lk	49	14	31	Or again, what king marching to war against another king would not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand men he could stand up to the other who was advancing against him with twenty thousand?
 Luke	Lk	49	14	32	If not, then while the other king was still a long way off, he would send envoys to sue for peace.
 Luke	Lk	49	14	33	So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple without giving up all that he owns.
 Luke	Lk	49	14	34	'Salt is a good thing. But if salt itself loses its taste, what can make it salty again?
 Luke	Lk	49	14	35	It is good for neither soil nor manure heap. People throw it away. Anyone who has ears for listening should listen!'
 Luke	Lk	49	15	1	The tax collectors and sinners, however, were all crowding round to listen to him,
 Luke	Lk	49	15	2	and the Pharisees and scribes complained saying, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'
 Luke	Lk	49	15	3	So he told them this parable:
 Luke	Lk	49	15	4	'Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it?
 Luke	Lk	49	15	5	And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders
 Luke	Lk	49	15	6	and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, I have found my sheep that was lost."
 Luke	Lk	49	15	7	In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner repenting than over ninety-nine upright people who have no need of repentance.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	8	'Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it?
 Luke	Lk	49	15	9	And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, I have found the drachma I lost."
 Luke	Lk	49	15	10	In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.'
 Luke	Lk	49	15	11	Then he said, 'There was a man who had two sons.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	12	The younger one said to his father, "Father, let me have the share of the estate that will come to me." So the father divided the property between them.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	13	A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	14	'When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch;
 Luke	Lk	49	15	15	so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	16	And he would willingly have filled himself with the husks the pigs were eating but no one would let him have them.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	17	Then he came to his senses and said, "How many of my father's hired men have all the food they want and more, and here am I dying of hunger!
 Luke	Lk	49	15	18	I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
 Luke	Lk	49	15	19	I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired men."
 Luke	Lk	49	15	20	So he left the place and went back to his father. 'While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	21	Then his son said, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son."
 Luke	Lk	49	15	22	But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	23	Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we will celebrate by having a feast,
 Luke	Lk	49	15	24	because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found." And they began to celebrate.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	25	'Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	26	Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	27	The servant told him, "Your brother has come, and your father has killed the calf we had been fattening because he has got him back safe and sound."
 Luke	Lk	49	15	28	He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out and began to urge him to come in;
 Luke	Lk	49	15	29	but he retorted to his father, "All these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed any orders of yours, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	30	But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property -- he and his loose women -- you kill the calf we had been fattening."
 Luke	Lk	49	15	31	'The father said, "My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours.
 Luke	Lk	49	15	32	But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found." '
 Luke	Lk	49	16	1	He also said to his disciples, 'There was a rich man and he had a steward who was denounced to him for being wasteful with his property.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	2	He called for the man and said, "What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer."
 Luke	Lk	49	16	3	Then the steward said to himself, "Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	4	Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes."
 Luke	Lk	49	16	5	'Then he called his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, "How much do you owe my master?"
 Luke	Lk	49	16	6	"One hundred measures of oil," he said. The steward said, "Here, take your bond; sit down and quickly write fifty."
 Luke	Lk	49	16	7	To another he said, "And you, sir, how much do you owe?" "One hundred measures of wheat," he said. The steward said, "Here, take your bond and write eighty."
 Luke	Lk	49	16	8	'The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.'
 Luke	Lk	49	16	9	'And so I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	10	Anyone who is trustworthy in little things is trustworthy in great; anyone who is dishonest in little things is dishonest in great.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	11	If then you are not trustworthy with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches?
 Luke	Lk	49	16	12	And if you are not trustworthy with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?
 Luke	Lk	49	16	13	'No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or be attached to the first and despise the second. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.'
 Luke	Lk	49	16	14	The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and jeered at him.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	15	He said to them, 'You are the very ones who pass yourselves off as upright in people's sight, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed in human eyes is loathsome in the sight of God.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	16	'Up to the time of John it was the Law and the Prophets; from then onwards, the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	17	'It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for one little stroke to drop out of the Law.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	18	'Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery, and the man who marries a woman divorced by her husband commits adultery.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	19	'There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	20	And at his gate there used to lie a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores,
 Luke	Lk	49	16	21	who longed to fill himself with what fell from the rich man's table. Even dogs came and licked his sores.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	22	Now it happened that the poor man died and was carried away by the angels into Abraham's embrace. The rich man also died and was buried.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	23	'In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his embrace.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	24	So he cried out, "Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames."
 Luke	Lk	49	16	25	Abraham said, "My son, remember that during your life you had your fill of good things, just as Lazarus his fill of bad. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony.
 Luke	Lk	49	16	26	But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to prevent those who want to cross from our side to yours or from your side to ours."
 Luke	Lk	49	16	27	'So he said, "Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father's house,
 Luke	Lk	49	16	28	since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too."
 Luke	Lk	49	16	29	Abraham said, "They have Moses and the prophets, let them listen to them."
 Luke	Lk	49	16	30	The rich man replied, "Ah no, father Abraham, but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent."
 Luke	Lk	49	16	31	Then Abraham said to him, "If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead."
 Luke	Lk	49	17	1	He said to his disciples, 'Causes of falling are sure to come, but alas for the one through whom they occur!
 Luke	Lk	49	17	2	It would be better for such a person to be thrown into the sea with a millstone round the neck than to be the downfall of a single one of these little ones.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	3	Keep watch on yourselves! 'If your brother does something wrong, rebuke him and, if he is sorry, forgive him.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	4	And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, "I am sorry," you must forgive him.'
 Luke	Lk	49	17	5	The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.'
 Luke	Lk	49	17	6	The Lord replied, 'If you had faith like a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	7	'Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, "Come and have your meal at once"?
 Luke	Lk	49	17	8	Would he not be more likely to say, "Get my supper ready; fasten your belt and wait on me while I eat and drink. You yourself can eat and drink afterwards"?
 Luke	Lk	49	17	9	Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told?
 Luke	Lk	49	17	10	So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, "We are useless servants: we have done no more than our duty." '
 Luke	Lk	49	17	11	Now it happened that on the way to Jerusalem he was travelling in the borderlands of Samaria and Galilee.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	12	As he entered one of the villages, ten men suffering from a virulent skin-disease came to meet him. They stood some way off
 Luke	Lk	49	17	13	and called to him, 'Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.'
 Luke	Lk	49	17	14	When he saw them he said, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' Now as they were going away they were cleansed.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	15	Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice
 Luke	Lk	49	17	16	and threw himself prostrate at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	17	This led Jesus to say, 'Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they?
 Luke	Lk	49	17	18	It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.'
 Luke	Lk	49	17	19	And he said to the man, 'Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.'
 Luke	Lk	49	17	20	Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, he gave them this answer, 'The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation
 Luke	Lk	49	17	21	and there will be no one to say, "Look, it is here! Look, it is there!" For look, the kingdom of God is among you.'
 Luke	Lk	49	17	22	He said to the disciples, 'A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of man and will not see it.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	23	They will say to you, "Look, it is there!" or, "Look, it is here!" Make no move; do not set off in pursuit;
 Luke	Lk	49	17	24	for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of man when his Day comes.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	25	But first he is destined to suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	26	'As it was in Noah's day, so will it also be in the days of the Son of man.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	27	People were eating and drinking, marrying wives and husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and the Flood came and destroyed them all.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	28	It will be the same as it was in Lot's day: people were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building,
 Luke	Lk	49	17	29	but the day Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and it destroyed them all.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	30	It will be the same when the day comes for the Son of man to be revealed.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	31	'When that Day comes, no one on the housetop, with his possessions in the house, must come down to collect them, nor must anyone in the fields turn back.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	32	Remember Lot's wife.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	33	Anyone who tries to preserve his life will lose it; and anyone who loses it will keep it safe.
 Luke	Lk	49	17	34	I tell you, on that night, when two are in one bed, one will be taken, the other left;
 Luke	Lk	49	17	35	when two women are grinding corn together, one will be taken, the other left.'
 Luke	Lk	49	17	36
 Luke	Lk	49	17	37	The disciples spoke up and asked, 'Where, Lord?' He said, 'Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	1	Then he told them a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart.
 Luke	Lk	49	18	2	'There was a judge in a certain town,' he said, 'who had neither fear of God nor respect for anyone.
 Luke	Lk	49	18	3	In the same town there was also a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, "I want justice from you against my enemy!"
 Luke	Lk	49	18	4	For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, "Even though I have neither fear of God nor respect for any human person,
 Luke	Lk	49	18	5	I must give this widow her just rights since she keeps pestering me, or she will come and slap me in the face." '
 Luke	Lk	49	18	6	And the Lord said, 'You notice what the unjust judge has to say?
 Luke	Lk	49	18	7	Now, will not God see justice done to his elect if they keep calling to him day and night even though he still delays to help them?
 Luke	Lk	49	18	8	I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of man comes, will he find any faith on earth?'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	9	He spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being upright and despised everyone else,
 Luke	Lk	49	18	10	'Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector.
 Luke	Lk	49	18	11	The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, "I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like everyone else, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here.
 Luke	Lk	49	18	12	I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get."
 Luke	Lk	49	18	13	The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."
 Luke	Lk	49	18	14	This man, I tell you, went home again justified; the other did not. For everyone who raises himself up will be humbled, but anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	15	People even brought babies to him, for him to touch them; but when the disciples saw this they scolded them.
 Luke	Lk	49	18	16	But Jesus called the children to him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
 Luke	Lk	49	18	17	In truth I tell you, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	18	One of the rulers put this question to him, 'Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	19	Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
 Luke	Lk	49	18	20	You know the commandments: You shall not commit adultery; You shall not kill; You shall not steal; You shall not give false witness; Honour your father and your mother.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	21	He replied, 'I have kept all these since my earliest days.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	22	And when Jesus heard this he said, 'There is still one thing you lack. Sell everything you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	23	But when he heard this he was overcome with sadness, for he was very rich.
 Luke	Lk	49	18	24	Jesus looked at him and said, 'How hard it is for those who have riches to make their way into the kingdom of God!
 Luke	Lk	49	18	25	Yes, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of God.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	26	Those who were listening said, 'In that case, who can be saved?'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	27	He replied, 'Things that are impossible by human resources, are possible for God.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	28	But Peter said, 'Look, we left all we had to follow you.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	29	He said to them, 'In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left house, wife, brothers, parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God
 Luke	Lk	49	18	30	who will not receive many times as much in this present age and, in the world to come, eternal life.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	31	Then taking the Twelve aside he said to them, 'Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of man is to come true.
 Luke	Lk	49	18	32	For he will be handed over to the gentiles and will be mocked, maltreated and spat on,
 Luke	Lk	49	18	33	and when they have scourged him they will put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	34	But they could make nothing of this; what he said was quite obscure to them, they did not understand what he was telling them.
 Luke	Lk	49	18	35	Now it happened that as he drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging.
 Luke	Lk	49	18	36	When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about,
 Luke	Lk	49	18	37	and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by.
 Luke	Lk	49	18	38	So he called out, 'Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	39	The people in front scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, 'Son of David, have pity on me.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	40	Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the man to him, and when he came up, asked him,
 Luke	Lk	49	18	41	'What do you want me to do for you?' 'Sir,' he replied, 'let me see again.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	42	Jesus said to him, 'Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.'
 Luke	Lk	49	18	43	And instantly his sight returned and he followed him praising God, and all the people who saw it gave praise to God.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	1	He entered Jericho and was going through the town
 Luke	Lk	49	19	2	and suddenly a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance; he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	3	He kept trying to see which Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd;
 Luke	Lk	49	19	4	so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	5	When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I am to stay at your house today.'
 Luke	Lk	49	19	6	And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	7	They all complained when they saw what was happening. 'He has gone to stay at a sinner's house,' they said.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	8	But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, 'Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.'
 Luke	Lk	49	19	9	And Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham;
 Luke	Lk	49	19	10	for the Son of man has come to seek out and save what was lost.'
 Luke	Lk	49	19	11	While the people were listening to this he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	12	Accordingly he said, 'A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and then return.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	13	He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds, telling them, "Trade with these, until I get back."
 Luke	Lk	49	19	14	But his compatriots detested him and sent a delegation to follow him with this message, "We do not want this man to be our king."
 Luke	Lk	49	19	15	'Now it happened that on his return, having received his appointment as king, he sent for those servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made by trading.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	16	The first came in, "Sir," he said, "your one pound has brought in ten."
 Luke	Lk	49	19	17	He replied, "Well done, my good servant! Since you have proved yourself trustworthy in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities."
 Luke	Lk	49	19	18	Then came the second, "Sir," he said, "your one pound has made five."
 Luke	Lk	49	19	19	To this one also he said, "And you shall be in charge of five cities."
 Luke	Lk	49	19	20	Next came the other, "Sir," he said, "here is your pound. I put it away safely wrapped up in a cloth
 Luke	Lk	49	19	21	because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man: you gather in what you have not laid out and reap what you have not sown."
 Luke	Lk	49	19	22	He said to him, "You wicked servant! Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew that I was an exacting man, gathering in what I have not laid out and reaping what I have not sown?
 Luke	Lk	49	19	23	Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest."
 Luke	Lk	49	19	24	And he said to those standing by, "Take the pound from him and give it to the man who has ten pounds."
 Luke	Lk	49	19	25	And they said to him, "But, sir, he has ten pounds . . ."
 Luke	Lk	49	19	26	"I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more; but anyone who has not will be deprived even of what he has.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	27	"As for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence." '
 Luke	Lk	49	19	28	When he had said this he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	29	Now it happened that when he was near Bethphage and Bethany, close by the Mount of Olives as it is called, he sent two of the disciples, saying,
 Luke	Lk	49	19	30	'Go to the village opposite, and as you enter it you will find a tethered colt that no one has ever yet ridden. Untie it and bring it here.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	31	If anyone asks you, "Why are you untying it?" you are to say this, "The Master needs it." '
 Luke	Lk	49	19	32	The messengers went off and found everything just as he had told them.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	33	As they were untying the colt, its owners said, 'Why are you untying it?'
 Luke	Lk	49	19	34	and they answered, 'The Master needs it.'
 Luke	Lk	49	19	35	So they took the colt to Jesus and, throwing their cloaks on its back, they lifted Jesus on to it.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	36	As he moved off, they spread their cloaks in the road,
 Luke	Lk	49	19	37	and now, as he was approaching the downward slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole group of disciples joyfully began to praise God at the top of their voices for all the miracles they had seen.
 Luke	Lk	49	19	38	They cried out: Blessed is he who is coming as King in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens!
 Luke	Lk	49	19	39	Some Pharisees in the crowd said to him, 'Master, reprove your disciples,'
 Luke	Lk	49	19	40	but he answered, 'I tell you, if these keep silence, the stones will cry out.'
 Luke	Lk	49	19	41	As he drew near and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it
 Luke	Lk	49	19	42	and said, 'If you too had only recognised on this day the way to peace! But in fact it is hidden from your eyes!
 Luke	Lk	49	19	43	Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side;
 Luke	Lk	49	19	44	they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you, because you did not recognise the moment of your visitation.'
 Luke	Lk	49	19	45	Then he went into the Temple and began driving out those who were busy trading, saying to them,
 Luke	Lk	49	19	46	'According to scripture, my house shall be a house of prayer but you have turned it into a bandits' den.'
 Luke	Lk	49	19	47	He taught in the Temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, in company with the leading citizens, tried to do away with him,
 Luke	Lk	49	19	48	but they could not find a way to carry this out because the whole people hung on his words.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	1	Now it happened that one day while he was teaching the people in the Temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came up, together with the elders,
 Luke	Lk	49	20	2	and spoke to him. 'Tell us,' they said, 'what authority have you for acting like this? Or who gives you this authority?'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	3	In reply he said to them, 'And I will ask you a question, just one. Tell me:
 Luke	Lk	49	20	4	John's baptism: what was its origin, heavenly or human?'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	5	And they debated this way among themselves, 'If we say heavenly, he will retort, "Why did you refuse to believe him?";
 Luke	Lk	49	20	6	and if we say human, the whole people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	7	So their reply was that they did not know where it came from.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	8	And Jesus said to them, 'Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	9	And he went on to tell the people this parable, 'A man planted a vineyard and leased it to tenants, and went abroad for a long while.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	10	When the right time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get his share of the produce of the vineyard. But the tenants thrashed him, and sent him away empty-handed.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	11	But he went on to send a second servant; they thrashed him too and treated him shamefully and sent him away empty-handed.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	12	He still went on to send a third; they wounded this one too, and threw him out.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	13	Then the owner of the vineyard thought, "What am I to do? I will send them my own beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him."
 Luke	Lk	49	20	14	But when the tenants saw him they put their heads together saying, "This is the heir, let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours."
 Luke	Lk	49	20	15	So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 'Now what will the owner of the vineyard do to them?
 Luke	Lk	49	20	16	He will come and make an end of these tenants and give the vineyard to others.' Hearing this they said, 'God forbid!'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	17	But he looked hard at them and said, 'Then what does this text in the scriptures mean: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone?
 Luke	Lk	49	20	18	Anyone who falls on that stone will be dashed to pieces; anyone it falls on will be crushed.'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	19	And the scribes and the chief priests would have liked to lay hands on him that very moment, because they realised that this parable was aimed at them, but they were afraid of the people.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	20	So they awaited their opportunity and sent agents to pose as upright men, and to catch him out in something he might say and so enable them to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	21	They put to him this question, 'Master, we know that you say and teach what is right; you favour no one, but teach the way of God in all honesty.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	22	Is it permissible for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	23	But he was aware of their cunning and said,
 Luke	Lk	49	20	24	'Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and title are on it?' They said, 'Caesar's.'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	25	He said to them, 'Well then, pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar -- and God what belongs to God.'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	26	They were unable to catch him out in anything he had to say in public; they were amazed at his answer and were silenced.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	27	Some Sadducees -- those who argue that there is no resurrection -- approached him and they put this question to him,
 Luke	Lk	49	20	28	'Master, Moses prescribed for us, if a man's married brother dies childless, the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	29	Well then, there were seven brothers; the first, having married a wife, died childless.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	30	The second
 Luke	Lk	49	20	31	and then the third married the widow. And the same with all seven, they died leaving no children.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	32	Finally the woman herself died.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	33	Now, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be, since she had been married to all seven?'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	34	Jesus replied, 'The children of this world take wives and husbands,
 Luke	Lk	49	20	35	but those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry
 Luke	Lk	49	20	36	because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels, and being children of the resurrection they are children of God.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	37	And Moses himself implies that the dead rise again, in the passage about the bush where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	38	Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him everyone is alive.'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	39	Some scribes then spoke up. They said, 'Well put, Master.'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	40	They did not dare to ask him any more questions.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	41	He then said to them, 'How can people maintain that the Christ is son of David?
 Luke	Lk	49	20	42	Why, David himself says in the Book of Psalms: The Lord declared to my Lord, take your seat at my right hand,
 Luke	Lk	49	20	43	till I have made your enemies your footstool.
 Luke	Lk	49	20	44	David here calls him Lord; how then can he be his son?'
 Luke	Lk	49	20	45	While all the people were listening he said to the disciples,
 Luke	Lk	49	20	46	'Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes and love to be greeted respectfully in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets,
 Luke	Lk	49	20	47	who devour the property of widows, and for show offer long prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.'
 Luke	Lk	49	21	1	Looking up, he saw rich people putting their offerings into the treasury;
 Luke	Lk	49	21	2	and he noticed a poverty-stricken widow putting in two small coins,
 Luke	Lk	49	21	3	and he said, 'I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them;
 Luke	Lk	49	21	4	for these have all put in money they could spare, but she in her poverty has put in all she had to live on.'
 Luke	Lk	49	21	5	When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, he said,
 Luke	Lk	49	21	6	'All these things you are staring at now -- the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another; everything will be destroyed.'
 Luke	Lk	49	21	7	And they put to him this question, 'Master,' they said, 'when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that it is about to take place?'
 Luke	Lk	49	21	8	But he said, 'Take care not to be deceived, because many will come using my name and saying, "I am the one" and "The time is near at hand." Refuse to join them.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	9	And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified, for this is something that must happen first, but the end will not come at once.'
 Luke	Lk	49	21	10	Then he said to them, 'Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	11	There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines in various places; there will be terrifying events and great signs from heaven.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	12	'But before all this happens, you will be seized and persecuted; you will be handed over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and brought before kings and governors for the sake of my name
 Luke	Lk	49	21	13	-and that will be your opportunity to bear witness.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	14	Make up your minds not to prepare your defence,
 Luke	Lk	49	21	15	because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	16	You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	17	You will be hated universally on account of my name,
 Luke	Lk	49	21	18	but not a hair of your head will be lost.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	19	Your perseverance will win you your lives.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	20	'When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you must realise that it will soon be laid desolate.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	21	Then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in country districts must not take refuge in it.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	22	For this is the time of retribution when all that scripture says must be fulfilled.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	23	Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come!
 Luke	Lk	49	21	24	'For great misery will descend on the land and retribution on this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every gentile country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the gentiles until their time is complete.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	25	'There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the turmoil of the ocean and its waves;
 Luke	Lk	49	21	26	men fainting away with terror and fear at what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	27	And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	28	When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.'
 Luke	Lk	49	21	29	And he told them a parable, 'Look at the fig tree and indeed every tree.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	30	As soon as you see them bud, you can see for yourselves that summer is now near.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	31	So with you when you see these things happening: know that the kingdom of God is near.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	32	In truth I tell you, before this generation has passed away all will have taken place.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	33	Sky and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	34	'Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly,
 Luke	Lk	49	21	35	like a trap. For it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	36	Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of man.'
 Luke	Lk	49	21	37	All day long he would be in the Temple teaching, but would spend the night in the open on the hill called the Mount of Olives.
 Luke	Lk	49	21	38	And from early morning the people thronged to him in the Temple to listen to him.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	1	The feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was now drawing near,
 Luke	Lk	49	22	2	and the chief priests and the scribes were looking for some way of doing away with him, because they were afraid of the people.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	3	Then Satan entered into Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	4	He approached the chief priests and the officers of the guard to discuss some way of handing Jesus over to them.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	5	They were delighted and agreed to give him money.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	6	He accepted and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them without people knowing about it.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	7	The day of Unleavened Bread came round, on which the Passover had to be sacrificed,
 Luke	Lk	49	22	8	and he sent Peter and John, saying, 'Go and make the preparations for us to eat the Passover.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	9	They asked him, 'Where do you want us to prepare it?'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	10	He said to them, 'Look, as you go into the city you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him into the house he enters
 Luke	Lk	49	22	11	and tell the owner of the house, "The Master says this to you: Where is the room for me to eat the Passover with my disciples?"
 Luke	Lk	49	22	12	The man will show you a large upper room furnished with couches. Make the preparations there.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	13	They set off and found everything as he had told them and prepared the Passover.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	14	When the time came he took his place at table, and the apostles with him.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	15	And he said to them, 'I have ardently longed to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;
 Luke	Lk	49	22	16	because, I tell you, I shall not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	17	Then, taking a cup, he gave thanks and said, 'Take this and share it among you,
 Luke	Lk	49	22	18	because from now on, I tell you, I shall never again drink wine until the kingdom of God comes.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	19	Then he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	20	He did the same with the cup after supper, and said, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	21	'But look, here with me on the table is the hand of the man who is betraying me.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	22	The Son of man is indeed on the path which was decreed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	23	And they began to ask one another which of them it could be who was to do this.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	24	An argument also began between them about who should be reckoned the greatest;
 Luke	Lk	49	22	25	but he said to them, 'Among the gentiles it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	26	With you this must not happen. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	27	For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves!
 Luke	Lk	49	22	28	'You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials;
 Luke	Lk	49	22	29	and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me:
 Luke	Lk	49	22	30	you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	31	'Simon, Simon! Look, Satan has got his wish to sift you all like wheat;
 Luke	Lk	49	22	32	but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	33	'Lord,' he answered, 'I would be ready to go to prison with you, and to death.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	34	Jesus replied, 'I tell you, Peter, by the time the cock crows today you will have denied three times that you know me.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	35	He said to them, 'When I sent you out without purse or haversack or sandals, were you short of anything?'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	36	'No, nothing,' they said. He said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and the same with a haversack; if you have no sword, sell your cloak and buy one,
 Luke	Lk	49	22	37	because I tell you these words of scripture are destined to be fulfilled in me: He was counted as one of the rebellious. Yes, what it says about me is even now reaching its fulfilment.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	38	They said, 'Lord, here are two swords.' He said to them, 'That is enough!'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	39	He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	40	When he reached the place he said to them, 'Pray not to be put to the test.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	41	Then he withdrew from them, about a stone's throw away, and knelt down and prayed.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	42	'Father,' he said, 'if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	43	Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	44	In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	45	When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	46	And he said to them, 'Why are you asleep? Get up and pray not to be put to the test.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	47	Suddenly, while he was still speaking, a number of men appeared, and at the head of them the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, who went up to Jesus to kiss him.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	48	Jesus said, 'Judas, are you betraying the Son of man with a kiss?'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	49	His followers, seeing what was about to happen, said, 'Lord, shall we use our swords?'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	50	And one of them struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	51	But at this Jesus said, 'That is enough.' And touching the man's ear he healed him.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	52	Then Jesus said to the chief priests and captains of the Temple guard and elders who had come for him, 'Am I a bandit, that you had to set out with swords and clubs?
 Luke	Lk	49	22	53	When I was among you in the Temple day after day you never made a move to lay hands on me. But this is your hour; this is the reign of darkness.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	54	They seized him then and led him away, and they took him to the high priest's house. Peter followed at a distance.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	55	They had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and Peter sat down among them,
 Luke	Lk	49	22	56	and as he was sitting there by the blaze a servant-girl saw him, peered at him, and said, 'This man was with him too.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	57	But he denied it. 'Woman, I do not know him,' he said.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	58	Shortly afterwards someone else saw him and said, 'You are one of them too.' But Peter replied, 'I am not, my friend.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	59	About an hour later another man insisted, saying, 'This fellow was certainly with him. Why, he is a Galilean.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	60	Peter said, 'My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.' At that instant, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed,
 Luke	Lk	49	22	61	and the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered the Lord's words when he had said to him, 'Before the cock crows today, you will have disowned me three times.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	62	And he went outside and wept bitterly.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	63	Meanwhile the men who guarded Jesus were mocking and beating him.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	64	They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying, 'Prophesy! Who hit you then?'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	65	And they heaped many other insults on him.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	66	When day broke there was a meeting of the elders of the people, the chief priests and scribes. He was brought before their council,
 Luke	Lk	49	22	67	and they said to him, 'If you are the Christ, tell us.' He replied, 'If I tell you, you will not believe,
 Luke	Lk	49	22	68	and if I question you, you will not answer.
 Luke	Lk	49	22	69	But from now on, the Son of man will be seated at the right hand of the Power of God.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	70	They all said, 'So you are the Son of God then?' He answered, 'It is you who say I am.'
 Luke	Lk	49	22	71	Then they said, 'Why do we need any evidence? We have heard it for ourselves from his own lips.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	1	The whole assembly then rose, and they brought him before Pilate.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	2	They began their accusation by saying, 'We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	3	Pilate put to him this question, 'Are you the king of the Jews?' He replied, 'It is you who say it.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	4	Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd, 'I find no case against this man.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	5	But they persisted, 'He is inflaming the people with his teaching all over Judaea and all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	6	When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean;
 Luke	Lk	49	23	7	and finding that he came under Herod's jurisdiction, he passed him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	8	Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	9	So he questioned him at some length, but without getting any reply.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	10	Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, vigorously pressing their accusations.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	11	Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	12	And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	13	Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	14	He said to them, 'You brought this man before me as a popular agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no grounds in the man for any of the charges you bring against him.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	15	Nor has Herod either, since he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death,
 Luke	Lk	49	23	16	so I shall have him flogged and then let him go.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	17
 Luke	Lk	49	23	18	But as one man they howled, 'Away with him! Give us Barabbas!'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	19	(This man had been thrown into prison because of a riot in the city and murder.)
 Luke	Lk	49	23	20	In his desire to set Jesus free, Pilate addressed them again,
 Luke	Lk	49	23	21	but they shouted back, 'Crucify him! Crucify him!'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	22	And for the third time he spoke to them, 'But what harm has this man done? I have found no case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him flogged and then let him go.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	23	But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts kept growing louder.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	24	Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	25	He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned because of rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	26	As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	27	Large numbers of people followed him, and women too, who mourned and lamented for him.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	28	But Jesus turned to them and said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	29	For look, the days are surely coming when people will say, "Blessed are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne children, the breasts that have never suckled!"
 Luke	Lk	49	23	30	Then they will begin to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!"; to the hills, "Cover us!"
 Luke	Lk	49	23	31	For if this is what is done to green wood, what will be done when the wood is dry?'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	32	Now they were also leading out two others, criminals, to be executed with him.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	33	When they reached the place called The Skull, there they crucified him and the two criminals, one on his right, the other on his left.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	34	Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.' Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	35	The people stayed there watching. As for the leaders, they jeered at him with the words, 'He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	36	The soldiers mocked him too, coming up to him, offering him vinegar,
 Luke	Lk	49	23	37	and saying, 'If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	38	Above him there was an inscription: 'This is the King of the Jews'.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	39	One of the criminals hanging there abused him: 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	40	But the other spoke up and rebuked him. 'Have you no fear of God at all?' he said. 'You got the same sentence as he did,
 Luke	Lk	49	23	41	but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	42	Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	43	He answered him, 'In truth I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	44	It was now about the sixth hour and the sun's light failed, so that darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	45	The veil of the Sanctuary was torn right down the middle.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	46	Jesus cried out in a loud voice saying, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' With these words he breathed his last.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	47	When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said, 'Truly, this was an upright man.'
 Luke	Lk	49	23	48	And when all the crowds who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	49	All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee and saw all this happen.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	50	And now a member of the Council arrived, a good and upright man named Joseph.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	51	He had not consented to what the others had planned and carried out. He came from Arimathaea, a Jewish town, and he lived in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	52	This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	53	He then took it down, wrapped it in a shroud and put it in a tomb which was hewn in stone and which had never held a body.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	54	It was Preparation day and the Sabbath was beginning to grow light.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	55	Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and how the body had been laid.
 Luke	Lk	49	23	56	Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the Sabbath day they rested, as the Law required.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	1	On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, they went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	2	They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb,
 Luke	Lk	49	24	3	but on entering they could not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	4	As they stood there puzzled about this, two men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	5	Terrified, the women bowed their heads to the ground. But the two said to them, 'Why look among the dead for someone who is alive?
 Luke	Lk	49	24	6	He is not here; he has risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee:
 Luke	Lk	49	24	7	that the Son of man was destined to be handed over into the power of sinful men and be crucified, and rise again on the third day.'
 Luke	Lk	49	24	8	And they remembered his words.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	9	And they returned from the tomb and told all this to the Eleven and to all the others.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	10	The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. And the other women with them also told the apostles,
 Luke	Lk	49	24	11	but this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense, and they did not believe them.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	12	Peter, however, went off to the tomb, running. He bent down and looked in and saw the linen cloths but nothing else; he then went back home, amazed at what had happened.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	13	Now that very same day, two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem,
 Luke	Lk	49	24	14	and they were talking together about all that had happened.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	15	And it happened that as they were talking together and discussing it, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side;
 Luke	Lk	49	24	16	but their eyes were prevented from recognising him.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	17	He said to them, 'What are all these things that you are discussing as you walk along?' They stopped, their faces downcast.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	18	Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, 'You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.'
 Luke	Lk	49	24	19	He asked, 'What things?' They answered, 'All about Jesus of Nazareth, who showed himself a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and the whole people;
 Luke	Lk	49	24	20	and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	21	Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have now gone by since it all happened;
 Luke	Lk	49	24	22	and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning,
 Luke	Lk	49	24	23	and when they could not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	24	Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.'
 Luke	Lk	49	24	25	Then he said to them, 'You foolish men! So slow to believe all that the prophets have said!
 Luke	Lk	49	24	26	Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer before entering into his glory?'
 Luke	Lk	49	24	27	Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	28	When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on;
 Luke	Lk	49	24	29	but they pressed him to stay with them saying, 'It is nearly evening, and the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	30	Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	31	And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	32	Then they said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?'
 Luke	Lk	49	24	33	They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions,
 Luke	Lk	49	24	34	who said to them, 'The Lord has indeed risen and has appeared to Simon.'
 Luke	Lk	49	24	35	Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	36	They were still talking about all this when he himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you!'
 Luke	Lk	49	24	37	In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	38	But he said, 'Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts stirring in your hearts?
 Luke	Lk	49	24	39	See by my hands and my feet that it is I myself. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.'
 Luke	Lk	49	24	40	And as he said this he showed them his hands and his feet.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	41	Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, as they were dumbfounded; so he said to them, 'Have you anything here to eat?'
 Luke	Lk	49	24	42	And they offered him a piece of grilled fish,
 Luke	Lk	49	24	43	which he took and ate before their eyes.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	44	Then he told them, 'This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms, was destined to be fulfilled.'
 Luke	Lk	49	24	45	He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures,
 Luke	Lk	49	24	46	and he said to them, 'So it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
 Luke	Lk	49	24	47	and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	48	You are witnesses to this.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	49	'And now I am sending upon you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city, then, until you are clothed with the power from on high.'
 Luke	Lk	49	24	50	Then he took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and raising his hands he blessed them.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	51	Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven.
 Luke	Lk	49	24	52	They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy;
 Luke	Lk	49	24	53	and they were continually in the Temple praising God.
 John	Jn	50	1	1	In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word was God.
 John	Jn	50	1	2	He was with God in the beginning.
 John	Jn	50	1	3	Through him all things came into being, not one thing came into being except through him.
 John	Jn	50	1	4	What has come into being in him was life, life that was the light of men;
 John	Jn	50	1	5	and light shines in darkness, and darkness could not overpower it.
 John	Jn	50	1	6	A man came, sent by God. His name was John.
 John	Jn	50	1	7	He came as a witness, to bear witness to the light, so that everyone might believe through him.
 John	Jn	50	1	8	He was not the light, he was to bear witness to the light.
 John	Jn	50	1	9	The Word was the real light that gives light to everyone; he was coming into the world.
 John	Jn	50	1	10	He was in the world that had come into being through him, and the world did not recognise him.
 John	Jn	50	1	11	He came to his own and his own people did not accept him.
 John	Jn	50	1	12	But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believed in his name
 John	Jn	50	1	13	who were born not from human stock or human desire or human will but from God himself.
 John	Jn	50	1	14	The Word became flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that he has from the Father as only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
 John	Jn	50	1	15	John witnesses to him. He proclaims: 'This is the one of whom I said: He who comes after me has passed ahead of me because he existed before me.'
 John	Jn	50	1	16	Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received -- one gift replacing another,
 John	Jn	50	1	17	for the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ.
 John	Jn	50	1	18	No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.
 John	Jn	50	1	19	This was the witness of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 'Who are you?'
 John	Jn	50	1	20	He declared, he did not deny but declared, 'I am not the Christ.'
 John	Jn	50	1	21	So they asked, 'Then are you Elijah?' He replied, 'I am not.' 'Are you the Prophet?' He answered, 'No.'
 John	Jn	50	1	22	So they said to him, 'Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?'
 John	Jn	50	1	23	So he said, 'I am, as Isaiah prophesied: A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord. Make his paths straight!'
 John	Jn	50	1	24	Now those who had been sent were Pharisees,
 John	Jn	50	1	25	and they put this question to him, 'Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the Prophet?'
 John	Jn	50	1	26	John answered them, 'I baptise with water; but standing among you -- unknown to you-
 John	Jn	50	1	27	is the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandal.'
 John	Jn	50	1	28	This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.
 John	Jn	50	1	29	The next day, he saw Jesus coming towards him and said, 'Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
 John	Jn	50	1	30	It was of him that I said, "Behind me comes one who has passed ahead of me because he existed before me."
 John	Jn	50	1	31	I did not know him myself, and yet my purpose in coming to baptise with water was so that he might be revealed to Israel.'
 John	Jn	50	1	32	And John declared, 'I saw the Spirit come down on him like a dove from heaven and rest on him.
 John	Jn	50	1	33	I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is to baptise with the Holy Spirit."
 John	Jn	50	1	34	I have seen and I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.'
 John	Jn	50	1	35	The next day as John stood there again with two of his disciples, Jesus went past,
 John	Jn	50	1	36	and John looked towards him and said, 'Look, there is the lamb of God.'
 John	Jn	50	1	37	And the two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
 John	Jn	50	1	38	Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, 'What do you want?' They answered, 'Rabbi' -- which means Teacher -- 'where do you live?'
 John	Jn	50	1	39	He replied, 'Come and see'; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.
 John	Jn	50	1	40	One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter.
 John	Jn	50	1	41	The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother and say to him, 'We have found the Messiah' -- which means the Christ-
 John	Jn	50	1	42	and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas' -- which means Rock.
 John	Jn	50	1	43	The next day, after Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, 'Follow me.'
 John	Jn	50	1	44	Philip came from the same town, Bethsaida, as Andrew and Peter.
 John	Jn	50	1	45	Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.'
 John	Jn	50	1	46	Nathanael said to him, 'From Nazareth? Can anything good come from that place?' Philip replied, 'Come and see.'
 John	Jn	50	1	47	When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, 'There, truly, is an Israelite in whom there is no deception.'
 John	Jn	50	1	48	Nathanael asked, 'How do you know me?' Jesus replied, 'Before Philip came to call you, I saw you under the fig tree.'
 John	Jn	50	1	49	Nathanael answered, 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel.'
 John	Jn	50	1	50	Jesus replied, 'You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You are going to see greater things than that.'
 John	Jn	50	1	51	And then he added, 'In all truth I tell you, you will see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending over the Son of man.'
 John	Jn	50	2	1	On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there,
 John	Jn	50	2	2	and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited.
 John	Jn	50	2	3	And they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the feast had all been used, and the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.'
 John	Jn	50	2	4	Jesus said, 'Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet.'
 John	Jn	50	2	5	His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'
 John	Jn	50	2	6	There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons.
 John	Jn	50	2	7	Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water,' and they filled them to the brim.
 John	Jn	50	2	8	Then he said to them, 'Draw some out now and take it to the president of the feast.'
 John	Jn	50	2	9	They did this; the president tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from -- though the servants who had drawn the water knew -- the president of the feast called the bridegroom
 John	Jn	50	2	10	and said, 'Everyone serves good wine first and the worse wine when the guests are well wined; but you have kept the best wine till now.'
 John	Jn	50	2	11	This was the first of Jesus' signs: it was at Cana in Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
 John	Jn	50	2	12	After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, but they stayed there only a few days.
 John	Jn	50	2	13	When the time of the Jewish Passover was near Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
 John	Jn	50	2	14	and in the Temple he found people selling cattle and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting there.
 John	Jn	50	2	15	Making a whip out of cord, he drove them all out of the Temple, sheep and cattle as well, scattered the money changers' coins, knocked their tables over
 John	Jn	50	2	16	and said to the dove sellers, 'Take all this out of here and stop using my Father's house as a market.'
 John	Jn	50	2	17	Then his disciples remembered the words of scripture: I am eaten up with zeal for your house.
 John	Jn	50	2	18	The Jews intervened and said, 'What sign can you show us that you should act like this?'
 John	Jn	50	2	19	Jesus answered, 'Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'
 John	Jn	50	2	20	The Jews replied, 'It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple: are you going to raise it up again in three days?'
 John	Jn	50	2	21	But he was speaking of the Temple that was his body,
 John	Jn	50	2	22	and when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and what he had said.
 John	Jn	50	2	23	During his stay in Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he did,
 John	Jn	50	2	24	but Jesus knew all people and did not trust himself to them;
 John	Jn	50	2	25	he never needed evidence about anyone; he could tell what someone had within.
 John	Jn	50	3	1	There was one of the Pharisees called Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews,
 John	Jn	50	3	2	who came to Jesus by night and said, 'Rabbi, we know that you have come from God as a teacher; for no one could perform the signs that you do unless God were with him.'
 John	Jn	50	3	3	Jesus answered: In all truth I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.
 John	Jn	50	3	4	Nicodemus said, 'How can anyone who is already old be born? Is it possible to go back into the womb again and be born?'
 John	Jn	50	3	5	Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born through water and the Spirit;
 John	Jn	50	3	6	what is born of human nature is human; what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
 John	Jn	50	3	7	Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above.
 John	Jn	50	3	8	The wind blows where it pleases; you can hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.
 John	Jn	50	3	9	'How is that possible?' asked Nicodemus.
 John	Jn	50	3	10	Jesus replied, 'You are the Teacher of Israel, and you do not know these things!
 John	Jn	50	3	11	'In all truth I tell you, we speak only about what we know and witness only to what we have seen and yet you people reject our evidence.
 John	Jn	50	3	12	If you do not believe me when I speak to you about earthly things, how will you believe me when I speak to you about heavenly things?
 John	Jn	50	3	13	No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of man;
 John	Jn	50	3	14	as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up
 John	Jn	50	3	15	so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
 John	Jn	50	3	16	For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
 John	Jn	50	3	17	For God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.
 John	Jn	50	3	18	No one who believes in him will be judged; but whoever does not believe is judged already, because that person does not believe in the Name of God's only Son.
 John	Jn	50	3	19	And the judgement is this: though the light has come into the world people have preferred darkness to the light because their deeds were evil.
 John	Jn	50	3	20	And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, to prevent his actions from being shown up;
 John	Jn	50	3	21	but whoever does the truth comes out into the light, so that what he is doing may plainly appear as done in God.'
 John	Jn	50	3	22	After this, Jesus went with his disciples into the Judaean countryside and stayed with them there and baptised.
 John	Jn	50	3	23	John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, where there was plenty of water, and people were going there and were being baptised.
 John	Jn	50	3	24	For John had not yet been put in prison.
 John	Jn	50	3	25	Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew about purification,
 John	Jn	50	3	26	so they went to John and said, 'Rabbi, the man who was with you on the far side of the Jordan, the man to whom you bore witness, is baptising now, and everyone is going to him.'
 John	Jn	50	3	27	John replied: 'No one can have anything except what is given him from heaven.
 John	Jn	50	3	28	'You yourselves can bear me out. I said, "I am not the Christ; I am the one who has been sent to go in front of him."
 John	Jn	50	3	29	'It is the bridegroom who has the bride; and yet the bridegroom's friend, who stands there and listens to him, is filled with joy at the bridegroom's voice. This is the joy I feel, and it is complete.
 John	Jn	50	3	30	He must grow greater, I must grow less.
 John	Jn	50	3	31	He who comes from above is above all others; he who is of the earth is earthly himself and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven
 John	Jn	50	3	32	bears witness to the things he has seen and heard, but his testimony is not accepted by anybody;
 John	Jn	50	3	33	though anyone who does accept his testimony is attesting that God is true,
 John	Jn	50	3	34	since he whom God has sent speaks God's own words, for God gives him the Spirit without reserve.
 John	Jn	50	3	35	The Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything to his hands.
 John	Jn	50	3	36	Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life: God's retribution hangs over him.'
 John	Jn	50	4	1	When Jesus heard that the Pharisees had found out that he was making and baptising more disciples than John-
 John	Jn	50	4	2	though in fact it was his disciples who baptised, not Jesus himself-
 John	Jn	50	4	3	he left Judaea and went back to Galilee.
 John	Jn	50	4	4	He had to pass through Samaria.
 John	Jn	50	4	5	On the way he came to the Samaritan town called Sychar near the land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
 John	Jn	50	4	6	Jacob's well was there and Jesus, tired by the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
 John	Jn	50	4	7	When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, 'Give me something to drink.'
 John	Jn	50	4	8	His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.
 John	Jn	50	4	9	The Samaritan woman said to him, 'You are a Jew. How is it that you ask me, a Samaritan, for something to drink?' -- Jews, of course, do not associate with Samaritans.
 John	Jn	50	4	10	Jesus replied to her: If you only knew what God is offering and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me something to drink,' you would have been the one to ask, and he would have given you living water.
 John	Jn	50	4	11	'You have no bucket, sir,' she answered, 'and the well is deep: how do you get this living water?
 John	Jn	50	4	12	Are you a greater man than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself with his sons and his cattle?'
 John	Jn	50	4	13	Jesus replied: Whoever drinks this water will be thirsty again;
 John	Jn	50	4	14	but no one who drinks the water that I shall give will ever be thirsty again: the water that I shall give will become a spring of water within, welling up for eternal life.
 John	Jn	50	4	15	'Sir,' said the woman, 'give me some of that water, so that I may never be thirsty or come here again to draw water.'
 John	Jn	50	4	16	'Go and call your husband,' said Jesus to her, 'and come back here.'
 John	Jn	50	4	17	The woman answered, 'I have no husband.' Jesus said to her, 'You are right to say, "I have no husband";
 John	Jn	50	4	18	for although you have had five, the one you now have is not your husband. You spoke the truth there.'
 John	Jn	50	4	19	'I see you are a prophet, sir,' said the woman.
 John	Jn	50	4	20	'Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, though you say that Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.'
 John	Jn	50	4	21	Jesus said: Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
 John	Jn	50	4	22	You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know; for salvation comes from the Jews.
 John	Jn	50	4	23	But the hour is coming -- indeed is already here -- when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: that is the kind of worshipper the Father seeks.
 John	Jn	50	4	24	God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth.
 John	Jn	50	4	25	The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah -- that is, Christ -- is coming; and when he comes he will explain everything.'
 John	Jn	50	4	26	Jesus said, 'That is who I am, I who speak to you.'
 John	Jn	50	4	27	At this point his disciples returned and were surprised to find him speaking to a woman, though none of them asked, 'What do you want from her?' or, 'What are you talking to her about?'
 John	Jn	50	4	28	The woman put down her water jar and hurried back to the town to tell the people,
 John	Jn	50	4	29	'Come and see a man who has told me everything I have done; could this be the Christ?'
 John	Jn	50	4	30	This brought people out of the town and they made their way towards him.
 John	Jn	50	4	31	Meanwhile, the disciples were urging him, 'Rabbi, do have something to eat';
 John	Jn	50	4	32	but he said, 'I have food to eat that you do not know about.'
 John	Jn	50	4	33	So the disciples said to one another, 'Has someone brought him food?'
 John	Jn	50	4	34	But Jesus said: My food is to do the will of the one who sent me, and to complete his work.
 John	Jn	50	4	35	Do you not have a saying: Four months and then the harvest? Well, I tell you, look around you, look at the fields; already they are white, ready for harvest!
 John	Jn	50	4	36	Already the reaper is being paid his wages, already he is bringing in the grain for eternal life, so that sower and reaper can rejoice together.
 John	Jn	50	4	37	For here the proverb holds true: one sows, another reaps;
 John	Jn	50	4	38	I sent you to reap a harvest you have not laboured for. Others have laboured for it; and you have come into the rewards of their labour.
 John	Jn	50	4	39	Many Samaritans of that town believed in him on the strength of the woman's words of testimony, 'He told me everything I have done.'
 John	Jn	50	4	40	So, when the Samaritans came up to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed for two days, and
 John	Jn	50	4	41	many more came to believe on the strength of the words he spoke to them;
 John	Jn	50	4	42	and they said to the woman, 'Now we believe no longer because of what you told us; we have heard him ourselves and we know that he is indeed the Saviour of the world.'
 John	Jn	50	4	43	When the two days were over Jesus left for Galilee.
 John	Jn	50	4	44	He himself had declared that a prophet is not honoured in his own home town.
 John	Jn	50	4	45	On his arrival the Galileans received him well, having seen all that he had done at Jerusalem during the festival which they too had attended.
 John	Jn	50	4	46	He went again to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine. And there was a royal official whose son was ill at Capernaum;
 John	Jn	50	4	47	hearing that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judaea, he went and asked him to come and cure his son, as he was at the point of death.
 John	Jn	50	4	48	Jesus said to him, 'Unless you see signs and portents you will not believe!'
 John	Jn	50	4	49	'Sir,' answered the official, 'come down before my child dies.'
 John	Jn	50	4	50	'Go home,' said Jesus, 'your son will live.' The man believed what Jesus had said and went on his way home;
 John	Jn	50	4	51	and while he was still on the way his servants met him with the news that his boy was alive.
 John	Jn	50	4	52	He asked them when the boy had begun to recover. They replied, 'The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.'
 John	Jn	50	4	53	The father realised that this was exactly the time when Jesus had said, 'Your son will live'; and he and all his household believed.
 John	Jn	50	4	54	This new sign, the second, Jesus performed on his return from Judaea to Galilee.
 John	Jn	50	5	1	After this there was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
 John	Jn	50	5	2	Now in Jerusalem next to the Sheep Pool there is a pool called Bethesda in Hebrew, which has five porticos;
 John	Jn	50	5	3	and under these were crowds of sick people, blind, lame, paralysed.
 John	Jn	50	5	4	for at intervals the angel of the Lord came down into the pool, and the water was disturbed, and the first person to enter the water after this disturbance was cured of any ailment he suffered from.
 John	Jn	50	5	5	One man there had an illness which had lasted thirty-eight years,
 John	Jn	50	5	6	and when Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had been in that condition for a long time, he said, 'Do you want to be well again?'
 John	Jn	50	5	7	'Sir,' replied the sick man, 'I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is disturbed; and while I am still on the way, someone else gets down there before me.'
 John	Jn	50	5	8	Jesus said, 'Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and walk around.'
 John	Jn	50	5	9	The man was cured at once, and he picked up his mat and started to walk around. Now that day happened to be the Sabbath,
 John	Jn	50	5	10	so the Jews said to the man who had been cured, 'It is the Sabbath; you are not allowed to carry your sleeping-mat.'
 John	Jn	50	5	11	He replied, 'But the man who cured me told me, "Pick up your sleeping-mat and walk around." '
 John	Jn	50	5	12	They asked, 'Who is the man who said to you, "Pick up your sleeping-mat and walk around"? '
 John	Jn	50	5	13	The man had no idea who it was, since Jesus had disappeared, as the place was crowded.
 John	Jn	50	5	14	After a while Jesus met him in the Temple and said, 'Now you are well again, do not sin any more, or something worse may happen to you.'
 John	Jn	50	5	15	The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had cured him.
 John	Jn	50	5	16	It was because he did things like this on the Sabbath that the Jews began to harass Jesus.
 John	Jn	50	5	17	His answer to them was, 'My Father still goes on working, and I am at work, too.'
 John	Jn	50	5	18	But that only made the Jews even more intent on killing him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he spoke of God as his own Father and so made himself God's equal.
 John	Jn	50	5	19	To this Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, by himself the Son can do nothing; he can do only what he sees the Father doing: and whatever the Father does the Son does too.
 John	Jn	50	5	20	For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he himself does, and he will show him even greater things than these, works that will astonish you.
 John	Jn	50	5	21	Thus, as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son gives life to anyone he chooses;
 John	Jn	50	5	22	for the Father judges no one; he has entrusted all judgement to the Son,
 John	Jn	50	5	23	so that all may honour the Son as they honour the Father. Whoever refuses honour to the Son refuses honour to the Father who sent him.
 John	Jn	50	5	24	In all truth I tell you, whoever listens to my words, and believes in the one who sent me, has eternal life; without being brought to judgement such a person has passed from death to life.
 John	Jn	50	5	25	In all truth I tell you, the hour is coming -- indeed it is already here -- when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and all who hear it will live.
 John	Jn	50	5	26	For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself;
 John	Jn	50	5	27	and, because he is the Son of man, has granted him power to give judgement.
 John	Jn	50	5	28	Do not be surprised at this, for the hour is coming when the dead will leave their graves at the sound of his voice:
 John	Jn	50	5	29	those who did good will come forth to life; and those who did evil will come forth to judgement.
 John	Jn	50	5	30	By myself I can do nothing; I can judge only as I am told to judge, and my judging is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.
 John	Jn	50	5	31	Were I to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be true;
 John	Jn	50	5	32	but there is another witness who speaks on my behalf, and I know that his testimony is true.
 John	Jn	50	5	33	You sent messengers to John, and he gave his testimony to the truth-
 John	Jn	50	5	34	not that I depend on human testimony; no, it is for your salvation that I mention it.
 John	Jn	50	5	35	John was a lamp lit and shining and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave.
 John	Jn	50	5	36	But my testimony is greater than John's: the deeds my Father has given me to perform, these same deeds of mine testify that the Father has sent me.
 John	Jn	50	5	37	Besides, the Father who sent me bears witness to me himself. You have never heard his voice, you have never seen his shape,
 John	Jn	50	5	38	and his word finds no home in you because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.
 John	Jn	50	5	39	You pore over the scriptures, believing that in them you can find eternal life; it is these scriptures that testify to me,
 John	Jn	50	5	40	and yet you refuse to come to me to receive life!
 John	Jn	50	5	41	Human glory means nothing to me.
 John	Jn	50	5	42	Besides, I know you too well: you have no love of God in you.
 John	Jn	50	5	43	I have come in the name of my Father and you refuse to accept me; if someone else should come in his own name you would accept him.
 John	Jn	50	5	44	How can you believe, since you look to each other for glory and are not concerned with the glory that comes from the one God?
 John	Jn	50	5	45	Do not imagine that I am going to accuse you before the Father: you have placed your hopes on Moses, and Moses will be the one who accuses you.
 John	Jn	50	5	46	If you really believed him you would believe me too, since it was about me that he was writing;
 John	Jn	50	5	47	but if you will not believe what he wrote, how can you believe what I say?
 John	Jn	50	6	1	After this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee -- or of Tiberias-
 John	Jn	50	6	2	and a large crowd followed him, impressed by the signs he had done in curing the sick.
 John	Jn	50	6	3	Jesus climbed the hillside and sat down there with his disciples.
 John	Jn	50	6	4	The time of the Jewish Passover was near.
 John	Jn	50	6	5	Looking up, Jesus saw the crowds approaching and said to Philip, 'Where can we buy some bread for these people to eat?'
 John	Jn	50	6	6	He said this only to put Philip to the test; he himself knew exactly what he was going to do.
 John	Jn	50	6	7	Philip answered, 'Two hundred denarii would not buy enough to give them a little piece each.'
 John	Jn	50	6	8	One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said,
 John	Jn	50	6	9	'Here is a small boy with five barley loaves and two fish; but what is that among so many?'
 John	Jn	50	6	10	Jesus said to them, 'Make the people sit down.' There was plenty of grass there, and as many as five thousand men sat down.
 John	Jn	50	6	11	Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were sitting there; he then did the same with the fish, distributing as much as they wanted.
 John	Jn	50	6	12	When they had eaten enough he said to the disciples, 'Pick up the pieces left over, so that nothing is wasted.'
 John	Jn	50	6	13	So they picked them up and filled twelve large baskets with scraps left over from the meal of five barley loaves.
 John	Jn	50	6	14	Seeing the sign that he had done, the people said, 'This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.'
 John	Jn	50	6	15	Jesus, as he realised they were about to come and take him by force and make him king, fled back to the hills alone.
 John	Jn	50	6	16	That evening the disciples went down to the shore of the sea
 John	Jn	50	6	17	and got into a boat to make for Capernaum on the other side of the sea. It was getting dark by now and Jesus had still not rejoined them.
 John	Jn	50	6	18	The wind was strong, and the sea was getting rough.
 John	Jn	50	6	19	They had rowed three or four miles when they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming towards the boat. They were afraid,
 John	Jn	50	6	20	but he said, 'It's me. Don't be afraid.'
 John	Jn	50	6	21	They were ready to take him into the boat, and immediately it reached the shore at the place they were making for.
 John	Jn	50	6	22	Next day, the crowd that had stayed on the other side saw that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that the disciples had set off by themselves.
 John	Jn	50	6	23	Other boats, however, had put in from Tiberias, near the place where the bread had been eaten.
 John	Jn	50	6	24	When the people saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into those boats and crossed to Capernaum to look for Jesus.
 John	Jn	50	6	25	When they found him on the other side, they said to him, 'Rabbi, when did you come here?'
 John	Jn	50	6	26	Jesus answered: In all truth I tell you, you are looking for me not because you have seen the signs but because you had all the bread you wanted to eat.
 John	Jn	50	6	27	Do not work for food that goes bad, but work for food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of man will give you, for on him the Father, God himself, has set his seal.
 John	Jn	50	6	28	Then they said to him, 'What must we do if we are to carry out God's work?'
 John	Jn	50	6	29	Jesus gave them this answer, 'This is carrying out God's work: you must believe in the one he has sent.'
 John	Jn	50	6	30	So they said, 'What sign will you yourself do, the sight of which will make us believe in you? What work will you do?
 John	Jn	50	6	31	Our fathers ate manna in the desert; as scripture says: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'
 John	Jn	50	6	32	Jesus answered them: In all truth I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, it is my Father who gives you the bread from heaven, the true bread;
 John	Jn	50	6	33	for the bread of God is the bread which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
 John	Jn	50	6	34	'Sir,' they said, 'give us that bread always.'
 John	Jn	50	6	35	Jesus answered them: I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever hunger; no one who believes in me will ever thirst.
 John	Jn	50	6	36	But, as I have told you, you can see me and still you do not believe.
 John	Jn	50	6	37	Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me; I will certainly not reject anyone who comes to me,
 John	Jn	50	6	38	because I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but to do the will of him who sent me.
 John	Jn	50	6	39	Now the will of him who sent me is that I should lose nothing of all that he has given to me, but that I should raise it up on the last day.
 John	Jn	50	6	40	It is my Father's will that whoever sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and that I should raise that person up on the last day.
 John	Jn	50	6	41	Meanwhile the Jews were complaining to each other about him, because he had said, 'I am the bread that has come down from heaven.'
 John	Jn	50	6	42	They were saying, 'Surely this is Jesus son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know. How can he now say, "I have come down from heaven?" '
 John	Jn	50	6	43	Jesus said in reply to them, 'Stop complaining to each other.
 John	Jn	50	6	44	'No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise that person up on the last day.
 John	Jn	50	6	45	It is written in the prophets: They will all be taught by God; everyone who has listened to the Father, and learnt from him, comes to me.
 John	Jn	50	6	46	Not that anybody has seen the Father, except him who has his being from God: he has seen the Father.
 John	Jn	50	6	47	In all truth I tell you, everyone who believes has eternal life.
 John	Jn	50	6	48	I am the bread of life.
 John	Jn	50	6	49	Your fathers ate manna in the desert and they are dead;
 John	Jn	50	6	50	but this is the bread which comes down from heaven, so that a person may eat it and not die.
 John	Jn	50	6	51	I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.'
 John	Jn	50	6	52	Then the Jews started arguing among themselves, 'How can this man give us his flesh to eat?'
 John	Jn	50	6	53	Jesus replied to them: In all truth I tell you, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
 John	Jn	50	6	54	Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise that person up on the last day.
 John	Jn	50	6	55	For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
 John	Jn	50	6	56	Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in that person.
 John	Jn	50	6	57	As the living Father sent me and I draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will also draw life from me.
 John	Jn	50	6	58	This is the bread which has come down from heaven; it is not like the bread our ancestors ate: they are dead, but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.
 John	Jn	50	6	59	This is what he taught at Capernaum in the synagogue.
 John	Jn	50	6	60	After hearing it, many of his followers said, 'This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?'
 John	Jn	50	6	61	Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, 'Does this disturb you?
 John	Jn	50	6	62	What if you should see the Son of man ascend to where he was before?
 John	Jn	50	6	63	'It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
 John	Jn	50	6	64	'But there are some of you who do not believe.' For Jesus knew from the outset who did not believe and who was to betray him.
 John	Jn	50	6	65	He went on, 'This is why I told you that no one could come to me except by the gift of the Father.'
 John	Jn	50	6	66	After this, many of his disciples went away and accompanied him no more.
 John	Jn	50	6	67	Then Jesus said to the Twelve, 'What about you, do you want to go away too?'
 John	Jn	50	6	68	Simon Peter answered, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life,
 John	Jn	50	6	69	and we believe; we have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.'
 John	Jn	50	6	70	Jesus replied to them, 'Did I not choose the Twelve of you? Yet one of you is a devil.'
 John	Jn	50	6	71	He meant Judas son of Simon Iscariot, since this was the man, one of the Twelve, who was to betray him.
 John	Jn	50	7	1	After this Jesus travelled round Galilee; he could not travel round Judaea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him.
 John	Jn	50	7	2	As the Jewish feast of Shelters drew near,
 John	Jn	50	7	3	his brothers said to him, 'Leave this place and go to Judaea, so that your disciples, too, can see the works you are doing;
 John	Jn	50	7	4	no one who wants to be publicly known acts in secret; if this is what you are doing, you should reveal yourself to the world.'
 John	Jn	50	7	5	Not even his brothers had faith in him.
 John	Jn	50	7	6	Jesus answered, 'For me the right time has not come yet, but for you any time is the right time.
 John	Jn	50	7	7	The world cannot hate you, but it does hate me, because I give evidence that its ways are evil.
 John	Jn	50	7	8	Go up to the festival yourselves: I am not going to this festival, because for me the time is not ripe yet.'
 John	Jn	50	7	9	Having said that, he stayed behind in Galilee.
 John	Jn	50	7	10	However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went up as well, not publicly but secretly.
 John	Jn	50	7	11	At the festival the Jews were on the look-out for him: 'Where is he?' they said.
 John	Jn	50	7	12	There was a great deal of talk about him in the crowds. Some said, 'He is a good man'; others, 'No, he is leading the people astray.'
 John	Jn	50	7	13	Yet no one spoke about him openly, for fear of the Jews.
 John	Jn	50	7	14	When the festival was half over, Jesus went to the Temple and began to teach.
 John	Jn	50	7	15	The Jews were astonished and said, 'How did he learn to read? He has not been educated.'
 John	Jn	50	7	16	Jesus answered them: 'My teaching is not from myself: it comes from the one who sent me;
 John	Jn	50	7	17	anyone who is prepared to do his will, will know whether my teaching is from God or whether I speak on my own account.
 John	Jn	50	7	18	When someone speaks on his own account, he is seeking honour for himself; but when he is seeking the honour of the person who sent him, then he is true and altogether without dishonesty.
 John	Jn	50	7	19	Did not Moses give you the Law? And yet not one of you keeps the Law! 'Why do you want to kill me?'
 John	Jn	50	7	20	The crowd replied, 'You are mad! Who wants to kill you?'
 John	Jn	50	7	21	Jesus answered, 'One work I did, and you are all amazed at it.
 John	Jn	50	7	22	Moses ordered you to practise circumcision -- not that it began with him, it goes back to the patriarchs -- and you circumcise on the Sabbath.
 John	Jn	50	7	23	Now if someone can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses is not broken, why are you angry with me for making someone completely healthy on a Sabbath?
 John	Jn	50	7	24	Do not keep judging according to appearances; let your judgement be according to what is right.'
 John	Jn	50	7	25	Meanwhile some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, 'Isn't this the man they want to kill?
 John	Jn	50	7	26	And here he is, speaking openly, and they have nothing to say to him! Can it be true the authorities have recognised that he is the Christ?
 John	Jn	50	7	27	Yet we all know where he comes from, but when the Christ appears no one will know where he comes from.'
 John	Jn	50	7	28	Then, as Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he cried out: You know me and you know where I came from. Yet I have not come of my own accord: but he who sent me is true; You do not know him,
 John	Jn	50	7	29	but I know him because I have my being from him and it was he who sent me.
 John	Jn	50	7	30	They wanted to arrest him then, but because his hour had not yet come no one laid a hand on him.
 John	Jn	50	7	31	There were many people in the crowds, however, who believed in him; they were saying, 'When the Christ comes, will he give more signs than this man has?'
 John	Jn	50	7	32	Hearing that talk like this about him was spreading among the people, the Pharisees sent the Temple guards to arrest him.
 John	Jn	50	7	33	Then Jesus said: For a short time I am with you still; then I shall go back to the one who sent me.
 John	Jn	50	7	34	You will look for me and will not find me; where I am you cannot come.
 John	Jn	50	7	35	So the Jews said to one another, 'Where is he intending to go that we shall not be able to find him? Is he intending to go abroad to the people who are dispersed among the Greeks and to teach the Greeks?
 John	Jn	50	7	36	What does he mean when he says: "You will look for me and will not find me; where I am, you cannot come?" '
 John	Jn	50	7	37	On the last day, the great day of the festival, Jesus stood and cried out: 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me!
 John	Jn	50	7	38	Let anyone who believes in me come and drink! As scripture says, "From his heart shall flow streams of living water." '
 John	Jn	50	7	39	He was speaking of the Spirit which those who believed in him were to receive; for there was no Spirit as yet because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
 John	Jn	50	7	40	Some of the crowd who had been listening said, 'He is indeed the prophet,'
 John	Jn	50	7	41	and some said, 'He is the Christ,' but others said, 'Would the Christ come from Galilee?
 John	Jn	50	7	42	Does not scripture say that the Christ must be descended from David and come from Bethlehem, the village where David was?'
 John	Jn	50	7	43	So the people could not agree about him.
 John	Jn	50	7	44	Some wanted to arrest him, but no one actually laid a hand on him.
 John	Jn	50	7	45	The guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, 'Why haven't you brought him?'
 John	Jn	50	7	46	The guards replied, 'No one has ever spoken like this man.'
