# verses

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And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance.


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Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?


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And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.


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And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.


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Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.


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And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?


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And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.


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But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.


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And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?


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And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.


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For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.


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So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.


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And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.


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So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the Lord might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.


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And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.


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Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.


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And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.


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Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,


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Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned from going against Jeroboam.


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And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.


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And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.


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For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the Lord:


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And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.


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And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of their fathers.


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


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And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;


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And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.


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And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)


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And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.


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And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.


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And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him.


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And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the Lord,


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With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.


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Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the Lord, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.


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Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The Lord is righteous.


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And when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.


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Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.


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So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.


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Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house.


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And when the king entered into the house of the Lord, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.


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And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in Judah things went well.


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So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.


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Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.


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And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.


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He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.


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And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.


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And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;


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Ought ye not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?


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Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.


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And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.


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And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.


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Have ye not cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.


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But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the Lord, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:


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And they burn unto the Lord every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the Lord our God; but ye have forsaken him.


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And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the Lord God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.


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But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.


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And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the Lord, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.


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Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.


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And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.


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Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the Lord God of their fathers.


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And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Beth-el with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephrain with the towns thereof.


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Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the Lord struck him, and he died.


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But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.


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And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo.


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So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.


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For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:


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Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.


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And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the Lord had given him rest.


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Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.


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And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.


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And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.


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Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.


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And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.


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And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.


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And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the Lord came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.


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They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.


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And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.


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Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.


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But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.


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And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.


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And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the Lord, that was before the porch of the Lord.


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And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.


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So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.


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And they offered unto the Lord the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.


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And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;


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That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.


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And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.


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And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about.


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And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.


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But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.


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And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.


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In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.


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Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king's house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,


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There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.


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And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.


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And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.


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Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.


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And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.


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Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand.


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For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.


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Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.


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And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.


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And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.


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And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.


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And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.


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And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;


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But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.


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Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.


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And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.


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Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.


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And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.


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And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.


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And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.


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Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.


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And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.


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And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.


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And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the Lord; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.


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And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.


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And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.


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And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead.


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And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.


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Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.


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But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might inquire of him?


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And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.


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And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.


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And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.


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And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the Lord, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.


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And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.


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And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.


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And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.


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And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the Lord?


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Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.


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And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?


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Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the Lord; I saw the Lord sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.


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And the Lord said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.


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Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith?


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And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.


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Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil against thee.


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Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee?


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And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.


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Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;


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And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.


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And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the Lord spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.


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And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.


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Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.


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And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.


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For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.


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And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.


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And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.


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And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.


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Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.


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And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers.


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And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment.


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Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.


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Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.


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And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.


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And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.


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And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.


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It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.


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Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazon-tamar, which is En-gedi.


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And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.


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And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.


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And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,


scripture_text:
And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?


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Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?


scripture_text:
If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.


scripture_text:
And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;


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Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.


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O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.


scripture_text:
Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation;


scripture_text:
And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.


scripture_text:
To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.


scripture_text:
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.


scripture_text:
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord.


scripture_text:
And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.


scripture_text:
And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.


scripture_text:
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.


scripture_text:
And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.


scripture_text:
For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.


scripture_text:
And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.


scripture_text:
And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.


scripture_text:
And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.


scripture_text:
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.


scripture_text:
And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel.


scripture_text:
And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.


scripture_text:
And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord.


scripture_text:
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.


scripture_text:
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.


scripture_text:
And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:


scripture_text:
And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.


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Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.


scripture_text:
Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.


scripture_text:
And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.


scripture_text:
And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.


scripture_text:
Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.


scripture_text:
Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord.


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Howbeit the Lord would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.


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Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.


scripture_text:
So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the Lord God of his fathers.


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Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.


scripture_text:
And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,


scripture_text:
But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:


scripture_text:
Behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:


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And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.


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Moreover the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:


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And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.


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And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.


scripture_text:
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.


scripture_text:
And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.


scripture_text:
Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.


scripture_text:
Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.


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He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.


scripture_text:
And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.


scripture_text:
And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.


scripture_text:
And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.


scripture_text:
And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.


scripture_text:
But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.


scripture_text:
But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.


scripture_text:
And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.


scripture_text:
And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the Lord hath said of the sons of David.


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This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;


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And a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the Lord.


scripture_text:
But let none come into the house of the Lord, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the Lord.


scripture_text:
And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.


scripture_text:
So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.


scripture_text:
Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.


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And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.


scripture_text:
Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.


scripture_text:
Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the Lord:


scripture_text:
And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.


scripture_text:
Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the Lord.


scripture_text:
So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there.


scripture_text:
And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the Lord's people.


scripture_text:
Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.


scripture_text:
Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the Lord by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the Lord, to offer the burnt offerings of the Lord, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.


scripture_text:
And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the Lord, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in.


scripture_text:
And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the Lord: and they came through the high gate into the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.


scripture_text:
And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.


scripture_text:
Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beer-sheba.


scripture_text:
And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.


scripture_text:
And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the Lord, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?


scripture_text:
For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the Lord did they bestow upon Baalim.


scripture_text:
And at the king's commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the Lord.


scripture_text:
And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the Lord the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness.


scripture_text:
And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.


scripture_text:
Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.


scripture_text:
And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the Lord, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the Lord.


scripture_text:
So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.


scripture_text:
And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of Jehoiada.


scripture_text:
But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.


scripture_text:
And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.


scripture_text:
Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.


scripture_text:
And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.


scripture_text:
Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.


scripture_text:
And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.


scripture_text:
And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord.


scripture_text:
Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The Lord look upon it, and require it.


scripture_text:
And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.


scripture_text:
For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the Lord delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.


scripture_text:
And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.


scripture_text:
And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.


scripture_text:
Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.


scripture_text:
Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.


scripture_text:
But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the Lord commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.


scripture_text:
Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.


scripture_text:
He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver.


scripture_text:
But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the Lord is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.


