Blessings in Scripture: God's Favor

God saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness.

God called the dry land “earth”, and the gathering together of the waters he called “seas”. God saw that it was good.

God said, “Let the earth yield grass, herbs yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with their seeds in it, on the earth;” and it was so.

The earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with their seeds in it, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.

and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good.

God said, “Let the waters abound with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.”

God created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good.

God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”

God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. God saw that it was good.

God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food.

God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done.

Out of the ground the LORD God made every tree to grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

and the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and onyx stone are also there.

The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden;

The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with the LORD’s help.”

Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. The LORD respected Abel and his offering,

Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “for God has given me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.”

He created them male and female, and blessed them. On the day they were created, he named them Adam.

Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Jared.

Mahalalel lived after he became the father of Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and became the father of other sons and daughters.

Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, then became the father of Enoch.

Jared lived after he became the father of Enoch eight hundred years, and became the father of other sons and daughters.

Enoch lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Methuselah.

After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch walked with God for three hundred years, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Methuselah lived one hundred and eighty-seven years, then became the father of Lamech.

Methuselah lived after he became the father of Lamech seven hundred and eighty-two years, and became the father of other sons and daughters.

Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, then became the father of a son.

Lamech lived after he became the father of Noah five hundred and ninety-five years, and became the father of other sons and daughters.

Noah was five hundred years old, then Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

When men began to multiply on the surface of the ground, and daughters were born to them,

The dove came back to him at evening and, behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters were abated from the earth.

In the six hundred first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth. Noah removed the covering of the ship, and looked. He saw that the surface of the ground was dry.

In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry.

Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh, including birds, livestock, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply on the earth.”

God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth.

Be fruitful and multiply. Increase abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it.”

He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem. Let Canaan be his servant.

May God enlarge Japheth. Let him dwell in the tents of Shem. Let Canaan be his servant.”

Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Arpachshad lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Shelah, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Shelah lived thirty years, and became the father of Eber.

Shelah lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Eber, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Eber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg.

Eber lived four hundred and thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Peleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu.

Peleg lived two hundred and nine years after he became the father of Reu, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Reu lived thirty-two years, and became the father of Serug.

Reu lived two hundred and seven years after he became the father of Serug, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Serug lived thirty years, and became the father of Nahor.

Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and became the father of Terah.

Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen years after he became the father of Terah, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

Now this is the history of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran became the father of Lot.

I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who treats you with contempt. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” He built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

He dealt well with Abram for her sake. He had sheep, cattle, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.

Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, herds, and tents.

The LORD said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, “Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward,

for I will give all the land which you see to you and to your offspring forever.

I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then your offspring may also be counted.

Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its width; for I will give it to you.”

Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.

He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.

Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.

After these things the LORD’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

The LORD brought him outside, and said, “Look now towards the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” He said to Abram, “So your offspring will be.”

I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth;

but you will go to your fathers in peace. You will be buried at a good old age.

In that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I have given this land to your offspring, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates:

the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites,

The LORD’s angel said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, that they will not be counted for multitude.”

The LORD’s angel said to her, “Behold, you are with child, and will bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the LORD has heard your affliction.

Hagar bore a son for Abram. Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.

I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”

“As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations.

Your name will no more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.

God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but her name shall be Sarah.

I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she will be a mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her.”

As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.

He said, “I will certainly return to you at about this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.” Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him.

Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes around, and Sarah will have a son.”

since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him?

Abimelech took sheep and cattle, male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored Sarah, his wife, to him.

Abraham prayed to God. So God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, and they bore children.

Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Abraham called his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.

Abraham was one hundred years old when his son, Isaac, was born to him.

Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.”

She said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”

The child grew and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.

God said to Abraham, “Don’t let it be grievous in your sight because of the boy, and because of your servant. In all that Sarah says to you, listen to her voice. For your offspring will be named through Isaac.

I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child.”

Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him with your hand. For I will make him a great nation.”

God was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness, and as he grew up, he became an archer.

At that time, Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do.

that I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your offspring greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gate of his enemies.

All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring, because you have obeyed my voice.’”

Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years. This was the length of Sarah’s life.

“Hear us, my lord. You are a prince of God amongst us. Bury your dead in the best of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb. Bury your dead.”

Abraham was old, and well advanced in age. The LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin. No man had known her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up.

As the camels had done drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold,

He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth towards my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the way to the house of my master’s relatives.”

He said, “Come in, you blessed of the LORD. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.”

The LORD has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. The LORD has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys.

Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him.

He said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my relatives, and of my father’s house.

She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels a drink.

I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands.

I bowed my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter for his son.

The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother.

He said to them, “Don’t hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.”

They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.”

These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years.

Abraham gave up his spirit, and died at a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people.

After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac, his son. Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi.

These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages, and by their encampments: twelve princes, according to their nations.

When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau.

After that, his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

The boys grew. Esau was a skilful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents.

Jacob said, “First, sell me your birthright.”

Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.

Live in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For I will give to you, and to your offspring, all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.

I will multiply your offspring as the stars of the sky, and will give all these lands to your offspring. In your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed,

because Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my requirements, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year one hundred times what he planted. The LORD blessed him.

The man grew great, and grew more and more until he became very great.

He had possessions of flocks, possessions of herds, and a great household. The Philistines envied him.

Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found there a well of flowing water.

He left that place, and dug another well. They didn’t argue over that one. So he called it Rehoboth. He said, “For now the LORD has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.”

The LORD appeared to him the same night, and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you, and will bless you, and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.”

that you will do us no harm, as we have not touched you, and as we have done to you nothing but good, and have sent you away in peace.’ You are now the blessed of the LORD.”

Make me savoury food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, and that my soul may bless you before I die.”

‘Bring me venison, and make me savoury food, that I may eat, and bless you before the LORD before my death.’

You shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death.”

What if my father touches me? I will seem to him as a deceiver, and I would bring a curse on myself, and not a blessing.”

Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done what you asked me to do. Please arise, sit and eat of my venison, that your soul may bless me.”

He didn’t recognise him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau’s hands. So he blessed him.

He said, “Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless you.” He brought it near to him, and he ate. He brought him wine, and he drank.

He came near, and kissed him. He smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him, and said, “Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD has blessed.

God give you of the dew of the sky, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and new wine.

Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers. Let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you. Blessed be everyone who blesses you.”

As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had just gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting.

He also made savoury food, and brought it to his father. He said to his father, “Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that your soul may bless me.”

Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who, then, is he who has taken venison, and brought it to me, and I have eaten of all before you came, and have blessed him? Yes, he will be blessed.”

When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, my father.”

He said, “Your brother came with deceit, and has taken away your blessing.”

He said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright. See, now he has taken away my blessing.” He said, “Haven’t you reserved a blessing for me?”

Isaac answered Esau, “Behold, I have made him your lord, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants. I have sustained him with grain and new wine. What then will I do for you, my son?”

Esau said to his father, “Do you have just one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, my father.” Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

Isaac his father answered him, “Behold, your dwelling will be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of the sky from above.

You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. It will happen, when you will break loose, that you will shake his yoke from off your neck.”

Isaac called Jacob, blessed him, and commanded him, “You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.

May God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may be a company of peoples,

and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your offspring with you, that you may inherit the land where you travel, which God gave to Abraham.”

Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram, to take him a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a command, saying, “You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;”

Behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. I will give the land you lie on to you and to your offspring.

Your offspring will be as the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. In you and in your offspring, all the families of the earth will be blessed.

Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” Jacob stayed with him for a month.

The LORD saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because the LORD has looked at my affliction; for now my husband will love me.”

She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also.” She named him Simeon.

Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son.

Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son.

Zilpah, Leah’s servant, bore Jacob a son.

Leah said, “How fortunate!” She named him Gad.

Zilpah, Leah’s servant, bore Jacob a second son.

Leah said, “Happy am I, for the daughters will call me happy.” She named him Asher.

God listened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son.

Leah said, “God has given me my hire, because I gave my servant to my husband.” She named him Issachar.

Leah conceived again, and bore a sixth son to Jacob.

Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good dowry. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons.” She named him Zebulun.

Afterwards, she bore a daughter, and named her Dinah.

God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her, and opened her womb.

She conceived, bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach.”

She named him Joseph, saying, “May the LORD add another son to me.”

Laban said to him, “If now I have found favour in your eyes, stay here, for I have divined that the LORD has blessed me for your sake.”

For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. The LORD has blessed you wherever I turned. Now when will I provide for my own house also?”

The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted.

The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore speckled. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore streaked.

Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock, and given them to me.

Laban answered Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine! What can I do today to these my daughters, or to their children whom they have borne?

Early in the morning, Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them. Laban departed and returned to his place.

I have cattle, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favour in your sight.’”

You said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which can’t be counted because there are so many.’”

two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,

thirty milk camels and their colts, forty cows, ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals.

The man said, “Let me go, for the day breaks.” Jacob said, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.”

He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” He said, “Why is it that you ask what my name is?” So he blessed him there.

Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; for he said, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”

The sun rose on him as he passed over Peniel, and he limped because of his thigh.

He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, “Who are these with you?” He said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

Please take the gift that I brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” He urged him, and he took it.

You shall dwell with us, and the land will be before you. Live and trade in it, and get possessions in it.”

God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan Aram, and blessed him.

God said to him, “Your name is Jacob. Your name shall not be Jacob any more, but your name will be Israel.” He named him Israel.

God said to him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will be from you, and kings will come out of your body.

The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, and to your offspring after you I will give the land.”

As her soul was departing (for she died), she named him Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin.

The days of Isaac were one hundred and eighty years.

Isaac gave up the spirit and died, and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. Esau and Jacob, his sons, buried him.

For their substance was too great for them to dwell together, and the land of their travels couldn’t bear them because of their livestock.

chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession. This is Esau, the father of the Edomites.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a tunic of many colours.

for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves came around, and bowed down to my sheaf.”

He dreamt yet another dream, and told it to his brothers, and said, “Behold, I have dreamt yet another dream: and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me.”

She conceived, and bore a son; and he named him Er.

She conceived again, and bore a son; and she named him Onan.

She yet again bore a son, and named him Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.

In the time of her travail, behold, twins were in her womb.

As he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out, and she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?” Therefore his name was called Perez.

Afterward his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.

The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

His master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did prosper in his hand.

Joseph found favour in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. The LORD’s blessing was on all that he had, in the house and in the field.

The keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, he was responsible for it.

The keeper of the prison didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because the LORD was with him; and that which he did, the LORD made it prosper.

and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters produced ripe grapes.

Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his cup bearer.

On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cup bearer and the head of the chief baker amongst his servants.

He restored the chief cup bearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand;

Behold, seven cattle came up out of the river. They were sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass.

He slept and dreamt a second time; and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, healthy and good.

and behold, seven fat and sleek cattle came up out of the river. They fed in the marsh grass;

I saw in my dream, and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, full and good;

Behold, seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt are coming.

Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you.

You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.”

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck.

He made him ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, “Bow the knee!” He set him over all the land of Egypt.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. Without you, no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.”

Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife. Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.

Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

In the seven plenteous years the earth produced abundantly.

Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number.

To Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him.

Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, “For”, he said, “God has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.”

The name of the second, he called Ephraim: “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and butcher an animal, and prepare; for the men will dine with me at noon.”

He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your money.” He brought Simeon out to them.

He lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” He said, “God be gracious to you, my son.”

He sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. They drank, and were merry with him.

So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says, “God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t wait.

You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father down here.”

The report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” It pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

Take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.’

Also, don’t concern yourselves about your belongings, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.”

He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing.

He sent the following to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provision for his father by the way.

He said, “I am God, the God of your father. Don’t be afraid to go down into Egypt, for there I will make of you a great nation.

They took their livestock, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt—Jacob, and all his offspring with him,

These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, with his daughter Dinah. All the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty-three.

The land of Egypt is before you. Make your father and your brothers dwell in the best of the land. Let them dwell in the land of Goshen. If you know any able men amongst them, then put them in charge of my livestock.”

Joseph brought in Jacob, his father, and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from the presence of Pharaoh.

Joseph placed his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.

Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen; and they got themselves possessions therein, and were fruitful, and multiplied exceedingly.

Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were one hundred and forty-seven years.

Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’

Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, will be mine.

Your offspring, whom you become the father of after them, will be yours. They will be called after the name of their brothers in their inheritance.

Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” He said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.”

Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he couldn’t see well. Joseph brought them near to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.

Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t think I would see your face, and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.”

Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand towards Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand towards Israel’s right hand, and brought them near to him.

Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

He blessed Joseph, and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day,

the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. Let them grow into a multitude upon the earth.”

His father refused, and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. However, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a multitude of nations.”

He blessed them that day, saying, “Israel will bless in you, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh’” He set Ephraim before Manasseh.

Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.”

“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in dignity, and excelling in power.

Binding his foal to the vine, his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.

His eyes will be red with wine, his teeth white with milk.

“Zebulun will dwell at the haven of the sea. He will be for a haven of ships. His border will be on Sidon.

“Asher’s food will be rich. He will produce royal dainties.

“Naphtali is a doe set free, who bears beautiful fawns.

“Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a spring. His branches run over the wall.

even by the God of your father, who will help you, by the Almighty, who will bless you, with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb.

The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my ancestors, above the boundaries of the ancient hills. They will be on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the head of him who is separated from his brothers.

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them, and blessed them. He blessed everyone according to his own blessing.

Joseph lived in Egypt, he, and his father’s house. Joseph lived one hundred and ten years.

Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.

The children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. They started to dread the children of Israel.

God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very mighty.

Because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.

Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” The woman took the child, and nursed it.

The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”’

I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, and it will happen that when you go, you shall not go empty-handed.

But every woman shall ask of her neighbour, and of her who visits her house, jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and clothing. You shall put them on your sons, and on your daughters. You shall plunder the Egyptians.”

Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.

He said to them, “The LORD be with you if I let you go with your little ones! See, evil is clearly before your faces.

They didn’t see one another, and nobody rose from his place for three days; but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.”

The LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.

Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also!”

The LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They plundered the Egyptians.

It shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month.

You will bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of your inheritance, the place, LORD, which you have made for yourself to dwell in: the sanctuary, Lord, which your hands have established.

They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. They encamped there by the waters.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.

“I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, ‘At evening you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’”

In the evening, quail came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay around the camp.

When the dew that lay had gone, behold, on the surface of the wilderness was a small round thing, small as the frost on the ground.

When the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they didn’t know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.

When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They each gathered according to his eating.

Behold, because the LORD has given you the Sabbath, therefore he gives you on the sixth day the bread of two days. Everyone stay in his place. Let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.”

The house of Israel called its name “Manna”, and it was like coriander seed, white; and its taste was like wafers with honey.

Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.

Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God.

for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.

“Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you.

“For six years you shall sow your land, and shall gather in its increase,

but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the animal of the field shall eat. In the same way, you shall deal with your vineyard and with your olive grove.

And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of your labours, which you sow in the field; and the feast of ingathering, at the end of the year, when you gather in your labours out of the field.

But if you indeed listen to his voice, and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and an adversary to your adversaries.

You shall serve the LORD your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from amongst you.

No one will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will fulfil the number of your days.

Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and inherit the land.

I will set your border from the Red Sea even to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River; for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you.

He didn’t lay his hand on the nobles of the children of Israel. They saw God, and ate and drank.

I will dwell amongst the children of Israel, and will be their God.

I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship,

Behold, I myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

Now therefore leave me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them, and that I may consume them; and I will make of you a great nation.”

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of the sky, and all this land that I have spoken of I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’”

Moses said, “Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, for every man was against his son and against his brother, that he may give you a blessing today.”

Go to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up amongst you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you on the way.”