 John	Jn	50	7	47	'So,' the Pharisees answered, 'you, too, have been led astray?
 John	Jn	50	7	48	Have any of the authorities come to believe in him? Any of the Pharisees?
 John	Jn	50	7	49	This rabble knows nothing about the Law -- they are damned.'
 John	Jn	50	7	50	One of them, Nicodemus -- the same man who had come to Jesus earlier -- said to them,
 John	Jn	50	7	51	'But surely our Law does not allow us to pass judgement on anyone without first giving him a hearing and discovering what he is doing?'
 John	Jn	50	7	52	To this they answered, 'Are you a Galilean too? Go into the matter, and see for yourself: prophets do not arise in Galilee.'
 John	Jn	50	7	53	They all went home,
 John	Jn	50	8	1	and Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
 John	Jn	50	8	2	At daybreak he appeared in the Temple again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them.
 John	Jn	50	8	3	The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in the middle
 John	Jn	50	8	4	they said to Jesus, 'Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery,
 John	Jn	50	8	5	and in the Law Moses has ordered us to stone women of this kind. What have you got to say?'
 John	Jn	50	8	6	They asked him this as a test, looking for an accusation to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger.
 John	Jn	50	8	7	As they persisted with their question, he straightened up and said, 'Let the one among you who is guiltless be the first to throw a stone at her.'
 John	Jn	50	8	8	Then he bent down and continued writing on the ground.
 John	Jn	50	8	9	When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until the last one had gone and Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained in the middle.
 John	Jn	50	8	10	Jesus again straightened up and said, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?'
 John	Jn	50	8	11	'No one, sir,' she replied. 'Neither do I condemn you,' said Jesus. 'Go away, and from this moment sin no more.'
 John	Jn	50	8	12	When Jesus spoke to the people again, he said: I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the light of life.
 John	Jn	50	8	13	At this the Pharisees said to him, 'You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not true.'
 John	Jn	50	8	14	Jesus replied: Even though I am testifying on my own behalf, my testimony is still true, because I know where I have come from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
 John	Jn	50	8	15	You judge by human standards; I judge no one,
 John	Jn	50	8	16	but if I judge, my judgement will be true, because I am not alone: the one who sent me is with me;
 John	Jn	50	8	17	and in your Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true.
 John	Jn	50	8	18	I testify on my own behalf, but the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf, too.
 John	Jn	50	8	19	They asked him, 'Where is your Father then?' Jesus answered: You do not know me, nor do you know my Father; if you did know me, you would know my Father as well.
 John	Jn	50	8	20	He spoke these words in the Treasury, while teaching in the Temple. No one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
 John	Jn	50	8	21	Again he said to them: I am going away; you will look for me and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.
 John	Jn	50	8	22	So the Jews said to one another, 'Is he going to kill himself, that he says, "Where I am going, you cannot come?" '
 John	Jn	50	8	23	Jesus went on: You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
 John	Jn	50	8	24	I have told you already: You will die in your sins. Yes, if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.
 John	Jn	50	8	25	So they said to him, 'Who are you?' Jesus answered: What I have told you from the outset.
 John	Jn	50	8	26	About you I have much to say and much to judge; but the one who sent me is true, and what I declare to the world I have learnt from him.
 John	Jn	50	8	27	They did not recognise that he was talking to them about the Father.
 John	Jn	50	8	28	So Jesus said: When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing of my own accord. What I say is what the Father has taught me;
 John	Jn	50	8	29	he who sent me is with me, and has not left me to myself, for I always do what pleases him.
 John	Jn	50	8	30	As he was saying this, many came to believe in him.
 John	Jn	50	8	31	To the Jews who believed in him Jesus said: If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples;
 John	Jn	50	8	32	you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
 John	Jn	50	8	33	They answered, 'We are descended from Abraham and we have never been the slaves of anyone; what do you mean, "You will be set free?" '
 John	Jn	50	8	34	Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave.
 John	Jn	50	8	35	Now a slave has no permanent standing in the household, but a son belongs to it for ever.
 John	Jn	50	8	36	So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.
 John	Jn	50	8	37	I know that you are descended from Abraham; but you want to kill me because my word finds no place in you.
 John	Jn	50	8	38	What I speak of is what I have seen at my Father's side, and you too put into action the lessons you have learnt from your father.
 John	Jn	50	8	39	They repeated, 'Our father is Abraham.' Jesus said to them: If you are Abraham's children, do as Abraham did.
 John	Jn	50	8	40	As it is, you want to kill me, a man who has told you the truth as I have learnt it from God; that is not what Abraham did.
 John	Jn	50	8	41	You are doing your father's work. They replied, 'We were not born illegitimate, the only father we have is God.'
 John	Jn	50	8	42	Jesus answered: If God were your father, you would love me, since I have my origin in God and have come from him; I did not come of my own accord, but he sent me.
 John	Jn	50	8	43	Why do you not understand what I say? Because you cannot bear to listen to my words.
 John	Jn	50	8	44	You are from your father, the devil, and you prefer to do what your father wants. He was a murderer from the start; he was never grounded in the truth; there is no truth in him at all. When he lies he is speaking true to his nature, because he is a liar, and the father of lies.
 John	Jn	50	8	45	But it is because I speak the truth that you do not believe me.
 John	Jn	50	8	46	Can any of you convict me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me?
 John	Jn	50	8	47	Whoever comes from God listens to the words of God; the reason why you do not listen is that you are not from God.
 John	Jn	50	8	48	The Jews replied, 'Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and possessed by a devil?' Jesus answered:
 John	Jn	50	8	49	I am not possessed; but I honour my Father, and you deny me honour.
 John	Jn	50	8	50	I do not seek my own glory; there is someone who does seek it and is the judge of it.
 John	Jn	50	8	51	In all truth I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.
 John	Jn	50	8	52	The Jews said, 'Now we know that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, "Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death."
 John	Jn	50	8	53	Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?'
 John	Jn	50	8	54	Jesus answered: If I were to seek my own glory my glory would be worth nothing; in fact, my glory is conferred by the Father, by the one of whom you say, 'He is our God,'
 John	Jn	50	8	55	although you do not know him. But I know him, and if I were to say, 'I do not know him,' I should be a liar, as you yourselves are. But I do know him, and I keep his word.
 John	Jn	50	8	56	Your father Abraham rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad.
 John	Jn	50	8	57	The Jews then said, 'You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!'
 John	Jn	50	8	58	Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, before Abraham ever was, I am.
 John	Jn	50	8	59	At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.
 John	Jn	50	9	1	As he went along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.
 John	Jn	50	9	2	His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should have been born blind?'
 John	Jn	50	9	3	'Neither he nor his parents sinned,' Jesus answered, 'he was born blind so that the works of God might be revealed in him.
 John	Jn	50	9	4	'As long as day lasts we must carry out the work of the one who sent me; the night will soon be here when no one can work.
 John	Jn	50	9	5	As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world.'
 John	Jn	50	9	6	Having said this, he spat on the ground, made a paste with the spittle, put this over the eyes of the blind man,
 John	Jn	50	9	7	and said to him, 'Go and wash in the Pool of Siloam' (the name means 'one who has been sent'). So he went off and washed and came back able to see.
 John	Jn	50	9	8	His neighbours and the people who used to see him before (for he was a beggar) said, 'Isn't this the man who used to sit and beg?'
 John	Jn	50	9	9	Some said, 'Yes, it is the same one.' Others said, 'No, but he looks just like him.' The man himself said, 'Yes, I am the one.'
 John	Jn	50	9	10	So they said to him, 'Then how is it that your eyes were opened?'
 John	Jn	50	9	11	He answered, 'The man called Jesus made a paste, daubed my eyes with it and said to me, "Go off and wash at Siloam"; so I went, and when I washed I gained my sight.'
 John	Jn	50	9	12	They asked, 'Where is he?' He answered, 'I don't know.'
 John	Jn	50	9	13	They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind.
 John	Jn	50	9	14	It had been a Sabbath day when Jesus made the paste and opened the man's eyes,
 John	Jn	50	9	15	so when the Pharisees asked him how he had gained his sight, he said, 'He put a paste on my eyes, and I washed, and I can see.'
 John	Jn	50	9	16	Then some of the Pharisees said, 'That man cannot be from God: he does not keep the Sabbath.' Others said, 'How can a sinner produce signs like this?' And there was division among them.
 John	Jn	50	9	17	So they spoke to the blind man again, 'What have you to say about him yourself, now that he has opened your eyes?' The man answered, 'He is a prophet.'
 John	Jn	50	9	18	However, the Jews would not believe that the man had been blind without first sending for the parents of the man who had gained his sight and
 John	Jn	50	9	19	asking them, 'Is this man really the son of yours who you say was born blind? If so, how is it that he is now able to see?'
 John	Jn	50	9	20	His parents answered, 'We know he is our son and we know he was born blind,
 John	Jn	50	9	21	but how he can see, we don't know, nor who opened his eyes. Ask him. He is old enough: let him speak for himself.'
 John	Jn	50	9	22	His parents spoke like this out of fear of the Jews, who had already agreed to ban from the synagogue anyone who should acknowledge Jesus as the Christ.
 John	Jn	50	9	23	This was why his parents said, 'He is old enough; ask him.'
 John	Jn	50	9	24	So the Jews sent for the man again and said to him, 'Give glory to God! We are satisfied that this man is a sinner.'
 John	Jn	50	9	25	The man answered, 'Whether he is a sinner I don't know; all I know is that I was blind and now I can see.'
 John	Jn	50	9	26	They said to him, 'What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?'
 John	Jn	50	9	27	He replied, 'I have told you once and you wouldn't listen. Why do you want to hear it all again? Do you want to become his disciples yourselves?'
 John	Jn	50	9	28	At this they hurled abuse at him, 'It is you who are his disciple, we are disciples of Moses:
 John	Jn	50	9	29	we know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this man, we don't know where he comes from.'
 John	Jn	50	9	30	The man replied, 'That is just what is so amazing! You don't know where he comes from and he has opened my eyes!
 John	Jn	50	9	31	We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but God does listen to people who are devout and do his will.
 John	Jn	50	9	32	Ever since the world began it is unheard of for anyone to open the eyes of someone born blind;
 John	Jn	50	9	33	if this man were not from God, he wouldn't have been able to do anything.'
 John	Jn	50	9	34	They retorted, 'Are you trying to teach us, and you a sinner through and through ever since you were born!' And they ejected him.
 John	Jn	50	9	35	Jesus heard they had ejected him, and when he found him he said to him, 'Do you believe in the Son of man?'
 John	Jn	50	9	36	'Sir,' the man replied, 'tell me who he is so that I may believe in him.'
 John	Jn	50	9	37	Jesus said, 'You have seen him; he is speaking to you.'
 John	Jn	50	9	38	The man said, 'Lord, I believe,' and worshipped him.
 John	Jn	50	9	39	Jesus said: It is for judgement that I have come into this world, so that those without sight may see and those with sight may become blind.
 John	Jn	50	9	40	Hearing this, some Pharisees who were present said to him, 'So we are blind, are we?'
 John	Jn	50	9	41	Jesus replied: If you were blind, you would not be guilty, but since you say, 'We can see,' your guilt remains.
 John	Jn	50	10	1	'In all truth I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a bandit.
 John	Jn	50	10	2	He who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock;
 John	Jn	50	10	3	the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out.
 John	Jn	50	10	4	When he has brought out all those that are his, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice.
 John	Jn	50	10	5	They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not recognise the voice of strangers.'
 John	Jn	50	10	6	Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he was saying to them.
 John	Jn	50	10	7	So Jesus spoke to them again: In all truth I tell you, I am the gate of the sheepfold.
 John	Jn	50	10	8	All who have come before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep took no notice of them.
 John	Jn	50	10	9	I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: such a one will go in and out and will find pasture.
 John	Jn	50	10	10	The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.
 John	Jn	50	10	11	I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.
 John	Jn	50	10	12	The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and runs away, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep;
 John	Jn	50	10	13	he runs away because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep.
 John	Jn	50	10	14	I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me,
 John	Jn	50	10	15	just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep.
 John	Jn	50	10	16	And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and I must lead these too. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, one shepherd.
 John	Jn	50	10	17	The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
 John	Jn	50	10	18	No one takes it from me; I lay it down of my own free will, and as I have power to lay it down, so I have power to take it up again; and this is the command I have received from my Father.
 John	Jn	50	10	19	These words caused a fresh division among the Jews.
 John	Jn	50	10	20	Many said, 'He is possessed, he is raving; why do you listen to him?'
 John	Jn	50	10	21	Others said, 'These are not the words of a man possessed by a devil: could a devil open the eyes of the blind?'
 John	Jn	50	10	22	It was the time of the feast of Dedication in Jerusalem. It was winter,
 John	Jn	50	10	23	and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon.
 John	Jn	50	10	24	The Jews gathered round him and said, 'How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us openly.'
 John	Jn	50	10	25	Jesus replied: I have told you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name are my witness;
 John	Jn	50	10	26	but you do not believe, because you are no sheep of mine.
 John	Jn	50	10	27	The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.
 John	Jn	50	10	28	I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from my hand.
 John	Jn	50	10	29	The Father, for what he has given me, is greater than anyone, and no one can steal anything from the Father's hand.
 John	Jn	50	10	30	The Father and I are one.
 John	Jn	50	10	31	The Jews fetched stones to stone him,
 John	Jn	50	10	32	so Jesus said to them, 'I have shown you many good works from my Father; for which of these are you stoning me?'
 John	Jn	50	10	33	The Jews answered him, 'We are stoning you, not for doing a good work, but for blasphemy; though you are only a man, you claim to be God.'
 John	Jn	50	10	34	Jesus answered: Is it not written in your Law: I said, you are gods?
 John	Jn	50	10	35	So it uses the word 'gods' of those people to whom the word of God was addressed -- and scripture cannot be set aside.
 John	Jn	50	10	36	Yet to someone whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world you say, 'You are blaspheming' because I said, 'I am Son of God.'
 John	Jn	50	10	37	If I am not doing my Father's work, there is no need to believe me;
 John	Jn	50	10	38	but if I am doing it, then even if you refuse to believe in me, at least believe in the work I do; then you will know for certain that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.
 John	Jn	50	10	39	They again wanted to arrest him then, but he eluded their clutches.
 John	Jn	50	10	40	He went back again to the far side of the Jordan to the district where John had been baptising at first and he stayed there.
 John	Jn	50	10	41	Many people who came to him said, 'John gave no signs, but all he said about this man was true';
 John	Jn	50	10	42	and many of them believed in him.
 John	Jn	50	11	1	There was a man named Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister, Martha, and he was ill.
 John	Jn	50	11	2	It was the same Mary, the sister of the sick man Lazarus, who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair.
 John	Jn	50	11	3	The sisters sent this message to Jesus, 'Lord, the man you love is ill.'
 John	Jn	50	11	4	On receiving the message, Jesus said, 'This sickness will not end in death, but it is for God's glory so that through it the Son of God may be glorified.'
 John	Jn	50	11	5	Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus,
 John	Jn	50	11	6	yet when he heard that he was ill he stayed where he was for two more days
 John	Jn	50	11	7	before saying to the disciples, 'Let us go back to Judaea.'
 John	Jn	50	11	8	The disciples said, 'Rabbi, it is not long since the Jews were trying to stone you; are you going back there again?'
 John	Jn	50	11	9	Jesus replied: Are there not twelve hours in the day? No one who walks in the daytime stumbles, having the light of this world to see by;
 John	Jn	50	11	10	anyone who walks around at night stumbles, having no light as a guide.
 John	Jn	50	11	11	He said that and then added, 'Our friend Lazarus is at rest; I am going to wake him.'
 John	Jn	50	11	12	The disciples said to him, 'Lord, if he is at rest he will be saved.'
 John	Jn	50	11	13	Jesus was speaking of the death of Lazarus, but they thought that by 'rest' he meant 'sleep';
 John	Jn	50	11	14	so Jesus put it plainly, 'Lazarus is dead;
 John	Jn	50	11	15	and for your sake I am glad I was not there because now you will believe. But let us go to him.'
 John	Jn	50	11	16	Then Thomas -- known as the Twin -- said to the other disciples, 'Let us also go to die with him.'
 John	Jn	50	11	17	On arriving, Jesus found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days already.
 John	Jn	50	11	18	Bethany is only about two miles from Jerusalem,
 John	Jn	50	11	19	and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.
 John	Jn	50	11	20	When Martha heard that Jesus was coming she went to meet him. Mary remained sitting in the house.
 John	Jn	50	11	21	Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,
 John	Jn	50	11	22	but even now I know that God will grant whatever you ask of him.'
 John	Jn	50	11	23	Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.'
 John	Jn	50	11	24	Martha said, 'I know he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day.'
 John	Jn	50	11	25	Jesus said: I am the resurrection. Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live,
 John	Jn	50	11	26	and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?
 John	Jn	50	11	27	'Yes, Lord,' she said, 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world.'
 John	Jn	50	11	28	When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in a low voice, 'The Master is here and wants to see you.'
 John	Jn	50	11	29	Hearing this, Mary got up quickly and went to him.
 John	Jn	50	11	30	Jesus had not yet come into the village; he was still at the place where Martha had met him.
 John	Jn	50	11	31	When the Jews who were in the house comforting Mary saw her get up so quickly and go out, they followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
 John	Jn	50	11	32	Mary went to Jesus, and as soon as she saw him she threw herself at his feet, saying, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.'
 John	Jn	50	11	33	At the sight of her tears, and those of the Jews who had come with her, Jesus was greatly distressed, and with a profound sigh he said,
 John	Jn	50	11	34	'Where have you put him?' They said, 'Lord, come and see.'
 John	Jn	50	11	35	Jesus wept;
 John	Jn	50	11	36	and the Jews said, 'See how much he loved him!'
 John	Jn	50	11	37	But there were some who remarked, 'He opened the eyes of the blind man. Could he not have prevented this man's death?'
 John	Jn	50	11	38	Sighing again, Jesus reached the tomb: it was a cave with a stone to close the opening.
 John	Jn	50	11	39	Jesus said, 'Take the stone away.' Martha, the dead man's sister, said to him, 'Lord, by now he will smell; this is the fourth day since he died.'
 John	Jn	50	11	40	Jesus replied, 'Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?'
 John	Jn	50	11	41	So they took the stone away. Then Jesus lifted up his eyes and said: Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer.
 John	Jn	50	11	42	I myself knew that you hear me always, but I speak for the sake of all these who are standing around me, so that they may believe it was you who sent me.
 John	Jn	50	11	43	When he had said this, he cried in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!'
 John	Jn	50	11	44	The dead man came out, his feet and hands bound with strips of material, and a cloth over his face. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, let him go free.'
 John	Jn	50	11	45	Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what he did, believed in him,
 John	Jn	50	11	46	but some of them went to the Pharisees to tell them what Jesus had done.
 John	Jn	50	11	47	Then the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting. 'Here is this man working all these signs,' they said, 'and what action are we taking?
 John	Jn	50	11	48	If we let him go on in this way everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and suppress the Holy Place and our nation.'
 John	Jn	50	11	49	One of them, Caiaphas, the high priest that year, said, 'You do not seem to have grasped the situation at all;
 John	Jn	50	11	50	you fail to see that it is to your advantage that one man should die for the people, rather than that the whole nation should perish.'
 John	Jn	50	11	51	He did not speak in his own person, but as high priest of that year he was prophesying that Jesus was to die for the nation-
 John	Jn	50	11	52	and not for the nation only, but also to gather together into one the scattered children of God.
 John	Jn	50	11	53	From that day onwards they were determined to kill him.
 John	Jn	50	11	54	So Jesus no longer went about openly among the Jews, but left the district for a town called Ephraim, in the country bordering on the desert, and stayed there with his disciples.
 John	Jn	50	11	55	The Jewish Passover was drawing near, and many of the country people who had gone up to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves
 John	Jn	50	11	56	were looking out for Jesus, saying to one another as they stood about in the Temple, 'What do you think? Will he come to the festival or not?'
 John	Jn	50	11	57	The chief priests and Pharisees had by now given their orders: anyone who knew where he was must inform them so that they could arrest him.
 John	Jn	50	12	1	Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead.
 John	Jn	50	12	2	They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table.
 John	Jn	50	12	3	Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was filled with the scent of the ointment.
 John	Jn	50	12	4	Then Judas Iscariot -- one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him-said,
 John	Jn	50	12	5	'Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?'
 John	Jn	50	12	6	He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contents.
 John	Jn	50	12	7	So Jesus said, 'Leave her alone; let her keep it for the day of my burial.
 John	Jn	50	12	8	You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.'
 John	Jn	50	12	9	Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead.
 John	Jn	50	12	10	Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well,
 John	Jn	50	12	11	since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.
 John	Jn	50	12	12	The next day the great crowd of people who had come up for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.
 John	Jn	50	12	13	They took branches of palm and went out to receive him, shouting: 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel.'
 John	Jn	50	12	14	Jesus found a young donkey and mounted it -- as scripture says:
 John	Jn	50	12	15	Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion; look, your king is approaching, riding on the foal of a donkey.
 John	Jn	50	12	16	At first his disciples did not understand this, but later, after Jesus had been glorified, they remembered that this had been written about him and that this was what had happened to him.
 John	Jn	50	12	17	The crowd who had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead kept bearing witness to it;
 John	Jn	50	12	18	this was another reason why the crowd came out to receive him: they had heard that he had given this sign.
 John	Jn	50	12	19	Then the Pharisees said to one another, 'You see, you are making no progress; look, the whole world has gone after him!'
 John	Jn	50	12	20	Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks.
 John	Jn	50	12	21	These approached Philip, who came from Bethsaida in Galilee, and put this request to him, 'Sir, we should like to see Jesus.'
 John	Jn	50	12	22	Philip went to tell Andrew, and Andrew and Philip together went to tell Jesus.
 John	Jn	50	12	23	Jesus replied to them: Now the hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified.
 John	Jn	50	12	24	In all truth I tell you, unless a wheat grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies it yields a rich harvest.
 John	Jn	50	12	25	Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
 John	Jn	50	12	26	Whoever serves me, must follow me, and my servant will be with me wherever I am. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.
 John	Jn	50	12	27	Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say: Father, save me from this hour? But it is for this very reason that I have come to this hour.
 John	Jn	50	12	28	Father, glorify your name! A voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it, and I will again glorify it.'
 John	Jn	50	12	29	The crowd standing by, who heard this, said it was a clap of thunder; others said, 'It was an angel speaking to him.'
 John	Jn	50	12	30	Jesus answered, 'It was not for my sake that this voice came, but for yours.
 John	Jn	50	12	31	'Now sentence is being passed on this world; now the prince of this world is to be driven out.
 John	Jn	50	12	32	And when I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself.'
 John	Jn	50	12	33	By these words he indicated the kind of death he would die.
 John	Jn	50	12	34	The crowd answered, 'The Law has taught us that the Christ will remain for ever. So how can you say, "The Son of man must be lifted up"? Who is this Son of man?'
 John	Jn	50	12	35	Jesus then said: The light will be with you only a little longer now. Go on your way while you have the light, or darkness will overtake you, and nobody who walks in the dark knows where he is going.
 John	Jn	50	12	36	While you still have the light, believe in the light so that you may become children of light. Having said this, Jesus left them and was hidden from their sight.
 John	Jn	50	12	37	Though they had been present when he gave so many signs, they did not believe in him;
 John	Jn	50	12	38	this was to fulfil the words of the prophet Isaiah: Lord, who has given credence to what they have heard from us, and who has seen in it a revelation of the Lord's arm?
 John	Jn	50	12	39	Indeed, they were unable to believe because, as Isaiah says again:
 John	Jn	50	12	40	He has blinded their eyes, he has hardened their heart, to prevent them from using their eyes to see, using their heart to understand, changing their ways and being healed by me.
 John	Jn	50	12	41	Isaiah said this because he saw his glory, and his words referred to Jesus.
 John	Jn	50	12	42	And yet there were many who did believe in him, even among the leading men, but they did not admit it, because of the Pharisees and for fear of being banned from the synagogue:
 John	Jn	50	12	43	they put human glory before God's glory.
 John	Jn	50	12	44	Jesus declared publicly: Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in the one who sent me,
 John	Jn	50	12	45	and whoever sees me, sees the one who sent me.
 John	Jn	50	12	46	I have come into the world as light, to prevent anyone who believes in me from staying in the dark any more.
 John	Jn	50	12	47	If anyone hears my words and does not keep them faithfully, it is not I who shall judge such a person, since I have come not to judge the world, but to save the world:
 John	Jn	50	12	48	anyone who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already: the word itself that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day.
 John	Jn	50	12	49	For I have not spoken of my own accord; but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and what to speak,
 John	Jn	50	12	50	and I know that his commands mean eternal life. And therefore what the Father has told me is what I speak.
 John	Jn	50	13	1	Before the festival of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father, having loved those who were his in the world, loved them to the end.
 John	Jn	50	13	2	They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him.
 John	Jn	50	13	3	Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
 John	Jn	50	13	4	and he got up from table, removed his outer garments and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist;
 John	Jn	50	13	5	he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing.
 John	Jn	50	13	6	He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?'
 John	Jn	50	13	7	Jesus answered, 'At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.'
 John	Jn	50	13	8	'Never!' said Peter. 'You shall never wash my feet.' Jesus replied, 'If I do not wash you, you can have no share with me.' Simon Peter said,
 John	Jn	50	13	9	'Well then, Lord, not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!'
 John	Jn	50	13	10	Jesus said, 'No one who has had a bath needs washing, such a person is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.'
 John	Jn	50	13	11	He knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said, 'though not all of you are'.
 John	Jn	50	13	12	When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments again he went back to the table. 'Do you understand', he said, 'what I have done to you?
 John	Jn	50	13	13	You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am.
 John	Jn	50	13	14	If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you must wash each other's feet.
 John	Jn	50	13	15	I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.
 John	Jn	50	13	16	'In all truth I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, no messenger is greater than the one who sent him.
 John	Jn	50	13	17	'Now that you know this, blessed are you if you behave accordingly.
 John	Jn	50	13	18	I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: 'He who shares my table takes advantage of me.
 John	Jn	50	13	19	I tell you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe that I am He.
 John	Jn	50	13	20	In all truth I tell you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me.'
 John	Jn	50	13	21	Having said this, Jesus was deeply disturbed and declared, 'In all truth I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.'
 John	Jn	50	13	22	The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he meant.
 John	Jn	50	13	23	The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus;
 John	Jn	50	13	24	Simon Peter signed to him and said, 'Ask who it is he means,'
 John	Jn	50	13	25	so leaning back close to Jesus' chest he said, 'Who is it, Lord?'
 John	Jn	50	13	26	Jesus answered, 'It is the one to whom I give the piece of bread that I dip in the dish.' And when he had dipped the piece of bread he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.
 John	Jn	50	13	27	At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, 'What you are going to do, do quickly.'
 John	Jn	50	13	28	None of the others at table understood why he said this.
 John	Jn	50	13	29	Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, 'Buy what we need for the festival,' or telling him to give something to the poor.
 John	Jn	50	13	30	As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. It was night.
 John	Jn	50	13	31	When he had gone, Jesus said: Now has the Son of man been glorified, and in him God has been glorified.
 John	Jn	50	13	32	If God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon.
 John	Jn	50	13	33	Little children, I shall be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and, as I told the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come.
 John	Jn	50	13	34	I give you a new commandment: love one another; you must love one another just as I have loved you.
 John	Jn	50	13	35	It is by your love for one another, that everyone will recognise you as my disciples.
 John	Jn	50	13	36	Simon Peter said, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus replied, 'Now you cannot follow me where I am going, but later you shall follow me.'
 John	Jn	50	13	37	Peter said to him, 'Why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.'
 John	Jn	50	13	38	'Lay down your life for me?' answered Jesus. 'In all truth I tell you, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.'
 John	Jn	50	14	1	Do not let your hearts be troubled. You trust in God, trust also in me.
 John	Jn	50	14	2	In my Father's house there are many places to live in; otherwise I would have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you,
 John	Jn	50	14	3	and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you to myself, so that you may be with me where I am.
 John	Jn	50	14	4	You know the way to the place where I am going.
 John	Jn	50	14	5	Thomas said, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?'
 John	Jn	50	14	6	Jesus said: I am the Way; I am Truth and Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
 John	Jn	50	14	7	If you know me, you will know my Father too. From this moment you know him and have seen him.
 John	Jn	50	14	8	Philip said, 'Lord, show us the Father and then we shall be satisfied.' Jesus said to him,
 John	Jn	50	14	9	'Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? 'Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father, so how can you say, "Show us the Father"?
 John	Jn	50	14	10	Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? What I say to you I do not speak of my own accord: it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his works.
 John	Jn	50	14	11	You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe it on the evidence of these works.
 John	Jn	50	14	12	In all truth I tell you, whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself, and will perform even greater works, because I am going to the Father.
 John	Jn	50	14	13	Whatever you ask in my name I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
 John	Jn	50	14	14	If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
 John	Jn	50	14	15	If you love me you will keep my commandments.
 John	Jn	50	14	16	I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete to be with you for ever,
 John	Jn	50	14	17	the Spirit of truth whom the world can never accept since it neither sees nor knows him; but you know him, because he is with you, he is in you.
 John	Jn	50	14	18	I shall not leave you orphans; I shall come to you.
 John	Jn	50	14	19	In a short time the world will no longer see me; but you will see that I live and you also will live.
 John	Jn	50	14	20	On that day you will know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you.
 John	Jn	50	14	21	Whoever holds to my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me; and whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and reveal myself to him.'
 John	Jn	50	14	22	Judas -- not Judas Iscariot -- said to him, 'Lord, what has happened, that you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?'
 John	Jn	50	14	23	Jesus replied: Anyone who loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make a home in him.
 John	Jn	50	14	24	Anyone who does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not my own: it is the word of the Father who sent me.
 John	Jn	50	14	25	I have said these things to you while still with you;
 John	Jn	50	14	26	but the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.
 John	Jn	50	14	27	Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace which the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
 John	Jn	50	14	28	You heard me say: I am going away and shall return. If you loved me you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
 John	Jn	50	14	29	I have told you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe.
 John	Jn	50	14	30	I shall not talk to you much longer, because the prince of this world is on his way. He has no power over me,
 John	Jn	50	14	31	but the world must recognise that I love the Father and that I act just as the Father commanded. Come now, let us go.
 John	Jn	50	15	1	I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
 John	Jn	50	15	2	Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even more.
 John	Jn	50	15	3	You are clean already, by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
 John	Jn	50	15	4	Remain in me, as I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, unless it remains part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.
 John	Jn	50	15	5	I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing.
 John	Jn	50	15	6	Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a branch -- and withers; these branches are collected and thrown on the fire and are burnt.
 John	Jn	50	15	7	If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for whatever you please and you will get it.
 John	Jn	50	15	8	It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit and be my disciples.
 John	Jn	50	15	9	I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.
 John	Jn	50	15	10	If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.
 John	Jn	50	15	11	I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.
 John	Jn	50	15	12	This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.
 John	Jn	50	15	13	No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.
 John	Jn	50	15	14	You are my friends, if you do what I command you.
 John	Jn	50	15	15	I shall no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know the master's business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father.
 John	Jn	50	15	16	You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name.
 John	Jn	50	15	17	My command to you is to love one another.
 John	Jn	50	15	18	If the world hates you, you must realise that it hated me before it hated you.
 John	Jn	50	15	19	If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice of you has drawn you out of the world, that is why the world hates you.
 John	Jn	50	15	20	Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well.
 John	Jn	50	15	21	But it will be on my account that they will do all this to you, because they do not know the one who sent me.
 John	Jn	50	15	22	If I had not come, if I had not spoken to them, they would have been blameless; but as it is they have no excuse for their sin.
 John	Jn	50	15	23	Anyone who hates me hates my Father.
 John	Jn	50	15	24	If I had not performed such works among them as no one else has ever done, they would be blameless; but as it is, in spite of what they have seen, they hate both me and my Father.
 John	Jn	50	15	25	But all this was only to fulfil the words written in their Law: They hated me without reason.
 John	Jn	50	15	26	When the Paraclete comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness.
 John	Jn	50	15	27	And you too will be witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning.
 John	Jn	50	16	1	I have told you all this so that you may not fall away.
 John	Jn	50	16	2	They will expel you from the synagogues, and indeed the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is doing a holy service to God.
 John	Jn	50	16	3	They will do these things because they have never known either the Father or me.
 John	Jn	50	16	4	But I have told you all this, so that when the time for it comes you may remember that I told you. I did not tell you this from the beginning, because I was with you;
 John	Jn	50	16	5	but now I am going to the one who sent me. Not one of you asks, 'Where are you going?'
 John	Jn	50	16	6	Yet you are sad at heart because I have told you this.
 John	Jn	50	16	7	Still, I am telling you the truth: it is for your own good that I am going, because unless I go, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
 John	Jn	50	16	8	And when he comes, he will show the world how wrong it was, about sin, and about who was in the right, and about judgement:
 John	Jn	50	16	9	about sin: in that they refuse to believe in me;
 John	Jn	50	16	10	about who was in the right: in that I am going to the Father and you will see me no more;
 John	Jn	50	16	11	about judgement: in that the prince of this world is already condemned.
 John	Jn	50	16	12	I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you to bear now.
 John	Jn	50	16	13	However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking of his own accord, but will say only what he has been told; and he will reveal to you the things to come.
 John	Jn	50	16	14	He will glorify me, since all he reveals to you will be taken from what is mine.
 John	Jn	50	16	15	Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he reveals to you will be taken from what is mine.
 John	Jn	50	16	16	In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again.
 John	Jn	50	16	17	Then some of his disciples said to one another, 'What does he mean, "In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again," and, "I am going to the Father"?
 John	Jn	50	16	18	What is this "short time"? We don't know what he means.'
 John	Jn	50	16	19	Jesus knew that they wanted to question him, so he said, 'You are asking one another what I meant by saying, "In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again."
 John	Jn	50	16	20	'In all truth I tell you, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.
 John	Jn	50	16	21	A woman in childbirth suffers, because her time has come; but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering in her joy that a human being has been born into the world.
 John	Jn	50	16	22	So it is with you: you are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no one shall take from you.
 John	Jn	50	16	23	When that day comes, you will not ask me any questions. In all truth I tell you, anything you ask from the Father he will grant in my name.
 John	Jn	50	16	24	Until now you have not asked anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete.
 John	Jn	50	16	25	I have been telling you these things in veiled language. The hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in veiled language but tell you about the Father in plain words.
 John	Jn	50	16	26	When that day comes you will ask in my name; and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you,
 John	Jn	50	16	27	because the Father himself loves you for loving me, and believing that I came from God.
 John	Jn	50	16	28	I came from the Father and have come into the world and now I am leaving the world to go to the Father.'
 John	Jn	50	16	29	His disciples said, 'Now you are speaking plainly and not using veiled language.
 John	Jn	50	16	30	Now we see that you know everything and need not wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.'
 John	Jn	50	16	31	Jesus answered them: Do you believe at last?
 John	Jn	50	16	32	Listen; the time will come -- indeed it has come already -- when you are going to be scattered, each going his own way and leaving me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
 John	Jn	50	16	33	I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have hardship, but be courageous: I have conquered the world.
 John	Jn	50	17	1	After saying this, Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: Father, the hour has come: glorify your Son so that your Son may glorify you;
 John	Jn	50	17	2	so that, just as you have given him power over all humanity, he may give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him.
 John	Jn	50	17	3	And eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
 John	Jn	50	17	4	I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do.
 John	Jn	50	17	5	Now, Father, glorify me with that glory I had with you before ever the world existed.
 John	Jn	50	17	6	I have revealed your name to those whom you took from the world to give me. They were yours and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
 John	Jn	50	17	7	Now at last they have recognised that all you have given me comes from you
 John	Jn	50	17	8	for I have given them the teaching you gave to me, and they have indeed accepted it and know for certain that I came from you, and have believed that it was you who sent me.
 John	Jn	50	17	9	It is for them that I pray. I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they belong to you.
 John	Jn	50	17	10	All I have is yours and all you have is mine, and in them I am glorified.
 John	Jn	50	17	11	I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us.
 John	Jn	50	17	12	While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name. I have watched over them and not one is lost except one who was destined to be lost, and this was to fulfil the scriptures.
 John	Jn	50	17	13	But now I am coming to you and I say these things in the world to share my joy with them to the full.
 John	Jn	50	17	14	I passed your word on to them, and the world hated them, because they belong to the world no more than I belong to the world.
 John	Jn	50	17	15	I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the Evil One.
 John	Jn	50	17	16	They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.
 John	Jn	50	17	17	Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth.
 John	Jn	50	17	18	As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world,
 John	Jn	50	17	19	and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.
 John	Jn	50	17	20	I pray not only for these but also for those who through their teaching will come to believe in me.
 John	Jn	50	17	21	May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you, so that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
 John	Jn	50	17	22	I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one.
 John	Jn	50	17	23	With me in them and you in me, may they be so perfected in unity that the world will recognise that it was you who sent me and that you have loved them as you have loved me.
 John	Jn	50	17	24	Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see my glory which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
 John	Jn	50	17	25	Father, Upright One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me.
 John	Jn	50	17	26	I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.
 John	Jn	50	18	1	After he had said all this, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron valley where there was a garden into which he went with his disciples.
 John	Jn	50	18	2	Judas the traitor knew the place also, since Jesus had often met his disciples there,
 John	Jn	50	18	3	so Judas brought the cohort to this place together with guards sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees, all with lanterns and torches and weapons.
 John	Jn	50	18	4	Knowing everything that was to happen to him, Jesus came forward and said, 'Who are you looking for?'
 John	Jn	50	18	5	They answered, 'Jesus the Nazarene.' He said, 'I am he.' Now Judas the traitor was standing among them.
 John	Jn	50	18	6	When Jesus said to them, 'I am he,' they moved back and fell on the ground.
 John	Jn	50	18	7	He asked them a second time, 'Who are you looking for?' They said, 'Jesus the Nazarene.'
 John	Jn	50	18	8	Jesus replied, 'I have told you that I am he. If I am the one you are looking for, let these others go.'
 John	Jn	50	18	9	This was to fulfil the words he had spoken, 'Not one of those you gave me have I lost.'
 John	Jn	50	18	10	Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
 John	Jn	50	18	11	Jesus said to Peter, 'Put your sword back in its scabbard; am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?'
 John	Jn	50	18	12	The cohort and its tribune and the Jewish guards seized Jesus and bound him.
 John	Jn	50	18	13	They took him first to Annas, because Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.
 John	Jn	50	18	14	It was Caiaphas who had counselled the Jews, 'It is better for one man to die for the people.'
 John	Jn	50	18	15	Simon Peter, with another disciple, followed Jesus. This disciple, who was known to the high priest, went with Jesus into the high priest's palace,
 John	Jn	50	18	16	but Peter stayed outside the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the door-keeper and brought Peter in.
 John	Jn	50	18	17	The girl on duty at the door said to Peter, 'Aren't you another of that man's disciples?' He answered, 'I am not.'
 John	Jn	50	18	18	Now it was cold, and the servants and guards had lit a charcoal fire and were standing there warming themselves; so Peter stood there too, warming himself with the others.
 John	Jn	50	18	19	The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
 John	Jn	50	18	20	Jesus answered, 'I have spoken openly for all the world to hear; I have always taught in the synagogue and in the Temple where all the Jews meet together; I have said nothing in secret.
 John	Jn	50	18	21	Why ask me? Ask my hearers what I taught; they know what I said.'
 John	Jn	50	18	22	At these words, one of the guards standing by gave Jesus a slap in the face, saying, 'Is that the way you answer the high priest?'
 John	Jn	50	18	23	Jesus replied, 'If there is some offence in what I said, point it out; but if not, why do you strike me?'
 John	Jn	50	18	24	Then Annas sent him, bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
 John	Jn	50	18	25	As Simon Peter stood there warming himself, someone said to him, 'Aren't you another of his disciples?' He denied it saying, 'I am not.'
 John	Jn	50	18	26	One of the high priest's servants, a relation of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, 'Didn't I see you in the garden with him?'
 John	Jn	50	18	27	Again Peter denied it; and at once a cock crowed.
 John	Jn	50	18	28	They then led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the Praetorium. It was now morning. They did not go into the Praetorium themselves to avoid becoming defiled and unable to eat the Passover.
 John	Jn	50	18	29	So Pilate came outside to them and said, 'What charge do you bring against this man?' They replied,
 John	Jn	50	18	30	'If he were not a criminal, we should not have handed him over to you.'
 John	Jn	50	18	31	Pilate said, 'Take him yourselves, and try him by your own Law.' The Jews answered, 'We are not allowed to put anyone to death.'
 John	Jn	50	18	32	This was to fulfil the words Jesus had spoken indicating the way he was going to die.
 John	Jn	50	18	33	So Pilate went back into the Praetorium and called Jesus to him and asked him, 'Are you the king of the Jews?'
 John	Jn	50	18	34	Jesus replied, 'Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others said it to you about me?'
 John	Jn	50	18	35	Pilate answered, 'Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done?'
 John	Jn	50	18	36	Jesus replied, 'Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. As it is, my kingdom does not belong here.'
 John	Jn	50	18	37	Pilate said, 'So, then you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'It is you who say that I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.'
 John	Jn	50	18	38	'Truth?' said Pilate. 'What is that?' And so saying he went out again to the Jews and said, 'I find no case against him.
 John	Jn	50	18	39	But according to a custom of yours I should release one prisoner at the Passover; would you like me, then, to release for you the king of the Jews?'
 John	Jn	50	18	40	At this they shouted, 'Not this man,' they said, 'but Barabbas.' Barabbas was a bandit.
 John	Jn	50	19	1	Pilate then had Jesus taken away and scourged;
 John	Jn	50	19	2	and after this, the soldiers twisted some thorns into a crown and put it on his head and dressed him in a purple robe.
 John	Jn	50	19	3	They kept coming up to him and saying, 'Hail, king of the Jews!' and slapping him in the face.
 John	Jn	50	19	4	Pilate came outside again and said to them, 'Look, I am going to bring him out to you to let you see that I find no case against him.'
 John	Jn	50	19	5	Jesus then came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said, 'Here is the man.'
 John	Jn	50	19	6	When they saw him, the chief priests and the guards shouted, 'Crucify him! Crucify him!' Pilate said, 'Take him yourselves and crucify him: I find no case against him.'
 John	Jn	50	19	7	The Jews replied, 'We have a Law, and according to that Law he ought to be put to death, because he has claimed to be Son of God.'
 John	Jn	50	19	8	When Pilate heard them say this his fears increased.
 John	Jn	50	19	9	Re-entering the Praetorium, he said to Jesus, 'Where do you come from?' But Jesus made no answer.
 John	Jn	50	19	10	Pilate then said to him, 'Are you refusing to speak to me? Surely you know I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?'
 John	Jn	50	19	11	Jesus replied, 'You would have no power over me at all if it had not been given you from above; that is why the man who handed me over to you has the greater guilt.'
 John	Jn	50	19	12	From that moment Pilate was anxious to set him free, but the Jews shouted, 'If you set him free you are no friend of Caesar's; anyone who makes himself king is defying Caesar.'
 John	Jn	50	19	13	Hearing these words, Pilate had Jesus brought out, and seated him on the chair of judgement at a place called the Pavement, in Hebrew Gabbatha.
 John	Jn	50	19	14	It was the Day of Preparation, about the sixth hour. 'Here is your king,' said Pilate to the Jews.
 John	Jn	50	19	15	But they shouted, 'Away with him, away with him, crucify him.' Pilate said, 'Shall I crucify your king?' The chief priests answered, 'We have no king except Caesar.'
 John	Jn	50	19	16	So at that Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. They then took charge of Jesus,
 John	Jn	50	19	17	and carrying his own cross he went out to the Place of the Skull or, as it is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,
 John	Jn	50	19	18	where they crucified him with two others, one on either side, Jesus being in the middle.
 John	Jn	50	19	19	Pilate wrote out a notice and had it fixed to the cross; it ran: 'Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews'.
 John	Jn	50	19	20	This notice was read by many of the Jews, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the writing was in Hebrew, Latin and Greek.
 John	Jn	50	19	21	So the Jewish chief priests said to Pilate, 'You should not write "King of the Jews", but that the man said, "I am King of the Jews". '
 John	Jn	50	19	22	Pilate answered, 'What I have written, I have written.'
 John	Jn	50	19	23	When the soldiers had finished crucifying Jesus they took his clothing and divided it into four shares, one for each soldier. His undergarment was seamless, woven in one piece from neck to hem;
 John	Jn	50	19	24	so they said to one another, 'Instead of tearing it, let's throw dice to decide who is to have it.' In this way the words of scripture were fulfilled: They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothes. That is what the soldiers did.
 John	Jn	50	19	25	Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.
 John	Jn	50	19	26	Seeing his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, 'Woman, this is your son.'
 John	Jn	50	19	27	Then to the disciple he said, 'This is your mother.' And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
 John	Jn	50	19	28	After this, Jesus knew that everything had now been completed and, so that the scripture should be completely fulfilled, he said: I am thirsty.
 John	Jn	50	19	29	A jar full of sour wine stood there; so, putting a sponge soaked in the wine on a hyssop stick, they held it up to his mouth.
 John	Jn	50	19	30	After Jesus had taken the wine he said, 'It is fulfilled'; and bowing his head he gave up his spirit.
 John	Jn	50	19	31	It was the Day of Preparation, and to avoid the bodies' remaining on the cross during the Sabbath -- since that Sabbath was a day of special solemnity -- the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away.
 John	Jn	50	19	32	Consequently the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with him and then of the other.
 John	Jn	50	19	33	When they came to Jesus, they saw he was already dead, and so instead of breaking his legs
 John	Jn	50	19	34	one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water.
 John	Jn	50	19	35	This is the evidence of one who saw it -- true evidence, and he knows that what he says is true -- and he gives it so that you may believe as well.
 John	Jn	50	19	36	Because all this happened to fulfil the words of scripture: Not one bone of his will be broken;
 John	Jn	50	19	37	and again, in another place scripture says: They will look to the one whom they have pierced.
 John	Jn	50	19	38	After this, Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a disciple of Jesus -- though a secret one because he was afraid of the Jews -- asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission, so they came and took it away.
 John	Jn	50	19	39	Nicodemus came as well -- the same one who had first come to Jesus at night-time -- and he brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds.
 John	Jn	50	19	40	They took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, following the Jewish burial custom.
 John	Jn	50	19	41	At the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in this garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been buried.
 John	Jn	50	19	42	Since it was the Jewish Day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
 John	Jn	50	20	1	It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb
 John	Jn	50	20	2	and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. 'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,' she said, 'and we don't know where they have put him.'
 John	Jn	50	20	3	So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb.
 John	Jn	50	20	4	They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first;
 John	Jn	50	20	5	he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in.
 John	Jn	50	20	6	Simon Peter, following him, also came up, went into the tomb, saw the linen cloths lying on the ground
 John	Jn	50	20	7	and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself.
 John	Jn	50	20	8	Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.
 John	Jn	50	20	9	Till this moment they had still not understood the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
 John	Jn	50	20	10	The disciples then went back home.
 John	Jn	50	20	11	But Mary was standing outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, as she wept, she stooped to look inside,
 John	Jn	50	20	12	and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet.
 John	Jn	50	20	13	They said, 'Woman, why are you weeping?' 'They have taken my Lord away,' she replied, 'and I don't know where they have put him.'
 John	Jn	50	20	14	As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not realise that it was Jesus.
 John	Jn	50	20	15	Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?' Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.'
 John	Jn	50	20	16	Jesus said, 'Mary!' She turned round then and said to him in Hebrew, 'Rabbuni!' -- which means Master.
 John	Jn	50	20	17	Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'
 John	Jn	50	20	18	So Mary of Magdala told the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord,' and that he had said these things to her.
 John	Jn	50	20	19	In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, 'Peace be with you,'
 John	Jn	50	20	20	and, after saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord,
 John	Jn	50	20	21	and he said to them again, 'Peace be with you. 'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.'
 John	Jn	50	20	22	After saying this he breathed on them and said: Receive the Holy Spirit.
 John	Jn	50	20	23	If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone's sins, they are retained.
 John	Jn	50	20	24	Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
 John	Jn	50	20	25	So the other disciples said to him, 'We have seen the Lord,' but he answered, 'Unless I can see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.'
 John	Jn	50	20	26	Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. 'Peace be with you,' he said.
 John	Jn	50	20	27	Then he spoke to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving any more but believe.'
 John	Jn	50	20	28	Thomas replied, 'My Lord and my God!'
 John	Jn	50	20	29	Jesus said to him: You believe because you can see me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.
 John	Jn	50	20	30	There were many other signs that Jesus worked in the sight of the disciples, but they are not recorded in this book.
 John	Jn	50	20	31	These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
 John	Jn	50	21	1	Later on, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this:
 John	Jn	50	21	2	Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together.
 John	Jn	50	21	3	Simon Peter said, 'I'm going fishing.' They replied, 'We'll come with you.' They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.
 John	Jn	50	21	4	When it was already light, there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus.
 John	Jn	50	21	5	Jesus called out, 'Haven't you caught anything, friends?' And when they answered, 'No,'
 John	Jn	50	21	6	he said, 'Throw the net out to starboard and you'll find something.' So they threw the net out and could not haul it in because of the quantity of fish.
 John	Jn	50	21	7	The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord.' At these words, 'It is the Lord,' Simon Peter tied his outer garment round him (for he had nothing on) and jumped into the water.
 John	Jn	50	21	8	The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net with the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.
 John	Jn	50	21	9	As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it.
 John	Jn	50	21	10	Jesus said, 'Bring some of the fish you have just caught.'
 John	Jn	50	21	11	Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken.
 John	Jn	50	21	12	Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, 'Who are you?'. They knew quite well it was the Lord.
 John	Jn	50	21	13	Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish.
 John	Jn	50	21	14	This was the third time that Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
 John	Jn	50	21	15	When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my lambs.'
 John	Jn	50	21	16	A second time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' He replied, 'Yes, Lord, you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Look after my sheep.'
 John	Jn	50	21	17	Then he said to him a third time, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt that he asked him a third time, 'Do you love me?' and said, 'Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.
 John	Jn	50	21	18	In all truth I tell you, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.'
 John	Jn	50	21	19	In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, 'Follow me.'
 John	Jn	50	21	20	Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them -- the one who had leant back close to his chest at the supper and had said to him, 'Lord, who is it that will betray you?'
 John	Jn	50	21	21	Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, 'What about him, Lord?'
 John	Jn	50	21	22	Jesus answered, 'If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.'
 John	Jn	50	21	23	The rumour then went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus had not said to Peter, 'He will not die,' but, 'If I want him to stay behind till I come.'
 John	Jn	50	21	24	This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and has written them down, and we know that his testimony is true.
 John	Jn	50	21	25	There was much else that Jesus did; if it were written down in detail, I do not suppose the world itself would hold all the books that would be written.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	1	In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and taught from the beginning
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	2	until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	3	He had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	4	While at table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised. 'It is', he had said, 'what you have heard me speak about:
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	5	John baptised with water but, not many days from now, you are going to be baptised with the Holy Spirit.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	6	Now having met together, they asked him, 'Lord, has the time come for you to restore the kingdom to Israel?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	7	He replied, 'It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	8	but you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit which will come on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to earth's remotest end.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	9	As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	10	They were still staring into the sky as he went, when suddenly two men in white were standing beside them,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	11	and they said, 'Why are you Galileans standing here looking into the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way as you have seen him go to heaven.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	12	So from the Mount of Olives, as it is called, they went back to Jerusalem, a short distance away, no more than a Sabbath walk;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	13	and when they reached the city they went to the upper room where they were staying; there were Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Jude son of James.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	14	With one heart all these joined constantly in prayer, together with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	15	One day Peter stood up to speak to the brothers -- there were about a hundred and twenty people in the congregation,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	16	'Brothers,' he said, 'the passage of scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit, speaking through David, foretells the fate of Judas, who acted as guide to the men who arrested Jesus-
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	17	after being one of our number and sharing our ministry.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	18	As you know, he bought a plot of land with the money he was paid for his crime. He fell headlong and burst open, and all his entrails poured out.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	19	Everybody in Jerusalem heard about it and the plot came to be called "Bloody Acre", in their language Hakeldama.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	20	Now in the Book of Psalms it says: Reduce his encampment to ruin and leave his tent unoccupied. And again: Let someone else take over his office.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	21	'Out of the men who have been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was living with us,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	22	from the time when John was baptising until the day when he was taken up from us, one must be appointed to serve with us as a witness to his resurrection.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	23	Having nominated two candidates, Joseph known as Barsabbas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	24	they prayed, 'Lord, you can read everyone's heart; show us therefore which of these two you have chosen
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	25	to take over this ministry and apostolate, which Judas abandoned to go to his proper place.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	1	26	They then drew lots for them, and as the lot fell to Matthias, he was listed as one of the twelve apostles.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	1	When Pentecost day came round, they had all met together,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	2	when suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a violent wind which filled the entire house in which they were sitting;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	3	and there appeared to them tongues as of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	4	They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak different languages as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	5	Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	6	and at this sound they all assembled, and each one was bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	7	They were amazed and astonished. 'Surely,' they said, 'all these men speaking are Galileans?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	8	How does it happen that each of us hears them in his own native language?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	9	Parthians, Medes and Elamites; people from Mesopotamia, Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	10	Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya round Cyrene; residents of Rome-
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	11	Jews and proselytes alike -- Cretans and Arabs, we hear them preaching in our own language about the marvels of God.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	12	Everyone was amazed and perplexed; they asked one another what it all meant.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	13	Some, however, laughed it off. 'They have been drinking too much new wine,' they said.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	14	Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice: 'Men of Judaea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, make no mistake about this, but listen carefully to what I say.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	15	These men are not drunk, as you imagine; why, it is only the third hour of the day.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	16	On the contrary, this is what the prophet was saying:
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	17	In the last days -- the Lord declares -- I shall pour out my Spirit on all humanity. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young people shall see visions, your old people dream dreams.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	18	Even on the slaves, men and women, shall I pour out my Spirit.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	19	I will show portents in the sky above and signs on the earth below.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	20	The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the day of the Lord comes, that great and terrible Day.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	21	And all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	22	'Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you know.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	23	This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified and killed by men outside the Law.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	24	But God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	25	as David says of him: I kept the Lord before my sight always, for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	26	So my heart rejoiced my tongue delighted; my body, too, will rest secure,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	27	for you will not abandon me to Hades or allow your holy one to see corruption.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	28	You have taught me the way of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	29	'Brothers, no one can deny that the patriarch David himself is dead and buried: his tomb is still with us.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	30	But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of his descendants succeed him on the throne,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	31	he spoke with foreknowledge about the resurrection of the Christ: he is the one who was not abandoned to Hades, and whose body did not see corruption.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	32	God raised this man Jesus to life, and of that we are all witnesses.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	33	Now raised to the heights by God's right hand, he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit, who was promised, and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	34	For David himself never went up to heaven, but yet he said: The Lord declared to my Lord, take your seat at my right hand,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	35	till I have made your enemies your footstool.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	36	'For this reason the whole House of Israel can be certain that the Lord and Christ whom God has made is this Jesus whom you crucified.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	37	Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'What are we to do, brothers?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	38	'You must repent,' Peter answered, 'and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	39	The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God is calling to himself.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	40	He spoke to them for a long time using many other arguments, and he urged them, 'Save yourselves from this perverse generation.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	41	They accepted what he said and were baptised. That very day about three thousand were added to their number.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	42	These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	43	And everyone was filled with awe; the apostles worked many signs and miracles.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	44	And all who shared the faith owned everything in common;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	45	they sold their goods and possessions and distributed the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	46	Each day, with one heart, they regularly went to the Temple but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	2	47	they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	1	Once, when Peter and John were going up to the Temple for the prayers at the ninth hour,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	2	it happened that there was a man being carried along. He was a cripple from birth; and they used to put him down every day near the Temple entrance called the Beautiful Gate so that he could beg from the people going in.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	3	When this man saw Peter and John on their way into the Temple he begged from them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	4	Peter, and John too, looked straight at him and said, 'Look at us.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	5	He turned to them expectantly, hoping to get something from them,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	6	but Peter said, 'I have neither silver nor gold, but I will give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	7	Then he took him by the right hand and helped him to stand up. Instantly his feet and ankles became firm,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	8	he jumped up, stood, and began to walk, and he went with them into the Temple, walking and jumping and praising God.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	9	Everyone could see him walking and praising God,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	10	and they recognised him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. They were all astonished and perplexed at what had happened to him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	11	Everyone came running towards them in great excitement, to the Portico of Solomon, as it is called, where the man was still clinging to Peter and John.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	12	When Peter saw the people he addressed them, 'Men of Israel, why are you so surprised at this? Why are you staring at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or holiness?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	13	It is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, who has glorified his servant Jesus whom you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate after he had given his verdict to release him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	14	It was you who accused the Holy and Upright One, you who demanded that a murderer should be released to you
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	15	while you killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead, and to that fact we are witnesses;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	16	and it is the name of Jesus which, through faith in him, has brought back the strength of this man whom you see here and who is well known to you. It is faith in him that has restored this man to health, as you can all see.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	17	'Now I know, brothers, that neither you nor your leaders had any idea what you were really doing;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	18	but this was the way God carried out what he had foretold, when he said through all his prophets that his Christ would suffer.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	19	Now you must repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	20	and so that the Lord may send the time of comfort. Then he will send you the Christ he has predestined, that is Jesus,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	21	whom heaven must keep till the universal restoration comes which God proclaimed, speaking through his holy prophets.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	22	Moses, for example, said, "From among your brothers the Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me; you will listen to whatever he tells you.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	23	Anyone who refuses to listen to that prophet shall be cut off from the people."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	24	In fact, all the prophets that have ever spoken, from Samuel onwards, have predicted these days.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	25	'You are the heirs of the prophets, the heirs of the covenant God made with your ancestors when he told Abraham, "All the nations of the earth will be blessed in your descendants".
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	3	26	It was for you in the first place that God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you as every one of you turns from his wicked ways.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	1	While they were still talking to the people the priests came up to them, accompanied by the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	2	They were extremely annoyed at their teaching the people the resurrection from the dead by proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	3	They arrested them, and, as it was already late, they kept them in prison till the next day.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	4	But many of those who had listened to their message became believers; the total number of men had now risen to something like five thousand.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	5	It happened that the next day the rulers, elders and scribes held a meeting in Jerusalem
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	6	with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, Jonathan, Alexander and all the members of the high-priestly families.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	7	They made the prisoners stand in the middle and began to interrogate them, 'By what power, and by whose name have you men done this?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	8	Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them, 'Rulers of the people, and elders!
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	9	If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple and asking us how he was healed,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	10	you must know, all of you, and the whole people of Israel, that it is by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, and God raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this man stands before you cured.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	11	This is the stone which you, the builders, rejected but which has become the cornerstone. Only in him is there salvation;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	12	for of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	13	They were astonished at the fearlessness shown by Peter and John, considering that they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	14	but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	15	So they ordered them to stand outside while the Sanhedrin had a private discussion.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	16	'What are we going to do with these men?' they asked. 'It is obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that a notable miracle has been worked through them, and we cannot deny it.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	17	But to stop the whole thing spreading any further among the people, let us threaten them against ever speaking to anyone in this name again.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	18	So they called them in and gave them a warning on no account to make statements or to teach in the name of Jesus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	19	But Peter and John retorted, 'You must judge whether in God's eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	20	We cannot stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	21	The court repeated the threats and then released them; they could not think of any way to punish them, since all the people were giving glory to God for what had happened.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	22	The man who had been miraculously cured was over forty years old.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	23	As soon as they were released they went to the community and told them everything the chief priests and elders had said to them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	24	When they heard it they lifted up their voice to God with one heart. 'Master,' they prayed, 'it is you who made sky and earth and sea, and everything in them;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	25	it is you who said through the Holy Spirit and speaking through our ancestor David, your servant: Why this uproar among the nations, this impotent muttering of the peoples?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	26	Kings on earth take up position, princes plot together against the Lord and his Anointed.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	27	'This is what has come true: in this very city Herod and Pontius Pilate plotted together with the gentile nations and the peoples of Israel, against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	28	to bring about the very thing that you in your strength and your wisdom had predetermined should happen.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	29	And now, Lord, take note of their threats and help your servants to proclaim your message with all fearlessness,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	30	by stretching out your hand to heal and to work miracles and marvels through the name of your holy servant Jesus.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	31	As they prayed, the house where they were assembled rocked. From this time they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the word of God fearlessly.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	32	The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, as everything they owned was held in common.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	33	The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all accorded great respect.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	34	None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from the sale of them,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	35	to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any who might be in need.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	36	There was a Levite of Cypriot origin called Joseph whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas (which means 'son of encouragement').
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	4	37	He owned a piece of land and he sold it and brought the money and presented it to the apostles.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	1	There was also a man called Ananias. He and his wife, Sapphira, agreed to sell a property;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	2	but with his wife's connivance he kept back part of the price and brought the rest and presented it to the apostles.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	3	Peter said, 'Ananias, how can Satan have so possessed you that you should lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	4	While you still owned the land, wasn't it yours to keep, and after you had sold it wasn't the money yours to do with as you liked? What put this scheme into your mind? You have been lying not to men, but to God.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	5	When he heard this Ananias fell down dead. And a great fear came upon everyone present.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	6	The younger men got up, wrapped up the body, carried it out and buried it.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	7	About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had taken place.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	8	Peter challenged her, 'Tell me, was this the price you sold the land for?' 'Yes,' she said, 'that was the price.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	9	Peter then said, 'Why did you and your husband agree to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Listen! At the door are the footsteps of those who have buried your husband; they will carry you out, too.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	10	Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in they found she was dead, and they carried her out and buried her by the side of her husband.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	11	And a great fear came upon the whole church and on all who heard it.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	12	The apostles worked many signs and miracles among the people. One in heart, they all used to meet in the Portico of Solomon.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	13	No one else dared to join them, but the people were loud in their praise
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	14	and the numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily. Many signs and wonders were worked among the people at the hands of the apostles
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	15	so that the sick were even taken out into the streets and laid on beds and sleeping-mats in the hope that at least the shadow of Peter might fall across some of them as he went past.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	16	People even came crowding in from the towns round about Jerusalem, bringing with them their sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were cured.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	17	Then the high priest intervened with all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees. Filled with jealousy,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	18	they arrested the apostles and had them put in the public gaol.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	19	But at night the angel of the Lord opened the prison gates and said as he led them out,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	20	'Go and take up position in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new Life.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	21	They did as they were told; they went into the Temple at dawn and began to preach. When the high priest arrived, he and his supporters convened the Sanhedrin -- this was the full Senate of Israel -- and sent to the gaol for them to be brought.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	22	But when the officials arrived at the prison they found they were not inside, so they went back and reported,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	23	'We found the gaol securely locked and the warders on duty at the gates, but when we unlocked the door we found no one inside.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	24	When the captain of the Temple and the chief priests heard this news they wondered what could be happening.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	25	Then a man arrived with fresh news. 'Look!' he said, 'the men you imprisoned are in the Temple. They are standing there preaching to the people.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	26	The captain went with his men and fetched them -- though not by force, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	27	When they had brought them in to face the Sanhedrin, the high priest demanded an explanation.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	28	'We gave you a strong warning', he said, 'not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt for this man's death on us.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	29	In reply Peter and the apostles said, 'Obedience to God comes before obedience to men;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	30	it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, whom you executed by hanging on a tree.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	31	By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and Saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	32	We are witnesses to this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	33	This so infuriated them that they wanted to put them to death.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	34	One member of the Sanhedrin, however, a Pharisee called Gamaliel, who was a teacher of the Law respected by the whole people, stood up and asked to have the men taken outside for a time.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	35	Then he addressed the Sanhedrin, 'Men of Israel, be careful how you deal with these people.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	36	Some time ago there arose Theudas. He claimed to be someone important, and collected about four hundred followers; but when he was killed, all his followers scattered and that was the end of them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	37	And then there was Judas the Galilean, at the time of the census, who attracted crowds of supporters; but he was killed too, and all his followers dispersed.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	38	What I suggest, therefore, is that you leave these men alone and let them go. If this enterprise, this movement of theirs, is of human origin it will break up of its own accord;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	39	but if it does in fact come from God you will be unable to destroy them. Take care not to find yourselves fighting against God.' His advice was accepted;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	40	and they had the apostles called in, gave orders for them to be flogged, warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	41	And so they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, glad to have had the honour of suffering humiliation for the sake of the name.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	5	42	Every day they went on ceaselessly teaching and proclaiming the good news of Christ Jesus, both in the temple and in private houses.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	1	About this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenists made a complaint against the Hebrews: in the daily distribution their own widows were being overlooked.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	2	So the Twelve called a full meeting of the disciples and addressed them, 'It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	3	you, brothers, must select from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom, to whom we can hand over this duty.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	4	We ourselves will continue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	5	The whole assembly approved of this proposal and elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	6	They presented these to the apostles, and after prayer they laid their hands on them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	7	The word of the Lord continued to spread: the number of disciples in Jerusalem was greatly increased, and a large group of priests made their submission to the faith.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	8	Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	9	Then certain people came forward to debate with Stephen, some from Cyrene and Alexandria who were members of the synagogue called the Synagogue of Freedmen, and others from Cilicia and Asia.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	10	They found they could not stand up against him because of his wisdom, and the Spirit that prompted what he said.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	11	So they procured some men to say, 'We heard him using blasphemous language against Moses and against God.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	12	Having turned the people against him as well as the elders and scribes, they took Stephen by surprise, and arrested him and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	13	There they put up false witnesses to say, 'This man is always making speeches against this Holy Place and the Law.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	14	We have heard him say that Jesus, this Nazarene, is going to destroy this Place and alter the traditions that Moses handed down to us.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	6	15	The members of the Sanhedrin all looked intently at Stephen, and his face appeared to them like the face of an angel.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	1	The high priest asked, 'Is this true?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	2	He replied, 'My brothers, my fathers, listen to what I have to say. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham, while he was in Mesopotamia before settling in Haran,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	3	and said to him, "Leave your country, your kindred and your father's house for this country which I shall show you."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	4	So he left Chaldaea and settled in Haran; and after his father died God made him leave that place and come to this land where you are living today.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	5	God did not give him any property in this land or even a foothold, yet he promised to give it to him and after him to his descendants, childless though he was.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	6	The actual words God used when he spoke to him are that his descendants would be exiles in a land not their own, where they would be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	7	"But I will bring judgement on the nation that enslaves them," God said, "and after this they will leave, and worship me in this place."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	8	Then he made the covenant of circumcision with him: and so when his son Isaac was born Abraham circumcised him on the eighth day; similarly Isaac circumcised Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	9	'The patriarchs were jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery in Egypt. But God was with him,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	10	and rescued him from all his miseries by making him so wise that he won the favour of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who made him governor of Egypt and put him in charge of his household.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	11	Then a famine set in that caused much suffering throughout Egypt and Canaan, and our ancestors could find nothing to eat.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	12	When Jacob heard that there were supplies in Egypt, he sent our ancestors there on a first visit;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	13	and on the second Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Pharaoh came to know his origin.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	14	Joseph then sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, a total of seventy-five people.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	15	Jacob went down into Egypt and after he and our ancestors had died there,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	16	their bodies were brought back to Shechem and buried in the tomb that Abraham had bought for money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	17	'As the time drew near for God to fulfil the promise he had solemnly made to Abraham, our nation in Egypt became very powerful and numerous,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	18	there came to power in Egypt a new king who had never heard of Joseph.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	19	He took precautions and wore down our race, forcing our ancestors to expose their babies rather than letting them live.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	20	It was at this time that Moses was born, a fine child before God. He was looked after for three months in his father's house,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	21	and after he had been exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up like a son.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	22	So Moses was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians and became a man with power both in his speech and in his actions.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	23	'At the age of forty he decided to visit his kinsmen, the Israelites.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	24	When he saw one of them being ill-treated he went to his defence and rescued the man by killing the Egyptian.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	25	He thought his brothers would realise that through him God would liberate them, but they did not.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	26	The next day, when he came across some of them fighting, he tried to reconcile them, and said, "Friends, you are brothers; why are you hurting each other?"