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But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.


scripture_text:
And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.


scripture_text:
Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.


scripture_text:
And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.


scripture_text:
And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.


scripture_text:
But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth-horon, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.


scripture_text:
Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.


scripture_text:
Wherefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?


scripture_text:
And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.


scripture_text:
Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.


scripture_text:
And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.


scripture_text:
Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?


scripture_text:
But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.


scripture_text:
So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah.


scripture_text:
And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.


scripture_text:
And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-edom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.


scripture_text:
And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.


scripture_text:
Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?


scripture_text:
Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the Lord they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.


scripture_text:
Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.


scripture_text:
Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did.


scripture_text:
And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.


scripture_text:
And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.


scripture_text:
And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Mehunims.


scripture_text:
And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.


scripture_text:
Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.


scripture_text:
Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.


scripture_text:
Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.


scripture_text:
The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.


scripture_text:
And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.


scripture_text:
And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.


scripture_text:
And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.


scripture_text:
But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.


scripture_text:
And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men:


scripture_text:
And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God.


scripture_text:
Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar.


scripture_text:
And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him.


scripture_text:
And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.


scripture_text:
So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.


scripture_text:
Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.


scripture_text:
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the Lord. And the people did yet corruptly.


scripture_text:
He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third.


scripture_text:
Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.


scripture_text:
And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.


scripture_text:
Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord, like David his father:


scripture_text:
Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.


scripture_text:
He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.


scripture_text:
Wherefore the Lord his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.


scripture_text:
For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers.


scripture_text:
And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king.


scripture_text:
And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.


scripture_text:
But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the Lord God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.


scripture_text:
And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God?


scripture_text:
Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you.


scripture_text:
Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war,


scripture_text:
And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the Lord already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.


scripture_text:
And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.


scripture_text:
The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.


scripture_text:
For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the Lord.


scripture_text:
For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the Lord, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not.


scripture_text:
For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.


scripture_text:
And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.


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


scripture_text:
Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.


scripture_text:
And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.


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


scripture_text:
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.


scripture_text:
He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them.


scripture_text:
And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.


scripture_text:
For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord, and turned their backs.


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


scripture_text:
Wherefore the wrath of the Lord was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.


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


scripture_text:
Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.


scripture_text:
My sons, be not now negligent: for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.


scripture_text:
Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:


scripture_text:
And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:


scripture_text:
And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the Lord, to cleanse the house of the Lord.


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


scripture_text:
Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the Lord: so they sanctified the house of the Lord in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.


scripture_text:
Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the Lord, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.


scripture_text:
Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are before the altar of the Lord.


scripture_text:
Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the Lord.


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


scripture_text:
So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar.


scripture_text:
And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them:


scripture_text:
And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.


scripture_text:
And he set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets.


scripture_text:
And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.


scripture_text:
And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.


scripture_text:
And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.


scripture_text:
Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the Lord with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.


scripture_text:
Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the Lord, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the Lord. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.


scripture_text:
And the number of the burnt offerings, which the congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs: all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord.


scripture_text:
But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.


scripture_text:
And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order.


scripture_text:
And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.


scripture_text:
And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel.


scripture_text:
For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.


scripture_text:
For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.


scripture_text:
So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.


scripture_text:
And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.


scripture_text:
Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.


scripture_text:
For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.


scripture_text:
So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.


scripture_text:
Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the Lord.


scripture_text:
And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.


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


scripture_text:
Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the Lord.


scripture_text:
And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites.


scripture_text:
For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the Lord.


scripture_text:
For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one


scripture_text:
That prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.


scripture_text:
And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord.


scripture_text:
And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the Lord: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the Lord God of their fathers.


scripture_text:
And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.


scripture_text:
For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.


scripture_text:
And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.


scripture_text:
So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.


scripture_text:
Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.


scripture_text:
And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord.


scripture_text:
He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the Lord.


scripture_text:
Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord.


scripture_text:
And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.


scripture_text:
And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps.


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


scripture_text:
And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Israel.


scripture_text:
And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.


scripture_text:
And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.


scripture_text:
And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.


scripture_text:
And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the Lord, and the most holy things.


scripture_text:
And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:


scripture_text:
Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the Lord, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses;


scripture_text:
Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;


scripture_text:
And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:


scripture_text:
Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.


scripture_text:
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God.


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


scripture_text:
After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.


scripture_text:
And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,


scripture_text:
He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.


scripture_text:
So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?


scripture_text:
Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.


scripture_text:
And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,


scripture_text:
Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:


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


scripture_text:
After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,


scripture_text:
Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?


scripture_text:
Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The Lord our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?


scripture_text:
Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?


scripture_text:
Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?


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


scripture_text:
Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?


scripture_text:
He wrote also letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.


scripture_text:
Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.


scripture_text:
And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man.


scripture_text:
And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.


scripture_text:
And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.


scripture_text:
Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.


scripture_text:
And many brought gifts unto the Lord to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.


scripture_text:
In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.


scripture_text:
But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.


scripture_text:
And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;


scripture_text:
Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.


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


scripture_text:
This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.


scripture_text:
Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.


scripture_text:
Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.


scripture_text:
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.


scripture_text:
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:


scripture_text:
But did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.


scripture_text:
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.


scripture_text:
Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.


scripture_text:
And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.


scripture_text:
And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:


scripture_text:
Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.


scripture_text:
So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.


scripture_text:
Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.


scripture_text:
And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,


scripture_text:
And prayed unto him: and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.


scripture_text:
Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.


scripture_text:
And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.


scripture_text:
And he repaired the altar of the Lord, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel.


scripture_text:
Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the Lord God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel.


scripture_text:
His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.


scripture_text:
So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.


scripture_text:
But he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;


scripture_text:
And humbled not himself before the Lord, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more.


scripture_text:
But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.


scripture_text:
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.


scripture_text:
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.


scripture_text:
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.


scripture_text:
And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.


scripture_text:
And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.


scripture_text:
And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God.


scripture_text:
And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the Lord, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the Lord, to repair and amend the house:


scripture_text:
Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.


scripture_text:
And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick.


scripture_text:
Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.


scripture_text:
And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses.


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


scripture_text:
And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it.


scripture_text:
And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the Lord, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen.


scripture_text:
Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.


scripture_text:
And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying,


scripture_text:
Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book.


scripture_text:
And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect.


scripture_text:
Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah:


scripture_text:
Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.


scripture_text:
And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard;


scripture_text:
Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.


scripture_text:
Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.


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


scripture_text:
And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.


scripture_text:
And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.


scripture_text:
And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.


scripture_text:
Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the Lord in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.


scripture_text:
And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the Lord,


scripture_text:
And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the Lord, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the Lord your God, and his people Israel,


scripture_text:
And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.


scripture_text:
And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the families of the Levites.


scripture_text:
So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.


scripture_text:
And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance.


scripture_text:
And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.


scripture_text:
Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.


scripture_text:
So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king's commandment.


scripture_text:
And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them.


scripture_text:
And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the Lord, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.


scripture_text:
And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people.


scripture_text:
And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the priests: because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.


scripture_text:
And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.


scripture_text:
So all the service of the Lord was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the Lord, according to the commandment of king Josiah.


scripture_text:
And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.


scripture_text:
And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.


scripture_text:
But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.


scripture_text:
Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.


scripture_text:
And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.


scripture_text:
His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.


scripture_text:
And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.


scripture_text:
Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the Lord,


scripture_text:
And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.


scripture_text:
Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's stead in Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
And the king of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem, and condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.


scripture_text:
And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.


scripture_text:
Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God.


scripture_text:
Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.