The LORD said to Moses, “I will do this thing also that you have spoken; for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.”

He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the LORD’s name before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”

He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship;

and to make skilful works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze,

in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of skilful workmanship.

He has put in his heart that he may teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.

He has filled them with wisdom of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skilful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skilful works.

For the stuff they had was sufficient to do all the work, and too much.

Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded. They had done so; and Moses blessed them.

Aaron lifted up his hands towards the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings.

Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and came out, and blessed the people; and the LORD’s glory appeared to all the people.

“When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put a spreading mildew in a house in the land of your possession,

In the fifth year you shall eat its fruit, that it may yield its increase to you. I am the LORD your God.

But I have said to you, “You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from the peoples.

He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.

The priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.

You shall make the fiftieth year holy, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee to you; and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family.

That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee to you. In it you shall not sow, neither reap that which grows of itself, nor gather from the undressed vines.

For it is a jubilee; it shall be holy to you. You shall eat of its increase out of the field.

“‘In this Year of Jubilee each of you shall return to his property.

“‘Therefore you shall do my statutes, and keep my ordinances and do them; and you shall dwell in the land in safety.

The land shall yield its fruit, and you shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety.

then I will command my blessing on you in the sixth year, and it shall bear fruit for the three years.

then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

Your threshing shall continue until the vintage, and the vintage shall continue until the sowing time. You shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.

“‘I will have respect for you, make you fruitful, multiply you, and will establish my covenant with you.

You shall eat old supplies long kept, and you shall move out the old because of the new.

If the woman isn’t defiled, but is clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive offspring.

“Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘This is how you shall bless the children of Israel.’ You shall tell them,

‘The LORD bless you, and keep you.

The LORD make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you.

The LORD lift up his face towards you, and give you peace.’

“So they shall put my name on the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”

You shall present the Levites before the LORD. The children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites,

Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are journeying to the place of which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the LORD has spoken good concerning Israel.”

It shall be, if you go with us—yes, it shall be—that whatever good the LORD does to us, we will do the same to you.”

When it rested, he said, “Return, LORD, to the ten thousands of the thousands of Israel.”

When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.

The LORD came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did so no more.

A wind from the LORD went out and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day’s journey on this side, and a day’s journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the earth.

The people rose up all that day, and all of that night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails. He who gathered least gathered ten homers; and they spread them all out for themselves around the camp.

They told him, and said, “We came to the land where you sent us. Surely it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.

They spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land.

If the LORD delights in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us: a land which flows with milk and honey.

I will strike them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.”

But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and has followed me fully, him I will bring into the land into which he went. His offspring shall possess it.

But I will bring in your little ones that you said should be captured or killed, and they shall know the land which you have rejected.

But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive of those men who went to spy out the land.

Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;

and that he has brought you near, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? Do you seek the priesthood also?

On the next day, Moses went into the Tent of the Testimony; and behold, Aaron’s rod for the house of Levi had sprouted, budded, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.

Behold, I myself have taken your brothers the Levites from amongst the children of Israel. They are a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD, to do the service of the Tent of Meeting.

You and your sons with you shall keep your priesthood for everything of the altar, and for that within the veil. You shall serve. I give you the service of the priesthood as a gift. The stranger who comes near shall be put to death.”

The LORD spoke to Aaron, “Behold, I myself have given you the command of my wave offerings, even all the holy things of the children of Israel. I have given them to you by reason of the anointing, and to your sons, as a portion forever.

This shall be yours of the most holy things from the fire: every offering of theirs, even every meal offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render to me, shall be most holy for you and for your sons.

“This is yours, too: the wave offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the children of Israel. I have given them to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a portion forever. Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it.

“I have given to you all the best of the oil, all the best of the vintage, and of the grain, the first fruits of them which they give to the LORD.

The first-ripe fruits of all that is in their land, which they bring to the LORD, shall be yours. Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it.

“Everything devoted in Israel shall be yours.

All the wave offerings of the holy things which the children of Israel offer to the LORD, I have given you and your sons and your daughters with you, as a portion forever. It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD to you and to your offspring with you.”

For the tithe of the children of Israel, which they offer as a wave offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance. Therefore I have said to them, ‘Amongst the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.’”

Your wave offering shall be credited to you, as though it were the grain of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the wine press.

Out of all your gifts, you shall offer every wave offering to the LORD, of all its best parts, even the holy part of it.’

“Therefore you shall tell them, ‘When you heave its best from it, then it shall be credited to the Levites as the increase of the threshing floor, and as the increase of the wine press.

You may eat it anywhere, you and your households, for it is your reward in return for your service in the Tent of Meeting.

Moses lifted up his hand, and struck the rock with his rod twice, and water came out abundantly. The congregation and their livestock drank.

Please come now therefore, and curse this people for me; for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall prevail, that we may strike them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

Balak said to Balaam, “Didn’t I earnestly send for you to summon you? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I not able indeed to promote you to honour?”

How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? How shall I defy whom the LORD has not defied?

For from the top of the rocks I see him. From the hills I see him. Behold, it is a people that dwells alone, and shall not be listed amongst the nations.

Who can count the dust of Jacob, or count the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous! Let my last end be like his!”

Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them altogether.”

Behold, I have received a command to bless. He has blessed, and I can’t reverse it.

He has not seen iniquity in Jacob. Neither has he seen perverseness in Israel. The LORD his God is with him. The shout of a king is amongst them.

Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob; neither is there any divination with Israel. Now it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘What has God done!’

Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.”

When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he didn’t go, as at the other times, to use divination, but he set his face towards the wilderness.

Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came on him.

How goodly are your tents, Jacob, and your dwellings, Israel!

As valleys they are spread out, as gardens by the riverside, as aloes which the LORD has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters.

Water shall flow from his buckets. His seed shall be in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag. His kingdom shall be exalted.

He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is cursed.”

Balak’s anger burnt against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.

He looked at the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said, “Your dwelling place is strong. Your nest is set in the rock.

Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace.

These are the families of the Reubenites; and those who were counted of them were forty-three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.

These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty-two thousand and two hundred.

These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those who were counted of them, forty thousand and five hundred.

“To these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.

To the more you shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer you shall give the less inheritance. To everyone according to those who were counted of him shall his inheritance be given.

Notwithstanding, the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.

According to the lot shall their inheritance be divided between the more and the fewer.”

To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel.

“‘Also in the day of the first fruits, when you offer a new meal offering to the LORD in your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work;

Now the plunder, over and above the booty which the men of war took, was six hundred and seventy-five thousand sheep,

seventy-two thousand head of cattle,

sixty-one thousand donkeys,

The half, which was the portion of those who went out to war, was in number three hundred and thirty-seven thousand and five hundred sheep;

Of the children of Israel’s half, which Moses divided off from the men who fought

(now the congregation’s half was three hundred and thirty-seven thousand and five hundred sheep,

thirty-six thousand head of cattle,

thirty thousand and five hundred donkeys,

Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock. They saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead. Behold, the place was a place for livestock.

the land which The LORD struck before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock; and your servants have livestock.”

For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on this side of the Jordan eastward.”

Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan; the land, according to its cities and borders, even the cities of the surrounding land.

The children of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,

Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah,

Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran: fortified cities and folds for sheep.

The children of Reuben built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim,

Nebo, and Baal Meon, (their names being changed), and Sibmah. They gave other names to the cities which they built.

Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh; and he lived therein.

Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

They travelled from Marah, and came to Elim. In Elim, there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there.

You shall take possession of the land, and dwell therein; for I have given the land to you to possess it.

“Command the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you come into the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to its borders),

for the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their fathers’ houses, the tribe of the children of Gad according to their fathers’ houses, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance.

The two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, towards the sunrise.”

“These are the names of the men who shall divide the land to you for inheritance: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun.

You shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land for inheritance.

These are the names of the men: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

Of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.

Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.

Of the tribe of the children of Dan a prince, Bukki the son of Jogli.

Of the children of Joseph: of the tribe of the children of Manasseh a prince, Hanniel the son of Ephod.

These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance to the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.

Behold, I have set the land before you. Go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers—to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob—to give to them and to their offspring after them.’”

The LORD your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as the stars of the sky for multitude.

May the LORD, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, as he has promised you!

I said to you, “You have come to the hill country of the Amorites, which the LORD our God gives to us.

Behold, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the LORD the God of your fathers has spoken to you. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed.”

They took some of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down to us, and brought us word again, and said, “It is a good land which the LORD our God gives to us.”

except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it. I will give the land that he has trodden on to him and to his children, because he has wholly followed the LORD.”

Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

Moreover your little ones, whom you said would be captured or killed, your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, shall go in there. I will give it to them, and they shall possess it.

For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has known your walking through this great wilderness. These forty years, the LORD your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.

as the children of Esau who dwell in Seir, and the Moabites who dwell in Ar, did to me, until I pass over the Jordan into the land which the LORD our God gives us.”

The LORD said to me, “Behold, I have begun to deliver up Sihon and his land before you. Begin to possess, that you may inherit his land.”

Only the livestock we took for plunder for ourselves, with the plunder of the cities which we had taken.

We took all his cities at that time. There was not a city which we didn’t take from them: sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.

But your wives, and your little ones, and your livestock, (I know that you have much livestock), shall live in your cities which I have given you,

But commission Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you shall see.”

Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and to the ordinances which I teach you, to do them, that you may live and go in and possess the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, gives you.

But you who were faithful to the LORD your God are all alive today.

Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and swore that I should not go over the Jordan, and that I should not go in to that good land which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance;

but I must die in this land. I must not go over the Jordan, but you shall go over and possess that good land.

to drive out nations from before you greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is today.

You shall keep his statutes and his commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD your God gives you for all time.

They took possession of his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan towards the sunrise;

and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

“Honour your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

Oh that there were such a heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!

You shall walk in all the way which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.

that you might fear the LORD your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you—you, your son, and your son’s son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged.

Hear therefore, Israel, and observe to do it, that it may be well with you, and that you may increase mightily, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised to you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

It shall be, when the LORD your God brings you into the land which he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you, great and goodly cities which you didn’t build,

and houses full of all good things which you didn’t fill, and cisterns dug out which you didn’t dig, vineyards and olive trees which you didn’t plant, and you shall eat and be full;

You shall do that which is right and good in the LORD’s sight, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which the LORD swore to your fathers,

The LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are today.

He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your livestock and the young of your flock, in the land which he swore to your fathers to give you.

You will be blessed above all peoples. There won’t be male or female barren amongst you, or amongst your livestock.

You shall observe to do all the commandments which I command you today, that you may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers.

For the LORD your God brings you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of springs, and underground water flowing into valleys and hills;

a land of wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive trees and honey;

a land in which you shall eat bread without scarcity, you shall not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you may dig copper.

You shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which he has given you.

lest, when you have eaten and are full, and have built fine houses and lived in them;

and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied;

who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers didn’t know, that he might humble you, and that he might prove you, to do you good at your latter end;

Know therefore that the LORD your God doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.

At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the LORD’s covenant, to stand before the LORD to minister to him, and to bless in his name, to this day.

The LORD said to me, “Arise, take your journey before the people; and they shall go in and possess the land which I swore to their fathers to give to them.”

to keep the LORD’s commandments and statutes, which I command you today for your good?

Your fathers went down into Egypt with seventy persons; and now the LORD your God has made you as the stars of the sky for multitude.

Therefore you shall keep the entire commandment which I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the land that you go over to possess;

and that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give to them and to their offspring, a land flowing with milk and honey.

For the land, where you go in to possess isn’t like the land of Egypt that you came out of, where you sowed your seed and watered it with your foot, as a garden of herbs;

but the land that you go over to possess is a land of hills and valleys which drinks water from the rain of the sky,

that I will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil.

I will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full.

that your days and your children’s days may be multiplied in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as the days of the heavens above the earth.

Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even to the western sea shall be your border.

Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse:

the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today;

It shall happen, when the LORD your God brings you into the land that you go to possess, that you shall set the blessing on Mount Gerizim, and the curse on Mount Ebal.

These are the statutes and the ordinances which you shall observe to do in the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess all the days that you live on the earth.

There you shall eat before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice in all that you put your hand to, you and your households, in which the LORD your God has blessed you.

for you haven’t yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which the LORD your God gives you.

But when you go over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the LORD your God causes you to inherit, and he gives you rest from all your enemies around you, so that you dwell in safety,

Yet you may kill and eat meat within all your gates, after all the desire of your soul, according to the LORD your God’s blessing which he has given you. The unclean and the clean may eat of it, as of the gazelle and the deer.

When the LORD your God enlarges your border, as he has promised you, and you say, “I want to eat meat,” because your soul desires to eat meat, you may eat meat, after all the desire of your soul.

You shall not eat it, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, when you do that which is right in the LORD’s eyes.

Observe and hear all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do that which is good and right in the LORD your God’s eyes.

If you hear about one of your cities, which the LORD your God gives you to dwell there, that

Nothing of the devoted thing shall cling to your hand, that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger and show you mercy, and have compassion on you and multiply you, as he has sworn to your fathers,

For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples who are on the face of the earth.

If the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry it because the place which the LORD your God shall choose to set his name there is too far from you, when the LORD your God blesses you,

The Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, as well as the foreigner living amongst you, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.

However there will be no poor with you (for the LORD will surely bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance to possess)

if only you diligently listen to the LORD your God’s voice, to observe to do all this commandment which I command you today.

For the LORD your God will bless you, as he promised you. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. You will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.

You shall surely give, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because it is for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you put your hand to.

You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your wine press. As the LORD your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.

It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for he has been double the value of a hired hand as he served you six years. The LORD your God will bless you in all that you do.

You shall eat it within your gates. The unclean and the clean shall eat it alike, as the gazelle and as the deer.

You shall keep the feast of weeks to the LORD your God with a tribute of a free will offering of your hand, which you shall give according to how the LORD your God blesses you.

You shall rejoice before the LORD your God: you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are amongst you, in the place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there.

You shall keep a feast to the LORD your God seven days in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your increase and in all the work of your hands, and you shall be altogether joyful.

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the LORD your God’s blessing which he has given you.

You shall follow that which is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD your God gives you.

When you have come to the land which the LORD your God gives you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, “I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,”

that his heart not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he not turn away from the commandment to the right hand, or to the left, to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the middle of Israel.

If the LORD your God enlarges your border, as he has sworn to your fathers, and gives you all the land which he promised to give to your fathers;

and if you keep all this commandment to do it, which I command you today, to love the LORD your God, and to walk ever in his ways, then you shall add three cities more for yourselves, in addition to these three.

Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall purge the innocent blood from Israel that it may go well with you.

The officers shall speak to the people, saying, “What man is there who has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.

What man is there who has planted a vineyard, and has not used its fruit? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use its fruit.

What man is there who has pledged to be married to a wife, and has not taken her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.”

but the women, the little ones, the livestock, and all that is in the city, even all its plunder, you shall take for plunder for yourself. You may use the plunder of your enemies, which the LORD your God has given you.

his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him the same day; for he who is hanged is accursed of God. Don’t defile your land which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance.

You shall surely let the hen go, but the young you may take for yourself, that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days.

Nevertheless the LORD your God wouldn’t listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because the LORD your God loved you.

You may charge a foreigner interest; but you shall not charge your brother interest, that the LORD your God may bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land where you go in to possess it.

You shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment and bless you. It shall be righteousness to you before the LORD your God.