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	27	But the man who was attacking his kinsman pushed him aside, saying, "And who appointed you to be prince over us and judge?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	28	Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?"
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	29	Moses fled when he heard this and he went to dwell in the land of Midian, where he fathered two sons.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	30	'When forty years were fulfilled, in the desert near Mount Sinai, an angel appeared to him in a flame blazing from a bush that was on fire.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	31	Moses was amazed by what he saw. As he went nearer to look at it, the voice of the Lord was heard,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	32	"I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Moses trembled and was afraid to look.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	33	The Lord said to him, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	34	I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt, I have heard them crying for help, and I have come down to rescue them. So come here; I am sending you into Egypt."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	35	'It was the same Moses that they had disowned when they said, "Who appointed you to be our leader and judge?" whom God sent to be both leader and redeemer through the angel who had appeared to him in the bush.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	36	It was this man who led them out, after performing miracles and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the desert for forty years.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	37	It was this Moses who told the sons of Israel, "From among your own brothers God will raise up a prophet like me."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	38	When they held the assembly in the desert it was he who was with our ancestors and the angel who had spoken to him on Mount Sinai; it was he who was entrusted with words of life to hand on to us.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	39	This is the man that our ancestors refused to listen to; they pushed him aside, went back to Egypt in their thoughts,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	40	and said to Aaron, "Make us a god to go at our head; for that Moses, the man who brought us here from Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	41	It was then that they made the statue of a calf and offered sacrifice to the idol. They were perfectly happy with something they had made for themselves.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	42	God turned away from them and abandoned them to the worship of the army of heaven, as scripture says in the book of the prophets: Did you bring me sacrifices and oblations those forty years in the desert, House of Israel?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	43	No, you carried the tent of Moloch on your shoulders and the star of the god Rephan, the idols you made for yourselves to adore, and so now I am about to drive you into captivity beyond Babylon.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	44	'While they were in the desert our ancestors possessed the Tent of Testimony that had been constructed according to the instructions God gave Moses, telling him to work to the design he had been shown.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	45	It was handed down from one ancestor of ours to another until Joshua brought it into the country that had belonged to the nations which were driven out by God before us. Here it stayed until the time of David.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	46	He won God's favour and asked permission to find a dwelling for the House of Jacob,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	47	though it was Solomon who actually built a house for God.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	48	Even so the Most High does not live in a house that human hands have built: for as the prophet says:
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	49	With heaven my throne and earth my footstool, what house could you build me, says the Lord, what place for me to rest,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	50	when all these things were made by me?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	51	'You stubborn people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears. You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	52	Can you name a single prophet your ancestors never persecuted? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Upright One, and now you have become his betrayers, his murderers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	53	In spite of being given the Law through angels, you have not kept it.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	54	They were infuriated when they heard this, and ground their teeth at him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	55	But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	56	'Look! I can see heaven thrown open,' he said, 'and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	57	All the members of the council shouted out and stopped their ears with their hands; then they made a concerted rush at him,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	58	thrust him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses put down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	59	As they were stoning him, Stephen said in invocation, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	7	60	Then he knelt down and said aloud, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' And with these words he fell asleep.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	1	Saul approved of the killing. That day a bitter persecution started against the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except the apostles scattered to the country districts of Judaea and Samaria.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	2	There were some devout people, however, who buried Stephen and made great mourning for him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	3	Saul then began doing great harm to the church; he went from house to house arresting both men and women and sending them to prison.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	4	Once they had scattered, they went from place to place preaching the good news.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	5	And Philip went to a Samaritan town and proclaimed the Christ to them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	6	The people unanimously welcomed the message Philip preached, because they had heard of the miracles he worked and because they saw them for themselves.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	7	For unclean spirits came shrieking out of many who were possessed, and several paralytics and cripples were cured.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	8	As a result there was great rejoicing in that town.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	9	Now a man called Simon had for some time been practising magic arts in the town and astounded the Samaritan people. He had given it out that he was someone momentous,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	10	and everyone believed in him; eminent citizens and ordinary people alike had declared, 'He is the divine power that is called Great.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	11	He had this following because for a considerable period they had been astounded by his wizardry.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	12	But when they came to accept Philip's preaching of the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	13	and even Simon himself became a believer. After his baptism Simon went round constantly with Philip and was astonished when he saw the wonders and great miracles that took place.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	14	When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	15	and they went down there and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	16	for as yet he had not come down on any of them: they had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	17	Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	18	When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	19	with the words, 'Give me the same power so that anyone I lay my hands on will receive the Holy Spirit.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	20	Peter answered, 'May your silver be lost for ever, and you with it, for thinking that money could buy what God has given for nothing!
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	21	You have no share, no part, in this: God can see how your heart is warped.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	22	Repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that this scheme of yours may be forgiven;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	23	it is plain to me that you are held in the bitterness of gall and the chains of sin.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	24	Simon replied, 'Pray to the Lord for me yourselves so that none of the things you have spoken about may happen to me.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	25	Having given their testimony and proclaimed the word of the Lord, they went back to Jerusalem, preaching the good news to a number of Samaritan villages.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	26	The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, 'Set out at noon and go along the road that leads from Jerusalem down to Gaza, the desert road.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	27	So he set off on his journey. Now an Ethiopian had been on pilgrimage to Jerusalem; he was a eunuch and an officer at the court of the kandake, or queen, of Ethiopia; he was her chief treasurer.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	28	He was now on his way home; and as he sat in his chariot he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	29	The Spirit said to Philip, 'Go up and join that chariot.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	30	When Philip ran up, he heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	31	He replied, 'How could I, unless I have someone to guide me?' So he urged Philip to get in and sit by his side.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	32	Now the passage of scripture he was reading was this: Like a lamb led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep dumb in front of its shearers, he never opens his mouth.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	33	In his humiliation fair judgement was denied him. Who will ever talk about his descendants, since his life on earth has been cut short?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	34	The eunuch addressed Philip and said, 'Tell me, is the prophet referring to himself or someone else?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	35	Starting, therefore, with this text of scripture Philip proceeded to explain the good news of Jesus to him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	36	Further along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, 'Look,is some water; is there anything to prevent my being baptised?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	37
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	38	He ordered the chariot to stop, then Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water and he baptised him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	39	But after they had come up out of the water again Philip was taken away by the Spirit of the Lord, and the eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	8	40	Philip appeared in Azotus and continued his journey, proclaiming the good news in every town as far as Caesarea.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	1	Meanwhile Saul was still breathing threats to slaughter the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	2	and asked for letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, that would authorise him to arrest and take to Jerusalem any followers of the Way, men or women, that he might find.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	3	It happened that while he was travelling to Damascus and approaching the city, suddenly a light from heaven shone all round him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	4	He fell to the ground, and then he heard a voice saying, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	5	'Who are you, Lord?' he asked, and the answer came, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	6	Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	7	The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless, for though they heard the voice they could see no one.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	8	Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing at all, and they had to lead him into Damascus by the hand.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	9	For three days he was without his sight and took neither food nor drink.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	10	There was a disciple in Damascus called Ananias, and he had a vision in which the Lord said to him, 'Ananias!' When he replied, 'Here I am, Lord,'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	11	the Lord said, 'Get up and go to Straight Street and ask at the house of Judas for someone called Saul, who comes from Tarsus. At this moment he is praying,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	12	and has seen a man called Ananias coming in and laying hands on him to give him back his sight.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	13	But in response, Ananias said, 'Lord, I have heard from many people about this man and all the harm he has been doing to your holy people in Jerusalem.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	14	He has come here with a warrant from the chief priests to arrest everybody who invokes your name.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	15	The Lord replied, 'Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to bring my name before gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	16	I myself will show him how much he must suffer for my name.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	17	Then Ananias went. He entered the house, and laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, so that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	18	It was as though scales fell away from his eyes and immediately he was able to see again. So he got up and was baptised,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	19	and after taking some food he regained his strength. After he had spent only a few days with the disciples in Damascus,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	20	he began preaching in the synagogues, 'Jesus is the Son of God.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	21	All his hearers were amazed, and said, 'Surely, this is the man who did such damage in Jerusalem to the people who invoke this name, and who came here for the sole purpose of arresting them to have them tried by the chief priests?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	22	Saul's power increased steadily, and he was able to throw the Jewish colony at Damascus into complete confusion by the way he demonstrated that Jesus was the Christ.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	23	Some time passed, and the Jews worked out a plot to kill him,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	24	but news of it reached Saul. They were keeping watch at the gates day and night in order to kill him,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	25	but the disciples took him by night and let him down from the wall, lowering him in a basket.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	26	When he got to Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him: they could not believe he was really a disciple.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	27	Barnabas, however, took charge of him, introduced him to the apostles, and explained how the Lord had appeared to him and spoken to him on his journey, and how he had preached fearlessly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	28	Saul now started to go round with them in Jerusalem, preaching fearlessly in the name of the Lord.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	29	But after he had spoken to the Hellenists and argued with them, they became determined to kill him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	30	When the brothers got to know of this, they took him to Caesarea and sent him off from there to Tarsus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	31	The churches throughout Judaea, Galilee and Samaria were now left in peace, building themselves up and living in the fear of the Lord; encouraged by the Holy Spirit, they continued to grow.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	32	It happened that Peter visited one place after another and eventually came to God's holy people living down in Lydda.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	33	There he found a man called Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	34	Peter said to him, 'Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you: get up and make your bed.' Aeneas got up immediately;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	35	everybody who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they were converted to the Lord.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	36	At Jaffa there was a disciple called Tabitha, or in Greek, Dorcas, who never tired of doing good or giving to those in need.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	37	But it happened that at this time she became ill and died, and they washed her and laid her out in an upper room.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	38	Lydda is not far from Jaffa, so when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to urge him, 'Come to us without delay.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	39	Peter went back with them immediately, and on his arrival they took him to the upper room, where all the widows stood round him in tears, showing him tunics and other clothes Dorcas had made when she was with them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	40	Peter sent everyone out of the room and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to the dead woman and said, 'Tabitha, stand up.' She opened her eyes, looked at Peter and sat up.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	41	Peter helped her to her feet, then he called in the members of the congregation and widows and showed them she was alive.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	42	The whole of Jaffa heard about it and many believed in the Lord.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	9	43	Peter stayed on some time in Jaffa, lodging with a leather-tanner called Simon.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	1	One of the centurions of the Italica cohort stationed in Caesarea was called Cornelius.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	2	He and the whole of his household were devout and God-fearing, and he gave generously to Jewish causes and prayed constantly to God.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	3	One day at about the ninth hour he had a vision in which he distinctly saw the angel of God come into his house and call out to him, 'Cornelius!'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	4	He stared at the vision in terror and exclaimed, 'What is it, Lord?' The angel answered, 'Your prayers and charitable gifts have been accepted by God.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	5	Now you must send some men to Jaffa and fetch a man called Simon, known as Peter,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	6	who is lodging with Simon the tanner whose house is by the sea.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	7	When the angel who said this had gone, Cornelius called two of the slaves and a devout soldier of his staff,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	8	told them all that had happened, and sent them off to Jaffa.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	9	Next day, while they were still on their journey and had only a short distance to go before reaching the town, Peter went to the housetop at about the sixth hour to say his prayers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	10	He felt hungry and was looking forward to his meal, but before it was ready he fell into a trance
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	11	and saw heaven thrown open and something like a big sheet being let down to earth by its four corners;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	12	it contained every kind of animal, reptile and bird.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	13	A voice then said to him, 'Now, Peter, kill and eat!'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	14	But Peter answered, 'Certainly not, Lord; I have never yet eaten anything profane or unclean.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	15	Again, a second time, the voice spoke to him, 'What God has made clean, you have no right to call profane.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	16	This was repeated three times, and then suddenly the container was drawn up to heaven again.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	17	Peter was still at a loss over the meaning of the vision he had seen, when the men sent by Cornelius arrived. They had asked where Simon's house was and they were now standing at the door,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	18	calling out to know if the Simon known as Peter was lodging there.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	19	While Peter's mind was still on the vision, the Spirit told him, 'Look! Some men have come to see you.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	20	Hurry down, and do not hesitate to return with them; it was I who told them to come.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	21	Peter went down and said to them, 'I am the man you are looking for; why have you come?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	22	They said, 'The centurion Cornelius, who is an upright and God-fearing man, highly regarded by the entire Jewish people, was told by God through a holy angel to send for you and bring you to his house and to listen to what you have to say.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	23	So Peter asked them in and gave them lodging. Next day, he was ready to go off with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Jaffa.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	24	They reached Caesarea the following day, and Cornelius was waiting for them. He had asked his relations and close friends to be there,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	25	and as Peter reached the house Cornelius went out to meet him, fell at his feet and did him reverence.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	26	But Peter helped him up. 'Stand up,' he said, ' after all, I am only a man!'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	27	Talking together they went in to meet all the people assembled there,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	28	and Peter said to them, 'You know it is forbidden for Jews to mix with people of another race and visit them; but God has made it clear to me that I must not call anyone profane or unclean.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	29	That is why I made no objection to coming when I was sent for; but I should like to know exactly why you sent for me.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	30	Cornelius replied, 'At this time three days ago I was in my house saying the prayers for the ninth hour, when I suddenly saw a man in front of me in shining robes.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	31	He said, "Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your charitable gifts have not been forgotten by God;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	32	so now you must send to Jaffa and fetch Simon known as Peter who is lodging in the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	33	So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Here we all are, assembled in front of you to hear all the instructions God has given you.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	34	Then Peter addressed them, 'I now really understand', he said, 'that God has no favourites,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	35	but that anybody of any nationality who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	36	'God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ -- he is the Lord of all.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	37	You know what happened all over Judaea, how Jesus of Nazareth began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	38	God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	39	Now we are witnesses to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and they killed him by hanging him on a tree,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	40	yet on the third day God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	41	not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses that God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses -- we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead-
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	42	and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to bear witness that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	43	It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	44	While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit came down on all the listeners.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	45	Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were all astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should be poured out on gentiles too,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	46	since they could hear them speaking strange languages and proclaiming the greatness of God. Peter himself then said,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	47	'Could anyone refuse the water of baptism to these people, now they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	10	48	He then gave orders for them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterwards they begged him to stay on for some days.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	1	The apostles and the brothers in Judaea heard that gentiles too had accepted the word of God,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	2	and when Peter came up to Jerusalem the circumcised believers protested to him
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	3	and said, 'So you have been visiting the uncircumcised and eating with them!'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	4	Peter in reply gave them the details point by point,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	5	'One day, when I was in the town of Jaffa,' he began, 'I fell into a trance as I was praying and had a vision of something like a big sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners. This sheet came right down beside me.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	6	I looked carefully into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of heaven.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	7	Then I heard a voice that said to me, "Now, Peter, kill and eat!"
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	8	But I answered, "Certainly not, Lord; nothing profane or unclean has ever crossed my lips."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	9	And a second time the voice spoke from heaven, "What God has made clean, you have no right to call profane."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	10	This was repeated three times, before the whole of it was drawn up to heaven again.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	11	'Just at that moment, three men stopped outside the house where we were staying; they had been sent from Caesarea to fetch me,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	12	and the Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going back with them. The six brothers here came with me as well, and we entered the man's house.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	13	He told us he had seen an angel standing in his house who said, "Send to Jaffa and fetch Simon known as Peter;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	14	he has a message for you that will save you and your entire household."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	15	'I had scarcely begun to speak when the Holy Spirit came down on them in the same way as it came on us at the beginning,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	16	and I remembered that the Lord had said, "John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	17	I realised then that God was giving them the identical gift he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; and who was I to stand in God's way?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	18	This account satisfied them, and they gave glory to God, saying, 'God has clearly granted to the gentiles too the repentance that leads to life.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	19	Those who had scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, but they proclaimed the message only to Jews.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	20	Some of them, however, who came from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch where they started preaching also to the Greeks, proclaiming the good news of the Lord Jesus to them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	21	The Lord helped them, and a great number believed and were converted to the Lord.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	22	The news of them came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem and they sent Barnabas out to Antioch.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	23	There he was glad to see for himself that God had given grace, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	24	for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	25	Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	26	and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. And it happened that they stayed together in that church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called 'Christians'.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	27	While they were there some prophets came down to Antioch from Jerusalem,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	28	and one of them whose name was Agabus, seized by the Spirit, stood up and predicted that a severe and universal famine was going to happen. This in fact happened while Claudius was emperor.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	29	The disciples decided to send relief, each to contribute what he could afford, to the brothers living in Judaea.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	11	30	They did this and delivered their contributions to the elders through the agency of Barnabas and Saul.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	1	It was about this time that King Herod started persecuting certain members of the church.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	2	He had James the brother of John beheaded,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	3	and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he went on to arrest Peter as well.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	4	As it was during the days of Unleavened Bread that he had arrested him, he put him in prison, assigning four sections of four soldiers each to guard him, meaning to try him in public after the Passover.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	5	All the time Peter was under guard the church prayed to God for him unremittingly.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	6	On the night before Herod was to try him, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with two chains, while guards kept watch at the main entrance to the prison.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	7	Then suddenly an angel of the Lord stood there, and the cell was filled with light. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him. 'Get up!' he said, 'Hurry!' -- and the chains fell from his hands.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	8	The angel then said, 'Put on your belt and sandals.' After he had done this, the angel next said, 'Wrap your cloak round you and follow me.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	9	He followed him out, but had no idea that what the angel did was all happening in reality; he thought he was seeing a vision.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	10	They passed through the first guard post and then the second and reached the iron gate leading to the city. This opened of its own accord; they went through it and had walked the whole length of one street when suddenly the angel left him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	11	It was only then that Peter came to himself. And he said, 'Now I know it is all true. The Lord really did send his angel and save me from Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	12	As soon as he realised this he went straight to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark, where a number of people had assembled and were praying.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	13	He knocked at the outside door and a servant called Rhoda came to answer it.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	14	She recognised Peter's voice and was so overcome with joy that, instead of opening the door, she ran inside with the news that Peter was standing at the main entrance.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	15	They said to her, 'You are out of your mind,' but she insisted that it was true. Then they said, 'It must be his angel!'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	16	Peter, meanwhile, was still knocking. When they opened the door, they were amazed to see that it really was Peter himself.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	17	He raised his hand for silence and described to them how the Lord had led him out of prison. He added, 'Tell James and the brothers.' Then he left and went elsewhere.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	18	When daylight came there was a great commotion among the soldiers, who could not imagine what had become of Peter.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	19	Herod put out an unsuccessful search for him; he had the guards questioned, and before leaving Judaea to take up residence in Caesarea he gave orders for their execution.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	20	Now Herod was on bad terms with the Tyrians and Sidonians. Yet they sent a joint deputation which managed to enlist the support of Blastus, the king's chamberlain, and through him negotiated a treaty, since their country depended for its food supply on the king's territory.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	21	A day was fixed, and Herod, wearing his robes of state and seated on a throne, began to make a speech to them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	22	The people acclaimed him with, 'It is a god speaking, not a man!'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	23	and at that moment the angel of the Lord struck him down, because he had not given the glory to God. He was eaten away by worms and died.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	24	The word of God continued to spread and to gain followers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	12	25	Barnabas and Saul completed their task at Jerusalem and came back, bringing John Mark with them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	1	In the church at Antioch the following were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	2	One day while they were offering worship to the Lord and keeping a fast, the Holy Spirit said, 'I want Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work to which I have called them.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	3	So it was that after fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	4	So these two, sent on their mission by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and from there set sail for Cyprus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	5	They landed at Salamis and proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; John acted as their assistant.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	6	They travelled the whole length of the island, and at Paphos they came in contact with a Jewish magician and false prophet called Bar-Jesus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	7	He was one of the attendants of the proconsul Sergius Paulus, who was an extremely intelligent man. The proconsul summoned Barnabas and Saul and asked to hear the word of God,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	8	but Elymas the magician (this is what his name means in Greek) tried to stop them so as to prevent the proconsul's conversion to the faith.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	9	Then Saul, whose other name is Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked at him intently
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	10	and said, 'You utter fraud, you impostor, you son of the devil, you enemy of all uprightness, will you not stop twisting the straightforward ways of the Lord?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	11	Now watch how the hand of the Lord will strike you: you will be blind, and for a time you will not see the sun.' That instant, everything went misty and dark for him, and he groped about to find someone to lead him by the hand.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	12	The proconsul, who had watched everything, became a believer, being much struck by what he had learnt about the Lord.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	13	Paul and his companions went by sea from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia where John left them to go back to Jerusalem.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	14	The others carried on from Perga till they reached Antioch in Pisidia. Here they went to synagogue on the Sabbath and took their seats.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	15	After the passages from the Law and the Prophets had been read, the presidents of the synagogue sent them a message, 'Brothers, if you would like to address some words of encouragement to the congregation, please do so.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	16	Paul stood up, raised his hand for silence and began to speak: 'Men of Israel, and fearers of God, listen!
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	17	The God of our nation Israel chose our ancestors and made our people great when they were living in Egypt, a land not their own; then by divine power he led them out
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	18	and for about forty years took care of them in the desert.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	19	When he had destroyed seven nations in Canaan, he put them in possession of their land
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	20	for about four hundred and fifty years. After this he gave them judges, down to the prophet Samuel.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	21	Then they demanded a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin. After forty years,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	22	he deposed him and raised up David to be king, whom he attested in these words, "I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will perform my entire will."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	23	To keep his promise, God has raised up for Israel one of David's descendants, Jesus, as Saviour,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	24	whose coming was heralded by John when he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole people of Israel.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	25	Before John ended his course he said, "I am not the one you imagine me to be; there is someone coming after me whose sandal I am not fit to undo."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	26	'My brothers, sons of Abraham's race, and all you godfearers, this message of salvation is meant for you.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	27	What the people of Jerusalem and their rulers did, though they did not realise it, was in fact to fulfil the prophecies read on every Sabbath.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	28	Though they found nothing to justify his execution, they condemned him and asked Pilate to have him put to death.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	29	When they had carried out everything that scripture foretells about him they took him down from the tree and buried him in a tomb.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	30	But God raised him from the dead,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	31	and for many days he appeared to those who had accompanied him from Galilee to Jerusalem: and it is these same companions of his who are now his witnesses before our people.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	32	'We have come here to tell you the good news that the promise made to our ancestors has come about.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	33	God has fulfilled it to their children by raising Jesus from the dead. As scripture says in the psalms: You are my son: today I have fathered you.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	34	The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to return to corruption, is no more than what he had declared: To you I shall give the holy things promised to David which can be relied upon.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	35	This is also why it says in another text: You will not allow your Holy One to see corruption.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	36	Now when David in his own time had served God's purposes he died; he was buried with his ancestors and has certainly seen corruption.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	37	The one whom God has raised up, however, has not seen corruption.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	38	'My brothers, I want you to realise that it is through him that forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you. Through him justification from all sins from which the Law of Moses was unable to justify
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	39	is being offered to every believer.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	40	'So be careful -- or what the prophets say will happen to you.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	41	Cast your eyes around you, mockers; be amazed, and perish! For I am doing something in your own days that you would never believe if you were told of it.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	42	As they left they were urged to continue this preaching the following Sabbath.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	43	When the meeting broke up many Jews and devout converts followed Paul and Barnabas, and in their talks with them Paul and Barnabas urged them to remain faithful to the grace God had given them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	44	The next Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of God.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	45	When they saw the crowds, the Jews, filled with jealousy, used blasphemies to contradict everything Paul said.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	46	Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out fearlessly. 'We had to proclaim the word of God to you first, but since you have rejected it, since you do not think yourselves worthy of eternal life, here and now we turn to the gentiles.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	47	For this is what the Lord commanded us to do when he said: I have made you a light to the nations, so that my salvation may reach the remotest parts of the earth.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	48	It made the gentiles very happy to hear this and they gave thanks to the Lord for his message; all who were destined for eternal life became believers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	49	Thus the word of the Lord spread through the whole countryside.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	50	But the Jews worked on some of the devout women of the upper classes and the leading men of the city; they stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their territory.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	13	51	So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went off to Iconium; but the converts were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	1	It happened that at Iconium they went to the Jewish synagogue, in the same way, and they spoke so effectively that a great many Jews and Greeks became believers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	2	(However, the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the gentiles against the brothers and set them in opposition.)
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	3	Accordingly Paul and Barnabas stayed on for some time, preaching fearlessly in the Lord; and he attested all they said about his gift of grace, allowing signs and wonders to be performed by them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	4	The people in the city were divided; some supported the Jews, others the apostles,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	5	but eventually with the connivance of the authorities a move was made by gentiles as well as Jews to make attacks on them and to stone them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	6	When they came to hear of this, they went off for safety to Lycaonia where, in the towns of Lystra and Derbe and in the surrounding country,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	7	they preached the good news.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	8	There was a man sitting there who had never walked in his life, because his feet were crippled from birth;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	9	he was listening to Paul preaching, and Paul looked at him intently and saw that he had the faith to be cured.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	10	Paul said in a loud voice, 'Get to your feet-stand up,' and the cripple jumped up and began to walk.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	11	When the crowds saw what Paul had done they shouted in the language of Lycaonia, 'The gods have come down to us in human form.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	12	They addressed Barnabas as Zeus, and since Paul was the principal speaker they called him Hermes.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	13	The priests of Zeus-outside-the-Gate, proposing that all the people should offer sacrifice with them, brought garlanded oxen to the gates.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	14	When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening they tore their clothes, and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	15	'Friends, what do you think you are doing? We are only human beings, mortal like yourselves. We have come with good news to make you turn from these empty idols to the living God who made sky and earth and the sea and all that these hold.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	16	In the past he allowed all the nations to go their own way;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	17	but even then he did not leave you without evidence of himself in the good things he does for you: he sends you rain from heaven and seasons of fruitfulness; he fills you with food and your hearts with merriment.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	18	With this speech they just managed to prevent the crowd from offering them sacrifice.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	19	Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and turned the people against them. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the town, thinking he was dead.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	20	The disciples came crowding round him but, as they did so, he stood up and went back to the town. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	21	Having preached the good news in that town and made a considerable number of disciples, they went back through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	22	They put fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith, saying, 'We must all experience many hardships before we enter the kingdom of God.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	23	In each of these churches they appointed elders, and with prayer and fasting they commended them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	24	They passed through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	25	Then after proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	26	and from there sailed for Antioch, where they had originally been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	27	On their arrival they assembled the church and gave an account of all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the gentiles.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	14	28	They stayed there with the disciples for some time.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	1	Then some men came down from Judaea and taught the brothers, 'Unless you have yourselves circumcised in the tradition of Moses you cannot be saved.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	2	This led to disagreement, and after Paul and Barnabas had had a long argument with these men it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and others of the church should go up to Jerusalem and discuss the question with the apostles and elders.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	3	The members of the church saw them off, and as they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria they told how the gentiles had been converted, and this news was received with the greatest satisfaction by all the brothers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	4	When they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the church and by the apostles and elders, and gave an account of all that God had done through them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	5	But certain members of the Pharisees' party who had become believers objected, insisting that gentiles should be circumcised and instructed to keep the Law of Moses.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	6	The apostles and elders met to look into the matter,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	7	and after a long discussion, Peter stood up and addressed them. 'My brothers,' he said, 'you know perfectly well that in the early days God made his choice among you: the gentiles were to learn the good news from me and so become believers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	8	And God, who can read everyone's heart, showed his approval of them by giving the Holy Spirit to them just as he had to us.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	9	God made no distinction between them and us, since he purified their hearts by faith.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	10	Why do you put God to the test now by imposing on the disciples the very burden that neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were strong enough to support?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	11	But we believe that we are saved in the same way as they are: through the grace of the Lord Jesus.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	12	The entire assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had worked through them among the gentiles.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	13	When they had finished it was James who spoke. 'My brothers,' he said, 'listen to me.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	14	Simeon has described how God first arranged to enlist a people for his name out of the gentiles.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	15	This is entirely in harmony with the words of the prophets, since the scriptures say:
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	16	After that I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; I shall make good the gaps in it and restore it.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	17	Then the rest of humanity, and of all the nations once called mine, will look for the Lord, says the Lord who made this
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	18	known so long ago.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	19	'My verdict is, then, that instead of making things more difficult for gentiles who turn to God,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	20	we should send them a letter telling them merely to abstain from anything polluted by idols, from illicit marriages, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	21	For Moses has always had his preachers in every town and is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	22	Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose delegates from among themselves to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas, known as Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men in the brotherhood,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	23	and gave them this letter to take with them: 'The apostles and elders, your brothers, send greetings to the brothers of gentile birth in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	24	We hear that some people coming from here, but acting without any authority from ourselves, have disturbed you with their demands and have unsettled your minds;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	25	and so we have decided unanimously to elect delegates and to send them to you with our well-beloved Barnabas and Paul,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	26	who have committed their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	27	Accordingly we are sending you Judas and Silas, who will confirm by word of mouth what we have written.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	28	It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to impose on you any burden beyond these essentials:
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	29	you are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from illicit marriages. Avoid these, and you will do what is right. Farewell.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	30	The party left and went down to Antioch, where they summoned the whole community and delivered the letter.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	31	The community read it and were delighted with the encouragement it gave them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	32	Judas and Silas, being themselves prophets, spoke for a long time, encouraging and strengthening the brothers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	33	These two spent some time there, and then the brothers wished them peace and went back to those who had sent them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	34
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	35	Paul and Barnabas, however, stayed on in Antioch, and there with many others they taught and proclaimed the good news, the word of the Lord.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	36	On a later occasion Paul said to Barnabas, 'Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord, so that we can see how they are doing.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	37	Barnabas suggested taking John Mark,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	38	but Paul was not in favour of taking along the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had refused to share in their work.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	39	There was sharp disagreement so that they parted company, and Barnabas sailed off with Mark to Cyprus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	40	Before Paul left, he chose Silas to accompany him and was commended by the brothers to the grace of God.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	15	41	He travelled through Syria and Cilicia, consolidating the churches.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	1	From there he went to Derbe, and then on to Lystra, where there was a disciple called Timothy, whose mother was Jewish and had become a believer; but his father was a Greek.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	2	The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	3	and Paul, who wanted to have him as a travelling companion, had him circumcised. This was on account of the Jews in the locality where everyone knew his father was a Greek.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	4	As they visited one town after another, they passed on the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, with instructions to observe them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	5	So the churches grew strong in the faith, as well as growing daily in numbers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	6	They travelled through Phrygia and the Galatian country, because they had been told by the Holy Spirit not to preach the word in Asia.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	7	When they reached the frontier of Mysia they tried to go into Bithynia, but as the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	8	they went through Mysia and came down to Troas.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	9	One night Paul had a vision: a Macedonian appeared and kept urging him in these words, 'Come across to Macedonia and help us.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	10	Once he had seen this vision we lost no time in arranging a passage to Macedonia, convinced that God had called us to bring them the good news.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	11	Sailing from Troas we made a straight run for Samothrace; the next day for Neapolis,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	12	and from there for Philippi, a Roman colony and the principal city of that district of Macedonia.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	13	After a few days in this city we went outside the gates beside a river as it was the Sabbath and this was a customary place for prayer. We sat down and preached to the women who had come to the meeting.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	14	One of these women was called Lydia, a woman from the town of Thyatira who was in the purple-dye trade, and who revered God. She listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	15	After she and her household had been baptised she kept urging us, 'If you judge me a true believer in the Lord,' she said, 'come and stay with us.' And she would take no refusal.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	16	It happened one day that as we were going to prayer, we were met by a slave-girl who was a soothsayer and made a lot of money for her masters by foretelling the future.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	17	This girl started following Paul and the rest of us and shouting, 'Here are the servants of the Most High God; they have come to tell you how to be saved!'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	18	She did this day after day until Paul was exasperated and turned round and said to the spirit, 'I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to leave that woman.' The spirit went out of her then and there.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	19	When her masters saw that there was no hope of making any more money out of her, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	20	Taking them before the magistrates they said, 'These people are causing a disturbance in our city. They are Jews
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	21	and are advocating practices which it is unlawful for us as Romans to accept or follow.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	22	The crowd joined in and showed its hostility to them, so the magistrates had them stripped and ordered them to be flogged.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	23	They were given many lashes and then thrown into prison, and the gaoler was told to keep a close watch on them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	24	So, following such instructions, he threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	25	In the middle of the night Paul and Silas were praying and singing God's praises, while the other prisoners listened.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	26	Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook the prison to its foundations. All the doors flew open and the chains fell from all the prisoners.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	27	When the gaoler woke and saw the doors wide open he drew his sword and was about to commit suicide, presuming that the prisoners had escaped.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	28	But Paul shouted at the top of his voice, 'Do yourself no harm; we are all here.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	29	He called for lights, then rushed in, threw himself trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	30	and escorted them out, saying, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	31	They told him, 'Become a believer in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, and your household too.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	32	Then they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all his household.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	33	Late as it was, he took them to wash their wounds, and was baptised then and there with all his household.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	34	Afterwards he took them into his house and gave them a meal, and the whole household celebrated their conversion to belief in God.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	35	When it was daylight the magistrates sent the lictors with the order: 'Release those men.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	36	The gaoler reported the message to Paul, 'The magistrates have sent an order for your release; you can go now and be on your way.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	37	'What!' Paul replied. 'Without trial they gave us a public flogging, though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison, and now they want to send us away on the quiet! Oh no! They must come and escort us out themselves.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	38	The lictors reported this to the magistrates, who were terrified when they heard they were Roman citizens.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	39	They came and urged them to leave the town.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	16	40	From the prison they went to Lydia's house where they saw all the brothers and gave them some encouragement; then they left.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	1	Passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they eventually reached Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	2	Paul as usual went in and for three consecutive Sabbaths developed the arguments from scripture for them,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	3	explaining and proving how it was ordained that the Christ should suffer and rise from the dead. 'And the Christ', he said, 'is this Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	4	Some of them were convinced and joined Paul and Silas, and so did a great many godfearing people and Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	5	The Jews, full of resentment, enlisted the help of a gang from the market place, stirred up a crowd, and soon had the whole city in an uproar. They made for Jason's house, hoping to bring them before the People's Assembly;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	6	however, they found only Jason and some of the brothers, and these they dragged before the city council, shouting, 'The people who have been turning the whole world upside down have come here now;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	7	they have been staying at Jason's. They have broken Caesar's edicts by claiming that there is another king, Jesus.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	8	Hearing this, the citizens and the city councillors were alarmed,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	9	and they made Jason and the rest give security before setting them free.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	10	When it was dark the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away to Beroea, where they went to the Jewish synagogue as soon as they arrived.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	11	Here the Jews were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they welcomed the word very readily; every day they studied the scriptures to check whether it was true.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	12	Many of them became believers, and so did many Greek women of high standing and a number of the men.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	13	When the Jews of Thessalonica came to learn that the word of God was being preached by Paul in Beroea as well, they went there to make trouble and stir up the people.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	14	So the brothers arranged for Paul to go immediately as far as the coast, leaving Silas and Timothy behind.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	15	Paul's escort took him as far as Athens, and went back with instructions for Silas and Timothy to rejoin Paul as soon as they could.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	16	Paul waited for them in Athens and there his whole soul was revolted at the sight of a city given over to idolatry.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	17	In the synagogue he debated with the Jews and the godfearing, and in the market place he debated every day with anyone whom he met.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	18	Even a few Epicurean and Stoic philosophers argued with him. Some said, 'What can this parrot mean?' And, because he was preaching about Jesus and Resurrection, others said, 'He seems to be a propagandist for some outlandish gods.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	19	They got him to accompany them to the Areopagus, where they said to him, 'Can we know what this new doctrine is that you are teaching?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	20	Some of the things you say seemed startling to us and we would like to find out what they mean.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	21	The one amusement the Athenians and the foreigners living there seem to have is to discuss and listen to the latest ideas.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	22	So Paul stood before the whole council of the Areopagus and made this speech: 'Men of Athens, I have seen for myself how extremely scrupulous you are in all religious matters,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	23	because, as I strolled round looking at your sacred monuments, I noticed among other things an altar inscribed: To An Unknown God. In fact, the unknown God you revere is the one I proclaim to you.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	24	'Since the God who made the world and everything in it is himself Lord of heaven and earth, he does not make his home in shrines made by human hands.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	25	Nor is he in need of anything, that he should be served by human hands; on the contrary, it is he who gives everything -- including life and breath -- to everyone.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	26	From one single principle he not only created the whole human race so that they could occupy the entire earth, but he decreed the times and limits of their habitation.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	27	And he did this so that they might seek the deity and, by feeling their way towards him, succeed in finding him; and indeed he is not far from any of us,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	28	since it is in him that we live, and move, and exist, as indeed some of your own writers have said: We are all his children.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	29	'Since we are the children of God, we have no excuse for thinking that the deity looks like anything in gold, silver or stone that has been carved and designed by a man.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	30	'But now, overlooking the times of ignorance, God is telling everyone everywhere that they must repent,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	31	because he has fixed a day when the whole world will be judged in uprightness by a man he has appointed. And God has publicly proved this by raising him from the dead.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	32	At this mention of rising from the dead, some of them burst out laughing; others said, 'We would like to hear you talk about this another time.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	33	After that Paul left them,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	17	34	but there were some who attached themselves to him and became believers, among them Dionysius the Aeropagite and a woman called Damaris, and others besides.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	1	After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	2	where he met a Jew called Aquila whose family came from Pontus. He and his wife Priscilla had recently left Italy because an edict of Claudius had expelled all the Jews from Rome. Paul went to visit them,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	3	and when he found they were tentmakers, of the same trade as himself, he lodged with them, and they worked together.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	4	Every Sabbath he used to hold debates in the synagogues, trying to convert Jews as well as Greeks.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	5	After Silas and Timothy had arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted all his time to preaching, declaring to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	6	When they turned against him and started to insult him, he took his cloak and shook it out in front of them, saying, 'Your blood be on your own heads; from now on I will go to the gentiles with a clear conscience.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	7	Then he left the synagogue and moved to the house next door that belonged to a worshipper of God called Justus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	8	Crispus, president of the synagogue, and his whole household, all became believers in the Lord. Many Corinthians when they heard this became believers and were baptised.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	9	One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, 'Be fearless; speak out and do not keep silence:
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	10	I am with you. I have so many people that belong to me in this city that no one will attempt to hurt you.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	11	So Paul stayed there preaching the word of God among them for eighteen months.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	12	But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a concerted attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, saying,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	13	'We accuse this man of persuading people to worship God in a way that breaks the Law.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	14	Before Paul could open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, 'Listen, you Jews. If this were a misdemeanour or a crime, it would be in order for me to listen to your plea;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	15	but if it is only quibbles about words and names, and about your own Law, then you must deal with it yourselves -- I have no intention of making legal decisions about these things.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	16	Then he began to hustle them out of the court,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	17	and at once they all turned on Sosthenes, the synagogue president, and beat him in front of the tribunal. Gallio refused to take any notice at all.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	18	After staying on for some time, Paul took leave of the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut off, because of a vow he had made.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	19	When they reached Ephesus, he left them, but first he went alone to the synagogue to debate with the Jews.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	20	They asked him to stay longer, but he declined,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	21	though when he took his leave he said, 'I will come back another time, God willing.' Then he sailed from Ephesus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	22	He landed at Caesarea and went up to greet the church. Then he came down to Antioch
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	23	where he spent a short time before continuing his journey through the Galatian country and then through Phrygia, encouraging all the followers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	24	An Alexandrian Jew named Apollos now arrived in Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, with a sound knowledge of the scriptures, and yet,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	25	though he had been given instruction in the Way of the Lord and preached with great spiritual fervour and was accurate in all the details he taught about Jesus, he had experienced only the baptism of John.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	26	He began to teach fearlessly in the synagogue and, when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they attached themselves to him and gave him more detailed instruction about the Way.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	27	When Apollos thought of crossing over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote asking the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived there he was able by God's grace to help the believers considerably
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	18	28	by the energetic way he refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	1	It happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul made his way overland as far as Ephesus, where he found a number of disciples.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	2	When he asked, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?' they answered, 'No, we were never even told there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	3	He asked, 'Then how were you baptised?' They replied, 'With John's baptism.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	4	Paul said, 'John's baptism was a baptism of repentance; but he insisted that the people should believe in the one who was to come after him -- namely Jesus.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	5	When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	6	and the moment Paul had laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak with tongues and to prophesy.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	7	There were about twelve of these men in all.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	8	He began by going to the synagogue, where he spoke out fearlessly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. He did this for three months,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	9	till the attitude of some of the congregation hardened into unbelief. As soon as they began attacking the Way in public, he broke with them and took his disciples apart to hold daily discussions in the lecture room of Tyrannus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	10	This went on for two years, with the result that all the inhabitants of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, were able to hear the word of the Lord.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	11	So remarkable were the miracles worked by God at Paul's hands
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	12	that handkerchiefs or aprons which had touched him were taken to the sick, and they were cured of their illnesses, and the evil spirits came out of them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	13	But some itinerant Jewish exorcists too tried pronouncing the name of the Lord Jesus over people who were possessed by evil spirits; they used to say, 'I adjure you by the Jesus whose spokesman is Paul.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	14	Among those who did this were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	15	The evil spirit replied, 'Jesus I recognise, and Paul I know, but who are you?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	16	and the man with the evil spirit hurled himself at them and overpowered first one and then another, and handled them so violently that they fled from that house stripped of clothing and badly mauled.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	17	Everybody in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, heard about this episode; everyone was filled with awe, and the name of the Lord Jesus came to be held in great honour.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	18	Some believers, too, came forward to admit in detail how they had used spells
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	19	and a number of them who had practised magic collected their books and made a bonfire of them in public. The value of these was calculated to be fifty thousand silver pieces.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	20	In this powerful way the word of the Lord spread more and more widely and successfully.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	21	When all this was over Paul made up his mind to go back to Jerusalem through Macedonia and Achaia. 'After I have been there,' he said, 'I must go on to see Rome as well.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	22	So he sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, ahead of him to Macedonia, while he remained for a time in Asia.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	23	It was during this time that a serious disturbance broke out in connection with the Way.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	24	A silversmith called Demetrius, who provided work for a large number of craftsmen making silver shrines of Diana,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	25	called a general meeting of them with others in the same trade. 'As you know,' he said, 'it is on this industry that we depend for our prosperity.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	26	Now you must have seen and heard how, not just in Ephesus but nearly everywhere in Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and converted a great number of people with his argument that gods made by hand are not gods at all.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	27	This threatens not only to discredit our trade, but also to reduce the sanctuary of the great goddess Diana to unimportance. It could end up by taking away the prestige of a goddess venerated all over Asia, and indeed all over the world.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	28	This speech roused them to fury, and they started to shout, 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians!'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	29	The whole town was filled with the uproar and the mob made a concerted rush to the theatre, dragging along two of Paul's Macedonian travelling companions, Gaius and Aristarchus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	30	Paul wanted to make an appeal to the people, but the disciples refused to let him;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	31	in fact, some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent messages urging him not to take the risk of going into the theatre.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	32	By now everybody was shouting different things, till the assembly itself had no idea what was going on; most of them did not even know why they had gathered together.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	33	Some of the crowd prevailed upon Alexander, whom the Jews pushed forward; he raised his hand for silence with the intention of explaining things to the people.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	34	As soon as they realised he was a Jew, they all started shouting in unison, 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians!' and they kept this up for two hours.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	35	When the town clerk eventually succeeded in calming the crowd, he said, 'Citizens of Ephesus! Is there anybody who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the guardian of the temple of great Diana and of her statue that fell from heaven?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	36	Nobody can contradict this and there is no need for you to get excited or do anything rash.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	37	These men you have brought here are not guilty of any sacrilege or blasphemy against our goddess.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	38	If Demetrius and the craftsmen he has with him want to complain about anyone, there are the assizes and the proconsuls; let them take the case to court.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	39	And if you want to ask any more questions you must raise them in the regular assembly.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	19	40	We could easily be charged with rioting for today's happenings: there is no ground for it all, and we can give no justification for this gathering.' When he had finished this speech he dismissed the assembly.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	1	When the disturbance was over, Paul sent for the disciples and, after speaking words of encouragement to them, said good -- bye and set out for Macedonia.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	2	On his way through those areas he said many words of encouragement to them and then made his way into Greece,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	3	where he spent three months. He was leaving by ship for Syria when a plot organised against him by the Jews made him decide to go back by way of Macedonia.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	4	He was accompanied by Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, who came from Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus who came from Thessalonica; Gaius from Derbe, and Timothy, as well as Tychicus and Trophimus who were from Asia.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	5	They all went on to Troas where they waited for us.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	6	We ourselves left Philippi by ship after the days of Unleavened Bread and joined them five days later at Troas, where we stayed for a week.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	7	On the first day of the week we met for the breaking of bread. Paul was due to leave the next day, and he preached a sermon that went on till the middle of the night.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	8	A number of lamps were lit in the upstairs room where we were assembled,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	9	and as Paul went on and on, a young man called Eutychus who was sitting on the window-sill grew drowsy and was overcome by sleep and fell to the ground three floors below. He was picked up dead.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	10	Paul went down and stooped to clasp the boy to him, saying, 'There is no need to worry, there is still life in him.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	11	Then he went back upstairs where he broke the bread and ate and carried on talking till he left at daybreak.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	12	They took the boy away alive, and were greatly encouraged.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	13	We were now to go on ahead by sea, so we set sail for Assos, where we were to take Paul on board; this was what he had arranged, for he wanted to go overland.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	14	When he rejoined us at Assos we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	15	The next day we sailed from there and arrived opposite Chios. The second day we touched at Samos and, after stopping at Trogyllium, made Miletus the next day.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	16	Paul had decided to pass wide of Ephesus so as to avoid spending time in Asia, since he was anxious to be in Jerusalem, if possible, for the day of Pentecost.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	17	From Miletus he sent for the elders of the church of Ephesus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	18	When they arrived he addressed these words to them: 'You know what my way of life has been ever since the first day I set foot among you in Asia,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	19	how I have served the Lord in all humility, with all the sorrows and trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	20	I have not hesitated to do anything that would be helpful to you; I have preached to you and instructed you both in public and in your homes,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	21	urging both Jews and Greeks to turn to God and to believe in our Lord Jesus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	22	'And now you see me on my way to Jerusalem in captivity to the Spirit; I have no idea what will happen to me there,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	23	except that the Holy Spirit, in town after town, has made it clear to me that imprisonment and persecution await me.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	24	But I do not place any value on my own life, provided that I complete the mission the Lord Jesus gave me -- to bear witness to the good news of God's grace.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	25	'I now feel sure that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will ever see my face again.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	26	And so on this very day I swear that my conscience is clear as far as all of you are concerned,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	27	for I have without faltering put before you the whole of God's purpose.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	28	'Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the guardians, to feed the Church of God which he bought with the blood of his own Son.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	29	'I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	30	Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	31	So be on your guard, remembering how night and day for three years I never slackened in counselling each one of you with tears.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	32	And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace that has power to build you up and to give you your inheritance among all the sanctified.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	33	'I have never asked anyone for money or clothes;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	34	you know for yourselves that these hands of mine earned enough to meet my needs and those of my companions.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	35	By every means I have shown you that we must exert ourselves in this way to support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said, "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving." '
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	36	When he had finished speaking he knelt down with them all and prayed.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	37	By now they were all in tears; they put their arms round Paul's neck and kissed him;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	20	38	what saddened them most was his saying they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	1	When we had at last torn ourselves away from them and put to sea, we set a straight course and arrived at Cos; the next day we reached Rhodes, and from there went on to Patara.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	2	Here we found a ship bound for Phoenicia, so we went on board and sailed in her.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	3	After sighting Cyprus and leaving it to port, we sailed to Syria and put in at Tyre, since the ship was to unload her cargo there.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	4	We sought out the disciples and stayed there a week. Speaking in the Spirit, they kept telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	5	but when our time was up we set off. Together with the women and children they all escorted us on our way till we were out of the town. When we reached the beach, we knelt down and prayed;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	6	then, after saying good -- bye to each other, we went aboard and they returned home.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	7	The end of our voyage from Tyre came when we landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed one day with them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	8	The next day we left and came to Caesarea. Here we called on Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven, and stayed with him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	9	He had four unmarried daughters who were prophets.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	10	When we had been there several days a prophet called Agabus arrived from Judaea.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	11	He came up to us, took Paul's belt and tied up his own feet and hands, and said, 'This is what the Holy Spirit says, "The man to whom this girdle belongs will be tied up like this by the Jews in Jerusalem and handed over to the gentiles." '
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	12	When we heard this, we and all the local people urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	13	To this he replied, 'What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For my part, I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	14	And so, as he would not be persuaded, we gave up the attempt, saying, 'The Lord's will be done.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	15	After this we made our preparations and went on up to Jerusalem.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	16	Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and took us to the house of a Cypriot with whom we were to lodge; he was called Mnason and had been one of the earliest disciples.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	17	On our arrival in Jerusalem the brothers gave us a very warm welcome.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	18	The next day Paul went with us to visit James, and all the elders were present.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	19	After greeting them he gave a detailed account of all that God had done among the gentiles through his ministry.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	20	They gave glory to God when they heard this. Then they said, 'You see, brother, how thousands of Jews have now become believers, all of them staunch upholders of the Law;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	21	and what they have heard about you is that you instruct all Jews living among the gentiles to break away from Moses, authorising them not to circumcise their children or to follow the customary practices.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	22	What is to be done? A crowd is sure to gather, for they will hear that you have come.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	23	So this is what we suggest that you should do; we have four men here who are under a vow;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	24	take these men along and be purified with them and pay all the expenses connected with the shaving of their heads. This will let everyone know there is no truth in the reports they have heard about you, and that you too observe the Law by your way of life.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	25	About the gentiles who have become believers, we have written giving them our decision that they must abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from illicit marriages.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	26	So the next day Paul took the men along and was purified with them, and he visited the Temple to give notice of the time when the period of purification would be over and the offering would have to be presented on behalf of each of them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	27	The seven days were nearly over when some Jews from Asia caught sight of him in the Temple and stirred up the crowd and seized him,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	28	shouting, 'Men of Israel, help! This is the man who preaches to everyone everywhere against our people, against the Law and against this place. He has even profaned this Holy Place by bringing Greeks into the Temple.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	29	They had, in fact, previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him and thought that Paul had brought him into the Temple.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	30	This roused the whole city; people came running from all sides; they seized Paul and dragged him out of the Temple, and the gates were closed behind them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	31	While they were setting about killing him, word reached the tribune of the cohort that there was tumult all over Jerusalem.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	32	He immediately called out soldiers and centurions and charged down on the crowd, who stopped beating Paul when they saw the tribune and the soldiers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	33	When the tribune came up he took Paul into custody, had him bound with two chains and enquired who he was and what he had done.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	34	People in the crowd called out different things, and since the noise made it impossible for him to get any positive information, the tribune ordered Paul to be taken into the fortress.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	35	When Paul reached the steps, the crowd became so violent that he had to be carried by the soldiers;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	36	and indeed the whole mob was after them, shouting, 'Do away with him!'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	37	Just as Paul was being taken into the fortress, he asked the tribune if he could have a word with him. The tribune said, 'You speak Greek, then?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	38	Aren't you the Egyptian who started the recent revolt and led those four thousand cut-throats out into the desert?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	39	'I?' said Paul, 'I am a Jew and a citizen of the well-known city of Tarsus in Cilicia. Please give me permission to speak to the people.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	21	40	The man gave his consent and Paul, standing at the top of the steps, raised his hand to the people for silence. A profound silence followed, and he started speaking to them in Hebrew.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	1	'My brothers, my fathers, listen to what I have to say to you in my defence.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	2	When they realised he was speaking in Hebrew, the silence was even greater than before.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	3	'I am a Jew', Paul said, 'and was born at Tarsus in Cilicia. I was brought up here in this city. It was under Gamaliel that I studied and was taught the exact observance of the Law of our ancestors. In fact, I was as full of duty towards God as you all are today.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	4	I even persecuted this Way to the death and sent women as well as men to prison in chains
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	5	as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify. I even received letters from them to the brothers in Damascus, which I took with me when I set off to bring prisoners back from there to Jerusalem for punishment.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	6	'It happened that I was on that journey and nearly at Damascus when in the middle of the day a bright light from heaven suddenly shone round me.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	7	I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	8	I answered, "Who are you, Lord?" and he said to me, "I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	9	The people with me saw the light but did not hear the voice which spoke to me.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	10	I said, "What am I to do, Lord?" The Lord answered, "Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told what you have been appointed to do."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	11	Since the light had been so dazzling that I was blind, I got to Damascus only because my companions led me by the hand.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	12	'Someone called Ananias, a devout follower of the Law and highly thought of by all the Jews living there,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	13	came to see me; he stood beside me and said, "Brother Saul, receive your sight." Instantly my sight came back and I was able to see him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	14	Then he said, "The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Upright One and hear his own voice speaking,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	15	because you are to be his witness before all humanity, testifying to what you have seen and heard.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	16	And now why delay? Hurry and be baptised and wash away your sins, calling on his name."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	17	'It happened that, when I got back to Jerusalem, and was praying in the Temple, I fell into a trance
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	18	and then I saw him. "Hurry," he said, "leave Jerusalem at once; they will not accept the testimony you are giving about me."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	19	"Lord," I answered, "they know that I used to go from synagogue to synagogue, imprisoning and flogging those who believed in you;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	20	and that when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I, too, was standing by, in full agreement with his murderers, and in charge of their clothes."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	21	Then he said to me, "Go! I am sending you out to the gentiles far away." '
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	22	So far they had listened to him, but at these words they began to shout, 'Rid the earth of the man! He is not fit to live!'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	23	They were yelling, waving their cloaks and throwing dust into the air,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	24	and so the tribune had him brought into the fortress and ordered him to be examined under the lash, to find out the reason for the outcry against him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	25	But when they had strapped him down Paul said to the centurion on duty, 'Is it legal for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and has not been brought to trial?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	26	When he heard this the centurion went and told the tribune; 'Do you realise what you are doing?' he said. 'This man is a Roman citizen.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	27	So the tribune came and asked him, 'Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?' Paul answered 'Yes'.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	28	To this the tribune replied, 'It cost me a large sum to acquire this citizenship.' 'But I was born to it,' said Paul.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	29	Then those who were about to examine him hurriedly withdrew, and the tribune himself was alarmed when he realised that he had put a Roman citizen in chains.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	22	30	The next day, since he wanted to know for sure what charge the Jews were bringing, he freed Paul and gave orders for a meeting of the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin; then he brought Paul down and set him in front of them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	1	Paul looked steadily at the Sanhedrin and began to speak, 'My brothers, to this day I have conducted myself before God with a perfectly clear conscience.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	2	At this the high priest Ananias ordered his attendants to strike him on the mouth.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	3	Then Paul said to him, 'God will surely strike you, you whitewashed wall! How can you sit there to judge me according to the Law, and then break the Law by ordering a man to strike me?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	4	The attendants said, 'Are you insulting the high priest of God?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	5	Paul answered, 'Brothers, I did not realise it was the high priest; certainly scripture says, "You will not curse your people's leader." '
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	6	Now Paul was well aware that one party was made up of Sadducees and the other of Pharisees, so he called out in the Sanhedrin, 'Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	7	As soon as he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was split between the two parties.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	8	For the Sadducees say there is neither resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, while the Pharisees accept all three.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	9	The shouting grew louder, and some of the scribes from the Pharisees' party stood up and protested strongly, 'We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	10	Feeling was running high, and the tribune, afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered his troops to go down and haul him out and bring him into the fortress.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	11	Next night, the Lord appeared to him and said, 'Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	12	When it was day, the Jews held a secret meeting at which they made a vow not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	13	More than forty of them entered this pact,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	14	and they went to the chief priests and elders and told them, 'We have made a solemn vow to let nothing pass our lips until we have killed Paul.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	15	Now it is up to you and the Sanhedrin together to apply to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you meant to examine his case more closely; we, on our side, are prepared to dispose of him before he reaches you.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	16	But the son of Paul's sister heard of the ambush they were laying and made his way into the fortress and told Paul,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	17	who called one of the centurions and said, 'Take this young man to the tribune; he has something to tell him.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	18	So the man took him to the tribune, and reported, 'The prisoner Paul summoned me and requested me to bring this young man to you; he has something to tell you.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	19	Then the tribune took him by the hand and drew him aside and questioned him in private, 'What is it you have to tell me?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	20	He replied, 'The Jews have made a plan to ask you to take Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they meant to enquire more closely into his case.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	21	Do not believe them. There are more than forty of them lying in wait for him, and they have vowed not to eat or drink until they have got rid of him. They are ready now and only waiting for your order to be given.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	22	The tribune let the young man go with this order, 'Tell no one that you have given me this information.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	23	Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, 'Get two hundred soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea by the third hour of the night with seventy cavalry and two hundred auxiliaries;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	24	provide horses for Paul, and deliver him unharmed to Felix the governor.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	25	He also wrote a letter in these terms:
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	26	'Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	27	This man had been seized by the Jews and would have been murdered by them; but I came on the scene with my troops and got him away, having discovered that he was a Roman citizen.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	28	Wanting to find out what charge they were making against him, I brought him before their Sanhedrin.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	29	I found that the accusation concerned disputed points of their Law, but that there was no charge deserving death or imprisonment.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	30	Acting on information that there was a conspiracy against the man, I hasten to send him to you, and have notified his accusers that they must state their case against him in your presence.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	31	The soldiers carried out their orders; they took Paul and escorted him by night to Antipatris.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	32	Next day they left the mounted escort to go on with him and returned to the fortress.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	33	On arriving at Caesarea the escort delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	34	When he had read it, he asked Paul what province he came from. Learning that he was from Cilicia he said,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	23	35	'I will hear your case as soon as your accusers are here too.' Then he ordered him to be held in Herod's praetorium.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	1	Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and an advocate named Tertullus, and they laid information against Paul before the governor.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	2	Paul was called, and Tertullus opened for the prosecution, 'Your Excellency, Felix, the unbroken peace we enjoy and the reforms this nation owes to your foresight
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	3	are matters we accept, always and everywhere, with all gratitude.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	4	I do not want to take up too much of your time, but I urge you in your graciousness to give us a brief hearing.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	5	We have found this man a perfect pest; he stirs up trouble among Jews the world over and is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	6	He has even attempted to profane the Temple. We placed him under arrest.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	7	'I know that you have administered justice over this nation for many years, and I can therefore speak with confidence in my defence.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	8	If you ask him you can find out for yourself the truth of all our accusations against this man.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	9	The Jews supported him, asserting that these were the facts.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	10	When the governor motioned him to speak, Paul answered:
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	11	As you can verify for yourself, it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem on pilgrimage,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	12	and it is not true that they ever found me arguing with anyone or stirring up the mob, either in the Temple, in the synagogues, or about the town;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	13	neither can they give you any proof of the accusations they are making against me now.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	14	'What I do admit to you is this: it is according to the Way, which they describe as a sect, that I worship the God of my ancestors, retaining my belief in all points of the Law and in what is written in the prophets;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	15	and I hold the same hope in God as they do that there will be a resurrection of the upright and the wicked alike.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	16	In these things, I, as much as they, do my best to keep a clear conscience at all times before God and everyone.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	17	'After several years I came to bring relief-money to my nation and to make offerings;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	18	it was in connection with these that they found me in the Temple; I had been purified, and there was no crowd involved, and no disturbance.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	19	But some Jews from Asia -- these are the ones who should have appeared before you and accused me of whatever they had against me.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	20	At least let those who are present say what crime they held against me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	21	unless it were to do with this single claim, when I stood up among them and called out, "It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today." '
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	22	At this, Felix, who was fairly well informed about the Way, adjourned the case, saying, 'When Lysias the tribune comes down I will give judgement about your case.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	23	He then gave orders to the centurion that Paul should be kept under arrest but free from restriction, and that none of his own people should be prevented from seeing to his needs.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	24	Some days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and gave him a hearing on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	25	But when Paul began to treat of uprightness, self-control and the coming Judgement, Felix took fright and said, 'You may go for the present; I will send for you when I find it convenient.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	26	At the same time he had hopes of receiving money from Paul, and for this reason he sent for him frequently and had talks with him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	24	27	When two years came to an end, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus and, being anxious to gain favour with the Jews, Felix left Paul in custody.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	1	Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	2	The chief priests and leaders of the Jews informed him of the case against Paul,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	3	urgently asking him to support them against him, and to have him transferred to Jerusalem. They were preparing an ambush to murder him on the way.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	4	But Festus replied that Paul was in custody in Caesarea, and that he would be going back there shortly himself.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	5	He said, 'Let your authorities come down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, they can bring a charge against him.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	6	After staying with them for eight or ten days at the most, he went down to Caesarea and the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and had Paul brought in.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	7	As soon as Paul appeared, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem surrounded him, making many serious accusations which they were unable to substantiate.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	8	Paul's defence was this, 'I have committed no offence whatever against either Jewish law, or the Temple, or Caesar.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	9	Festus was anxious to gain favour with the Jews, so he said to Paul, 'Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be tried on these charges before me there?'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	10	But Paul replied, 'I am standing before the tribunal of Caesar and this is where I should be tried. I have done the Jews no wrong, as you very well know.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	11	If I am guilty of committing any capital crime, I do not ask to be spared the death penalty. But if there is no substance in the accusations these persons bring against me, no one has a right to surrender me to them. I appeal to Caesar.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	12	Then Festus conferred with his advisers and replied, 'You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	13	Some days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	14	Their visit lasted several days, and Festus put Paul's case before the king, saying, 'There is a man here whom Felix left behind in custody,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	15	and while I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and elders of the Jews laid information against him, demanding his condemnation.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	16	But I told them that Romans are not in the habit of surrendering any man, until the accused confronts his accusers and is given an opportunity to defend himself against the charge.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	17	So they came here with me, and I wasted no time but took my seat on the tribunal the very next day and had the man brought in.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	18	When confronted with him, his accusers did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	19	but they had some argument or other with him about their own religion and about a dead man called Jesus whom Paul alleged to be alive.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	20	Not feeling qualified to deal with questions of this sort, I asked him if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried there on this issue.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	21	But Paul put in an appeal for his case to be reserved for the judgement of the emperor, so I ordered him to be remanded until I could send him to Caesar.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	22	Agrippa said to Festus, 'I should like to hear the man myself.' He answered, 'Tomorrow you shall hear him.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	23	So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived in great state and entered the audience chamber attended by the tribunes and the city notables; and Festus ordered Paul to be brought in.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	24	Then Festus said, 'King Agrippa, and all here present with us, you see before you the man about whom the whole Jewish community has petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, loudly protesting that he ought not to be allowed to remain alive.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	25	For my own part I am satisfied that he has committed no capital crime, but when he himself appealed to the emperor I decided to send him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	26	But I have nothing definite that I can write to his Imperial Majesty about him; that is why I have produced him before you all, and before you in particular, King Agrippa, so that after the examination I may have something to write.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	25	27	It seems to me pointless to send a prisoner without indicating the charges against him.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	1	Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'You have leave to speak on your own behalf.' And Paul held up his hand and began his defence:
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	2	'I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, in that it is before you I am to answer today all the charges made against me by the Jews,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	3	the more so because you are an expert in matters of custom and controversy among the Jews. So I beg you to listen to me patiently.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	4	'My manner of life from my youth, a life spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem, is common knowledge among the Jews.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	5	They have known me for a long time and could testify, if they would, that I followed the strictest party in our religion and lived as a Pharisee.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	6	And now it is for my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors that I am on trial,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	7	the promise that our twelve tribes, constant in worship night and day, hope to attain. For that hope, Your Majesty, I am actually put on trial by Jews!