scripture_text:
Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the Lord to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.


scripture_text:
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.


scripture_text:
Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.


scripture_text:
And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the Lord, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord.


scripture_text:
And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the Lord God of Israel.


scripture_text:
Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:


scripture_text:
But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.


scripture_text:
Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.


scripture_text:
And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon.


scripture_text:
And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.


scripture_text:
And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:


scripture_text:
To fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.


scripture_text:
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,


scripture_text:
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The Lord his God be with him, and let him go up.


scripture_text:
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,


scripture_text:
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.


scripture_text:
Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.


scripture_text:
Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;


scripture_text:
Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.


scripture_text:
And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,


scripture_text:
Thirty basins of gold, silver basins of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.


scripture_text:
All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;


scripture_text:
Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:


scripture_text:
The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.


scripture_text:
The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.


scripture_text:
The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,


scripture_text:
The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.


scripture_text:
And these were they which went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:


scripture_text:
And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:


scripture_text:
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.


scripture_text:
And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.


scripture_text:
Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.


scripture_text:
And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:


scripture_text:
They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.


scripture_text:
So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.


scripture_text:
And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.


scripture_text:
And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord, even burnt offerings morning and evening.


scripture_text:
They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;


scripture_text:
And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the Lord.


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


scripture_text:
They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.


scripture_text:
Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord.


scripture_text:
Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.


scripture_text:
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.


scripture_text:
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.


scripture_text:
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:


scripture_text:
So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.


scripture_text:
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel;


scripture_text:
Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.


scripture_text:
But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the Lord God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.


scripture_text:
Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,


scripture_text:
And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.


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


scripture_text:
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.


scripture_text:
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:


scripture_text:
Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,


scripture_text:
And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.


scripture_text:
This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.


scripture_text:
Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.


scripture_text:
Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.


scripture_text:
Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;


scripture_text:
That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.


scripture_text:
We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.


scripture_text:
Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.


scripture_text:
And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.


scripture_text:
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.


scripture_text:
Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.


scripture_text:
Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.


scripture_text:
Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.


scripture_text:
Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.


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


scripture_text:
At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?


scripture_text:
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.


scripture_text:
The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:


scripture_text:
Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.


scripture_text:
Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?


scripture_text:
We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.


scripture_text:
And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.


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


scripture_text:
But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.


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


scripture_text:
And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.


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Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.


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


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Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.


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


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In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;


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With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:


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And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.


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Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:


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Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.


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Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.


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And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:


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That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.


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Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.


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And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.


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Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shethar-boznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.


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


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


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And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,


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And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.


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


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For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.


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And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel, did eat,


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


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


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This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.


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And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.


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


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For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.


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Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his statutes to Israel.


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Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.


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I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.


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Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;


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


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And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:


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That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.


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And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.


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The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.


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And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.


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And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,


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Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.


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Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?


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Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.


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And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.


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And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.


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Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem:


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And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.


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These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.


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Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.


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And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males.


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And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.


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Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.


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And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.


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And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;


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Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.


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Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.


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


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Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,


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And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered:


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I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents;


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And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the Lord; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the Lord God of your fathers.


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Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the Lord.


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


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Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.


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Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;


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Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the Lord.


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And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.


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Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.


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For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.


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And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.


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Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.


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And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the Lord my God,


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And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.


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Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.


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And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.


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For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.


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Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.


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Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.


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And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;


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Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?


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O Lord God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.


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Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.


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And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.


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


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Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.


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Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.


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Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.


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And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;


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And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.


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Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.


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And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.


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Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.


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But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.


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Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.


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Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.


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And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.


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And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month.


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And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.


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And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.


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Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.


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Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.


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


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The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,


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That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.


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And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.


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And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,


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And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:


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Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.


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We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.


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Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:


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But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.


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Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.


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O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.


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And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.


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Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,


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And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?


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And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.


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And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.


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Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;


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


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Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.


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When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.


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And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.


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And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.


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


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


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And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.


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Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.


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


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But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?


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Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.


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Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.


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But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.


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And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.


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And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.


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Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.


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And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river.


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Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.


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And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.


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Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.


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And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.


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The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.


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But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.


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But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.


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After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.


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After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.


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And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.


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After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.


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After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.


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After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.


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After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner.


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Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.


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Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.


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After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.


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After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.


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After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.


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After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.


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And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.


scripture_text:
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.


scripture_text:
And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?


scripture_text:
Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.


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Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:


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And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.


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So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.


scripture_text:
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,


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Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.


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And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.


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And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.


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And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.


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Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.


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And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.


scripture_text:
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.


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And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.


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They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.


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For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.


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And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.


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In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.


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So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.


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


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So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.


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For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.


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Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.


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There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.


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Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.


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Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.


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And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.


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Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?


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I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.


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Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.


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Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.


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Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord. And the people did according to this promise.


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Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.


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But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.


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Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.


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Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.


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Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.


scripture_text:
Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)


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That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.


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And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?


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Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;


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Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.


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And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.


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Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.


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For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.


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Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.


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


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And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.


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


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My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.


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And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.


scripture_text:
Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.


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For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.


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Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.


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Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,


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That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.


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And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.


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And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,


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These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;


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Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;


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The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.


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The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.


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The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,


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The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.


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And these were they which went up also from Tel-melah, Tel-haresha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.


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And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.


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These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.


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


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Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.


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And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.


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And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.


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And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments.


scripture_text:
So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.


scripture_text:
And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.


scripture_text:
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.


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And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.


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And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.


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


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And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.


scripture_text:
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.


scripture_text:
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.


scripture_text:
And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.


scripture_text:
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.


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So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.


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


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And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.


scripture_text:
And they found written in the law which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:


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


scripture_text:
So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.


scripture_text:
And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.


scripture_text:
Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.


scripture_text:
Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.


scripture_text:
And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.


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And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the Lord their God.


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Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the Lord their God.


scripture_text:
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.


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Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.


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Thou art the Lord the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;


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And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:


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And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.


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And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.


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Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.


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Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:


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And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:


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And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.


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But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,


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And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.


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Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;


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Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.


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Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.


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Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.


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Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.


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Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.


scripture_text:
So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.


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And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.


scripture_text:
Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.


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Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.


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But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;


scripture_text:
And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.


scripture_text:
Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.


scripture_text:
Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.


scripture_text:
Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.


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Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:


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Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.


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For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.


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Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:


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And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.


scripture_text:
And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.


scripture_text:
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;


scripture_text:
They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;


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And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:


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And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.


scripture_text:
Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;


scripture_text:
For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.


scripture_text:
And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the law:


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And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the Lord:


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Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God:


scripture_text:
And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.


scripture_text:
And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.


scripture_text:
For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.


scripture_text:
And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.


scripture_text:
Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.


scripture_text:
And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;


scripture_text:
And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.


scripture_text:
And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah.


scripture_text:
And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.


scripture_text:
Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God.


scripture_text:
And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,


scripture_text:
And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,


scripture_text:
And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men.


scripture_text:
Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;


scripture_text:
And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.


scripture_text:
And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.


scripture_text:
Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.


scripture_text:
And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.


scripture_text:
The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.


scripture_text:
For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.


scripture_text:
And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.


scripture_text:
And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof,


scripture_text:
Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.


scripture_text:
The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Beth-el, and in their villages,


scripture_text:
Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,


scripture_text:
Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua.


scripture_text:
Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.


scripture_text:
And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;


scripture_text:
The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.