When you reap your harvest in your field, and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go again to get it. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

You shall have a perfect and just weight. You shall have a perfect and just measure, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

It shall be, when you have come in to the land which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance, possess it, and dwell in it,

You shall answer and say before the LORD your God, “My father was a Syrian ready to perish. He went down into Egypt, and lived there, few in number. There he became a great, mighty, and populous nation.

and he has brought us into this place, and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

You shall rejoice in all the good which the LORD your God has given to you, and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the foreigner who is amongst you.

Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel, and the ground which you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.”

The LORD has declared today that you are a people for his own possession, as he has promised you, and that you should keep all his commandments.

He will make you high above all nations that he has made, in praise, in name, and in honour, and that you may be a holy people to the LORD your God, as he has spoken.

You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have passed over, that you may go in to the land which the LORD your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.

“These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.

It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to the LORD your God’s voice, to observe to do all his commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.

All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to the LORD your God’s voice.

You shall be blessed in the city, and you shall be blessed in the field.

You shall be blessed in the fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the fruit of your animals, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock.

Your basket and your kneading trough shall be blessed.

You shall be blessed when you come in, and you shall be blessed when you go out.

The LORD will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be struck before you. They will come out against you one way, and will flee before you seven ways.

The LORD will command the blessing on you in your barns, and in all that you put your hand to. He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

All the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the LORD’s name, and they will be afraid of you.

The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you.

The LORD will open to you his good treasure in the sky, to give the rain of your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You will lend to many nations, and you will not borrow.

The LORD will make you the head, and not the tail. You will be above only, and you will not be beneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today, to observe and to do,

Because you didn’t serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things;

It will happen that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you, so the LORD will rejoice over you to cause you to perish and to destroy you. You will be plucked from the land that you are going in to possess.

We took their land, and gave it for an inheritance to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of the Manassites.

Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.

It shall happen, when all these things have come on you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you shall call them to mind amongst all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you,

The LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you will possess it. He will do you good, and increase your numbers more than your fathers.

The LORD your God will make you prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, for good; for the LORD will again rejoice over you for good, as he rejoiced over your fathers,

Behold, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and evil.

For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you go in to possess it.

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants,

to love the LORD your God, to obey his voice, and to cling to him; for he is your life, and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it.

For when I have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they have eaten and filled themselves, and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break my covenant.

For the LORD’s portion is his people. Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.

He made him ride on the high places of the earth. He ate the increase of the field. He caused him to suck honey out of the rock, oil out of the flinty rock;

butter from the herd, and milk from the flock, with fat of lambs, rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the finest of the wheat. From the blood of the grape, you drank wine.

For it is no vain thing for you, because it is your life, and through this thing you shall prolong your days in the land, where you go over the Jordan to possess it.”

“Go up into this mountain of Abarim, to Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is across from Jericho; and see the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel for a possession.

This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.

“Let Reuben live, and not die; Nor let his men be few.”

LORD, bless his skills. Accept the work of his hands. Strike through the hips of those who rise up against him, of those who hate him, that they not rise again.”

About Joseph he said, “His land is blessed by the LORD, for the precious things of the heavens, for the dew, for the deep that couches beneath,

for the precious things of the fruits of the sun, for the precious things that the moon can yield,

for the best things of the ancient mountains, for the precious things of the everlasting hills,

for the precious things of the earth and its fullness, the good will of him who lived in the bush. Let this come on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the head of him who was separated from his brothers.

Majesty belongs to the firstborn of his herd. His horns are the horns of the wild ox. With them he will push all the peoples to the ends of the earth. They are the ten thousands of Ephraim. They are the thousands of Manasseh.”

About Zebulun he said, “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out; and Issachar, in your tents.

About Gad he said, “He who enlarges Gad is blessed. He dwells as a lioness, and tears the arm and the crown of the head.

About Naphtali he said, “Naphtali, satisfied with favour, full of the LORD’s blessing, Possess the west and the south.”

About Asher he said, “Asher is blessed with children. Let him be acceptable to his brothers. Let him dip his foot in oil.

Israel dwells in safety, the fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine. Yes, his heavens drop down dew.

You are happy, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, the sword of your excellency? Your enemies will submit themselves to you. You will tread on their high places.”

Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eye was not dim, nor his strength gone.

From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea towards the going down of the sun, shall be your border.

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.

“Pass through the middle of the camp, and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare food; for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God gives you to possess.’”

“Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God gives you rest, and will give you this land.

until the LORD has given your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they have also possessed the land which the LORD your God gives them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and possess it, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan towards the sunrise.’”

On that day, the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.

But Rahab the prostitute, her father’s household, and all that she had, Joshua saved alive. She lives in the middle of Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was in all the land.

All Israel, with their elders, officers, and judges, stood on both sides of the ark before the Levitical priests, who carried the ark of the LORD’s covenant, the foreigner as well as the native; half of them in front of Mount Gerizim, and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded at the first, that they should bless the people of Israel.

Afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the book of the law.

but don’t stay there. Pursue your enemies, and attack them from the rear. Don’t allow them to enter into their cities; for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand.”

So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD spoke to Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land had rest from war.

Now these are the kings of the land, whom the children of Israel struck, and possessed their land beyond the Jordan towards the sunrise, from the valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon, and all the Arabah eastward:

Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel struck them. Moses the servant of the LORD gave it for a possession to the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

These are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the children of Israel struck beyond the Jordan westward, from Baal Gad in the valley of Lebanon even to Mount Halak, that goes up to Seir. Joshua gave it to the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions;

The border of the children of Reuben was the bank of the Jordan. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben according to their families, the cities and its villages.

Moses gave to the tribe of Gad, to the children of Gad, according to their families.

Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where you walked shall be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’

“Now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as he spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. Now, behold, I am eighty-five years old, today.

As yet I am as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me. As my strength was then, even so is my strength now for war, to go out and to come in.

Joshua blessed him; and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.

Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel wholeheartedly.

She said, “Give me a blessing. Because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon. All the cities are twenty-nine, with their villages.

Shaaraim, Adithaim and Gederah (or Gederothaim); fourteen cities with their villages.

Goshen, Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages.

Humtah, Kiriath Arba (also called Hebron), and Zior; nine cities with their villages.

Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages.

The children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.

Ten parts fell to Manasseh, in addition to the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is beyond the Jordan;

The children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given me just one lot and one part for an inheritance, since we are a numerous people, because the LORD has blessed us so far?”

Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph, that is, to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, “You are a numerous people, and have great power. You shall not have one lot only;

Seven tribes remained amongst the children of Israel, which had not yet divided their inheritance.

Joshua said to the children of Israel, “How long will you neglect to go in to possess the land, which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?

The lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families. The border of their lot went out between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.

Zelah, Eleph, the Jebusite (also called Jerusalem), Gibeath, and Kiriath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.

The second lot came out for Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families. Their inheritance was in the middle of the inheritance of the children of Judah.

They had for their inheritance Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah,

and all the villages that were around these cities to Baalath Beer, Ramah of the South. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.

Out of the part of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon; for the portion of the children of Judah was too much for them. Therefore the children of Simeon had inheritance in the middle of their inheritance.

The third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families. The border of their inheritance was to Sarid.

Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.

This is the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.

The fourth lot came out for Issachar, even for the children of Issachar according to their families.

This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities with their villages.

This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities with their villages.

The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families.

The border of their inheritance was Zorah, Eshtaol, Irshemesh,

Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,

Elon, Timnah, Ekron,

Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,

Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon,

Me Jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border opposite Joppa.

This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.

So they finished distributing the land for inheritance by its borders. The children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun amongst them.

According to the LORD’s commandment, they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in the hill country of Ephraim; and he built the city, and lived there.

The lot came out for the families of the Kohathites. The children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had thirteen cities by lot out of the tribe of Judah, out of the tribe of the Simeonites, and out of the tribe of Benjamin.

The rest of the children of Kohath had ten cities by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh.

The children of Gershon had thirteen cities by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, out of the tribe of Asher, out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.

The children of Merari according to their families had twelve cities out of the tribe of Reuben, out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun.

They gave them Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (also called Hebron), in the hill country of Judah, with its pasture lands around it.

But they gave the fields of the city and its villages to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.

Jattir with its pasture lands, Eshtemoa with its pasture lands,

Holon with its pasture lands, Debir with its pasture lands,

Ain with its pasture lands, Juttah with its pasture lands, and Beth Shemesh with its pasture lands: nine cities out of those two tribes.

Out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with its pasture lands, Geba with its pasture lands,

Anathoth with its pasture lands, and Almon with its pasture lands: four cities.

So the LORD gave to Israel all the land which he swore to give to their fathers. They possessed it, and lived in it.

Nothing failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away; and they went to their tents.

Now to the one half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given inheritance in Bashan; but Joshua gave to the other half amongst their brothers beyond the Jordan westward. Moreover when Joshua sent them away to their tents, he blessed them,

and spoke to them, saying, “Return with much wealth to your tents, with very much livestock, with silver, with gold, with bronze, with iron, and with very much clothing. Divide the plunder of your enemies with your brothers.”

The thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and spoke no more of going up against them to war, to destroy the land in which the children of Reuben and the children of Gad lived.

Behold, I have allotted to you these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even to the great sea towards the going down of the sun.

“Behold, today I am going the way of all the earth. You know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have happened to you. Not one thing has failed of it.

It shall happen that as all the good things have come on you of which the LORD your God spoke to you, so the LORD will bring on you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you,

I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his offspring, and gave him Isaac.

I gave to Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave to Esau Mount Seir, to possess it. Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.

but I would not listen to Balaam; therefore he blessed you still. So I delivered you out of his hand.

I gave you a land on which you had not laboured, and cities which you didn’t build, and you live in them. You eat of vineyards and olive groves which you didn’t plant.’

If you forsake the LORD, and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after he has done you good.”

So Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.

They buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, on the north of the mountain of Gaash.

Eleazar the son of Aaron died. They buried him in the hill of Phinehas his son, which was given him in the hill country of Ephraim.

She said to him, “Give me a blessing; because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.” Then Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Now when Joshua had sent the people away, the children of Israel each went to his inheritance to possess the land.

The land had rest forty years, then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. Then the land had rest eighty years.

“Because the leaders took the lead in Israel, because the people offered themselves willingly, be blessed, LORD!

“Jael shall be blessed above women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

“So let all your enemies perish, LORD, but let those who love him be as the sun when it rises in its strength.” Then the land had rest forty years.

The LORD’s angel appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valour!”

Gideon said to them, “I do have a request: that you would each give me the earrings of his plunder.” (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)

The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was one thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold, in addition to the crescents, and the pendants, and the purple clothing that was on the kings of Midian, and in addition to the chains that were about their camels’ necks.

So Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, and they lifted up their heads no more. The land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon.

Gideon had seventy sons conceived from his body, for he had many wives.

Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

They went out into the field, harvested their vineyards, trod the grapes, celebrated, and went into the house of their god and ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech.

He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkey colts. They had thirty cities, which are called Havvoth Jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

They possessed all the border of the Amorites, from the Arnon even to the Jabbok, and from the wilderness even to the Jordan.

He had forty sons and thirty sons’ sons who rode on seventy donkey colts. He judged Israel eight years.

The LORD’s angel appeared to the woman, and said to her, “See now, you are barren and childless; but you shall conceive and bear a son.

for, behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son. No razor shall come on his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb. He shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”

but he said to me, ‘Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink. Don’t eat any unclean thing, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.’”

The woman bore a son and named him Samson. The child grew, and the LORD blessed him.

The LORD’s Spirit began to move him in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

After a while he returned to take her, and he went over to see the carcass of the lion; and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey.

Samson said to them, “Let me tell you a riddle now. If you can tell me the answer within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing;

He said to his mother, “The eleven hundred pieces of silver that were taken from you, about which you uttered a curse, and also spoke it in my ears—behold, the silver is with me. I took it.” His mother said, “May the LORD bless my son!”

Then Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will do good to me, since I have a Levite as my priest.”

The priest said to them, “Go in peace. Your way in which you go is before the LORD.”

When you go, you will come to an unsuspecting people, and the land is large; for God has given it into your hand, a place where there is no lack of anything that is in the earth.”

Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab; for she had heard in the country of Moab how the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.

Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.

May The LORD grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices, and wept.

Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.

Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “May The LORD be with you.” They answered him, “May The LORD bless you.”

May the LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given to you from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

At meal time Boaz said to her, “Come here, and eat some bread, and dip your morsel in the vinegar.” She sat beside the reapers, and they passed her parched grain. She ate, was satisfied, and left some of it.

Her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? Where have you worked? Blessed be he who noticed you.” She told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”

Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not abandoned his kindness to the living and to the dead.” Naomi said to her, “The man is a close relative to us, one of our near kinsmen.”

He said, “You are blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, because you didn’t follow young men, whether poor or rich.

All the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which both built the house of Israel; and treat you worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Bethlehem.

Let your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, of the offspring which the LORD will give you by this young woman.”

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she bore a son.

The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you today without a near kinsman. Let his name be famous in Israel.

The women, her neighbours, gave him a name, saying, “A son is born to Naomi”. They named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him.”

She said, “Let your servant find favour in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate; and her facial expression wasn’t sad any more.

When the time had come, Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of the LORD.”

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of him.

Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread. Those who were hungry are satisfied. Yes, the barren has borne seven. She who has many children languishes.

He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the dunghill to make them sit with princes and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s. He has set the world on them.

Those who strive with the LORD shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. “The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, “May The LORD give you offspring from this woman for the petition which was asked of the LORD.” Then they went to their own home.

The LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. The child Samuel grew before the LORD.

The child Samuel grew on, and increased in favour both with the LORD and also with men.

Didn’t I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? Didn’t I give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?

“Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father should walk before me forever.’ But now the LORD says, ‘Far be it from me; for those who honour me I will honour, and those who despise me will be cursed.

I will raise up a faithful priest for myself who will do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind. I will build him a sure house. He will walk before my anointed forever.

Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.

All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

The people of Beth Shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.

The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and Israel recovered its border out of the hand of the Philistines. There was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

He had a son whose name was Saul, an impressive young man; and there was not amongst the children of Israel a more handsome person than he. From his shoulders and upward he was taller than any of the people.

They answered them and said, “He is. Behold, he is before you. Hurry now, for he has come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place.

As soon as you have come into the city, you will immediately find him before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he comes, because he blesses the sacrifice. Afterwards those who are invited eat. Now therefore go up; for at this time you will find him.”

As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don’t set your mind on them, for they have been found. For whom does all Israel desire? Is it not you and all your father’s house?”

Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place amongst those who were invited, who were about thirty persons.

The cook took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and set it before Saul. Samuel said, “Behold, that which has been reserved! Set it before yourself and eat; because it has been kept for you for the appointed time, for I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

Then Samuel took the vial of oil and poured it on his head, then kissed him and said, “Hasn’t the LORD anointed you to be prince over his inheritance?

They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall receive from their hand.

They ran and got him there. When he stood amongst the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.

Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen, that there is no one like him amongst all the people?” All the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!”

If you will fear the LORD, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of the LORD your God.

That first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armour bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were half a furrow’s length in an acre of land.

All the people came into the forest; and there was honey on the ground.

Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said to him, “You are blessed by the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD.”

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then the LORD’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

Then one of the young men answered and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skilful in playing, a mighty man of valour, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him.”

Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by David his son to Saul.

David came to Saul and stood before him. He loved him greatly; and he became his armour bearer.

Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favour in my sight.”

When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? He has surely come up to defy Israel. The king will give great riches to the man who kills him, and will give him his daughter, and will make his father’s house tax-free in Israel.”

The people answered him in this way, saying, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.”

Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David; and Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him.

Then the princes of the Philistines went out; and as often as they went out, David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.

The priest said, “Behold, the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you would like to take that, take it, for there is no other except that here.” David said, “There is none like that. Give it to me.”