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	8	Why does it seem incredible to you that God should raise the dead?
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	9	'As for me, I once thought it was my duty to use every means to oppose the name of Jesus the Nazarene.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	10	This I did in Jerusalem; I myself threw many of God's holy people into prison, acting on authority from the chief priests, and when they were being sentenced to death I cast my vote against them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	11	I often went round the synagogues inflicting penalties, trying in this way to force them to renounce their faith; my fury against them was so extreme that I even pursued them into foreign cities.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	12	'On such an expedition I was going to Damascus, armed with full powers and a commission from the chief priests,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	13	and in the middle of the day as I was on my way, Your Majesty, I saw a light from heaven shining more brilliantly than the sun round me and my fellow-travellers.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	14	We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you, kicking against the goad.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	15	Then I said, "Who are you, Lord?" And the Lord answered, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	16	But get up and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this reason: to appoint you as my servant and as witness of this vision in which you have seen me, and of others in which I shall appear to you.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	17	I shall rescue you from the people and from the nations to whom I send you
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	18	to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light, from the dominion of Satan to God, and receive, through faith in me, forgiveness of their sins and a share in the inheritance of the sanctified."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	19	'After that, King Agrippa, I could not disobey the heavenly vision.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	20	On the contrary I started preaching, first to the people of Damascus, then to those of Jerusalem and all Judaean territory, and also to the gentiles, urging them to repent and turn to God, proving their change of heart by their deeds.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	21	This was why the Jews laid hands on me in the Temple and tried to do away with me.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	22	But I was blessed with God's help, and so I have stood firm to this day, testifying to great and small alike, saying nothing more than what the prophets and Moses himself said would happen:
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	23	that the Christ was to suffer and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he was to proclaim a light for our people and for the gentiles.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	24	He had reached this point in his defence when Festus shouted out, 'Paul, you are out of your mind; all that learning of yours is driving you mad.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	25	But Paul answered, 'Festus, your Excellency, I am not mad: I am speaking words of sober truth and good sense.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	26	The king understands these matters, and to him I now speak fearlessly. I am confident that nothing of all this comes as a surprise to him; after all, these things were not done in a corner.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	27	King Agrippa, do you believe in the prophets? I know you do.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	28	At this Agrippa said to Paul, 'A little more, and your arguments would make a Christian of me.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	29	Paul replied, 'Little or much, I wish before God that not only you but all who are listening to me today would come to be as I am -- except for these chains.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	30	At this the king rose to his feet, with the governor and Bernice and those who sat there with them.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	31	When they had retired they talked together and agreed, 'This man is doing nothing that deserves death or imprisonment.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	26	32	And Agrippa remarked to Festus, 'The man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	1	When it had been decided that we should sail to Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion called Julius, of the Augustan cohort.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	2	We boarded a vessel from Adramyttium bound for ports on the Asiatic coast and put to sea; we had Aristarchus with us, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	3	Next day we put in at Sidon, and Julius was considerate enough to allow Paul to go to his friends to be looked after.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	4	From there we put to sea again, but as the winds were against us we sailed under the lee of Cyprus,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	5	then across the open sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia, taking a fortnight to reach Myra in Lycia.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	6	There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship leaving for Italy and put us aboard.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	7	For some days we made little headway, and we had difficulty in making Cnidus. The wind would not allow us to touch there, so we sailed under the lee of Crete off Cape Salmone
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	8	and struggled along the coast until we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	9	A great deal of time had been lost, and navigation was already hazardous, since it was now well after the time of the Fast, so Paul gave them this warning,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	10	'Friends, I can see this voyage will be dangerous and that we will run considerable risk of losing not only the cargo and the ship but also our lives as well.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	11	But the centurion took more notice of the captain and the ship's owner than of what Paul was saying;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	12	and since the harbour was unsuitable for wintering, the majority were for putting out from there in the hope of wintering at Phoenix -- a harbour in Crete, facing south-west and north-west.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	13	A southerly breeze sprang up and, thinking their objective as good as reached, they weighed anchor and began to sail past Crete, close inshore.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	14	But it was not long before a hurricane, the 'north-easter' as they call it, burst on them from across the island.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	15	The ship was caught and could not keep head to wind, so we had to give way to the wind and let ourselves be driven.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	16	We ran under the lee of a small island called Cauda and managed with some difficulty to bring the ship's boat under control.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	17	Having hauled it up they used it to undergird the ship; then, afraid of running aground on the Syrtis banks, they floated out the sea-anchor and so let themselves drift.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	18	As we were thoroughly storm-bound, the next day they began to jettison the cargo,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	19	and the third day they threw the ship's gear overboard with their own hands.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	20	For a number of days both the sun and the stars were invisible and the storm raged unabated until at last we gave up all hope of surviving.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	21	Then, when they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among the men. 'Friends,' he said, 'you should have listened to me and not put out from Crete. You would have spared yourselves all this damage and loss.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	22	But now I ask you not to give way to despair. There will be no loss of life at all, only of the ship.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	23	Last night there appeared beside me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	24	and he said, "Do not be afraid, Paul. You are destined to appear before Caesar, and God grants you the safety of all who are sailing with you."
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	25	So take courage, friends; I trust in God that things will turn out just as I was told;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	26	but we are to be stranded on some island.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	27	On the fourteenth night we were being driven one way and another in the Adriatic, when about midnight the crew sensed that land of some sort was near.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	28	They took soundings and found twenty fathoms; after a short interval they sounded again and found fifteen fathoms.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	29	Then, afraid that we might run aground somewhere on a reef, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	30	When the crew tried to escape from the ship and lowered the ship's boat into the sea as though they meant to lay out anchors from the bows, Paul said to the centurion and his men,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	31	'Unless those men stay on board you cannot hope to be saved.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	32	So the soldiers cut the boat's ropes and let it drop away.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	33	Just before daybreak Paul urged them all to have something to eat. 'For fourteen days', he said, 'you have been in suspense, going hungry and eating nothing.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	34	I urge you to have something to eat; your safety depends on it. Not a hair of any of your heads will be lost.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	35	With these words he took some bread, gave thanks to God in view of them all, broke it and began to eat.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	36	They all plucked up courage and took something to eat themselves.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	37	In all we were two hundred and seventy-six souls on board that ship.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	38	When they had eaten what they wanted they lightened the ship by throwing the corn overboard into the sea.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	39	When day came they did not recognise the land, but they could make out a bay with a beach; they planned to run the ship aground on this if they could.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	40	They slipped the anchors and let them fall into the sea, and at the same time loosened the lashings of the rudders; then, hoisting the foresail to the wind, they headed for the beach.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	41	But the cross-currents carried them into a shoal and the vessel ran aground. The bows were wedged in and stuck fast, while the stern began to break up with the pounding of the waves.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	42	The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners for fear that any should swim off and escape.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	43	But the centurion was determined to bring Paul safely through and would not let them carry out their plan. He gave orders that those who could swim should jump overboard first and so get ashore,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	27	44	and the rest follow either on planks or on pieces of wreckage. In this way it happened that all came safe and sound to land.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	1	Once we had come safely through, we discovered that the island was called Malta.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	2	The inhabitants treated us with unusual kindness. They made us all welcome by lighting a huge fire because it had started to rain and the weather was cold.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	3	Paul had collected a bundle of sticks and was putting them on the fire when a viper brought out by the heat attached itself to his hand.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	4	When the inhabitants saw the creature hanging from his hand they said to one another, 'That man must be a murderer; he may have escaped the sea, but divine justice would not let him live.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	5	However, he shook the creature off into the fire and came to no harm,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	6	although they were expecting him at any moment to swell up or drop dead on the spot. After they had waited a long time without seeing anything out of the ordinary happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say he was a god.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	7	In that neighbourhood there were estates belonging to the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius. He received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	8	It happened that Publius' father was in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after a prayer he laid his hands on the man and healed him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	9	When this happened, the other sick people on the island also came and were cured;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	10	they honoured us with many marks of respect, and when we sailed they put on board the provisions we needed.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	11	At the end of three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island; she came from Alexandria and her figurehead was the Twins.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	12	We put in at Syracuse and spent three days there;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	13	from there we followed the coast up to Rhegium. After one day there a south wind sprang up and on the second day we made Puteoli,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	14	where we found some brothers and had the great encouragement of staying a week with them. And so we came to Rome.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	15	When the brothers there heard about us they came to meet us, as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them he thanked God and took courage.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	16	On our arrival in Rome Paul was allowed to stay in lodgings of his own with the soldier who guarded him.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	17	After three days he called together the leading Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, 'Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	18	They examined me and would have set me free, since they found me guilty of nothing involving the death penalty;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	19	but the Jews lodged an objection, and I was forced to appeal to Caesar, though not because I had any accusation to make against my own nation.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	20	That is why I have urged you to see me and have a discussion with me, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear this chain.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	21	They answered, 'We have received no letters from Judaea about you, nor has any of the brothers arrived here with any report or story of anything to your discredit.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	22	We think it would be as well to hear your own account of your position; all we know about this sect is that it encounters opposition everywhere.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	23	So they arranged a day with him and a large number of them visited him at his lodgings. He put his case to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them about Jesus, arguing from the Law of Moses and the prophets from early morning until evening;
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	24	and some were convinced by what he said, while the rest were sceptical.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	25	So they disagreed among themselves and, as they went away, Paul had one last thing to say to them, 'How aptly the Holy Spirit spoke when he told your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah:
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	26	Go and say to this people: Listen and listen but never understand! Look and look but never perceive!
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	27	This people's heart is torpid, their ears dulled, they have shut their eyes tight, to avoid using their eyes to see, their ears to hear, using their heart to understand, changing their ways and being healed by me.
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	28	'You must realise, then, that this salvation of God has been sent to the gentiles;they will listen to it.'
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	29
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	30	He spent the whole of the two years in his own rented lodging. He welcomed all who came to visit him,
 Acts of Apostles	Acts	51	28	31	proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete fearlessness and without any hindrance from anyone.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	1	From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle,
 Romans	Rom	52	1	2	set apart for the service of the gospel that God promised long ago through his prophets in the holy scriptures.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	3	This is the gospel concerning his Son who, in terms of human nature
 Romans	Rom	52	1	4	was born a descendant of David and who, in terms of the Spirit and of holiness, was designated Son of God in power by resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ, our Lord,
 Romans	Rom	52	1	5	through whom we have received grace and our apostolic mission of winning the obedience of faith among all the nations for the honour of his name.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	6	You are among these, and by his call you belong to Jesus Christ.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	7	To you all, God's beloved in Rome, called to be his holy people. Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	8	First I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because your faith is talked of all over the world.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	9	God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness that I continually mention you in my prayers,
 Romans	Rom	52	1	10	asking always that by some means I may at long last be enabled to visit you, if it is God's will.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	11	For I am longing to see you so that I can convey to you some spiritual gift that will be a lasting strength,
 Romans	Rom	52	1	12	or rather that we may be strengthened together through our mutual faith, yours and mine.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	13	I want you to be quite certain too, brothers, that I have often planned to visit you -- though up to the present I have always been prevented -- in the hope that I might work as fruitfully among you as I have among the gentiles elsewhere.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	14	I have an obligation to Greeks as well as barbarians, to the educated as well as the ignorant,
 Romans	Rom	52	1	15	and hence the eagerness on my part to preach the gospel to you in Rome too.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	16	For I see no reason to be ashamed of the gospel; it is God's power for the salvation of everyone who has faith -- Jews first, but Greeks as well-
 Romans	Rom	52	1	17	for in it is revealed the saving justice of God: a justice based on faith and addressed to faith. As it says in scripture: Anyone who is upright through faith will live.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	18	The retribution of God from heaven is being revealed against the ungodliness and injustice of human beings who in their injustice hold back the truth.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	19	For what can be known about God is perfectly plain to them, since God has made it plain to them:
 Romans	Rom	52	1	20	ever since the creation of the world, the invisible existence of God and his everlasting power have been clearly seen by the mind's understanding of created things. And so these people have no excuse:
 Romans	Rom	52	1	21	they knew God and yet they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but their arguments became futile and their uncomprehending minds were darkened.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	22	While they claimed to be wise, in fact they were growing so stupid
 Romans	Rom	52	1	23	that they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an imitation, for the image of a mortal human being, or of birds, or animals, or crawling things.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	24	That is why God abandoned them in their inmost cravings to filthy practices of dishonouring their own bodies-
 Romans	Rom	52	1	25	because they exchanged God's truth for a lie and have worshipped and served the creature instead of the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	26	That is why God abandoned them to degrading passions:
 Romans	Rom	52	1	27	why their women have exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural practices; and the men, in a similar fashion, too, giving up normal relations with women, are consumed with passion for each other, men doing shameful things with men and receiving in themselves due reward for their perversion.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	28	In other words, since they would not consent to acknowledge God, God abandoned them to their unacceptable thoughts and indecent behaviour.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	29	And so now they are steeped in all sorts of injustice, rottenness, greed and malice; full of envy, murder, wrangling, treachery and spite,
 Romans	Rom	52	1	30	libellers, slanderers, enemies of God, rude, arrogant and boastful, enterprising in evil, rebellious to parents,
 Romans	Rom	52	1	31	without brains, honour, love or pity.
 Romans	Rom	52	1	32	They are well aware of God's ordinance: that those who behave like this deserve to die -- yet they not only do it, but even applaud others who do the same.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	1	So no matter who you are, if you pass judgement you have no excuse. It is yourself that you condemn when you judge others, since you behave in the same way as those you are condemning.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	2	We are well aware that people who behave like that are justly condemned by God.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	3	But you -- when you judge those who behave like this while you are doing the same yourself -- do you think you will escape God's condemnation?
 Romans	Rom	52	2	4	Or are you not disregarding his abundant goodness, tolerance and patience, failing to realise that this generosity of God is meant to bring you to repentance?
 Romans	Rom	52	2	5	Your stubborn refusal to repent is only storing up retribution for yourself on that Day of retribution when God's just verdicts will be made known.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	6	He will repay everyone as their deeds deserve.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	7	For those who aimed for glory and honour and immortality by persevering in doing good, there will be eternal life;
 Romans	Rom	52	2	8	but for those who out of jealousy have taken for their guide not truth but injustice, there will be the fury of retribution.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	9	Trouble and distress will come to every human being who does evil -- Jews first, but Greeks as well;
 Romans	Rom	52	2	10	glory and honour and peace will come to everyone who does good -- Jews first, but Greeks as well.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	11	There is no favouritism with God.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	12	All those who have sinned without the Law will perish without the Law; and those under the Law who have sinned will be judged by the Law.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	13	For the ones that God will justify are not those who have heard the Law but those who have kept the Law.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	14	So, when gentiles, not having the Law, still through their own innate sense behave as the Law commands, then, even though they have no Law, they are a law for themselves.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	15	They can demonstrate the effect of the Law engraved on their hearts, to which their own conscience bears witness; since they are aware of various considerations, some of which accuse them, while others provide them with a defence . . . on the day when,
 Romans	Rom	52	2	16	according to the gospel that I preach, God, through Jesus Christ, judges all human secrets.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	17	If you can call yourself a Jew, and you really trust in the Law, and are proud of your God,
 Romans	Rom	52	2	18	and know his will, and tell right from wrong because you have been taught by the Law;
 Romans	Rom	52	2	19	if you are confident that you are a guide to the blind and a beacon to those in the dark,
 Romans	Rom	52	2	20	that you can teach the ignorant and instruct the unlearned because the Law embodies all knowledge and all truth-
 Romans	Rom	52	2	21	so then, in teaching others, do you teach yourself as well? You preach that there is to be no stealing, but do you steal?
 Romans	Rom	52	2	22	You say that adultery is forbidden, but do you commit adultery? You detest the worship of objects, but do you desecrate holy things yourself?
 Romans	Rom	52	2	23	If, while you are boasting of the Law, you disobey it, then you are bringing God into contempt.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	24	As scripture says: It is your fault that the name of God is held in contempt among the nations.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	25	Circumcision has its value if you keep the Law; but if you go on breaking the Law, you are no more circumcised than the uncircumcised.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	26	And if an uncircumcised man keeps the commands of the Law, will not his uncircumcised state count as circumcision?
 Romans	Rom	52	2	27	More, the man who, in his native uncircumcised state, keeps the Law, is a condemnation of you, who, by your concentration on the letter and on circumcision, actually break the Law.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	28	Being a Jew is not only having the outward appearance of a Jew, and circumcision is not only a visible physical operation.
 Romans	Rom	52	2	29	The real Jew is the one who is inwardly a Jew, and real circumcision is in the heart, a thing not of the letter but of the spirit. He may not be praised by any human being, but he will be praised by God.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	1	Is there any benefit, then, in being a Jew? Is there any advantage in being circumcised?
 Romans	Rom	52	3	2	A great deal, in every way. First of all, it was to the Jews that the message of God was entrusted.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	3	What if some of them were unfaithful? Do you think their lack of faith could cancel God's faithfulness?
 Romans	Rom	52	3	4	Out of the question! God will always be true even if no human being can be relied on. As scripture says: That you may show your saving justice when you pass sentence and your victory may appear when you give judgement.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	5	But if our injustice serves to bring God's saving justice into view, can we say that God is unjust when -- to use human terms -- he brings his retribution down on us?
 Romans	Rom	52	3	6	Out of the question! It would mean that God could not be the judge of the world.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	7	You might as well say that if my untruthfulness makes God demonstrate his truthfulness, to his greater glory, then I should not be judged to be a sinner at all.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	8	In this case, the slanderous report some people are spreading would be true, that we teach that one should do evil that good may come of it. In fact such people are justly condemned.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	9	Well: are we any better off? Not at all: we have already indicted Jews and Greeks as being all alike under the dominion of sin.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	10	As scripture says: Not one of them is upright, not a single one,
 Romans	Rom	52	3	11	not a single one is wise, not a single one seeks God.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	12	All have turned away, all alike turned sour, not one of them does right, not a single one.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	13	Their throats are wide -- open graves, their tongues seductive. Viper's venom behind their lips;
 Romans	Rom	52	3	14	their speech is full of cursing and bitterness.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	15	Their feet quick to shed innocent blood,
 Romans	Rom	52	3	16	wherever they go there is havoc and ruin.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	17	They do not know the way of peace,
 Romans	Rom	52	3	18	there is no fear of God before their eyes.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	19	Now we are well aware that whatever the Law says is said for those who are subject to the Law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world brought under the judgement of God.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	20	So then, no human being can be found upright at the tribunal of God by keeping the Law; all that the Law does is to tell us what is sinful.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	21	God's saving justice was witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but now it has been revealed altogether apart from law:
 Romans	Rom	52	3	22	God's saving justice given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	23	No distinction is made: all have sinned and lack God's glory,
 Romans	Rom	52	3	24	and all are justified by the free gift of his grace through being set free in Christ Jesus.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	25	God appointed him as a sacrifice for reconciliation, through faith, by the shedding of his blood, and so showed his justness; first for the past, when sins went unpunished because he held his hand;
 Romans	Rom	52	3	26	and now again for the present age, to show how he is just and justifies everyone who has faith in Jesus.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	27	So what becomes of our boasts? There is no room for them. On what principle- that only actions count? No; that faith is what counts,
 Romans	Rom	52	3	28	since, as we see it, a person is justified by faith and not by doing what the Law tells him to do.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	29	Do you think God is the God only of the Jews, and not of gentiles too? Most certainly of gentiles too,
 Romans	Rom	52	3	30	since there is only one God; he will justify the circumcised by their faith, and he will justify the uncircumcised through their faith.
 Romans	Rom	52	3	31	Are we saying that the Law has been made pointless by faith? Out of the question; we are placing the Law on its true footing.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	1	Then what do we say about Abraham, the ancestor from whom we are descended physically?
 Romans	Rom	52	4	2	If Abraham had been justified because of what he had done, then he would have had something to boast about. But not before God:
 Romans	Rom	52	4	3	does not scripture say: Abraham put his faith in God and this was reckoned to him as uprightness?
 Romans	Rom	52	4	4	Now, when someone works, the wages for this are not considered as a favour but as due;
 Romans	Rom	52	4	5	however, when someone, without working, puts faith in the one who justifies the godless, it is this faith that is reckoned as uprightness.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	6	David, too, says the same: he calls someone blessed if God attributes uprightness to that person, apart from any action undertaken:
 Romans	Rom	52	4	7	How blessed are those whose offence is forgiven, whose sin is blotted out.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	8	How blessed are those to whom the Lord imputes no guilt.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	9	Is this blessing only for the circumcised, or is it said of the uncircumcised as well? Well, we said of Abraham that his faith was reckoned to him as uprightness.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	10	Now how did this come about? When he was already circumcised, or before he had been circumcised? Not when he had been circumcised, but while he was still uncircumcised;
 Romans	Rom	52	4	11	and circumcision was given to him later, as a sign and a guarantee that the faith which he had while still uncircumcised was reckoned to him as uprightness. In this way, Abraham was to be the ancestor of all believers who are uncircumcised, so that they might be reckoned as upright;
 Romans	Rom	52	4	12	as well as the ancestor of those of the circumcision who not only have their circumcision but who also follow our ancestor Abraham along the path of faith that he trod before he was circumcised.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	13	For the promise to Abraham and his descendants that he should inherit the world was not through the Law, but through the uprightness of faith.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	14	For if it is those who live by the Law who will gain the inheritance, faith is worthless and the promise is without force;
 Romans	Rom	52	4	15	for the Law produces nothing but God's retribution, and it is only where there is no Law that it is possible to live without breaking the Law.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	16	That is why the promise is to faith, so that it comes as a free gift and is secure for all the descendants, not only those who rely on the Law but all those others who rely on the faith of Abraham, the ancestor of us all
 Romans	Rom	52	4	17	(as scripture says: I have made you the father of many nations). Abraham is our father in the eyes of God, in whom he put his faith, and who brings the dead to life and calls into existence what does not yet exist.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	18	Though there seemed no hope, he hoped and believed that he was to become father of many nations in fulfilment of the promise: Just so will your descendants be.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	19	Even the thought that his body was as good as dead -- he was about a hundred years old -- and that Sarah's womb was dead too did not shake his faith.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	20	Counting on the promise of God, he did not doubt or disbelieve, but drew strength from faith and gave glory to God,
 Romans	Rom	52	4	21	fully convinced that whatever God promised he has the power to perform.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	22	This is the faith that was reckoned to him as uprightness.
 Romans	Rom	52	4	23	And the word 'reckoned' in scripture applies not only to him;
 Romans	Rom	52	4	24	it is there for our sake too -- our faith, too, will be 'reckoned'
 Romans	Rom	52	4	25	because we believe in him who raised from the dead our Lord Jesus who was handed over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	1	So then, now that we have been justified by faith, we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
 Romans	Rom	52	5	2	it is through him, by faith, that we have been admitted into God's favour in which we are living, and look forward exultantly to God's glory.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	3	Not only that; let us exult, too, in our hardships, understanding that hardship develops perseverance,
 Romans	Rom	52	5	4	and perseverance develops a tested character, something that gives us hope,
 Romans	Rom	52	5	5	and a hope which will not let us down, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	6	When we were still helpless, at the appointed time, Christ died for the godless.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	7	You could hardly find anyone ready to die even for someone upright; though it is just possible that, for a really good person, someone might undertake to die.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	8	So it is proof of God's own love for us, that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	9	How much more can we be sure, therefore, that, now that we have been justified by his death, we shall be saved through him from the retribution of God.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	10	For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more can we be sure that, being now reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	11	What is more, we are filled with exultant trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	12	Well then; it was through one man that sin came into the world, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	13	Sin already existed in the world before there was any law, even though sin is not reckoned when there is no law.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	14	Nonetheless death reigned over all from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sin was not the breaking of a commandment, as Adam's was. He prefigured the One who was to come . . .
 Romans	Rom	52	5	15	There is no comparison between the free gift and the offence. If death came to many through the offence of one man, how much greater an effect the grace of God has had, coming to so many and so plentifully as a free gift through the one man Jesus Christ!
 Romans	Rom	52	5	16	Again, there is no comparison between the gift and the offence of one man. One single offence brought condemnation, but now, after many offences, have come the free gift and so acquittal!
 Romans	Rom	52	5	17	It was by one man's offence that death came to reign over all, but how much greater the reign in life of those who receive the fullness of grace and the gift of saving justice, through the one man, Jesus Christ.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	18	One man's offence brought condemnation on all humanity; and one man's good act has brought justification and life to all humanity.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	19	Just as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience are many to be made upright.
 Romans	Rom	52	5	20	When law came on the scene, it was to multiply the offences. But however much sin increased, grace was always greater;
 Romans	Rom	52	5	21	so that as sin's reign brought death, so grace was to rule through saving justice that leads to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	1	What should we say then? Should we remain in sin so that grace may be given the more fully?
 Romans	Rom	52	6	2	Out of the question! We have died to sin; how could we go on living in it?
 Romans	Rom	52	6	3	You cannot have forgotten that all of us, when we were baptised into Christ Jesus, were baptised into his death.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	4	So by our baptism into his death we were buried with him, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father's glorious power, we too should begin living a new life.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	5	If we have been joined to him by dying a death like his, so we shall be by a resurrection like his;
 Romans	Rom	52	6	6	realising that our former self was crucified with him, so that the self which belonged to sin should be destroyed and we should be freed from the slavery of sin.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	7	Someone who has died, of course, no longer has to answer for sin.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	8	But we believe that, if we died with Christ, then we shall live with him too.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	9	We know that Christ has been raised from the dead and will never die again. Death has no power over him any more.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	10	For by dying, he is dead to sin once and for all, and now the life that he lives is life with God.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	11	In the same way, you must see yourselves as being dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	12	That is why you must not allow sin to reign over your mortal bodies and make you obey their desires;
 Romans	Rom	52	6	13	or give any parts of your bodies over to sin to be used as instruments of evil. Instead, give yourselves to God, as people brought to life from the dead, and give every part of your bodies to God to be instruments of uprightness;
 Romans	Rom	52	6	14	and then sin will no longer have any power over you -- you are living not under law, but under grace.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	15	What is the implication? That we are free to sin, now that we are not under law but under grace? Out of the question!
 Romans	Rom	52	6	16	You know well that if you undertake to be somebody's slave and obey him, you are the slave of him you obey: you can be the slave either of sin which leads to death, or of obedience which leads to saving justice.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	17	Once you were slaves of sin, but thank God you have given whole-hearted obedience to the pattern of teaching to which you were introduced;
 Romans	Rom	52	6	18	and so, being freed from serving sin, you took uprightness as your master.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	19	I am putting it in human terms because you are still weak human beings: as once you surrendered yourselves as servants to immorality and to a lawlessness which results in more lawlessness, now you have to surrender yourselves to uprightness which is to result in sanctification.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	20	When you were the servants of sin, you felt no obligation to uprightness,
 Romans	Rom	52	6	21	and what did you gain from living like that? Experiences of which you are now ashamed, for that sort of behaviour ends in death.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	22	But, now you are set free from sin and bound to the service of God, your gain will be sanctification and the end will be eternal life.
 Romans	Rom	52	6	23	For the wage paid by sin is death; the gift freely given by God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	1	As people who are familiar with the Law, brothers, you cannot have forgotten that the law can control a person only during that person's lifetime.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	2	A married woman, for instance, is bound to her husband by law, as long as he lives, but when her husband dies all her legal obligation to him as husband is ended.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	3	So if she were to have relations with another man while her husband was still alive, she would be termed an adulteress; but if her husband dies, her legal obligation comes to an end and if she then has relations with another man, that does not make her an adulteress.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	4	In the same way you, my brothers, through the body of Christ have become dead to the Law and so you are able to belong to someone else, that is, to him who was raised from the dead to make us live fruitfully for God.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	5	While we were still living by our natural inclinations, the sinful passions aroused by the Law were working in all parts of our bodies to make us live lives which were fruitful only for death.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	6	But now we are released from the Law, having died to what was binding us, and so we are in a new service, that of the spirit, and not in the old service of a written code.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	7	What should we say, then? That the Law itself is sin? Out of the question! All the same, if it had not been for the Law, I should not have known what sin was; for instance, I should not have known what it meant to covet if the Law had not said: You are not to covet.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	8	But, once it found the opportunity through that commandment, sin produced in me all kinds of covetousness; as long as there is no Law, sin is dead.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	9	Once, when there was no Law, I used to be alive; but when the commandment came, sin came to life
 Romans	Rom	52	7	10	and I died. The commandment was meant to bring life but I found it brought death,
 Romans	Rom	52	7	11	because sin, finding its opportunity by means of the commandment, beguiled me and, by means of it, killed me.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	12	So then, the Law is holy, and what it commands is holy and upright and good.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	13	Does that mean that something good resulted in my dying? Out of the question! But sin, in order to be identified as sin, caused my death through that good thing, and so it is by means of the commandment that sin shows its unbounded sinful power.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	14	We are well aware that the Law is spiritual: but I am a creature of flesh and blood sold as a slave to sin.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	15	I do not understand my own behaviour; I do not act as I mean to, but I do things that I hate.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	16	While I am acting as I do not want to, I still acknowledge the Law as good,
 Romans	Rom	52	7	17	so it is not myself acting, but the sin which lives in me.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	18	And really, I know of nothing good living in me -- in my natural self, that is -- for though the will to do what is good is in me, the power to do it is not:
 Romans	Rom	52	7	19	the good thing I want to do, I never do; the evil thing which I do not want -- that is what I do.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	20	But every time I do what I do not want to, then it is not myself acting, but the sin that lives in me.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	21	So I find this rule: that for me, where I want to do nothing but good, evil is close at my side.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	22	In my inmost self I dearly love God's law,
 Romans	Rom	52	7	23	but I see that acting on my body there is a different law which battles against the law in my mind. So I am brought to be a prisoner of that law of sin which lives inside my body.
 Romans	Rom	52	7	24	What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body doomed to death?
 Romans	Rom	52	7	25	God -- thanks be to him -- through Jesus Christ our Lord. So it is that I myself with my mind obey the law of God, but in my disordered nature I obey the law of sin.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	1	Thus, condemnation will never come to those who are in Christ Jesus,
 Romans	Rom	52	8	2	because the law of the Spirit which gives life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	3	What the Law could not do because of the weakness of human nature, God did, sending his own Son in the same human nature as any sinner to be a sacrifice for sin, and condemning sin in that human nature.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	4	This was so that the Law's requirements might be fully satisfied in us as we direct our lives not by our natural inclinations but by the Spirit.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	5	Those who are living by their natural inclinations have their minds on the things human nature desires; those who live in the Spirit have their minds on spiritual things.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	6	And human nature has nothing to look forward to but death, while the Spirit looks forward to life and peace,
 Romans	Rom	52	8	7	because the outlook of disordered human nature is opposed to God, since it does not submit to God's Law, and indeed it cannot,
 Romans	Rom	52	8	8	and those who live by their natural inclinations can never be pleasing to God.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	9	You, however, live not by your natural inclinations, but by the Spirit, since the Spirit of God has made a home in you. Indeed, anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	10	But when Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin but the spirit is alive because you have been justified;
 Romans	Rom	52	8	11	and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead has made his home in you, then he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	12	So then, my brothers, we have no obligation to human nature to be dominated by it.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	13	If you do live in that way, you are doomed to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the habits originating in the body, you will have life.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	14	All who are guided by the Spirit of God are sons of God;
 Romans	Rom	52	8	15	for what you received was not the spirit of slavery to bring you back into fear; you received the Spirit of adoption, enabling us to cry out, 'Abba, Father!'
 Romans	Rom	52	8	16	The Spirit himself joins with our spirit to bear witness that we are children of God.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	17	And if we are children, then we are heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, provided that we share his suffering, so as to share his glory.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	18	In my estimation, all that we suffer in the present time is nothing in comparison with the glory which is destined to be disclosed for us,
 Romans	Rom	52	8	19	for the whole creation is waiting with eagerness for the children of God to be revealed.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	20	It was not for its own purposes that creation had frustration imposed on it, but for the purposes of him who imposed it-
 Romans	Rom	52	8	21	with the intention that the whole creation itself might be freed from its slavery to corruption and brought into the same glorious freedom as the children of God.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	22	We are well aware that the whole creation, until this time, has been groaning in labour pains.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	23	And not only that: we too, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we are groaning inside ourselves, waiting with eagerness for our bodies to be set free.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	24	In hope, we already have salvation; in hope, not visibly present, or we should not be hoping -- nobody goes on hoping for something which is already visible.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	25	But having this hope for what we cannot yet see, we are able to wait for it with persevering confidence.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	26	And as well as this, the Spirit too comes to help us in our weakness, for, when we do not know how to pray properly, then the Spirit personally makes our petitions for us in groans that cannot be put into words;
 Romans	Rom	52	8	27	and he who can see into all hearts knows what the Spirit means because the prayers that the Spirit makes for God's holy people are always in accordance with the mind of God.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	28	We are well aware that God works with those who love him, those who have been called in accordance with his purpose, and turns everything to their good.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	29	He decided beforehand who were the ones destined to be moulded to the pattern of his Son, so that he should be the eldest of many brothers;
 Romans	Rom	52	8	30	it was those so destined that he called; those that he called, he justified, and those that he has justified he has brought into glory.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	31	After saying this, what can we add? If God is for us, who can be against us?
 Romans	Rom	52	8	32	Since he did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for the sake of all of us, then can we not expect that with him he will freely give us all his gifts?
 Romans	Rom	52	8	33	Who can bring any accusation against those that God has chosen? When God grants saving justice
 Romans	Rom	52	8	34	who can condemn? Are we not sure that it is Christ Jesus, who died -- yes and more, who was raised from the dead and is at God's right hand -- and who is adding his plea for us?
 Romans	Rom	52	8	35	Can anything cut us off from the love of Christ -- can hardships or distress, or persecution, or lack of food and clothing, or threats or violence;
 Romans	Rom	52	8	36	as scripture says: For your sake we are being massacred all day long, treated as sheep to be slaughtered?
 Romans	Rom	52	8	37	No; we come through all these things triumphantly victorious, by the power of him who loved us.
 Romans	Rom	52	8	38	For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nothing already in existence and nothing still to come, nor any power,
 Romans	Rom	52	8	39	nor the heights nor the depths, nor any created thing whatever, will be able to come between us and the love of God, known to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	1	This is the truth and I am speaking in Christ, without pretence, as my conscience testifies for me in the Holy Spirit;
 Romans	Rom	52	9	2	there is great sorrow and unremitting agony in my heart:
 Romans	Rom	52	9	3	I could pray that I myself might be accursed and cut off from Christ, if this could benefit the brothers who are my own flesh and blood.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	4	They are Israelites; it was they who were adopted as children, the glory was theirs and the covenants; to them were given the Law and the worship of God and the promises.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	5	To them belong the fathers and out of them, so far as physical descent is concerned, came Christ who is above all, God, blessed for ever. Amen.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	6	It is not that God's promise has failed. Not all born Israelites belong to Israel,
 Romans	Rom	52	9	7	and not all the descendants of Abraham count as his children, for Isaac is the one through whom your Name will be carried on.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	8	That is, it is not by being children through physical descent that people become children of God; it is the children of the promise that are counted as the heirs.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	9	The actual words of the promise were: I shall come back to you at this season, and Sarah will have a son.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	10	Even more to the point is what was said to Rebecca when she was pregnant by our ancestor, Isaac,
 Romans	Rom	52	9	11	before her children were born, so that neither had yet done anything either good or bad, but in order that it should be God's choice which prevailed
 Romans	Rom	52	9	12	-not human merit, but his call -- she was told: the elder one will serve the younger.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	13	Or as scripture says elsewhere: I loved Jacob but hated Esau.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	14	What should we say, then? That God is unjust? Out of the question!
 Romans	Rom	52	9	15	For speaking to Moses, he said: I am gracious to those to whom I am gracious and I take pity on those on whom I take pity.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	16	So it is not a matter of what any person wants or what any person does, but only of God having mercy.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	17	Scripture says to Pharaoh: I raised you up for this reason, to display my power in you and to have my name talked of throughout the world.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	18	In other words, if God wants to show mercy on someone, he does so, and if he wants to harden someone's heart, he does so.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	19	Then you will ask me, 'How then can he ever blame anyone, since no one can oppose his will?'
 Romans	Rom	52	9	20	But you -- who do you think you, a human being, are, to answer back to God? Something that was made, can it say to its maker: why did you make me this shape?
 Romans	Rom	52	9	21	A potter surely has the right over his clay to make out of the same lump either a pot for special use or one for ordinary use.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	22	But suppose that God, although all the time he wanted to reveal his retribution and demonstrate his power, has with great patience gone on putting up with those who are the instruments of his retribution and designed to be destroyed;
 Romans	Rom	52	9	23	so that he may make known the glorious riches ready for the people who are the instruments of his faithful love and were long ago prepared for that glory.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	24	We are that people, called by him not only out of the Jews but out of the gentiles too.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	25	Just as he says in the book of Hosea: I shall tell those who were not my people, 'You are my people,' and I shall take pity on those on whom I had no pity.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	26	And in the very place where they were told, 'You are not my people,' they will be told that they are 'children of the living God'.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	27	And about Israel, this is what Isaiah cried out: Though the people of Israel are like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will be saved;
 Romans	Rom	52	9	28	for without hesitation or delay the Lord will execute his sentence on the earth.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	29	As Isaiah foretold: Had the Lord Sabaoth not left us a few survivors, we should be like Sodom, we should be the same as Gomorrah.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	30	What should we say, then? That the gentiles, although they were not looking for saving justice, found it, and this was the saving justice that comes of faith;
 Romans	Rom	52	9	31	while Israel, looking for saving justice by law-keeping, did not succeed in fulfilling the Law.
 Romans	Rom	52	9	32	And why? Because they were trying to find it in actions and not in faith, and so they stumbled over the stumbling-stone-
 Romans	Rom	52	9	33	as it says in scripture: Now I am laying in Zion a stumbling-stone, a rock to trip people up; but he who relies on this will not be brought to disgrace.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	1	Brothers, my dearest wish and my prayer to God is for them, that they may be saved.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	2	I readily testify to their fervour for God, but it is misguided.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	3	Not recognising God's saving justice they have tried to establish their own, instead of submitting to the saving justice of God.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	4	But the Law has found its fulfilment in Christ so that all who have faith will be justified.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	5	Moses writes of the saving justice that comes by the Law and says that whoever complies with it will find life in it.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	6	But the saving justice of faith says this: Do not think in your heart, 'Who will go up to heaven?' --
 Romans	Rom	52	10	7	that is to bring Christ down; or 'Who will go down to the depths?' -- that is to bring Christ back from the dead.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	8	What does it say, then? The word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith, the faith which we preach,
 Romans	Rom	52	10	9	that if you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and if you believe with your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	10	It is by believing with the heart that you are justified, and by making the declaration with your lips that you are saved.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	11	When scripture says: No one who relies on this will be brought to disgrace,
 Romans	Rom	52	10	12	it makes no distinction between Jew and Greek: the same Lord is the Lord of all, and his generosity is offered to all who appeal to him,
 Romans	Rom	52	10	13	for all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	14	How then are they to call on him if they have not come to believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard of him? And how will they hear of him unless there is a preacher for them?
 Romans	Rom	52	10	15	And how will there be preachers if they are not sent? As scripture says: How beautiful are the feet of the messenger of good news.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	16	But in fact they have not all responded to the good news. As Isaiah says: Lord, who has given credence to what they have heard from us?
 Romans	Rom	52	10	17	But it is in that way faith comes, from hearing, and that means hearing the word of Christ.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	18	Well then, I say, is it possible that they have not heard? Indeed they have: in the entire earth their voice stands out, their message reaches the whole world.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	19	Well, another question, then: is it possible that Israel did not understand? In the first place Moses said: I shall rouse you to jealousy with a non-people, I shall exasperate you with a stupid nation.
 Romans	Rom	52	10	20	And Isaiah is even bold enough to say: I have let myself be found by those who did not seek me; I have let myself be seen by those who did not consult me;
 Romans	Rom	52	10	21	and referring to Israel, he says: All day long I have been stretching out my hands to a disobedient and rebellious people.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	1	What I am saying is this: is it possible that God abandoned his people? Out of the question! I too am an Israelite, descended from Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	2	God never abandoned his own people to whom, ages ago, he had given recognition. Do you not remember what scripture says about Elijah and how he made a complaint to God against Israel:
 Romans	Rom	52	11	3	Lord, they have put your prophets to the sword, torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they want to kill me?
 Romans	Rom	52	11	4	And what was the prophetic answer given? I have spared for myself seven thousand men that have not bent the knee to Baal.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	5	In the same way, then, in our own time, there is a remnant, set aside by grace.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	6	And since it is by grace, it cannot now be by good actions, or grace would not be grace at all!
 Romans	Rom	52	11	7	What follows? Israel failed to find what it was seeking; only those who were chosen found it and the rest had their minds hardened;
 Romans	Rom	52	11	8	just as it says in scripture: God has infused them with a spirit of lethargy; until today they have not eyes to see or ears to hear.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	9	David too says: May their own table prove a trap for them, a pitfall and a snare; let that be their retribution.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	10	May their eyes grow so dim they cannot see, and their backs be bent for ever.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	11	What I am saying is this: Was this stumbling to lead to their final downfall? Out of the question! On the contrary, their failure has brought salvation for the gentiles, in order to stir them to envy.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	12	And if their fall has proved a great gain to the world, and their loss has proved a great gain to the gentiles -- how much greater a gain will come when all is restored to them!
 Romans	Rom	52	11	13	Let me say then to you gentiles that, as far as I am an apostle to the gentiles, I take pride in this work of service;
 Romans	Rom	52	11	14	and I want it to be the means of rousing to envy the people who are my own blood-relations and so of saving some of them.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	15	Since their rejection meant the reconciliation of the world, do you know what their re-acceptance will mean? Nothing less than life from the dead!
 Romans	Rom	52	11	16	When the first-fruits are made holy, so is the whole batch; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	17	Now suppose that some branches were broken off, and you are wild olive, grafted among the rest to share with the others the rich sap of the olive tree;
 Romans	Rom	52	11	18	then it is not for you to consider yourself superior to the other branches; and if you start feeling proud, think: it is not you that sustain the root, but the root that sustains you.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	19	You will say, 'Branches were broken off on purpose for me to be grafted in.' True;
 Romans	Rom	52	11	20	they through their unbelief were broken off, and you are established through your faith. So it is not pride that you should have, but fear:
 Romans	Rom	52	11	21	if God did not spare the natural branches, he might not spare you either.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	22	Remember God's severity as well as his goodness: his severity to those who fell, and his goodness to you as long as you persevere in it; if not, you too will be cut off.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	23	And they, if they do not persevere in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for it is within the power of God to graft them back again.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	24	After all, if you, cut off from what was by nature a wild olive, could then be grafted unnaturally on to a cultivated olive, how much easier will it be for them, the branches that naturally belong there, to be grafted on to the olive tree which is their own.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	25	I want you to be quite certain, brothers, of this mystery, to save you from congratulating yourselves on your own good sense: part of Israel had its mind hardened, but only until the gentiles have wholly come in;
 Romans	Rom	52	11	26	and this is how all Israel will be saved. As scripture says: From Zion will come the Redeemer, he will remove godlessness from Jacob.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	27	And this will be my covenant with them, when I take their sins away.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	28	As regards the gospel, they are enemies, but for your sake; but as regards those who are God's choice, they are still well loved for the sake of their ancestors.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	29	There is no change of mind on God's part about the gifts he has made or of his choice.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	30	Just as you were in the past disobedient to God but now you have been shown mercy, through their disobedience;
 Romans	Rom	52	11	31	so in the same way they are disobedient now, so that through the mercy shown to you they too will receive mercy.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	32	God has imprisoned all human beings in their own disobedience only to show mercy to them all.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	33	How rich and deep are the wisdom and the knowledge of God! We cannot reach to the root of his decisions or his ways.
 Romans	Rom	52	11	34	Who has ever known the mind of the Lord? Who has ever been his adviser?
 Romans	Rom	52	11	35	Who has given anything to him, so that his presents come only as a debt returned?
 Romans	Rom	52	11	36	Everything there is comes from him and is caused by him and exists for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	1	I urge you, then, brothers, remembering the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, dedicated and acceptable to God; that is the kind of worship for you, as sensible people.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	2	Do not model your behaviour on the contemporary world, but let the renewing of your minds transform you, so that you may discern for yourselves what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and mature.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	3	And through the grace that I have been given, I say this to every one of you: never pride yourself on being better than you really are, but think of yourself dispassionately, recognising that God has given to each one his measure of faith.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	4	Just as each of us has various parts in one body, and the parts do not all have the same function:
 Romans	Rom	52	12	5	in the same way, all of us, though there are so many of us, make up one body in Christ, and as different parts we are all joined to one another.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	6	Then since the gifts that we have differ according to the grace that was given to each of us: if it is a gift of prophecy, we should prophesy as much as our faith tells us;
 Romans	Rom	52	12	7	if it is a gift of practical service, let us devote ourselves to serving; if it is teaching, to teaching;
 Romans	Rom	52	12	8	if it is encouraging, to encouraging. When you give, you should give generously from the heart; if you are put in charge, you must be conscientious; if you do works of mercy, let it be because you enjoy doing them.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	9	Let love be without any pretence. Avoid what is evil; stick to what is good.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	10	In brotherly love let your feelings of deep affection for one another come to expression and regard others as more important than yourself.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	11	In the service of the Lord, work not halfheartedly but with conscientiousness and an eager spirit.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	12	Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship; keep praying regularly;
 Romans	Rom	52	12	13	share with any of God's holy people who are in need; look for opportunities to be hospitable.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	14	Bless your persecutors; never curse them, bless them.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	15	Rejoice with others when they rejoice, and be sad with those in sorrow.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	16	Give the same consideration to all others alike. Pay no regard to social standing, but meet humble people on their own terms. Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	17	Never pay back evil with evil, but bear in mind the ideals that all regard with respect.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	18	As much as possible, and to the utmost of your ability, be at peace with everyone.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	19	Never try to get revenge: leave that, my dear friends, to the Retribution. As scripture says: Vengeance is mine -- I will pay them back, the Lord promises.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	20	And more: If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink. By this, you will be heaping red-hot coals on his head.
 Romans	Rom	52	12	21	Do not be mastered by evil, but master evil with good.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	1	Everyone is to obey the governing authorities, because there is no authority except from God and so whatever authorities exist have been appointed by God.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	2	So anyone who disobeys an authority is rebelling against God's ordinance; and rebels must expect to receive the condemnation they deserve.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	3	Magistrates bring fear not to those who do good, but to those who do evil. So if you want to live with no fear of authority, live honestly and you will have its approval;
 Romans	Rom	52	13	4	it is there to serve God for you and for your good. But if you do wrong, then you may well be afraid; because it is not for nothing that the symbol of authority is the sword: it is there to serve God, too, as his avenger, to bring retribution to wrongdoers.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	5	You must be obedient, therefore, not only because of this retribution, but also for conscience's sake.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	6	And this is why you should pay taxes, too, because the authorities are all serving God as his agents, even while they are busily occupied with that particular task.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	7	Pay to each one what is due to each: taxes to the one to whom tax is due, tolls to the one to whom tolls are due, respect to the one to whom respect is due, honour to the one to whom honour is due.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	8	The only thing you should owe to anyone is love for one another, for to love the other person is to fulfil the law.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	9	All these: You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet, and all the other commandments that there are, are summed up in this single phrase: You must love your neighbour as yourself.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	10	Love can cause no harm to your neighbour, and so love is the fulfilment of the Law.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	11	Besides, you know the time has come; the moment is here for you to stop sleeping and wake up, because by now our salvation is nearer than when we first began to believe.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	12	The night is nearly over, daylight is on the way; so let us throw off everything that belongs to the darkness and equip ourselves for the light.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	13	Let us live decently, as in the light of day; with no orgies or drunkenness, no promiscuity or licentiousness, and no wrangling or jealousy.
 Romans	Rom	52	13	14	Let your armour be the Lord Jesus Christ, and stop worrying about how your disordered natural inclinations may be fulfilled.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	1	Give a welcome to anyone whose faith is not strong, but do not get into arguments about doubtful points.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	2	One person may have faith enough to eat any kind of food; another, less strong, will eat only vegetables.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	3	Those who feel free to eat freely are not to condemn those who are unwilling to eat freely; nor must the person who does not eat freely pass judgement on the one who does -- because God has welcomed him.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	4	And who are you, to sit in judgement over somebody else's servant? Whether he deserves to be upheld or to fall is for his own master to decide; and he shall be upheld, for the Lord has power to uphold him.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	5	One person thinks that some days are holier than others, and another thinks them all equal. Let each of them be fully convinced in his own mind.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	6	The one who makes special observance of a particular day observes it in honour of the Lord. So the one who eats freely, eats in honour of the Lord, making his thanksgiving to God; and the one who does not, abstains from eating in honour of the Lord and makes his thanksgiving to God.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	7	For none of us lives for himself and none of us dies for himself;
 Romans	Rom	52	14	8	while we are alive, we are living for the Lord, and when we die, we die for the Lord: and so, alive or dead, we belong to the Lord.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	9	It was for this purpose that Christ both died and came to life again: so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	10	Why, then, does one of you make himself judge over his brother, and why does another among you despise his brother? All of us will have to stand in front of the judgement-seat of God:
 Romans	Rom	52	14	11	as scripture says: By my own life says the Lord, every knee shall bow before me, every tongue shall give glory to God.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	12	It is to God, then, that each of us will have to give an account of himself.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	13	Let us each stop passing judgement, therefore, on one another and decide instead that none of us will place obstacles in any brother's way, or anything that can bring him down.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	14	I am sure, and quite convinced in the Lord Jesus, that no food is unclean in itself; it is only if someone classifies any kind of food as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	15	And indeed, if through any kind of food you are causing offence to a brother, then you are no longer being guided by love. You are not to let the food that you eat cause the ruin of anyone for whom Christ died.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	16	A privilege of yours must not be allowed to give rise to harmful talk;
 Romans	Rom	52	14	17	for it is not eating and drinking that make the kingdom of God, but the saving justice, the peace and the joy brought by the Holy Spirit.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	18	It is the person who serves Christ in these things that will be approved by God and respected by everyone.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	19	So then, let us be always seeking the ways which lead to peace and the ways in which we can support one another.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	20	Do not wreck God's work for the sake of food. Certainly all foods are clean; but all the same, any kind can be evil for someone to whom it is an offence to eat it.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	21	It is best to abstain from eating any meat, or drinking any wine, or from any other activity which might cause a brother to fall away, or to be scandalised, or to weaken.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	22	Within yourself, before God, hold on to what you already believe. Blessed is the person whose principles do not condemn his practice.
 Romans	Rom	52	14	23	But anyone who eats with qualms of conscience is condemned, because this eating does not spring from faith -- and every action which does not spring from faith is sin.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	1	It is for us who are strong to bear with the susceptibilities of the weaker ones, and not please ourselves.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	2	Each of us must consider his neighbour's good, so that we support one another.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	3	Christ did not indulge his own feelings, either; indeed, as scripture says: The insults of those who insult you fall on me.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	4	And all these things which were written so long ago were written so that we, learning perseverance and the encouragement which the scriptures give, should have hope.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	5	Now the God of perseverance and encouragement give you all the same purpose, following the example of Christ Jesus,
 Romans	Rom	52	15	6	so that you may together give glory to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one heart.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	7	Accept one another, then, for the sake of God's glory, as Christ accepted you.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	8	I tell you that Christ's work was to serve the circumcised, fulfilling the truthfulness of God by carrying out the promises made to the fathers,
 Romans	Rom	52	15	9	and his work was also for the gentiles, so that they should give glory to God for his faithful love; as scripture says: For this I shall praise you among the nations and sing praise to your name.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	10	And in another place it says: Nations, rejoice, with his people,
 Romans	Rom	52	15	11	and in another place again: Praise the Lord, all nations, extol him, all peoples.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	12	And in Isaiah, it says: The root of Jesse will appear, he who rises up to rule the nations, and in him the nations will put their hope.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	13	May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in your faith, so that in the power of the Holy Spirit you may be rich in hope.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	14	My brothers, I am quite sure that you, in particular, are full of goodness, fully instructed and capable of correcting each other.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	15	But I have special confidence in writing on some points to you, to refresh your memories, because of the grace that was given to me by God.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	16	I was given grace to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the gentiles, dedicated to offer them the gospel of God, so that gentiles might become an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	17	So I can be proud, in Christ Jesus, of what I have done for God.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	18	Of course I can dare to speak only of the things which Christ has done through me to win the allegiance of the gentiles, using what I have said and done,
 Romans	Rom	52	15	19	by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. In this way, from Jerusalem and all round, even as far as Illyricum, I have fully carried out the preaching of the gospel of Christ;
 Romans	Rom	52	15	20	and what is more, it has been my rule to preach the gospel only where the name of Christ has not already been heard, for I do not build on another's foundations;
 Romans	Rom	52	15	21	in accordance with scripture: Those who have never been told about him will see him, and those who have never heard about him will understand.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	22	That is why I have been so often prevented from coming to see you;
 Romans	Rom	52	15	23	now, however, as there is nothing more to keep me in these parts, I hope, after longing for many years past to visit you, to see you when I am on the way to Spain-
 Romans	Rom	52	15	24	and after enjoying at least something of your company, to be sent on my way with your support.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	25	But now I have undertaken to go to Jerusalem in the service of the holy people of God there,
 Romans	Rom	52	15	26	since Macedonia and Achaia have chosen to make a generous contribution to the poor among God's holy people at Jerusalem.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	27	Yes, they chose to; not that they did not owe it to them. For if the gentiles have been given a share in their spiritual possessions, then in return to give them help with material possessions is repaying a debt to them.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	28	So when I have done this, and given this harvest into their possession, I shall visit you on the way to Spain.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	29	I am sure that, when I do come to you, I shall come with the fullest blessing of Christ.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	30	Meanwhile I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, that in your prayers to God for me you exert yourselves to help me;
 Romans	Rom	52	15	31	praying that I may escape the unbelievers in Judaea, and that the aid I am carrying to Jerusalem will be acceptable to God's holy people.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	32	Then I shall come to you, if God wills, for a happy time of relaxation in your company.
 Romans	Rom	52	15	33	The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	1	I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae;
 Romans	Rom	52	16	2	give her, in the Lord, a welcome worthy of God's holy people, and help her with whatever she needs from you -- she herself has come to the help of many people, including myself.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	3	My greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus,
 Romans	Rom	52	16	4	who risked their own necks to save my life; to them, thanks not only from me, but from all the churches among the gentiles;
 Romans	Rom	52	16	5	and my greetings to the church at their house. Greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, the first of Asia's offerings to Christ.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	6	Greetings to Mary, who worked so hard for you.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	7	Greetings to those outstanding apostles, Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and fellow-prisoners, who were in Christ before me.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	8	Greetings to Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	9	Greetings to Urban, my fellow-worker in Christ, and to my dear friend Stachys.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	10	Greetings to Apelles, proved servant of Christ. Greetings to all the household of Aristobulus.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	11	Greetings to my kinsman, Herodion, and greetings to those who belong to the Lord in the household of Narcissus.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	12	Greetings to Tryphaena and Tryphosa who work hard in the Lord; greetings to my dear friend Persis, also a very hard worker in the Lord.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	13	Greetings to Rufus, chosen servant of the Lord, and to his mother -- a mother to me too.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	14	Greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	15	Greetings to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all God's holy people who are with them.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	16	Greet each other with the holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send their greetings.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	17	I urge you, brothers, be on your guard against the people who are out to stir up disagreements and bring up difficulties against the teaching which you learnt. Avoid them.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	18	People of that sort are servants not of our Lord Christ, but of their own greed; and with talk that sounds smooth and reasonable they deceive the minds of the unwary.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	19	Your obedience has become known to everyone, and I am very pleased with you for it; but I should want you to be learned only in what is good, and unsophisticated about all that is evil.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	20	The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	21	Timothy, who is working with me, sends greetings to you, and so do my kinsmen Lucius, Jason and Sosipater.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	22	I, Tertius, who am writing this letter, greet you in the Lord.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	23	Greetings to you from Gaius, my host here, and host of the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends greetings to you, and our brother Quartus.
 Romans	Rom	52	16	24
 Romans	Rom	52	16	25	And now to him who can make you strong in accordance with the gospel that I preach and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, in accordance with that mystery which for endless ages was kept secret
 Romans	Rom	52	16	26	but now (as the prophets wrote) is revealed, as the eternal God commanded, to be made known to all the nations, so that they obey in faith:
 Romans	Rom	52	16	27	to him, the only wise God, give glory through Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	1	Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and Sosthenes, our brother,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	2	to the church of God in Corinth, to those who have been consecrated in Christ Jesus and called to be God's holy people, with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord as well as ours.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	3	Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	4	I am continually thanking God about you, for the grace of God which you have been given in Christ Jesus;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	5	in him you have been richly endowed in every kind of utterance and knowledge;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	6	so firmly has witness to Christ taken root in you.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	7	And so you are not lacking in any gift as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	8	he will continue to give you strength till the very end, so that you will be irreproachable on the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	9	You can rely on God, who has called you to be partners with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	10	Brothers, I urge you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, not to have factions among yourselves but all to be in agreement in what you profess; so that you are perfectly united in your beliefs and judgements.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	11	From what Chloe's people have been telling me about you, brothers, it is clear that there are serious differences among you.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	12	What I mean is this: every one of you is declaring, 'I belong to Paul,' or 'I belong to Apollos,' or 'I belong to Cephas,' or 'I belong to Christ.'
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	13	Has Christ been split up? Was it Paul that was crucified for you, or was it in Paul's name that you were baptised?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	14	I am thankful I did not baptise any of you, except Crispus and Gaius,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	15	so that no one can say that you were baptised in my name.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	16	Yes, I did baptise the family of Stephanas, too; but besides these I do not think I baptised anyone.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	17	After all, Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach the gospel; and not by means of wisdom of language, wise words which would make the cross of Christ pointless.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	18	The message of the cross is folly for those who are on the way to ruin, but for those of us who are on the road to salvation it is the power of God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	19	As scripture says: I am going to destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of any who understand.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	20	Where are the philosophers? Where are the experts? And where are the debaters of this age? Do you not see how God has shown up human wisdom as folly?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	21	Since in the wisdom of God the world was unable to recognise God through wisdom, it was God's own pleasure to save believers through the folly of the gospel.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	22	While the Jews demand miracles and the Greeks look for wisdom,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	23	we are preaching a crucified Christ: to the Jews an obstacle they cannot get over, to the gentiles foolishness,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	24	but to those who have been called, whether they are Jews or Greeks, a Christ who is both the power of God and the wisdom of God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	25	God's folly is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	26	Consider, brothers, how you were called; not many of you are wise by human standards, not many influential, not many from noble families.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	27	No, God chose those who by human standards are fools to shame the wise; he chose those who by human standards are weak to shame the strong,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	28	those who by human standards are common and contemptible -- indeed those who count for nothing -- to reduce to nothing all those that do count for something,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	29	so that no human being might feel boastful before God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	30	It is by him that you exist in Christ Jesus, who for us was made wisdom from God, and saving justice and holiness and redemption.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	1	31	As scripture says: If anyone wants to boast, let him boast of the Lord.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	1	Now when I came to you, brothers, I did not come with any brilliance of oratory or wise argument to announce to you the mystery of God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	2	I was resolved that the only knowledge I would have while I was with you was knowledge of Jesus, and of him as the crucified Christ.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	3	I came among you in weakness, in fear and great trembling
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	4	and what I spoke and proclaimed was not meant to convince by philosophical argument, but to demonstrate the convincing power of the Spirit,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	5	so that your faith should depend not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	6	But still, to those who have reached maturity, we do talk of a wisdom, not, it is true, a philosophy of this age or of the rulers of this age, who will not last long now.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	7	It is of the mysterious wisdom of God that we talk, the wisdom that was hidden, which God predestined to be for our glory before the ages began.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	8	None of the rulers of the age recognised it; for if they had recognised it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	9	but it is as scripture says: What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, what the mind of man cannot visualise; all that God has prepared for those who love him;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	10	to us, though, God has given revelation through the Spirit, for the Spirit explores the depths of everything, even the depths of God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	11	After all, is there anyone who knows the qualities of anyone except his own spirit, within him; and in the same way, nobody knows the qualities of God except the Spirit of God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	12	Now, the Spirit we have received is not the spirit of the world but God's own Spirit, so that we may understand the lavish gifts God has given us.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	13	And these are what we speak of, not in the terms learnt from human philosophy, but in terms learnt from the Spirit, fitting spiritual language to spiritual things.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	14	The natural person has no room for the gifts of God's Spirit; to him they are folly; he cannot recognise them, because their value can be assessed only in the Spirit.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	15	The spiritual person, on the other hand, can assess the value of everything, and that person's value cannot be assessed by anybody else.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	2	16	For: who has ever known the mind of the Lord? Who has ever been his adviser? But we are those who have the mind of Christ.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	1	And so, brothers, I was not able to talk to you as spiritual people; I had to talk to you as people still living by your natural inclinations, still infants in Christ;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	2	I fed you with milk and not solid food, for you were not yet able to take it -- and even now, you are still not able to,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	3	for you are still living by your natural inclinations. As long as there are jealousy and rivalry among you, that surely means that you are still living by your natural inclinations and by merely human principles.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	4	While there is one that says, 'I belong to Paul' and another that says, 'I belong to Apollos' are you not being only too human?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	5	For what is Apollos and what is Paul? The servants through whom you came to believe, and each has only what the Lord has given him.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	6	I did the planting, Apollos did the watering, but God gave growth.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	7	In this, neither the planter nor the waterer counts for anything; only God, who gives growth.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	8	It is all one who does the planting and who does the watering, and each will have the proper pay for the work that he has done.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	9	After all, we do share in God's work; you are God's farm, God's building.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	10	By the grace of God which was given to me, I laid the foundations like a trained master-builder, and someone else is building on them. Now each one must be careful how he does the building.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	11	For nobody can lay down any other foundation than the one which is there already, namely Jesus Christ.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	12	On this foundation, different people may build in gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or straw
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	13	but each person's handiwork will be shown for what it is. The Day which dawns in fire will make it clear and the fire itself will test the quality of each person's work.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	14	The one whose work stands up to it will be given his wages;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	15	the one whose work is burnt down will suffer the loss of it, though he himself will be saved; he will be saved as someone might expect to be saved from a fire.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	16	Do you not realise that you are a temple of God with the Spirit of God living in you?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	17	If anybody should destroy the temple of God, God will destroy that person, because God's temple is holy; and you are that temple.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	18	There is no room for self-delusion. Any one of you who thinks he is wise by worldly standards must learn to be a fool in order to be really wise.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	19	For the wisdom of the world is folly to God. As scripture says: He traps the crafty in the snare of their own cunning
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	20	and again: The Lord knows the plans of the wise and how insipid they are.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	21	So there is to be no boasting about human beings: everything belongs to you,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	22	whether it is Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, the world, life or death, the present or the future -- all belong to you;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	3	23	but you belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	1	People should think of us as Christ's servants, stewards entrusted with the mysteries of God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	2	In such a matter, what is expected of stewards is that each one should be found trustworthy.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	3	It is of no importance to me how you or any other human court may judge me: I will not even be the judge of my own self.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	4	It is true that my conscience does not reproach me, but that is not enough to justify me: it is the Lord who is my judge.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	5	For that reason, do not judge anything before the due time, until the Lord comes; he will bring to light everything that is hidden in darkness and reveal the designs of all hearts. Then everyone will receive from God the appropriate commendation.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	6	I have applied all this to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that you can learn how the saying, 'Nothing beyond what is written' is true of us: no individual among you must become filled with his own importance and make comparisons, to another's detriment.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	7	Who made you so important? What have you got that was not given to you? And if it was given to you, why are you boasting as though it were your own?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	8	You already have everything -- you are rich already -- you have come into your kingdom, without any help from us! Well, I wish you were kings and we could be kings with you!