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


scripture_text:
And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.


scripture_text:
Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates.


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


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


scripture_text:
And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;


scripture_text:
Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.


scripture_text:
Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:


scripture_text:
And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:


scripture_text:
And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.


scripture_text:
And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.


scripture_text:
And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;


scripture_text:
And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.


scripture_text:
So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:


scripture_text:
And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;


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


scripture_text:
Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.


scripture_text:
And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.


scripture_text:
And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.


scripture_text:
For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.


scripture_text:
And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.


scripture_text:
On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;


scripture_text:
Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.


scripture_text:
Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.


scripture_text:
And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:


scripture_text:
And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.


scripture_text:
But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:


scripture_text:
And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.


scripture_text:
And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.


scripture_text:
Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.


scripture_text:
And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.


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


scripture_text:
And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.


scripture_text:
Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.


scripture_text:
In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.


scripture_text:
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.


scripture_text:
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?


scripture_text:
Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.


scripture_text:
And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.


scripture_text:
Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.


scripture_text:
And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.


scripture_text:
And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.


scripture_text:
And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.


scripture_text:
Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.


scripture_text:
Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?


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


scripture_text:
Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.


scripture_text:
Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;


scripture_text:
And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.


scripture_text:
Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)


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


scripture_text:
In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:


scripture_text:
When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.


scripture_text:
And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;


scripture_text:
Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.


scripture_text:
And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.


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


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


scripture_text:
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,


scripture_text:
To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.


scripture_text:
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.


scripture_text:
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:


scripture_text:
And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)


scripture_text:
What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?


scripture_text:
And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.


scripture_text:
For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.


scripture_text:
Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.


scripture_text:
If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.


scripture_text:
And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.


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


scripture_text:
After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.


scripture_text:
Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:


scripture_text:
And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:


scripture_text:
And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.


scripture_text:
Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;


scripture_text:
Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.


scripture_text:
And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.


scripture_text:
So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.


scripture_text:
And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.


scripture_text:
Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.


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


scripture_text:
Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)


scripture_text:
Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.


scripture_text:
In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.


scripture_text:
Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.


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


scripture_text:
And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.


scripture_text:
Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.


scripture_text:
Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.


scripture_text:
In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.


scripture_text:
And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name.


scripture_text:
And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.


scripture_text:
After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.


scripture_text:
And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.


scripture_text:
Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?


scripture_text:
Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.


scripture_text:
And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.


scripture_text:
In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.


scripture_text:
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.


scripture_text:
If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.


scripture_text:
And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.


scripture_text:
And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.


scripture_text:
Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.


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


scripture_text:
The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.


scripture_text:
The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.


scripture_text:
When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;


scripture_text:
And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.


scripture_text:
And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.


scripture_text:
So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.


scripture_text:
Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.


scripture_text:
And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.


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


scripture_text:
All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.


scripture_text:
Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.


scripture_text:
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?


scripture_text:
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.


scripture_text:
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.


scripture_text:
And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.


scripture_text:
Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.


scripture_text:
And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.


scripture_text:
Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.


scripture_text:
And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.


scripture_text:
If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.


scripture_text:
Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.


scripture_text:
Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.


scripture_text:
And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.


scripture_text:
Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.


scripture_text:
Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.


scripture_text:
On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.


scripture_text:
And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.


scripture_text:
And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.


scripture_text:
And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.


scripture_text:
And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.


scripture_text:
So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?


scripture_text:
Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:


scripture_text:
And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.


scripture_text:
Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.


scripture_text:
Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.


scripture_text:
And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.


scripture_text:
And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.


scripture_text:
And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.


scripture_text:
And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.


scripture_text:
Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:


scripture_text:
For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.


scripture_text:
Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?


scripture_text:
And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.


scripture_text:
And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.


scripture_text:
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.


scripture_text:
And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.


scripture_text:
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.


scripture_text:
On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.


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


scripture_text:
And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.


scripture_text:
Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,


scripture_text:
And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:


scripture_text:
For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?


scripture_text:
Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.


scripture_text:
Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.


scripture_text:
Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.


scripture_text:
And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:


scripture_text:
Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,


scripture_text:
Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.


scripture_text:
The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.


scripture_text:
So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.


scripture_text:
And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.


scripture_text:
And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.


scripture_text:
Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)


scripture_text:
The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.


scripture_text:
And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.


scripture_text:
For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.


scripture_text:
Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.


scripture_text:
The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.


scripture_text:
And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.


scripture_text:
Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.


scripture_text:
And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.


scripture_text:
For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.


scripture_text:
But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,


scripture_text:
On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.


scripture_text:
But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.


scripture_text:
Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.


scripture_text:
And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,


scripture_text:
To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,


scripture_text:
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.


scripture_text:
Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;


scripture_text:
But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.


scripture_text:
Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,


scripture_text:
The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;


scripture_text:
And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.


scripture_text:
Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.


scripture_text:
And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,


scripture_text:
To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.


scripture_text:
And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?


scripture_text:
For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.


scripture_text:
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.


scripture_text:
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.


scripture_text:
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.


scripture_text:
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.


scripture_text:
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.


scripture_text:
And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.


scripture_text:
And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?


scripture_text:
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.


scripture_text:
And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.


scripture_text:
And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:


scripture_text:
And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:


scripture_text:
And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.


scripture_text:
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.


scripture_text:
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.


scripture_text:
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:


scripture_text:
And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.


scripture_text:
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,


scripture_text:
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.


scripture_text:
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.


scripture_text:
And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.


scripture_text:
And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.


scripture_text:
And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.


scripture_text:
So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.


scripture_text:
But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.


scripture_text:
Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.


scripture_text:
And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.


scripture_text:
So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.


scripture_text:
Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.


scripture_text:
Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.


scripture_text:
As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.


scripture_text:
Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:


scripture_text:
For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.


scripture_text:
The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.


scripture_text:
It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,


scripture_text:
How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?


scripture_text:
His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them.


scripture_text:
Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.


scripture_text:
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:


scripture_text:
Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.


scripture_text:
At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.


scripture_text:
For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.


scripture_text:
And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.


scripture_text:
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.


scripture_text:
Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.


scripture_text:
To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.


scripture_text:
Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?


scripture_text:
When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.


scripture_text:
As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.


scripture_text:
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.