One of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David.

Saul said, “You are blessed by the LORD, for you have had compassion on me.

For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may the LORD reward you good for that which you have done to me today.

Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.

There was a man in Maon whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats; and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Tell him, ‘Long life to you! Peace be to you! Peace be to your house! Peace be to all that you have!

Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let the young men find favour in your eyes, for we come on a good day. Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David.’”

But the men were very good to us, and we were not harmed, and we didn’t miss anything as long as we went with them, when we were in the fields.

Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fights the LORD’s battles. Evil will not be found in you all your days.

It will come to pass, when the LORD has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you prince over Israel,

David said to Abigail, “Blessed is the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you today to meet me!

Blessed is your discretion, and blessed are you, who have kept me today from blood guiltiness, and from avenging myself with my own hand.

Then Saul said to David, “You are blessed, my son David. You will both do mightily, and will surely prevail.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.

Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: therefore Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this day.

David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives.

There was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither plunder, nor anything that they had taken. David brought them all back.

David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drove before those other livestock, and said, “This is David’s plunder.”

When David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, “Behold, a present for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.”

He sent it to those who were in Bethel, to those who were in Ramoth of the South, to those who were in Jattir,

to those who were in Aroer, to those who were in Siphmoth, to those who were in Eshtemoa,

to those who were in Racal, to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, to those who were in the cities of the Kenites,

to those who were in Hormah, to those who were in Borashan, to those who were in Athach,

to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men used to stay.

You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you delicately in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.

The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul.”

David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, “Blessed are you by the LORD, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him.

Now may the LORD show loving kindness and truth to you. I also will reward you for this kindness, because you have done this thing.

Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

David grew greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of Armies, was with him.

Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.

David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

David took more concubines and wives for himself out of Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David.

These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

The LORD’s ark remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three months; and the LORD blessed Obed-Edom and all his house.

King David was told, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that belongs to him, because of God’s ark.” So David went and brought up God’s ark from the house of Obed-Edom into David’s city with joy.

When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Armies.

He gave to all the people, even amongst the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and raisins. So all the people departed, each to his own house.

When the king lived in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around,

Now therefore tell my servant David this: ‘The LORD of Armies says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people, over Israel.

I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.

I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be moved no more. The children of wickedness will not afflict them any more, as at the first,

and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD tells you that the LORD will make you a house.

When your days are fulfilled and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom.

Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.”’”

Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD; and he said, “Who am I, Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?

This was yet a small thing in your eyes, Lord GOD, but you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come; and this amongst men, Lord GOD!

Let your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies is God over Israel; and the house of your servant David will be established before you.’

“Now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are truth, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.

Now therefore, let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Lord GOD, have spoken it. Let the house of your servant be blessed forever with your blessing.”

Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.

then Toi sent Joram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze.

He put garrisons in Edom. Throughout all Edom, he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.

Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s son.

Till the land for him—you, your sons, and your servants. Bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have bread to eat; but Mephibosheth your master’s son will always eat bread at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table like one of the king’s sons.

So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. He was lame in both his feet.

David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and a gift from the king was sent after him.

The rich man had very many flocks and herds,

I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that would have been too little, I would have added to you many more such things.

David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her. She bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. The LORD loved him;

and he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and he named him Jedidiah, for the LORD’s sake.

He took the crown of their king from off his head; and its weight was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones; and it was set on David’s head. He brought a great quantity of plunder out of the city.

The king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let’s not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him.

Then your servant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. May the LORD, your God, be with you.’”

Joab fell to the ground on his face, showed respect, and blessed the king. Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favour in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant.”

Now in all Israel there was no one to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty. From the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no defect in him.

When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king’s weight.

Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman with a beautiful face.

Whereas you came but yesterday, should I today make you go up and down with us, since I go where I may? Return, and take back your brothers. Mercy and truth be with you.”

When David was a little past the top, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and one hundred clusters of raisins, and one hundred summer fruits, and a container of wine.

Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” Ziba said, “I bow down. Let me find favour in your sight, my lord, O king.”

brought beds, basins, earthen vessels, wheat, barley, meal, parched grain, beans, lentils, roasted grain,

honey, butter, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him to eat; for they said, “The people are hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness.”

Ahimaaz called, and said to the king, “All is well.” He bowed himself before the king with his face to the earth, and said, “Blessed is the LORD your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted up their hand against my lord the king!”

Behold, the Cushite came. The Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king, for the LORD has avenged you today of all those who rose up against you.”

Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even eighty years old. He had provided the king with sustenance while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man.

The king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will sustain you with me in Jerusalem.”

Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.”

The king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good to you. Whatever you request of me, that I will do for you.”

All the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. Then the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.

and David said to the Gibeonites, “What should I do for you? And with what should I make atonement, that you may bless the LORD’s inheritance?”

He also brought me out into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.

The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.

Therefore the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in his eyesight.

He makes his feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places.

You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your gentleness has made me great.

You have enlarged my steps under me. My feet have not slipped.

You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people. You have kept me to be the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me.

The LORD lives! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,

He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his offspring, forever more.”

Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse says, the man who was raised on high says, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel:

shall be as the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, through clear shining after rain.’

Joab said to the king, “Now may the LORD your God add to the people, however many they may be, one hundred times; and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king delight in this thing?”

All this, O king, does Araunah give to the king.” Araunah said to the king, “May the LORD your God accept you.”

Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord King David live forever!”

As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”

Moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and make his throne greater than your throne;’ and the king bowed himself on the bed.

Also thus said the king, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne today, my eyes even seeing it.’”

and keep the instruction of the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn yourself.

Then the LORD may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your children are careful of their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you,’ he said, ‘a man on the throne of Israel.’

But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be amongst those who eat at your table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.

So their blood will return on the head of Joab and on the head of his offspring forever. But for David, for his offspring, for his house, and for his throne, there will be peace forever from the LORD.”

But King Solomon will be blessed, and David’s throne will be established before the LORD forever.”

In Gibeon, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask for what I should give you.”

Solomon said, “You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, because he walked before you in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you. You have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today.

Your servant is amongst your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can’t be numbered or counted for multitude.

This request pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,

behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you.

I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honour, so that there will not be any amongst the kings like you for all your days.

If you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

Judah and Israel were numerous as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.

Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty cors of fine flour, sixty measures of meal,

ten head of fat cattle, twenty head of cattle out of the pastures, and one hundred sheep, in addition to deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl.

For he had dominion over all on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River; and he had peace on all sides around him.

Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.

Those officers provided food for King Solomon, and for all who came to King Solomon’s table, every man in his month. They let nothing be lacking.

God gave Solomon abundant wisdom, understanding, and breadth of mind like the sand that is on the seashore.

Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.

For he was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the nations all around.

He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered one thousand and five.

He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows out of the wall; he also spoke of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish.

People of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, sent by all kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.

But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is no enemy and no evil occurrence.

When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly, and said, “Blessed is the LORD today, who has given to David a wise son to rule over this great people.”

He overlaid the cherubim with gold.

He overlaid the floor of the house with gold, inside and outside.

So he made two doors of olive wood; and he carved on them carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold. He spread the gold on the cherubim and on the palm trees.

Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because there were so many of them. The weight of the bronze could not be determined.

The king turned his face around and blessed all the assembly of Israel; and all the assembly of Israel stood.

He said, “Blessed is the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David your father, and has with his hand fulfilled it, saying,

But the LORD said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.

Now therefore, may LORD, the God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father that which you have promised him, saying, ‘There shall not fail from you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children take heed to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’

then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of your servants, and of your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on your land which you have given to your people for an inheritance.

that they may fear you all the days that they live in the land which you gave to our fathers.

He stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying,

“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. There has not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by Moses his servant.

So Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel with him, a great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven more days, even fourteen days.

On the eighth day he sent the people away; and they blessed the king, and went to their tents joyful and glad in their hearts for all the goodness that the LORD had shown to David his servant, and to Israel his people.

When Solomon had finished the building of the LORD’s house, the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he was pleased to do,

then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised to David your father, saying, ‘There shall not fail from you a man on the throne of Israel.’

all the storage cities that Solomon had, the cities for his chariots, the cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.

They came to Ophir, and fetched from there gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to King Solomon.

She came to Jerusalem with a very great caravan, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she had come to Solomon, she talked with him about all that was in her heart.

When the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,

the food of his table, the sitting of his servants, the attendance of his officials, their clothing, his cup bearers, and his ascent by which he went up to the LORD’s house, there was no more spirit in her.

However, I didn’t believe the words until I came and my eyes had seen it. Behold, not even half was told me! Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.

Happy are your men, happy are these your servants who stand continually before you, who hear your wisdom.

Blessed is the LORD your God, who delighted in you, to set you on the throne of Israel. Because the LORD loved Israel forever, therefore he made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”

She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again was there such an abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought in from Ophir great quantities of almug trees and precious stones.

King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, in addition to that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own land, she and her servants.

Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,

in addition to that which the traders brought, and the traffic of the merchants, and of all the kings of the mixed people, and of the governors of the country.

King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred shekels of gold went to one buckler.

He made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went to one shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.

Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold.

There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.

Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps. Nothing like it was made in any kingdom.

All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver, because it was considered of little value in the days of Solomon.

For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet. Once every three years the fleet of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

All the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart.

Year after year, every man brought his tribute, vessels of silver, vessels of gold, clothing, armour, spices, horses, and mules.

Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand and four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen. He kept them in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.

The king made silver as common as stones in Jerusalem, and cedars as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.

Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him as wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.

The sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house; and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s house amongst the sons of Pharaoh.

It shall be, if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do that which is right in my eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, that I will be with you, and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you.

The king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”

Go, tell Jeroboam, ‘The LORD, the God of Israel, says: “Because I exalted you from amongst the people, and made you prince over my people Israel,

“Because I exalted you out of the dust and made you prince over my people Israel, and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins,

The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook.

For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of meal will not run out, and the jar of oil will not fail, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth.’”

She went and did according to the saying of Elijah; and she, he, and her household ate many days.

The jar of meal didn’t run out and the jar of oil didn’t fail, according to the LORD’s word, which he spoke by Elijah.

Elijah took the child and brought him down out of the room into the house, and delivered him to his mother; and Elijah said, “Behold, your son lives.”

Elijah said to Ahab, “Get up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”

On the seventh time, he said, “Behold, a small cloud, like a man’s hand, is rising out of the sea.” He said, “Go up, tell Ahab, ‘Get ready and go down, so that the rain doesn’t stop you.’”

In a little while, the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.

The LORD’s hand was on Elijah; and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

He looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on the coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again.

All the prophets prophesied so, saying, “Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper; for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.”

The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “See now, the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak good.”

When he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall we forbear?” He answered him, “Go up and prosper; and the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.”

When they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.”

He said, “You have asked a hard thing. If you see me when I am taken from you, it will be so for you; but if not, it will not be so.”

Elisha saw it, and he cried, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” He saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

He also took up Elijah’s mantle that fell from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.

He took Elijah’s mantle that fell from him, and struck the waters, and said, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” When he also had struck the waters, they were divided apart, and Elisha went over.

When the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho facing him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind, neither will you see rain, yet that valley will be filled with water, and you will drink, both you and your livestock and your other animals.

When the containers were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another container.” He said to her, “There isn’t another container.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

Then she came and told the man of God. He said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”

He said, “At this season next year, you will embrace a son.” She said, “No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your servant.”

The woman conceived, and bore a son at that season when the time came around, as Elisha had said to her.

When the child was grown, one day he went out to his father to the reapers.

He called Gehazi, and said, “Call this Shunammite!” So he called her. When she had come in to him, he said, “Take up your son.”

A man from Baal Shalishah came, and brought the man of God some bread of the first fruits: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, “Give to the people, that they may eat.”

So he set it before them and they ate and had some left over, according to the LORD’s word.

He said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him a little way.

Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, “Behold, if the LORD made windows in heaven, could this thing be?” He said, “Behold, you will see it with your eyes, but will not eat of it.”

When these lepers came to the outermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and ate and drank, then carried away silver, gold, and clothing and went and hid it. Then they came back, and entered into another tent and carried things from there also, and went and hid them.

Then they said to one another, “We aren’t doing right. Today is a day of good news, and we keep silent. If we wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let’s go and tell the king’s household.”

The people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the LORD’s word.

It happened as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, “Two seahs of barley for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour for a shekel, shall be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria;”

The LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in executing that which is right in my eyes, and have done to Ahab’s house according to all that was in my heart, your descendants shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.”

Jehu slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria. Jehoahaz his son reigned in his place.

The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.

Then he brought out the king’s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant; and they made him king and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, “Long live the king!”

Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.

Jehoash began to reign in the seventh year of Jehu, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba.

The LORD was with him. Wherever he went, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria, and didn’t serve him.

until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and of honey, that you may live and not die. Don’t listen to Hezekiah when he persuades you, saying, “The LORD will deliver us.”

“This will be the sign to you: This year, you will eat that which grows of itself, and in the second year that which springs from that; and in the third year sow and reap, and plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

The remnant that has escaped of the house of Judah will again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.

I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”’”

Hezekiah listened to them, and showed them all the storehouse of his precious things—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, and the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, or in all his dominion, that Hezekiah didn’t show them.

In the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evilmerodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, released Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison,

and he spoke kindly to him and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon,

and changed his prison garments. Jehoiachin ate bread before him continually all the days of his life;

and for his allowance, there was a continual allowance given him from the king, every day a portion, all the days of his life.

Segub became the father of Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead.

Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border! May your hand be with me, and may you keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” God granted him that which he requested.

Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers didn’t have many children, and all their family didn’t multiply like the children of Judah.

these mentioned by name were princes in their families. Their fathers’ houses increased greatly.

They found rich, good pasture, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceful, for those who lived there before were descended from Ham.

For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and from him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph’s)—

and he lived eastward even to the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates, because their livestock were multiplied in the land of Gilead.

The children of the half-tribe of Manasseh lived in the land. They increased from Bashan to Baal Hermon, Senir, and Mount Hermon.

Their possessions and settlements were Bethel and its towns, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer with its towns; Shechem also and its towns, to Azzah and its towns;

David grew greater and greater, for the LORD of Armies was with him.

For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like God’s army.

God’s ark remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months; and the LORD blessed Obed-Edom’s house and all that he had.

David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted, for his people Israel’s sake.

The fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him on all nations.

When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the LORD’s name.

He gave to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.

you offspring of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

saying, “I will give you the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance,”

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. All the people said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD.

All the people departed, each man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.

I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a name like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.

I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more. The children of wickedness will not waste them any more, as at the first,

and from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that the LORD will build you a house.

It will happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your offspring after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

This was a small thing in your eyes, O God, but you have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the standard of a man of high degree, LORD God.

Now, LORD, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, be established forever, and do as you have spoken.

Let your name be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel. The house of David your servant is established before you.’

Now, LORD, you are God, and have promised this good thing to your servant.

Now it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, LORD, have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”

he sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him (for Hadadezer had wars with Tou); and he had with him all kinds of vessels of gold and silver and bronze.

David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it. It was set on David’s head, and he brought very much plunder out of the city.

Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of peace. I will give him rest from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.

Now, my son, may the LORD be with you and prosper you, and build the house of the LORD your God, as he has spoken concerning you.

May the LORD give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.

Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid and don’t be dismayed.

There are also workmen with you in abundance—cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skilful in every kind of work;

of the gold, the silver, the bronze, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and may the LORD be with you.”

Now David was old and full of days; and he made Solomon his son king over Israel.

The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was separated that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons forever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister to him, and to bless in his name forever.

The son of Eliezer was Rehabiah the chief; and Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.