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	9	For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on show right at the end, like men condemned to death: we have been exhibited as a spectacle to the whole universe, both angelic and human.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	10	Here we are, fools for Christ's sake, while you are the clever ones in Christ; we are weak, while you are strong; you are honoured, while we are disgraced.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	11	To this day, we go short of food and drink and clothes, we are beaten up and we have no homes;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	12	we earn our living by labouring with our own hands; when we are cursed, we answer with a blessing; when we are hounded, we endure it passively;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	13	when we are insulted, we give a courteous answer. We are treated even now as the dregs of the world, the very lowest scum.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	14	I am writing all this not to make you ashamed but simply to remind you, as my dear children;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	15	for even though you might have ten thousand slaves to look after you in Christ, you still have no more than one father, and it was I who fathered you in Christ Jesus, by the gospel.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	16	That is why I urge you to take me as your pattern
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	17	and why I have sent you Timothy, a dear and faithful son to me in the Lord, who will remind you of my principles of conduct in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	18	On the assumption that I was not coming to you, some of you have become filled with your own self-importance;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	19	but I shall be coming to you soon, the Lord willing, and then I shall find out not what these self-important people say, but what power they have.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	20	For the kingdom of God consists not in spoken words but in power.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	4	21	What do you want then? Am I to come to you with a stick in my hand or in love, and with a spirit of gentleness?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	1	It is widely reported that there is sexual immorality among you, immorality of a kind that is not found even among gentiles: that one of you is living with his stepmother.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	2	And you so filled with your own self-importance! It would have been better if you had been grieving bitterly, so that the man who has done this thing were turned out of the community.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	3	For my part, however distant I am physically, I am present in spirit and have already condemned the man who behaved in this way, just as though I were present in person.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	4	When you have gathered together in the name of our Lord Jesus, with the presence of my spirit, and in the power of our Lord Jesus,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	5	hand such a man over to Satan, to be destroyed as far as natural life is concerned, so that on the Day of the Lord his spirit may be saved.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	6	Your self-satisfaction is ill founded. Do you not realise that only a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	7	Throw out the old yeast so that you can be the fresh dough, unleavened as you are. For our Passover has been sacrificed, that is, Christ;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	8	let us keep the feast, then, with none of the old yeast and no leavening of evil and wickedness, but only the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	9	In my letter, I wrote to you that you should have nothing to do with people living immoral lives.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	10	I was not including everybody in this present world who is sexually immoral, or everybody who is greedy, or dishonest or worships false gods -- that would mean you would have to cut yourselves off completely from the world.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	11	In fact what I meant was that you were not to have anything to do with anyone going by the name of brother who is sexually immoral, or is greedy, or worships false gods, or is a slanderer or a drunkard or dishonest; never even have a meal with anybody of that kind.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	12	It is no concern of mine to judge outsiders. It is for you to judge those who are inside, is it not?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	5	13	But outsiders are for God to judge. You must banish this evil-doer from among you.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	1	Is one of you with a complaint against another so brazen as to seek judgement from sinners and not from God's holy people?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	2	Do you not realise that the holy people of God are to be the judges of the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent for petty cases?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	3	Do you not realise that we shall be the judges of angels? - then quite certainly over matters of this life.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	4	But when you have matters of this life to be judged, you bring them before those who are of no account in the Church!
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	5	I say this to make you ashamed of yourselves. Can it really be that it is impossible to find in the community one sensible person capable of deciding questions between brothers,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	6	and that this is why brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	7	No; it is a fault in you, by itself, that one of you should go to law against another at all: why do you not prefer to suffer injustice, why not prefer to be defrauded?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	8	And here you are, doing the injustice and the defrauding, and to your own brothers.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	9	Do you not realise that people who do evil will never inherit the kingdom of God? Make no mistake -- the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, the self-indulgent, sodomites,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	10	thieves, misers, drunkards, slanderers and swindlers, none of these will inherit the kingdom of God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	11	Some of you used to be of that kind: but you have been washed clean, you have been sanctified, and you have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and through the Spirit of our God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	12	'For me everything is permissible'; maybe, but not everything does good. True, for me everything is permissible, but I am determined not to be dominated by anything.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	13	Foods are for the stomach, and the stomach is for foods; and God will destroy them both. But the body is not for sexual immorality;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	14	it is for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. God raised up the Lord and he will raise us up too by his power.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	15	Do you not realise that your bodies are members of Christ's body; do you think one can take parts of Christ's body and join them to the body of a prostitute? Out of the question!
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	16	Or do you not realise that anyone who attaches himself to a prostitute is one body with her, since the two, as it is said, become one flesh.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	17	But anyone who attaches himself to the Lord is one spirit with him.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	18	Keep away from sexual immorality. All other sins that people may commit are done outside the body; but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	19	Do you not realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you and whom you received from God?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	6	20	You are not your own property, then; you have been bought at a price. So use your body for the glory of God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	1	Now for the questions about which you wrote. Yes, it is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	2	yet to avoid immorality every man should have his own wife and every woman her own husband.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	3	The husband must give to his wife what she has a right to expect, and so too the wife to her husband.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	4	The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and in the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	5	You must not deprive each other, except by mutual consent for a limited time, to leave yourselves free for prayer, and to come together again afterwards; otherwise Satan may take advantage of any lack of self-control to put you to the test.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	6	I am telling you this as a concession, not an order.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	7	I should still like everyone to be as I am myself; but everyone has his own gift from God, one this kind and the next something different.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	8	To the unmarried and to widows I say: it is good for them to stay as they are, like me.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	9	But if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry, since it is better to be married than to be burnt up.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	10	To the married I give this ruling, and this is not mine but the Lord's: a wife must not be separated from her husband-
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	11	or if she has already left him, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband -- and a husband must not divorce his wife.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	12	For other cases these instructions are my own, not the Lord's. If one of the brothers has a wife who is not a believer, and she is willing to stay with him, he should not divorce her;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	13	and if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to stay with her, she should not divorce her husband.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	14	You see, the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through the brother. If this were not so, your children would be unclean, whereas in fact they are holy.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	15	But if the unbeliever chooses to leave, then let the separation take place: in these circumstances, the brother or sister is no longer tied. But God has called you to live in peace:
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	16	as a wife, how can you tell whether you are to be the salvation of your husband; as a husband, how can you tell whether you are to be the salvation of your wife?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	17	Anyway let everyone continue in the part which the Lord has allotted to him, as he was when God called him. This is the rule that I give to all the churches.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	18	If a man who is called has already been circumcised, then he must stay circumcised; when an uncircumcised man is called, he may not be circumcised.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	19	To be circumcised is of no importance, and to be uncircumcised is of no importance; what is important is the keeping of God's commandments.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	20	Everyone should stay in whatever state he was in when he was called.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	21	So, if when you were called, you were a slave, do not think it matters -- even if you have a chance of freedom, you should prefer to make full use of your condition as a slave.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	22	You see, anyone who was called in the Lord while a slave, is a freeman of the Lord; and in the same way, anyone who was free when called, is a slave of Christ.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	23	You have been bought at a price; do not be slaves now to any human being.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	24	Each one of you, brothers, is to stay before God in the state in which you were called.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	25	About people remaining virgin, I have no directions from the Lord, but I give my own opinion as a person who has been granted the Lord's mercy to be faithful.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	26	Well then, because of the stress which is weighing upon us, the right thing seems to be this: it is good for people to stay as they are.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	27	If you are joined to a wife, do not seek to be released; if you are freed of a wife, do not look for a wife.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	28	However, if you do get married, that is not a sin, and it is not sinful for a virgin to enter upon marriage. But such people will have the hardships consequent on human nature, and I would like you to be without that.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	29	What I mean, brothers, is that the time has become limited, and from now on, those who have spouses should live as though they had none;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	30	and those who mourn as though they were not mourning; those who enjoy life as though they did not enjoy it; those who have been buying property as though they had no possessions;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	31	and those who are involved with the world as though they were people not engrossed in it. Because this world as we know it is passing away.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	32	I should like you to have your minds free from all worry. The unmarried man gives his mind to the Lord's affairs and to how he can please the Lord;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	33	but the man who is married gives his mind to the affairs of this world and to how he can please his wife, and he is divided in mind.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	34	So, too, the unmarried woman, and the virgin, gives her mind to the Lord's affairs and to being holy in body and spirit; but the married woman gives her mind to the affairs of this world and to how she can please her husband.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	35	I am saying this only to help you, not to put a bridle on you, but so that everything is as it should be, and you are able to give your undivided attention to the Lord.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	36	If someone with strong passions thinks that he is behaving badly towards his fiance'e and that things should take their due course, he should follow his desires. There is no sin in it; they should marry.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	37	But if he stands firm in his resolution, without any compulsion but with full control of his own will, and decides to let her remain as his fiance'e, then he is acting well.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	38	In other words, he who marries his fiance'e is doing well, and he who does not, better still.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	39	A wife is tied as long as her husband is alive. But if the husband dies, she is free to marry anybody she likes, only it must be in the Lord.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	7	40	She would be happier if she stayed as she is, to my way of thinking -- and I believe that I too have the Spirit of God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	1	Now about food which has been dedicated to false gods. We are well aware that all of us have knowledge; but while knowledge puffs up, love is what builds up.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	2	Someone may think that he has full knowledge of something and yet not know it as well as he should;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	3	but someone who loves God is known by God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	4	On the subject of eating foods dedicated to false gods, we are well aware that none of the false gods exists in reality and that there is no God other than the One.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	5	Though there are so-called gods, in the heavens or on earth -- and there are plenty of gods and plenty of lords-
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	6	yet for us there is only one God, the Father from whom all things come and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things come and through whom we exist.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	7	However, not everybody has this knowledge. There are some in whose consciences false gods still play such a part that they take the food as though it had been dedicated to a god; then their conscience, being vulnerable, is defiled,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	8	But of course food cannot make us acceptable to God; we lose nothing by not eating it, we gain nothing by eating it.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	9	Only be careful that this freedom of yours does not in any way turn into an obstacle to trip those who are vulnerable.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	10	Suppose someone sees you, who have the knowledge, sitting eating in the temple of some false god, do you not think that his conscience, vulnerable as it is, may be encouraged to eat foods dedicated to false gods?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	11	And then it would be through your knowledge that this brother for whom Christ died, vulnerable as he is, has been lost.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	12	So, sinning against your brothers and wounding their vulnerable consciences, you would be sinning against Christ.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	8	13	That is why, if food can be the cause of a brother's downfall, I will never eat meat any more, rather than cause my brother's downfall.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	1	Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	2	Even if to others I am not an apostle, to you at any rate I am, for you are the seal of my apostolate in the Lord.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	3	To those who want to interrogate me, this is my answer.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	4	Have we not every right to eat and drink?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	5	And every right to be accompanied by a Christian wife, like the other apostles, like the brothers of the Lord, and like Cephas?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	6	Are Barnabas and I the only ones who have no right to stop working?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	7	What soldier would ever serve in the army at his own expense? And who is there who would plant a vineyard and never eat the fruit from it; or would keep a flock and not feed on the milk from his flock?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	8	Do not think that this is merely worldly wisdom. Does not the Law say exactly the same? It is written in the Law of Moses:
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	9	You must not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn. Is it about oxen that God is concerned here,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	10	or is it not said entirely for our sake? Clearly it was written for our sake, because it is right that whoever ploughs should plough with the expectation of having his share, and whoever threshes should thresh with the expectation of having his share.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	11	If we have sown the seed of spiritual things in you, is it too much to ask that we should receive from you a crop of material things?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	12	Others have been given such rights over you and do we not deserve more? In fact, we have never exercised this right; on the contrary, we have put up with anything rather than obstruct the gospel of Christ in any way.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	13	Do you not realise that the ministers in the Temple get their food from the Temple, and those who serve at the altar can claim their share from the altar?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	14	In the same way, the Lord gave the instruction that those who preach the gospel should get their living from the gospel.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	15	However, I have never availed myself of any rights of this kind; and I have not written this to secure such treatment for myself; I would rather die than that . . . No one shall take from me this ground of boasting.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	16	In fact, preaching the gospel gives me nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion and I should be in trouble if I failed to do it.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	17	If I did it on my own initiative I would deserve a reward; but if I do it under compulsion I am simply accepting a task entrusted to me.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	18	What reward do I have, then? That in my preaching I offer the gospel free of charge to avoid using the rights which the gospel allows me.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	19	So though I was not a slave to any human being, I put myself in slavery to all people, to win as many as I could.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	20	To the Jews I made myself as a Jew, to win the Jews; to those under the Law as one under the Law (though I am not), in order to win those under the Law;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	21	to those outside the Law as one outside the Law, though I am not outside the Law but under Christ's law, to win those outside the Law.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	22	To the weak, I made myself weak, to win the weak. I accommodated myself to people in all kinds of different situations, so that by all possible means I might bring some to salvation.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	23	All this I do for the sake of the gospel, that I may share its benefits with others.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	24	Do you not realise that, though all the runners in the stadium take part in the race, only one of them gets the prize? Run like that -- to win.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	25	Every athlete concentrates completely on training, and this is to win a wreath that will wither, whereas ours will never wither.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	26	So that is how I run, not without a clear goal; and how I box, not wasting blows on air.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	9	27	I punish my body and bring it under control, to avoid any risk that, having acted as herald for others, I myself may be disqualified.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	1	I want you to be quite certain, brothers, that our ancestors all had the cloud over them and all passed through the sea.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	2	In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptised into Moses;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	3	all ate the same spiritual food
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	4	and all drank the same spiritual drink, since they drank from the spiritual rock which followed them, and that rock was Christ.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	5	In spite of this, God was not pleased with most of them, and their corpses were scattered over the desert.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	6	Now these happenings were examples, for our benefit, so that we should never set our hearts, as they did, on evil things;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	7	nor are you to worship false gods, as some of them did, as it says in scripture: The people sat down to eat and drink, and afterwards got up to amuse themselves.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	8	Nor, again, are we to fall into sexual immorality; some of them did this, and twenty-three thousand met their downfall in one day.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	9	And we are not to put the Lord to the test; some of them put him to the test, and they were killed by snakes.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	10	Never complain; some of them complained, and they were killed by the Destroyer.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	11	Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were described in writing to be a lesson for us, to whom it has fallen to live in the last days of the ages.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	12	Everyone, no matter how firmly he thinks he is standing, must be careful he does not fall.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	13	None of the trials which have come upon you is more than a human being can stand. You can trust that God will not let you be put to the test beyond your strength, but with any trial will also provide a way out by enabling you to put up with it.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	14	For that reason, my dear friends, have nothing to do with the worship of false gods.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	15	I am talking to you as sensible people; weigh up for yourselves what I have to say.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	16	The blessing-cup, which we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ; and the loaf of bread which we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	17	And as there is one loaf, so we, although there are many of us, are one single body, for we all share in the one loaf.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	18	Now compare the natural people of Israel: is it not true that those who eat the sacrifices share the altar?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	19	What does this mean? That the dedication of food to false gods amounts to anything? Or that false gods themselves amount to anything?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	20	No, it does not; simply that when pagans sacrifice, what is sacrificed by them is sacrificed to demons who are not God. I do not want you to share with demons.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	21	You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons as well; you cannot have a share at the Lord's table and the demons' table as well.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	22	Do we really want to arouse the Lord's jealousy; are we stronger than he is?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	23	'Everything is permissible'; maybe so, but not everything does good. True, everything is permissible, but not everything builds people up.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	24	Nobody should be looking for selfish advantage, but everybody for someone else's.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	25	Eat anything that is sold in butchers' shops; there is no need to ask questions for conscience's sake,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	26	since To the Lord belong the earth and all it contains.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	27	If an unbeliever invites you to a meal, go if you want to, and eat whatever is put before you; you need not ask questions of conscience first.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	28	But if someone says to you, 'This food has been offered in sacrifice,' do not eat it, out of consideration for the person that told you, for conscience's sake-
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	29	not your own conscience, I mean, but the other person's. Why should my freedom be governed by somebody else's conscience?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	30	Provided that I accept it with gratitude, why should I be blamed for eating food for which I give thanks?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	31	Whatever you eat, then, or drink, and whatever else you do, do it all for the glory of God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	32	Never be a cause of offence, either to Jews or to Greeks or to the Church of God,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	10	33	just as I try to accommodate everybody in everything, not looking for my own advantage, but for the advantage of everybody else, so that they may be saved.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	1	Take me as your pattern, just as I take Christ for mine.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	2	I congratulate you for remembering me so consistently and for maintaining the traditions exactly as I passed them on to you.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	3	But I should like you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	4	For any man to pray or to prophesy with his head covered shows disrespect for his head.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	5	And for a woman to pray or prophesy with her head uncovered shows disrespect for her head; it is exactly the same as if she had her hair shaved off.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	6	Indeed, if a woman does go without a veil, she should have her hair cut off too; but if it is a shameful thing for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved off, then she should wear a veil.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	7	But for a man it is not right to have his head covered, since he is the image of God and reflects God's glory; but woman is the reflection of man's glory.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	8	For man did not come from woman; no, woman came from man;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	9	nor was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man:
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	10	and this is why it is right for a woman to wear on her head a sign of the authority over her, because of the angels.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	11	However, in the Lord, though woman is nothing without man, man is nothing without woman;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	12	and though woman came from man, so does every man come from a woman, and everything comes from God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	13	Decide for yourselves: does it seem fitting that a woman should pray to God without a veil?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	14	Does not nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	15	but when a woman has long hair, it is her glory? After all, her hair was given to her to be a covering.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	16	If anyone wants to be contentious, I say that we have no such custom, nor do any of the churches of God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	17	Now that I am on the subject of instructions, I cannot congratulate you on the meetings you hold; they do more harm than good.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	18	In the first place, I hear that when you all come together in your assembly, there are separate factions among you, and to some extent I believe it.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	19	It is no bad thing, either, that there should be differing groups among you so that those who are to be trusted among you can be clearly recognised.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	20	So, when you meet together, it is not the Lord's Supper that you eat;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	21	for when the eating begins, each one of you has his own supper first, and there is one going hungry while another is getting drunk.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	22	Surely you have homes for doing your eating and drinking in? Or have you such disregard for God's assembly that you can put to shame those who have nothing? What am I to say to you? Congratulate you? On this I cannot congratulate you.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	23	For the tradition I received from the Lord and also handed on to you is that on the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	24	and after he had given thanks, he broke it, and he said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.'
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	25	And in the same way, with the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.'
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	26	Whenever you eat this bread, then, and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the Lord's death until he comes.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	27	Therefore anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily is answerable for the body and blood of the Lord.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	28	Everyone is to examine himself and only then eat of the bread or drink from the cup;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	29	because a person who eats and drinks without recognising the body is eating and drinking his own condemnation.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	30	That is why many of you are weak and ill and a good number have died.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	31	If we were critical of ourselves we would not be condemned,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	32	but when we are judged by the Lord, we are corrected by the Lord to save us from being condemned along with the world.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	33	So then, my brothers, when you meet for the Meal, wait for each other;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	11	34	anyone who is hungry should eat at home. Then your meeting will not bring your condemnation. The other matters I shall arrange when I come.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	1	About the gifts of the Spirit, brothers, I want you to be quite certain.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	2	You remember that, when you were pagans, you were irresistibly drawn to inarticulate heathen gods.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	3	Because of that, I want to make it quite clear to you that no one who says 'A curse on Jesus' can be speaking in the Spirit of God, and nobody is able to say, 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	4	There are many different gifts, but it is always the same Spirit;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	5	there are many different ways of serving, but it is always the same Lord.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	6	There are many different forms of activity, but in everybody it is the same God who is at work in them all.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	7	The particular manifestation of the Spirit granted to each one is to be used for the general good.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	8	To one is given from the Spirit the gift of utterance expressing wisdom; to another the gift of utterance expressing knowledge, in accordance with the same Spirit;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	9	to another, faith, from the same Spirit; and to another, the gifts of healing, through this one Spirit;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	10	to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the power of distinguishing spirits; to one, the gift of different tongues and to another, the interpretation of tongues.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	11	But at work in all these is one and the same Spirit, distributing them at will to each individual.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	12	For as with the human body which is a unity although it has many parts -- all the parts of the body, though many, still making up one single body -- so it is with Christ.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	13	We were baptised into one body in a single Spirit, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as free men, and we were all given the same Spirit to drink.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	14	And indeed the body consists not of one member but of many.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	15	If the foot were to say, 'I am not a hand and so I do not belong to the body,' it does not belong to the body any the less for that.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	16	Or if the ear were to say, 'I am not an eye, and so I do not belong to the body,' that would not stop its belonging to the body.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	17	If the whole body were just an eye, how would there be any hearing? If the whole body were hearing, how would there be any smelling?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	18	As it is, God has put all the separate parts into the body as he chose.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	19	If they were all the same part, how could it be a body?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	20	As it is, the parts are many but the body is one.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	21	The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' and nor can the head say to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	22	What is more, it is precisely the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest which are the indispensable ones.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	23	It is the parts of the body which we consider least dignified that we surround with the greatest dignity; and our less presentable parts are given greater presentability
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	24	which our presentable parts do not need. God has composed the body so that greater dignity is given to the parts which were without it,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	25	and so that there may not be disagreements inside the body but each part may be equally concerned for all the others.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	26	If one part is hurt, all the parts share its pain. And if one part is honoured, all the parts share its joy.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	27	Now Christ's body is yourselves, each of you with a part to play in the whole.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	28	And those whom God has appointed in the Church are, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers; after them, miraculous powers, then gifts of healing, helpful acts, guidance, various kinds of tongues.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	29	Are all of them apostles? Or all prophets? Or all teachers? Or all miracle-workers?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	30	Do all have the gifts of healing? Do all of them speak in tongues and all interpret them?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	12	31	Set your mind on the higher gifts. And now I am going to put before you the best way of all.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	1	Though I command languages both human and angelic -- if I speak without love, I am no more than a gong booming or a cymbal clashing.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	2	And though I have the power of prophecy, to penetrate all mysteries and knowledge, and though I have all the faith necessary to move mountains -- if I am without love, I am nothing.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	3	Though I should give away to the poor all that I possess, and even give up my body to be burned -- if I am without love, it will do me no good whatever.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	4	Love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	5	it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	6	Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but finds its joy in the truth.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	7	It is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	8	Love never comes to an end. But if there are prophecies, they will be done away with; if tongues, they will fall silent; and if knowledge, it will be done away with.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	9	For we know only imperfectly, and we prophesy imperfectly;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	10	but once perfection comes, all imperfect things will be done away with.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	11	When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and see things as a child does, and think like a child; but now that I have become an adult, I have finished with all childish ways.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	12	Now we see only reflections in a mirror, mere riddles, but then we shall be seeing face to face. Now I can know only imperfectly; but then I shall know just as fully as I am myself known.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	13	13	As it is, these remain: faith, hope and love, the three of them; and the greatest of them is love.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	1	Make love your aim; but be eager, too, for spiritual gifts, and especially for prophesying.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	2	Those who speak in a tongue speak to God, but not to other people, because nobody understands them; they are speaking in the Spirit and the meaning is hidden.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	3	On the other hand, someone who prophesies speaks to other people, building them up and giving them encouragement and reassurance.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	4	Those who speak in a tongue may build themselves up, but those who prophesy build up the community.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	5	While I should like you all to speak in tongues, I would much rather you could prophesy; since those who prophesy are of greater importance than those who speak in tongues, unless they can interpret what they say so that the church is built up by it.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	6	Now suppose, brothers, I come to you and speak in tongues, what good shall I do you if my speaking provides no revelation or knowledge or prophecy or instruction?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	7	It is the same with an inanimate musical instrument. If it does not make any distinction between notes, how can one recognise what is being played on flute or lyre?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	8	If the trumpet sounds a call which is unrecognisable, who is going to get ready for the attack?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	9	It is the same with you: if you do not use your tongue to produce speech that can be readily understood, how can anyone know what you are saying? You will be talking to the air.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	10	However many the languages used in the world, all of them use sound;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	11	but if I do not understand the meaning of the sound, I am a barbarian to the person who is speaking, and the speaker is a barbarian to me.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	12	So with you, as you are eager to have spiritual powers, aim to be rich in those which build up the community.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	13	That is why anybody who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may be given the interpretation.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	14	For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit may be praying but my mind derives no fruit from it.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	15	What then? I shall pray with the spirit, but I shall pray with the mind as well: I shall sing praises with the spirit and I shall sing praises with the mind as well.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	16	Otherwise, if you say your blessing only with the spirit, how is the uninitiated person going to answer 'Amen' to your thanksgiving, without understanding what you are saying?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	17	You may be making your thanksgiving well, but the other person is not built up at all.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	18	I thank God that I speak with tongues more than any of you;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	19	all the same, when I am in the assembly I would rather say five words with my mind, to instruct others as well, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	20	Brothers, do not remain children in your thinking; infants in wickedness-agreed, but in your thinking grown-ups.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	21	It says in the written Law: In strange tongues and in a foreign language I will talk to this nation, and even so they will refuse to listen, says the Lord.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	22	So then, strange languages are significant not for believers, but for unbelievers; whereas on the other hand, prophesying is not for unbelievers, but for believers.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	23	Suppose that, if the whole congregation were meeting and all of them speaking in tongues, and some uninitiated people or unbelievers were to come in, don't you think they would say that you were all raving?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	24	But if you were all prophesying when an unbeliever or someone uninitiated came in, he would find himself put to the test by all and judged by all
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	25	and the secrets of his heart revealed; and so he would fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is indeed among you.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	26	Then what should it be like, brothers? When you come together each of you brings a psalm or some instruction or a revelation, or speaks in a tongue or gives an interpretation. Let all these things be done in a way that will build up the community.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	27	If there are to be any people speaking in a tongue, then let there be only two, or at the most three, and those one at a time, and let one of these interpret.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	28	If there is no interpreter, then let each of them be quiet in the assembly, and speak only to himself and God.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	29	Let two prophets, or three, speak while the rest weigh their words;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	30	and if a revelation comes to someone else who is sitting by, the speaker should stop speaking.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	31	You can all prophesy, but one at a time, then all will learn something and all receive encouragement.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	32	The prophetic spirit is to be under the prophets' control,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	33	for God is a God not of disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of God's holy people,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	34	women are to remain quiet in the assemblies, since they have no permission to speak: theirs is a subordinate part, as the Law itself says.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	35	If there is anything they want to know, they should ask their husbands at home: it is shameful for a woman to speak in the assembly.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	36	Do you really think that you are the source of the word of God? Or that you are the only people to whom it has come?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	37	Anyone who claims to be a prophet, or to have any spiritual powers must recognise that what I am writing to you is a commandment from the Lord.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	38	If anyone does not recognise this, it is because that person is not recognised himself.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	39	So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not suppress the gift of speaking in tongues.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	14	40	But make sure that everything is done in a proper and orderly fashion.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	1	I want to make quite clear to you, brothers, what the message of the gospel that I preached to you is; you accepted it and took your stand on it,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	2	and you are saved by it, if you keep to the message I preached to you; otherwise your coming to believe was in vain.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	3	The tradition I handed on to you in the first place, a tradition which I had myself received, was that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	4	and that he was buried; and that on the third day, he was raised to life, in accordance with the scriptures;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	5	and that he appeared to Cephas; and later to the Twelve;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	6	and next he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still with us, though some have fallen asleep;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	7	then he appeared to James, and then to all the apostles.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	8	Last of all he appeared to me too, as though I was a child born abnormally.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	9	For I am the least of the apostles and am not really fit to be called an apostle, because I had been persecuting the Church of God;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	10	but what I am now, I am through the grace of God, and the grace which was given to me has not been wasted. Indeed, I have worked harder than all the others -- not I, but the grace of God which is with me.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	11	Anyway, whether it was they or I, this is what we preach and what you believed.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	12	Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you be saying that there is no resurrection of the dead?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	13	If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ cannot have been raised either,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	14	and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is without substance, and so is your faith.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	15	What is more, we have proved to be false witnesses to God, for testifying against God that he raised Christ to life when he did not raise him -- if it is true that the dead are not raised.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	16	For, if the dead are not raised, neither is Christ;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	17	and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is pointless and you have not, after all, been released from your sins.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	18	In addition, those who have fallen asleep in Christ are utterly lost.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	19	If our hope in Christ has been for this life only, we are of all people the most pitiable.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	20	In fact, however, Christ has been raised from the dead, as the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	21	As it was by one man that death came, so through one man has come the resurrection of the dead.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	22	Just as all die in Adam, so in Christ all will be brought to life;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	23	but all of them in their proper order: Christ the first-fruits, and next, at his coming, those who belong to him.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	24	After that will come the end, when he will hand over the kingdom to God the Father, having abolished every principality, every ruling force and power.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	25	For he is to be king until he has made his enemies his footstool,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	26	and the last of the enemies to be done away with is death, for he has put all things under his feet.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	27	But when it is said everything is subjected, this obviously cannot include the One who subjected everything to him.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	28	When everything has been subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to the One who has subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	29	Otherwise, what are people up to who have themselves baptised on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, what is the point of being baptised on their behalf?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	30	And what about us? Why should we endanger ourselves every hour of our lives?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	31	I swear by the pride that I take in you, in Christ Jesus our Lord, that I face death every day.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	32	If I fought wild animals at Ephesus in a purely human perspective, what had I to gain by it?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	33	If the dead are not going to be raised, then Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall be dead.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	34	So do not let anyone lead you astray, 'Bad company corrupts good ways.' Wake up from your stupor as you should and leave sin alone; some of you have no understanding of God; I tell you this to instil some shame in you.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	35	Someone may ask: How are dead people raised, and what sort of body do they have when they come?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	36	How foolish! What you sow must die before it is given new life;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	37	and what you sow is not the body that is to be, but only a bare grain, of wheat I dare say, or some other kind;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	38	it is God who gives it the sort of body that he has chosen for it, and for each kind of seed its own kind of body.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	39	Not all flesh is the same flesh: there is human flesh; animals have another kind of flesh, birds another and fish yet another.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	40	Then there are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies; the heavenly have a splendour of their own, and the earthly a different splendour.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	41	The sun has its own splendour, the moon another splendour, and the stars yet another splendour; and the stars differ among themselves in splendour.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	42	It is the same too with the resurrection of the dead: what is sown is perishable, but what is raised is imperishable;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	43	what is sown is contemptible but what is raised is glorious; what is sown is weak, but what is raised is powerful;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	44	what is sown is a natural body, and what is raised is a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is a spiritual body too.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	45	So the first man, Adam, as scripture says, became a living soul; and the last Adam has become a life-giving spirit.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	46	But first came the natural body, not the spiritual one; that came only afterwards.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	47	The first man, being made of earth, is earthly by nature; the second man is from heaven.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	48	The earthly man is the pattern for earthly people, the heavenly man for heavenly ones.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	49	And as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so we shall bear the likeness of the heavenly one.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	50	What I am saying, brothers, is that mere human nature cannot inherit the kingdom of God: what is perishable cannot inherit what is imperishable.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	51	Now I am going to tell you a mystery: we are not all going to fall asleep,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	52	but we are all going to be changed, instantly, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet sounds. The trumpet is going to sound, and then the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	53	because this perishable nature of ours must put on imperishability, this mortal nature must put on immortality.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	54	And after this perishable nature has put on imperishability and this mortal nature has put on immortality, then will the words of scripture come true: Death is swallowed up in victory.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	55	Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	56	The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin comes from the Law.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	57	Thank God, then, for giving us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	15	58	So, my dear brothers, keep firm and immovable, always abounding in energy for the Lord's work, being sure that in the Lord none of your labours is wasted.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	1	Now about the collection for God's holy people; you are to do the same as I prescribed for the churches in Galatia.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	2	On the first day of the week, each of you should put aside and reserve as much as each can spare; do not delay the collection till I arrive.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	3	When I come, I will send to Jerusalem with letters of introduction those people you approve to deliver your gift;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	4	if it is worth my going too, they can travel with me.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	5	In any case, I shall be coming to you after I have passed through Macedonia, as I have to go through Macedonia;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	6	and I may be staying some time with you, perhaps wintering, so that you can start me on my next journey, wherever I may be going.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	7	I do not want to make only a passing visit to you, and I am hoping to spend quite a time with you, the Lord permitting.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	8	But I shall remain at Ephesus until Pentecost,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	9	for a very promising door is standing wide open to me and there are many against us.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	10	If Timothy comes, make sure that he has nothing to fear from you; he is doing the Lord's work, just as I am,
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	11	and nobody is to underrate him. Start him off in peace on his journey to come on to me: the brothers and I are waiting for him.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	12	As for our brother Apollos, I urged him earnestly to come to you with the brothers, but he was quite firm that he did not want to go yet, and he will come when he finds an opportunity.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	13	Be vigilant, stay firm in the faith, be brave and strong.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	14	Let everything you do be done in love.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	15	There is something else I must urge you to do, brothers. You know how Stephanas' family have been the first-fruits of Achaia and have devoted themselves to the service of God's holy people;
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	16	I ask you in turn to put yourselves at the service of people like this and all that work with them in this arduous task.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	17	I am delighted that Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus have arrived; they have made up for your not being here.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	18	They have set my mind at rest, just as they did yours; you should appreciate people like them.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	19	The churches of Asia send their greetings. Aquila and Prisca send their best wishes in the Lord, together with the church that meets in their house.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	20	All the brothers send their greetings. Greet one another with the holy kiss.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	21	This greeting is in my own hand-PAUL.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	22	If there is anyone who does not love the Lord, a curse on such a one. Maran atha.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	23	The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
 1 Corinthians	1Cor	53	16	24	My love is with you all in Christ Jesus.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	1	Paul, by the will of God an apostle of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother, to the church of God in Corinth and to all God's holy people in the whole of Achaia.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	2	Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	3	Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father and the God who gives every possible encouragement;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	4	he supports us in every hardship, so that we are able to come to the support of others, in every hardship of theirs because of the encouragement that we ourselves receive from God.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	5	For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow into our lives; so too does the encouragement we receive through Christ.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	6	So if we have hardships to undergo, this will contribute to your encouragement and your salvation; if we receive encouragement, this is to gain for you the encouragement which enables you to bear with perseverance the same sufferings as we do.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	7	So our hope for you is secure in the knowledge that you share the encouragement we receive, no less than the sufferings we bear.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	8	So in the hardships we underwent in Asia, we want you to be quite certain, brothers, that we were under extraordinary pressure, beyond our powers of endurance, so that we gave up all hope even of surviving.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	9	In fact we were carrying the sentence of death within our own selves, so that we should be forced to trust not in ourselves but in God, who raises the dead.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	10	He did save us from such a death and will save us -- we are relying on him to do so.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	11	Your prayer for us will contribute to this, so that, for God's favour shown to us as the result of the prayers of so many, thanks too may be given by many on our behalf.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	12	There is one thing that we are proud of, namely our conscientious conviction that we have always behaved towards everyone, and especially towards you, with that unalloyed holiness that comes from God, relying not on human reasoning but on the grace of God.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	13	In our writing, there is nothing that you cannot read clearly and understand;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	14	and it is my hope that, just as you have already understood us partially, so you will understand fully that you can be as proud of us as we shall be of you when the Day of our Lord Jesus comes.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	15	It was with this assurance that I had been meaning to come to you first, so that you would benefit doubly;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	16	both to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and then to return to you again from Macedonia, so that you could set me on my way to Judaea.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	17	Since that was my purpose, do you think I lightly changed my mind? Or that my plans are based on ordinary human promptings and I have in my mind Yes, yes at the same time as No, no?
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	18	As surely as God is trustworthy, what we say to you is not both Yes and No.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	19	The Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, that is, by me and by Silvanus and Timothy, was never Yes-and-No; his nature is all Yes.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	20	For in him is found the Yes to all God's promises and therefore it is 'through him' that we answer 'Amen' to give praise to God.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	21	It is God who gives us, with you, a sure place in Christ
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	22	and has both anointed us and marked us with his seal, giving us as pledge the Spirit in our hearts.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	23	By my life I call on God to be my witness that it was only to spare you that I did not come to Corinth again.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	1	24	We have no wish to lord it over your faith, but to work with you for your joy; for your stand in the faith is firm.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	1	I made up my mind, then, that my next visit to you would not be a painful one,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	2	for if I cause you distress I am causing distress to my only possible source of joy.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	3	Indeed, I wrote as I did precisely to spare myself distress when I visited you, from the very people who should have given me joy, in the conviction that for all of you my joy was yours too.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	4	I wrote to you in agony of mind, not meaning to cause you distress but to show you how very much love I have for you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	5	If anyone did cause distress, he caused it not to me, but -- not to exaggerate -- in some degree to all of you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	6	The punishment already imposed by the majority was quite enough for such a person;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	7	and now by contrast you should forgive and encourage him all the more, or he may be overwhelmed by the extent of his distress.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	8	That is why I urge you to give your love towards him definite expression.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	9	This was in fact my reason for writing, to test your quality and whether you are completely obedient.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	10	But if you forgive anybody, then I too forgive that person; and whatever I have forgiven, if there is anything I have forgiven, I have done it for your sake in Christ's presence,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	11	to avoid being outwitted by Satan, whose scheming we know only too well.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	12	When I came to Troas for the sake of the gospel of Christ and a door was opened for me there in the Lord,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	13	I had no relief from anxiety, not finding my brother Titus there, and I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	14	But, thanks be to God who always gives us in Christ a part in his triumphal procession, and through us is spreading everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of himself.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	15	To God we are the fragrance of Christ, both among those who are being saved and among those who are on the way to destruction;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	16	for these last, the smell of death leading to death, but for the first, the smell of life leading to life. Who is equal to such a task?
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	2	17	At least we do not adulterate the word of God, as so many do, but it is in all purity, as envoys of God and in God's presence, that we speak in Christ.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	1	Are we beginning to commend ourselves to you afresh -- as though we needed, like some others, to have letters of commendation either to you or from you?
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	2	You yourselves are our letter, written in our hearts, that everyone can read and understand;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	3	and it is plain that you are a letter from Christ, entrusted to our care, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God; not on stone tablets but on the tablets of human hearts.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	4	Such is the confidence we have through Christ in facing God;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	5	it is not that we are so competent that we can claim any credit for ourselves; all our competence comes from God.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	6	He has given us the competence to be ministers of a new covenant, a covenant which is not of written letters, but of the Spirit; for the written letters kill, but the Spirit gives life.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	7	Now if the administering of death, engraved in letters on stone, occurred in such glory that the Israelites could not look Moses steadily in the face, because of its glory, transitory though this glory was,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	8	how much more will the ministry of the Spirit occur in glory!
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	9	For if it is glorious to administer condemnation, to administer saving justice is far richer in glory.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	10	Indeed, what was once considered glorious has lost all claim to glory, by contrast with the glory which transcends it.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	11	For if what was transitory had any glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts for ever.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	12	With a hope like this, we can speak with complete fearlessness;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	13	not like Moses who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites should not watch the end of what was transitory.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	14	But their minds were closed; indeed, until this very day, the same veil remains over the reading of the Old Testament: it is not lifted, for only in Christ is it done away with.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	15	As it is, to this day, whenever Moses is read, their hearts are covered with a veil,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	16	and this veil will not be taken away till they turn to the Lord.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	17	Now this Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	3	18	And all of us, with our unveiled faces like mirrors reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the image that we reflect in brighter and brighter glory; this is the working of the Lord who is the Spirit.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	1	Such by God's mercy is our ministry, and therefore we do not waver
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	2	but have renounced all shameful secrecy. It is not our way to be devious, or to falsify the word of God; instead, in God's sight we commend ourselves to every human being with a conscience by showing the truth openly.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	3	If our gospel seems to be veiled at all, it is so to those who are on the way to destruction,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	4	the unbelievers whose minds have been blinded by the god of this world, so that they cannot see shining the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	5	It is not ourselves that we are proclaiming, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	6	It is God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' that has shone into our hearts to enlighten them with the knowledge of God's glory, the glory on the face of Christ.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	7	But we hold this treasure in pots of earthenware, so that the immensity of the power is God's and not our own.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	8	We are subjected to every kind of hardship, but never distressed; we see no way out but we never despair;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	9	we are pursued but never cut off; knocked down, but still have some life in us;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	10	always we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus, too, may be visible in our body.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	11	Indeed, while we are still alive, we are continually being handed over to death, for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus, too, may be visible in our mortal flesh.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	12	In us, then, death is at work; in you, life.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	13	But as we have the same spirit of faith as is described in scripture -- I believed and therefore I spoke -we, too, believe and therefore we, too, speak,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	14	realising that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up with Jesus in our turn, and bring us to himself -- and you as well.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	15	You see, everything is for your benefit, so that as grace spreads, so, to the glory of God, thanksgiving may also overflow among more and more people.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	16	That is why we do not waver; indeed, though this outer human nature of ours may be falling into decay, at the same time our inner human nature is renewed day by day.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	17	The temporary, light burden of our hardships is earning us for ever an utterly incomparable, eternal weight of glory,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	4	18	since what we aim for is not visible but invisible. Visible things are transitory, but invisible things eternal.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	1	For we are well aware that when the tent that houses us on earth is folded up, there is a house for us from God, not made by human hands but everlasting, in the heavens.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	2	And in this earthly state we do indeed groan,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	3	longing to put on our heavenly home over the present one; if indeed we are to be found clothed rather than stripped bare.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	4	Yes, indeed, in this present tent, we groan under the burden, not that we want to be stripped of our covering, but because we want to be covered with a second garment on top, so that what is mortal in us may be swallowed up by life.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	5	It is God who designed us for this very purpose, and he has given us the Spirit as a pledge.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	6	We are always full of confidence, then, realising that as long as we are at home in the body we are exiled from the Lord,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	7	guided by faith and not yet by sight;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	8	we are full of confidence, then, and long instead to be exiled from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	9	And so whether at home or exiled, we make it our ambition to please him.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	10	For at the judgement seat of Christ we are all to be seen for what we are, so that each of us may receive what he has deserved in the body, matched to whatever he has done, good or bad.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	11	And so it is with the fear of the Lord always in mind that we try to win people over. But God sees us for what we are, and I hope your consciences do too.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	12	Again we are saying this not to commend ourselves to you, but simply to give you the opportunity to take pride in us, so that you may have an answer for those who take pride in appearances and not inner reality.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	13	If we have been unreasonable, it was for God; if reasonable, for you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	14	For the love of Christ overwhelms us when we consider that if one man died for all, then all have died;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	15	his purpose in dying for all humanity was that those who live should live not any more for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	16	From now onwards, then, we will not consider anyone by human standards: even if we were once familiar with Christ according to human standards, we do not know him in that way any longer.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	17	So for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation: the old order is gone and a new being is there to see.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	18	It is all God's work; he reconciled us to himself through Christ and he gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	19	I mean, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not holding anyone's faults against them, but entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	20	So we are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were urging you through us, and in the name of Christ we appeal to you to be reconciled to God.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	5	21	For our sake he made the sinless one a victim for sin, so that in him we might become the uprightness of God.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	1	As his fellow-workers, we urge you not to let your acceptance of his grace come to nothing.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	2	As he said, 'At the time of my favour I have answered you; on the day of salvation I have helped you'; well, now is the real time of favour, now the day of salvation is here.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	3	We avoid putting obstacles in anyone's way, so that no blame may attach to our work of service;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	4	but in everything we prove ourselves authentic servants of God; by resolute perseverance in times of hardships, difficulties and distress;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	5	when we are flogged or sent to prison or mobbed; labouring, sleepless, starving;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	6	in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness; in the Holy Spirit, in a love free of affectation;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	7	in the word of truth and in the power of God; by using the weapons of uprightness for attack and for defence:
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	8	in times of honour or disgrace, blame or praise; taken for impostors and yet we are genuine;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	9	unknown and yet we are acknowledged; dying, and yet here we are, alive; scourged but not executed;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	10	in pain yet always full of joy; poor and yet making many people rich; having nothing, and yet owning everything.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	11	People of Corinth, we have spoken frankly and opened our heart to you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	12	Any distress you feel is not on our side; the distress is in your own selves.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	13	In fair exchange -- I speak as though to children of mine -- you must open your hearts too.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	14	Do not harness yourselves in an uneven team with unbelievers; how can uprightness and law-breaking be partners, or what can light and darkness have in common?
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	15	How can Christ come to an agreement with Beliar and what sharing can there be between a believer and an unbeliever?
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	16	The temple of God cannot compromise with false gods, and that is what we are -- the temple of the living God. We have God's word for it: I shall fix my home among them and live among them; I will be their God and they will be my people.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	17	Get away from them, purify yourselves, says the Lord. Do not touch anything unclean, and then I shall welcome you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	6	18	I shall be father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me, says the almighty Lord.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	1	Since these promises have been made to us, my dear friends, we should wash ourselves clean of everything that pollutes either body or spirit, bringing our sanctification to completion in the fear of God.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	2	Keep a place for us in your hearts. We have not injured anyone, or ruined anyone, or taken advantage of anyone.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	3	I am not saying this to condemn anybody; as I have already told you, you are in our hearts -- so that together we live and together we die.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	4	I can speak with the greatest frankness to you; and I can speak with the greatest pride about you: in all our hardship, I am filled with encouragement and overflowing with joy.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	5	Even after we had come to Macedonia, there was no rest for this body of ours. Far from it; we were beset by hardship on all sides, there were quarrels all around us and misgivings within us.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	6	But God, who encourages all those who are distressed, encouraged us through the arrival of Titus;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	7	and not simply by his arrival only, but also by means of the encouragement that you had given him, as he told us of your desire to see us, how sorry you were and how concerned for us; so that I was all the more joyful.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	8	So now, though I did distress you with my letter, I do not regret it. Even if I did regret it -- and I realise that the letter distressed you, even though not for long-
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	9	I am glad now, not because you were made to feel distress, but because the distress that you were caused led to repentance; your distress was the kind that God approves and so you have come to no kind of harm through us.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	10	For to be distressed in a way that God approves leads to repentance and then to salvation with no regrets; it is the world's kind of distress that ends in death.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	11	Just look at this present case: at what the result has been of your being made to feel distress in the way that God approves -- what concern, what defence, what indignation and what alarm; what yearning, and what enthusiasm, and what justice done. In every way you have cleared yourselves of blame in this matter.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	12	So although I wrote a letter to you, it was not for the sake of the offender, nor for the one offended, but only so that you yourselves should fully realise in the sight of God what concern you have for us.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	13	That is what I have found encouraging. In addition to all this to encourage us, we were made all the more joyful by Titus' joy, now that his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	14	And if I boasted about you to him in any way, then I have not been made to look foolish; indeed, our boast to Titus has been proved to be as true as anything we said to you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	15	His personal affection for you is all the stronger when he remembers how obedient you have all been, and how you welcomed him with fear and trembling.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	7	16	I am glad that I have every confidence in you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	1	Next, brothers, we will tell you of the grace of God which has been granted to the churches of Macedonia,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	2	and how, throughout continual ordeals of hardship, their unfailing joy and their intense poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	3	I can testify that it was of their own accord that they made their gift, which was not merely as far as their resources would allow, but well beyond their resources;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	4	and they had kept imploring us most insistently for the privilege of a share in the fellowship of service to God's holy people-
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	5	it was not something that we expected of them, but it began by their offering themselves to the Lord and to us at the prompting of the will of God.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	6	In the end we urged Titus, since he had already made a beginning, also to bring this work of generosity to completion among you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	7	More, as you are rich in everything-faith, eloquence, understanding, concern for everything, and love for us too -- then make sure that you excel in this work of generosity too.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	8	I am not saying this as an order, but testing the genuineness of your love against the concern of others.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	9	You are well aware of the generosity which our Lord Jesus Christ had, that, although he was rich, he became poor for your sake, so that you should become rich through his poverty.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	10	I will give you my considered opinion in the matter; this will be the right course for you as you were the first, a year ago, not only to take any action but also even to conceive the project.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	11	Now, then, complete the action as well, so that the fulfilment may -- so far as your resources permit -- be proportionate to your enthusiasm for the project.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	12	As long as the enthusiasm is there, the basis on which it is acceptable is what someone has, not what someone does not have.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	13	It is not that you ought to relieve other people's needs and leave yourselves in hardship; but there should be a fair balance-
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	14	your surplus at present may fill their deficit, and another time their surplus may fill your deficit. So there may be a fair balance;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	15	as scripture says: No one who had collected more had too much, no one who collected less had too little.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	16	Thank God for putting into Titus' heart the same sincere concern for you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	17	He certainly took our urging to heart; but greater still was his own enthusiasm, and he went off to you of his own accord.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	18	We have sent with him the brother who is praised as an evangelist in all the churches
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	19	and who, what is more, was elected by the churches to be our travelling companion in this work of generosity, a work to be administered by us for the glory of the Lord and our complete satisfaction.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	20	We arranged it this way so that no one should be able to make any accusation against us about this large sum we are administering.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	21	And so we have been careful to do right not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of people.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	22	Along with these, we have sent a brother of ours whose eagerness we have tested over and over again in many ways and who is now all the more eager because he has so much faith in you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	23	If Titus is in question -- he is my own partner and fellow-worker in your interests; and if our brothers -- they are the emissaries of the churches and the glory of Christ.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	8	24	So then, in full view of all the churches, give proof that you love them, and that we were right to boast of you to them.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	1	About the help to God's holy people, there is really no need for me to write to you;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	2	for I am well aware of your enthusiasm, and I have been boasting of it to the Macedonians that 'Achaia has been ready for a year'; your enthusiasm has been a spur to many others.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	3	All the same, I have sent the brothers, to make sure that our boast about you may not prove hollow in this respect and that you may be ready, as I said you would be;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	4	so that if by chance some of the Macedonians came with me and found you unprepared we -- to say nothing of yourselves -- would not be put to shame by our confidence in you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	5	So I have thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to go to you ahead of us and make sure in advance of the gift that you have already promised, so that it is all at hand as a real gift and not an imposition.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	6	But remember: anyone who sows sparsely will reap sparsely as well -- and anyone who sows generously will reap generously as well.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	7	Each one should give as much as he has decided on his own initiative, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	8	God is perfectly able to enrich you with every grace, so that you always have enough for every conceivable need, and your resources overflow in all kinds of good work.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	9	As scripture says: To the needy he gave without stint, his uprightness stands firm for ever.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	10	The one who so freely provides seed for the sower and food to eat will provide you with ample store of seed for sowing and make the harvest of your uprightness a bigger one:
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	11	you will be rich enough in every way for every kind of generosity that makes people thank God for what we have done.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	12	For the help provided by this contribution not only satisfies the needs of God's holy people, but also overflows into widespread thanksgiving to God;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	13	because when you have proved your quality by this help, they will give glory to God for the obedience which you show in professing the gospel of Christ, as well as for the generosity of your fellowship towards them and towards all.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	14	At the same time, their prayer for you will express the affection they feel for you because of the unbounded grace God has given you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	9	15	Thanks be to God for his gift that is beyond all telling!
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	1	I urge you by the gentleness and forbearance of Christ -- this is Paul now speaking personally-I, the one who is so humble when he is facing you but full of boldness at a distance.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	2	Yes, my appeal to you is that I should not have to be bold when I am actually with you, or show the same self-assurance as I reckon to use when I am challenging those who reckon that we are guided by human motives.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	3	For although we are human, it is not by human methods that we do battle.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	4	The weapons with which we do battle are not those of human nature, but they have the power, in God's cause, to demolish fortresses. It is ideas that we demolish,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	5	every presumptuous notion that is set up against the knowledge of God, and we bring every thought into captivity and obedience to Christ;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	6	once you have given your complete obedience, we are prepared to punish any disobedience.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	7	Look at the evidence of your eyes. Anybody who is convinced that he belongs to Christ should go on to reflect that we belong to Christ no less than he does.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	8	Maybe I have taken rather too much pride in our authority, but the Lord gave us that for building you up, not for knocking you down, and I am not going to be shamed
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	9	into letting you think that I can put fear into you only by letter.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	10	Someone said, 'His letters are weighty enough, and full of strength, but when you see him in person, he makes no impression and his powers of speaking are negligible.'
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	11	I should like that sort of person to take note that our deeds when we are present will show the same qualities as our letters when we were at a distance.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	12	We are not venturing to rank ourselves, or even to compare ourselves with certain people who provide their own commendations. By measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they only show their folly.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	13	By contrast we do not intend to boast beyond measure, but will measure ourselves by the standard which God laid down for us, namely that of having come all the way to you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	14	We are not overreaching ourselves as we would be if we had not come all the way to you; in fact we were the first to come as far as you with the good news of Christ.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	15	So we are not boasting beyond measure, about other men's work; in fact, we hope, as your faith increases, to grow greater and greater by this standard of ours,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	16	by preaching the gospel to regions beyond you, rather than boasting about work already done in someone else's province.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	17	Let anyone who wants to boast, boast of the Lord.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	10	18	For it is not through self-commendation that recognition is won, but through commendation.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	1	I wish you would put up with a little foolishness from me -- not that you don't do this already.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	2	The jealousy that I feel for you is, you see, God's own jealousy: I gave you all in marriage to a single husband, a virgin pure for presentation to Christ.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	3	But I am afraid that, just as the snake with his cunning seduced Eve, your minds may be led astray from single-minded devotion to Christ.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	4	Because any chance comer has only to preach a Jesus other than the one we preached, or you have only to receive a spirit different from the one you received, or a gospel different from the one you accepted -- and you put up with that only too willingly.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	5	Now, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to the super-apostles.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	6	Even if there is something lacking in my public speaking, this is not the case with my knowledge, as we have openly shown to you at all times and before everyone.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	7	Have I done wrong, then, humbling myself so that you might be raised up, by preaching the gospel of God to you for nothing?
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	8	I was robbing other churches, taking wages from them in order to work for you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	9	When I was with you and needed money, I was no burden to anybody, for the brothers from Macedonia brought me as much as I needed when they came; I have always been careful not to let myself be a burden to you in any way, and I shall continue to be so.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	10	And as Christ's truth is in me, this boast of mine is not going to be silenced in the regions of Achaia.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	11	Why should it be? Because I do not love you? God knows that I do.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	12	I will go on acting as I do at present, to cut the ground from under the feet of those who are looking for a chance to be proved my equals in grounds for boasting.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	13	These people are counterfeit apostles, dishonest workers disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	14	There is nothing astonishing in this; even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	15	It is nothing extraordinary, then, when his servants disguise themselves as the servants of uprightness. They will come to the end appropriate to what they have done.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	16	To repeat: let no one take me for a fool, but if you do, then treat me as a fool, so that I, too, can do a little boasting.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	17	I shall not be following the Lord's way in what I say now, but will be speaking out of foolishness in the conviction that I have something to boast about.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	18	So many people boast on merely human grounds that I shall too.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	19	I know how happy you are to put up with fools, being so wise yourselves;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	20	and how you will still go on putting up with a man who enslaves you, eats up all you possess, keeps you under his orders and sets himself above you, or even slaps you in the face.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	21	I say it to your shame; perhaps we have been too weak. Whatever bold claims anyone makes -- now I am talking as a fool -- I can make them too.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	22	Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	23	Are they servants of Christ? I speak in utter folly -- I am too, and more than they are: I have done more work, I have been in prison more, I have been flogged more severely, many times exposed to death.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	24	Five times I have been given the thirty-nine lashes by the Jews;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	25	three times I have been beaten with sticks; once I was stoned; three times I have been shipwrecked, and once I have been in the open sea for a night and a day;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	26	continually travelling, I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from brigands, in danger from my own people and in danger from the gentiles, in danger in the towns and in danger in the open country, in danger at sea and in danger from people masquerading as brothers;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	27	I have worked with unsparing energy, for many nights without sleep; I have been hungry and thirsty, and often altogether without food or drink; I have been cold and lacked clothing.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	28	And, besides all the external things, there is, day in day out, the pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	29	If anyone weakens, I am weakened as well; and when anyone is made to fall, I burn in agony myself.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	30	If I have to boast, I will boast of all the ways in which I am weak.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	31	The God and Father of the Lord Jesus -- who is for ever to be blessed -- knows that I am not lying.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	32	When I was in Damascus, the governor who was under King Aretas put guards round Damascus city to catch me,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	11	33	and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and that was how I escaped from his hands.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	1	I am boasting because I have to. Not that it does any good, but I will move on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	2	I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago -- still in the body? I do not know; or out of the body? I do not know: God knows -- was caught up right into the third heaven.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	3	And I know that this man -- still in the body? or outside the body? I do not know, God knows-
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	4	was caught up into Paradise and heard words said that cannot and may not be spoken by any human being.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	5	On behalf of someone like that I am willing to boast, but I am not going to boast on my own behalf except of my weaknesses;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	6	and then, if I do choose to boast I shall not be talking like a fool because I shall be speaking the truth. But I will not go on in case anybody should rate me higher than he sees and hears me to be, because of the exceptional greatness of the revelations.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	7	Wherefore, so that I should not get above myself, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to batter me and prevent me from getting above myself.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	8	About this, I have three times pleaded with the Lord that it might leave me;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	9	but he has answered me, 'My grace is enough for you: for power is at full stretch in weakness.' It is, then, about my weaknesses that I am happiest of all to boast, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	10	and that is why I am glad of weaknesses, insults, constraints, persecutions and distress for Christ's sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	11	I have turned into a fool, but you forced me to it. It is you that should have been commending me; those super-apostles had no advantage over me, even if I am nothing at all.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	12	All the marks characteristic of a true apostle have been at work among you: complete perseverance, signs, marvels, demonstrations of power.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	13	Is there any way in which you have been given less than the rest of the churches, except that I did not make myself a burden to you? Forgive me for this unfairness!
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	14	Here I am, ready to come to you for the third time and I am not going to be a burden on you: it is not your possessions that I want, but yourselves. Children are not expected to save up for their parents, but parents for their children,
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	15	and I am more than glad to spend what I have and to be spent for the sake of your souls. Is it because I love you so much more, that I am loved the less?
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	16	All right, then; I did not make myself a burden to you, but, trickster that I am, I caught you by trickery.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	17	Have I taken advantage of you through any of the people I have sent to you?
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	18	Titus came at my urging, and I sent his companion with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Can you deny that he and I were following the guidance of the same Spirit and were on the same tracks?
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	19	All this time you have been thinking that we have been pleading our own cause before you; no, we have been speaking in Christ and in the presence of God -- and all, dear friends, to build you up.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	20	I am afraid that in one way or another, when I come, I may find you different from what I should like you to be, and you may find me what you would not like me to be; so that in one way or the other there will be rivalry, jealousy, bad temper, quarrels, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorders;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	12	21	and when I come again, my God may humiliate me in front of you and I shall be grieved by all those who sinned in the past and have still not repented of the impurities and sexual immorality and debauchery that they have committed.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	1	This will be the third time I have confronted you. Whatever the misdemeanour, the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain a charge.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	2	I gave you notice once, and now, though I am not with you, I give notice again, just as when I was with you for a second time, to those who sinned before, and to all others; and it is to this effect, that when I do come next time, I shall have no mercy.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	3	Since you are asking for a proof that it is Christ who speaks in me; he is not weak with you but his power is at work among you;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	4	for, though it was out of weakness that he was crucified, he is alive now with the power of God. We, too, are weak in him, but with regard to you we shall live with him by the power of God.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	5	Put yourselves to the test to make sure you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Do you not recognise yourselves as people in whom Jesus Christ is present? - unless, that is, you fail the test.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	6	But we, as I hope you will come to recognise, do not fail the test.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	7	It is our prayer to God that you may do nothing wrong -- not so that we have the credit of passing a test, but because you will be doing what is right, even if we do not pass the test.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	8	We have no power to resist the truth; only to further the truth;
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	9	and we are delighted to be weak if only you are strong. What we ask in our prayers is that you should be made perfect.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	10	That is why I am writing this while still far away, so that when I am with you I shall not have to be harsh, with the authority that the Lord has given me, an authority that is for building up and not for breaking down.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	11	To end then, brothers, we wish you joy; try to grow perfect; encourage one another; have a common mind and live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	12	Greet one another with the holy kiss. All God's holy people send you their greetings.
 2 Corinthians	2Cor	54	13	13	The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	1	From Paul, an apostle appointed not by human beings nor through any human being but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead,
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	2	and all the brothers who are with me, to the churches of Galatia.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	3	Grace and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	4	who gave himself for our sins to liberate us from this present wicked world, in accordance with the will of our God and Father,
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	5	to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	6	I am astonished that you are so promptly turning away from the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are going over to a different gospel-
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	7	not that it is another gospel; except that there are trouble-makers among you who are seeking to pervert the gospel of Christ.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	8	But even if we ourselves or an angel from heaven preaches to you a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let God's curse be on him.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	9	I repeat again what we declared before: anyone who preaches to you a gospel other than the one you were first given is to be under God's curse.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	10	Whom am I trying to convince now, human beings or God? Am I trying to please human beings? If I were still doing that I should not be a servant of Christ.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	11	Now I want to make it quite clear to you, brothers, about the gospel that was preached by me, that it was no human message.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	12	It was not from any human being that I received it, and I was not taught it, but it came to me through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	13	You have surely heard how I lived in the past, within Judaism, and how there was simply no limit to the way I persecuted the Church of God in my attempts to destroy it;
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	14	and how, in Judaism, I outstripped most of my Jewish contemporaries in my limitless enthusiasm for the traditions of my ancestors.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	15	But when God, who had set me apart from the time when I was in my mother's womb, called me through his grace and chose
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	16	to reveal his Son in me, so that I should preach him to the gentiles, I was in no hurry to confer with any human being,
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	17	or to go up to Jerusalem to see those who were already apostles before me. Instead, I went off to Arabia, and later I came back to Damascus.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	18	Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to meet Cephas. I stayed fifteen days with him
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	19	but did not set eyes on any of the rest of the apostles, only James, the Lord's brother.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	20	I swear before God that what I have written is the truth.
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	21	After that I went to places in Syria and Cilicia;
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	22	and was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judaea which are in Christ,
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	23	they simply kept hearing it said, 'The man once so eager to persecute us is now preaching the faith that he used to try to destroy,'
 Galatians	Gal	55	1	24	and they gave glory to God for me.
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	1	It was not until fourteen years had gone by that I travelled up to Jerusalem again, with Barnabas, and I took Titus with me too.
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	2	My journey was inspired by a revelation and there, in a private session with the recognised leaders, I expounded the whole gospel that I preach to the gentiles, to make quite sure that the efforts I was making and had already made should not be fruitless.
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	3	Even then, and although Titus, a Greek, was with me, there was no demand that he should be circumcised;
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	4	but because of some false brothers who had secretly insinuated themselves to spy on the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, intending to reduce us to slavery-
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	5	people we did not defer to for one moment, or the truth of the gospel preached to you might have been compromised. . .
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	6	but those who were recognised as important people -- whether they actually were important or not: There is no favouritism with God -those recognised leaders, I am saying, had nothing to add to my message.
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	7	On the contrary, once they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been entrusted to me, just as to Peter the gospel for the circumcised
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	8	(for he who empowered Peter's apostolate to the circumcision also empowered mine to the gentiles),
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	9	and when they acknowledged the grace that had been given to me, then James and Cephas and John, who were the ones recognised as pillars, offered their right hands to Barnabas and to me as a sign of partnership: we were to go to the gentiles and they to they to the circumcised.
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	10	They asked nothing more than that we should remember to help the poor, as indeed I was anxious to do in any case.
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	11	However, when Cephas came to Antioch, then I did oppose him to his face since he was manifestly in the wrong.
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	12	Before certain people from James came, he used to eat with gentiles; but as soon as these came, he backed out and kept apart from them, out of fear of the circumcised.
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	13	And the rest of the Jews put on the same act as he did, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their insincerity.
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	14	When I saw, though, that their behaviour was not true to the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of all of them, 'Since you, though you are a Jew, live like the gentiles and not like the Jews, how can you compel the gentiles to live like the Jews?'
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	15	We who were born Jews and not gentile sinners
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	16	have nevertheless learnt that someone is reckoned as upright not by practising the Law but by faith in Jesus Christ; and we too came to believe in Christ Jesus so as to be reckoned as upright by faith in Christ and not by practising the Law: since no human being can be found upright by keeping the Law.
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	17	Now if we too are found to be sinners on the grounds that we seek our justification in Christ, it would surely follow that Christ was at the service of sin. Out of the question!
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	18	If I now rebuild everything I once demolished, I prove that I was wrong before.
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	19	In fact, through the Law I am dead to the Law so that I can be alive to God. I have been crucified with Christ
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	20	and yet I am alive; yet it is no longer I, but Christ living in me. The life that I am now living, subject to the limitation of human nature, I am living in faith, faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
 Galatians	Gal	55	2	21	I am not setting aside God's grace as of no value; it is merely that if saving justice comes through the Law, Christ died needlessly.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	1	You stupid people in Galatia! After you have had a clear picture of Jesus Christ crucified, right in front of your eyes, who has put a spell on you?