scripture_text:
I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?


scripture_text:
And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.


scripture_text:
How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?


scripture_text:
If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.


scripture_text:
He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.


scripture_text:
They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.


scripture_text:
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?


scripture_text:
If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.


scripture_text:
If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.


scripture_text:
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?


scripture_text:
My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.


scripture_text:
Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?


scripture_text:
Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?


scripture_text:
If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;


scripture_text:
For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me.


scripture_text:
Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.


scripture_text:
Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me!


scripture_text:
A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.


scripture_text:
And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.


scripture_text:
For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear:


scripture_text:
And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.


scripture_text:
And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.


scripture_text:
But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.


scripture_text:
But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?


scripture_text:
I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.


scripture_text:
The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.


scripture_text:
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:


scripture_text:
Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.


scripture_text:
Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.


scripture_text:
He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.


scripture_text:
He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.


scripture_text:
Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.


scripture_text:
Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;


scripture_text:
For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.


scripture_text:
So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.


scripture_text:
O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!


scripture_text:
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.


scripture_text:
The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.


scripture_text:
Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.


scripture_text:
His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.


scripture_text:
The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.


scripture_text:
He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.


scripture_text:
Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.


scripture_text:
And he dwelleth in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps.


scripture_text:
He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth.


scripture_text:
He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.


scripture_text:
For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.


scripture_text:
I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.


scripture_text:
And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.


scripture_text:
He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.


scripture_text:
They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.


scripture_text:
I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.


scripture_text:
His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.


scripture_text:
Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.


scripture_text:
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.


scripture_text:
He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?


scripture_text:
His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.


scripture_text:
It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.


scripture_text:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.


scripture_text:
Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.


scripture_text:
He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.


scripture_text:
He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.


scripture_text:
That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein.


scripture_text:
Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;


scripture_text:
In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him.


scripture_text:
When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.


scripture_text:
It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him.


scripture_text:
All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle.


scripture_text:
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?


scripture_text:
How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.


scripture_text:
For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?


scripture_text:
That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.


scripture_text:
The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.


scripture_text:
Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?


scripture_text:
If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.


scripture_text:
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.


scripture_text:
When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.


scripture_text:
On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:


scripture_text:
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.


scripture_text:
Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children.


scripture_text:
Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.


scripture_text:
They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.


scripture_text:
The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face.


scripture_text:
In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light.


scripture_text:
For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.


scripture_text:
He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.


scripture_text:
The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree.


scripture_text:
They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.


scripture_text:
How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?


scripture_text:
Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?


scripture_text:
My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.


scripture_text:
This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.


scripture_text:
If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.


scripture_text:
He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.


scripture_text:
The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.


scripture_text:
The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.


scripture_text:
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.


scripture_text:
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.


scripture_text:
I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.


scripture_text:
But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.


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For want and famine they were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.


scripture_text:
Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.


scripture_text:
They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.


scripture_text:
Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.


scripture_text:
By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.


scripture_text:
If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;


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(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;)


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This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.


scripture_text:
Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?


scripture_text:
Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.


scripture_text:
If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:


scripture_text:
Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.


scripture_text:
Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.


scripture_text:
When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.


scripture_text:
And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.


scripture_text:
Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:


scripture_text:
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;


scripture_text:
If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:


scripture_text:
Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.


scripture_text:
He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.


scripture_text:
He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;


scripture_text:
Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.


scripture_text:
How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.


scripture_text:
In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.


scripture_text:
When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:


scripture_text:
Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.


scripture_text:
For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.


scripture_text:
For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?


scripture_text:
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?


scripture_text:
By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.


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Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.


scripture_text:
But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:


scripture_text:
He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.


scripture_text:
If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.


scripture_text:
Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.


scripture_text:
Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.


scripture_text:
After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.


scripture_text:
For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.


scripture_text:
And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.


scripture_text:
Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?


scripture_text:
And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.


scripture_text:
Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.


scripture_text:
That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?


scripture_text:
Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;


scripture_text:
Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.


scripture_text:
Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?


scripture_text:
Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.


scripture_text:
She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;


scripture_text:
He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.


scripture_text:
He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.


scripture_text:
Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.


scripture_text:
Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.


scripture_text:
And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.


scripture_text:
Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.


scripture_text:
So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the Lord commanded them: the Lord also accepted Job.


scripture_text:
And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.


scripture_text:
Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.


scripture_text:
So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.


scripture_text:
And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch.


scripture_text:
And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.


scripture_text:
After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations.


scripture_text:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.


scripture_text:
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.


scripture_text:
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.


scripture_text:
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,


scripture_text:
I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.


scripture_text:
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.


scripture_text:
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.


scripture_text:
Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.


scripture_text:
Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.


scripture_text:
O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.


scripture_text:
But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.


scripture_text:
There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.


scripture_text:
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.


scripture_text:
But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.


scripture_text:
Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.


scripture_text:
For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.


scripture_text:
Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.


scripture_text:
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.


scripture_text:
If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)


scripture_text:
Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.


scripture_text:
Arise, O Lord, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.


scripture_text:
So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.


scripture_text:
The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.


scripture_text:
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.


scripture_text:
He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.


scripture_text:
His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.


scripture_text:
I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.


scripture_text:
O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.


scripture_text:
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.


scripture_text:
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;


scripture_text:
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:


scripture_text:
Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.


scripture_text:
O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.


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And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.


scripture_text:
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.


scripture_text:
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:


scripture_text:
That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.


scripture_text:
The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.


scripture_text:
The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.


scripture_text:
The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.


scripture_text:
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.


scripture_text:
His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.


scripture_text:
He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.


scripture_text:
He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.


scripture_text:
Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.


scripture_text:
Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:


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For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.


scripture_text:
The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.


scripture_text:
Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.


scripture_text:
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.


scripture_text:
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.


scripture_text:
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?


scripture_text:
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.


scripture_text:
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.


scripture_text:
The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.


scripture_text:
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.


scripture_text:
Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.


scripture_text:
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.


scripture_text:
He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.


scripture_text:
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.


scripture_text:
He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.


scripture_text:
Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.


scripture_text:
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.


scripture_text:
Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.


scripture_text:
Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.


scripture_text:
Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.


scripture_text:
I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.


scripture_text:
Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.


scripture_text:
From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.


scripture_text:
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.


scripture_text:
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.


scripture_text:
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.


scripture_text:
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.


scripture_text:
He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.


scripture_text:
The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.


scripture_text:
Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.


scripture_text:
He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.


scripture_text:
The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.


scripture_text:
Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.


scripture_text:
With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;


scripture_text:
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.


scripture_text:
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.


scripture_text:
For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.


scripture_text:
Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.


scripture_text:
Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.


scripture_text:
He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.


scripture_text:
Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.


scripture_text:
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,


scripture_text:
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.