All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him.

But David didn’t take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky.

All these were the rulers of the property which was King David’s.

However the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever. For he has chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and amongst the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel.

Of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons), he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the LORD’s kingdom over Israel.

Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the LORD’s assembly, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.

David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said, “You are blessed, LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.

Both riches and honour come from you, and you rule over all! In your hand is power and might! It is in your hand to make great, and to give strength to all!

and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision.”

Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless the LORD your God!” All the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves before the LORD and the king.

and ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness. They made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him before the LORD to be prince, and Zadok to be priest.

Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.

The LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and gave to him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

He died at a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour; and Solomon his son reigned in his place.

Solomon the son of David was firmly established in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and made him exceedingly great.

That night, God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for what you want me to give you.”

therefore wisdom and knowledge is granted to you. I will give you riches, wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you, and none after you will have.”

The king made silver and gold to be as common as stones in Jerusalem, and he made cedars to be as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.

Behold, I will give to your servants, the cutters who cut timber, twenty thousand cors of beaten wheat, twenty thousand baths of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.”

Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, “Because the LORD loves his people, he has made you king over them.”

Huram continued, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, endowed with discretion and understanding, who would build a house for the LORD and a house for his kingdom.

Now I have sent a skilful man, endowed with understanding, Huram-abi,

the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan; and his father was a man of Tyre. He is skilful to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in iron, in stone, in timber, in purple, in blue, in fine linen, and in crimson, also to engrave any kind of engraving and to devise any device, that there may be a place appointed to him with your skilful men, and with the skilful men of my lord David your father.

The king turned his face, and blessed all the assembly of Israel; and all the assembly of Israel stood.

He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father, and has with his hands fulfilled it, saying,

Moreover Solomon made the middle of the court that was before the LORD’s house holy; for there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offering, the meal offering, and the fat.

On the eighth day, they held a solemn assembly; for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.

On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that the LORD had shown to David, to Solomon, and to Israel his people.

Thus Solomon finished the LORD’s house and the king’s house; and he successfully completed all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the LORD’s house and in his own house.

For now I have chosen and made this house holy, that my name may be there forever; and my eyes and my heart will be there perpetually.

then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, according as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘There shall not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel.’

Solomon built the cities which Huram had given to Solomon, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.

Huram sent him ships and servants who had knowledge of the sea by the hands of his servants; and they came with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and brought from there four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to King Solomon.

the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers, their clothing, his cup bearers and their clothing, and his ascent by which he went up to the LORD’s house, there was no more spirit in her.

Happy are your men, and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom.

Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you and set you on his throne to be king for the LORD your God, because your God loved Israel, to establish them forever. Therefore he made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.”

She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones. There was never before such spice as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, more than that which she had brought to the king. So she turned and went to her own land, she and her servants.

Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,

in addition to that which the traders and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.

He made three hundred shields of beaten gold. Three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. The king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.

Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.

There were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.

Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps. There was nothing like it made in any other kingdom.

All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not considered valuable in the days of Solomon.

For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with Huram’s servants. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

They each brought tribute: vessels of silver, vessels of gold, clothing, armour, spices, horses, and mules every year.

Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen that he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.

The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars to be as abundant as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.

They brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt and out of all lands.

Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.

Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in his father David’s city; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.

Rehoboam loved Maacah the granddaughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines; for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.

When he humbled himself, the LORD’s wrath turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether. Moreover, there were good things found in Judah.

But Abijah grew mighty and took for himself fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in David’s city; and Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days, the land was quiet ten years.

He built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years, because the LORD had given him rest.

For he said to Judah, “Let’s build these cities and make walls around them, with towers, gates, and bars. The land is yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought him, and he has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.

So the LORD struck the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.

Asa and the people who were with him pursued them to Gerar. So many of the Ethiopians fell that they could not recover themselves, for they were destroyed before the LORD and before his army. Judah’s army carried away very much booty.

They also struck the tents of those who had livestock, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, then returned to Jerusalem.

But you be strong! Don’t let your hands be slack, for your work will be rewarded.”

He gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those who lived with them out of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon; for they came to him out of Israel in abundance when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

There was no more war to the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honour in abundance.

Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute. The Arabians also brought him flocks: seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred male goats.

Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.

Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance; and he allied himself with Ahab.

All the prophets prophesied so, saying, “Go up to Ramoth Gilead, and prosper; for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.”

When he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?” He said, “Go up, and prosper. They shall be delivered into your hand.”

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, in all the king’s matters. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and may the LORD be with the good.”

When Judah came to the place overlooking the wilderness, they looked at the multitude; and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there were none who escaped.

When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their plunder, they found amongst them in abundance both riches and dead bodies with precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away. They took plunder for three days, it was so much.

On the fourth day, they assembled themselves in Beracah Valley, for there they blessed the LORD. Therefore the name of that place was called “Beracah Valley” to this day.

So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.

Their father gave them great gifts of silver, of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.

However the LORD would not destroy David’s house, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a lamp to him and to his children always.

Then they brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, gave him the covenant, and made him king. Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and they said, “Long live the king!”

But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died. He was one hundred and thirty years old when he died.

The Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said to them, “God says, ‘Why do you disobey the LORD’s commandments, so that you can’t prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has also forsaken you.’”

He built Eloth and restored it to Judah. After that the king slept with his fathers.

He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.

The Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah. His name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt, for he grew exceedingly strong.

He built towers in the wilderness, and dug out many cisterns, for he had much livestock, both in the lowlands and in the plains. He had farmers and vineyard keepers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields, for he loved farming.

In Jerusalem, he made devices, invented by skilful men, to be on the towers and on the battlements, with which to shoot arrows and great stones. His name spread far abroad, because he was marvellously helped until he was strong.

He also fought with the king of the children of Ammon, and prevailed against them. The children of Ammon gave him the same year one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand cors of wheat, and ten thousand cors of barley. The children of Ammon also gave that much to him in the second year, and in the third.

He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.

Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because of that which God had prepared for the people; for the thing was done suddenly.

Also the hand of God came on Judah to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by the LORD’s word.

For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the assembly for offerings one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep; and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.

So there was great joy in Jerusalem; for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was nothing like this in Jerusalem.

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

When Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD and his people Israel.

Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, “Since people began to bring the offerings into the LORD’s house, we have eaten and had enough, and have plenty left over, for the LORD has blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.”

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

Many brought gifts to the LORD to Jerusalem, and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from then on.

Hezekiah had exceedingly great riches and honour. He provided himself with treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of valuable vessels;

also storehouses for the increase of grain, new wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of animals, and flocks in folds.

Moreover he provided for himself cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him abundant possessions.

This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of David’s city. Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ascent to the tombs of the sons of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honoured him at his death. Manasseh his son reigned in his place.

“Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes won’t see all the evil that I will bring on this place and on its inhabitants.”’” They brought back this message to the king.

“Cyrus king of Persia says, ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given all the kingdoms of the earth to me; and he has commanded me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is amongst you of all his people, the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.’”

“Cyrus king of Persia says, ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he has commanded me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

Whoever there is amongst you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.

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

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

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.

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

this Ezra went up from Babylon. He was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the LORD his God’s hand on him.

Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, or labourers of this house of God.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the LORD’s house which is in Jerusalem;

According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen;

Now therefore don’t give your daughters to their sons. Don’t take their daughters to your sons, nor seek their peace or their prosperity forever, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children forever.’

The king said to me (the queen was also sitting by him), “How long will your journey be? When will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time for him.

and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house that I will occupy.” The king granted my requests, because of the good hand of my God on me.

I told them about the hand of my God which was good on me, and also about the king’s words that he had spoken to me. They said, “Let’s rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate. They sanctified it, and set up its doors. They sanctified it even to the tower of Hammeah, to the tower of Hananel.

Now the city was wide and large; but the people were few therein, and the houses were not built.

Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six; their mules, two hundred and forty-five;

their camels, four hundred and thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand and seven hundred and twenty.

Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. All the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” with the lifting up of their hands. They bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting! Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise!

You gave also your good Spirit to instruct them, and didn’t withhold your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst.

“Yes, forty years you sustained them in the wilderness. They lacked nothing. Their clothes didn’t grow old, and their feet didn’t swell.

Moreover you gave them kingdoms and peoples, which you allotted according to their portions. So they possessed the land of Sihon, even the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.

You also multiplied their children as the stars of the sky, and brought them into the land concerning which you said to their fathers that they should go in to possess it.

“So the children went in and possessed the land; and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hands, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they pleased.

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

For they have not served you in their kingdom, and in your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and rich land which you gave before them. They didn’t turn from their wicked works.

“Behold, we are servants today, and as for the land that you gave to our fathers to eat its fruit and its good, behold, we are servants in it.

The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

because they didn’t meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them; however, our God turned the curse into a blessing.

and for the wood offering, at appointed times, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.

He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred and eighty days.

There were hangings of white and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble.

They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds, including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king.

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

The maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her cosmetics and her portions of food, and the seven choice maidens who were to be given her out of the king’s house. He moved her and her maidens to the best place in the women’s house.

Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the keeper of the women, advised. Esther obtained favour in the sight of all those who looked at her.

The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained favour and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Then the king asked her, “What would you like, queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom.”

The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”

Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the multitude of his children, all the things in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

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

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

Let the clothing and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man whom the king delights to honour with them, and have him ride on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, ‘Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honour!’”

Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry and take the clothing and the horse, as you have said, and do this for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Let nothing fail of all that you have spoken.”

Then Haman took the clothing and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and had him ride through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honour!”

The king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition, queen Esther? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”

On that day, King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the Jews’ enemy, to Esther the queen. Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was to her.

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

Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, “See, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows because he laid his hand on the Jews.

Write also to the Jews as it pleases you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring; for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may not be reversed by any man.”

Mordecai went out of the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple; and the city of Susa shouted and was glad.

The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and honour.

In every province and in every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness, joy, a feast and a holiday. Many from amongst the peoples of the land became Jews, for the fear of the Jews had fallen on them.

For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew greater and greater.

Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, a holiday, and a day of sending presents of food to one another.

as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending presents of food to one another, and gifts to the needy.

Aren’t all the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

For Mordecai the Jew was next to King Ahasuerus, and great amongst the Jews and accepted by the multitude of his brothers, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his descendants.

There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.

His possessions also were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the children of the east.

Haven’t you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked will I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the LORD’s name.”

who gives rain on the earth, and sends waters on the fields;

“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

You will know that your tent is in peace. You will visit your fold, and will miss nothing.

You will know also that your offspring will be great, your offspring as the grass of the earth.

You will come to your grave in a full age, like a shock of grain comes in its season.

Behold, we have researched it. It is so. Hear it, and know it for your good.”

If you were pure and upright, surely now he would awaken for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.

Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.

He will still fill your mouth with laughter, your lips with shouting.

You have granted me life and loving kindness. Your visitation has preserved my spirit.

Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.

Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favour.

to whom alone the land was given, and no stranger passed amongst them):

He will not look at the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and butter.

There was nothing left that he didn’t devour, therefore his prosperity will not endure.

Their child is established with them in their sight, their offspring before their eyes.

Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

Their bulls breed without fail. Their cows calve, and don’t miscarry.

They send out their little ones like a flock. Their children dance.

They spend their days in prosperity. In an instant they go down to Sheol.

His pails are full of milk. The marrow of his bones is moistened.

Yet he filled their houses with good things, but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

“Acquaint yourself with him now, and be at peace. By it, good will come to you.

The Almighty will be your treasure, and precious silver to you.

You will also decree a thing, and it will be established to you. Light will shine on your ways.

When they cast down, you will say, ‘be lifted up.’ He will save the humble person.

They are exalted; yet a little while, and they are gone. Yes, they are brought low, they are taken out of the way as all others, and are cut off as the tops of the ears of grain.

Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare clothing as the clay;

as I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was in my tent,

when the Almighty was yet with me, and my children were around me,

when my steps were washed with butter, and the rock poured out streams of oil for me,

when I went out to the city gate, when I prepared my seat in the street.

For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me, and when the eye saw me, it commended me,

the blessing of him who was ready to perish came on me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

Then I said, ‘I will die in my own house, I will count my days as the sand.

My root is spread out to the waters. The dew lies all night on my branch.

My glory is fresh in me. My bow is renewed in my hand.’

They waited for me as for the rain. Their mouths drank as with the spring rain.

I smiled on them when they had no confidence. They didn’t reject the light of my face.

For what is the portion from God above, and the heritage from the Almighty on high?

if his heart hasn’t blessed me, if he hasn’t been warmed with my sheep’s fleece;

His flesh will be fresher than a child’s. He returns to the days of his youth.

He doesn’t withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted.

If they listen and serve him, they will spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, into a wide place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.

which the skies pour down and which drop on man abundantly.

For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.

“Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity. Array yourself with honour and majesty.

The LORD restored Job’s prosperity when he prayed for his friends. The LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys.

He had also seven sons and three daughters.

In all the land were no women found so beautiful as the daughters of Job. Their father gave them an inheritance amongst their brothers.

After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, to four generations.

So Job died, being old and full of days.

Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;

He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.

Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.

Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

Salvation belongs to the LORD. May your blessing be on your people. Selah.

Many say, “Who will show us any good?” LORD, let the light of your face shine on us.

You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and their new wine are increased.

For you will bless the righteous. LORD, you will surround him with favour as with a shield.

For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honour.

You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet:

For the LORD is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.

Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

The LORD assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance.

You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.

from men by your hand, LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.

He brought me out also into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.

The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands, he has recompensed me.

Therefore the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

You have delivered me from the strivings of the people. You have made me the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known shall serve me.

The LORD lives! Blessed be my rock. Exalted be the God of my salvation,

He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his offspring, forever more.

They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.

Moreover your servant is warned by them. In keeping them there is great reward.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high,

send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion,

remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah.

May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfil all your counsel.

You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.

For you meet him with the blessings of goodness. You set a crown of fine gold on his head.

He asked life of you and you gave it to him, even length of days forever and ever.

His glory is great in your salvation. You lay honour and majesty on him.

For you make him most blessed forever. You make him glad with joy in your presence.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, righteousness from the God of his salvation.

His soul will dwell at ease. His offspring will inherit the land.

My foot stands in an even place. In the congregations I will bless the LORD.

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Blessed be the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.

Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.

The LORD will give strength to his people. The LORD will bless his people with peace.

You have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a large place.

Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men!

By David. A contemplative psalm. Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man to whom the LORD doesn’t impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.

By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.

Oh taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Oh fear the LORD, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him.

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

Let those who favour my righteous cause shout for joy and be glad. Yes, let them say continually, “May The LORD be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant!”

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of your house. You will make them drink of the river of your pleasures.

Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

he will make your righteousness shine out like light, and your justice as the noon day sun.

For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked.

The LORD knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever.

For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.

All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His offspring is blessed.

Wait for the LORD, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, and doesn’t respect the proud, nor such as turn away to lies.

Many, LORD, my God, are the wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are towards us. They can’t be declared back to you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be counted.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Blessed is he who considers the poor. The LORD will deliver him in the day of evil.

The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive. He shall be blessed on the earth, and he will not surrender him to the will of his enemies.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen.

For they didn’t get the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favourable to them.

You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever.

You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.

Kings’ daughters are amongst your honourable women. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.

The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich amongst the people entreat your favour.

The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold.

She shall be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you.

With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led. They shall enter into the king’s palace.

Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth.

There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.

He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.

so that men shall say, “Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth.”

For you, God, have heard my vows. You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

You will prolong the king’s life. His years will be for generations.

So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name.

Blessed is the one whom you choose and cause to come near, that he may live in your courts. We will be filled with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.