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	2	There is only one thing I should like you to tell me: How was it that you received the Spirit -- was it by the practice of the Law, or by believing in the message you heard?
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	3	Having begun in the Spirit, can you be so stupid as to end in the flesh?
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	4	Can all the favours you have received have had no effect at all -- if there really has been no effect?
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	5	Would you say, then, that he who so lavishly sends the Spirit to you, and causes the miracles among you, is doing this through your practice of the Law or because you believed the message you heard?
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	6	Abraham, you remember, put his faith in God, and this was reckoned to him as uprightness.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	7	Be sure, then, that it is people of faith who are the children of Abraham.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	8	And it was because scripture foresaw that God would give saving justice to the gentiles through faith, that it announced the future gospel to Abraham in the words: All nations will be blessed in you.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	9	So it is people of faith who receive the same blessing as Abraham, the man of faith.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	10	On the other hand, all those who depend on the works of the Law are under a curse, since scripture says: Accursed be he who does not make what is written in the book of the Law effective, by putting it into practice.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	11	Now it is obvious that nobody is reckoned as upright in God's sight by the Law, since the upright will live through faith;
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	12	and the Law is based not on faith but on the principle, whoever complies with it will find life in it.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	13	Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by being cursed for our sake since scripture says: Anyone hanged is accursed,
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	14	so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the gentiles in Christ Jesus, and so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	15	To put it in human terms, my brothers: even when a will is only a human one, once it has been ratified nobody can cancel it or add more provisions to it.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	16	Now the promises were addressed to Abraham and to his progeny. The words were not and to his progenies in the plural, but in the singular; and to your progeny, which means Christ.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	17	What I am saying is this: once a will had been long ago ratified by God, the Law, coming four hundred and thirty years later, could not abolish it and so nullify its promise.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	18	You see, if the inheritance comes by the Law, it no longer comes through a promise; but it was by a promise that God made his gift to Abraham.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	19	Then what is the purpose of the Law? It was added to deal with crimes until the 'progeny' to whom the promise had been made should come; and it was promulgated through angels, by the agency of an intermediary.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	20	Now there can be an intermediary only between two parties, yet God is one.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	21	Is the Law contrary, then, to God's promises? Out of the question! If the Law that was given had been capable of giving life, then certainly saving justice would have come from the Law.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	22	As it is, scripture makes no exception when it says that sin is master everywhere; so the promise can be given only by faith in Jesus Christ to those who have this faith.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	23	But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law, locked up to wait for the faith which would eventually be revealed to us.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	24	So the Law was serving as a slave to look after us, to lead us to Christ, so that we could be justified by faith.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	25	But now that faith has come we are no longer under a slave looking after us;
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	26	for all of you are the children of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus,
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	27	since every one of you that has been baptised has been clothed in Christ.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	28	There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither slave nor freeman, there can be neither male nor female -- for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
 Galatians	Gal	55	3	29	And simply by being Christ's, you are that progeny of Abraham, the heirs named in the promise.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	1	What I am saying is this: an heir, during the time while he is still under age, is no different from a slave, even though he is the owner of all the property;
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	2	he is under the control of guardians and administrators until the time fixed by his father.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	3	So too with us, as long as we were still under age, we were enslaved to the elemental principles of this world;
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	4	but when the completion of the time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject of the Law,
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	5	to redeem the subjects of the Law, so that we could receive adoption as sons.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	6	As you are sons, God has sent into our hearts the Spirit of his Son crying, 'Abba, Father';
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	7	and so you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir, by God's own act.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	8	But formerly when you did not know God, you were kept in slavery to things which are not really gods at all,
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	9	whereas now that you have come to recognise God -- or rather, be recognised by God -- how can you now turn back again to those powerless and bankrupt elements whose slaves you now want to be all over again?
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	10	You are keeping special days, and months, and seasons and years-
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	11	I am beginning to be afraid that I may, after all, have wasted my efforts on you.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	12	I urge you, brothers,-be like me, as I have become like you. You have never been unfair to me;
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	13	indeed you remember that it was an illness that first gave me the opportunity to preach the gospel to you,
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	14	but though my illness was a trial to you, you did not show any distaste or revulsion; instead, you welcomed me as a messenger of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	15	What has happened to the utter contentment you had then? For I can testify to you that you would have plucked your eyes out, were that possible, and given them to me.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	16	Then have I turned into your enemy simply by being truthful with you?
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	17	Their devotion to you has no praiseworthy motive; they simply want to cut you off from me, so that you may centre your devotion on them.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	18	Devotion to a praiseworthy cause is praiseworthy at any time, not only when I am there with you.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	19	My children, I am going through the pain of giving birth to you all over again, until Christ is formed in you;
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	20	and how I wish I could be there with you at this moment and find the right way of talking to you: I am quite at a loss with you.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	21	Tell me then, you are so eager to be subject to the Law, have you listened to what the Law says?
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	22	Scripture says that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave girl and one by the freewoman.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	23	The son of the slave girl came to be born in the way of human nature; but the son of the freewoman came to be born through a promise.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	24	There is an allegory here: these women stand for the two covenants. The one given on Mount Sinai -- that is Hagar, whose children are born into slavery;
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	25	now Sinai is a mountain in Arabia and represents Jerusalem in its present state, for she is in slavery together with her children.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	26	But the Jerusalem above is free, and that is the one that is our mother;
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	27	as scripture says: Shout for joy, you barren woman who has borne no children! Break into shouts of joy, you who were never in labour. For the sons of the forsaken one are more in number than the sons of the wedded wife.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	28	Now you, brothers, are like Isaac, children of the promise;
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	29	just as at that time, the child born in the way of human nature persecuted the child born through the Spirit, so now.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	30	But what is it that scripture says? Drive away that slave girl and her son; the slave girl's son is not to share the inheritance with the son of the freewoman.
 Galatians	Gal	55	4	31	So, brothers, we are the children not of the slave girl but of the freewoman.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	1	Christ set us free, so that we should remain free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be fastened again to the yoke of slavery.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	2	I, Paul, give you my word that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	3	I give my assurance once again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law;
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	4	once you seek to be reckoned as upright through the Law, then you have separated yourself from Christ, you have fallen away from grace.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	5	We are led by the Spirit to wait in the confident hope of saving justice through faith,
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	6	since in Christ Jesus it is not being circumcised or being uncircumcised that can effect anything -- only faith working through love.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	7	You began your race well; who came to obstruct you and stop you obeying the truth?
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	8	It was certainly not any prompting from him who called you!
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	9	A pinch of yeast ferments the whole batch.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	10	But I feel sure that, united in the Lord, you will not be led astray, and that anyone who makes trouble with you will be condemned, no matter who he is.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	11	And I, brothers -- if I were still preaching circumcision, why should I still be persecuted? For then the obstacle which is the cross would have no point any more.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	12	I could wish that those who are unsettling you would go further and mutilate themselves.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	13	After all, brothers, you were called to be free; do not use your freedom as an opening for self-indulgence, but be servants to one another in love,
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	14	since the whole of the Law is summarised in the one commandment: You must love your neighbour as yourself.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	15	If you go snapping at one another and tearing one another to pieces, take care: you will be eaten up by one another.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	16	Instead, I tell you, be guided by the Spirit, and you will no longer yield to self-indulgence.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	17	The desires of self-indulgence are always in opposition to the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are in opposition to self-indulgence: they are opposites, one against the other; that is how you are prevented from doing the things that you want to.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	18	But when you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	19	When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: sexual vice, impurity, and sensuality,
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	20	the worship of false gods and sorcery; antagonisms and rivalry, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels, disagreements,
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	21	factions and malice, drunkenness, orgies and all such things. And about these, I tell you now as I have told you in the past, that people who behave in these ways will not inherit the kingdom of God.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	22	On the other hand the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness,
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	23	gentleness and self-control; no law can touch such things as these.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	24	All who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified self with all its passions and its desires.
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	25	Since we are living by the Spirit, let our behaviour be guided by the Spirit
 Galatians	Gal	55	5	26	and let us not be conceited or provocative and envious of one another.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	1	Brothers, even if one of you is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should set that person right in a spirit of gentleness; and watch yourselves that you are not put to the test in the same way.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	2	Carry each other's burdens; that is how to keep the law of Christ.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	3	Someone who thinks himself important, when he is not, only deceives himself;
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	4	but everyone is to examine his own achievements, and then he will confine his boasting to his own achievements, not comparing them with anybody else's.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	5	Each one has his own load to carry.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	6	When someone is under instruction in doctrine, he should give his teacher a share in all his possessions.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	7	Don't delude yourself: God is not to be fooled; whatever someone sows, that is what he will reap.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	8	If his sowing is in the field of self-indulgence, then his harvest from it will be corruption; if his sowing is in the Spirit, then his harvest from the Spirit will be eternal life.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	9	And let us never slacken in doing good; for if we do not give up, we shall have our harvest in due time.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	10	So then, as long as we have the opportunity let all our actions be for the good of everybody, and especially of those who belong to the household of the faith.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	11	Notice what large letters I have used in writing to you with my own hand.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	12	It is those who want to cut a figure by human standards who force circumcision on you, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	13	Even though they are circumcised they still do not keep the Law themselves; they want you to be circumcised only so that they can boast of your outward appearance.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	14	But as for me, it is out of the question that I should boast at all, except of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	15	It is not being circumcised or uncircumcised that matters; but what matters is a new creation.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	16	Peace and mercy to all who follow this as their rule and to the Israel of God.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	17	After this, let no one trouble me; I carry branded on my body the marks of Jesus.
 Galatians	Gal	55	6	18	The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my brothers. Amen.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	1	Paul, by the will of God an apostle of Christ Jesus, to God's holy people, faithful in Christ Jesus.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	2	Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	3	Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	4	Thus he chose us in Christ before the world was made to be holy and faultless before him in love,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	5	marking us out for himself beforehand, to be adopted sons, through Jesus Christ. Such was his purpose and good pleasure,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	6	to the praise of the glory of his grace, his free gift to us in the Beloved,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	7	in whom, through his blood, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins. Such is the richness of the grace
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	8	which he has showered on us in all wisdom and insight.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	9	He has let us know the mystery of his purpose, according to his good pleasure which he determined beforehand in Christ,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	10	for him to act upon when the times had run their course: that he would bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in the heavens and everything on earth.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	11	And it is in him that we have received our heritage, marked out beforehand as we were, under the plan of the One who guides all things as he decides by his own will,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	12	chosen to be, for the praise of his glory, the people who would put their hopes in Christ before he came.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	13	Now you too, in him, have heard the message of the truth and the gospel of your salvation, and having put your trust in it you have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit of the Promise,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	14	who is the pledge of our inheritance, for the freedom of the people whom God has taken for his own, for the praise of his glory.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	15	That is why I, having once heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus, and your love for all God's holy people,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	16	have never failed to thank God for you and to remember you in my prayers.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	17	May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	18	May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, how rich is the glory of the heritage he offers among his holy people,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	19	and how extraordinarily great is the power that he has exercised for us believers; this accords with the strength of his power
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	20	at work in Christ, the power which he exercised in raising him from the dead and enthroning him at his right hand, in heaven,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	21	far above every principality, ruling force, power or sovereignty, or any other name that can be named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	22	He has put all things under his feet, and made him, as he is above all things, the head of the Church;
 Ephesians	Eph	56	1	23	which is his Body, the fullness of him who is filled, all in all.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	1	And you were dead, through the crimes and the sins
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	2	which used to make up your way of life when you were living by the principles of this world, obeying the ruler who dominates the air, the spirit who is at work in those who rebel.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	3	We too were all among them once, living only by our natural inclinations, obeying the demands of human self-indulgence and our own whim; our nature made us no less liable to God's retribution than the rest of the world.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	4	But God, being rich in faithful love, through the great love with which he loved us,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	5	even when we were dead in our sins, brought us to life with Christ -- it is through grace that you have been saved-
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	6	and raised us up with him and gave us a place with him in heaven, in Christ Jesus.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	7	This was to show for all ages to come, through his goodness towards us in Christ Jesus, how extraordinarily rich he is in grace.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	8	Because it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God;
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	9	not by anything that you have done, so that nobody can claim the credit.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	10	We are God's work of art, created in Christ Jesus for the good works which God has already designated to make up our way of life.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	11	Do not forget, then, that there was a time when you who were gentiles by physical descent, termed the uncircumcised by those who speak of themselves as the circumcised by reason of a physical operation,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	12	do not forget, I say, that you were at that time separate from Christ and excluded from membership of Israel, aliens with no part in the covenants of the Promise, limited to this world, without hope and without God.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	13	But now in Christ Jesus, you that used to be so far off have been brought close, by the blood of Christ.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	14	For he is the peace between us, and has made the two into one entity and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, by destroying in his own person the hostility,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	15	that is, the Law of commandments with its decrees. His purpose in this was, by restoring peace, to create a single New Man out of the two of them,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	16	and through the cross, to reconcile them both to God in one Body; in his own person he killed the hostility.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	17	He came to bring the good news of peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	18	Through him, then, we both in the one Spirit have free access to the Father.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	19	So you are no longer aliens or foreign visitors; you are fellow-citizens with the holy people of God and part of God's household.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	20	You are built upon the foundations of the apostles and prophets, and Christ Jesus himself is the cornerstone.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	21	Every structure knit together in him grows into a holy temple in the Lord;
 Ephesians	Eph	56	2	22	and you too, in him, are being built up into a dwelling-place of God in the Spirit.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	1	It is because of this that I, Paul, a prisoner of the Lord Jesus on behalf of you gentiles. . .
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	2	You have surely heard the way in which God entrusted me with the grace he gave me for your sake;
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	3	he made known to me by a revelation the mystery I have just described briefly-
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	4	a reading of it will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	5	This mystery, as it is now revealed in the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets, was unknown to humanity in previous generations:
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	6	that the gentiles now have the same inheritance and form the same Body and enjoy the same promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	7	I have been made the servant of that gospel by a gift of grace from God who gave it to me by the workings of his power.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	8	I, who am less than the least of all God's holy people, have been entrusted with this special grace, of proclaiming to the gentiles the unfathomable treasure of Christ
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	9	and of throwing light on the inner workings of the mystery kept hidden through all the ages in God, the Creator of everything.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	10	The purpose of this was, that now, through the Church, the principalities and ruling forces should learn how many-sided God's wisdom is,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	11	according to the plan which he had formed from all eternity in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	12	In him we are bold enough to approach God in complete confidence, through our faith in him;
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	13	so, I beg you, do not let the hardships I go through on your account make you waver; they are your glory.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	14	This, then, is what I pray, kneeling before the Father,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	15	from whom every fatherhood, in heaven or on earth, takes its name.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	16	In the abundance of his glory may he, through his Spirit, enable you to grow firm in power with regard to your inner self,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	17	so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	18	with all God's holy people you will have the strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth;
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	19	so that, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond knowledge, you may be filled with the utter fullness of God.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	20	Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine;
 Ephesians	Eph	56	3	21	glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	1	I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you therefore to lead a life worthy of the vocation to which you were called.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	2	With all humility and gentleness, and with patience, support each other in love.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	3	Take every care to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	4	There is one Body, one Spirit, just as one hope is the goal of your calling by God.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	5	There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	6	and one God and Father of all, over all, through all and within all.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	7	On each one of us God's favour has been bestowed in whatever way Christ allotted it.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	8	That is why it says: He went up to the heights, took captives, he gave gifts to humanity.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	9	When it says, 'he went up', it must mean that he had gone down to the deepest levels of the earth.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	10	The one who went down is none other than the one who went up above all the heavens to fill all things.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	11	And to some, his 'gift' was that they should be apostles; to some prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers;
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	12	to knit God's holy people together for the work of service to build up the Body of Christ,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	13	until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God and form the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	14	Then we shall no longer be children, or tossed one way and another, and carried hither and thither by every new gust of teaching, at the mercy of all the tricks people play and their unscrupulousness in deliberate deception.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	15	If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow completely into Christ, who is the head
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	16	by whom the whole Body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each individual part to work according to its function. So the body grows until it has built itself up in love.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	17	So this I say to you and attest to you in the Lord, do not go on living the empty-headed life that the gentiles live.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	18	Intellectually they are in the dark, and they are estranged from the life of God, because of the ignorance which is the consequence of closed minds.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	19	Their sense of right and wrong once dulled, they have abandoned all self-control and pursue to excess every kind of uncleanness.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	20	Now that is hardly the way you have learnt Christ,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	21	unless you failed to hear him properly when you were taught what the truth is in Jesus.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	22	You were to put aside your old self, which belongs to your old way of life and is corrupted by following illusory desires.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	23	Your mind was to be renewed in spirit
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	24	so that you could put on the New Man that has been created on God's principles, in the uprightness and holiness of the truth.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	25	So from now on, there must be no more lies. Speak the truth to one another, since we are all parts of one another.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	26	Even if you are angry, do not sin: never let the sun set on your anger
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	27	or else you will give the devil a foothold.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	28	Anyone who was a thief must stop stealing; instead he should exert himself at some honest job with his own hands so that he may have something to share with those in need.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	29	No foul word should ever cross your lips; let your words be for the improvement of others, as occasion offers, and do good to your listeners;
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	30	do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God who has marked you with his seal, ready for the day when we shall be set free.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	31	Any bitterness or bad temper or anger or shouting or abuse must be far removed from you -- as must every kind of malice.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	4	32	Be generous to one another, sympathetic, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	1	As God's dear children, then, take him as your pattern,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	2	and follow Christ by loving as he loved you, giving himself up for us as an offering and a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	3	Among you there must be not even a mention of sexual vice or impurity in any of its forms, or greed: this would scarcely become the holy people of God!
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	4	There must be no foul or salacious talk or coarse jokes -- all this is wrong for you; there should rather be thanksgiving.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	5	For you can be quite certain that nobody who indulges in sexual immorality or impurity or greed -- which is worshipping a false god -- can inherit the kingdom of God.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	6	Do not let anyone deceive you with empty arguments: it is such behaviour that draws down God's retribution on those who rebel against him.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	7	Make sure that you do not throw in your lot with them.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	8	You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord; behave as children of light,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	9	for the effects of the light are seen in complete goodness and uprightness and truth.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	10	Try to discover what the Lord wants of you,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	11	take no part in the futile works of darkness but, on the contrary, show them up for what they are.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	12	The things which are done in secret are shameful even to speak of;
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	13	but anything shown up by the light will be illuminated
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	14	and anything illuminated is itself a light. That is why it is said: Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	15	So be very careful about the sort of lives you lead, like intelligent and not like senseless people.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	16	Make the best of the present time, for it is a wicked age.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	17	This is why you must not be thoughtless but must recognise what is the will of the Lord.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	18	Do not get drunk with wine; this is simply dissipation; be filled with the Spirit.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	19	Sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs among yourselves, singing and chanting to the Lord in your hearts,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	20	always and everywhere giving thanks to God who is our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	21	Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	22	Wives should be subject to their husbands as to the Lord,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	23	since, as Christ is head of the Church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife;
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	24	and as the Church is subject to Christ, so should wives be to their husbands, in everything.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	25	Husbands should love their wives, just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	26	to make her holy by washing her in cleansing water with a form of words,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	27	so that when he took the Church to himself she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	28	In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	29	A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	30	because we are parts of his Body.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	31	This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	32	This mystery has great significance, but I am applying it to Christ and the Church.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	5	33	To sum up: you also, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	1	Children, be obedient to your parents in the Lord -- that is what uprightness demands.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	2	The first commandment that has a promise attached to it is: Honour your father and your mother,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	3	and the promise is: so that you may have long life and prosper in the land.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	4	And parents, never drive your children to resentment but bring them up with correction and advice inspired by the Lord.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	5	Slaves, be obedient to those who are, according to human reckoning, your masters, with deep respect and sincere loyalty, as you are obedient to Christ:
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	6	not only when you are under their eye, as if you had only to please human beings, but as slaves of Christ who wholeheartedly do the will of God.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	7	Work willingly for the sake of the Lord and not for the sake of human beings.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	8	Never forget that everyone, whether a slave or a free man, will be rewarded by the Lord for whatever work he has done well.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	9	And those of you who are employers, treat your slaves in the same spirit; do without threats, and never forget that they and you have the same Master in heaven and there is no favouritism with him.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	10	Finally, grow strong in the Lord, with the strength of his power.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	11	Put on the full armour of God so as to be able to resist the devil's tactics.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	12	For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the principalities and the ruling forces who are masters of the darkness in this world, the spirits of evil in the heavens.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	13	That is why you must take up all God's armour, or you will not be able to put up any resistance on the evil day, or stand your ground even though you exert yourselves to the full.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	14	So stand your ground, with truth a belt round your waist, and uprightness a breastplate,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	15	wearing for shoes on your feet the eagerness to spread the gospel of peace
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	16	and always carrying the shield of faith so that you can use it to quench the burning arrows of the Evil One.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	17	And then you must take salvation as your helmet and the sword of the Spirit, that is, the word of God.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	18	In all your prayer and entreaty keep praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion. Never get tired of staying awake to pray for all God's holy people,
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	19	and pray for me to be given an opportunity to open my mouth and fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	20	of which I am an ambassador in chains; pray that in proclaiming it I may speak as fearlessly as I ought to.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	21	So that you know, as well, what is happening to me and what I am doing, my dear friend Tychicus, my trustworthy helper in the Lord, will tell you everything.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	22	I am sending him to you precisely for this purpose, to give you news about us and encourage you thoroughly.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	23	May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ grant peace, love and faith to all the brothers.
 Ephesians	Eph	56	6	24	May grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, in life imperishable.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	1	Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with their presiding elders and the deacons.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	2	Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	3	I thank my God whenever I think of you,
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	4	and every time I pray for you all, I always pray with joy
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	5	for your partnership in the gospel from the very first day up to the present.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	6	I am quite confident that the One who began a good work in you will go on completing it until the Day of Jesus Christ comes.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	7	It is only right that I should feel like this towards you all, because you have a place in my heart, since you have all shared together in the grace that has been mine, both my chains and my work defending and establishing the gospel.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	8	For God will testify for me how much I long for you all with the warm longing of Christ Jesus;
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	9	it is my prayer that your love for one another may grow more and more with the knowledge and complete understanding
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	10	that will help you to come to true discernment, so that you will be innocent and free of any trace of guilt when the Day of Christ comes,
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	11	entirely filled with the fruits of uprightness through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	12	Now I want you to realise, brothers, that the circumstances of my present life are helping rather than hindering the advance of the gospel.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	13	My chains in Christ have become well known not only to all the Praetorium, but to everybody else,
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	14	and so most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my chains and are getting more and more daring in announcing the Message without any fear.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	15	It is true that some of them are preaching Christ out of malice and rivalry; but there are many as well whose intentions are good;
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	16	some are doing it out of love, knowing that I remain firm in my defence of the gospel.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	17	There are others who are proclaiming Christ out of jealousy, not in sincerity but meaning to add to the weight of my chains.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	18	But what does it matter? Only that in both ways, whether with false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and for that I am happy;
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	19	and I shall go on being happy, too, because I know that this is what will save me, with your prayers and with the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ;
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	20	all in accordance with my most confident hope and trust that I shall never have to admit defeat, but with complete fearlessness I shall go on, so that now, as always, Christ will be glorified in my body, whether by my life or my death.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	21	Life to me, of course, is Christ, but then death would be a positive gain.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	22	On the other hand again, if to be alive in the body gives me an opportunity for fruitful work, I do not know which I should choose.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	23	I am caught in this dilemma: I want to be gone and to be with Christ, and this is by far the stronger desire-
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	24	and yet for your sake to stay alive in this body is a more urgent need.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	25	This much I know for certain, that I shall stay and stand by you all, to encourage your advance and your joy in the faith,
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	26	so that my return to be among you may increase to overflowing your pride in Jesus Christ on my account.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	27	But you must always behave in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come to you and see for myself or whether I only hear all about you from a distance, I shall find that you are standing firm and united in spirit, battling, as a team with a single aim, for the faith of the gospel.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	28	undismayed by any of your opponents. This will be a clear sign, for them that they are to be lost, and for you that you are to be saved.
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	29	This comes from God, for you have been granted the privilege for Christ's sake not only of believing in him but of suffering for him as well;
 Philippians	Phil	57	1	30	you are fighting the same battle which you saw me fighting for him and which you hear I am fighting still.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	1	So if in Christ there is anything that will move you, any incentive in love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any warmth or sympathy -- I appeal to you,
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	2	make my joy complete by being of a single mind, one in love, one in heart and one in mind.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	3	Nothing is to be done out of jealousy or vanity; instead, out of humility of mind everyone should give preference to others,
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	4	everyone pursuing not selfish interests but those of others.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	5	Make your own the mind of Christ Jesus:
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	6	Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	7	But he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being,
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	8	he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	9	And for this God raised him high, and gave him the name which is above all other names;
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	10	so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	11	and that every tongue should acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	12	So, my dear friends, you have always been obedient; your obedience must not be limited to times when I am present. Now that I am absent it must be more in evidence, so work out your salvation in fear and trembling.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	13	It is God who, for his own generous purpose, gives you the intention and the powers to act.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	14	Let your behaviour be free of murmuring and complaining
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	15	so that you remain faultless and pure, unspoilt children of God surrounded by a deceitful and underhand brood, shining out among them like bright stars in the world,
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	16	proffering to it the Word of life. Then I shall have reason to be proud on the Day of Christ, for it will not be for nothing that I have run the race and toiled so hard.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	17	Indeed, even if my blood has to be poured as a libation over your sacrifice and the offering of your faith, then I shall be glad and join in your rejoicing-
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	18	and in the same way, you must be glad and join in my rejoicing.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	19	I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you soon, so that my mind may be set at rest when I hear how you are.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	20	There is nobody else that I can send who is like him and cares as sincerely for your well-being;
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	21	they all want to work for themselves, not for Jesus Christ.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	22	But you know what sort of person he has proved himself, working with me for the sake of the gospel like a son with his father.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	23	That is the man, then, that I am hoping to send to you immediately I can make out what is going to happen to me;
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	24	but I am confident in the Lord that I shall come myself, too, before long.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	25	Nevertheless I thought it essential to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and companion-in-arms since he came as your representative to look after my needs;
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	26	because he was missing you all and was worrying because you had heard that he was ill.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	27	Indeed he was seriously ill and nearly died; but God took pity on him -- and not only on him but also on me, to spare me one grief on top of another.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	28	So I am sending him back as promptly as I can so that you will have the joy of seeing him again, and that will be some comfort to me in my distress.
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	29	Welcome him in the Lord, then, with all joy; hold people like him in honour,
 Philippians	Phil	57	2	30	because it was for Christ's work that he came so near to dying, risking his life to do the duty to me which you could not do yourselves.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	1	Finally, brothers, I wish you joy in the Lord. To write to you what I have already written before is no trouble to me and to you will be a protection.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	2	Beware of dogs! Beware of evil workmen! Beware of self-mutilators!
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	3	We are the true people of the circumcision since we worship by the Spirit of God and make Christ Jesus our only boast, not relying on physical qualifications,
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	4	although, I myself could rely on these too. If anyone does claim to rely on them, my claim is better.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	5	Circumcised on the eighth day of my life, I was born of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrew parents. In the matter of the Law, I was a Pharisee;
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	6	as for religious fervour, I was a persecutor of the Church; as for the uprightness embodied in the Law, I was faultless.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	7	But what were once my assets I now through Christ Jesus count as losses.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	8	Yes, I will go further: because of the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, I count everything else as loss. For him I have accepted the loss of all other things, and look on them all as filth if only I can gain Christ
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	9	and be given a place in him, with the uprightness I have gained not from the Law, but through faith in Christ, an uprightness from God, based on faith,
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	10	that I may come to know him and the power of his resurrection, and partake of his sufferings by being moulded to the pattern of his death,
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	11	striving towards the goal of resurrection from the dead.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	12	Not that I have secured it already, nor yet reached my goal, but I am still pursuing it in the attempt to take hold of the prize for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	13	Brothers, I do not reckon myself as having taken hold of it; I can only say that forgetting all that lies behind me, and straining forward to what lies in front,
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	14	I am racing towards the finishing-point to win the prize of God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	15	So this is the way in which all of us who are mature should be thinking, and if you are still thinking differently in any way, then God has yet to make this matter clear to you.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	16	Meanwhile, let us go forward from the point we have each attained.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	17	Brothers, be united in imitating me. Keep your eyes fixed on those who act according to the example you have from me.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	18	For there are so many people of whom I have often warned you, and now I warn you again with tears in my eyes, who behave like the enemies of Christ's cross.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	19	They are destined to be lost; their god is the stomach; they glory in what they should think shameful, since their minds are set on earthly things.
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	20	But our homeland is in heaven and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,
 Philippians	Phil	57	3	21	who will transfigure the wretched body of ours into the mould of his glorious body, through the working of the power which he has, even to bring all things under his mastery.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	1	So then, my brothers and dear friends whom I miss so much, my joy and my crown, hold firm in the Lord, dear friends.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	2	I urge Euodia, and I urge Syntyche to come to agreement with each other in the Lord;
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	3	and I ask you, Syzygus, really to be a 'partner' and help them. These women have struggled hard for the gospel with me, along with Clement and all my other fellow-workers, whose names are written in the book of life.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	4	Always be joyful, then, in the Lord; I repeat, be joyful.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	5	Let your good sense be obvious to everybody. The Lord is near.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	6	Never worry about anything; but tell God all your desires of every kind in prayer and petition shot through with gratitude,
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	7	and the peace of God which is beyond our understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	8	Finally, brothers, let your minds be filled with everything that is true, everything that is honourable, everything that is upright and pure, everything that we love and admire -- with whatever is good and praiseworthy.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	9	Keep doing everything you learnt from me and were told by me and have heard or seen me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	10	As for me, I am full of joy in the Lord, now that at last your consideration for me has blossomed again; though I recognise that you really did have consideration before, but had no opportunity to show it.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	11	I do not say this because I have lacked anything; I have learnt to manage with whatever I have.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	12	I know how to live modestly, and I know how to live luxuriously too: in every way now I have mastered the secret of all conditions: full stomach and empty stomach, plenty and poverty.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	13	There is nothing I cannot do in the One who strengthens me.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	14	All the same, it was good of you to share with me in my hardships.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	15	In the early days of the gospel, as you of Philippi well know, when I left Macedonia, no church other than yourselves made common account with me in the matter of expenditure and receipts. You were the only ones;
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	16	and what is more, you have twice sent me what I needed in Thessalonica.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	17	It is not the gift that I value most; what I value is the interest that is mounting up in your account.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	18	I have all that I need and more: I am fully provided, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the offering that you sent, a pleasing smell, the sacrifice which is acceptable and pleasing to God.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	19	And my God will fulfil all your needs out of the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	20	And so glory be to God our Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	21	My greetings to every one of God's holy people in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	22	All God's holy people send you their greetings, especially those of Caesar's household.
 Philippians	Phil	57	4	23	May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
 Colossians	Col	58	1	1	From Paul, by the will of God an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy
 Colossians	Col	58	1	2	to God's holy people in Colossae, our faithful brothers in Christ. Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
 Colossians	Col	58	1	3	We give thanks for you to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, continually in our prayers,
 Colossians	Col	58	1	4	ever since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you show towards all God's holy people
 Colossians	Col	58	1	5	because of the hope which is stored up for you in heaven. News of this hope reached you not long ago through the word of truth, the gospel
 Colossians	Col	58	1	6	that came to you in the same way as it is bearing fruit and growing throughout the world. It has had the same effect among you, ever since you heard about the grace of God and recognised it for what it truly is.
 Colossians	Col	58	1	7	This you learnt from Epaphras, our very dear fellow-worker and a trustworthy deputy for us as Christ's servant,
 Colossians	Col	58	1	8	and it was he who also told us all about your love in the Spirit.
 Colossians	Col	58	1	9	That is why, ever since the day he told us, we have never failed to remember you in our prayers and ask that through perfect wisdom and spiritual understanding you should reach the fullest knowledge of his will
 Colossians	Col	58	1	10	and so be able to lead a life worthy of the Lord, a life acceptable to him in all its aspects, bearing fruit in every kind of good work and growing in knowledge of God,
 Colossians	Col	58	1	11	fortified, in accordance with his glorious strength, with all power always to persevere and endure,
 Colossians	Col	58	1	12	giving thanks with joy to the Father who has made you able to share the lot of God's holy people and with them to inherit the light.
 Colossians	Col	58	1	13	Because that is what he has done. It is he who has rescued us from the ruling force of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son that he loves,
 Colossians	Col	58	1	14	and in him we enjoy our freedom, the forgiveness of sin.
 Colossians	Col	58	1	15	He is the image of the unseen God, the first-born of all creation,
 Colossians	Col	58	1	16	for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth: everything visible and everything invisible, thrones, ruling forces, sovereignties, powers -- all things were created through him and for him.
 Colossians	Col	58	1	17	He exists before all things and in him all things hold together,
 Colossians	Col	58	1	18	and he is the Head of the Body, that is, the Church. He is the Beginning, the first-born from the dead, so that he should be supreme in every way;
 Colossians	Col	58	1	19	because God wanted all fullness to be found in him
 Colossians	Col	58	1	20	and through him to reconcile all things to him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, by making peace through his death on the cross.
 Colossians	Col	58	1	21	You were once estranged and of hostile intent through your evil behaviour;
 Colossians	Col	58	1	22	now he has reconciled you, by his death and in that mortal body, to bring you before himself holy, faultless and irreproachable-
 Colossians	Col	58	1	23	as long as you persevere and stand firm on the solid base of the faith, never letting yourselves drift away from the hope promised by the gospel, which you have heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become the servant.
 Colossians	Col	58	1	24	It makes me happy to be suffering for you now, and in my own body to make up all the hardships that still have to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church,
 Colossians	Col	58	1	25	of which I was made a servant with the responsibility towards you that God gave to me, that of completing God's message,
 Colossians	Col	58	1	26	the message which was a mystery hidden for generations and centuries and has now been revealed to his holy people.
 Colossians	Col	58	1	27	It was God's purpose to reveal to them how rich is the glory of this mystery among the gentiles; it is Christ among you, your hope of glory:
 Colossians	Col	58	1	28	this is the Christ we are proclaiming, admonishing and instructing everyone in all wisdom, to make everyone perfect in Christ.
 Colossians	Col	58	1	29	And it is for this reason that I labour, striving with his energy which works in me mightily.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	1	I want you to know, then, what a struggle I am having on your behalf and on behalf of those in Laodicea, and on behalf of so many others who have never seen me face to face.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	2	It is all to bind them together in love and to encourage their resolution until they are rich in the assurance of their complete understanding and have knowledge of the mystery of God
 Colossians	Col	58	2	3	in which all the jewels of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	4	I say this to make sure that no one deceives you with specious arguments.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	5	I may be absent in body, but in spirit I am there among you, delighted to find how well-ordered you are and to see how firm your faith in Christ is.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	6	So then, as you received Jesus as Lord and Christ, now live your lives in him,
 Colossians	Col	58	2	7	be rooted in him and built up on him, held firm by the faith you have been taught, and overflowing with thanksgiving.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	8	Make sure that no one captivates you with the empty lure of a 'philosophy' of the kind that human beings hand on, based on the principles of this world and not on Christ.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	9	In him, in bodily form, lives divinity in all its fullness,
 Colossians	Col	58	2	10	and in him you too find your own fulfilment, in the one who is the head of every sovereignty and ruling force.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	11	In him you have been circumcised, with a circumcision performed, not by human hand, but by the complete stripping of your natural self. This is circumcision according to Christ.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	12	You have been buried with him by your baptism; by which, too, you have been raised up with him through your belief in the power of God who raised him from the dead.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	13	You were dead, because you were sinners and uncircumcised in body: he has brought you to life with him, he has forgiven us every one of our sins.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	14	He has wiped out the record of our debt to the Law, which stood against us; he has destroyed it by nailing it to the cross;
 Colossians	Col	58	2	15	and he has stripped the sovereignties and the ruling forces, and paraded them in public, behind him in his triumphal procession.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	16	Then never let anyone criticise you for what you eat or drink, or about observance of annual festivals, New Moons or Sabbaths.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	17	These are only a shadow of what was coming: the reality is the body of Christ.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	18	Do not be cheated of your prize by anyone who chooses to grovel to angels and worship them, pinning every hope on visions received, vainly puffed up by a human way of thinking;
 Colossians	Col	58	2	19	such a person has no connection to the Head, by which the whole body, given all that it needs and held together by its joints and sinews, grows with the growth given by God.
 Colossians	Col	58	2	20	If you have really died with Christ to the principles of this world, why do you still let rules dictate to you, as though you were still living in the world?
 Colossians	Col	58	2	21	-'Do not pick up this, do not eat that, do not touch the other,'
 Colossians	Col	58	2	22	and all about things which perish even while they are being used -- according to merely human commandments and doctrines!
 Colossians	Col	58	2	23	In these rules you can indeed find what seems to be good sense -- the cultivation of the will, and a humility which takes no account of the body; but in fact they have no value against self-indulgence.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	1	Since you have been raised up to be with Christ, you must look for the things that are above, where Christ is, sitting at God's right hand.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	2	Let your thoughts be on things above, not on the things that are on the earth,
 Colossians	Col	58	3	3	because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	4	But when Christ is revealed -- and he is your life-you, too, will be revealed with him in glory.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	5	That is why you must kill everything in you that is earthly: sexual vice, impurity, uncontrolled passion, evil desires and especially greed, which is the same thing as worshipping a false god;
 Colossians	Col	58	3	6	it is precisely these things which draw God's retribution upon those who resist.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	7	And these things made up your way of life when you were living among such people,
 Colossians	Col	58	3	8	but now you also must give up all these things: human anger, hot temper, malice, abusive language and dirty talk;
 Colossians	Col	58	3	9	and do not lie to each other. You have stripped off your old behaviour with your old self,
 Colossians	Col	58	3	10	and you have put on a new self which will progress towards true knowledge the more it is renewed in the image of its Creator;
 Colossians	Col	58	3	11	and in that image there is no room for distinction between Greek and Jew, between the circumcised and uncircumcised, or between barbarian and Scythian, slave and free. There is only Christ: he is everything and he is in everything.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	12	As the chosen of God, then, the holy people whom he loves, you are to be clothed in heartfelt compassion, in generosity and humility, gentleness and patience.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	13	Bear with one another; forgive each other if one of you has a complaint against another. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	14	Over all these clothes, put on love, the perfect bond.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	15	And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together in one body. Always be thankful.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	16	Let the Word of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God;
 Colossians	Col	58	3	17	and whatever you say or do, let it be in the name of the Lord Jesus, in thanksgiving to God the Father through him.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	18	Wives, be subject to your husbands, as you should in the Lord.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	19	Husbands, love your wives and do not be sharp with them.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	20	Children, be obedient to your parents always, because that is what will please the Lord.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	21	Parents, do not irritate your children or they will lose heart.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	22	Slaves, be obedient in every way to the people who, according to human reckoning, are your masters; not only when you are under their eye, as if you had only to please human beings, but wholeheartedly, out of respect for the Master.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	23	Whatever your work is, put your heart into it as done for the Lord and not for human beings,
 Colossians	Col	58	3	24	knowing that the Lord will repay you by making you his heirs. It is Christ the Lord that you are serving.
 Colossians	Col	58	3	25	Anyone who does wrong will be repaid in kind. For there is no favouritism.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	1	Masters, make sure that your slaves are given what is upright and fair, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	2	Be persevering in your prayers and be thankful as you stay awake to pray.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	3	Pray for us especially, asking God to throw open a door for us to announce the message and proclaim the mystery of Christ, for the sake of which I am in chains;
 Colossians	Col	58	4	4	pray that I may proclaim it as clearly as I ought.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	5	Act wisely with outsiders, making the best of the present time.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	6	Always talk pleasantly and with a flavour of wit but be sensitive to the kind of answer each one requires.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	7	Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a very dear brother, and a trustworthy helper and companion in the service of the Lord.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	8	I am sending him to you precisely for this purpose: to give you news about us and to encourage you thoroughly.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	9	With him I am sending Onesimus, that dear and trustworthy brother who is a fellow-citizen of yours. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	10	Aristarchus, who is here in prison with me, sends his greetings, and so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas -- you were sent some instructions about him; if he comes to you, give him a warm welcome-
 Colossians	Col	58	4	11	and Jesus Justus adds his greetings. Of all those who have come over from the circumcision, these are the only ones actually working with me for the kingdom of God. They have been a great comfort to me.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	12	Epaphras, your fellow-citizen, sends his greetings; this servant of Christ Jesus never stops battling for you, praying that you will never lapse but always hold perfectly and securely to the will of God.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	13	I can testify for him that he works hard for you, as well as for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	14	Greetings from my dear friend Luke, the doctor, and also from Demas.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	15	Please give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea and to Nympha and the church which meets in her house.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	16	After this letter has been read among you, send it on to be read in the church of the Laodiceans; and get the letter from Laodicea for you to read yourselves.
 Colossians	Col	58	4	17	Give Archippus this message, 'Remember the service that the Lord assigned to you, and try to carry it out.'
 Colossians	Col	58	4	18	This greeting is in my own hand-PAUL. Remember the chains I wear. Grace be with you.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	1	1	Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonica which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	1	2	We always thank God for you all, mentioning you in our prayers continually.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	1	3	We remember before our God and Father how active is the faith, how unsparing the love, how persevering the hope which you have from our Lord Jesus Christ.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	1	4	We know, brothers loved by God, that you have been chosen,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	1	5	because our gospel came to you not only in words, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with great effect. And you observed the sort of life we lived when we were with you, which was for your sake.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	1	6	You took us and the Lord as your model, welcoming the word with the joy of the Holy Spirit in spite of great hardship.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	1	7	And so you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	1	8	since it was from you that the word of the Lord rang out -- and not only throughout Macedonia and Achaia, for your faith in God has spread everywhere. We do not need to tell other people about it:
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	1	9	other people tell us how we started the work among you, how you broke with the worship of false gods when you were converted to God and became servants of the living and true God;
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	1	10	and how you are now waiting for Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, to come from heaven. It is he who saves us from the Retribution which is coming.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	1	You know yourselves, my brothers, that our visit to you has not been pointless.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	2	Although, as you know, we had received rough treatment and insults at Philippi, God gave us the courage to speak his gospel to you fearlessly, in spite of great opposition.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	3	Our encouragement to you does not come from any delusion or impure motives or trickery.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	4	No, God has approved us to be entrusted with the gospel, and this is how we preach, seeking to please not human beings but God who tests our hearts.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	5	Indeed, we have never acted with the thought of flattering anyone, as you know, nor as an excuse for greed, God is our witness;
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	6	nor have we ever looked for honour from human beings, either from you or anybody else,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	7	when we could have imposed ourselves on you with full weight, as apostles of Christ. Instead, we lived unassumingly among you. Like a mother feeding and looking after her children,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	8	we felt so devoted to you, that we would have been happy to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, so dear had you become.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	9	You remember, brothers, with what unsparing energy we used to work, slaving night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you while we were proclaiming the gospel of God to you.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	10	You are witnesses, and so is God, that our treatment of you, since you believed, has been impeccably fair and upright.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	11	As you know, we treated every one of you as a father treats his children,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	12	urging you, encouraging you and appealing to you to live a life worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and his glory.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	13	Another reason why we continually thank God for you is that as soon as you heard the word that we brought you as God's message, you welcomed it for what it really is, not the word of any human being, but God's word, a power that is working among you believers.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	14	For you, my brothers, have modelled yourselves on the churches of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judaea, in that you have suffered the same treatment from your own countrymen as they have had from the Jews,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	15	who put the Lord Jesus to death, and the prophets too, and persecuted us also. Their conduct does not please God, and makes them the enemies of the whole human race,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	16	because they are hindering us from preaching to gentiles to save them. Thus all the time they are reaching the full extent of their iniquity, but retribution has finally overtaken them.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	17	Although we had been deprived of you for only a short time in body but never in affection, brothers, we had an especially strong desire and longing to see you face to face again,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	18	and we tried hard to come and visit you; I, Paul, tried more than once, but Satan prevented us.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	19	What do you think is our hope and our joy, and what our crown of honour in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	2	20	You are, for you are our pride and joy.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	1	When we could not bear it any longer, we decided it would be best to be left without a companion at Athens,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	2	and sent our brother Timothy, who is God's helper in spreading the gospel of Christ, to keep you firm and encourage you about your faith
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	3	and prevent any of you from being unsettled by the present hardships. As you know, these are bound to come our way:
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	4	indeed, when we were with you, we warned you that we are certain to have hardships to bear, and that is what has happened now, as you have found out.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	5	That is why, when I could not bear it any longer, I sent to assure myself of your faith: I was afraid the Tester might have put you to the test, and all our work might have been pointless.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	6	However, Timothy has returned from you and has given us good news of your faith and your love, telling us that you always remember us with pleasure and want to see us quite as much as we want to see you.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	7	And so, brothers, your faith has been a great encouragement to us in the middle of our own distress and hardship;
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	8	now we can breathe again, as you are holding firm in the Lord.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	9	How can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel before our God on your account?
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	10	We are earnestly praying night and day to be able to see you face to face again and make up any shortcomings in your faith.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	11	May God our Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, ease our path to you.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	12	May the Lord increase and enrich your love for each other and for all, so that it matches ours for you.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	3	13	And may he so confirm your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	1	Finally, brothers, we urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus; we instructed you how to live in the way that pleases God, and you are so living; but make more progress still.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	2	You are well aware of the instructions we gave you on the authority of the Lord Jesus.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	3	God wills you all to be holy. He wants you to keep away from sexual immorality,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	4	and each one of you to know how to control his body in a way that is holy and honourable,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	5	not giving way to selfish lust like the nations who do not acknowledge God.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	6	He wants nobody at all ever to sin by taking advantage of a brother in these matters; the Lord always pays back sins of that sort, as we told you before emphatically.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	7	God called us to be holy, not to be immoral;
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	8	in other words, anyone who rejects this is rejecting not human authority, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	9	As for brotherly love, there is no need to write to you about that, since you have yourselves learnt from God to love one another,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	10	and in fact this is how you treat all the brothers throughout the whole of Macedonia. However, we do urge you, brothers, to go on making even greater progress
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	11	and to make a point of living quietly, attending to your own business and earning your living, just as we told you to,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	12	so that you may earn the respect of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	13	We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, to make sure that you do not grieve for them, as others do who have no hope.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	14	We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that in the same way God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	15	We can tell you this from the Lord's own teaching, that we who are still alive for the Lord's coming will not have any advantage over those who have fallen asleep.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	16	At the signal given by the voice of the Archangel and the trumpet of God, the Lord himself will come down from heaven; those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	17	and only after that shall we who remain alive be taken up in the clouds, together with them, to meet the Lord in the air. This is the way we shall be with the Lord for ever.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	4	18	With such thoughts as these, then, you should encourage one another.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	1	About times and dates, brothers, there is no need to write to you
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	2	for you are well aware in any case that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	3	It is when people are saying, 'How quiet and peaceful it is' that sudden destruction falls on them, as suddenly as labour pains come on a pregnant woman; and there is no escape.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	4	But you, brothers, do not live in the dark, that the Day should take you unawares like a thief.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	5	No, you are all children of light and children of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	6	so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	7	Night is the time for sleepers to sleep and night the time for drunkards to be drunk,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	8	but we belong to the day and we should be sober; let us put on faith and love for a breastplate, and the hope of salvation for a helmet.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	9	God destined us not for his retribution, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	10	who died for us so that, awake or asleep, we should still live united to him.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	11	So give encouragement to each other, and keep strengthening one another, as you do already.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	12	We appeal to you, my brothers, to be considerate to those who work so hard among you as your leaders in the Lord and those who admonish you.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	13	Have the greatest respect and affection for them because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	14	We urge you, brothers, to admonish those who are undisciplined, encourage the apprehensive, support the weak and be patient with everyone.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	15	Make sure that people do not try to repay evil for evil; always aim at what is best for each other and for everyone.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	16	Always be joyful;
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	17	pray constantly;
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	18	and for all things give thanks; this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	19	Do not stifle the Spirit
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	20	or despise the gift of prophecy with contempt;
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	21	test everything and hold on to what is good
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	22	and shun every form of evil.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	23	May the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may your spirit, life and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	24	He who has called you is trustworthy and will carry it out.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	25	Pray for us, my brothers.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	26	Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	27	My orders, in the Lord's name, are that this letter is to be read to all the brothers.
 1 Thessalonians	1Th	59	5	28	The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	1	1	Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonica which is in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	1	2	Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	1	3	We must always thank God for you, brothers; quite rightly, because your faith is growing so wonderfully and the mutual love that each one of you has for all never stops increasing.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	1	4	Among the churches of God we take special pride in you for your perseverance and faith under all the persecutions and hardships you have to bear.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	1	5	It all shows that God's judgement is just, so that you may be found worthy of the kingdom of God; it is for the sake of this that you are suffering now.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	1	6	For God's justice will surely mean hardship being inflicted on those who are now inflicting hardship on you,
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	1	7	and for you who are now suffering hardship, relief with us, when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven with the angels of his power.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	1	8	He will come amid flaming fire; he will impose a penalty on those who do not acknowledge God and refuse to accept the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	1	9	Their punishment is to be lost eternally, excluded from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his strength
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	1	10	on that day when he comes to be glorified among his holy ones and marvelled at by all who believe in him; and you are among those who believed our witness.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	1	11	In view of this we also pray continually that our God will make you worthy of his call, and by his power fulfil all your desires for goodness, and complete all that you have been doing through faith;
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	1	12	so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and you in him, by the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	1	About the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, brothers, and our being gathered to him:
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	2	please do not be too easily thrown into confusion or alarmed by any manifestation of the Spirit or any statement or any letter claiming to come from us, suggesting that the Day of the Lord has already arrived.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	3	Never let anyone deceive you in any way. It cannot happen until the Great Revolt has taken place and there has appeared the wicked One, the lost One,
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	4	the Enemy, who raises himself above every so-called God or object of worship to enthrone himself in God's sanctuary and flaunts the claim that he is God.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	5	Surely you remember my telling you about this when I was with you?
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	6	And you know, too, what is still holding him back from appearing before his appointed time.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	7	The mystery of wickedness is already at work, but let him who is restraining it once be removed,
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	8	and the wicked One will appear openly. The Lord will destroy him with the breath of his mouth and will annihilate him with his glorious appearance at his coming.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	9	But the coming of the wicked One will be marked by Satan being at work in all kinds of counterfeit miracles and signs and wonders,
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	10	and every wicked deception aimed at those who are on the way to destruction because they would not accept the love of the truth and so be saved.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	11	And therefore God sends on them a power that deludes people so that they believe what is false,
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	12	and so that those who do not believe the truth and take their pleasure in wickedness may all be condemned.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	13	But we must always thank God for you, brothers whom the Lord loves, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved by the Spirit who makes us holy and by faith in the truth.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	14	Through our gospel he called you to this so that you should claim as your own the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	15	Stand firm, then, brothers, and keep the traditions that we taught you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	16	May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who has given us his love and, through his grace, such ceaseless encouragement and such sure hope,
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	2	17	encourage you and strengthen you in every good word and deed.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	1	Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord's message may spread quickly, and be received with honour as it was among you;
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	2	and pray that we may be preserved from bigoted and evil people, for not everyone has faith.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	3	You can rely on the Lord, who will give you strength and guard you from the evil One,
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	4	and we, in the Lord, have every confidence in you, that you are doing and will go on doing all that we tell you.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	5	May the Lord turn your hearts towards the love of God and the perseverance of Christ.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	6	In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we urge you, brothers, to keep away from any of the brothers who lives an undisciplined life, not in accordance with the tradition you received from us.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	7	You know how you should take us as your model: we were not undisciplined when we were with you,
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	8	nor did we ever accept food from anyone without paying for it; no, we worked with unsparing energy, night and day, so as not to be a burden on any of you.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	9	This was not because we had no right to be, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to imitate.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	10	We urged you when we were with you not to let anyone eat who refused to work.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	11	Now we hear that there are some of you who are living lives without any discipline, doing no work themselves but interfering with other people's.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	12	In the Lord Jesus Christ, we urge and call on people of this kind to go on quietly working and earning the food that they eat.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	13	My brothers, never slacken in doing what is right.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	14	If anyone refuses to obey what I have written in this letter, take note of him and have nothing to do with him, so that he will be ashamed of himself,
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	15	though you are not to treat him as an enemy, but to correct him as a brother.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	16	May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	17	This greeting is in my own hand-PAUL. It is the mark of genuineness in every letter; this is my own writing.
 2 Thessalonians	2Th	60	3	18	May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	1	Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus appointed by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	2	to Timothy, true child of mine in the faith. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	3	When I was setting out for Macedonia I urged you to stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread wrong teaching
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	4	or to give attention to myths and unending genealogies; these things only foster doubts instead of furthering God's plan which is founded on faith.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	5	The final goal at which this instruction aims is love, issuing from a pure heart, a clear conscience and a sincere faith.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	6	Some people have missed the way to these things and turned to empty speculation,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	7	trying to be teachers of the Law; but they understand neither the words they use nor the matters about which they make such strong assertions.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	8	We are well aware that the Law is good, but only provided it is used legitimately,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	9	on the understanding that laws are not framed for people who are upright. On the contrary, they are for criminals and the insubordinate, for the irreligious and the wicked, for the sacrilegious and the godless; they are for people who kill their fathers or mothers and for murderers,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	10	for the promiscuous, homosexuals, kidnappers, for liars and for perjurers -- and for everything else that is contrary to the sound teaching
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	11	that accords with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, the gospel that was entrusted to me.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	12	I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength. By calling me into his service he has judged me trustworthy,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	13	even though I used to be a blasphemer and a persecutor and contemptuous. Mercy, however, was shown me, because while I lacked faith I acted in ignorance;
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	14	but the grace of our Lord filled me with faith and with the love that is in Christ Jesus.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	15	Here is a saying that you can rely on and nobody should doubt: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I myself am the greatest of them;
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	16	and if mercy has been shown to me, it is because Jesus Christ meant to make me the leading example of his inexhaustible patience for all the other people who were later to trust in him for eternal life.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	17	To the eternal King, the undying, invisible and only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	18	Timothy, my son, these are the instructions that I am giving you, in accordance with the words once spoken over you by the prophets, so that in their light you may fight like a good soldier
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	19	with faith and a good conscience for your weapons. Some people have put conscience aside and wrecked their faith in consequence.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	1	20	I mean men like Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan so that they may learn not to be blasphemous.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	1	I urge then, first of all that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving should be offered for everyone,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	2	for kings and others in authority, so that we may be able to live peaceful and quiet lives with all devotion and propriety.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	3	To do this is right, and acceptable to God our Saviour:
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	4	he wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	5	For there is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and humanity, himself a human being, Christ Jesus,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	6	who offered himself as a ransom for all. This was the witness given at the appointed time,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	7	of which I was appointed herald and apostle and -- I am telling the truth and no lie -- a teacher of the gentiles in faith and truth.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	8	In every place, then, I want the men to lift their hands up reverently in prayer, with no anger or argument.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	9	Similarly, women are to wear suitable clothes and to be dressed quietly and modestly, without braided hair or gold and jewellery or expensive clothes;
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	10	their adornment is to do the good works that are proper for women who claim to be religious.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	11	During instruction, a woman should be quiet and respectful.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	12	I give no permission for a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. A woman ought to be quiet,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	13	because Adam was formed first and Eve afterwards,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	14	and it was not Adam who was led astray but the woman who was led astray and fell into sin.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	2	15	Nevertheless, she will be saved by child-bearing, provided she lives a sensible life and is constant in faith and love and holiness.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	1	Here is a saying that you can rely on: to want to be a presiding elder is to desire a noble task.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	2	That is why the presiding elder must have an impeccable character. Husband of one wife, he must be temperate, discreet and courteous, hospitable and a good teacher;
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	3	not a heavy drinker, nor hot-tempered, but gentle and peaceable, not avaricious,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	4	a man who manages his own household well and brings his children up to obey him and be well-behaved:
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	5	how can any man who does not understand how to manage his own household take care of the Church of God?
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	6	He should not be a new convert, in case pride should turn his head and he incur the same condemnation as the devil.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	7	It is also necessary that he be held in good repute by outsiders, so that he never falls into disrepute and into the devil's trap.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	8	Similarly, deacons must be respectable, not double-tongued, moderate in the amount of wine they drink and with no squalid greed for money.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	9	They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	10	They are first to be examined, and admitted to serve as deacons only if there is nothing against them.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	11	Similarly, women must be respectable, not gossips, but sober and wholly reliable.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	12	Deacons must be husbands of one wife and must be people who manage their children and households well.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	13	Those of them who carry out their duties well as deacons will earn a high standing for themselves and an authoritative voice in matters concerning faith in Christ Jesus.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	14	I write this to you in the hope that I may be able to come to you soon;
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	15	but in case I should be delayed, I want you to know how people ought to behave in God's household -- that is, in the Church of the living God, pillar and support of the truth.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	3	16	Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is very deep indeed: He was made visible in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	1	The Spirit has explicitly said that during the last times some will desert the faith and pay attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines that come from devils,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	2	seduced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are branded as though with a red-hot iron:
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	3	they forbid marriage and prohibit foods which God created to be accepted with thanksgiving by all who believe and who know the truth.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	4	Everything God has created is good, and no food is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving:
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	5	the word of God and prayer make it holy.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	6	If you put all this to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus and show that you have really digested the teaching of the faith and the good doctrine which you have always followed.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	7	Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales. Train yourself for religion.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	8	Physical exercise is useful enough, but the usefulness of religion is unlimited, since it holds out promise both for life here and now and for the life to come;
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	9	that is a saying that you can rely on and nobody should doubt it.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	10	I mean that the point of all our toiling and battling is that we have put our trust in the living God and he is the Saviour of the whole human race but particularly of all believers.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	11	This is what you are to instruct and teach.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	12	Let no one disregard you because you are young, but be an example to all the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	13	Until I arrive, devote yourself to reading to the people, encouraging and teaching.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	14	You have in you a spiritual gift which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the body of elders laid their hands on you; do not neglect it.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	15	Let this be your care and your occupation, and everyone will be able to see your progress.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	4	16	Be conscientious about what you do and what you teach; persevere in this, and in this way you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	1	Never speak sharply to a man older than yourself, but appeal to him as you would to your own father; treat younger men as brothers,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	2	older women as mothers and young women as sisters with all propriety.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	3	Be considerate to widows -- if they really are widowed.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	4	If a widow has children or grandchildren, they are to learn first of all to do their duty to their own families and repay their debt to their parents, because this is what pleases God.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	5	But a woman who is really widowed and left on her own has set her hope on God and perseveres night and day in petitions and prayer.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	6	The one who thinks only of pleasure is already dead while she is still alive:
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	7	instruct them in this, too, so that their lives may be blameless.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	8	Anyone who does not look after his own relations, especially if they are living with him, has rejected the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	9	Enrolment as a widow is permissible only for a woman at least sixty years old who has had only one husband.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	10	She must be a woman known for her good works -- whether she has brought up her children, been hospitable to strangers and washed the feet of God's holy people, helped people in hardship or been active in all kinds of good work.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	11	Do not accept young widows because if their natural desires distract them from Christ, they want to marry again,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	12	and then people condemn them for being unfaithful to their original promise.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	13	Besides, they learn how to be idle and go round from house to house; and then, not merely idle, they learn to be gossips and meddlers in other people's affairs and to say what should remain unsaid.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	14	I think it is best for young widows to marry again and have children and a household to look after, and not give the enemy any chance to raise a scandal about them;
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	15	there are already some who have turned aside to follow Satan.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	16	If a woman believer has widowed relatives, she should support them and not make the Church bear the expense but enable it to support those who are really widowed.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	17	Elders who do their work well while they are in charge earn double reward, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	18	As scripture says: You must not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn; and again: The worker deserves his wages.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	19	Never accept any accusation brought against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	20	If anyone is at fault, reprimand him publicly, as a warning to the rest.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	21	Before God, and before Jesus Christ and the angels he has chosen, I charge you to keep these rules impartially and never to be influenced by favouritism.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	22	Do not be too quick to lay hands on anyone, and never make yourself an accomplice in anybody else's sin; keep yourself pure.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	23	You should give up drinking only water and have a little wine for the sake of your digestion and the frequent bouts of illness that you have.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	24	The faults of some people are obvious long before they come to the reckoning, while others have faults that are not discovered until later.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	5	25	Similarly, the good that people do can be obvious; but even when it is not, it cannot remain hidden.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	1	All those under the yoke of slavery must have unqualified respect for their masters, so that the name of God and our teaching are not brought into disrepute.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	2	Those whose masters are believers are not to respect them less because they are brothers; on the contrary, they should serve them all the better, since those who have the benefit of their services are believers and dear to God. This is what you are to teach and urge.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	3	Anyone who teaches anything different and does not keep to the sound teaching which is that of our Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine which is in accordance with true religion,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	4	is proud and has no understanding, but rather a weakness for questioning everything and arguing about words. All that can come of this is jealousy, contention, abuse and evil mistrust;
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	5	and unending disputes by people who are depraved in mind and deprived of truth, and imagine that religion is a way of making a profit.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	6	Religion, of course, does bring large profits, but only to those who are content with what they have.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	7	We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it;
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	8	but as long as we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	9	People who long to be rich are a prey to trial; they get trapped into all sorts of foolish and harmful ambitions which plunge people into ruin and destruction.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	10	'The love of money is the root of all evils' and there are some who, pursuing it, have wandered away from the faith and so given their souls any number of fatal wounds.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	11	But, as someone dedicated to God, avoid all that. You must aim to be upright and religious, filled with faith and love, perseverance and gentleness.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	12	Fight the good fight of faith and win the eternal life to which you were called and for which you made your noble profession of faith before many witnesses.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	13	Now, before God, the source of all life, and before Jesus Christ, who witnessed to his noble profession of faith before Pontius Pilate, I charge you
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	14	to do all that you have been told, with no faults or failures, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	15	who at the due time will be revealed by God, the blessed and only Ruler of all, the King of kings and the Lord of lords,
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	16	who alone is immortal, whose home is in inaccessible light, whom no human being has seen or is able to see: to him be honour and everlasting power. Amen.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	17	Instruct those who are rich in this world's goods that they should not be proud and should set their hopes not on money, which is untrustworthy, but on God who gives us richly all that we need for our happiness.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	18	They are to do good and be rich in good works, generous in giving and always ready to share-
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	19	this is the way they can amass a good capital sum for the future if they want to possess the only life that is real.
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	20	My dear Timothy, take great care of all that has been entrusted to you. Turn away from godless philosophical discussions and the contradictions of the 'knowledge' which is not knowledge at all;
 1 Timothy	1Tim	61	6	21	by adopting this, some have missed the goal of faith. Grace be with you.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	1	From Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God in accordance with his promise of life in Christ Jesus,
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	2	to Timothy, dear son of mine. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	3	Night and day I thank God whom I serve with a pure conscience as my ancestors did. I remember you in my prayers constantly night and day;
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	4	I remember your tears and long to see you again to complete my joy.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	5	I also remember your sincere faith, a faith which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure dwells also in you.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	6	That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift of God that you possess through the laying on of my hands.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	7	God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love and self-control.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	8	So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to our Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but share in my hardships for the sake of the gospel, relying on the power of God
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	9	who has saved us and called us to be holy -- not because of anything we ourselves had done but for his own purpose and by his own grace. This grace had already been granted to us, in Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time,
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	10	but it has been revealed only by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus. He has abolished death, and he has brought to light immortality and life through the gospel,
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	11	in whose service I have been made herald, apostle and teacher.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	12	That is why I am experiencing my present sufferings; but I am not ashamed, because I know in whom I have put my trust, and I have no doubt at all that he is able to safeguard until that Day what I have entrusted to him.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	13	Keep as your pattern the sound teaching you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	14	With the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, look after that precious thing given in trust.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	15	As you know, Phygelus and Hermogenes and all the others in Asia have deserted me.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	16	I hope the Lord will be kind to all the family of Onesiphorus, because he has often been a comfort to me and has never been ashamed of my chains.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	17	On the contrary, as soon as he reached Rome, he searched hard for me and found me.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	1	18	May the Lord grant him to find the Lord's mercy on that Day. You know better than anyone else how much he helped me at Ephesus.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	1	As for you, my dear son, take strength from the grace which is in Christ Jesus.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	2	Pass on to reliable people what you have heard from me through many witnesses so that they in turn will be able to teach others.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	3	Bear with your share of difficulties, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	4	No one on active service involves himself in the affairs of civilian life, because he must win the approval of the man who enlisted him;
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	5	or again someone who enters an athletic contest wins only by competing in the sports -- a prize can be won only by competing according to the rules;
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	6	and again, it is the farmer who works hard that has the first claim on any crop that is harvested.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	7	Think over what I have said, and the Lord will give you full understanding.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	8	Remember the gospel that I carry, 'Jesus Christ risen from the dead, sprung from the race of David';
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	9	it is on account of this that I have to put up with suffering, even to being chained like a criminal. But God's message cannot be chained up.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	10	So I persevere for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they, too, may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	11	Here is a saying that you can rely on: If we have died with him, then we shall live with him.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	12	If we persevere, then we shall reign with him. If we disown him, then he will disown us.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	13	If we are faithless, he is faithful still, for he cannot disown his own self.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	14	Remind them of this; and tell them in the name of God that there must be no wrangling about words: all that this ever achieves is the destruction of those who are listening.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	15	Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who has no need to be ashamed, but who keeps the message of truth on a straight path.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	16	Have nothing to do with godless philosophical discussions -- they only lead further and further away from true religion.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	17	Talk of this kind spreads corruption like gangrene, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus,
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	18	the men who have gone astray from the truth, claiming that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting some people's faith.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	19	However, God's solid foundation-stone stands firm, and this is the seal on it: 'The Lord knows those who are his own' and 'All who call on the name of the Lord must avoid evil.'