scripture_text:
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.


scripture_text:
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.


scripture_text:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.


scripture_text:
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.


scripture_text:
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.


scripture_text:
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.


scripture_text:
We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.


scripture_text:
Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.


scripture_text:
For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.


scripture_text:
For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.


scripture_text:
Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.


scripture_text:
For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.


scripture_text:
Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.


scripture_text:
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?


scripture_text:
But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.


scripture_text:
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.


scripture_text:
My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.


scripture_text:
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.


scripture_text:
Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.


scripture_text:
For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.


scripture_text:
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.


scripture_text:
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.


scripture_text:
All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.


scripture_text:
They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.


scripture_text:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.


scripture_text:
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.


scripture_text:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.


scripture_text:
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.


scripture_text:
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.


scripture_text:
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.


scripture_text:
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.


scripture_text:
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.


scripture_text:
Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.


scripture_text:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?


scripture_text:
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.


scripture_text:
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.


scripture_text:
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.


scripture_text:
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.


scripture_text:
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.


scripture_text:
Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.


scripture_text:
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.


scripture_text:
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.


scripture_text:
Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.


scripture_text:
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.


scripture_text:
Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.


scripture_text:
Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.


scripture_text:
Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.


scripture_text:
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.


scripture_text:
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.


scripture_text:
The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.


scripture_text:
I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.


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O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.


scripture_text:
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.


scripture_text:
Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.


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What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?


scripture_text:
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;


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To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.


scripture_text:
Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.


scripture_text:
I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;


scripture_text:
Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.


scripture_text:
For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.


scripture_text:
I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.


scripture_text:
For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.


scripture_text:
My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.


scripture_text:
Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.


scripture_text:
Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.


scripture_text:
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!


scripture_text:
Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.


scripture_text:
For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.


scripture_text:
O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.


scripture_text:
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.


scripture_text:
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.


scripture_text:
For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.


scripture_text:
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.


scripture_text:
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.


scripture_text:
Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.


scripture_text:
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.


scripture_text:
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.


scripture_text:
The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.


scripture_text:
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.


scripture_text:
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.


scripture_text:
The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.


scripture_text:
Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.


scripture_text:
Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.


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For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.


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Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.


scripture_text:
All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?


scripture_text:
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.


scripture_text:
I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.


scripture_text:
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:


scripture_text:
Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.


scripture_text:
Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.


scripture_text:
For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.


scripture_text:
Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.


scripture_text:
Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.


scripture_text:
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.


scripture_text:
The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.


scripture_text:
He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.


scripture_text:
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, thou preservest man and beast.


scripture_text:
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.


scripture_text:
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.


scripture_text:
O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.


scripture_text:
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.


scripture_text:
For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.


scripture_text:
The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.


scripture_text:
But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.


scripture_text:
For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.


scripture_text:
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.


scripture_text:
For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.


scripture_text:
Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.


scripture_text:
And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.


scripture_text:
There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.


scripture_text:
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.


scripture_text:
For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.


scripture_text:
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.


scripture_text:
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.


scripture_text:
Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.


scripture_text:
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.


scripture_text:
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.


scripture_text:
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.


scripture_text:
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.


scripture_text:
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.


scripture_text:
Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.


scripture_text:
Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.


scripture_text:
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.


scripture_text:
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.


scripture_text:
I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.


scripture_text:
Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.


scripture_text:
For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.


scripture_text:
Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.


scripture_text:
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.


scripture_text:
But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.


scripture_text:
The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.


scripture_text:
The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.


scripture_text:
And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.


scripture_text:
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.


scripture_text:
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.


scripture_text:
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.


scripture_text:
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.


scripture_text:
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.


scripture_text:
Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.


scripture_text:
I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?


scripture_text:
As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?


scripture_text:
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.


scripture_text:
Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.


scripture_text:
For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?


scripture_text:
O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.


scripture_text:
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.


scripture_text:
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.


scripture_text:
We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.


scripture_text:
How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.


scripture_text:
For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.


scripture_text:
Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.


scripture_text:
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.


scripture_text:
All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.


scripture_text:
My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.


scripture_text:
Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.


scripture_text:
And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.


scripture_text:
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.


scripture_text:
All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.


scripture_text:
Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.


scripture_text:
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;


scripture_text:
And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour.


scripture_text:
She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.


scripture_text:
I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.


scripture_text:
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;


scripture_text:
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.


scripture_text:
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.


scripture_text:
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.


scripture_text:
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.


scripture_text:
The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.


scripture_text:
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.


scripture_text:
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.


scripture_text:
As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.


scripture_text:
According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.


scripture_text:
For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.


scripture_text:
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.


scripture_text:
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.


scripture_text:
Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.


scripture_text:
The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.


scripture_text:
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.


scripture_text:
Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.


scripture_text:
I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.


scripture_text:
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?


scripture_text:
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.


scripture_text:
Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.


scripture_text:
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.


scripture_text:
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.


scripture_text:
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.


scripture_text:
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.


scripture_text:
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.


scripture_text:
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.


scripture_text:
God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.


scripture_text:
Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.


scripture_text:
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.


scripture_text:
I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.


scripture_text:
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.


scripture_text:
God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.


scripture_text:
Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.


scripture_text:
Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.


scripture_text:
There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.


scripture_text:
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.


scripture_text:
For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.


scripture_text:
Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.


scripture_text:
Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.


scripture_text:
For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:


scripture_text:
Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.


scripture_text:
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.


scripture_text:
God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.


scripture_text:
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.


scripture_text:
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.


scripture_text:
But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.


scripture_text:
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.


scripture_text:
They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.


scripture_text:
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?


scripture_text:
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.


scripture_text:
He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.


scripture_text:
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.


scripture_text:
They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.


scripture_text:
Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.


scripture_text:
As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.


scripture_text:
Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.


scripture_text:
The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.


scripture_text:
So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.


scripture_text:
For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord.


scripture_text:
Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.


scripture_text:
Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.


scripture_text:
For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.


scripture_text:
Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.


scripture_text:
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.


scripture_text:
O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.


scripture_text:
Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.


scripture_text:
Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.


scripture_text:
God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.


scripture_text:
Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;


scripture_text:
Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?


scripture_text:
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.


scripture_text:
How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.


scripture_text:
They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.


scripture_text:
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.


scripture_text:
Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.


scripture_text:
Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.


scripture_text:
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;


scripture_text:
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:


scripture_text:
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.


scripture_text:
They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?


scripture_text:
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.


scripture_text:
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.


scripture_text:
The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.


scripture_text:
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.


scripture_text:
By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:


scripture_text:
They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.


scripture_text:
Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.


scripture_text:
Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.


scripture_text:
The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.


scripture_text:
Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.


scripture_text:
He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.


scripture_text:
Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.


scripture_text:
I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.


scripture_text:
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.


scripture_text:
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.


scripture_text:
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.


scripture_text:
God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.


scripture_text:
O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:


scripture_text:
The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.


scripture_text:
Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.


scripture_text:
Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.


scripture_text:
Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell in it for ever.


scripture_text:
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.


scripture_text:
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.


scripture_text:
But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.


scripture_text:
The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:


scripture_text:
The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.


scripture_text:
There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.


scripture_text:
Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.


scripture_text:
To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.


scripture_text:
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.


scripture_text:
I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.


scripture_text:
They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.


scripture_text:
Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.


scripture_text:
For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.


scripture_text:
But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.


scripture_text:
Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.


scripture_text:
Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.


scripture_text:
Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.


scripture_text:
Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.


scripture_text:
Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.


scripture_text:
For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.


scripture_text:
For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.


scripture_text:
Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.


scripture_text:
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.


scripture_text:
But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying.


scripture_text:
Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.


scripture_text:
Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.


scripture_text:
By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.


scripture_text:
Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.


scripture_text:
My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.


scripture_text:
I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.


scripture_text:
Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.


scripture_text:
Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!


scripture_text:
Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.


scripture_text:
I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.


scripture_text:
My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.


scripture_text:
He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.


scripture_text:
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.


scripture_text:
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.


scripture_text:
And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.


scripture_text:
There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.


scripture_text:
His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.


scripture_text:
And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.


scripture_text:
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.


scripture_text:
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.


scripture_text:
O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?


scripture_text:
Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.


scripture_text:
Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.


scripture_text:
They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.


scripture_text:
They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.


scripture_text:
We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.


scripture_text:
Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.


scripture_text:
Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.


scripture_text:
O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.


scripture_text:
Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.


scripture_text:
Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.


scripture_text:
Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.


scripture_text:
For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.


scripture_text:
The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.


scripture_text:
Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.


scripture_text:
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.


scripture_text:
I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.


scripture_text:
The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.


scripture_text:
We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.


scripture_text:
For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:


scripture_text:
That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:


scripture_text:
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.


scripture_text:
Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?


scripture_text:
Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;


scripture_text:
The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.


scripture_text:
But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.


scripture_text:
He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.


scripture_text:
He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;


scripture_text:
And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.


scripture_text:
He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.


scripture_text:
But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.


scripture_text:
For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.


scripture_text:
From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.


scripture_text:
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.


scripture_text:
O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.


scripture_text:
The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.


scripture_text:
Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.


scripture_text:
O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.


scripture_text:
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.


scripture_text:
Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.


scripture_text:
Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;


scripture_text:
And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.


scripture_text:
So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.


scripture_text:
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.


scripture_text:
And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.


scripture_text:
Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.


scripture_text:
This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.


scripture_text:
Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.


scripture_text:
I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.


scripture_text:
The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.


scripture_text:
He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.


scripture_text:
They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.


scripture_text:
They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.


scripture_text:
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.


scripture_text:
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.


scripture_text:
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.


scripture_text:
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.


scripture_text:
I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.


scripture_text:
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.


scripture_text:
Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.


scripture_text:
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.


scripture_text:
O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.


scripture_text:
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.


scripture_text:
O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.


scripture_text:
Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.


scripture_text:
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.


scripture_text:
And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.


scripture_text:
Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.


scripture_text:
Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.


scripture_text:
Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.


scripture_text:
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.


scripture_text:
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.


scripture_text:
And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.


scripture_text:
For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?


scripture_text:
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.


scripture_text:
Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.


scripture_text:
The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.


scripture_text:
Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.


scripture_text:
Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.


scripture_text:
Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.


scripture_text:
Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.


scripture_text:
What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.


scripture_text:
Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;


scripture_text:
Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O Lord; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.


scripture_text:
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.


scripture_text:
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.


scripture_text:
Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.


scripture_text:
The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.


scripture_text:
Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.


scripture_text:
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.


scripture_text:
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.


scripture_text:
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.


scripture_text:
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.


scripture_text:
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.


scripture_text:
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.


scripture_text:
When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:


scripture_text:
For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.


scripture_text:
Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.


scripture_text:
The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.


scripture_text:
The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.


scripture_text:
He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?


scripture_text:
Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?


scripture_text:
And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off.


scripture_text:
For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,


scripture_text:
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:


scripture_text:
Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.


scripture_text:
Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.


scripture_text:
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.


scripture_text:
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.


scripture_text:
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.


scripture_text:
Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.


scripture_text:
O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.


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The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.


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He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.


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Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.


scripture_text:
The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.


scripture_text:
The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.


scripture_text:
Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.


scripture_text:
He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.


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Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.


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Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.


scripture_text:
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.


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I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.


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I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.


scripture_text:
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.


scripture_text:
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.


scripture_text:
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.


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I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.


scripture_text:
Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.


scripture_text:
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord.


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For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth;


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I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.


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They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:


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But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;


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Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.


scripture_text:
Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.


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Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:


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They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.


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He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;


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And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.


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O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.


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So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.


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Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.


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Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord.


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He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.


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Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;


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That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.


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Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.


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He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.


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And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.


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Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.


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And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.


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Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.


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Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.


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Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.


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Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.


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And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.


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Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!


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They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.


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Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.


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He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.


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He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.


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Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.


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For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.


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Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.


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Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.


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Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the Lord; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.


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Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.


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As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.


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As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.


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Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.


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Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the Lord, and of them that speak evil against my soul.


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But do thou for me, O God the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.


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Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.


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Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.


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The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.


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He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.


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Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.


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He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.


scripture_text:
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.


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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.


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Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.


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Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.


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He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.


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The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.


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He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.


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Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.


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They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.


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The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.


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The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.


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O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.


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For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.


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The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.


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They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.


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They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.


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The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.


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Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.


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God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.


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My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.


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Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.


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The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.


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Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.


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Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.


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Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.


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Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.


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As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.


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For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.


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As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.


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Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.


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He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.


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Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.


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It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.


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Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.


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Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.


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The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.


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Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we bless you in the name of the Lord.


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My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.


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Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.


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Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.


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Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.


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The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.


scripture_text:
If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.


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It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;


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As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.


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Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord.


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He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.


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Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.


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For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.


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If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.


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Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.


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O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.


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I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.


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Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.


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The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.


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Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.


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I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.


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My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.


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Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.


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Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?


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Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.


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The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.


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Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.


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Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.


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Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.


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Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.


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Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.


scripture_text:
Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.


scripture_text:
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.


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I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.


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Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.


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Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.


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Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.


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For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.


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Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.


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Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.


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Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.


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And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.


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My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.


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Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!


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Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;


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I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.


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Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:


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That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:


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That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:


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That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.


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My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.


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Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:


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The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:


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The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.


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Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.


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Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.


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He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord.


scripture_text:
Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.


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He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.


scripture_text:
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:


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If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:


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So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.


scripture_text:
She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,


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How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?


scripture_text:
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.


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When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.


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Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:


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Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:


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For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.


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She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.


scripture_text:
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.


scripture_text:
Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.


scripture_text:
He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.


scripture_text:
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.


scripture_text:
Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.


scripture_text:
His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.


scripture_text:
Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.


scripture_text:
When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.


scripture_text:
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:


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For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.


scripture_text:
But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.


scripture_text:
He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;


scripture_text:
Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.


scripture_text:
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.


scripture_text:
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.


scripture_text:
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.


scripture_text:
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:


scripture_text:
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;


scripture_text:
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.


scripture_text:
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.


scripture_text:
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,


scripture_text:
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.


scripture_text:
The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.


scripture_text:
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.


scripture_text:
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.


scripture_text:
The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.


scripture_text:
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.


scripture_text:
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.


scripture_text:
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.


scripture_text:
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.


scripture_text:
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.


scripture_text:
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.


scripture_text:
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.


scripture_text:
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.


scripture_text:
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.


scripture_text:
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.


scripture_text:
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.


scripture_text:
He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.


scripture_text:
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.


scripture_text:
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.


scripture_text:
The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.


scripture_text:
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.


scripture_text:
He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.


scripture_text:
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.


scripture_text:
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.


scripture_text:
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.


scripture_text:
A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.


scripture_text:
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.


scripture_text:
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.


scripture_text:
There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.


scripture_text:
Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.


scripture_text:
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.


scripture_text:
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.


scripture_text:
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.


scripture_text:
In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.


scripture_text:
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.


scripture_text:
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.


scripture_text:
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.


scripture_text:
The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.


scripture_text:
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.


scripture_text:
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.


scripture_text:
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.


scripture_text:
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.


scripture_text:
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.


scripture_text:
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!


scripture_text:
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.


scripture_text:
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.


scripture_text:
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.


scripture_text:
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.


scripture_text:
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.


scripture_text:
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.


scripture_text:
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.


scripture_text:
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.


scripture_text:
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.


scripture_text:
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.


scripture_text:
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.


scripture_text:
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.


scripture_text:
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.


scripture_text:
Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.


scripture_text:
All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.


scripture_text:
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.


scripture_text:
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.


scripture_text:
The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.


scripture_text:
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.


scripture_text:
He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.


scripture_text:
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.


scripture_text:
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.


scripture_text:
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.


scripture_text:
The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.


scripture_text:
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.


scripture_text:
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.


scripture_text:
The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.


scripture_text:
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.


scripture_text:
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.


scripture_text:
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.


scripture_text:
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.


scripture_text:
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.


scripture_text:
That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?


scripture_text:
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.


scripture_text:
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.


scripture_text:
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.


scripture_text:
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.


scripture_text:
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.


scripture_text:
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?


scripture_text:
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.


scripture_text:
Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.


scripture_text:
They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.


scripture_text:
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?


scripture_text:
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.


scripture_text:
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:


scripture_text:
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.


scripture_text:
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.


scripture_text:
For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.


scripture_text:
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.


scripture_text:
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.


scripture_text:
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.


scripture_text:
As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.


scripture_text:
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.


scripture_text:
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.


scripture_text:
Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.


scripture_text:
He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.


scripture_text:
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.


scripture_text:
Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.


scripture_text:
And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.


scripture_text:
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.


scripture_text:
Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.


scripture_text:
He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.


scripture_text:
Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.


scripture_text:
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.


scripture_text:
The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.


scripture_text:
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.


scripture_text:
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.


scripture_text:
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.


scripture_text:
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.


scripture_text:
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.


scripture_text:
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.


scripture_text:
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.


scripture_text:
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.


scripture_text:
An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.


scripture_text:
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,


scripture_text:
Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?


scripture_text:
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:


scripture_text:
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.


scripture_text:
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.


scripture_text:
The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:


scripture_text:
The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.


scripture_text:
The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.


scripture_text:
The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.


scripture_text:
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.


scripture_text:
If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.


scripture_text:
Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.


scripture_text:
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.


scripture_text:
The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.


scripture_text:
All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.


scripture_text:
All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.


scripture_text:
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.


scripture_text:
Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.


scripture_text:
There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.


scripture_text:
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.


scripture_text:
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.


scripture_text:
I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.


scripture_text:
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.


scripture_text:
I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.


scripture_text:
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.


scripture_text:
I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:


scripture_text:
I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.


scripture_text:
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.


scripture_text:
And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.


scripture_text:
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.


scripture_text:
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.


scripture_text:
The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.


scripture_text:
Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.


scripture_text:
For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.


scripture_text:
Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.


scripture_text:
Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.


scripture_text:
And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.


scripture_text:
For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.


scripture_text:
For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?


scripture_text:
For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.


scripture_text:
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.


scripture_text:
For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.


scripture_text:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;


scripture_text:
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;


scripture_text:
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.


scripture_text:
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.


scripture_text:
I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.


scripture_text:
That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.


scripture_text:
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.


scripture_text:
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.


scripture_text:
I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.


scripture_text:
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.


scripture_text:
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?


scripture_text:
Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?


scripture_text:
So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.


scripture_text:
Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.


scripture_text:
Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.


scripture_text:
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.


scripture_text:
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.


scripture_text:
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.


scripture_text:
I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.


scripture_text:
There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.


scripture_text:
Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.


scripture_text:
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.


scripture_text:
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.


scripture_text:
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.


scripture_text:
Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?


scripture_text:
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.


scripture_text:
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.


scripture_text:
When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?


scripture_text:
The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.


scripture_text:
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.


scripture_text:
As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.


scripture_text:
And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?


scripture_text:
Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.


scripture_text:
Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.


scripture_text:
For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.


scripture_text:
A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.


scripture_text:
If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.


scripture_text:
For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.


scripture_text:
Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?


scripture_text:
For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?


scripture_text:
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.


scripture_text:
That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.


scripture_text:
For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?


scripture_text:
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.


scripture_text:
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.


scripture_text:
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.


scripture_text:
For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.


scripture_text:
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.


scripture_text:
All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.


scripture_text:
It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.


scripture_text:
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:


scripture_text:
And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.


scripture_text:
Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.


scripture_text:
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.


scripture_text:
Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.


scripture_text:
Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.


scripture_text:
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.


scripture_text:
There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.


scripture_text:
All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.


scripture_text:
And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.


scripture_text:
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.


scripture_text:
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:


scripture_text:
But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.


scripture_text:
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.


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Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.


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When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)


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Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.


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For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.


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All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.


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This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.


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For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.


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For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.


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Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.


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Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.


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Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.


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Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.


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I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.


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For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.


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There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:


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Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.


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Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.


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Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.


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Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.


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If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.


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Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.


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If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.


scripture_text:
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.