You visit the earth, and water it. You greatly enrich it. The river of God is full of water. You provide them grain, for so you have ordained it.

You drench its furrows. You level its ridges. You soften it with showers. You bless it with a crop.

You crown the year with your bounty. Your carts overflow with abundance.

You allowed men to ride over our heads. We went through fire and through water, but you brought us to the place of abundance.

Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his loving kindness from me.

For the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us. Selah.

The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us.

God will bless us. All the ends of the earth shall fear him.

You, God, sent a plentiful rain. You confirmed your inheritance when it was weary.

Your congregation lived therein. You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor.

“Kings of armies flee! They flee!” She who waits at home divides the plunder,

while you sleep amongst the camp fires, the wings of a dove sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold.

You have ascended on high. You have led away captives. You have received gifts amongst people, yes, amongst the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell there.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. Selah.

“Bless God in the congregations, even the Lord in the assembly of Israel!”

You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God!

For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah. They shall settle there, and own it.

The children also of his servants shall inherit it. Those who love his name shall dwell therein.

Increase my honour and comfort me again.

The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people. The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.

He will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.

In his days, the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.

He will live; and Sheba’s gold will be given to him. Men will pray for him continually. They will bless him all day long.

Abundance of grain shall be throughout the land. Its fruit sways like Lebanon. Let it flourish, thriving like the grass of the field.

His name endures forever. His name continues as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed.

Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvellous deeds.

Blessed be his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and amen.

A Psalm by Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.

Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.

His tabernacle is also in Salem. His dwelling place in Zion.

He rained down manna on them to eat, and gave them food from the sky.

Man ate the bread of angels. He sent them food to the full.

He also rained meat on them as the dust, winged birds as the sand of the seas.

He let them fall in the middle of their camp, around their habitations.

So they ate, and were well filled. He gave them their own desire.

He also drove out the nations before them, allotted them for an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which he loved.

He also chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds;

You cleared the ground for it. It took deep root, and filled the land.

The mountains were covered with its shadow. Its boughs were like God’s cedars.

It sent out its branches to the sea, its shoots to the River.

the stock which your right hand planted, the branch that you made strong for yourself.

Let your hand be on the man of your right hand, on the son of man whom you made strong for yourself.

But he would have also fed them with the finest of the wheat. I will satisfy you with honey out of the rock.”

I said, “You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house. They are always praising you. Selah.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage.

Passing through the valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs. Yes, the autumn rain covers it with blessings.

For the LORD God is a sun and a shield. The LORD will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.

LORD of Armies, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. LORD, you have been favourable to your land. You have restored the fortunes of Jacob.

Yes, the LORD will give that which is good. Our land will yield its increase.

Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, LORD, have helped me, and comforted me.

‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build up your throne to all generations.’” Selah.

Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you. They walk in the light of your presence, LORD.

For you are the glory of their strength. In your favour, our horn will be exalted.

But my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him. In my name, his horn will be exalted.

I will set his hand also on the sea, and his right hand on the rivers.

I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

I will also make his offspring endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

His offspring will endure forever, his throne like the sun before me.

Blessed be the LORD forever more. Amen, and Amen.

Satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Let the favour of the Lord our God be on us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands.

no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.

I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation.”

But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox. I am anointed with fresh oil.

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

They are planted in the LORD’s house. They will flourish in our God’s courts.

They will still produce fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and green,

Blessed is the man whom you discipline, LORD, and teach out of your law,

Sing to the LORD! Bless his name! Proclaim his salvation from day to day!

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.

For the LORD has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.

The children of your servants will continue. Their offspring will be established before you.”

Praise the LORD, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits,

who satisfies your desire with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Bless the LORD, my soul. The LORD, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honour and majesty.

He waters the mountains from his rooms. The earth is filled with the fruit of your works.

He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may produce food out of the earth:

wine that makes the heart of man glad, oil to make his face to shine, and bread that strengthens man’s heart.

The LORD’s trees are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon, which he has planted,

LORD, how many are your works! In wisdom, you have made them all. The earth is full of your riches.

There is the sea, great and wide, in which are innumerable living things, both small and large animals.

You give to them; they gather. You open your hand; they are satisfied with good.

Let sinners be consumed out of the earth. Let the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, my soul. Praise the LORD!

saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance,”

The king sent and freed him, even the ruler of peoples, and let him go free.

He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all of his possessions,

to discipline his princes at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom.

He increased his people greatly, and made them stronger than their adversaries.

He brought them out with silver and gold. There was not one feeble person amongst his tribes.

He opened the rock, and waters gushed out. They ran as a river in the dry places.

He brought his people out with joy, his chosen with singing.

He gave them the lands of the nations. They took the labour of the peoples in possession,

Blessed are those who keep justice. Blessed is one who does what is right at all times.

Remember me, LORD, with the favour that you show to your people. Visit me with your salvation,

that I may see the prosperity of your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.

That was credited to him for righteousness, for all generations to come.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting! Let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the LORD!

Let them praise the LORD for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!

For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good.

He turns a desert into a pool of water, and a dry land into water springs.

There he makes the hungry live, that they may prepare a city to live in,

sow fields, plant vineyards, and reap the fruits of increase.

He blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly. He doesn’t allow their livestock to decrease.

Yet he lifts the needy out of their affliction, and increases their families like a flock.

Yes, he loved cursing, and it came to him. He didn’t delight in blessing, and it was far from him.

They may curse, but you bless. When they arise, they will be shamed, but your servant shall rejoice.

He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who delights greatly in his commandments.

His offspring will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house. His righteousness endures forever.

He has dispersed, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honour.

Blessed be the LORD’s name, from this time forward and forever more.

He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts up the needy from the ash heap,

that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD!

The LORD remembers us. He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel. He will bless the house of Aaron.

He will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great.

May the LORD increase you more and more, you and your children.

Blessed are you by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

but we will bless the LORD, from this time forward and forever more. Praise the LORD!

Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

What will I give to the LORD for all his benefits towards me?

Blessed is he who comes in the LORD’s name! We have blessed you out of the LORD’s house.

ALEPH Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the LORD’s law.

Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.

Blessed are you, LORD. Teach me your statutes.

I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.

GIMEL Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.

TETH You have treated your servant well, according to your word, LORD.

I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper.

Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.

Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth.

Do good, LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in their hearts.

A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad.

He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.

Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

A Song of Ascents. Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways.

For you will eat the labour of your hands. You will be happy, and it will be well with you.

Your wife will be as a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house, your children like olive shoots around your table.

Behold, this is how the man who fears the LORD is blessed.

May the LORD bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.

Neither do those who go by say, “The blessing of the LORD be on you. We bless you in the LORD’s name.”

For the LORD has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation.

“This is my resting place forever. I will live here, for I have desired it.

I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread.

I will make the horn of David to bud there. I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.

I will clothe his enemies with shame, but on himself, his crown will shine.”

A Song of Ascents. By David. See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!

It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that came down on the edge of his robes,

like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion; for there the LORD gives the blessing, even life forever more.

May the LORD bless you from Zion, even he who made heaven and earth.

and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people.

Blessed be the LORD from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!

and gave their land as an inheritance, for his loving kindness endures forever;

even a heritage to Israel his servant, for his loving kindness endures forever;

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, for you will be good to me.

By David. Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands to war, and my fingers to battle—

Then our sons will be like well-nurtured plants, our daughters like pillars carved to adorn a palace.

Our barns are full, filled with all kinds of provision. Our sheep produce thousands and ten thousands in our fields.

Our oxen will pull heavy loads. There is no breaking in, and no going away, and no outcry in our streets.

Happy are the people who are in such a situation. Happy are the people whose God is the LORD.

You open your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD. Let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD, his God,

For he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you.

He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat.

He has not done this for just any nation. They don’t know his ordinances. Praise the LORD!

He has lifted up the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints, even of the children of Israel, a people near to him. Praise the LORD!

For the LORD takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation.

for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

For the upright will dwell in the land. The perfect will remain in it.

for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace.

So you will find favour, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.

so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.

For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honour.

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.

The LORD’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.

For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.

With me are riches, honour, enduring wealth, and prosperity.

My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.

that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favour from the LORD.

For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.

The LORD’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.

The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.

People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

A good man shall obtain favour from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.

He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.

The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.

The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labour.

The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.

By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.

Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.

Good understanding wins favour, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honoured.

Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.

He who despises his neighbour sins, but he who has pity on the poor is blessed.

In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!

He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.

The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home amongst the wise.

Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.

When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

In the light of the king’s face is life. His favour is like a cloud of the spring rain.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.

Grey hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance amongst the brothers.

Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.

A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.

The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favour is like dew on the grass.

House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; he will reward him.

A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.

An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.

He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.

Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;

by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.

My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;

so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off.

but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.

for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.

He who blesses his neighbour with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him.

The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in.

The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.

There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food, for your family’s food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.

He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.

The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.

Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.

“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.

Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits amongst the elders of the land.

Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”

Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!

I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.

I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.

I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men: musical instruments of all sorts.

So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.

There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?

For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, is the gift of God.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour.

Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.

If a man fathers a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good, and moreover he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he;

Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

Though a sinner commits crimes a hundred times, and lives long, yet surely I know that it will be better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.

Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun than to eat, to drink, and to be joyful: for that will accompany him in his labour all the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.

Go your way—eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.

Let your garments be always white, and don’t let your head lack oil.

Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your life of vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity, for that is your portion in life, and in your labour in which you labour under the sun.

Truly the light is sweet, and it is a pleasant thing for the eyes to see the sun.

King Solomon made himself a carriage of the wood of Lebanon.

He made its pillars of silver, its bottom of gold, its seat of purple, the middle of it being paved with love, from the daughters of Jerusalem.

Go out, you daughters of Zion, and see King Solomon, with the crown with which his mother has crowned him, in the day of his weddings, in the day of the gladness of his heart.

Your teeth are like a newly shorn flock, which have come up from the washing, where every one of them has twins. None is bereaved amongst them.

Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits, henna with spikenard plants,

spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree; myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices,

Awake, north wind, and come, you south! Blow on my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and taste his precious fruits.

Your teeth are like a flock of ewes, which have come up from the washing, of which every one has twins; not one is bereaved amongst them.

My dove, my perfect one, is unique. She is her mother’s only daughter. She is the favourite one of her who bore her. The daughters saw her, and called her blessed. The queens and the concubines saw her, and they praised her.

The mandrakes produce fragrance. At our doors are all kinds of precious fruits, new and old, which I have stored up for you, my beloved.

Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. He leased out the vineyard to keepers. Each was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.

My own vineyard is before me. The thousand are for you, Solomon, two hundred for those who tend its fruit.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land;

Tell the righteous that it will be well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds.

In that day, the LORD’s branch will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the beauty and glory of the survivors of Israel.

He dug it up, gathered out its stones, planted it with the choicest vine, built a tower in the middle of it, and also cut out a wine press in it. He looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

It shall happen, that because of the abundance of milk which they shall give he shall eat butter, for everyone will eat butter and honey that is left within the land.

I went to the prophetess, and she conceived, and bore a son. Then the LORD said to me, “Call his name ‘Maher Shalal Hash Baz.’

Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of Armies, who dwells in Mount Zion.

You have multiplied the nation. You have increased their joy. They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the plunder.

It will happen in that day that his burden will depart from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing oil.

A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.

It will happen in the day that the LORD will give you rest from your sorrow, from your trouble, and from the hard service in which you were made to serve,

Yet gleanings will be left there, like the shaking of an olive tree, two or three olives in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outermost branches of a fruitful tree,” says the LORD, the God of Israel.

In that time, a present will be brought to the LORD of Armies from a people tall and smooth, even from a people awesome from their beginning onward, a nation that measures out and treads down, whose land the rivers divide, to the place of the name of the LORD of Armies, Mount Zion.

In that day, Israel will be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, a blessing within the earth;

because the LORD of Armies has blessed them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.”

They will hang on him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, every small vessel, from the cups even to all the pitchers.

On great waters, the seed of the Shihor, the harvest of the Nile, was her revenue. She was the market of nations.

In this mountain, the LORD of Armies will make all peoples a feast of choice meat, a feast of choice wines, of choice meat full of marrow, of well refined choice wines.

LORD, you will ordain peace for us, for you have also done all our work for us.

You have increased the nation, O LORD. You have increased the nation! You are glorified! You have enlarged all the borders of the land.

In days to come, Jacob will take root. Israel will blossom and bud. They will fill the surface of the world with fruit.

It will happen in that day that the LORD will thresh from the flowing stream of the Euphrates to the brook of Egypt; and you will be gathered one by one, children of Israel.

In that day, the LORD of Armies will become a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the residue of his people,

Isn’t it yet a very little while, and Lebanon will be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field will be regarded as a forest?

In that day, the deaf will hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind will see out of obscurity and out of darkness.

The humble also will increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor amongst men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

But when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in the middle of him, they will sanctify my name. Yes, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.

Therefore the LORD will wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy on you, for the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.

He will give the rain for your seed, with which you will sow the ground; and bread of the increase of the ground will be rich and plentiful. In that day, your livestock will feed in large pastures.

The oxen likewise and the young donkeys that till the ground will eat savoury feed, which has been winnowed with the shovel and with the fork.

Moreover the light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD binds up the fracture of his people, and heals the wound they were struck with.

until the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is considered a forest.

Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out the feet of the ox and the donkey.

There will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is your treasure.

he will dwell on high. His place of defence will be the fortress of rocks. His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure.

Look at Zion, the city of our appointed festivals. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet habitation, a tent that won’t be removed. Its stakes will never be plucked up, nor will any of its cords be broken.

Your rigging is untied. They couldn’t strengthen the foot of their mast. They couldn’t spread the sail. Then the prey of a great plunder was divided. The lame took the prey.

He has cast the lot for them, and his hand has divided it to them with a measuring line. They shall possess it forever. From generation to generation they will dwell in it.

It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Lebanon’s glory will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the LORD’s glory, the excellence of our God.

Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.

The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay.

until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards.

“‘This shall be the sign to you: You will eat this year that which grows of itself, and in the second year that which springs from it; and in the third year sow and reap and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit.

The remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah will again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.

“Go, and tell Hezekiah, ‘The LORD, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.

Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah didn’t show them.

Behold, the Lord GOD will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.

I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the middle of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

I am the first to say to Zion, ‘Behold, look at them;’ and I will give one who brings good news to Jerusalem.

“Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.

Since you have been precious and honoured in my sight, and I have loved you, therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life.

For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and streams on the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring;

and they will spring up amongst the grass, as willows by the watercourses.

I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, who calls you by your name, even the God of Israel.

Rain, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may produce salvation, and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it. I, the LORD, have created it.

I bring my righteousness near. It is not far off, and my salvation will not wait. I will grant salvation to Zion, my glory to Israel.

I, even I, have spoken. Yes, I have called him. I have brought him and he shall make his way prosperous.

Oh that you had listened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Your offspring also would have been as the sand and the descendants of your body like its grains. His name would not be cut off nor destroyed from before me.”

Lift up your eyes all around, and see: all these gather themselves together, and come to you. As I live,” says the LORD, “you shall surely clothe yourself with them all as with an ornament, and dress yourself with them, like a bride.

“For, as for your waste and your desolate places, and your land that has been destroyed, surely now that land will be too small for the inhabitants, and those who swallowed you up will be far away.

The children of your bereavement will say in your ears, ‘This place is too small for me. Give me a place to live in.’

The Lord GOD says, “Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and lift up my banner to the peoples. They shall bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.

Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; and those who wait for me won’t be disappointed.”

Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for when he was but one I called him, I blessed him, and made him many.

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him. He has caused him to suffer. When you make his soul an offering for sin, he will see his offspring. He will prolong his days and the LORD’s pleasure will prosper in his hand.

Therefore I will give him a portion with the great. He will divide the plunder with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was counted with the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

“Sing, barren, you who didn’t give birth! Break out into singing, and cry aloud, you who didn’t travail with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife,” says the LORD.

“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your habitations; don’t spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.

For you will spread out on the right hand and on the left; and your offspring will possess the nations and settle in desolate cities.

“You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colours, and lay your foundations with sapphires.

I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.

All your children will be taught by the LORD, and your children’s peace will be great.

“Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Behold, you shall call a nation that you don’t know; and a nation that didn’t know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he has glorified you.”

For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn’t return there, but waters the earth, and makes it grow and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. The mountains and the hills will break out before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands.

Instead of the thorn the cypress tree will come up; and instead of the brier the myrtle tree will come up. It will make a name for the LORD, for an everlasting sign that will not be cut off.”

Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

I will give them in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.

I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

When you cry, let those whom you have gathered deliver you, but the wind will take them. A breath will carry them all away, but he who takes refuge in me will possess the land, and will inherit my holy mountain.”

He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way! Remove the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.”

and if you pour out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will rise in darkness, and your obscurity will be as the noonday;

and the LORD will guide you continually, satisfy your soul in dry places, and make your bones strong. You will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters don’t fail.

Those who will be of you will build the old waste places. You will raise up the foundations of many generations. You will be called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of Paths with Dwellings.

then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you to ride on the high places of the earth, and I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father;” for the LORD’s mouth has spoken it.

Surely the islands will wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far away, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you.

Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive.

“The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress tree, the pine, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.

“Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no one passed through you, I will make you an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.

For bronze I will bring gold; for iron I will bring silver; for wood, bronze, and for stones, iron. I will also make peace your governor, and righteousness your ruler.

Then your people will all be righteous. They will inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.

The little one will become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation. I, the LORD, will do this quickly in its time.”

Strangers will stand and feed your flocks. Foreigners will work your fields and your vineyards.

But you will be called the LORD’s priests. Men will call you the servants of our God. You will eat the wealth of the nations. You will boast in their glory.

Instead of your shame you will have double. Instead of dishonour, they will rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they will possess double. Everlasting joy will be to them.

Their offspring will be known amongst the nations, and their offspring amongst the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge them, that they are the offspring which the LORD has blessed.”

The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name, which the LORD’s mouth will name.

You will also be a crown of beauty in the LORD’s hand, and a royal diadem in your God’s hand.

You will not be called Forsaken any more, nor will your land be called Desolate any more; but you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD delights in you, and your land will be married.

For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons will marry you. As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.

but those who have harvested it will eat it, and praise the LORD. Those who have gathered it will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.”

I will tell of the loving kindnesses of the LORD and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has given to us, and the great goodness towards the house of Israel, which he has given to them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.

The LORD says, “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Don’t destroy it, for a blessing is in it:’ so I will do for my servants’ sake, that I may not destroy them all.

I will bring offspring out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains. My chosen will inherit it, and my servants will dwell there.

Sharon will be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down in, for my people who have sought me.

Therefore the Lord GOD says, “Behold, my servants will eat, but you will be hungry; behold, my servants will drink, but you will be thirsty. Behold, my servants will rejoice, but you will be disappointed.

so that he who blesses himself in the earth will bless himself in the God of truth; and he who swears in the earth will swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hidden from my eyes.

But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem to be a delight, and her people a joy.

“No more will there be an infant who only lives a few days, nor an old man who has not filled his days; for the child will die one hundred years old, and the sinner being one hundred years old will be accursed.

They will build houses and inhabit them. They will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

They will not build and another inhabit. They will not plant and another eat; for the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, and my chosen will long enjoy the work of their hands.

They will not labour in vain nor give birth for calamity; for they are the offspring of the LORD’s blessed and their descendants with them.

“Before she travailed, she gave birth. Before her pain came, she delivered a son.

Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she gave birth to her children.

that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts; that you may drink deeply, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.”

For the LORD says, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream, and you will nurse. You will be carried on her side, and will be dandled on her knees.

You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones will flourish like the tender grass. The LORD’s hand will be known amongst his servants; and he will have indignation against his enemies.

I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruit and its goodness; but when you entered, you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.

It will come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days,” says the LORD, “they will no longer say, ‘the ark of the LORD’s covenant!’ It will not come to mind. They won’t remember it. They won’t miss it, nor will another be made.

In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together out of the land of the north to the land that I gave for an inheritance to your fathers.

“But I said, ‘How I desire to put you amongst the children, and give you a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the armies of the nations!’ and I said, ‘You shall call me “My Father”, and shall not turn away from following me.’

and you will swear, ‘As the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness. The nations will bless themselves in him, and they will glory in him.”

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good from you.

The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel says, “Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.

then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, from of old even forever more.

but this thing I commanded them, saying, ‘Listen to my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. Walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’

that I may establish the oath which I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey,’ as it is today.” Then I answered, and said, “Amen, LORD.”

It will happen, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As the LORD lives;’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will be built up in the middle of my people.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose confidence is in the LORD.

It will happen, if you diligently listen to me,” says the LORD, “to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but to make the Sabbath day holy, to do no work therein;

then there will enter in by the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on David’s throne, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city will remain forever.

At the instant I speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it,

For if you do this thing indeed, then kings sitting on David’s throne will enter in by the gates of this house, riding in chariots and on horses—they, their servants, and their people.

“I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they will be fruitful and multiply.

For I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them again to this land. I will build them, and not pull them down. I will plant them, and not pluck them up.

saying, “Return now everyone from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and to your fathers, from of old and even forever more.

But the nation that brings their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serves him, that nation I will let remain in their own land,’ says the LORD; ‘and they will till it and dwell in it.’”’”

“Build houses and dwell in them. Plant gardens and eat their fruit.

Take wives and father sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there, and don’t be diminished.

Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”

For the LORD says, “After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you and perform my good word towards you, in causing you to return to this place.

For I know the thoughts that I think towards you,” says the LORD, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.

I will be found by you,” says the LORD, “and I will turn again your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD. I will bring you again to the place from where I caused you to be carried away captive.”

therefore the LORD says, “Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his offspring. He will not have a man to dwell amongst this people. He won’t see the good that I will do to my people,” says the LORD, “because he has spoken rebellion against the LORD.”’”

For, behold, the days come,’ says the LORD, ‘that I will reverse the captivity of my people Israel and Judah,’ says the LORD. ‘I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they will possess it.’”

The LORD says: “Behold, I will reverse the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have compassion on his dwelling places. The city will be built on its own hill, and the palace will be inhabited in its own place.

Thanksgiving will proceed out of them with the voice of those who make merry. I will multiply them, and they will not be few; I will also glorify them, and they will not be small.

Their children also will be as before, and their congregation will be established before me. I will punish all who oppress them.

I will build you again, and you will be built, O virgin of Israel. You will again be adorned with your tambourines, and will go out in the dances of those who make merry.

Again you will plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria. The planters will plant, and will enjoy its fruit.

They will come and sing in the height of Zion, and will flow to the goodness of the LORD, to the grain, to the new wine, to the oil, and to the young of the flock and of the herd. Their soul will be as a watered garden. They will not sorrow any more at all.

I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people will be satisfied with my goodness,” says the LORD.

The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Yet again they will use this speech in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I reverse their captivity: ‘The LORD bless you, habitation of righteousness, mountain of holiness.’

“Behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of animal.

“Behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that the city will be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananel to the gate of the corner.

For the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel says: ‘Houses and fields and vineyards will yet again be bought in this land.’

and gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey.

“Behold, I will gather them out of all the countries where I have driven them in my anger, and in my wrath, and in great indignation; and I will bring them again to this place. I will cause them to dwell safely.

I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their good and the good of their children after them.

Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.”

For the LORD says: “Just as I have brought all this great evil on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them.

Men will buy fields for money, sign the deeds, seal them, and call witnesses, in the land of Benjamin, and in the places around Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the South; for I will cause their captivity to be reversed,” says the LORD.

I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel, and will build them as at the first.

This city will be to me for a name of joy, for praise, and for glory, before all the nations of the earth, which will hear all the good that I do to them, and will fear and tremble for all the good and for all the peace that I provide to it.’”

The LORD of Armies says: “Yet again there will be in this place, which is waste, without man and without animal, and in all its cities, a habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.

In the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland, in the cities of the South, in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hands of him who counts them,” says the LORD.

As the army of the sky can’t be counted, and the sand of the sea can’t be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant and the Levites who minister to me.’”

You shall not build a house, sow seed, plant a vineyard, or have any; but all your days you shall dwell in tents, that you may live many days in the land in which you live as nomads.’

Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, “The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according to all that he commanded you,’

therefore the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jonadab the son of Rechab will not lack a man to stand before me forever.’”

But Jeremiah said, “They won’t deliver you. Obey, I beg you, the LORD’s voice, in that which I speak to you; so it will be well with you, and your soul will live.

But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, who had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

then all the Jews returned out of all places where they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, to Mizpah, and gathered very much wine and summer fruits.

‘If you will still live in this land, then I will build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up; for I grieve over the distress that I have brought on you.

I will grant you mercy, that he may have mercy on you, and cause you to return to your own land.

I will bring Israel again to his pasture, and he will feed on Carmel and Bashan. His soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead.

He spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon,

For his allowance, there was a continual allowance given him by the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.

Her nobles were purer than snow. They were whiter than milk. They were more ruddy in body than rubies. Their polishing was like sapphire.

He said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your belly and your bowels with it.” Then I ate it. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth.

Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great rushing, saying, “Blessed be the LORD’s glory from his place.”

I caused you to multiply as that which grows in the field, and you increased and grew great, and you attained to excellent beauty. Your breasts were formed, and your hair grew; yet you were naked and bare.

“‘“Then I washed you with water. Yes, I thoroughly washed away your blood from you, and I anointed you with oil.

I clothed you also with embroidered work and put leather sandals on you. I dressed you with fine linen and covered you with silk.

I decked you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands, and put a chain on your neck.

I put a ring on your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.

Thus you were decked with gold and silver. Your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered work. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and you prospered to royal estate.

Your renown went out amongst the nations for your beauty; for it was perfect, through my majesty which I had put on you,” says the Lord GOD.

Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, your elder sisters and your younger; and I will give them to you for daughters, but not by your covenant.

It was planted in a good soil by many waters, that it might produce branches and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a good vine.”’

I will plant it in the mountain of the height of Israel; and it will produce boughs, and bear fruit, and be a good cedar. Birds of every kind will dwell in the shade of its branches.

has walked in my statutes, and has kept my ordinances, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live,” says the Lord GOD.

“‘Your mother was like a vine in your blood, planted by the waters. It was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.

It had strong branches for the sceptres of those who ruled. Their stature was exalted amongst the thick boughs. They were seen in their height with the multitude of their branches.

in that day I swore to them to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.

Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands,

For in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “there all the house of Israel, all of them, shall serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings and the first fruits of your offerings, with all your holy things.

I will accept you as a pleasant aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries in which you have been scattered. I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.

You will know that I am the LORD when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I swore to give to your fathers.

“‘“Tarshish was your merchant by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches. They traded for your wares with silver, iron, tin, and lead.

“‘“The men of Dedan traded with you. Many islands were the market of your hand. They brought you horns of ivory and ebony in exchange.

“‘“Syria was your merchant by reason of the multitude of your handiworks. They traded for your wares with emeralds, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and rubies.

“‘“Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded wheat of Minnith, confections, honey, oil, and balm for your merchandise.

“‘“Damascus was your merchant for the multitude of your handiworks by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches, with the wine of Helbon, and white wool.

“‘“The ships of Tarshish were your caravans for your merchandise. You were replenished and made very glorious in the heart of the seas.

When your wares came from the seas, you filled many peoples. You enriched the kings of the earth with the multitude of your riches and of your merchandise.

You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and beryl. Gold work of tambourines and of pipes was in you. They were prepared in the day that you were created.

You were the anointed cherub who covers. Then I set you up on the holy mountain of God. You have walked up and down in the middle of the stones of fire.

“‘The Lord GOD says: “When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples amongst whom they are scattered, and am shown as holy amongst them in the sight of the nations, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to my servant Jacob.

They will dwell in it securely. Yes, they will build houses, plant vineyards, and will dwell securely when I have executed judgements on all those around them who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.”’”

Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches, and with a forest-like shade, of high stature; and its top was amongst the thick boughs.

The waters nourished it. The deep made it to grow. Its rivers ran all around its plantation. It sent out its channels to all the trees of the field.

Thus it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches; for its root was by many waters.

The cedars in the garden of God could not hide it. The cypress trees were not like its branches. The pine trees were not like its branches; nor was any tree in the garden of God like it in its beauty.

I made it beautiful by the multitude of its branches, so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied it.’

“Son of man, those who inhabit the waste places in the land of Israel speak, saying, ‘Abraham was one, and he inherited the land; but we are many. The land is given us for inheritance.’

I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

I will feed them with good pasture, and their fold will be on the mountains of the height of Israel. There they will lie down in a good fold. They will feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.

I will make them and the places around my hill a blessing. I will cause the shower to come down in its season. There will be showers of blessing.

I will raise up to them a plantation for renown, and they will no more be consumed with famine in the land, and not bear the shame of the nations any more.

“‘“But you, mountains of Israel, you shall shoot out your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel; for they are at hand to come.

For, behold, I am for you, and I will come to you, and you will be tilled and sown.

I will multiply men on you, all the house of Israel, even all of it. The cities will be inhabited and the waste places will be built.

I will multiply man and animal on you. They will increase and be fruitful. I will cause you to be inhabited as you were before, and you will do better than at your beginnings. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Yes, I will cause men to walk on you, even my people Israel. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance, and you will never again bereave them of their children.”

You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. You will be my people, and I will be your God.

I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and will multiply it, and lay no famine on you.

I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field, that you may receive no more the reproach of famine amongst the nations.

The land that was desolate will be tilled instead of being a desolation in the sight of all who passed by.

They will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The waste, desolate, and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.’

“‘The Lord GOD says: “For this, moreover, I will be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them: I will increase them with men like a flock.

As the flock for sacrifice, as the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so the waste cities will be filled with flocks of men. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”

They will dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob my servant, in which your fathers lived. They will dwell therein, they, and their children, and their children’s children, forever. David my servant will be their prince forever.

Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them. It will be an everlasting covenant with them. I will place them, multiply them, and will set my sanctuary amongst them forever more.

“‘“Those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and will make fires of the weapons and burn them, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the war clubs and the spears, and they will make fires with them for seven years;

They will forget their shame and all their trespasses by which they have trespassed against me, when they dwell securely in their land. No one will make them afraid

I won’t hide my face from them any more, for I have poured out my Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD.”

The first of all the first fruits of every thing, and every offering of everything, of all your offerings, shall be for the priest. You shall also give to the priests the first of your dough, to cause a blessing to rest on your house.

Again he measured one thousand, and caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the knees. Again he measured one thousand, and caused me to pass through waters that were to the waist.

Afterward he measured one thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the waters had risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be walked through.

Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.

It will happen that every living creature which swarms, in every place where the rivers come, will live. Then there will be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters have come there, and the waters of the sea will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river comes.

It will happen that fishermen will stand by it. From En Gedi even to En Eglaim will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be after their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceedingly many.

By the river banks, on both sides, will grow every tree for food, whose leaf won’t wither, neither will its fruit fail. It will produce new fruit every month, because its waters issue out of the sanctuary. Its fruit will be for food, and its leaf for healing.”

The Lord GOD says: “This shall be the border by which you shall divide the land for inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions.

You shall inherit it, one as well as another; for I swore to give it to your fathers. This land will fall to you for inheritance.

The remainder of the length, alongside the holy offering, shall be ten thousand eastward and ten thousand westward; and it shall be alongside the holy offering. Its increase shall be for food to those who labour in the city.

At the end of ten days, their faces appeared fairer and they were fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate of the king’s delicacies.

Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

The king talked with them; and amongst them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the king.

In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm.

But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honour. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.”

Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

Daniel answered, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are his.

You, O king, are king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength, and the glory.

Wherever the children of men dwell, he has given the animals of the field and the birds of the sky into your hand, and has made you rule over them all. You are the head of gold.

Then the king made Daniel great and gave him many great gifts, and made him rule over the whole province of Babylon and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace.

Its leaves were beautiful, and it had much fruit, and in it was food for all. The animals of the field had shade under it, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.

whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit plentiful, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation—

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.

At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counsellors and my lords sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.

“To you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty.

Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the local governors, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages who dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you.

So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’

until the ancient of days came, and judgement was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

In time of security he will come even on the fattest places of the province. He will do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers. He will scatter amongst them prey, plunder, and wealth. Yes, he will devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time.

Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand and three hundred and thirty-five days.

“But go your way until the end; for you will rest, and will stand in your inheritance at the end of the days.”

Yet the number of the children of Israel will be as the sand of the sea, which can’t be measured or counted; and it will come to pass that, in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’

The children of Judah and the children of Israel will be gathered together, and they will appoint themselves one head, and will go up from the land; for great will be the day of Jezreel.

and the earth will respond to the grain, and the new wine, and the oil; and they will respond to Jezreel.

Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and shall come with trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.

Let’s acknowledge the LORD. Let’s press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, the LORD will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth.”

“Also, Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you, when I restore the fortunes of my people.

I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at its first season; but they came to Baal Peor, and consecrated themselves to the shameful thing, and became abominable like that which they loved.

As for Ephraim, their glory will fly away like a bird. There will be no birth, no one with child, and no conception.

Israel is a luxuriant vine that produces his fruit. According to the abundance of his fruit he has multiplied his altars. As their land has prospered, they have adorned their sacred stones.

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness. Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and rains righteousness on you.

According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted. Therefore they have forgotten me.

I will be like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily, and send down his roots like Lebanon.

His branches will spread, and his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.

Men will dwell in his shade. They will revive like the grain, and blossom like the vine. Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols? I answer, and will take care of him. I am like a green cypress tree; from me your fruit is found.”

Who knows? He may turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal offering and a drink offering to the LORD, your God.

The LORD answered his people, “Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied with them; and I will no more make you a reproach amongst the nations.

Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness spring up, for the tree bears its fruit. The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.

“Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD, your God; for he gives you the early rain in just measure, and he causes the rain to come down for you, the early rain and the latter rain, as before.

The threshing floors will be full of wheat, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied, and will praise the name of the LORD, your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; and my people will never again be disappointed.

“It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.

And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit.

“For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,

It will happen in that day, that the mountains will drop down sweet wine, the hills will flow with milk, all the brooks of Judah will flow with waters; and a fountain will flow out from the LORD’s house, and will water the valley of Shittim.

But Judah will be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.

Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of Armies, will be with you, as you say.

“Behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that the ploughman shall overtake the reaper, and the one treading grapes him who sows seed; and sweet wine will drip from the mountains, and flow from the hills.

I will bring my people Israel back from captivity, and they will rebuild the ruined cities, and inhabit them; and they will plant vineyards, and drink wine from them. They shall also make gardens, and eat their fruit.

I will plant them on their land, and they will no more be plucked up out of their land which I have given them,” says the LORD your God.

Those of the South will possess the mountain of Esau, and those of the lowland, the Philistines. They will possess the field of Ephraim, and the field of Samaria. Benjamin will possess Gilead.

The captives of this army of the children of Israel, who are amongst the Canaanites, will possess even to Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, who are in Sepharad, will possess the cities of the Negev.

But every man will sit under his vine and under his fig tree. No one will make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of Armies has spoken.

The remnant of Jacob will be amongst many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, that don’t wait for man nor wait for the sons of men.

A day to build your walls! In that day, he will extend your boundary.

In that day they will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, and from Egypt even to the River, and from sea to sea, and mountain to mountain.

Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, Judah! Perform your vows, for the wicked one will no more pass through you. He is utterly cut off.

You have increased your merchants more than the stars of the skies. The grasshopper strips and flees away.

Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, because by them his life is luxurious and his food is good.

The coast will be for the remnant of the house of Judah. They will find pasture. In the houses of Ashkelon, they will lie down in the evening, for the LORD, their God, will visit them and restore them.

Behold, at that time I will deal with all those who afflict you; and I will save those who are lame and gather those who were driven away. I will give them praise and honour, whose shame has been in all the earth.

At that time I will bring you in, and at that time I will gather you; for I will give you honour and praise amongst all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the LORD.

You have sown much, and bring in little. You eat, but you don’t have enough. You drink, but you aren’t filled with drink. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes in it.’

‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of Armies; ‘and in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of Armies.”

Is the seed yet in the barn? Yes, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree haven’t produced. From today I will bless you.’”

In that day, says the LORD of Armies, I will take you, Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of Armies.”

“Proclaim further, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies says: “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Jerusalem.”’”

and said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying, ‘Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.

For I,’ says the LORD, ‘will be to her a wall of fire around it, and I will be the glory in the middle of her.

Sing and rejoice, daughter of Zion! For behold, I come and I will dwell within you,’ says the LORD.

“The LORD of Armies says: ‘If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access amongst these who stand by.

In that day,’ says the LORD of Armies, ‘you will invite every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.’”

Aren’t these the words which the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and its cities around her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?’”

The LORD says: “I have returned to Zion, and will dwell in the middle of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called ‘The City of Truth;’ and the mountain of the LORD of Armies, ‘The Holy Mountain.’”

The LORD of Armies says: “Old men and old women will again dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, every man with his staff in his hand because of their old age.

The streets of the city will be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.”

“For the seed of peace and the vine will yield its fruit, and the ground will give its increase, and the heavens will give their dew. I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things.

It shall come to pass that, as you were a curse amongst the nations, house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Don’t be afraid. Let your hands be strong.”

so again I have thought in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Don’t be afraid.

The LORD of Armies says: “In those days, ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold of the skirt of him who is a Jew, saying, ‘We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

Turn to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope! Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.

The LORD their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they are like the jewels of a crown, lifted on high over his land.

For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.

Ask of the LORD rain in the spring time, the LORD who makes storm clouds, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field.

Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will rejoice as through wine. Yes, their children will see it and rejoice. Their heart will be glad in the LORD.

I will signal for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them. They will increase as they were before.

I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and there won’t be room enough for them.

In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He who is feeble amongst them at that day will be like David, and David’s house will be like God, like the LORD’s angel before them.

It will happen in that day that living waters will go out from Jerusalem, half of them towards the eastern sea, and half of them towards the western sea. It will be so in summer and in winter.

All the land will be made like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; and she will be lifted up and will dwell in her place, from Benjamin’s gate to the place of the first gate, to the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananel to the king’s wine presses.

Men will dwell therein, and there will be no more curse; but Jerusalem will dwell safely.

Judah also will fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered together: gold, silver, and clothing, in great abundance.

Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the LORD as in the days of old and as in ancient years.

You are cursed with the curse; for you rob me, even this whole nation.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says the LORD of Armies, “if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be enough room for.

I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before its time in the field,” says the LORD of Armies.

“All nations shall call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of Armies.

They shall be mine,” says the LORD of Armies, “my own possession in the day that I make. I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.

They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?

“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.

so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven,

Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that hour.

But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”

As you enter into the household, greet it.

If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you.

He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.

Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.”

Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”

Most certainly I tell you, amongst those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptiser; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.

Others fell on good soil and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.

For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has.

“But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.

For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.

What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.

They all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces.

Those who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.

Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.

They all ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.

Those who ate were four thousand men, in addition to women and children.

Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”

He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.

Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”

Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.

“When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius.

The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes.

Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has.

While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

“He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents in addition to them.’

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Take away therefore the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.

For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away.

Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.

Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

A voice came out of the sky, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Others fell into the good ground and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. Some produced thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times as much.”

Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times.”

He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you; and more will be given to you who hear.

For whoever has, to him more will be given; and he who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.”

But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

yet when it is sown, grows up and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.”

Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”

He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”

He took the five loaves and the two fish; and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish amongst them all.

They all ate and were filled.

They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish.

Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

Wherever he entered—into villages, or into cities, or into the country—they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.

He said to her, “For this saying, go your way. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”

She went away to her house, and found the child having been laid on the bed, with the demon gone out.

Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly.

They also had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also.

They ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over.

Those who had eaten were about four thousand. Then he sent them away.

For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.

He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”

but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life.

They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your glory.”

Those who went in front and those who followed cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

He called his disciples to himself and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury,

for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”

Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed it, he broke it and gave to them, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body.”

But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

After these days Elizabeth his wife conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying,

“Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach amongst men.”

Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favoured one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you amongst women!”

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’

Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

Why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leapt in my womb for joy!

Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!”

for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.

For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.

Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son.

Her neighbours and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.

His mouth was opened immediately and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.

Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.

All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people;

and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David

the oath which he swore to Abraham our father,

And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,

She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”

“Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will towards men.”

They came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.

then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,

a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.

The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.

and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking.

They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.

For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught;

He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for God’s Kingdom is yours.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.

“But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation.

bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind towards the unthankful and evil.

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”

Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”

Other fell into the good ground and grew and produced one hundred times as much fruit.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

What fell amongst the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life; and they bring no fruit to maturity.

Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance.

Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given to her to eat.

He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the sky, he blessed them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude.

They ate and were all filled. They gathered up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.

If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

Turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see,

for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.”

It came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you!”

But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”

He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man produced abundantly.

He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’

He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”’

Blessed are those servants whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you that he will dress himself, make them recline, and will come and serve them.

They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch and finds them so.

Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes.

Truly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has.

He laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight and glorified God.

Behold, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.”

When one of those who sat at the table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is he who will feast in God’s Kingdom!”

He sent out his servant at supper time to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, for everything is ready now.’

“The lord said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

“He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.

They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.

who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life.”

Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.”

The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten more minas.’

“He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’

“The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, Lord, has made five minas.’

“So he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’

He said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to him who has the ten minas.’

“They said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’

‘For I tell you that to everyone who has, will more be given; but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.

saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”

It will turn out as a testimony for you.

I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me,

that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’

When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them.

As they said these things, Jesus himself stood amongst them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”

He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them.

While he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.

and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:

From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.

He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is by interpretation, Peter).

When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom

and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!”

He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit to eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.

I sent you to reap that for which you haven’t laboured. Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour.”

As he was going down, his servants met him and reported, saying “Your child lives!”

So he enquired of them the hour when he began to get better. They said therefore to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him.”

This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee.

Jesus took the loaves, and having given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those who were sitting down, likewise also of the fish as much as they desired.

So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten.

But of the multitude, many believed in him. They said, “When the Christ comes, he won’t do more signs than those which this man has done, will he?”

He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”

But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified.

I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out and will find pasture.

The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”

If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there my servant will also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him.

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I don’t go away, the Counsellor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.

When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred and fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.

You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you now see and hear.

For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”

They recognised him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,

You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘All the families of the earth will be blessed through your offspring.’

God, having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him to you first to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your wickedness.”

But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs amongst the people.

All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

“But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome to God. He was nourished three months in his father’s house.

For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralysed and lame were healed.

There was great joy in that city.

who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;

Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.

They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.

For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,

The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.

But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance for about four hundred and fifty years.

“Concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’

The Lord’s word was spread abroad throughout all the region.

The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Yet he didn’t leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”

After they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brothers to the apostles.

but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.

So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men.

But certain men joined with him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.

God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul,

Now, brothers, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up and to give you the inheritance amongst all those who are sanctified.

In all things I gave you an example, that so labouring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ In that very hour I looked up at him.

He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.

Now in the neighbourhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and courteously entertained us for three days.

Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured.

They also honoured us with many honours; and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established;

Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you (and was hindered so far), that I might have some fruit amongst you also, even as amongst the rest of the Gentiles.

to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honour, and incorruptibility, eternal life;

But glory, honour, and peace go to every man who does good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whom the Lord will by no means charge with sin.”

Is this blessing then pronounced only on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they might be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them.

For the promise to Abraham and to his offspring that he would be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

The gift is not as through one who sinned; for the judgement came by one to condemnation, but the free gift followed many trespasses to justification.

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.

who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises;

of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.

Not only so, but Rebekah also conceived by one, by our father Isaac.

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him.

Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches.

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in amongst them and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree,

Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.

I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge—

so that you come behind in no gift, waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him.”

I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase.

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

If any man’s work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.

Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,

whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours,

You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you!

We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.

Yet I wish that all men were like me. However, each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.

For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.

and all ate the same spiritual food;

and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.

The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ?

But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering.

Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.

For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

Therefore let no one despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.

I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

as also you acknowledged us in part—that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

In this confidence, I was determined to come first to you, that you might have a second benefit,

For however many are the promises of God, in him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through him is the “Amen”, to the glory of God through us.

who also sealed us and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.

as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.

Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forever more, knows that I don’t lie.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,

The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you all the nations will be blessed.”

So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.

If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise.

So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you who don’t travail. For the desolate women have more children than her who has a husband.”

Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.

As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favour in the Beloved.

We were also assigned an inheritance in him, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who does all things after the counsel of his will,

who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus;

for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,

To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

But to each one of us, the grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Therefore he says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to people.”

He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;

“Honour your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise:

“that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.”

knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.

Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name,

You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.

For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.

Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.

But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.

My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light,

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love towards one another and towards all men, even as we also do towards you,

May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now and of that which is to come.

Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the elders.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.

which at the right time he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Charge those who are rich in this present age that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;

that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;

For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

(the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.

The farmer who labours must be the first to get a share of the crops.

If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.

From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.

The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ,

whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

having become as much better than the angels as the more excellent name he has inherited is better than theirs.

For to which of the angels did he say at any time, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father?” and again, “I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?”

You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.”

You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honour.

Let’s fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest.

There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God;

that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.

saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”

Thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace”,

but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.

But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.

Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward.

For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.

Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.

By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son,

to whom it was said, “Your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac,”

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff.

considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

lest there be any sexually immoral person or profane person, like Esau, who sold his birthright for one meal.

For you know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for a change of mind though he sought it diligently with tears.

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Grace be with you all. Amen.

Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position;

and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away.

Blessed is a person who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love him.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation nor turning shadow.

But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom and continues, not being a hearer who forgets but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.

Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,

if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Come to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.

not rendering evil for evil or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”

But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.

When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,

You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

Whoever denies the Son doesn’t have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also.

Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward.

The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is near.

“I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows but he who receives it.

He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.

and I will give him the morning star.

Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that didn’t defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.

He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing!”

I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honour, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!”

Then a white horse appeared, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.

saying, “Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them.

They will never be hungry or thirsty any more. The sun won’t beat on them, nor any heat;

The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints and those who fear your name, to the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, for their works follow with them.”

“Behold, I come like a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his clothes, so that he doesn’t walk naked, and they see his shame.”

He said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.’” He said to me, “These are true words of God.”

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him one thousand years.

He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.

The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

There will be no night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.

“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.