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	20	Not all the dishes in a large house are made of gold and silver; some are made of wood or earthenware: the former are held in honour, the latter held cheap.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	21	If someone holds himself aloof from these faults I speak of, he will be a vessel held in honour, dedicated and fit for the Master, ready for any good work.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	22	Turn away from the passions of youth, concentrate on uprightness, faith, love and peace, in union with all those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	23	Avoid these foolish and undisciplined speculations, understanding that they only give rise to quarrels;
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	24	and a servant of the Lord must not engage in quarrels, but must be kind to everyone, a good teacher, and patient.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	25	He must be gentle when he corrects people who oppose him, in the hope that God may give them a change of mind so that they recognise the truth
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	2	26	and come to their senses, escaping the trap of the devil who made them his captives and subjected them to his will.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	1	You may be quite sure that in the last days there will be some difficult times.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	2	People will be self-centred and avaricious, boastful, arrogant and rude; disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, irreligious;
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	3	heartless and intractable; they will be slanderers, profligates, savages and enemies of everything that is good;
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	4	they will be treacherous and reckless and demented by pride, preferring their own pleasure to God.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	5	They will keep up the outward appearance of religion but will have rejected the inner power of it. Keep away from people like that.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	6	Of the same kind, too, are those men who insinuate themselves into families in order to get influence over silly women who are obsessed with their sins and follow one craze after another,
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	7	always seeking learning, but unable ever to come to knowledge of the truth.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	8	Just as Jannes and Jambres defied Moses, so these men defy the truth, their minds corrupt and their faith spurious.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	9	But they will not be able to go on much longer: their folly, like that of the other two, must become obvious to everybody.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	10	You, though, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my aims, my faith, my patience and my love, my perseverance
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	11	and the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in places like Antioch, Iconium and Lystra -- all the persecutions I have endured; and the Lord has rescued me from every one of them.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	12	But anybody who tries to live in devotion to Christ is certain to be persecuted;
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	13	while these wicked impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others, and themselves deceived.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	14	You must keep to what you have been taught and know to be true; remember who your teachers were,
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	15	and how, ever since you were a child, you have known the holy scriptures -from these you can learn the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	16	All scripture is inspired by God and useful for refuting error, for guiding people's lives and teaching them to be upright.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	3	17	This is how someone who is dedicated to God becomes fully equipped and ready for any good work.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	1	Before God and before Christ Jesus who is to be judge of the living and the dead, I charge you, in the name of his appearing and of his kingdom:
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	2	proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, give encouragement -- but do all with patience and with care to instruct.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	3	The time is sure to come when people will not accept sound teaching, but their ears will be itching for anything new and they will collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes;
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	4	and then they will shut their ears to the truth and will turn to myths.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	5	But you must keep steady all the time; put up with suffering; do the work of preaching the gospel; fulfil the service asked of you.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	6	As for me, my life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to depart.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	7	I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith;
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	8	all there is to come for me now is the crown of uprightness which the Lord, the upright judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his appearing.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	9	Make every effort to come and see me as soon as you can.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	10	As it is, Demas has deserted me for love of this life and gone to Thessalonica, Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia;
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	11	only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you; I find him a useful helper in my work.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	12	I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	13	When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, and the scrolls, especially the parchment ones.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	14	Alexander the coppersmith has done me a lot of harm; the Lord will repay him as his deeds deserve.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	15	Be on your guard against him yourself, because he has been bitterly contesting everything that we say.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	16	The first time I had to present my defence, no one came into court to support me. Every one of them deserted me -- may they not be held accountable for it.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	17	But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed for all the gentiles to hear; and so I was saved from the lion's mouth.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	18	The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	19	Greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and the family of Onesiphorus.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	20	Erastus stayed behind at Corinth, and I left Trophimus ill at Miletus.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	21	Make every effort to come before the winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.
 2 Timothy	2Tim	62	4	22	The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
 Titus	Tit	63	1	1	From Paul, servant of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ to bring those whom God has chosen to faith and to the knowledge of the truth that leads to true religion,
 Titus	Tit	63	1	2	and to give them the hope of the eternal life that was promised so long ago by God. He does not lie
 Titus	Tit	63	1	3	and so, in due time, he made known his message by a proclamation which was entrusted to me by the command of God our Saviour.
 Titus	Tit	63	1	4	To Titus, true child of mine in the faith that we share. Grace and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Saviour.
 Titus	Tit	63	1	5	The reason I left you behind in Crete was for you to organise everything that still had to be done and appoint elders in every town, in the way that I told you,
 Titus	Tit	63	1	6	that is, each of them must be a man of irreproachable character, husband of one wife, and his children must be believers and not liable to be charged with disorderly conduct or insubordination.
 Titus	Tit	63	1	7	The presiding elder has to be irreproachable since he is God's representative: never arrogant or hot-tempered, nor a heavy drinker or violent, nor avaricious;
 Titus	Tit	63	1	8	but hospitable and a lover of goodness; sensible, upright, devout and self-controlled;
 Titus	Tit	63	1	9	and he must have a firm grasp of the unchanging message of the tradition, so that he can be counted on both for giving encouragement in sound doctrine and for refuting those who argue against it.
 Titus	Tit	63	1	10	And in fact there are many people who are insubordinate, who talk nonsense and try to make others believe it, particularly among those of the circumcision.
 Titus	Tit	63	1	11	They must be silenced: people of this kind upset whole families, by teaching things that they ought not to, and doing it for the sake of sordid gain.
 Titus	Tit	63	1	12	It was one of themselves, one of their own prophets, who said, 'Cretans were never anything but liars, dangerous animals, all greed and laziness';
 Titus	Tit	63	1	13	and that is a true statement. So be severe in correcting them, and make them sound in the faith
 Titus	Tit	63	1	14	so that they stop taking notice of Jewish myths and the orders of people who turn away from the truth.
 Titus	Tit	63	1	15	To those who are pure themselves, everything is pure; but to those who have been corrupted and lack faith, nothing can be pure -- the corruption is both in their minds and in their consciences.
 Titus	Tit	63	1	16	They claim to know God but by their works they deny him; they are outrageously rebellious and quite untrustworthy for any good work.
 Titus	Tit	63	2	1	It is for you, then, to preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine.
 Titus	Tit	63	2	2	Older men should be reserved, dignified, moderate, sound in faith and love and perseverance.
 Titus	Tit	63	2	3	Similarly, older women should behave as befits religious people, with no scandal-mongering and no addiction to wine -- they must be the teachers of right behaviour
 Titus	Tit	63	2	4	and show younger women how they should love their husbands and love their children,
 Titus	Tit	63	2	5	how they must be sensible and chaste, and how to work in their homes, and be gentle, and obey their husbands, so that the message of God is not disgraced.
 Titus	Tit	63	2	6	Similarly, urge younger men to be moderate in everything that they do,
 Titus	Tit	63	2	7	and you yourself set an example of good works, by sincerity and earnestness, when you are teaching, and by a message sound and irreproachable
 Titus	Tit	63	2	8	so that any opponent will be at a loss, with no accusation to make against us.
 Titus	Tit	63	2	9	Slaves must be obedient to their masters in everything, and do what is wanted without argument;
 Titus	Tit	63	2	10	and there must be no pilfering -- they must show complete honesty at all times, so that they are in every way a credit to the teaching of God our Saviour.
 Titus	Tit	63	2	11	You see, God's grace has been revealed to save the whole human race;
 Titus	Tit	63	2	12	it has taught us that we should give up everything contrary to true religion and all our worldly passions; we must be self-restrained and live upright and religious lives in this present world,
 Titus	Tit	63	2	13	waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Christ Jesus.
 Titus	Tit	63	2	14	He offered himself for us in order to ransom us from all our faults and to purify a people to be his very own and eager to do good.
 Titus	Tit	63	2	15	This is what you must say, encouraging or arguing with full authority; no one should despise you.
 Titus	Tit	63	3	1	Remind them to be obedient to the officials in authority; to be ready to do good at every opportunity;
 Titus	Tit	63	3	2	not to go slandering other people but to be peaceable and gentle, and always polite to people of all kinds.
 Titus	Tit	63	3	3	There was a time when we too were ignorant, disobedient and misled and enslaved by different passions and dissipations; we lived then in wickedness and malice, hating each other and hateful ourselves.
 Titus	Tit	63	3	4	But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour for humanity were revealed,
 Titus	Tit	63	3	5	it was not because of any upright actions we had done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own faithful love that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and renewal in the Holy Spirit
 Titus	Tit	63	3	6	which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
 Titus	Tit	63	3	7	so that, justified by his grace, we should become heirs in hope of eternal life.
 Titus	Tit	63	3	8	This is doctrine that you can rely on. I want you to be quite uncompromising in teaching all this, so that those who now believe in God may keep their minds constantly occupied in doing good works. All this is good, and useful for everybody.
 Titus	Tit	63	3	9	But avoid foolish speculations, and those genealogies, and the quibbles and disputes about the Law -- they are useless and futile.
 Titus	Tit	63	3	10	If someone disputes what you teach, then after a first and a second warning, have no more to do with him:
 Titus	Tit	63	3	11	you will know that anyone of that sort is warped and is self-condemned as a sinner.
 Titus	Tit	63	3	12	As soon as I have sent Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to join me at Nicopolis, where I have decided to spend the winter.
 Titus	Tit	63	3	13	Help eagerly on their way Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, and make sure they have everything they need.
 Titus	Tit	63	3	14	All our people must also learn to occupy themselves in doing good works for their practical needs, and not to be unproductive.
 Titus	Tit	63	3	15	All those who are with me send their greetings. Greetings to those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	1	From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus and from our brother Timothy; to our dear fellow worker Philemon,
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	2	our sister Apphia, our fellow soldier Archippus and the church that meets in your house.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	3	Grace and the peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	4	I always thank my God, mentioning you in my prayers,
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	5	because I hear of the love and the faith which you have for the Lord Jesus and for all God's holy people.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	6	I pray that your fellowship in faith may come to expression in full knowledge of all the good we can do for Christ.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	7	I have received much joy and encouragement by your love; you have set the hearts of God's holy people at rest.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	8	Therefore, although in Christ I have no hesitations about telling you what your duty is,
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	9	I am rather appealing to your love, being what I am, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	10	I am appealing to you for a child of mine, whose father I became while wearing these chains: I mean Onesimus.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	11	He was of no use to you before, but now he is useful both to you and to me.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	12	I am sending him back to you -- that is to say, sending you my own heart.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	13	I should have liked to keep him with me; he could have been a substitute for you, to help me while I am in the chains that the gospel has brought me.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	14	However, I did not want to do anything without your consent; it would have been forcing your act of kindness, which should be spontaneous.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	15	I suppose you have been deprived of Onesimus for a time, merely so that you could have him back for ever,
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	16	no longer as a slave, but something much better than a slave, a dear brother; especially dear to me, but how much more to you, both on the natural plane and in the Lord.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	17	So if you grant me any fellowship with yourself, welcome him as you would me;
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	18	if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, put it down to my account.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	19	I am writing this in my own hand: I, Paul, shall pay it back -- I make no mention of a further debt, that you owe your very self to me!
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	20	Well then, brother, I am counting on you, in the Lord; set my heart at rest, in Christ.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	21	I am writing with complete confidence in your compliance, sure that you will do even more than I ask.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	22	There is another thing: will you get a place ready for me to stay in? I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	23	Epaphras, a prisoner with me in Christ Jesus, sends his greetings;
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	24	so do my fellow-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke.
 Philemon	Phmn	64	1	25	May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	1	At many moments in the past and by many means, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	2	in our time, the final days, he has spoken to us in the person of his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he made the ages.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	3	He is the reflection of God's glory and bears the impress of God's own being, sustaining all things by his powerful command; and now that he has purged sins away, he has taken his seat at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	4	So he is now as far above the angels as the title which he has inherited is higher than their own name.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	5	To which of the angels, then, has God ever said: You are my Son, today I have fathered you, or: I shall be a father to him and he a son to me?
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	6	Again, when he brings the First-born into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God pay him homage.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	7	To the angels, he says: appointing the winds his messengers and flames of fire his servants,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	8	but to the Son he says: Your throne, God, is for ever and ever; and: the sceptre of his kingdom is a sceptre of justice;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	9	you love uprightness and detest evil. This is why God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness, as none of your rivals.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	10	And again: Long ago, Lord, you laid earth's foundations, the heavens are the work of your hands.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	11	They pass away but you remain, they all wear out like a garment.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	12	Like a cloak you will roll them up, like a garment, and they will be changed. But you never alter and your years are unending.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	13	To which of the angels has God ever said: Take your seat at my right hand till I have made your enemies your footstool?
 Hebrews	Heb	65	1	14	Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	1	We ought, then, to turn our minds more attentively than before to what we have been taught, so that we do not drift away.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	2	If a message that was spoken through angels proved to be so reliable that every infringement and disobedience brought its own proper punishment,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	3	then we shall certainly not go unpunished if we neglect such a great salvation. It was first announced by the Lord himself, and is guaranteed to us by those who heard him;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	4	God himself confirmed their witness with signs and marvels and miracles of all kinds, and by distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the various ways he wills.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	5	It was not under angels that he put the world to come, about which we are speaking.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	6	Someone witnesses to this somewhere with the words: What are human beings that you spare a thought for them, a child of Adam that you care for him?
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	7	For a short while you have made him less than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honour,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	8	put all things under his feet. For in putting all things under him he made no exceptions. At present, it is true, we are not able to see that all things are under him,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	9	but we do see Jesus, who was for a short while made less than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because he submitted to death; so that by God's grace his experience of death should benefit all humanity.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	10	It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should, in bringing many sons to glory, make perfect through suffering the leader of their salvation.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	11	For consecrator and consecrated are all of the same stock; that is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	12	in the text: I shall proclaim your name to my brothers, praise you in full assembly; or in the text:
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	13	I shall put my hope in him; followed by Look, I and the children whom God has given me.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	14	Since all the children share the same human nature, he too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could set aside him who held the power of death, namely the devil,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	15	and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	16	For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself the line of Abraham.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	17	It was essential that he should in this way be made completely like his brothers so that he could become a compassionate and trustworthy high priest for their relationship to God, able to expiate the sins of the people.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	2	18	For the suffering he himself passed through while being put to the test enables him to help others when they are being put to the test.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	1	That is why all you who are holy brothers and share the same heavenly call should turn your minds to Jesus, the apostle and the high priest of our profession of faith.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	2	He was trustworthy to the one who appointed him, just like Moses, who remained trustworthy in all his household;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	3	but he deserves a greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house is more honoured than the house itself.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	4	Every house is built by someone, of course; but God built everything that exists.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	5	It is true that Moses was trustworthy in the household of God, as a servant is, acting as witness to the things which were yet to be revealed,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	6	but Christ is trustworthy as a son is, over his household. And we are his household, as long as we fearlessly maintain the hope in which we glory.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	7	That is why, as the Holy Spirit says: If only you would listen to him today!
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	8	Do not harden your hearts, as at the rebellion, as at the time of testing in the desert,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	9	when your ancestors challenged me, and put me to the test, and saw what I could do
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	10	for forty years. That was why that generation sickened me and I said, 'Always fickle hearts, that cannot grasp my ways!'
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	11	And then in my anger I swore that they would never enter my place of rest.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	12	Take care, brothers, that none of you ever has a wicked heart, so unbelieving as to turn away from the living God.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	13	Every day, as long as this today lasts, keep encouraging one another so that none of you is hardened by the lure of sin,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	14	because we have been granted a share with Christ only if we keep the grasp of our first confidence firm to the end.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	15	In this saying: If only you would listen to him today; do not harden your hearts, as at the Rebellion,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	16	who was it who listened and then rebelled? Surely all those whom Moses led out of Egypt.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	17	And with whom was he angry for forty years? Surely with those who sinned and whose dead bodies fell in the desert.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	18	To whom did he swear they would never enter his place of rest? Surely those who would not believe.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	3	19	So we see that it was their refusal to believe which prevented them from entering.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	1	Let us beware, then: since the promise never lapses, none of you must think that he has come too late for the promise of entering his place of rest.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	2	We received the gospel exactly as they did; but hearing the message did them no good because they did not share the faith of those who did listen.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	3	We, however, who have faith, are entering a place of rest, as in the text: And then in my anger I swore that they would never enter my place of rest. Now God's work was all finished at the beginning of the world;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	4	as one text says, referring to the seventh day: And God rested on the seventh day after all the work he had been doing.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	5	And, again, the passage above says: They will never reach my place of rest.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	6	It remains the case, then, that there would be some people who would reach it, and since those who first heard the good news were prevented from entering by their refusal to believe,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	7	God fixed another day, a Today, when he said through David in the text already quoted: If only you would listen to him today; do not harden your hearts.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	8	If Joshua had led them into this place of rest, God would not later have spoken of another day.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	9	There must still be, therefore, a seventh-day rest reserved for God's people,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	10	since to enter the place of rest is to rest after your work, as God did after his.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	11	Let us, then, press forward to enter this place of rest, or some of you might copy this example of refusal to believe and be lost.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	12	The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts more incisively than any two-edged sword: it can seek out the place where soul is divided from spirit, or joints from marrow; it can pass judgement on secret emotions and thoughts.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	13	No created thing is hidden from him; everything is uncovered and stretched fully open to the eyes of the one to whom we must give account of ourselves.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	14	Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must hold firm to our profession of faith.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	15	For the high priest we have is not incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us, but has been put to the test in exactly the same way as ourselves, apart from sin.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	4	16	Let us, then, have no fear in approaching the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace when we are in need of help.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	1	Every high priest is taken from among human beings and is appointed to act on their behalf in relationships with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	2	he can sympathise with those who are ignorant or who have gone astray, because he too is subject to the limitations of weakness.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	3	That is why he has to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	4	No one takes this honour on himself; it needs a call from God, as in Aaron's case.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	5	And so it was not Christ who gave himself the glory of becoming high priest, but the one who said to him: You are my Son, today I have fathered you,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	6	and in another text: You are a priest for ever, of the order of Melchizedek.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	7	During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, with loud cries and with tears, to the one who had the power to save him from death, and, winning a hearing by his reverence,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	8	he learnt obedience, Son though he was, through his sufferings;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	9	when he had been perfected, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	10	and was acclaimed by God with the title of high priest of the order of Melchizedek.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	11	On this subject we have many things to say, and they are difficult to explain because you have grown so slow at understanding.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	12	Indeed, when you should by this time have become masters, you need someone to teach you all over again the elements of the principles of God's sayings; you have gone back to needing milk, and not solid food.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	13	Truly, no one who is still living on milk can digest the doctrine of saving justice, being still a baby.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	5	14	Solid food is for adults with minds trained by practice to distinguish between good and bad.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	1	Let us leave behind us then all the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to its completion, without going over the fundamental doctrines again: the turning away from dead actions, faith in God,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	2	the teaching about baptisms and the laying -- on of hands, about the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	3	This, God willing, is what we propose to do.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	4	As for those people who were once brought into the light, and tasted the gift from heaven, and received a share of the Holy Spirit,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	5	and tasted the goodness of God's message and the powers of the world to come
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	6	and yet in spite of this have fallen away -- it is impossible for them to be brought to the freshness of repentance a second time, since they are crucifying the Son of God again for themselves, and making a public exhibition of him.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	7	A field that drinks up the rain that has fallen frequently on it, and yields the crops that are wanted by the owners who grew them, receives God's blessing;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	8	but one that grows brambles and thistles is worthless, and near to being cursed. It will end by being burnt.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	9	But you, my dear friends -- in spite of what we have just said, we are sure you are in a better state and on the way to salvation.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	10	God would not be so unjust as to forget all you have done, the love that you have for his name or the services you have done, and are still doing, for the holy people of God.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	11	Our desire is that every one of you should go on showing the same enthusiasm till the ultimate fulfilment of your hope,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	12	never growing careless, but taking as your model those who by their faith and perseverance are heirs of the promises.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	13	When God made the promise to Abraham, he swore by his own self, since there was no one greater he could swear by:
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	14	I will shower blessings on you and give you many descendants.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	15	Because of that, Abraham persevered and received fulfilment of the promise.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	16	Human beings, of course, swear an oath by something greater than themselves, and between them, confirmation by an oath puts an end to all dispute.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	17	In the same way, when God wanted to show the heirs of the promise even more clearly how unalterable his plan was, he conveyed it by an oath
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	18	so that through two unalterable factors in which God could not be lying, we who have fled to him might have a vigorous encouragement to grasp the hope held out to us.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	19	This is the anchor our souls have, reaching right through inside the curtain
 Hebrews	Heb	65	6	20	where Jesus has entered as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever, of the order of Melchizedek.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	1	Melchizedek, king of Salem, a priest of God Most High, came to meet Abraham when he returned from defeating the kings, and blessed him;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	2	and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. By the interpretation of his name, he is, first, 'king of saving justice' and also king of Salem, that is, 'king of peace';
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	3	he has no father, mother or ancestry, and his life has no beginning or ending; he is like the Son of God. He remains a priest for ever.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	4	Now think how great this man must have been, if the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the finest plunder.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	5	We know that any of the descendants of Levi who are admitted to the priesthood are obliged by the Law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their own brothers although they too are descended from Abraham.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	6	But this man, who was not of the same descent, took his tithe from Abraham, and he gave his blessing to the holder of the promises.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	7	Now it is indisputable that a blessing is given by a superior to an inferior.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	8	Further, in the normal case it is ordinary mortal men who receive the tithes, whereas in that case it was one who is attested as being alive.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	9	It could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, actually paid tithes, in the person of Abraham,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	10	because he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek came to meet him.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	11	Now if perfection had been reached through the levitical priesthood -- and this was the basis of the Law given to the people -- why was it necessary for a different kind of priest to arise, spoken of as being of the order of Melchizedek rather than of the order of Aaron?
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	12	Any change in the priesthood must mean a change in the Law as well.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	13	So our Lord, of whom these things were said, belonged to a different tribe, the members of which have never done service at the altar;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	14	everyone knows he came from Judah, a tribe which Moses did not mention at all when dealing with priests.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	15	This becomes even more clearly evident if another priest, of the type of Melchizedek, arises who is a priest
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	16	not in virtue of a law of physical descent, but in virtue of the power of an indestructible life.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	17	For he is attested by the prophecy: You are a priest for ever of the order of Melchizedek.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	18	The earlier commandment is thus abolished, because of its weakness and ineffectiveness
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	19	since the Law could not make anything perfect; but now this commandment is replaced by something better-the hope that brings us close to God.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	20	Now the former priests became priests without any oath being sworn,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	21	but this one with the swearing of an oath by him who said to him, The Lord has sworn an oath he will never retract: you are a priest for ever;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	22	the very fact that it occurred with the swearing of an oath makes the covenant of which Jesus is the guarantee all the greater.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	23	Further, the former priests were many in number, because death put an end to each one of them;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	24	but this one, because he remains for ever, has a perpetual priesthood.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	25	It follows, then, that his power to save those who come to God through him is absolute, since he lives for ever to intercede for them.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	26	Such is the high priest that met our need, holy, innocent and uncontaminated, set apart from sinners, and raised up above the heavens;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	27	he has no need to offer sacrifices every day, as the high priests do, first for their own sins and only then for those of the people; this he did once and for all by offering himself.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	7	28	The Law appoints high priests who are men subject to weakness; but the promise on oath, which came after the Law, appointed the Son who is made perfect for ever.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	1	The principal point of all that we have said is that we have a high priest of exactly this kind. He has taken his seat at the right of the throne of divine Majesty in the heavens,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	2	and he is the minister of the sanctuary and of the true Tent which the Lord, and not any man, set up.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	3	Every high priest is constituted to offer gifts and sacrifices, and so this one too must have something to offer.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	4	In fact, if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are others who make the offerings laid down by the Law,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	5	though these maintain the service only of a model or a reflection of the heavenly realities; just as Moses, when he had the Tent to build, was warned by God who said: See that you work to the design that was shown you on the mountain.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	6	As it is, he has been given a ministry as far superior as is the covenant of which he is the mediator, which is founded on better promises.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	7	If that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no room for a second one to replace it.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	8	And in fact God does find fault with them; he says: Look, the days are coming, the Lord declares, when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	9	but not a covenant like the one I made with their ancestors, the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of Egypt, which covenant of mine they broke, and I too abandoned them, the Lord declares.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	10	No, this is the covenant I will make with the House of Israel, when those days have come, the Lord declares: In their minds I shall plant my laws writing them on their hearts. Then I shall be their God, and they shall be my people.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	11	There will be no further need for each to teach his neighbour, and each his brother, saying 'Learn to know the Lord!' No, they will all know me, from the least to the greatest,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	12	since I shall forgive their guilt and never more call their sins to mind.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	8	13	By speaking of a new covenant, he implies that the first one is old. And anything old and ageing is ready to disappear.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	1	The first covenant also had its laws governing worship and its sanctuary, a sanctuary on this earth.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	2	There was a tent which comprised two compartments: the first, in which the lamp-stand, the table and the loaves of permanent offering were kept, was called the Holy Place;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	3	then beyond the second veil, a second compartment which was called the Holy of Holies
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	4	to which belonged the gold altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant, plated all over with gold. In this were kept the gold jar containing the manna, Aaron's branch that grew the buds, and the tables of the covenant.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	5	On top of it were the glorious winged creatures, overshadowing the throne of mercy. This is not the time to go into detail about this.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	6	Under these provisions, priests go regularly into the outer tent to carry out their acts of worship,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	7	but the second tent is entered only once a year, and then only by the high priest who takes in the blood to make an offering for his own and the people's faults of inadvertence.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	8	By this, the Holy Spirit means us to see that as long as the old tent stands, the way into the holy place is not opened up;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	9	it is a symbol for this present time. None of the gifts and sacrifices offered under these regulations can possibly bring any worshipper to perfection in his conscience;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	10	they are rules about outward life, connected with food and drink and washing at various times, which are in force only until the time comes to set things right.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	11	But now Christ has come, as the high priest of all the blessings which were to come. He has passed through the greater, the more perfect tent, not made by human hands, that is, not of this created order;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	12	and he has entered the sanctuary once and for all, taking with him not the blood of goats and bull calves, but his own blood, having won an eternal redemption.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	13	The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkled on those who have incurred defilement, may restore their bodily purity.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	14	How much more will the blood of Christ, who offered himself, blameless as he was, to God through the eternal Spirit, purify our conscience from dead actions so that we can worship the living God.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	15	This makes him the mediator of a new covenant, so that, now that a death has occurred to redeem the sins committed under an earlier covenant, those who have been called to an eternal inheritance may receive the promise.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	16	Now wherever a will is in question, the death of the testator must be established;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	17	a testament comes into effect only after a death, since it has no force while the testator is still alive.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	18	That is why even the earlier covenant was inaugurated with blood,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	19	and why, after Moses had promulgated all the commandments of the Law to the people, he took the calves' blood, the goats' blood and some water, and with these he sprinkled the book itself and all the people, using scarlet wool and hyssop;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	20	saying as he did so: This is the blood of the covenant that God has made with you.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	21	And he sprinkled both the tent and all the liturgical vessels with blood in the same way.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	22	In fact, according to the Law, practically every purification takes place by means of blood; and if there is no shedding of blood, there is no remission.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	23	Only the copies of heavenly things are purified in this way; the heavenly things themselves have to be purified by a higher sort of sacrifice than this.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	24	It is not as though Christ had entered a man-made sanctuary which was merely a model of the real one; he entered heaven itself, so that he now appears in the presence of God on our behalf.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	25	And he does not have to offer himself again and again, as the high priest goes into the sanctuary year after year with the blood that is not his own,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	26	or else he would have had to suffer over and over again since the world began. As it is, he has made his appearance once and for all, at the end of the last age, to do away with sin by sacrificing himself.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	27	Since human beings die only once, after which comes judgement,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	9	28	so Christ too, having offered himself only once to bear the sin of many, will manifest himself a second time, sin being no more, to those who are waiting for him, to bring them salvation.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	1	So, since the Law contains no more than a reflection of the good things which were still to come, and no true image of them, it is quite incapable of bringing the worshippers to perfection, by means of the same sacrifices repeatedly offered year after year.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	2	Otherwise, surely the offering of them would have stopped, because the worshippers, when they had been purified once, would have no awareness of sins.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	3	But in fact the sins are recalled year after year in the sacrifices.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	4	Bulls' blood and goats' blood are incapable of taking away sins,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	5	and that is why he said, on coming into the world: You wanted no sacrifice or cereal offering, but you gave me a body.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	6	You took no pleasure in burnt offering or sacrifice for sin;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	7	then I said, 'Here I am, I am coming,' in the scroll of the book it is written of me, to do your will, God.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	8	He says first You did not want what the Law lays down as the things to be offered, that is: the sacrifices, the cereal offerings, the burnt offerings and the sacrifices for sin, and you took no pleasure in them;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	9	and then he says: Here I am! I am coming to do your will. He is abolishing the first sort to establish the second.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	10	And this will was for us to be made holy by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ made once and for all.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	11	Every priest stands at his duties every day, offering over and over again the same sacrifices which are quite incapable of taking away sins.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	12	He, on the other hand, has offered one single sacrifice for sins, and then taken his seat for ever, at the right hand of God,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	13	where he is now waiting till his enemies are made his footstool.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	14	By virtue of that one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all who are sanctified.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	15	The Holy Spirit attests this to us, for after saying:
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	16	No, this is the covenant I will make with them, when those days have come. the Lord says: In their minds I will plant my Laws writing them on their hearts,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	17	and I shall never more call their sins to mind, or their offences.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	18	When these have been forgiven, there can be no more sin offerings.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	19	We have then, brothers, complete confidence through the blood of Jesus in entering the sanctuary,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	20	by a new way which he has opened for us, a living opening through the curtain, that is to say, his flesh.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	21	And we have the high priest over all the sanctuary of God.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	22	So as we go in, let us be sincere in heart and filled with faith, our hearts sprinkled and free from any trace of bad conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	23	Let us keep firm in the hope we profess, because the one who made the promise is trustworthy.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	24	Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	25	Do not absent yourself from your own assemblies, as some do, but encourage each other; the more so as you see the Day drawing near.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	26	If, after we have been given knowledge of the truth, we should deliberately commit any sins, then there is no longer any sacrifice for them.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	27	There is left only the dreadful prospect of judgement and of the fiery wrath that is to devour your enemies.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	28	Anyone who disregards the Law of Moses is ruthlessly put to death on the word of two witnesses or three;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	29	and you may be sure that anyone who tramples on the Son of God, and who treats the blood of the covenant which sanctified him as if it were not holy, and who insults the Spirit of grace, will be condemned to a far severer punishment.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	30	We are all aware who it was that said: Vengeance is mine; I will pay them back. And again: The Lord will vindicate his people.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	31	It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	32	Remember the great challenge of the sufferings that you had to meet after you received the light, in earlier days;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	33	sometimes by being yourselves publicly exposed to humiliations and violence, and sometimes as associates of others who were treated in the same way.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	34	For you not only shared in the sufferings of those who were in prison, but you accepted with joy being stripped of your belongings, knowing that you owned something that was better and lasting.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	35	Do not lose your fearlessness now, then, since the reward is so great.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	36	You will need perseverance if you are to do God's will and gain what he has promised.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	37	Only a little while now, a very little while, for come he certainly will before too long.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	38	My upright person will live through faith but if he draws back, my soul will take no pleasure in him.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	10	39	We are not the sort of people who draw back, and are lost by it; we are the sort who keep faith until our souls are saved.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	1	Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of realities that are unseen.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	2	It is for their faith that our ancestors are acknowledged.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	3	It is by faith that we understand that the ages were created by a word from God, so that from the invisible the visible world came to be.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	4	It was because of his faith that Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain, and for that he was acknowledged as upright when God himself made acknowledgement of his offerings. Though he is dead, he still speaks by faith.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	5	It was because of his faith that Enoch was taken up and did not experience death: he was no more, because God took him; because before his assumption he was acknowledged to have pleased God.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	6	Now it is impossible to please God without faith, since anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and rewards those who seek him.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	7	It was through his faith that Noah, when he had been warned by God of something that had never been seen before, took care to build an ark to save his family. His faith was a judgement on the world, and he was able to claim the uprightness which comes from faith.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	8	It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the call to set out for a country that was the inheritance given to him and his descendants, and that he set out without knowing where he was going.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	9	By faith he sojourned in the Promised Land as though it were not his, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	10	He looked forward to the well-founded city, designed and built by God.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	11	It was equally by faith that Sarah, in spite of being past the age, was made able to conceive, because she believed that he who had made the promise was faithful to it.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	12	Because of this, there came from one man, and one who already had the mark of death on him, descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore which cannot be counted.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	13	All these died in faith, before receiving any of the things that had been promised, but they saw them in the far distance and welcomed them, recognising that they were only strangers and nomads on earth.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	14	People who use such terms about themselves make it quite plain that they are in search of a homeland.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	15	If they had meant the country they came from, they would have had the opportunity to return to it;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	16	but in fact they were longing for a better homeland, their heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, since he has founded the city for them.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	17	It was by faith that Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He offered to sacrifice his only son even though he had yet to receive what had been promised,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	18	and he had been told: Isaac is the one through whom your name will be carried on.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	19	He was confident that God had the power even to raise the dead; and so, figuratively speaking, he was given back Isaac from the dead.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	20	It was by faith that this same Isaac gave his blessing to Jacob and Esau for the still distant future.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	21	By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, bowed in reverence, as he leant on his staff.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	22	It was by faith that, when he was about to die, Joseph mentioned the Exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his own remains.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	23	It was by faith that Moses, when he was born, was kept hidden by his parents for three months; because they saw that he was a fine child; they were not afraid of the royal edict.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	24	It was by faith that, when he was grown up, Moses refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	25	and chose to be ill-treated in company with God's people rather than to enjoy the transitory pleasures of sin.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	26	He considered that the humiliations offered to the Anointed were something more precious than all the treasures of Egypt, because he had his eyes fixed on the reward.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	27	It was by faith that he left Egypt without fear of the king's anger; he held to his purpose like someone who could see the Invisible.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	28	It was by faith that he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood to prevent the Destroyer from touching any of their first-born sons.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	29	It was by faith they crossed the Red Sea as easily as dry land, while the Egyptians, trying to do the same, were drowned.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	30	It was through faith that the walls of Jericho fell down when the people had marched round them for seven days.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	31	It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute welcomed the spies and so was not killed with the unbelievers.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	32	What more shall I say? There is not time for me to give an account of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, or of David, Samuel and the prophets.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	33	These were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what was upright and earned the promises. They could keep a lion's mouth shut,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	34	put out blazing fires and emerge unscathed from battle. They were weak people who were given strength to be brave in war and drive back foreign invaders.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	35	Some returned to their wives from the dead by resurrection; and others submitted to torture, refusing release so that they would rise again to a better life.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	36	Some had to bear being pilloried and flogged, or even chained up in prison.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	37	They were stoned, or sawn in half, or killed by the sword; they were homeless, and wore only the skins of sheep and goats; they were in want and hardship, and maltreated.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	38	They were too good for the world and they wandered in deserts and mountains and in caves and ravines.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	39	These all won acknowledgement through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	11	40	since God had made provision for us to have something better, and they were not to reach perfection except with us.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	1	With so many witnesses in a great cloud all around us, we too, then, should throw off everything that weighs us down and the sin that clings so closely, and with perseverance keep running in the race which lies ahead of us.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	2	Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which lay ahead of him, he endured the cross, disregarding the shame of it, and has taken his seat at the right of God's throne.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	3	Think of the way he persevered against such opposition from sinners and then you will not lose heart and come to grief.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	4	In the fight against sin, you have not yet had to keep fighting to the point of bloodshed.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	5	Have you forgotten that encouraging text in which you are addressed as sons? My son, do not scorn correction from the Lord, do not resent his training,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	6	for the Lord trains those he loves, and chastises every son he accepts.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	7	Perseverance is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him?
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	8	If you were not getting this training, as all of you are, then you would be not sons but bastards.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	9	Besides, we have all had our human fathers who punished us, and we respected them for it; all the more readily ought we to submit to the Father of spirits, and so earn life.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	10	Our human fathers were training us for a short life and according to their own lights; but he does it all for our own good, so that we may share his own holiness.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	11	Of course, any discipline is at the time a matter for grief, not joy; but later, in those who have undergone it, it bears fruit in peace and uprightness.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	12	So steady all weary hands and trembling knees
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	13	and make your crooked paths straight; then the injured limb will not be maimed, it will get better instead.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	14	Seek peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	15	Be careful that no one is deprived of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness should begin to grow and make trouble; this can poison a large number.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	16	And be careful that there is no immoral person, or anyone worldly minded like Esau, who sold his birthright for one single meal.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	17	As you know, when he wanted to obtain the blessing afterwards, he was rejected and, though he pleaded for it with tears, he could find no way of reversing the decision.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	18	What you have come to is nothing known to the senses: not a blazing fire, or gloom or total darkness, or a storm;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	19	or trumpet-blast or the sound of a voice speaking which made everyone that heard it beg that no more should be said to them.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	20	They could not bear the order that was given: If even a beast touches the mountain, it must be stoned.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	21	The whole scene was so terrible that Moses said, 'I am afraid and trembling.'
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	22	But what you have come to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	23	with the whole Church of first-born sons, enrolled as citizens of heaven. You have come to God himself, the supreme Judge, and to the spirits of the upright who have been made perfect;
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	24	and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to purifying blood which pleads more insistently than Abel's.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	25	Make sure that you never refuse to listen when he speaks. If the people who on earth refused to listen to a warning could not escape their punishment, how shall we possibly escape if we turn away from a voice that warns us from heaven?
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	26	That time his voice made the earth shake, but now he has given us this promise: I am going to shake the earth once more and not only the earth but heaven as well.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	27	The words once more indicate the removal of what is shaken, since these are created things, so that what is not shaken remains.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	28	We have been given possession of an unshakeable kingdom. Let us therefore be grateful and use our gratitude to worship God in the way that pleases him, in reverence and fear.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	12	29	For our God is a consuming fire.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	1	Continue to love each other like brothers,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	2	and remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	3	Keep in mind those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; and those who are being badly treated, since you too are in the body.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	4	Marriage must be honoured by all, and marriages must be kept undefiled, because the sexually immoral and adulterers will come under God's judgement.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	5	Put avarice out of your lives and be content with whatever you have; God himself has said: I shall not fail you or desert you,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	6	and so we can say with confidence: With the Lord on my side, I fear nothing: what can human beings do to me?
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	7	Remember your leaders, who preached the word of God to you, and as you reflect on the outcome of their lives, take their faith as your model.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	8	Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday and as he will be for ever.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	9	Do not be led astray by all sorts of strange doctrines: it is better to rely on grace for inner strength than on food, which has done no good to those who concentrate on it.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	10	We have our own altar from which those who serve the Tent have no right to eat.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	11	The bodies of the animals whose blood is taken into the sanctuary by the high priest for the rite of expiation are burnt outside the camp,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	12	and so Jesus too suffered outside the gate to sanctify the people with his own blood.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	13	Let us go to him, then, outside the camp, and bear his humiliation.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	14	There is no permanent city for us here; we are looking for the one which is yet to be.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	15	Through him, let us offer God an unending sacrifice of praise, the fruit of the lips of those who acknowledge his name.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	16	Keep doing good works and sharing your resources, for these are the kinds of sacrifice that please God.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	17	Obey your leaders and give way to them; they watch over your souls because they must give an account of them; make this a joy for them to do, and not a grief -- you yourselves would be the losers.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	18	Pray for us; we are sure that our own conscience is clear and we are certainly determined to behave honourably in everything we do.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	19	I ask you very particularly to pray that I may come back to you all the sooner.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	20	I pray that the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood that sealed an eternal covenant,
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	21	may prepare you to do his will in every kind of good action; effecting in us all whatever is acceptable to himself through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	22	I urge you, brothers, to take these words of encouragement kindly; that is why I have written to you briefly.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	23	I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been set free. If he arrives in time, he will be with me when I see you.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	24	Greetings to all your leaders and to all God's holy people. God's holy people in Italy send you greetings.
 Hebrews	Heb	65	13	25	Grace be with you all.
 James	Jas	66	1	1	From James, servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to the twelve tribes of the Dispersion.
 James	Jas	66	1	2	My brothers, consider it a great joy when trials of many kinds come upon you,
 James	Jas	66	1	3	for you well know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance, and
 James	Jas	66	1	4	perseverance must complete its work so that you will become fully developed, complete, not deficient in any way.
 James	Jas	66	1	5	Any of you who lacks wisdom must ask God, who gives to all generously and without scolding; it will be given.
 James	Jas	66	1	6	But the prayer must be made with faith, and no trace of doubt, because a person who has doubts is like the waves thrown up in the sea by the buffeting of the wind.
 James	Jas	66	1	7	That sort of person, in two minds,
 James	Jas	66	1	8	inconsistent in every activity, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
 James	Jas	66	1	9	It is right that the brother in humble circumstances should glory in being lifted up,
 James	Jas	66	1	10	and the rich in being brought low. For the rich will last no longer than the wild flower;
 James	Jas	66	1	11	the scorching sun comes up, and the grass withers, its flower falls, its beauty is lost. It is the same with the rich: in the middle of a busy life, the rich will wither.
 James	Jas	66	1	12	Blessed is anyone who perseveres when trials come. Such a person is of proven worth and will win the prize of life, the crown that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
 James	Jas	66	1	13	Never, when you are being put to the test, say, 'God is tempting me'; God cannot be tempted by evil, and he does not put anybody to the test .
 James	Jas	66	1	14	Everyone is put to the test by being attracted and seduced by that person's own wrong desire.
 James	Jas	66	1	15	Then the desire conceives and gives birth to sin, and when sin reaches full growth, it gives birth to death.
 James	Jas	66	1	16	Make no mistake about this, my dear brothers:
 James	Jas	66	1	17	all that is good, all that is perfect, is given us from above; it comes down from the Father of all light; with him there is no such thing as alteration, no shadow caused by change.
 James	Jas	66	1	18	By his own choice he gave birth to us by the message of the truth so that we should be a sort of first-fruits of all his creation.
 James	Jas	66	1	19	Remember this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak and slow to human anger;
 James	Jas	66	1	20	God's saving justice is never served by human anger;
 James	Jas	66	1	21	so do away with all impurities and remnants of evil. Humbly welcome the Word which has been planted in you and can save your souls.
 James	Jas	66	1	22	But you must do what the Word tells you and not just listen to it and deceive yourselves.
 James	Jas	66	1	23	Anyone who listens to the Word and takes no action is like someone who looks at his own features in a mirror and,
 James	Jas	66	1	24	once he has seen what he looks like, goes off and immediately forgets it.
 James	Jas	66	1	25	But anyone who looks steadily at the perfect law of freedom and keeps to it -- not listening and forgetting, but putting it into practice -- will be blessed in every undertaking.
 James	Jas	66	1	26	Nobody who fails to keep a tight rein on the tongue can claim to be religious; this is mere self-deception; that person's religion is worthless.
 James	Jas	66	1	27	Pure, unspoilt religion, in the eyes of God our Father, is this: coming to the help of orphans and widows in their hardships, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world.
 James	Jas	66	2	1	My brothers, do not let class distinction enter into your faith in Jesus Christ, our glorified Lord.
 James	Jas	66	2	2	Now suppose a man comes into your synagogue, well-dressed and with a gold ring on, and at the same time a poor man comes in, in shabby clothes,
 James	Jas	66	2	3	and you take notice of the well-dressed man, and say, 'Come this way to the best seats'; then you tell the poor man, 'Stand over there' or 'You can sit on the floor by my foot-rest.'
 James	Jas	66	2	4	In making this distinction among yourselves have you not used a corrupt standard?
 James	Jas	66	2	5	Listen, my dear brothers: it was those who were poor according to the world that God chose, to be rich in faith and to be the heirs to the kingdom which he promised to those who love him.
 James	Jas	66	2	6	You, on the other hand, have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who lord it over you?
 James	Jas	66	2	7	Are not they the ones who drag you into court, who insult the honourable name which has been pronounced over you?
 James	Jas	66	2	8	Well, the right thing to do is to keep the supreme Law of scripture: you will love your neighbour as yourself;
 James	Jas	66	2	9	but as soon as you make class distinctions, you are committing sin and under condemnation for breaking the Law.
 James	Jas	66	2	10	You see, anyone who keeps the whole of the Law but trips up on a single point, is still guilty of breaking it all.
 James	Jas	66	2	11	He who said, 'You must not commit adultery' said also, 'You must not kill.' Now if you commit murder, you need not commit adultery as well to become a breaker of the Law.
 James	Jas	66	2	12	Talk and behave like people who are going to be judged by the law of freedom.
 James	Jas	66	2	13	Whoever acts without mercy will be judged without mercy but mercy can afford to laugh at judgement.
 James	Jas	66	2	14	How does it help, my brothers, when someone who has never done a single good act claims to have faith? Will that faith bring salvation?
 James	Jas	66	2	15	If one of the brothers or one of the sisters is in need of clothes and has not enough food to live on,
 James	Jas	66	2	16	and one of you says to them, 'I wish you well; keep yourself warm and eat plenty,' without giving them these bare necessities of life, then what good is that?
 James	Jas	66	2	17	In the same way faith, if good deeds do not go with it, is quite dead.
 James	Jas	66	2	18	But someone may say: So you have faith and I have good deeds? Show me this faith of yours without deeds, then! It is by my deeds that I will show you my faith.
 James	Jas	66	2	19	You believe in the one God -- that is creditable enough, but even the demons have the same belief, and they tremble with fear.
 James	Jas	66	2	20	Fool! Would you not like to know that faith without deeds is useless?
 James	Jas	66	2	21	Was not Abraham our father justified by his deed, because he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
 James	Jas	66	2	22	So you can see that his faith was working together with his deeds; his faith became perfect by what he did.
 James	Jas	66	2	23	In this way the scripture was fulfilled: Abraham put his faith in God, and this was considered as making him upright; and he received the name 'friend of God'.
 James	Jas	66	2	24	You see now that it is by deeds, and not only by believing, that someone is justified.
 James	Jas	66	2	25	There is another example of the same kind: Rahab the prostitute, was she not justified by her deeds because she welcomed the messengers and showed them a different way to leave?
 James	Jas	66	2	26	As a body without a spirit is dead, so is faith without deeds.
 James	Jas	66	3	1	Only a few of you, my brothers, should be teachers, bearing in mind that we shall receive a stricter judgement.
 James	Jas	66	3	2	For we all trip up in many ways. Someone who does not trip up in speech has reached perfection and is able to keep the whole body on a tight rein.
 James	Jas	66	3	3	Once we put a bit in the horse's mouth, to make it do what we want, we have the whole animal under our control.
 James	Jas	66	3	4	Or think of ships: no matter how big they are, even if a gale is driving them, they are directed by a tiny rudder wherever the whim of the helmsman decides.
 James	Jas	66	3	5	So the tongue is only a tiny part of the body, but its boasts are great. Think how small a flame can set fire to a huge forest;
 James	Jas	66	3	6	The tongue is a flame too. Among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a whole wicked world: it infects the whole body; catching fire itself from hell, it sets fire to the whole wheel of creation.
 James	Jas	66	3	7	Wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish of every kind can all be tamed, and have been tamed, by humans;
 James	Jas	66	3	8	but nobody can tame the tongue -- it is a pest that will not keep still, full of deadly poison.
 James	Jas	66	3	9	We use it to bless the Lord and Father, but we also use it to curse people who are made in God's image:
 James	Jas	66	3	10	the blessing and curse come out of the same mouth. My brothers, this must be wrong-
 James	Jas	66	3	11	does any water supply give a flow of fresh water and salt water out of the same pipe?
 James	Jas	66	3	12	Can a fig tree yield olives, my brothers, or a vine yield figs? No more can sea water yield fresh water.
 James	Jas	66	3	13	Anyone who is wise or understanding among you should from a good life give evidence of deeds done in the gentleness of wisdom.
 James	Jas	66	3	14	But if at heart you have the bitterness of jealousy, or selfish ambition, do not be boastful or hide the truth with lies;
 James	Jas	66	3	15	this is not the wisdom that comes from above, but earthly, human and devilish.
 James	Jas	66	3	16	Wherever there are jealousy and ambition, there are also disharmony and wickedness of every kind;
 James	Jas	66	3	17	whereas the wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure; it is also peaceable, kindly and considerate; it is full of mercy and shows itself by doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality or hypocrisy in it.
 James	Jas	66	3	18	The peace sown by peacemakers brings a harvest of justice.
 James	Jas	66	4	1	Where do these wars and battles between yourselves first start? Is it not precisely in the desires fighting inside your own selves?
 James	Jas	66	4	2	You want something and you lack it; so you kill. You have an ambition that you cannot satisfy; so you fight to get your way by force. It is because you do not pray that you do not receive;
 James	Jas	66	4	3	when you do pray and do not receive, it is because you prayed wrongly, wanting to indulge your passions.
 James	Jas	66	4	4	Adulterers! Do you not realise that love for the world is hatred for God? Anyone who chooses the world for a friend is constituted an enemy of God.
 James	Jas	66	4	5	Can you not see the point of the saying in scripture, 'The longing of the spirit he sent to dwell in us is a jealous longing.'?
 James	Jas	66	4	6	But he has given us an even greater grace, as scripture says: God opposes the proud but he accords his favour to the humble.
 James	Jas	66	4	7	Give in to God, then; resist the devil, and he will run away from you.
 James	Jas	66	4	8	The nearer you go to God, the nearer God will come to you. Clean your hands, you sinners, and clear your minds, you waverers.
 James	Jas	66	4	9	Appreciate your wretchedness, and weep for it in misery. Your laughter must be turned to grief, your happiness to gloom.
 James	Jas	66	4	10	Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.
 James	Jas	66	4	11	Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who slanders a brother, or condemns one, is speaking against the Law and condemning the Law. But if you condemn the Law, you have ceased to be subject to it and become a judge over it.
 James	Jas	66	4	12	There is only one lawgiver and he is the only judge and has the power to save or to destroy. Who are you to give a verdict on your neighbour?
 James	Jas	66	4	13	Well now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow, we are off to this or that town; we are going to spend a year there, trading, and make some money.'
 James	Jas	66	4	14	You never know what will happen tomorrow: you are no more than a mist that appears for a little while and then disappears.
 James	Jas	66	4	15	Instead of this, you should say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we shall still be alive to do this or that.'
 James	Jas	66	4	16	But as it is, how boastful and loud -- mouthed you are! Boasting of this kind is always wrong.
 James	Jas	66	4	17	Everyone who knows what is the right thing to do and does not do it commits a sin.
 James	Jas	66	5	1	Well now, you rich! Lament, weep for the miseries that are coming to you.
 James	Jas	66	5	2	Your wealth is rotting, your clothes are all moth-eaten.
 James	Jas	66	5	3	All your gold and your silver are corroding away, and the same corrosion will be a witness against you and eat into your body. It is like a fire which you have stored up for the final days.
 James	Jas	66	5	4	Can you hear crying out against you the wages which you kept back from the labourers mowing your fields? The cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord Sabaoth.
 James	Jas	66	5	5	On earth you have had a life of comfort and luxury; in the time of slaughter you went on eating to your heart's content.
 James	Jas	66	5	6	It was you who condemned the upright and killed them; they offered you no resistance.
 James	Jas	66	5	7	Now be patient, brothers, until the Lord's coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains!
 James	Jas	66	5	8	You too must be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord's coming will be soon.
 James	Jas	66	5	9	Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates.
 James	Jas	66	5	10	For your example, brothers, in patiently putting up with persecution, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord's name;
 James	Jas	66	5	11	remember it is those who had perseverance that we say are the blessed ones. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and understood the Lord's purpose, realising that the Lord is kind and compassionate.
 James	Jas	66	5	12	Above all, my brothers, do not swear by heaven or by the earth or use any oaths at all. If you mean 'yes', you must say 'yes'; if you mean 'no', say 'no'. Otherwise you make yourselves liable to judgement.
 James	Jas	66	5	13	Any one of you who is in trouble should pray; anyone in good spirits should sing a psalm.
 James	Jas	66	5	14	Any one of you who is ill should send for the elders of the church, and they must anoint the sick person with oil in the name of the Lord and pray over him.
 James	Jas	66	5	15	The prayer of faith will save the sick person and the Lord will raise him up again; and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
 James	Jas	66	5	16	So confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another to be cured; the heartfelt prayer of someone upright works very powerfully.
 James	Jas	66	5	17	Elijah was a human being as frail as ourselves -- he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell for three and a half years;
 James	Jas	66	5	18	then he prayed again and the sky gave rain and the earth gave crops.
 James	Jas	66	5	19	My brothers, if one of you strays away from the truth, and another brings him back to it,
 James	Jas	66	5	20	he may be sure that anyone who can bring back a sinner from his erring ways will be saving his soul from death and covering over many a sin.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	1	Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ, to all those living as aliens in the Dispersion of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	2	in the foresight of God the Father, to be made holy by the Spirit, obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	3	Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	4	and into a heritage that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away. It is reserved in heaven for you
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	5	who are being kept safe by God's power through faith until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the final point of time.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	6	This is a great joy to you, even though for a short time yet you must bear all sorts of trials;
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	7	so that the worth of your faith, more valuable than gold, which is perishable even if it has been tested by fire, may be proved -- to your praise and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	8	You have not seen him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him you believe in him and so are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described;
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	9	and you are sure of the goal of your faith, that is, the salvation of your souls.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	10	This salvation was the subject of the search and investigation of the prophets who spoke of the grace you were to receive,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	11	searching out the time and circumstances for which the Spirit of Christ, bearing witness in them, was revealing the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow them.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	12	It was revealed to them that it was for your sake and not their own that they were acting as servants delivering the message which has now been announced to you by those who preached to you the gospel through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even the angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	13	Your minds, then, must be sober and ready for action; put all your hope in the grace brought to you by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	14	Do not allow yourselves to be shaped by the passions of your old ignorance,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	15	but as obedient children, be yourselves holy in all your activity, after the model of the Holy One who calls us,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	16	since scripture says, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	17	And if you address as Father him who judges without favouritism according to each individual's deeds, live out the time of your exile here in reverent awe.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	18	For you know that the price of your ransom from the futile way of life handed down from your ancestors was paid, not in anything perishable like silver or gold,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	19	but in precious blood as of a blameless and spotless lamb, Christ.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	20	He was marked out before the world was made, and was revealed at the final point of time for your sake.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	21	Through him you now have faith in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory for this very purpose -- that your faith and hope should be in God.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	22	Since by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves so that you can experience the genuine love of brothers, love each other intensely from the heart;
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	23	for your new birth was not from any perishable seed but from imperishable seed, the living and enduring Word of God.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	24	For all humanity is grass, and all its beauty like the wild flower's. As grass withers, the flower fades,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	1	25	but the Word of the Lord remains for ever. And this Word is the Good News that has been brought to you.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	1	Rid yourselves, then, of all spite, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and carping criticism.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	2	Like new-born babies all your longing should be for milk -- the unadulterated spiritual milk -- which will help you to grow up to salvation,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	3	at any rate if you have tasted that the Lord is good .
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	4	He is the living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	5	so that you, too, may be living stones making a spiritual house as a holy priesthood to offer the spiritual sacrifices made acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	6	As scripture says: Now I am laying a stone in Zion, a chosen, precious cornerstone and no one who relies on this will be brought to disgrace.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	7	To you believers it brings honour. But for unbelievers, it is rather a stone which the builders rejected that became a cornerstone,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	8	a stumbling stone, a rock to trip people up. They stumble over it because they do not believe in the Word; it was the fate in store for them.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	9	But you are a chosen race, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, a people to be a personal possession to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	10	Once you were a non-people and now you are the People of God; once you were outside his pity; now you have received pity.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	11	I urge you, my dear friends, as strangers and nomads, to keep yourselves free from the disordered natural inclinations that attack the soul.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	12	Always behave honourably among gentiles so that they can see for themselves what moral lives you lead, and when the day of reckoning comes, give thanks to God for the things which now make them denounce you as criminals.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	13	For the sake of the Lord, accept the authority of every human institution: the emperor, as the supreme authority,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	14	and the governors as commissioned by him to punish criminals and praise those who do good.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	15	It is God's will that by your good deeds you should silence the ignorant talk of fools.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	16	You are slaves of no one except God, so behave like free people, and never use your freedom as a cover for wickedness.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	17	Have respect for everyone and love for your fellow-believers; fear God and honour the emperor.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	18	Slaves, you should obey your masters respectfully, not only those who are kind and reasonable but also those who are difficult to please.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	19	You see, there is merit if, in awareness of God, you put up with the pains of undeserved punishment;
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	20	but what glory is there in putting up with a beating after you have done something wrong? The merit in the sight of God is in putting up with it patiently when you are punished for doing your duty.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	21	This, in fact, is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow in his steps.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	22	He had done nothing wrong, and had spoken no deceit.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	23	He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults; when he was suffering he made no threats but put his trust in the upright judge.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	24	He was bearing our sins in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our sins and live for uprightness; through his bruises you have been healed.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	2	25	You had gone astray like sheep but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	1	In the same way, you wives should be obedient to your husbands. Then if there are some husbands who do not believe the Word, they may find themselves won over, without a word spoken, by the way their wives behave,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	2	when they see the reverence and purity of your way of life.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	3	Your adornment should be not an exterior one, consisting of braided hair or gold jewellery or fine clothing,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	4	but the interior disposition of the heart, consisting in the imperishable quality of a gentle and peaceful spirit, so precious in the sight of God.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	5	That was how the holy women of the past dressed themselves attractively -- they hoped in God and were submissive to their husbands;
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	6	like Sarah, who was obedient to Abraham, and called him her lord. You are now her children, as long as you live good lives free from fear and worry.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	7	In the same way, husbands must always treat their wives with consideration in their life together, respecting a woman as one who, though she may be the weaker partner, is equally an heir to the generous gift of life. This will prevent anything from coming in the way of your prayers.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	8	Finally: you should all agree among yourselves and be sympathetic; love the brothers, have compassion and be self-effacing.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	9	Never repay one wrong with another, or one abusive word with another; instead, repay with a blessing. That is what you are called to do, so that you inherit a blessing.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	10	For Who among you delights in life, longs for time to enjoy prosperity? Guard your tongue from evil, your lips from any breath of deceit.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	11	Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	12	For the eyes of the Lord are on the upright, his ear turned to their cry. But the Lord's face is set against those who do evil.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	13	No one can hurt you if you are determined to do only what is right;
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	14	and blessed are you if you have to suffer for being upright. Have no dread of them; have no fear.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	15	Simply proclaim the Lord Christ holy in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you have.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	16	But give it with courtesy and respect and with a clear conscience, so that those who slander your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their accusations.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	17	And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	18	Christ himself died once and for all for sins, the upright for the sake of the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	19	and, in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	20	They refused to believe long ago, while God patiently waited to receive them, in Noah's time when the ark was being built. In it only a few, that is eight souls, were saved through water.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	21	It is the baptism corresponding to this water which saves you now -- not the washing off of physical dirt but the pledge of a good conscience given to God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	3	22	who has entered heaven and is at God's right hand, with angels, ruling forces and powers subject to him.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	1	As Christ has undergone bodily suffering, you too should arm yourselves with the same conviction, that anyone who has undergone bodily suffering has broken with sin,
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	2	because for the rest of life on earth that person is ruled not by human passions but only by the will of God.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	3	You spent quite long enough in the past living the sort of life that gentiles choose to live, behaving in a debauched way, giving way to your passions, drinking to excess, having wild parties and drunken orgies and sacrilegiously worshipping false gods.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	4	So people are taken aback that you no longer hurry off with them to join this flood which is rushing down to ruin, and then abuse you for it.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	5	They will have to answer for it before the judge who is to judge the living and the dead.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	6	And this was why the gospel was brought to the dead as well, so that, though in their bodies they had undergone the judgement that faces all humanity, in their spirit they might enjoy the life of God.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	7	The end of all things is near, so keep your minds calm and sober for prayer.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	8	Above all preserve an intense love for each other, since love covers over many a sin.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	9	Welcome each other into your houses without grumbling.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	10	Each one of you has received a special grace, so, like good stewards responsible for all these varied graces of God, put it at the service of others.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	11	If anyone is a speaker, let it be as the words of God, if anyone serves, let it be as in strength granted by God; so that in everything God may receive the glory, through Jesus Christ, since to him alone belong all glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	12	My dear friends, do not be taken aback at the testing by fire which is taking place among you, as though something strange were happening to you;
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	13	but in so far as you share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad, so that you may enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	14	If you are insulted for bearing Christ's name, blessed are you, for on you rests the Spirit of God, the Spirit of glory.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	15	None of you should ever deserve to suffer for being a murderer, a thief, a criminal or an informer;
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	16	but if any one of you should suffer for being a Christian, then there must be no shame but thanksgiving to God for bearing this name.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	17	The time has come for the judgement to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who refuse to believe God's gospel?
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	18	If it is hard for the upright to be saved, what will happen to the wicked and to sinners?
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	4	19	So even those whom God allows to suffer should commit themselves to a Creator who is trustworthy, and go on doing good.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	1	I urge the elders among you, as a fellow-elder myself and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to have a share in the glory that is to be revealed:
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	2	give a shepherd's care to the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, as God wants; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	3	Do not lord it over the group which is in your charge, but be an example for the flock.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	4	When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the unfading crown of glory.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	5	In the same way, younger people, be subject to the elders. Humility towards one another must be the garment you all wear constantly, because God opposes the proud but accords his favour to the humble.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	6	Bow down, then, before the power of God now, so that he may raise you up in due time;
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	7	unload all your burden on to him, since he is concerned about you.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	8	Keep sober and alert, because your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	9	Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that it is the same kind of suffering that the community of your brothers throughout the world is undergoing.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	10	You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will restore you, he will confirm, strengthen and support you.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	11	His power lasts for ever and ever. Amen.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	12	I write these few words to you through Silvanus, who is a trustworthy brother, to encourage you and attest that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	13	Your sister in Babylon, who is with you among the chosen, sends you greetings; so does my son, Mark.
 1 Peter	1Pet	67	5	14	Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	1	Simon Peter, servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith as precious as our own, given through the saving justice of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	2	Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of our Lord.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	3	By his divine power, he has lavished on us all the things we need for life and for true devotion, through the knowledge of him who has called us by his own glory and goodness.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	4	Through these, the greatest and priceless promises have been lavished on us, that through them you should share the divine nature and escape the corruption rife in the world through disordered passion.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	5	With this in view, do your utmost to support your faith with goodness, goodness with understanding,
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	6	understanding with self-control, self-control with perseverance, perseverance with devotion,
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	7	devotion with kindness to the brothers, and kindness to the brothers with love.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	8	The possession and growth of these qualities will prevent your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ from being ineffectual or unproductive.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	9	But without them, a person is blind or short-sighted, forgetting how the sins of the past were washed away.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	10	Instead of this, brothers, never allow your choice or calling to waver; then there will be no danger of your stumbling,
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	11	for in this way you will be given the generous gift of entry to the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	12	That is why I will always go on recalling the same truths to you, even though you already know them and are firmly fixed in these truths.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	13	I am sure it is my duty, as long as I am in this tent, to keep stirring you up with reminders,
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	14	since I know the time for me to lay aside this tent is coming soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	15	And I shall take great care that after my own departure you will still have a means to recall these things to mind.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	16	When we told you about the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not slavishly repeating cleverly invented myths; no, we had seen his majesty with our own eyes.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	17	He was honoured and glorified by God the Father, when a voice came to him from the transcendent Glory, This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	18	We ourselves heard this voice from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	19	So we have confirmation of the words of the prophets; and you will be right to pay attention to it as to a lamp for lighting a way through the dark, until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	20	At the same time, we must recognise that the interpretation of scriptural prophecy is never a matter for the individual.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	1	21	For no prophecy ever came from human initiative. When people spoke for God it was the Holy Spirit that moved them.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	1	As there were false prophets in the past history of our people, so you too will have your false teachers, who will insinuate their own disruptive views and, by disowning the Lord who bought them freedom, will bring upon themselves speedy destruction.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	2	Many will copy their debauched behaviour, and the Way of Truth will be brought into disrepute on their account.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	3	In their greed they will try to make a profit out of you with untrue tales. But the judgement made upon them long ago is not idle, and the destruction awaiting them is for ever on the watch.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	4	When angels sinned, God did not spare them: he sent them down into the underworld and consigned them to the dark abyss to be held there until the Judgement.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	5	He did not spare the world in ancient times: he saved only Noah, the preacher of uprightness, along with seven others, when he sent the Flood over a world of sinners.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	6	He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by reducing them to ashes as a warning to future sinners;
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	7	but rescued Lot, an upright man who had been sickened by the debauched way in which these vile people behaved-
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	8	for that upright man, living among them, was outraged in his upright soul by the crimes that he saw and heard every day.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	9	All this shows that the Lord is well able to rescue the good from their trials, and hold the wicked for their punishment until the Day of Judgement,
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	10	especially those who follow the desires of their corrupt human nature and have no respect for the Lord's authority. Such self-willed people with no reverence are not afraid of offending against the glorious ones,
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	11	but the angels in their greater strength and power make no complaint or accusation against them in the Lord's presence.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	12	But these people speak evil of what they do not understand; they are like brute beasts, born only to be caught and killed, and like beasts they will be destroyed, being injured in return for the injuries they have inflicted.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	13	Debauchery even by day they make their pleasure; they are unsightly blots, and amuse themselves by their trickery even when they are sharing your table;
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	14	with their eyes always looking for adultery, people with an insatiable capacity for sinning, they will seduce any but the most stable soul. Where greed is concerned they are at their peak of fitness. They are under a curse.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	15	They have left the right path and wandered off to follow the path of Balaam son of Bosor, who set his heart on a dishonest reward, but soon had his fault pointed out to him:
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	16	a dumb beast of burden, speaking with a human voice, put a stop to the madness of the prophet.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	17	People like this are dried-up springs, fogs swirling in the wind, and the gloom of darkness is stored up for them.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	18	With their high-sounding but empty talk they tempt back people who have scarcely escaped from those who live in error, by playing on the disordered desires of their human nature and by debaucheries.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	19	They may promise freedom but are themselves slaves to corruption; because if anyone lets himself be dominated by anything, then he is a slave to it;
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	20	and anyone who has escaped the pollution of the world by coming to know our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and who then allows himself to be entangled and mastered by it a second time, ends up by being worse than he was before.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	21	It would have been better for them never to have learnt the way of uprightness, than to learn it and then desert the holy commandment that was entrusted to them.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	2	22	What they have done is exactly as the proverb rightly says: The dog goes back to its vomit and: As soon as the sow has been washed, it wallows in the mud.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	1	My dear friends, this is the second letter I have written to you, trying to awaken in you by my reminders an unclouded understanding.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	2	Remember what was said in the past by the holy prophets and the command of the Lord and Saviour given by your apostles.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	3	First of all, do not forget that in the final days there will come sarcastic scoffers whose life is ruled by their passions.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	4	'What has happened to the promise of his coming?' they will say, 'Since our Fathers died everything has gone on just as it has since the beginning of creation!'
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	5	They deliberately ignore the fact that long ago there were the heavens and the earth, formed out of water and through water by the Word of God,
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	6	and that it was through these same factors that the world of those days was destroyed by the floodwaters.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	7	It is the same Word which is reserving the present heavens and earth for fire, keeping them till the Day of Judgement and of the destruction of sinners.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	8	But there is one thing, my dear friends, that you must never forget: that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	9	The Lord is not being slow in carrying out his promises, as some people think he is; rather is he being patient with you, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to repentance.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	10	The Day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then with a roar the sky will vanish, the elements will catch fire and melt away, the earth and all that it contains will be burned up.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	11	Since everything is coming to an end like this, what holy and saintly lives you should be living
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	12	while you wait for the Day of God to come, and try to hasten its coming: on that Day the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	13	What we are waiting for, relying on his promises, is the new heavens and new earth, where uprightness will be at home.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	14	So then, my dear friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live blameless and unsullied lives so that he will find you at peace.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	15	Think of our Lord's patience as your opportunity to be saved; our brother Paul, who is so dear to us, told you this when he wrote to you with the wisdom that he was given.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	16	He makes this point too in his letters as a whole wherever he touches on these things. In all his letters there are of course some passages which are hard to understand, and these are the ones that uneducated and unbalanced people distort, in the same way as they distort the rest of scripture--to their own destruction.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	17	Since you have been forewarned about this, my dear friends, be careful that you do not come to the point of losing the firm ground that you are standing on, carried away by the errors of unprincipled people.
 2 Peter	2Pet	68	3	18	Instead, continue to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory, in time and eternity. Amen.
 1 John	1Jn	69	1	1	Something which has existed since the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have watched and touched with our own hands, the Word of life -- this is our theme.
 1 John	1Jn	69	1	2	That life was made visible; we saw it and are giving our testimony, declaring to you the eternal life, which was present to the Father and has been revealed to us.
 1 John	1Jn	69	1	3	We are declaring to you what we have seen and heard, so that you too may share our life. Our life is shared with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
 1 John	1Jn	69	1	4	We are writing this to you so that our joy may be complete.
 1 John	1Jn	69	1	5	This is what we have heard from him and are declaring to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.
 1 John	1Jn	69	1	6	If we say that we share in God's life while we are living in darkness, we are lying, because we are not living the truth.
 1 John	1Jn	69	1	7	But if we live in light, as he is in light, we have a share in another's life, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
 1 John	1Jn	69	1	8	If we say, 'We have no sin,' we are deceiving ourselves, and truth has no place in us;
 1 John	1Jn	69	1	9	if we acknowledge our sins, he is trustworthy and upright, so that he will forgive our sins and will cleanse us from all evil.
 1 John	1Jn	69	1	10	If we say, 'We have never sinned,' we make him a liar, and his word has no place in us.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	1	My children, I am writing this to prevent you from sinning; but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the upright.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	2	He is the sacrifice to expiate our sins, and not only ours, but also those of the whole world.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	3	In this way we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	4	Whoever says, 'I know him' without keeping his commandments, is a liar, and truth has no place in him.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	5	But anyone who does keep his word, in such a one God's love truly reaches its perfection. This is the proof that we are in God.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	6	Whoever claims to remain in him must act as he acted.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	7	My dear friends, this is not a new commandment I am writing for you, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the message you have heard.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	8	Yet in another way, I am writing a new commandment for you -- and this is true for you, just as much as for him -- for darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	9	Whoever claims to be in light but hates his brother is still in darkness.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	10	Anyone who loves his brother remains in light and there is in him nothing to make him fall away.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	11	But whoever hates his brother is in darkness and is walking about in darkness not knowing where he is going, because darkness has blinded him.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	12	I am writing to you, children, because your sins have been forgiven through his name.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	13	I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who has existed since the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because you have overcome the Evil One.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	14	I have written to you, children, because you have come to know the Father. I have written to you, parents, because you have come to know the One who has existed since the beginning. I have written to you, young people, because you are strong, and God's word remains in you, and you have overcome the Evil One.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	15	Do not love the world or what is in the world. If anyone does love the world, the love of the Father finds no place in him,
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	16	because everything there is in the world -- disordered bodily desires, disordered desires of the eyes, pride in possession -- is not from the Father but is from the world.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	17	And the world, with all its disordered desires, is passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains for ever.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	18	Children, this is the final hour; you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and now many Antichrists have already come; from this we know that it is the final hour.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	19	They have gone from among us, but they never really belonged to us; if they had belonged to us, they would have stayed with us. But this was to prove that not one of them belonged to us.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	20	But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and have all received knowledge.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	21	I have written to you not because you are ignorant of the truth, but because you are well aware of it, and because no lie can come from the truth.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	22	Who is the liar, if not one who claims that Jesus is not the Christ? This is the Antichrist, who denies both the Father and the Son.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	23	Whoever denies the Son cannot have the Father either; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father too.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	24	Let what you heard in the beginning remain in you; as long as what you heard in the beginning remains in you, you will remain in the Son and in the Father.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	25	And the promise he made you himself is eternal life.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	26	So much have I written to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	27	But as for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you; since the anointing he gave you teaches you everything, and since it is true, not false, remain in him just as he has taught you.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	28	Therefore remain in him now, children, so that when he appears we may be fearless, and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
 1 John	1Jn	69	2	29	If you know that he is upright you must recognise that everyone whose life is upright is a child of his.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	1	You must see what great love the Father has lavished on us by letting us be called God's children -- which is what we are! The reason why the world does not acknowledge us is that it did not acknowledge him.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	2	My dear friends, we are already God's children, but what we shall be in the future has not yet been revealed. We are well aware that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	3	Whoever treasures this hope of him purifies himself, to be as pure as he is.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	4	Whoever sins, acts wickedly, because all sin is wickedness.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	5	Now you are well aware that he has appeared in order to take sins away, and that in him there is no sin.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	6	No one who remains in him sins, and whoever sins has neither seen him nor recognised him.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	7	Children, do not let anyone lead you astray. Whoever acts uprightly is upright, just as he is upright.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	8	Whoever lives sinfully belongs to the devil, since the devil has been a sinner from the beginning. This was the purpose of the appearing of the Son of God, to undo the work of the devil.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	9	No one who is a child of God sins because God's seed remains in him. Nor can he sin, because he is a child of God.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	10	This is what distinguishes the children of God from the children of the devil: whoever does not live uprightly and does not love his brother is not from God.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	11	This is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we must love one another,
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	12	not to be like Cain, who was from the Evil One and murdered his brother. And why did he murder his brother? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's upright.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	13	Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	14	We are well aware that we have passed over from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love, remains in death.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	15	Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you are well aware that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	16	This is the proof of love, that he laid down his life for us, and we too ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	17	If anyone is well-off in worldly possessions and sees his brother in need but closes his heart to him, how can the love of God be remaining in him?
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	18	Children, our love must be not just words or mere talk, but something active and genuine.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	19	This will be the proof that we belong to the truth, and it will convince us in his presence,
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	20	even if our own feelings condemn us, that God is greater than our feelings and knows all things.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	21	My dear friends, if our own feelings do not condemn us, we can be fearless before God,
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	22	and whatever we ask we shall receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what is acceptable to him.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	23	His commandment is this, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and that we should love one another as he commanded us.
 1 John	1Jn	69	3	24	Whoever keeps his commandments remains in God, and God in him. And this is the proof that he remains in us: the Spirit that he has given us.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	1	My dear friends, not every spirit is to be trusted, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets are at large in the world.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	2	This is the proof of the spirit of God: any spirit which acknowledges Jesus Christ, come in human nature, is from God,
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	3	and no spirit which fails to acknowledge Jesus is from God; it is the spirit of Antichrist, whose coming you have heard of; he is already at large in the world.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	4	Children, you are from God and have overcome them, because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	5	They are from the world, and therefore the world inspires what they say, and listens to them.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	6	We are from God; whoever recognises God listens to us; anyone who is not from God refuses to listen to us. This is how we can distinguish the spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	7	My dear friends, let us love one another, since love is from God and everyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	8	Whoever fails to love does not know God, because God is love.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	9	This is the revelation of God's love for us, that God sent his only Son into the world that we might have life through him.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	10	Love consists in this: it is not we who loved God, but God loved us and sent his Son to expiate our sins.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	11	My dear friends, if God loved us so much, we too should love one another.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	12	No one has ever seen God, but as long as we love one another God remains in us and his love comes to its perfection in us.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	13	This is the proof that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us a share in his Spirit.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	14	We ourselves have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as Saviour of the world.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	15	Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	16	We have recognised for ourselves, and put our faith in, the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	17	Love comes to its perfection in us when we can face the Day of Judgement fearlessly, because even in this world we have become as he is.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	18	In love there is no room for fear, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear implies punishment and no one who is afraid has come to perfection in love.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	19	Let us love, then, because he first loved us.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	20	Anyone who says 'I love God' and hates his brother, is a liar, since whoever does not love the brother whom he can see cannot love God whom he has not seen.
 1 John	1Jn	69	4	21	Indeed this is the commandment we have received from him, that whoever loves God, must also love his brother.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	1	Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God, and whoever loves the father loves the son.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	2	In this way we know that we love God's children, when we love God and keep his commandments.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	3	This is what the love of God is: keeping his commandments. Nor are his commandments burdensome,
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	4	because every child of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	5	Who can overcome the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	6	He it is who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with water alone but with water and blood, and it is the Spirit that bears witness, for the Spirit is Truth.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	7	So there are three witnesses,
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	8	the Spirit, water and blood; and the three of them coincide.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	9	If we accept the testimony of human witnesses, God's testimony is greater, for this is God's testimony which he gave about his Son.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	10	Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him, and whoever does not believe is making God a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	11	This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	12	Whoever has the Son has life, and whoever has not the Son of God has not life.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	13	I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	14	Our fearlessness towards him consists in this, that if we ask anything in accordance with his will he hears us.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	15	And if we know that he listens to whatever we ask him, we know that we already possess whatever we have asked of him.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	16	If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that is not a deadly sin, he has only to pray, and God will give life to this brother -- provided that it is not a deadly sin. There is sin that leads to death and I am not saying you must pray about that.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	17	Every kind of wickedness is sin, but not all sin leads to death.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	18	We are well aware that no one who is a child of God sins, because he who was born from God protects him, and the Evil One has no hold over him.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	19	We are well aware that we are from God, and the whole world is in the power of the Evil One.
 1 John	1Jn	69	5	20	We are well aware also that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know the One who is true. We are in the One who is true as we are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and this is eternal life. Children, be on your guard against false gods.
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	1	From the Elder: my greetings to the Lady, the chosen one, and to her children, whom I love in truth -- and I am not the only one, for so do all who have come to know the Truth -- and I am not the only one, for so so do all who have come to know the Truth-
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	2	because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us for ever.
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	3	In our life of truth and love, we shall have grace, faithful love and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father.
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	4	It has given me great joy to find that children of yours have been living the life of truth as we were commanded by the Father.
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	5	And now I am asking you -- dear lady, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but only the one which we have had from the beginning -- that we should love one another.
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	6	To love is to live according to his commandments: this is the commandment which you have heard since the beginning, to live a life of love.
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	7	There are many deceivers at large in the world, refusing to acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in human nature. They are the Deceiver; they are the Antichrist.
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	8	Watch yourselves, or all our work will be lost and you will forfeit your full reward.
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	9	If anybody does not remain in the teaching of Christ but goes beyond it, he does not have God with him: only those who remain in what he taught can have the Father and the Son with them.
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	10	If anyone comes to you bringing a different doctrine, you must not receive him into your house or even give him a greeting.
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	11	Whoever greets him has a share in his wicked activities.
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	12	There are several things I have to tell you, but I have thought it best not to trust them to paper and ink. I hope instead to visit you and talk to you in person, so that our joy may be complete.
 2 John	2Jn	70	1	13	Greetings to you from the children of your sister, the chosen one.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	1	From the Elder: greetings to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in truth.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	2	My dear friend, I hope everything is going happily with you and that you are as well physically as you are spiritually.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	3	It was a great joy to me when some brothers came and told of your faithfulness to the truth, and of your life in the truth.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	4	It is always my greatest joy to hear that my children are living according to the truth.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	5	My dear friend, you have done loyal work in helping these brothers, even though they were strangers to you.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	6	They are a proof to the whole Church of your love and it would be a kindness if you could help them on their journey as God would approve.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	7	It was entirely for the sake of the name that they set out, without depending on the non-believers for anything:
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	8	it is our duty to welcome people of this sort and contribute our share to their work for the truth.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	9	I have written a note for the members of the church, but Diotrephes, who enjoys being in charge of it, refuses to accept us.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	10	So if I come, I shall tell everyone how he has behaved, and about the wicked accusations he has been circulating against us. As if that were not enough, he not only refuses to welcome our brothers, but prevents from doing so other people who would have liked to, and expels them from the church.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	11	My dear friend, never follow a bad example, but keep following the good one; whoever does what is right is from God, but no one who does what is wrong has ever seen God.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	12	Demetrius has been approved by everyone, and indeed by Truth itself. We too will vouch for him and you know that our testimony is true.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	13	There were several things I had to tell you but I would rather not trust them to pen and ink.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	14	However, I hope to see you soon and talk to you in person.
 3 John	3Jn	71	1	15	Peace be with you; greetings from your friends; greet each of our friends by name.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	1	From Jude, servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James; to those who are called, to those who are dear to God the Father and kept safe for Jesus Christ,
 Jude	Jude	72	1	2	mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	3	My dear friends, at a time when I was eagerly looking forward to writing to you about the salvation that we all share, I felt that I must write to you encouraging you to fight hard for the faith which has been once and for all entrusted to God's holy people.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	4	Certain people have infiltrated among you, who were long ago marked down for condemnation on this account; without any reverence they pervert the grace of our God to debauchery and deny all religion, rejecting our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	5	I should like to remind you -- though you have already learnt it once and for all -- that the Lord rescued the nation from Egypt, but afterwards he still destroyed the people who refused to believe him;
 Jude	Jude	72	1	6	and the angels who did not keep to the authority they had, but left their appointed sphere, he has kept in darkness in eternal bonds until the judgement of the great Day.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	7	Sodom and Gomorrah, too, and the neighbouring towns, who with the same sexual immorality pursued unnatural lusts, are put before us as an example since they are paying the penalty of eternal fire.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	8	Nevertheless, these people are doing the same: in their delusions they not only defile their bodies and disregard Authority, but abuse the Glories as well.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	9	Not even the archangel Michael, when he was engaged in argument with the devil about the corpse of Moses, dared to denounce him in the language of abuse; all he said was, 'May the Lord rebuke you.'
 Jude	Jude	72	1	10	But these people abuse anything they do not understand; and the only things they do understand -- merely by nature like unreasoning animals -- will turn out to be fatal to them.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	11	Alas for them, because they have followed Cain; they have thrown themselves into the same delusion as Balaam for a reward; they have been ruined by the same rebellion as Korah -and share the same fate.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	12	They are a dangerous hazard at your community meals, coming for the food and quite shamelessly only looking after themselves. They are like the clouds blown about by the winds and bringing no rain, or like autumn trees, barren and uprooted and so twice dead;
 Jude	Jude	72	1	13	like wild sea waves with their own shame for foam; or like wandering stars for whom the gloom of darkness is stored up for ever.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	14	It was with them in mind that Enoch, the seventh patriarch from Adam, made his prophecy when he said, 'I tell you, the Lord will come with his holy ones in their tens of thousands,
 Jude	Jude	72	1	15	to pronounce judgement on all humanity and to sentence the godless for all the godless things they have done, and for all the defiant things said against him by godless sinners.'
 Jude	Jude	72	1	16	They are mischief-makers, grumblers governed only by their own desires, with mouths full of boastful talk, ready to flatter others for gain.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	17	But remember, my dear friends, what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	18	'At the final point of time', they told you, 'there will be mockers who follow nothing but their own godless desires.'
 Jude	Jude	72	1	19	It is they who cause division, who live according to nature and do not possess the Spirit.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	20	But you, my dear friends, must build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit;
 Jude	Jude	72	1	21	keep yourselves within the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you eternal life.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	22	To some you must be compassionate because they are wavering;
 Jude	Jude	72	1	23	others you must save by snatching them from the fire; to others again you must be compassionate but wary, hating even the tunic stained by their bodies.
 Jude	Jude	72	1	24	To him who can keep you from falling and bring you safe to his glorious presence, innocent and joyful,
 Jude	Jude	72	1	25	to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, authority and power, before all ages, now and for ever. Amen.
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	1	A revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him so that he could tell his servants what is now to take place very soon; he sent his angel to make it known to his servant John,
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	2	and John has borne witness to the Word of God and to the witness of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw.
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	3	Blessed is anyone who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed those who hear them, if they treasure the content, because the Time is near.
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	4	John, to the seven churches of Asia: grace and peace to you from him who is, who was, and who is to come, from the seven spirits who are before his throne,
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	5	and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the First-born from the dead, the highest of earthly kings. He loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood,
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	6	and made us a Kingdom of Priests to serve his God and Father; to him, then, be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	7	Look, he is coming on the clouds; everyone will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the races of the earth will mourn over him. Indeed this shall be so. Amen.
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	8	'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	9	I, John, your brother and partner in hardships, in the kingdom and in perseverance in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos on account of the Word of God and of witness to Jesus;
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	10	it was the Lord's Day and I was in ecstasy, and I heard a loud voice behind me, like the sound of a trumpet, saying,
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	11	'Write down in a book all that you see, and send it to the seven churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	12	I turned round to see who was speaking to me, and when I turned I saw seven golden lamp-stands
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	13	and, in the middle of them, one like a Son of man, dressed in a long robe tied at the waist with a belt of gold.
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	14	His head and his hair were white with the whiteness of wool, like snow, his eyes like a burning flame,
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	15	his feet like burnished bronze when it has been refined in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of the ocean.
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	16	In his right hand he was holding seven stars, out of his mouth came a sharp sword, double-edged, and his face was like the sun shining with all its force.
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	17	When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead, but he laid his right hand on me and said, 'Do not be afraid; it is I, the First and the Last; I am the Living One,
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	18	I was dead and look -- I am alive for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and of Hades.
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	19	Now write down all that you see of present happenings and what is still to come.
 Revelation	Rev	73	1	20	The secret of the seven stars you have seen in my right hand, and of the seven golden lamp-stands, is this: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp-stands are the seven churches themselves.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	1	'Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus and say, "Here is the message of the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who lives among the seven golden lamp-stands:
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	2	I know your activities, your hard work and your perseverance. I know you cannot stand wicked people, and how you put to the test those who were self-styled apostles, and found them false.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	3	I know too that you have perseverance, and have suffered for my name without growing tired.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	4	Nevertheless, I have this complaint to make: you have less love now than formerly.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	5	Think where you were before you fell; repent, and behave as you did at first, or else, if you will not repent, I shall come to you and take your lamp-stand from its place.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	6	It is in your favour, nevertheless, that you loathe as I do the way the Nicolaitans are behaving.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	7	Let anyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches: those who prove victorious I will feed from the tree of life set in God's paradise."
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	8	'Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna and say, "Here is the message of the First and the Last, who was dead and has come to life again:
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	9	I know your hardships and your poverty, and -- though you are rich -- the slander of the people who falsely claim to be Jews but are really members of the synagogue of Satan.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	10	Do not be afraid of the sufferings that are coming to you. Look, the devil will send some of you to prison to put you to the test, and you must face hardship for ten days. Even if you have to die, keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life for your prize.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	11	Let anyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches: for those who prove victorious will come to no harm from the second death."
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	12	'Write to the angel of the church in Pergamum and say, "Here is the message of the one who has the sharp sword, double-edged:
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	13	I know where you live, in the place where Satan is enthroned, and that you still hold firmly to my name, and did not disown your faith in me even when my faithful witness, Antipas, was killed among you, where Satan lives.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	14	"Nevertheless, I have one or two charges against you: some of you are followers of Balaam, who taught Balak to set a trap for the Israelites so that they committed adultery by eating food that had been sacrificed to idols;
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	15	and among you too there are some also who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	16	So repent, or I shall soon come to you and attack these people with the sword out of my mouth.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	17	Let anyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches: to those who prove victorious I will give some hidden manna and a white stone, with a new name written on it, known only to the person who receives it."
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	18	'Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira and say, "Here is the message of the Son of God who has eyes like a burning flame and feet like burnished bronze:
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	19	I know your activities, your love, your faith, your service and your perseverance, and I know how you are still making progress.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	20	Nevertheless, I have a complaint to make: you tolerate the woman Jezebel who claims to be a prophetess, and by her teaching she is luring my servants away to commit the adultery of eating food which has been sacrificed to idols.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	21	I have given her time to repent but she is not willing to repent of her adulterous life.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	22	Look, I am consigning her to a bed of pain, and all her partners in adultery to great hardship, unless they repent of their practices;
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	23	and I will see that her children die, so that all the churches realise that it is I who test motives and thoughts and repay you as your deeds deserve.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	24	But on the rest of you in Thyatira, all of you who have not accepted this teaching or learnt the deep secrets of Satan, as they are called, I am not laying any other burden;
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	25	but hold on firmly to what you already have until I come.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	26	To anyone who proves victorious, and keeps working for me until the end, I will give the authority over the nations
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	27	which I myself have been given by my Father, to rule them with an iron sceptre and shatter them like so many pots.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	28	And I will give such a person the Morning Star.
 Revelation	Rev	73	2	29	Let anyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	1	'Write to the angel of the church in Sardis and say, "Here is the message of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know about your behaviour: how you are reputed to be alive and yet are dead.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	2	Wake up; put some resolve into what little vigour you have left: it is dying fast. So far I have failed to notice anything in your behaviour that my God could possibly call perfect;
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	3	remember how you first heard the message. Hold on to that. Repent! If you do not wake up, I shall come to you like a thief, and you will have no idea at what hour I shall come upon you.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	4	There are a few in Sardis, it is true, who have kept their robes unstained, and they are fit to come with me, dressed in white.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	5	Anyone who proves victorious will be dressed, like these, in white robes; I shall not blot that name out of the book of life, but acknowledge it in the presence of my Father and his angels.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	6	Let anyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	7	'Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia and say, "Here is the message of the holy and true one who has the key of David, so that when he opens, no one will close, and when he closes, no one will open:
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	8	I know about your activities. Look, I have opened in front of you a door that no one will be able to close -- and I know that though you are not very strong, you have kept my commandments and not disowned my name.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	9	Look, I am going to make the synagogue of Satan -- those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are liars, because they are no such thing -- I will make them come and fall at your feet and recognize that I have loved you.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	10	Because you have kept my commandment to persevere, I will keep you safe in the time of trial which is coming for the whole world, to put the people of the world to the test.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	11	I am coming soon: hold firmly to what you already have, and let no one take your victor's crown away from you.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	12	Anyone who proves victorious I will make into a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and it will stay there for ever; I will inscribe on it the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem which is coming down from my God in heaven, and my own new name as well.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	13	Let anyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	14	'Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea and say, "Here is the message of the Amen, the trustworthy, the true witness, the Principle of God's creation:
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	15	I know about your activities: how you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other,
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	16	but since you are neither hot nor cold, but only lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	17	You say to yourself: I am rich, I have made a fortune and have everything I want, never realising that you are wretchedly and pitiably poor, and blind and naked too.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	18	I warn you, buy from me the gold that has been tested in the fire to make you truly rich, and white robes to clothe you and hide your shameful nakedness, and ointment to put on your eyes to enable you to see.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	19	I reprove and train those whom I love: so repent in real earnest.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	20	Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share a meal at that person's side.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	21	Anyone who proves victorious I will allow to share my throne, just as I have myself overcome and have taken my seat with my Father on his throne.
 Revelation	Rev	73	3	22	Let anyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches." '
 Revelation	Rev	73	4	1	Then, in my vision, I saw a door open in heaven and heard the same voice speaking to me, the voice like a trumpet, saying, 'Come up here: I will show you what is to take place in the future.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	4	2	With that, I fell into ecstasy and I saw a throne standing in heaven, and the One who was sitting on the throne,
 Revelation	Rev	73	4	3	and the One sitting there looked like a diamond and a ruby. There was a rainbow encircling the throne, and this looked like an emerald.
 Revelation	Rev	73	4	4	Round the throne in a circle were twenty-four thrones, and on them twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white robes with golden crowns on their heads.
 Revelation	Rev	73	4	5	Flashes of lightning were coming from the throne, and the sound of peals of thunder, and in front of the throne there were seven flaming lamps burning, the seven Spirits of God.
 Revelation	Rev	73	4	6	In front of the throne was a sea as transparent as crystal. In the middle of the throne and around it, were four living creatures all studded with eyes, in front and behind.
 Revelation	Rev	73	4	7	The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a bull, the third living creature had a human face, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
 Revelation	Rev	73	4	8	Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was studded with eyes all the way round as well as inside; and day and night they never stopped singing: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty; who was, and is and is to come.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	4	9	Every time the living creatures glorified and honoured and gave thanks to the One sitting on the throne, who lives for ever and ever,
 Revelation	Rev	73	4	10	the twenty-four elders prostrated themselves before him to worship the One who lives for ever and ever, and threw down their crowns in front of the throne, saying:
 Revelation	Rev	73	4	11	You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you made the whole universe; by your will, when it did not exist, it was created.
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	1	I saw that in the right hand of the One sitting on the throne there was a scroll that was written on back and front and was sealed with seven seals.
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	2	Then I saw a powerful angel who called with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?'
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	3	But there was no one, in heaven or on the earth or under the earth, who was able to open the scroll and read it.
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	4	I wept bitterly because nobody could be found to open the scroll and read it,
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	5	but one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep. Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed, and so he will open the scroll and its seven seals.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	6	Then I saw, in the middle of the throne with its four living creatures and the circle of the elders, a Lamb standing that seemed to have been sacrificed; it had seven horns, and it had seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits that God has sent out over the whole world.
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	7	The Lamb came forward to take the scroll from the right hand of the One sitting on the throne,
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	8	and when he took it, the four living creatures prostrated themselves before him and with them the twenty-four elders; each one of them was holding a harp and had a golden bowl full of incense which are the prayers of the saints.
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	9	They sang a new hymn: You are worthy to take the scroll and to break its seals, because you were sacrificed, and with your blood you bought people for God of every race, language, people and nation
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	10	and made them a line of kings and priests for God, to rule the world.
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	11	In my vision, I heard the sound of an immense number of angels gathered round the throne and the living creatures and the elders; there were ten thousand times ten thousand of them and thousands upon thousands,
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	12	loudly chanting: Worthy is the Lamb that was sacrificed to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and blessing.
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	13	Then I heard all the living things in creation -- everything that lives in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, crying: To the One seated on the throne and to the Lamb, be all praise, honour, glory and power, for ever and ever.
 Revelation	Rev	73	5	14	And the four living creatures said, 'Amen'; and the elders prostrated themselves to worship.
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	1	Then, in my vision, I saw the Lamb break one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures shout in a voice like thunder, 'Come!'
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	2	Immediately I saw a white horse appear, and its rider was holding a bow; he was given a victor's crown and he went away, to go from victory to victory.
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	3	When he broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature shout, 'Come!'
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	4	And out came another horse, bright red, and its rider was given this duty: to take away peace from the earth and set people killing each other. He was given a huge sword.
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	5	When he broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature shout, 'Come!' Immediately I saw a black horse appear, and its rider was holding a pair of scales;
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	6	and I seemed to hear a voice shout from among the four living creatures and say, 'A day's wages for a quart of corn, and a day's wages for three quarts of barley, but do not tamper with the oil or the wine.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	7	When he broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature shout, 'Come!'
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	8	Immediately I saw another horse appear, deathly pale, and its rider was called Death, and Hades followed at its heels. They were given authority over a quarter of the earth, to kill by the sword, by famine, by plague and through wild beasts.
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	9	When he broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of all the people who had been killed on account of the Word of God, for witnessing to it.
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	10	They shouted in a loud voice, 'Holy, true Master, how much longer will you wait before you pass sentence and take vengeance for our death on the inhabitants of the earth?'
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	11	Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little longer, until the roll was completed of their fellow-servants and brothers who were still to be killed as they had been.
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	12	In my vision, when he broke the sixth seal, there was a violent earthquake and the sun went as black as coarse sackcloth; the moon turned red as blood all over,
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	13	and the stars of the sky fell onto the earth like figs dropping from a fig tree when a high wind shakes it;
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	14	the sky disappeared like a scroll rolling up and all the mountains and islands were shaken from their places.
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	15	Then all the kings of the earth, the governors and the commanders, the rich people and the men of influence, the whole population, slaves and citizens, hid in caverns and among the rocks of the mountains.
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	16	They said to the mountains and the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us away from the One who sits on the throne and from the retribution of the Lamb.
 Revelation	Rev	73	6	17	For the Great Day of his retribution has come, and who can face it?'
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	1	Next I saw four angels, standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the world to keep them from blowing over the land or the sea or any tree.
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	2	Then I saw another angel rising where the sun rises, carrying the seal of the living God; he called in a powerful voice to the four angels whose duty was to devastate land and sea,
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	3	'Wait before you do any damage on land or at sea or to the trees, until we have put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	4	And I heard how many had been sealed: a hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel.
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	5	From the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand had been sealed; from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand; from the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand;
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	6	from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand; from the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand; from the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thousand;
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	7	from the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand; from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand; from the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand;
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	8	from the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand; and from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand had been sealed.
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	9	After that I saw that there was a huge number, impossible for anyone to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; they were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands. They shouted in a loud voice,
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	10	'Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	11	And all the angels who were standing in a circle round the throne, surrounding the elders and the four living creatures, prostrated themselves before the throne, and touched the ground with their foreheads, worshipping God
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	12	with these words: Amen. Praise and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honour and power and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	13	One of the elders then spoke and asked me, 'Who are these people, dressed in white robes, and where have they come from?'
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	14	I answered him, 'You can tell me, sir.' Then he said, 'These are the people who have been through the great trial; they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb.
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	15	That is why they are standing in front of God's throne and serving him day and night in his sanctuary; and the One who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	16	They will never hunger or thirst again; sun and scorching wind will never plague them,
 Revelation	Rev	73	7	17	because the Lamb who is at the heart of the throne will be their shepherd and will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	1	The Lamb then broke the seventh seal, and there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	2	Next I saw seven trumpets being given to the seven angels who stand in the presence of God.
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	3	Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. A large quantity of incense was given to him to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar that stood in front of the throne;
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	4	and so from the angel's hand the smoke of the incense went up in the presence of God and with it the prayers of the saints.
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	5	Then the angel took the censer and filled it from the fire of the altar, which he then hurled down onto the earth; immediately there came peals of thunder and flashes of lightning, and the earth shook.
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	6	The seven angels that had the seven trumpets now made ready to sound them.
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	7	The first blew his trumpet and, with that, hail and fire, mixed with blood, were hurled on the earth: a third of the earth was burnt up, and a third of all trees, and every blade of grass was burnt.
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	8	The second angel blew his trumpet, and it was as though a great mountain blazing with fire was hurled into the sea: a third of the sea turned into blood,
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	9	a third of all the living things in the sea were killed, and a third of all ships were destroyed.
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	10	The third angel blew his trumpet, and a huge star fell from the sky, burning like a ball of fire, and it fell on a third of all rivers and on the springs of water;
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	11	this was the star called Wormwood, and a third of all water turned to wormwood, so that many people died; the water had become so bitter.
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	12	The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were blasted, so that the light went out of a third of them and the day lost a third of its illumination, and likewise the night.
 Revelation	Rev	73	8	13	In my vision, I heard an eagle, calling aloud as it flew high overhead, 'Disaster, disaster, disaster, on all the people on earth at the sound of the other three trumpets which the three angels have yet to blow!'
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	1	Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from heaven onto the earth, and the angel was given the key to the shaft leading down to the Abyss.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	2	When he unlocked the shaft of the Abyss, smoke rose out of the Abyss like the smoke from a huge furnace so that the sun and the sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss,
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	3	and out of the smoke dropped locusts onto the earth: they were given the powers that scorpions have on the earth:
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	4	they were forbidden to harm any fields or crops or trees and told to attack only those people who were without God's seal on their foreheads.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	5	They were not to kill them, but to give them anguish for five months, and the anguish was to be the anguish of a scorpion's sting.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	6	When this happens, people will long for death and not find it anywhere; they will want to die and death will evade them.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	7	These locusts looked like horses armoured for battle; they had what looked like gold crowns on their heads, and their faces looked human,
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	8	and their hair was like women's hair, and teeth like lion's teeth.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	9	They had body-armour like iron breastplates, and the noise of their wings sounded like the racket of chariots with many horses charging.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	10	Their tails were like scorpions' tails, with stings, and with their tails they were able to torture people for five months.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	11	As their leader they had their emperor, the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek Apollyon.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	12	That was the first of the disasters; there are still two more to come.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	13	The sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a single voice issuing from the four horns of the golden altar in God's presence.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	14	It spoke to the sixth angel with the trumpet, and said, 'Release the four angels that are chained up at the great river Euphrates.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	15	These four angels had been ready for this hour of this day of this month of this year, and ready to destroy a third of the human race.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	16	I learnt how many there were in their army: twice ten thousand times ten thousand mounted men.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	17	In my vision I saw the horses, and the riders with their breastplates of flame colour, hyacinth-blue and sulphur-yellow; the horses had lions' heads, and fire, smoke and sulphur were coming from their mouths.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	18	It was by these three plagues, the fire, the smoke and the sulphur coming from their mouths, that the one third of the human race was killed.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	19	All the horses' power was in their mouths and their tails: their tails were like snakes, and had heads which inflicted wounds.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	20	But the rest of the human race, who escaped death by these plagues, refused either to abandon their own handiwork or to stop worshipping devils, the idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood that can neither see nor hear nor move.
 Revelation	Rev	73	9	21	Nor did they give up their murdering, or witchcraft, or fornication or stealing.
 Revelation	Rev	73	10	1	Then I saw another powerful angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in cloud, with a rainbow over his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were pillars of fire.
 Revelation	Rev	73	10	2	In his hand he had a small scroll, unrolled; he put his right foot in the sea and his left foot on the land
 Revelation	Rev	73	10	3	and he shouted so loud, it was like a lion roaring. At this, the seven claps of thunder made themselves heard
 Revelation	Rev	73	10	4	and when the seven thunderclaps had sounded, I was preparing to write, when I heard a voice from heaven say to me, 'Keep the words of the seven thunderclaps secret and do not write them down.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	10	5	Then the angel that I had seen, standing on the sea and the land, raised his right hand to heaven,
 Revelation	Rev	73	10	6	and swore by him who lives for ever and ever, and made heaven and all that it contains, and earth and all it contains, and the sea and all it contains, 'The time of waiting is over;
 Revelation	Rev	73	10	7	at the time when the seventh angel is heard sounding his trumpet, the mystery of God will be fulfilled, just as he announced in the gospel to his servants the prophets.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	10	8	Then I heard the voice I had heard from heaven speaking to me again. 'Go', it said, 'and take that open scroll from the hand of the angel standing on sea and land.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	10	9	I went to the angel and asked him to give me the small scroll, and he said, 'Take it and eat it; it will turn your stomach sour, but it will taste as sweet as honey.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	10	10	So I took it out of the angel's hand, and I ate it and it tasted sweet as honey, but when I had eaten it my stomach turned sour.
 Revelation	Rev	73	10	11	Then I was told, 'You are to prophesy again, this time against many different nations and countries and languages and kings.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	1	Then I was given a long cane like a measuring rod, and I was told, 'Get up and measure God's sanctuary, and the altar, and the people who worship there;
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	2	but exclude the outer court and do not measure it, because it has been handed over to gentiles -- they will trample on the holy city for forty-two months.
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	3	But I shall send my two witnesses to prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, wearing sackcloth.
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	4	These are the two olive trees and the two lamps in attendance on the Lord of the world.
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	5	Fire comes from their mouths and consumes their enemies if anyone tries to harm them; and anyone who tries to harm them will certainly be killed in this way.
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	6	They have the power to lock up the sky so that it does not rain as long as they are prophesying; they have the power to turn water into blood and strike the whole world with any plague as often as they like.
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	7	When they have completed their witnessing, the beast that comes out of the Abyss is going to make war on them and overcome them and kill them.
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	8	Their corpses lie in the main street of the great city known by the symbolic names Sodom and Egypt, in which their Lord was crucified.
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	9	People of every race, tribe, language and nation stare at their corpses, for three-and-a-half days, not letting them be buried,
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	10	and the people of the world are glad about it and celebrate the event by giving presents to each other, because these two prophets have been a plague to the people of the world.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	11	After the three-and-a-half days, God breathed life into them and they stood up on their feet, and everybody who saw it happen was terrified;
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	12	then I heard a loud voice from heaven say to them, 'Come up here,' and while their enemies were watching, they went up to heaven in a cloud.
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	13	Immediately, there was a violent earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed; seven thousand persons were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors, overcome with fear, could only praise the God of heaven.
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	14	That was the second of the disasters; the third is to come quickly after it.
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	15	Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and voices could be heard shouting in heaven, calling, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	16	The twenty-four elders, enthroned in the presence of God, prostrated themselves and touched the ground with their foreheads worshipping God
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	17	with these words, 'We give thanks to you, Almighty Lord God, He who is, He who was, for assuming your great power and beginning your reign.
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	18	The nations were in uproar and now the time has come for your retribution, and for the dead to be judged, and for your servants the prophets, for the saints and for those who fear your name, small and great alike, to be rewarded. The time has come to destroy those who are destroying the earth.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	11	19	Then the sanctuary of God in heaven opened, and the ark of the covenant could be seen inside it. Then came flashes of lightning, peals of thunder and an earthquake and violent hail.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	1	Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, robed with the sun, standing on the moon, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	2	She was pregnant, and in labour, crying aloud in the pangs of childbirth.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	3	Then a second sign appeared in the sky: there was a huge red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and each of the seven heads crowned with a coronet.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	4	Its tail swept a third of the stars from the sky and hurled them to the ground, and the dragon stopped in front of the woman as she was at the point of giving birth, so that it could eat the child as soon as it was born.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	5	The woman was delivered of a boy, the son who was to rule all the nations with an iron sceptre, and the child was taken straight up to God and to his throne,
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	6	while the woman escaped into the desert, where God had prepared a place for her to be looked after for twelve hundred and sixty days.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	7	And now war broke out in heaven, when Michael with his angels attacked the dragon. The dragon fought back with his angels,
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	8	but they were defeated and driven out of heaven.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	9	The great dragon, the primeval serpent, known as the devil or Satan, who had led all the world astray, was hurled down to the earth and his angels were hurled down with him.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	10	Then I heard a voice shout from heaven, 'Salvation and power and empire for ever have been won by our God, and all authority for his Christ, now that the accuser, who accused our brothers day and night before our God, has been brought down.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	11	They have triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word to which they bore witness, because even in the face of death they did not cling to life.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	12	So let the heavens rejoice and all who live there; but for you, earth and sea, disaster is coming -- because the devil has gone down to you in a rage, knowing that he has little time left.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	13	As soon as the dragon found himself hurled down to the earth, he sprang in pursuit of the woman, the mother of the male child,
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	14	but she was given a pair of the great eagle's wings to fly away from the serpent into the desert, to the place where she was to be looked after for a time, two times and half a time.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	15	So the serpent vomited water from his mouth, like a river, after the woman, to sweep her away in the current,
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	16	but the earth came to her rescue; it opened its mouth and swallowed the river spewed from the dragon's mouth.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	17	Then the dragon was enraged with the woman and went away to make war on the rest of her children, who obey God's commandments and have in themselves the witness of Jesus.
 Revelation	Rev	73	12	18	And I took my stand on the seashore.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	1	Then I saw a beast emerge from the sea: it had seven heads and ten horns, with a coronet on each of its ten horns, and its heads were marked with blasphemous titles.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	2	I saw that the beast was like a leopard, with paws like a bear and a mouth like a lion; the dragon had handed over to it his own power and his throne and his immense authority.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	3	I saw that one of its heads seemed to have had a fatal wound but that this deadly injury had healed and the whole world had marvelled and followed the beast.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	4	They prostrated themselves in front of the dragon because he had given the beast his authority; and they prostrated themselves in front of the beast, saying, 'Who can compare with the beast? Who can fight against it?'
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	5	The beast was allowed to mouth its boasts and blasphemies and to be active for forty-two months;
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	6	and it mouthed its blasphemies against God, against his name, his heavenly Tent and all those who are sheltered there.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	7	It was allowed to make war against the saints and conquer them, and given power over every race, people, language and nation;
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	8	and all people of the world will worship it, that is, everybody whose name has not been written down since the foundation of the world in the sacrificial Lamb's book of life.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	9	Let anyone who can hear, listen:
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	10	Those for captivity to captivity; those for death by the sword to death by the sword. This is why the saints must have perseverance and faith.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	11	Then I saw a second beast, emerging from the ground; it had two horns like a lamb, but made a noise like a dragon.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	12	This second beast exercised all the power of the first beast, on its behalf making the world and all its people worship the first beast, whose deadly injury had healed.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	13	And it worked great miracles, even to calling down fire from heaven onto the earth while people watched.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	14	Through the miracles which it was allowed to do on behalf of the first beast, it was able to lead astray the people of the world and persuade them to put up a statue in honour of the beast that had been wounded by the sword and still lived.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	15	It was allowed to breathe life into this statue, so that the statue of the beast was able to speak, and to have anyone who refused to worship the statue of the beast put to death.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	16	It compelled everyone -- small and great alike, rich and poor, slave and citizen -- to be branded on the right hand or on the forehead,
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	17	and made it illegal for anyone to buy or sell anything unless he had been branded with the name of the beast or with the number of its name.
 Revelation	Rev	73	13	18	There is need for shrewdness here: anyone clever may interpret the number of the beast: it is the number of a human being, the number 666.
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	1	Next in my vision I saw Mount Zion, and standing on it the Lamb who had with him a hundred and forty-four thousand people, all with his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	2	I heard a sound coming out of heaven like the sound of the ocean or the roar of thunder; it was like the sound of harpists playing their harps.
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	3	There before the throne they were singing a new hymn in the presence of the four living creatures and the elders, a hymn that could be learnt only by the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the world.
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	4	These are the sons who have kept their virginity and not been defiled with women; they follow the Lamb wherever he goes; they, out of all people, have been redeemed to be the first-fruits for God and for the Lamb.
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	5	No lie was found in their mouths and no fault can be found in them.
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	6	Then I saw another angel, flying high overhead, sent to announce the gospel of eternity to all who live on the earth, every nation, race, language and tribe.
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	7	He was calling, 'Fear God and glorify him, because the time has come for him to sit in judgement; worship the maker of heaven and earth and sea and the springs of water.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	8	A second angel followed him, calling, 'Babylon has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen, Babylon which gave the whole world the wine of retribution to drink.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	9	A third angel followed, shouting aloud, 'All those who worship the beast and his statue, or have had themselves branded on the hand or forehead,
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	10	will be made to drink the wine of God's fury which is ready, undiluted, in his cup of retribution; in fire and brimstone they will be tortured in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	11	and the smoke of their torture will rise for ever and ever. There will be no respite, night or day, for those who worship the beast or its statue or accept branding with its name.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	12	This is why there must be perseverance in the saints who keep the commandments of God and faith in Jesus.
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	13	Then I heard a voice from heaven say to me, 'Write down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord! Blessed indeed, the Spirit says; now they can rest for ever after their work, since their good deeds go with them.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	14	Now in my vision I saw a white cloud and, sitting on it, one like a son of man with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	15	Then another angel came out of the sanctuary and shouted at the top of his voice to the one sitting on the cloud, 'Ply your sickle and reap: harvest time has come and the harvest of the earth is ripe.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	16	Then the one sitting on the cloud set his sickle to work on the earth, and the harvest of earth was reaped.
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	17	Another angel, who also carried a sharp sickle, came out of the temple in heaven,
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	18	and the angel in charge of the fire left the altar and shouted at the top of his voice to the one with the sharp sickle, 'Put your sickle in, and harvest the bunches from the vine of the earth; all its grapes are ripe.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	19	So the angel set his sickle to work on the earth and harvested the whole vintage of the earth and put it into a huge winepress, the winepress of God's anger,
 Revelation	Rev	73	14	20	outside the city, where it was trodden until the blood that came out of the winepress was up to the horses' bridles as far away as sixteen hundred furlongs.
 Revelation	Rev	73	15	1	And I saw in heaven another sign, great and wonderful: seven angels were bringing the seven plagues that are the last of all, because they exhaust the anger of God.
 Revelation	Rev	73	15	2	I seemed to be looking at a sea of crystal suffused with fire, and standing by the lake of glass, those who had fought against the beast and won, and against his statue and the number which is his name. They all had harps from God,
 Revelation	Rev	73	15	3	and they were singing the hymn of Moses, the servant of God, and the hymn of the Lamb: How great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty; upright and true are all your ways, King of nations.
 Revelation	Rev	73	15	4	Who does not revere and glorify your name, O Lord? For you alone are holy, and all nations will come and adore you for the many acts of saving justice you have shown.
 Revelation	Rev	73	15	5	After this, in my vision, the sanctuary, the tent of the Testimony, opened in heaven,
 Revelation	Rev	73	15	6	and out came the seven angels with the seven plagues, wearing pure white linen, fastened round their waists with belts of gold.
 Revelation	Rev	73	15	7	One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the anger of God who lives for ever and ever.
 Revelation	Rev	73	15	8	The smoke from the glory and the power of God filled the temple so that no one could go into it until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	1	Then I heard a loud voice from the sanctuary calling to the seven angels, 'Go, and empty the seven bowls of God's anger over the earth.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	2	The first angel went and emptied his bowl over the earth; at once, on all the people who had been branded with the mark of the beast and had worshipped its statue, there came disgusting and virulent sores.
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	3	The second angel emptied his bowl over the sea, and it turned to blood, like the blood of a corpse, and every living creature in the sea died.
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	4	The third angel emptied his bowl into the rivers and springs of water and they turned into blood.
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	5	Then I heard the angel of water say, 'You are the Upright One, He who is, He who was, the Holy One, for giving this verdict:
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	6	they spilt the blood of the saints and the prophets, and blood is what you have given them to drink; it is what they deserve.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	7	And I heard the altar itself say, 'Truly, Lord God Almighty, the punishments you give are true and just.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	8	The fourth angel emptied his bowl over the sun and it was made to scorch people with its flames;
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	9	but though people were scorched by the fierce heat of it, they cursed the name of God who had the power to cause such plagues, and they would not repent and glorify him.
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	10	The fifth angel emptied his bowl over the throne of the beast and its whole empire was plunged into darkness. People were biting their tongues for pain,
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	11	but instead of repenting for what they had done, they cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores.
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	12	The sixth angel emptied his bowl over the great river Euphrates; all the water dried up so that a way was made for the kings of the East to come in.
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	13	Then from the jaws of dragon and beast and false prophet I saw three foul spirits come; they looked like frogs
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	14	and in fact were demon spirits, able to work miracles, going out to all the kings of the world to call them together for the war of the Great Day of God the Almighty.-
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	15	Look, I shall come like a thief. Blessed is anyone who has kept watch, and has kept his clothes on, so that he does not go out naked and expose his shame.-
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	16	They called the kings together at the place called, in Hebrew, Armageddon.
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	17	The seventh angel emptied his bowl into the air, and a great voice boomed out from the sanctuary, 'The end has come.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	18	Then there were flashes of lightning and peals of thunder and a violent earthquake, unparalleled since humanity first came into existence.
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	19	The Great City was split into three parts and the cities of the world collapsed; Babylon the Great was not forgotten: God made her drink the full winecup of his retribution.
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	20	Every island vanished and the mountains disappeared;
 Revelation	Rev	73	16	21	and hail, with great hailstones weighing a talent each, fell from the sky on the people. They cursed God for sending a plague of hail; it was the most terrible plague.
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	1	One of the seven angels that had the seven bowls came to speak to me, and said, 'Come here and I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute who is enthroned beside abundant waters,
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	2	with whom all the kings of the earth have prostituted themselves, and who has made all the population of the world drunk with the wine of her adultery.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	3	He took me in spirit to a desert, and there I saw a woman riding a scarlet beast which had seven heads and ten horns and had blasphemous titles written all over it.
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	4	The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet and glittered with gold and jewels and pearls, and she was holding a gold winecup filled with the disgusting filth of her prostitution;
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	5	on her forehead was written a name, a cryptic name: 'Babylon the Great, the mother of all the prostitutes and all the filthy practices on the earth.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	6	I saw that she was drunk, drunk with the blood of the saints, and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus; and when I saw her, I was completely mystified.
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	7	The angel said to me, 'Do you not understand? I will tell you the meaning of this woman, and of the beast she is riding, with the seven heads and the ten horns.
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	8	'The beast you have seen was once alive and is alive no longer; it is yet to come up from the Abyss, but only to go to its destruction. And the people of the world, whose names have not been written since the beginning of the world in the book of life, will be astonished when they see how the beast was once alive and is alive no longer, and is still to come.
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	9	'This calls for shrewdness. The seven heads are the seven hills, on which the woman is sitting.
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	10	The seven heads are also seven emperors. Five of them have already gone, one is here now, and one is yet to come; once here, he must stay for a short while.
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	11	The beast, who was alive and is alive no longer, is at the same time the eighth and one of the seven, and he is going to his destruction.
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	12	'The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet been given their royal power but will have royal authority only for a single hour and in association with the beast.
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	13	They are all of one mind in putting their strength and their powers at the beast's disposal,
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	14	and they will go to war against the Lamb; but because the Lamb is Lord of lords and King of kings, he will defeat them, he and his followers, the called, the chosen, the trustworthy.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	15	The angel continued, 'The waters you saw, beside which the prostitute was sitting, are all the peoples, the populations, the nations and the languages.
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	16	But the ten horns and the beast will turn against the prostitute, and tear off her clothes and leave her stark naked; then they will eat her flesh and burn the remains in the fire.
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	17	In fact, God has influenced their minds to do what he intends, to agree together to put their royal powers at the beast's disposal until the time when God's words shall be fulfilled.
 Revelation	Rev	73	17	18	The woman you saw is the great city which has authority over all the rulers on earth.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	1	After this, I saw another angel come down from heaven, with great authority given to him; the earth shone with his glory.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	2	At the top of his voice he shouted, 'Babylon has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen, and has become the haunt of devils and a lodging for every foul spirit and dirty, loathsome bird.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	3	All the nations have drunk deep of the wine of her prostitution; every king on the earth has prostituted himself with her, and every merchant grown rich through her debauchery.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	4	Another voice spoke from heaven; I heard it say, 'Come out, my people, away from her, so that you do not share in her crimes and have the same plagues to bear.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	5	Her sins have reached up to the sky, and God has her crimes in mind: treat her as she has treated others.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	6	She must be paid double the amount she exacted. She is to have a doubly strong cup of her own mixture.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	7	Every one of her pomps and orgies is to be matched by a torture or an agony. I am enthroned as queen, she thinks; I am no widow and will never know bereavement.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	8	For that, in one day, the plagues will fall on her: disease and mourning and famine. She will be burned to the ground. The Lord God who has condemned her is mighty.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	9	'There will be mourning and weeping for her by the kings of the earth who have prostituted themselves with her and held orgies with her. They see the smoke as she burns,
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	10	while they keep at a safe distance through fear of her anguish. They will say: Mourn, mourn for this great city, Babylon, so powerful a city, in one short hour your doom has come upon you.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	11	'There will be weeping and distress over her among all the traders of the earth when no one is left to buy their cargoes of goods;
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	12	their stocks of gold and silver, jewels and pearls, linen and purple and silks and scarlet; all the sandalwood, every piece in ivory or fine wood, in bronze or iron or marble;
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	13	the cinnamon and spices, the myrrh and ointment and incense; wine, oil, flour and corn; their stocks of cattle, sheep, horses and chariots, their slaves and their human cargo.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	14	'All the fruits you had set your hearts on have failed you; gone for ever, never to return again, is your life of magnificence and ease.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	15	'The traders who had made a fortune out of her will be standing at a safe distance through fear of her anguish, mourning and weeping.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	16	They will be saying: Mourn, mourn for this great city; for all the linen and purple and scarlet that you wore, for all your finery of gold and jewels and pearls;
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	17	your huge riches are all destroyed within a single hour.' All the captains and seafaring men, sailors and all those who make a living from the sea kept a safe distance,
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	18	watching the smoke as she burned, and crying out, 'Has there ever been a city as great as this!'
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	19	They threw dust on their heads and said, with tears and groans: 'Mourn, mourn for this great city whose lavish living has made a fortune for every owner of a sea-going ship, ruined within a single hour.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	20	'Now heaven, celebrate her downfall, and all you saints, apostles and prophets: God has given judgement for you against her.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	21	Then a powerful angel picked up a boulder like a great millstone, and as he hurled it into the sea, he said, 'That is how the great city of Babylon is going to be hurled down, never to be seen again.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	22	Never again in you will be heard the song of harpists and minstrels, the music of flute and trumpet; never again will craftsmen of every skill be found in you or the sound of the handmill be heard;
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	23	never again will shine the light of the lamp in you, never again will be heard in you the voices of bridegroom and bride. Your traders were the princes of the earth, all the nations were led astray by your sorcery.
 Revelation	Rev	73	18	24	In her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and all the blood that was ever shed on earth.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	1	After this I heard what seemed to be the great sound of a huge crowd in heaven, singing, 'Alleluia! Salvation and glory and power to our God!
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	2	He judges fairly, he punishes justly, and he has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her prostitution; he has avenged the blood of his servants which she shed.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	3	And again they sang, 'Alleluia! The smoke of her will rise for ever and ever.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	4	Then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures threw themselves down and worshipped God seated on his throne, and they cried, 'Amen, Alleluia.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	5	Then a voice came from the throne; it said, 'Praise our God, you servants of his and those who fear him, small and great alike.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	6	And I heard what seemed to be the voices of a huge crowd, like the sound of the ocean or the great roar of thunder, answering, 'Alleluia! The reign of the Lord our God Almighty has begun;
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	7	let us be glad and joyful and give glory to God, because this is the time for the marriage of the Lamb.
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	8	His bride is ready, and she has been able to dress herself in dazzling white linen, because her linen is made of the good deeds of the saints.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	9	The angel said, 'Write this, "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb," ' and he added, 'These words of God are true.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	10	Then I knelt at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, 'Never do that: I am your fellow-servant and the fellow-servant of all your brothers who have in themselves the witness of Jesus. God alone you must worship.' The witness of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	11	And now I saw heaven open, and a white horse appear; its rider was called Trustworthy and True; in uprightness he judges and makes war.
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	12	His eyes were flames of fire, and he was crowned with many coronets; the name written on him was known only to himself,
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	13	his cloak was soaked in blood. He is known by the name, The Word of God.
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	14	Behind him, dressed in linen of dazzling white, rode the armies of heaven on white horses.
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	15	From his mouth came a sharp sword with which to strike the unbelievers; he is the one who will rule them with an iron sceptre, and tread out the wine of Almighty God's fierce retribution.
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	16	On his cloak and on his thigh a name was written: King of kings and Lord of lords.
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	17	I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he shouted aloud to all the birds that were flying high overhead in the sky, 'Come here. Gather together at God's great feast.
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	18	You will eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of great generals and heroes, the flesh of horses and their riders and of all kinds of people, citizens and slaves, small and great alike.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	19	Then I saw the beast, with all the kings of the earth and their armies, gathered together to fight the Rider and his army.
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	20	But the beast was taken prisoner, together with the false prophet who had worked miracles on the beast's behalf and by them had deceived those who had accepted branding with the mark of the beast and those who had worshipped his statue. These two were hurled alive into the fiery lake of burning sulphur.
 Revelation	Rev	73	19	21	All the rest were killed by the sword of the Rider, which came out of his mouth, and all the birds glutted themselves with their flesh.
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	1	Then I saw an angel come down from heaven with the key of the Abyss in his hand and an enormous chain.
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	2	He overpowered the dragon, that primeval serpent which is the devil and Satan, and chained him up for a thousand years.
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	3	He hurled him into the Abyss and shut the entrance and sealed it over him, to make sure he would not lead the nations astray again until the thousand years had passed. At the end of that time he must be released, but only for a short while.
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	4	Then I saw thrones, where they took their seats, and on them was conferred the power to give judgement. I saw the souls of all who had been beheaded for having witnessed for Jesus and for having preached God's word, and those who refused to worship the beast or his statue and would not accept the brandmark on their foreheads or hands; they came to life, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	5	The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were over; this is the first resurrection.
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	6	Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection; the second death has no power over them but they will be priests of God and of Christ and reign with him for a thousand years.
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	7	When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	8	and will come out to lead astray all the nations in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, and mobilise them for war, his armies being as many as the sands of the sea.
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	9	They came swarming over the entire country and besieged the camp of the saints, which is the beloved City. But fire rained down on them from heaven and consumed them.
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	10	Then the devil, who led them astray, was hurled into the lake of fire and sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet are, and their torture will not come to an end, day or night, for ever and ever.
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	11	Then I saw a great white throne and the One who was sitting on it. In his presence, earth and sky vanished, leaving no trace.
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	12	I saw the dead, great and small alike, standing in front of his throne while the books lay open. And another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged from what was written in the books, as their deeds deserved.
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	13	The sea gave up all the dead who were in it;
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	14	Death and Hades were emptied of the dead that were in them; and every one was judged as his deeds deserved. Then Death and Hades were hurled into the burning lake. This burning lake is the second death;
 Revelation	Rev	73	20	15	and anybody whose name could not be found written in the book of life was hurled into the burning lake.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	1	Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	2	I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride dressed for her husband.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	3	Then I heard a loud voice call from the throne, 'Look, here God lives among human beings. He will make his home among them; they will be his people, and he will be their God, God-with-them.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	4	He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness or pain. The world of the past has gone.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	5	Then the One sitting on the throne spoke. 'Look, I am making the whole of creation new. Write this, "What I am saying is trustworthy and will come true."
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	6	Then he said to me, 'It has already happened. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give water from the well of life free to anybody who is thirsty;
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	7	anyone who proves victorious will inherit these things; and I will be his God and he will be my son.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	8	But the legacy for cowards, for those who break their word, or worship obscenities, for murderers and the sexually immoral, and for sorcerers, worshippers of false gods or any other sort of liars, is the second death in the burning lake of sulphur.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	9	One of the seven angels that had the seven bowls full of the seven final plagues came to speak to me and said, 'Come here and I will show you the bride that the Lamb has married.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	10	In the spirit, he carried me to the top of a very high mountain, and showed me Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down out of heaven from God.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	11	It had all the glory of God and glittered like some precious jewel of crystal-clear diamond.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	12	Its wall was of a great height and had twelve gates; at each of the twelve gates there was an angel, and over the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel;
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	13	on the east there were three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	14	The city walls stood on twelve foundation stones, each one of which bore the name of one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	15	The angel that was speaking to me was carrying a gold measuring rod to measure the city and its gates and wall.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	16	The plan of the city is perfectly square, its length the same as its breadth. He measured the city with his rod and it was twelve thousand furlongs, equal in length and in breadth, and equal in height.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	17	He measured its wall, and this was a hundred and forty-four cubits high -- by human measurements.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	18	The wall was built of diamond, and the city of pure gold, like clear glass.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	19	The foundations of the city wall were faced with all kinds of precious stone: the first with diamond, the second lapis lazuli, the third turquoise, the fourth crystal,
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	20	the fifth agate, the sixth ruby, the seventh gold quartz, the eighth malachite, the ninth topaz, the tenth emerald, the eleventh sapphire and the twelfth amethyst.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	21	The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate being made of a single pearl, and the main street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	22	I could not see any temple in the city since the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb were themselves the temple,
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	23	and the city did not need the sun or the moon for light, since it was lit by the radiant glory of God, and the Lamb was a lighted torch for it.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	24	The nations will come to its light and the kings of the earth will bring it their treasures.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	25	Its gates will never be closed by day -- and there will be no night there-
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	26	and the nations will come, bringing their treasure and their wealth.
 Revelation	Rev	73	21	27	Nothing unclean may come into it: no one who does what is loathsome or false, but only those who are listed in the Lamb's book of life.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	1	Then the angel showed me the river of life, rising from the throne of God and of the Lamb and flowing crystal-clear.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	2	Down the middle of the city street, on either bank of the river were the trees of life, which bear twelve crops of fruit in a year, one in each month, and the leaves of which are the cure for the nations.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	3	The curse of destruction will be abolished. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city; his servants will worship him,
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	4	they will see him face to face, and his name will be written on their foreheads.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	5	And night will be abolished; they will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will be shining on them. They will reign for ever and ever.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	6	The angel said to me, 'All that you have written is sure and will come true: the Lord God who inspires the prophets has sent his angel to reveal to his servants what is soon to take place.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	7	I am coming soon!' Blessed are those who keep the prophetic message of this book.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	8	I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I had heard and seen them all, I knelt at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me, to worship him;
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	9	but he said, 'Do no such thing: I am your fellow-servant and the fellow-servant of your brothers the prophets and those who keep the message of this book. God alone you must worship.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	10	This, too, he said to me, 'Do not keep the prophecies in this book a secret, because the Time is close.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	11	Meanwhile let the sinner continue sinning, and the unclean continue to be unclean; let the upright continue in his uprightness, and those who are holy continue to be holy.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	12	Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay everyone as their deeds deserve.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	13	I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	14	Blessed are those who will have washed their robes clean, so that they will have the right to feed on the tree of life and can come through the gates into the city.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	15	Others must stay outside: dogs, fortune-tellers, and the sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and everyone of false speech and false life.'
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	16	I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the sake of the churches. I am the sprig from the root of David and the bright star of the morning.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	17	The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come!' Let everyone who listens answer, 'Come!' Then let all who are thirsty come: all who want it may have the water of life, and have it free.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	18	This is my solemn attestation to all who hear the prophecies in this book: if anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him every plague mentioned in the book;
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	19	if anyone cuts anything out of the prophecies in this book, God will cut off his share of the tree of life and of the holy city, which are described in the book.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	20	The one who attests these things says: I am indeed coming soon. Amen; come, Lord Jesus.
 Revelation	Rev	73	22	21	May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen.