Righteousness in Scripture: Living Right

The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart was continually only evil.

This is the history of the generations of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, blameless amongst the people of his time. Noah walked with God.

The LORD said to Noah, “Come with all of your household into the ship, for I have seen your righteousness before me in this generation.

I will surely require accounting for your life’s blood. At the hand of every animal I will require it. At the hand of man, even at the hand of every man’s brother, I will require the life of man.

Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood will be shed by man, for God made man in his own image.

Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were backwards, and they didn’t see their father’s nakedness.

Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against the LORD.

that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’

I will accept nothing from you except that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion.”

He believed in the LORD, who credited it to him for righteousness.

In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.”

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless.

For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that the LORD may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.”

The LORD said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous,

Abraham came near, and said, “Will you consume the righteous with the wicked?

What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will you consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who are in it?

May it be far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that be far from you. Shouldn’t the Judge of all the earth do right?”

The LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place for their sake.”

What if there will lack five of the fifty righteous? Will you destroy all the city for lack of five?” He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”

He said, “Please, my brothers, don’t act so wickedly.

Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation?

Didn’t he tell me, ‘She is my sister’? She, even she herself, said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands.”

God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her.

Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done!”

Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you have done this thing?”

He spoke to Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, “But if you will, please hear me. I will give the price of the field. Take it from me, and I will bury my dead there.”

Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us!”

So my righteousness will answer for me hereafter, when you come concerning my hire that is before you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted amongst the goats, and black amongst the sheep, that might be with me, will be considered stolen.”

chief Dishon, chief Ezer, and chief Dishan. These are the chiefs who came of the Horites, according to their chiefs in the land of Seir.

Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the LORD’s sight. So the LORD killed him.

The thing which he did was evil in the LORD’s sight, and he killed him also.

Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew her again no more.

No one is greater in this house than I am, and he has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

As she spoke to Joseph day by day, he didn’t listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” He left his garment in her hand, and ran outside.

When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and had run outside,

We are all one man’s sons; we are honest men. Your servants are not spies.”

Reuben answered them, saying, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘Don’t sin against the child,’ and you wouldn’t listen? Therefore also, behold, his blood is required.”

We said to him, ‘We are honest men. We are no spies.

Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. So I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land.’”

They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing!

Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then should we steal silver or gold out of your lord’s house?

With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”

My soul, don’t come into their council. My glory, don’t be united to their assembly; for in their anger they killed men. In their self-will they hamstrung cattle.

The sceptre will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs. The obedience of the peoples will be to him.

He went out the second day, and behold, two men of the Hebrews were fighting with each other. He said to him who did the wrong, “Why do you strike your fellow?”

Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

Who is like you, LORD, amongst the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

The LORD said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws?

Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men which fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

The LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments,

All of Mount Sinai smoked, because the LORD descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who misuses his name.

but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates;

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

“You shall not murder.

“You shall not commit adultery.

“You shall not steal.

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.

“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour’s.”

“One who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death,

If a man schemes and comes presumptuously on his neighbour to kill him, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.

“Anyone who kidnaps someone and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

“If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, the man shall surely be punished.

But if any harm follows, then you must take life for life,

eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

burning for burning, wound for wound, and bruise for bruise.

“If a man strikes his servant’s eye, or his maid’s eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake.

If he strikes out his male servant’s tooth, or his female servant’s tooth, he shall let the servant go free for his tooth’s sake.

“If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull shall surely be stoned, and its meat shall not be eaten; but the owner of the bull shall not be held responsible.

But if the bull had a habit of goring in the past, and this has been testified to its owner, and he has not kept it in, but it has killed a man or a woman, the bull shall be stoned, and its owner shall also be put to death.

Whether it has gored a son or has gored a daughter, according to this judgement it shall be done to him.

If the bull gores a male servant or a female servant, thirty shekels of silver shall be given to their master, and the ox shall be stoned.

“If a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and doesn’t cover it, and a bull or a donkey falls into it,

the owner of the pit shall make it good. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall be his.

“If one man’s bull injures another’s, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live bull, and divide its price; and they shall also divide the dead animal.

Or if it is known that the bull was in the habit of goring in the past, and its owner has not kept it in, he shall surely pay bull for bull, and the dead animal shall be his own.

“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.

If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him.

If the sun has risen on him, he is guilty of bloodshed. He shall make restitution. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

If the stolen property is found in his hand alive, whether it is ox, donkey, or sheep, he shall pay double.

“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten by letting his animal loose, and it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.

“If fire breaks out, and catches in thorns so that the shocks of grain, or the standing grain, or the field are consumed; he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.

For every matter of trespass, whether it is for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any kind of lost thing, about which one says, ‘This is mine,’ the cause of both parties shall come before God. He whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbour.

the oath of the LORD shall be between them both, he has not put his hand on his neighbour’s goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.

“You shall not allow a sorceress to live.

“Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.

“You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

“You shall be holy men to me, therefore you shall not eat any meat that is torn by animals in the field. You shall cast it to the dogs.

“You shall not spread a false report. Don’t join your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness.

“You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice.

You shall not favour a poor man in his cause.

“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.

If you see the donkey of him who hates you fallen down under his burden, don’t leave him. You shall surely help him with it.

“You shall not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.

“Keep far from a false charge, and don’t kill the innocent and righteous; for I will not justify the wicked.

“You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds those who have sight and perverts the words of the righteous.

“You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread. The fat of my feast shall not remain all night until the morning.

You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor follow their practices, but you shall utterly overthrow them and demolish their pillars.

Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgement on his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.

You shall put in the breastplate of judgement the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Aaron shall bear the judgement of the children of Israel on his heart before the LORD continually.

You shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and clothe him with the skilfully woven band of the ephod.

You shall set the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban.

Then you shall take the anointing oil, and pour it on his head, and anoint him.

You shall clothe them with belts, Aaron and his sons, and bind headbands on them. They shall have the priesthood by a perpetual statute. You shall consecrate Aaron and his sons.

You shall take of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be made holy, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.

If anything of the meat of the consecration, or of the bread, remains to the morning, then you shall burn the remainder with fire. It shall not be eaten, because it is holy.

Every day you shall offer the bull of sin offering for atonement. You shall cleanse the altar when you make atonement for it. You shall anoint it, to sanctify it.

Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar shall be holy.

There I will meet with the children of Israel; and the place shall be sanctified by my glory.

You shall offer no strange incense on it, nor burnt offering, nor meal offering; and you shall pour no drink offering on it.

Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once in the year; with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once in the year he shall make atonement for it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”

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.”

The LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot him out of my book.

‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to the LORD: whoever does any work in it shall be put to death.

“‘If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without defect. He shall offer it at the door of the Tent of Meeting, that he may be accepted before the LORD.

He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

“‘If anyone sins, in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he doesn’t report it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

“‘Or if anyone touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean animal, or the carcass of unclean livestock, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and it is hidden from him, and he is unclean, then he shall be guilty.

“‘Or if he touches the uncleanness of man, whatever his uncleanness is with which he is unclean, and it is hidden from him; when he knows of it, then he shall be guilty.

“‘Or if anyone swears rashly with his lips to do evil or to do good—whatever it is that a man might utter rashly with an oath, and it is hidden from him—when he knows of it, then he will be guilty of one of these.

then it shall be, if he has sinned, and is guilty, he shall restore that which he took by robbery, or the thing which he has gotten by oppression, or the deposit which was committed to him, or the lost thing which he found,

or any thing about which he has sworn falsely: he shall restore it in full, and shall add a fifth part more to it. He shall return it to him to whom it belongs in the day of his being found guilty.

“‘This is the law of the trespass offering: It is most holy.

Every male amongst the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy.

“‘As is the sin offering, so is the trespass offering; there is one law for them. The priest who makes atonement with them shall have it.

If any of the meat of the sacrifice of his peace offerings is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted, and it shall not be credited to him who offers it. It will be an abomination, and the soul who eats any of it will bear his iniquity.

“‘The meat that touches any unclean thing shall not be eaten. It shall be burnt with fire. As for the meat, everyone who is clean may eat it;

but the soul who eats of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings that belongs to the LORD, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from his people.

When anyone touches any unclean thing, the uncleanness of man, or an unclean animal, or any unclean abomination, and eats some of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings which belong to the LORD, that soul shall be cut off from his people.’”

For whoever eats the fat of the animal which men offer as an offering made by fire to the LORD, even the soul who eats it shall be cut off from his people.

Whoever it is who eats any blood, that soul shall be cut off from his people.’”

He put the tunic on him, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and he tied the skilfully woven band of the ephod on him and fastened it to him with it.

He set the turban on his head. He set the golden plate, the holy crown, on the front of the turban, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and sanctified them.

He sprinkled it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its vessels, and the basin and its base, to sanctify them.

He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke of, saying, ‘I will show myself holy to those who come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” Aaron held his peace.

“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.

You are to make a distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean.

Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons who were left, “Take the meal offering that remains of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and eat it without yeast beside the altar; for it is most holy;

“‘You shall detest these amongst the birds; they shall not be eaten because they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture,

the red kite, any kind of black kite,

any kind of raven,

the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl,

the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey,

the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.

“‘All flying insects that walk on all fours are an abomination to you.

Yet you may eat these: of all winged creeping things that go on all fours, which have long, jointed legs for hopping on the earth.

Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of katydid, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper.

But all winged creeping things which have four feet are an abomination to you.

“‘By these you will become unclean: whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening.

Whoever carries any part of their carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening.

“‘Every animal which has a split hoof that isn’t completely divided, or doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you. Everyone who touches them shall be unclean.

Whatever goes on its paws, amongst all animals that go on all fours, they are unclean to you. Whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening.

He who carries their carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. They are unclean to you.

“‘These are they which are unclean to you amongst the creeping things that creep on the earth: the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard,

the gecko, and the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon.

These are they which are unclean to you amongst all that creep. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until the evening.

Anything they fall on when they are dead shall be unclean; whether it is any vessel of wood, or clothing, or skin, or sack, whatever vessel it is, with which any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the evening. Then it will be clean.

Every earthen vessel into which any of them falls and all that is in it shall be unclean. You shall break it.

All food which may be eaten which is soaked in water shall be unclean. All drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.

Everything whereupon part of their carcass falls shall be unclean; whether oven, or range for pots, it shall be broken in pieces. They are unclean, and shall be unclean to you.

Nevertheless a spring or a cistern in which water is gathered shall be clean, but that which touches their carcass shall be unclean.

If part of their carcass falls on any sowing seed which is to be sown, it is clean.

But if water is put on the seed, and part of their carcass falls on it, it is unclean to you.

“‘If any animal of which you may eat dies, he who touches its carcass shall be unclean until the evening.

He who eats of its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. He also who carries its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening.

“‘Every creeping thing that creeps on the earth is an abomination. It shall not be eaten.

Whatever goes on its belly, and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet, even all creeping things that creep on the earth, them you shall not eat; for they are an abomination.

You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps. You shall not make yourselves unclean with them, that you should be defiled by them.

For I am the LORD your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth.

For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

“‘The earthen vessel, which he who has the discharge touches, shall be broken; and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.

“‘When he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes; and he shall bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.

“‘On the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and give them to the priest.

“‘If any man has an emission of semen, then he shall bathe all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening.

Every garment and every skin which the semen is on shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the evening.

If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the evening.

“‘If a woman has a discharge, and her discharge in her flesh is blood, she shall be in her impurity seven days. Whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening.

“‘Everything that she lies on in her impurity shall be unclean. Everything also that she sits on shall be unclean.

Whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

This is the law of him who has a discharge, and of him who has an emission of semen, so that he is unclean by it;

and of her who has her period, and of a man or woman who has a discharge, and of him who lies with her who is unclean.

He shall put on the holy linen tunic. He shall have the linen trousers on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and he shall be clothed with the linen turban. They are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water, and put them on.

“‘Every person that eats what dies of itself, or that which is torn by animals, whether he is native-born or a foreigner, shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. Then he shall be clean.

But if he doesn’t wash them, or bathe his flesh, then he shall bear his iniquity.’”

You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived. You shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You shall not follow their statutes.

You shall do my ordinances. You shall keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God.

You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am the LORD.

“‘None of you shall approach any close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, nor the nakedness of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness.

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife. It is your father’s nakedness.

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or born abroad.

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son’s daughter, or of your daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness; for theirs is your own nakedness.

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, conceived by your father, since she is your sister.

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister. She is your father’s near kinswoman.

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, for she is your mother’s near kinswoman.

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother. You shall not approach his wife. She is your aunt.

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife. You shall not uncover her nakedness.

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness.

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness. They are near kinswomen. It is wickedness.

“‘You shall not take a wife in addition to her sister, to be a rival, to uncover her nakedness, while her sister is still alive.

“‘You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness.

“‘You shall not lie carnally with your neighbour’s wife, and defile yourself with her.

“‘You shall not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech. You shall not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

“‘You shall not lie with a man as with a woman. That is detestable.

“‘You shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. No woman may give herself to an animal, to lie down with it: it is a perversion.

“‘Don’t defile yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled.

The land was defiled. Therefore I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out her inhabitants.

You therefore shall keep my statutes and my ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the native-born, nor the stranger who lives as a foreigner amongst you

(for the men of the land that were before you had done all these abominations, and the land became defiled),

that the land not vomit you out also, when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.

“‘For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from amongst their people.

Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practise any of these abominable customs which were practised before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them. I am the LORD your God.’”

“Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘You shall be holy; for I, the LORD your God, am holy.

“‘Don’t turn to idols, nor make molten gods for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.

but everyone who eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned the holy thing of the LORD, and that soul shall be cut off from his people.

“‘You shall not steal. “‘You shall not lie. “‘You shall not deceive one another.

“‘You shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

“‘You shall not oppress your neighbour, nor rob him. “‘The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning.

“‘You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind; but you shall fear your God. I am the LORD.

“‘You shall do no injustice in judgement. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favouritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbour in righteousness.

“‘You shall not go around as a slanderer amongst your people. “‘You shall not endanger the life of your neighbour. I am the LORD.

“‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbour, and not bear sin because of him.

“‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD.

“‘You shall keep my statutes. “‘You shall not cross-breed different kinds of animals. “‘You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed; “‘Don’t wear a garment made of two kinds of material.

“‘If a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged to be married to another man, and not ransomed or given her freedom; they shall be punished. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, for giving praise to the LORD.

“‘You shall not eat any meat with the blood still in it. You shall not use enchantments, nor practise sorcery.

“‘You shall not cut the hair on the sides of your head or clip off the edge of your beard.

“‘You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am the LORD.

“‘Don’t profane your daughter, to make her a prostitute; lest the land fall to prostitution, and the land become full of wickedness.

“‘Don’t turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don’t seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

“‘You shall rise up before the grey head and honour the face of the elderly; and you shall fear your God. I am the LORD.

“‘If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.

“‘You shall do no unrighteousness in judgement, in measures of length, of weight, or of quantity.

You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

“‘You shall observe all my statutes and all my ordinances, and do them. I am the LORD.’”

I also will set my face against that person, and will cut him off from amongst his people, because he has given of his offspring to Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.

“‘The person that turns to those who are mediums and wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my face against that person, and will cut him off from amongst his people.

“‘Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am the LORD your God.

You shall keep my statutes, and do them. I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

“‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, even he who commits adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

“‘The man who lies with his father’s wife has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both of them shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon themselves.

“‘If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death. They have committed a perversion. Their blood shall be upon themselves.

“‘If a man lies with a male, as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon themselves.

“‘If a man takes a wife and her mother, it is wickedness. They shall be burnt with fire, both he and they, that there may be no wickedness amongst you.

“‘If a man lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death; and you shall kill the animal.

“‘If a woman approaches any animal and lies with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.

“‘If a man takes his sister—his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter—and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a shameful thing. They shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness. He shall bear his iniquity.

“‘If a man lies with a woman having her monthly period, and uncovers her nakedness, he has made her fountain naked, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from amongst their people.

“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, nor of your father’s sister, for he has made his close relative naked. They shall bear their iniquity.

If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness. They shall bear their sin. They shall die childless.

“‘If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is an impurity. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be childless.

“‘You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my ordinances, and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out.

You shall not walk in the customs of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.

“‘You shall therefore make a distinction between the clean animal and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean. You shall not make yourselves abominable by animal, or by bird, or by anything with which the ground teems, which I have separated from you as unclean for you.

You shall be holy to me, for I, the LORD, am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that you should be mine.

“‘A man or a woman that is a medium or is a wizard shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones. Their blood shall be upon themselves.’”

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, ‘A priest shall not defile himself for the dead amongst his people,

except for his relatives that are near to him: for his mother, for his father, for his son, for his daughter, for his brother,

and for his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband; for her he may defile himself.

He shall not defile himself, being a chief man amongst his people, to profane himself.

They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the bread of their God. Therefore they shall be holy.

“‘They shall not marry a woman who is a prostitute, or profane. A priest shall not marry a woman divorced from her husband; for he is holy to his God.

Therefore you shall sanctify him, for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you, for I the LORD, who sanctify you, am holy.

“‘He who is the high priest amongst his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and who is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head hang loose, or tear his clothes.

He shall not go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him. I am the LORD.

He shall not marry a widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute. He shall take a virgin of his own people as a wife.

He shall not profane his offspring amongst his people, for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.’”

“Say to Aaron, ‘None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect may approach to offer the bread of his God.

For whatever man he is that has a defect, he shall not draw near: a blind man, or a lame, or he who has a flat nose, or any deformity,

or a man who has an injured foot, or an injured hand,

or hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye, or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged testicles.

No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall come near to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire. Since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.

He shall not come near to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he has a defect; that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am the LORD who sanctifies them.’”

“Tell Aaron and his sons to separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they make holy to me, and that they not profane my holy name. I am the LORD.

“Tell them, ‘If anyone of all your offspring throughout your generations approaches the holy things which the children of Israel make holy to the LORD, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from before me. I am the LORD.

“‘They shall therefore follow my commandment, lest they bear sin for it and die in it, if they profane it. I am the LORD who sanctifies them.

“Therefore you shall keep my commandments, and do them. I am the LORD.

You shall not profane my holy name, but I will be made holy amongst the children of Israel. I am the LORD who makes you holy,

You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin.

He who blasphemes the LORD’s name, he shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him. The foreigner as well as the native-born shall be put to death when he blasphemes the Name.

“‘He who strikes any man mortally shall surely be put to death.

He who strikes an animal mortally shall make it good, life for life.

If anyone injures his neighbour, it shall be done to him as he has done:

fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. It shall be done to him as he has injured someone.

He who kills an animal shall make it good; and he who kills a man shall be put to death.

You shall have one kind of law for the foreigner as well as the native-born; for I am the LORD your God.’”

“‘If you sell anything to your neighbour, or buy from your neighbour, you shall not wrong one another.

According to the number of years after the Jubilee you shall buy from your neighbour. According to the number of years of the crops he shall sell to you.

According to the length of the years you shall increase its price, and according to the shortness of the years you shall diminish its price; for he is selling the number of the crops to you.

You shall not wrong one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the LORD your God.

“‘You shall make for yourselves no idols, and you shall not raise up a carved image or a pillar, and you shall not place any figured stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.

but the field, when it goes out in the Jubilee, shall be holy to the LORD, as a devoted field. It shall be owned by the priests.

then the priest shall reckon to him the worth of your valuation up to the Year of Jubilee; and he shall give your valuation on that day, as a holy thing to the LORD.

All your valuations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs to the shekel.

“‘Notwithstanding, no devoted thing that a man devotes to the LORD of all that he has, whether of man or animal, or of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed. Everything that is permanently devoted is most holy to the LORD.

The man shall be free from iniquity, and that woman shall bear her iniquity.’”

Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all the men who were on the surface of the earth.

My servant Moses is not so. He is faithful in all my house.

so that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.

He said to Korah and to all his company, “In the morning, the LORD will show who are his, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to him. Even him whom he shall choose, he will cause to come near to him.

put fire in them, and put incense on them before the LORD tomorrow. It shall be that the man whom the LORD chooses, he shall be holy. You have gone too far, you sons of Levi!”

Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD, “Don’t respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt one of them.”

He spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins!”

But if the LORD makes a new thing, and the ground opens its mouth, and swallows them up with all that belong to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall understand that these men have despised the LORD.”

So they, and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol. The earth closed on them, and they perished from amongst the assembly.

The LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your fathers’ house with you shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary; and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

You shall bear no sin by reason of it, when you have heaved from it its best. You shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, that you not die.’”

“This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded. Tell the children of Israel to bring you a red heifer without spot, in which is no defect, and which was never yoked.

Eleazar the priest shall take some of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle her blood towards the front of the Tent of Meeting seven times.

Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the evening.

He who burns her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the evening.

He who gathers the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. It shall be to the children of Israel, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner amongst them, for a statute forever.

“He who touches the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.

He shall purify himself with water on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean; but if he doesn’t purify himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean.

Whoever touches a dead person, the body of a man who has died, and doesn’t purify himself, defiles the LORD’s tabernacle; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel; because the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him, he shall be unclean. His uncleanness is yet on him.

“This is the law when a man dies in a tent: everyone who comes into the tent, and everyone who is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days.

Every open vessel, which has no covering bound on it, is unclean.

“Whoever in the open field touches one who is slain with a sword, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

“For the unclean, they shall take of the ashes of the burning of the sin offering; and running water shall be poured on them in a vessel.

A clean person shall take hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, on all the vessels, on the persons who were there, and on him who touched the bone, or the slain, or the dead, or the grave.

The clean person shall sprinkle on the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day. On the seventh day, he shall purify him. He shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at evening.

But the man who shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from amongst the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him. He is unclean.

It shall be a perpetual statute to them. He who sprinkles the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and he who touches the water for impurity shall be unclean until evening.

“Whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the soul that touches it shall be unclean until evening.”

The LORD’s angel said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me.

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!”

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.

When Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the middle of the congregation, and took a spear in his hand.

He went after the man of Israel into the pavilion, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped amongst the children of Israel.

“Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy amongst them, so that I didn’t consume the children of Israel in my jealousy.

It shall be to him, and to his offspring after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.’”

“Our father died in the wilderness. He was not amongst the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin. He had no sons.

“The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. You shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance amongst their father’s brothers. You shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.

“Behold, you have risen up in your fathers’ place, an increase of sinful men, to increase the fierce anger of the LORD towards Israel.

“‘But if he struck him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death.

If he struck him with a stone in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death.

Or if he struck him with a weapon of wood in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death.

The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death. When he meets him, he shall put him to death.

or in hostility struck him with his hand, so that he died, he who struck him shall surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.

then the congregation shall judge between the striker and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances.

“‘Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be slain based on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness shall not testify alone against any person so that he dies.

“‘Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death. He shall surely be put to death.

“‘So you shall not pollute the land where you live; for blood pollutes the land. No atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him who shed it.

You shall not defile the land which you inhabit, where I dwell; for I, the LORD, dwell amongst the children of Israel.’”

Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the LORD’s word, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph speak what is right.

I commanded your judges at that time, saying, “Hear cases between your brothers and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the foreigner who is living with him.

You shall not show partiality in judgement; you shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgement is God’s. The case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.”

Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baal Peor; for the LORD your God has destroyed all the men who followed Baal Peor from amongst you.

Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who shall hear all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

What great nation is there that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law which I set before you today?

For the LORD your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.

“You shall not murder.

“You shall not commit adultery.

“You shall not steal.

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.

“You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife. Neither shall you desire your neighbour’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbour’s.”

The LORD heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me; and the LORD said to me, “I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have well said all that they have spoken.

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,

It shall be righteousness to us, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us.”

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

and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack to him who hates him. He will repay him to his face.

You shall not bring an abomination into your house and become a devoted thing like it. You shall utterly detest it. You shall utterly abhor it; for it is a devoted thing.

Don’t say in your heart, after the LORD your God has thrust them out from before you, “For my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land;” because the LORD drives them out before you because of the wickedness of these nations.

Not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart do you go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God does drive them out from before you, and that he may establish the word which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

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.

For the LORD your God, he is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn’t respect persons or take bribes.

and what he did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben—how the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households, their tents, and every living thing that followed them, in the middle of all Israel;

You shall observe to do all the statutes and the ordinances which I set before you today.

You shall not do all the things that we do here today, every man whatever is right in his own eyes;

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.

You shall not do so to the LORD your God; for every abomination to the LORD, which he hates, they have done to their gods; for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods.

That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to draw you aside out of the way which the LORD your God commanded you to walk in. So you shall remove the evil from amongst you.

but you shall surely kill him. Your hand shall be first on him to put him to death, and afterwards the hands of all the people.

when you listen to the LORD your God’s voice, to keep all his commandments which I command you today, to do that which is right in the LORD your God’s eyes.

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.

You shall not eat any abominable thing.

Nevertheless these you shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of those who have the hoof split: the camel, the hare, and the rabbit. Because they chew the cud but don’t part the hoof, they are unclean to you.

The pig, because it has a split hoof but doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you. You shall not eat their meat. You shall not touch their carcasses.

You shall not eat whatever doesn’t have fins and scales. It is unclean to you.

Of all clean birds you may eat.

But these are they of which you shall not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey,

the red kite, the falcon, the kite of any kind,

every raven of any kind,

the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, the hawk of any kind,

the little owl, the great owl, the horned owl,

the pelican, the vulture, the cormorant,

the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.

All winged creeping things are unclean to you. They shall not be eaten.

You shall not eat of anything that dies of itself. You may give it to the foreigner living amongst you who is within your gates, that he may eat it; or you may sell it to a foreigner; for you are a holy people to the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, “The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,” and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing; and he cry to the LORD against you, and it be sin to you.

If it has any defect—is lame or blind, or has any defect whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.

Only you shall not eat its blood. You shall pour it out on the ground like water.

You shall make judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgement.

You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality. You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.

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

You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep in which is a defect or anything evil; for that is an abomination to the LORD your God.

and you are told, and you have heard of it, then you shall enquire diligently. Behold, if it is true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is done in Israel,

then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil thing to your gates, even that same man or woman; and you shall stone them to death with stones.

At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death. At the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

The hands of the witnesses shall be first on him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So you shall remove the evil from amongst you.

The man who does presumptuously in not listening to the priest who stands to minister there before the LORD your God, or to the judge, even that man shall die. You shall put away the evil from Israel.

When you have come into the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the abominations of those nations.

There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who tells fortunes, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer,

or a charmer, or someone who consults with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

For whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. Because of these abominations, the LORD your God drives them out from before you.

You shall be blameless with the LORD your God.

For these nations that you shall dispossess listen to those who practise sorcery and to diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you so to do.

This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on you.

But if any man hates his neighbour, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, strikes him mortally so that he dies, and he flees into one of these cities;

then the elders of his city shall send and bring him there, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

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

You shall not remove your neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set, in your inheritance which you shall inherit, in the land that the LORD your God gives you to possess.

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established.

If an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing,

then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days;

and the judges shall make diligent inquisition; and behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother,

then you shall do to him as he had thought to do to his brother. So you shall remove the evil from amongst you.

Those who remain shall hear, and fear, and will never again commit any such evil amongst you.

Your eyes shall not pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

that they not teach you to follow all their abominations, which they have done for their gods; so would you sin against the LORD your God.

They shall answer and say, “Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.

So you shall put away the innocent blood from amongst you, when you shall do that which is right in the LORD’s eyes.

then it shall be, in the day that he causes his sons to inherit that which he has, that he may not give the son of the beloved the rights of the firstborn before the son of the hated, who is the firstborn;

but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the beginning of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.

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 not see your brother’s ox or his sheep go astray and hide yourself from them. You shall surely bring them again to your brother.

If your brother isn’t near to you, or if you don’t know him, then you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall be with you until your brother comes looking for it, and you shall restore it to him.

So you shall do with his donkey. So you shall do with his garment. So you shall do with every lost thing of your brother’s, which he has lost and you have found. You may not hide yourself.

You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way, and hide yourself from them. You shall surely help him to lift them up again.

A woman shall not wear men’s clothing, neither shall a man put on women’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.

If you come across a bird’s nest on the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the hen sitting on the young, or on the eggs, you shall not take the hen with the young.

When you build a new house, then you shall make a railing around your roof, so that you don’t bring blood on your house if anyone falls from there.

You shall not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed, lest all the fruit be defiled, the seed which you have sown, and the increase of the vineyard.

The elders of that city shall take the man and chastise him.

They shall fine him one hundred shekels of silver, and give them to the father of the young lady, because he has given a bad name to a virgin of Israel. She shall be his wife. He may not put her away all his days.

then they shall bring out the young lady to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done folly in Israel, to play the prostitute in her father’s house. So you shall remove the evil from amongst you.

If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both die, the man who lay with the woman and the woman. So you shall remove the evil from Israel.

then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones; the lady, because she didn’t cry, being in the city; and the man, because he has humbled his neighbour’s wife. So you shall remove the evil from amongst you.

but to the lady you shall do nothing. There is in the lady no sin worthy of death; for as when a man rises against his neighbour and kills him, even so is this matter;

A man shall not take his father’s wife, and shall not uncover his father’s skirt.

He who is emasculated by crushing or cutting shall not enter into the LORD’s assembly.

A person born of a forbidden union shall not enter into the LORD’s assembly; even to the tenth generation shall no one of his enter into the LORD’s assembly.

An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the LORD’s assembly; even to the tenth generation shall no one belonging to them enter into the LORD’s assembly forever,

because they didn’t meet you with bread and with water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.

You shall not seek their peace nor their prosperity all your days forever.

The children of the third generation who are born to them may enter into the LORD’s assembly.

When you go out and camp against your enemies, then you shall keep yourselves from every evil thing.

If there is amongst you any man who is not clean by reason of that which happens to him by night, then shall he go outside of the camp. He shall not come within the camp;

but it shall be, when evening comes, he shall bathe himself in water. When the sun is down, he shall come within the camp.

You shall have a place also outside of the camp where you go relieve yourself.

You shall have a trowel amongst your weapons. It shall be, when you relieve yourself, you shall dig with it, and shall turn back and cover your excrement;

for the LORD your God walks in the middle of your camp, to deliver you, and to give up your enemies before you. Therefore your camp shall be holy, that he may not see an unclean thing in you, and turn away from you.

There shall be no prostitute of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

You shall not bring the hire of a prostitute, or the wages of a male prostitute, into the house of the LORD your God for any vow; for both of these are an abomination to the LORD your God.

You shall not lend on interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest.

her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife after she is defiled; for that would be an abomination to the LORD. You shall not cause the land to sin, which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance.

If a man is found stealing any of his brothers of the children of Israel, and he deals with him as a slave, or sells him, then that thief shall die. So you shall remove the evil from amongst you.

When you lend your neighbour any kind of loan, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge.

You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you lend shall bring the pledge outside to you.

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.

You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the foreigners who are in your land within your gates.

The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers. Every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

If there is a controversy between men, and they come to judgement and the judges judge them, then they shall justify the righteous and condemn the wicked.

It shall be, if the wicked man is worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down and to be beaten before his face, according to his wickedness, by number.

He may sentence him to no more than forty stripes. He shall not give more, lest if he should give more and beat him more than that many stripes, then your brother will be degraded in your sight.

then you shall cut off her hand. Your eye shall have no pity.

You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, one heavy and one light.

You shall not have in your house diverse measures, one large and one small.

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.

For all who do such things, all who do unrighteously, are an abomination to the LORD your God.

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.

‘Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ All the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’

‘Cursed is he who dishonours his father or his mother.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

‘Cursed is he who removes his neighbour’s landmark.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

‘Cursed is he who leads the blind astray on the road.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonours his father’s bed.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbour.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

The LORD will establish you for a holy people to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and walk in his ways.

The LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you put your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the evil of your doings, by which you have forsaken me.

lest there should be amongst you man, woman, family, or tribe whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go to serve the gods of those nations; lest there should be amongst you a root that produces bitter poison;

and it happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, “I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart,” to destroy the moist with the dry.

The Rock: his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is he.

They have dealt corruptly with him. They are not his children, because of their defect. They are a perverse and crooked generation.

Rejoice, you nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants. He will take vengeance on his adversaries, and will make atonement for his land and for his people.

because you trespassed against me amongst the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you didn’t uphold my holiness amongst the children of Israel.

He said, “The LORD came from Sinai, and rose from Seir to them. He shone from Mount Paran. He came from the ten thousands of holy ones. At his right hand was a fiery law for them.

They will call the peoples to the mountain. There they will offer sacrifices of righteousness, for they will draw out the abundance of the seas, the hidden treasures of the sand.”

He provided the first part for himself, for the lawgiver’s portion was reserved for him. He came with the heads of the people. He executed the righteousness of the LORD, His ordinances with Israel.”

But as for you, only keep yourselves from what is devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted it, you take of the devoted thing; so you would make the camp of Israel accursed and trouble it.

But all the silver, gold, and vessels of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD. They shall come into the LORD’s treasury.”

Get up! Sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, for the LORD, the God of Israel, says, “There is a devoted thing amongst you, Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted thing from amongst you.”

It shall be, that he who is taken with the devoted thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the LORD’s covenant, and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.’”

“The whole congregation of the LORD says, ‘What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away today from following the LORD, in that you have built yourselves an altar, to rebel today against the LORD?

Didn’t Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the devoted thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? That man didn’t perish alone in his iniquity.’”

Joshua said to the people, “You can’t serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins.

The children of Israel again did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, when Ehud was dead.

Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, there they will rehearse the LORD’s righteous acts, the righteous acts of his rule in Israel. “Then the LORD’s people went down to the gates.

‘Curse Meroz,’ said the LORD’s angel. ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn’t come to help the LORD, to help the LORD against the mighty.’

That same night, the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s bull, even the second bull seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is by it.

“Now therefore, if you have dealt truly and righteously, in that you have made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him according to the deserving of his hands

if you then have dealt truly and righteously with Jerubbaal and with his house today, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you;

Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did to his father in killing his seventy brothers;

and God repaid all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads; and the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal came on them.

and he said to him, “Jephthah says: Israel didn’t take away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon;

Now are you anything better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them?

Therefore I have not sinned against you, but you do me wrong to war against me. May The LORD the Judge be judge today between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.”

The man, the master of the house, went out to them, and said to them, “No, my brothers, please don’t act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, don’t do this folly.

The tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What wickedness is this that has happened amongst you?

Now therefore deliver up the men, the wicked fellows who are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and put away evil from Israel.” But Benjamin would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the children of Israel.

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did that which was right in his own eyes.

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.

Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people knows that you are a worthy woman.

Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there. Behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by. Boaz said to him, “Come over here, friend, and sit down!” He came over, and sat down.

He said to the near kinsman, “Naomi, who has come back out of the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s.

I thought I should tell you, saying, ‘Buy it before those who sit here, and before the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know. For there is no one to redeem it besides you; and I am after you.” He said, “I will redeem it.”

Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must buy it also from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance.”

The near kinsman said, “I can’t redeem it for myself, lest I endanger my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption for yourself; for I can’t redeem it.”

Boaz said to the elders and to all the people, “You are witnesses today, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi.

“Don’t keep talking so exceedingly proudly. Don’t let arrogance come out of your mouth, for the LORD is a God of knowledge. By him actions are weighed.

He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked will be put to silence in darkness; for no man will prevail by strength.

Now the sons of Eli were wicked men. They didn’t know the LORD.

The sin of the young men was very great before the LORD; for the men despised the LORD’s offering.

Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel, and how that they slept with the women who served at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

He said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people.

No, my sons; for it is not a good report that I hear! You make the LORD’s people disobey.

Why do you kick at my sacrifice and at my offering, which I have commanded in my habitation, and honour your sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel my people?’

His sons didn’t walk in his ways, but turned away after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

Here I am. Witness against me before the LORD and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a bribe to make me blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.”

They said, “You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything from anyone’s hand.”

He said to them, “The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” They said, “He is witness.”

Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.

But if you keep doing evil, you will be consumed, both you and your king.”

Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which he commanded you; for now the LORD would have established your kingdom on Israel forever.

But now your kingdom will not continue. The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which the LORD commanded you.”

Then they told Saul, saying, “Behold, the people are sinning against the LORD, in that they eat meat with the blood.” He said, “You have dealt treacherously. Roll a large stone to me today!”

Saul said, “Disperse yourselves amongst the people, and tell them, ‘Every man bring me here his ox, and every man his sheep, and kill them here, and eat; and don’t sin against the LORD in eating meat with the blood.’” All the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and killed them there.

Saul said, “Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see in whom this sin has been today.

The LORD of Armies says, ‘I remember what Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way when he came up out of Egypt.

Now go and strike Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and don’t spare them; but kill both man and woman, infant and nursing baby, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done to the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

David said, “What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”

Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Don’t let the king sin against his servant, against David; because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good towards you;

for he put his life in his hand and struck the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?”

Afterward, David’s heart struck him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.

He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”

So David checked his men with these words, and didn’t allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

Behold, today your eyes have seen how the LORD had delivered you today into my hand in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’

Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe and didn’t kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it.

As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness;’ but my hand will not be on you.

He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.

Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail. This woman was intelligent and had a beautiful face; but the man was surly and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb.

Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, since the LORD has withheld you from blood guiltiness and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now therefore let your enemies and those who seek evil to my lord be as Nabal.

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.

that this shall be no grief to you, nor offence of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. When the LORD has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.”

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

David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?”

The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let’s go.”

The LORD will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; because the LORD delivered you into my hand today, and I wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed.

Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has departed from you and has become your adversary?

Then Achish called David and said to him, “As the LORD lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight; for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords don’t favour you.

Achish answered David, “I know that you are good in my sight, as an angel of God. Notwithstanding, the princes of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’

Who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays with the baggage. They shall share alike.”

David said to him, “Why were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?”

David said to him, “Your blood be on your head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have slain the LORD’s anointed.’”

Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.

So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner.

I am weak today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May the LORD reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.”

How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house on his bed, should I not now require his blood from your hand, and rid the earth of you?”

David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people.

Uriah said to David, “The ark, Israel, and Judah, are staying in tents; and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are encamped in the open field. Shall I then go into my house to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing!”

When David had called him, he ate and drank before him; and he made him drunk. At evening, he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but didn’t go down to his house.

Why have you despised the LORD’s word, to do that which is evil in his sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

For you did this secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.’”

She answered him, “No, my brother, do not force me! For no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Don’t you do this folly!

The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, may the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house; and may the king and his throne be guiltless.”

The woman said, “Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God? For in speaking this word the king is as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring home again his banished one.

Absalom said to him, “Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you.”

Absalom said moreover, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!”

The man said to Joab, “Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom.’

Otherwise, if I had dealt falsely against his life (and there is no matter hidden from the king), then you yourself would have set yourself against me.”

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?”

The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.

For I have kept the LORD’s ways, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

For all his ordinances were before me. As for his statutes, I didn’t depart from them.

I was also perfect towards him. I kept myself from my iniquity.

Therefore the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in his eyesight.

With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect.

With the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,

But all the ungodly will be as thorns to be thrust away, because they can’t be taken with the hand.

He said, “Be it far from me, LORD, that I should do this! Isn’t this the blood of the men who risked their lives to go?” Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.

But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

“Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, even what he did to the two captains of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war on his sash that was around his waist and in his sandals that were on his feet.

Now therefore don’t hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man; and you will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his grey head down to Sheol with blood.”

The LORD will return his blood on his own head, because he fell on two men more righteous and better than he, and killed them with the sword, and my father David didn’t know it: Abner the son of Ner, captain of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the army of Judah.

The king said moreover to Shimei, “You know in your heart all the wickedness that you did to David my father. Therefore the LORD will return your wickedness on your own head.

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.

then hear in heaven, and act, and judge your servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, which he commanded our fathers.

“Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as it is today.”

As for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep my statutes and my ordinances,

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.”

because they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon. They have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my ordinances, as David his father did.

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.

and he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, “The LORD says, ‘Because you have been disobedient to the LORD’s word, and have not kept the commandment which the LORD your God commanded you,

and tore the kingdom away from David’s house, and gave it you; and yet you have not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in my eyes,

All Israel will mourn for him and bury him; for he only of Jeroboam will come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing towards the LORD, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam.

Judah did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, above all that their fathers had done.

There were also sodomites in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD drove out before the children of Israel.

He walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.

because David did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, and didn’t turn away from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

Asa did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, as David his father did.

He put away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah. Asa cut down her image and burnt it at the brook Kidron.

But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect with the LORD all his days.

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.

for his sins which he sinned in doing that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did to make Israel to sin.

Omri did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and dealt wickedly above all who were before him.

For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sins with which he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger with their vanities.

Ahab the son of Omri did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight above all that were before him.

He answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house, in that you have forsaken the LORD’s commandments and you have followed the Baals.

Naboth said to Ahab, “May the LORD forbid me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!”

You shall speak to him, saying, ‘The LORD says, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ You shall speak to him, saying, ‘The LORD says, “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs will lick your blood, even yours.”’”

Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do that which is evil in the LORD’s sight.

“See how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but I will bring the evil on his house in his son’s day.”

He walked in all the way of Asa his father. He didn’t turn away from it, doing that which was right in the LORD’s eyes. However, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places.

The remnant of the sodomites, that remained in the days of his father Asa, he put away out of the land.

He said to him, “The LORD says, ‘Because you have sent messengers to enquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? Therefore you will not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but you will surely die.’”

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, but not like his father and like his mother, for he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made.

She said to her husband, “See now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God who passes by us continually.

But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” He urged him to take it; but he refused.

He said to him, “Didn’t my heart go with you when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive groves and vineyards, and sheep and cattle, and male servants and female servants?

Therefore the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and to your offspring forever.” He went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow.

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.”

You must strike your master Ahab’s house, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.

So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram was defending Ramoth Gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria;

When Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace, so long as the prostitution of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft abound?”

‘Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons,’ says the LORD; ‘and I will repay you in this plot of ground,’ says the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him onto the plot of ground, according to the LORD’s word.”

When he had come in, he ate and drank. Then he said, “See now to this cursed woman, and bury her; for she is a king’s daughter.”

They went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands.

Therefore they came back, and told him. He said, “This is the LORD’s word, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘The dogs will eat the flesh of Jezebel on the plot of Jezreel,

and the body of Jezebel will be as dung on the surface of the field on Jezreel’s land, so that they won’t say, “This is Jezebel.”’”

In the morning, he went out and stood, and said to all the people, “You are righteous. Behold, I conspired against my master and killed him, but who killed all these?

Jehu went with Jehonadab the son of Rechab into the house of Baal. Then he said to the worshippers of Baal, “Search, and see that none of the servants of the LORD are here with you, but only the worshippers of Baal.”

They brought out the pillars that were in the house of Baal and burnt them.

They broke down the pillar of Baal, and broke down the house of Baal, and made it a latrine, to this day.

Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.

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.”

Jehoash did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight. He didn’t depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin; but he walked in them.

He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, yet not like David his father. He did according to all that Joash his father had done.

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight. He didn’t depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.

He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, as his fathers had done. He didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight. He didn’t depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight. He didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight. He didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.

He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes. He did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.

Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He didn’t do that which was right in the LORD his God’s eyes, like David his father.

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him.

and walked in the statutes of the nations whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they made.

The children of Israel secretly did things that were not right against the LORD their God; and they built high places for themselves in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city;

Yet the LORD testified to Israel and to Judah, by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.”

They rejected his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them.

He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, according to all that David his father had done.

Whom have you defied and blasphemed? Against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel!

“Remember now, LORD, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, after the abominations of the nations whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he raised up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel did, and worshipped all the army of the sky, and served them.

He built altars in the LORD’s house, of which the LORD said, “I will put my name in Jerusalem.”

He built altars for all the army of the sky in the two courts of the LORD’s house.

He made his son to pass through the fire, practised sorcery, used enchantments, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits and with wizards. He did much evil in the LORD’s sight, to provoke him to anger.

He set the engraved image of Asherah that he had made in the house of which the LORD said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever;

But they didn’t listen, and Manasseh seduced them to do that which is evil more than the nations did whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.

“Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, and has done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, who were before him, and has also made Judah to sin with his idols;

because they have done that which is evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger since the day their fathers came out of Egypt, even to this day.’”

Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; in addition to his sin with which he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the LORD’s sight.

Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, as Manasseh his father did.

He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, and walked in all the ways of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left.

The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out of the LORD’s temple all the vessels that were made for Baal, for the Asherah, and for all the army of the sky; and he burnt them outside of Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.

He got rid of the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places around Jerusalem; those also who burnt incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the planets, and to all the army of the sky.

He brought out the Asherah from the LORD’s house, outside of Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burnt it at the brook Kidron, and beat it to dust, and cast its dust on the graves of the common people.

He broke down the houses of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the LORD’s house, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.

He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burnt incense, from Geba to Beersheba; and he broke down the high places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man’s left hand at the gate of the city.

He defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.

He took away the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance of the LORD’s house, by the room of Nathan Melech the officer who was in the court; and he burnt the chariots of the sun with fire.

The king broke down the altars that were on the roof of the upper room of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the LORD’s house, and beat them down from there, and cast their dust into the brook Kidron.

The king defiled the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mountain of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon.

He broke in pieces the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and filled their places with men’s bones.

Moreover the altar that was at Bethel and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, even that altar and the high place he broke down; and he burnt the high place and beat it to dust, and burnt the Asherah.

As Josiah turned himself, he spied the tombs that were there in the mountain; and he sent, and took the bones out of the tombs, and burnt them on the altar, and defiled it, according to the LORD’s word which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these things.

All the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel.

He killed all the priests of the high places that were there, on the altars, and burnt men’s bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem.

Moreover, Josiah removed those who had familiar spirits, the wizards, and the teraphim, and the idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the LORD’s house.

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, according to all that his fathers had done.

Surely at the commandment of the LORD this came on Judah, to remove them out of his sight for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did,

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.

So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD, because of the LORD’s word, which he didn’t keep, and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to enquire,

All the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

Then David said, “No one ought to carry God’s ark but the Levites. For the LORD has chosen them to carry God’s ark, and to minister to him forever.”

David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness for all his people.

But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin amongst them, for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.

David said to God, “Isn’t it I who commanded the people to be counted? It is even I who have sinned and done very wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father’s house; but not against your people, that they should be plagued.”

King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will most certainly buy it for the full price. For I will not take that which is yours for the LORD, nor offer a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”

I know also, my God, that you try the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.

God said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, honour, or the life of those who hate you, nor yet have you asked for long life; but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king,

“If a man sins against his neighbour, and an oath is laid on him to cause him to swear, and he comes and swears before your altar in this house,

then hear from heaven, act, and judge your servants, bringing retribution to the wicked, to bring his way on his own head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

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.”

Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, “The LORD is righteous.”

He did that which was evil, because he didn’t set his heart to seek the LORD.

Asa did that which was good and right in the LORD his God’s eyes,

for he took away the foreign altars and the high places, broke down the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles,

Also Maacah, the mother of Asa the king, he removed from being queen mother, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah; so Asa cut down her image, ground it into dust, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.

Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked, and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath is on you from before the LORD.

Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”

Now therefore let the fear of the LORD be on you. Take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.”

He walked in the way of Asa his father, and didn’t turn away from it, doing that which was right in the LORD’s eyes.

After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel. The same did very wickedly.

Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went to Joram; for when he had come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off Ahab’s house.

But let no one come into the LORD’s house except the priests and those who minister of the Levites. They shall come in, for they are holy, but all the people shall follow the LORD’s instructions.

Joash did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

They buried him in David’s city amongst the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and towards God and his house.

He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, but not with a perfect heart.

He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.

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

They resisted Uzziah the king, and said to him, “It isn’t for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed. It will not be for your honour from the LORD God.”

He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. However he didn’t enter into the LORD’s temple. The people still acted corruptly.

Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He didn’t do that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, like David his father,

For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, because he acted without restraint in Judah and trespassed severely against the LORD.

He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, according to all that David his father had done.

Then Hezekiah the king arose early, gathered the princes of the city, and went up to the LORD’s house.

But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings. Therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified themselves, for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

They arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and they took away all the altars for incense and threw them into the brook Kidron.

For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves; therefore the Levites were in charge of killing the Passovers for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to the LORD.

Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke the pillars in pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, also in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.

Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he did that which was good, right, and faithful before the LORD his God.

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

He took away the foreign gods and the idol out of the LORD’s house, and all the altars that he had built in the mountain of the LORD’s house and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.

He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, and walked in the ways of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left.

He broke down the altars, beat the Asherah poles and the engraved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel, then returned to Jerusalem.

Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and his good deeds, according to that which is written in the LORD’s law,

Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in the LORD his God’s sight.

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

Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight.

He did that which was evil in the LORD his God’s sight. He didn’t humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the LORD’s mouth.

Moreover all the chiefs of the priests and the people trespassed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations; and they polluted the LORD’s house which he had made holy in Jerusalem.

but they mocked the messengers of God, despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the LORD’s wrath arose against his people, until there was no remedy.

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

I said to them, “You are holy to the LORD, and the vessels are holy. The silver and the gold are a free will offering to the LORD, the God of your fathers.

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

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

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

LORD, the God of Israel, you are righteous; for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guiltiness; for no one can stand before you because of this.”

Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have trespassed, and have married foreign women, increasing the guilt of Israel.

Now therefore make confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers and do his pleasure. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign women.”

I said to them, “We, after our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Jews that were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us?” Then they held their peace, and found not a word to say.

Also I said, “The thing that you do is not good. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?

But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people, but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.

He was hired so that I would be afraid, do so, and sin, and that they might have material for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

These searched for their genealogical records, but couldn’t find them. Therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.

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

“You also came down on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments,

and testified against them, that you might bring them again to your law. Yet they were arrogant, and didn’t listen to your commandments, but sinned against your ordinances (which if a man does, he shall live in them), turned their backs, stiffened their neck, and would not hear.

However you are just in all that has come on us; for you have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly.

The priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

It came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.

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

It grieved me severely. Therefore I threw all Tobiah’s household stuff out of the room.

Then I commanded, and they cleansed the rooms. I brought into them the vessels of God’s house, with the meal offerings and the frankincense again.

Then I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is God’s house forsaken?” I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

In those days I saw some men treading wine presses on the Sabbath in Judah, bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day; and I testified against them in the day in which they sold food.

Some men of Tyre also lived there, who brought in fish and all kinds of wares, and sold on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day?

Didn’t your fathers do this, and didn’t our God bring all this evil on us and on this city? Yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”

Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.

Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen, “Who is he, and where is he who dared presume in his heart to do so?”

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

Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were with the king, said, “Behold, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman has made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, is standing at Haman’s house.” The king said, “Hang him on it!”

So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath was pacified.

the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jews’ enemy, but they didn’t lay their hand on the plunder.

The Jews who were in Susa gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and killed three hundred men in Susa; but they didn’t lay their hand on the plunder.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from evil.

The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil.”

In all this, Job didn’t sin, nor charge God with wrongdoing.

The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause.”

Isn’t your piety your confidence? Isn’t the integrity of your ways your hope?

“Remember, now, whoever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?

According to what I have seen, those who plough iniquity and sow trouble, reap the same.

‘Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?

How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?

Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?

Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?

If you were pure and upright, surely now he would awaken for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.

“Behold, God will not cast away a blameless man, neither will he uphold the evildoers.

Those who hate you will be clothed with shame. The tent of the wicked will be no more.”

“Truly I know that it is so, but how can man be just with God?

Though I were righteous, yet I wouldn’t answer him. I would make supplication to my judge.

Though I am righteous, my own mouth will condemn me. Though I am blameless, it will prove me perverse.

I am blameless. I don’t respect myself. I despise my life.

“It is all the same. Therefore I say he destroys the blameless and the wicked.

The earth is given into the hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If not he, then who is it?

If I wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye,

yet you will plunge me in the ditch. My own clothes will abhor me.

that you enquire after my iniquity, and search after my sin?

Although you know that I am not wicked, there is no one who can deliver out of your hand.

If I am wicked, woe to me. If I am righteous, I still will not lift up my head, being filled with disgrace, and conscious of my affliction.

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’

For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

I am like one who is a joke to his neighbour, I, who called on God, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke.

The tents of robbers prosper. Those who provoke God are secure, who carry their god in their hands.

He loosens the bond of kings. He binds their waist with a belt.

He leads priests away stripped, and overthrows the mighty.

He pours contempt on princes, and loosens the belt of the strong.

Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?

Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?

He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality.

This also will be my salvation, that a godless man will not come before him.

See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one.

What is man, that he should be clean? What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

Behold, he puts no trust in his holy ones. Yes, the heavens are not clean in his sight;

how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks iniquity like water!

the wicked man writhes in pain all his days, even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.

Because he has stretched out his hand against God, and behaves himself proudly against the Almighty,

he runs at him with a stiff neck, with the thick shields of his bucklers,

For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.

They conceive mischief and produce iniquity. Their heart prepares deceit.”

although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.

that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbour!

Upright men will be astonished at this. The innocent will stir himself up against the godless.

Yet the righteous will hold to his way. He who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.

“Yes, the light of the wicked will be put out. The spark of his fire won’t shine.

The light will be dark in his tent. His lamp above him will be put out.

Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous. This is the place of him who doesn’t know God.”

that the triumphing of the wicked is short, the joy of the godless but for a moment?

Though his height mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds,

yet he will perish forever like his own dung. Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’

He will fly away as a dream, and will not be found. Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.

The eye which saw him will see him no more, neither will his place see him any more.

His children will seek the favour of the poor. His hands will give back his wealth.

His bones are full of his youth, but youth will lie down with him in the dust.

“Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue,

though he spare it, and will not let it go, but keep it still within his mouth,

He has swallowed down riches, and he will vomit them up again. God will cast them out of his belly.

He will restore that for which he laboured, and will not swallow it down. He will not rejoice according to the substance that he has gotten.

For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He has violently taken away a house, and he will not build it up.

When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating.

The heavens will reveal his iniquity. The earth will rise up against him.

This is the portion of a wicked man from God, the heritage appointed to him by God.”

Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked is far from me.

For you say, ‘Where is the house of the prince? Where is the tent in which the wicked lived?’

Who will declare his way to his face? Who will repay him what he has done?

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous? Or does it benefit him that you make your ways perfect?

Is it for your piety that he reproves you, that he enters with you into judgement?

Will you keep the old way, which wicked men have trodden,

Yet he filled their houses with good things, but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

The righteous see it, and are glad. The innocent ridicule them,

saying, ‘Surely those who rose up against us are cut off. The fire has consumed their remnant.’

If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up, if you put away unrighteousness far from your tents.

He will even deliver him who is not innocent. Yes, he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.”

There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.

“These are of those who rebel against the light. They don’t know its ways, nor stay in its paths.

“They are foam on the surface of the waters. Their portion is cursed in the earth. They don’t turn into the way of the vineyards.

Drought and heat consume the snow waters, so does Sheol those who have sinned.

The womb will forget him. The worm will feed sweetly on him. He will be no more remembered. Unrighteousness will be broken as a tree.

How then can man be just with God? Or how can he who is born of a woman be clean?

surely my lips will not speak unrighteousness, neither will my tongue utter deceit.

Far be it from me that I should justify you. Until I die I will not put away my integrity from me.

I hold fast to my righteousness, and will not let it go. My heart will not reproach me so long as I live.

“Let my enemy be as the wicked. Let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.

For what is the hope of the godless, when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?

“This is the portion of a wicked man with God, the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty.

he may prepare it, but the just will put it on, and the innocent will divide the silver.

To man he said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.’”

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me. My justice was as a robe and a diadem.

I broke the jaws of the unrighteous and plucked the prey out of his teeth.

They are children of fools, yes, children of wicked men. They were flogged out of the land.

“I made a covenant with my eyes; how then should I look lustfully at a young woman?

Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, and disaster to the workers of iniquity?

“If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot has hurried to deceit

(let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity);

if my step has turned out of the way, if my heart walked after my eyes, if any defilement has stuck to my hands,

then let me sow, and let another eat. Yes, let the produce of my field be rooted out.

“If my heart has been enticed to a woman, and I have laid wait at my neighbour’s door,

For that would be a heinous crime. Yes, it would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,

“If I have despised the cause of my male servant or of my female servant, when they contended with me,

what then will I do when God rises up? When he visits, what will I answer him?

Didn’t he who made me in the womb make him? Didn’t one fashion us in the womb?

if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate;

then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder blade, and my arm be broken from the bone.

this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I would have denied the God who is above.

“If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him

(I have certainly not allowed my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse);

if the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who can find one who has not been filled with his meat?’

I would declare to him the number of my steps. I would go near to him like a prince.

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.

Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom. God may refute him, not man;’

Please don’t let me respect any man’s person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

For I don’t know how to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would soon take me away.

My words will utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.

‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.

“Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.

“If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one amongst a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,

He prays to God, and he is favourable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.

He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.

If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.

Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know amongst ourselves what is good.

For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right.

who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?

“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

Should even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,

who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?

He doesn’t respect the persons of princes, nor respect the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of his hands.

There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgement.

He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.

Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

because they turned away from following him, and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways,

that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.

For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands amongst us, and multiplies his words against God.”

“Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’

that you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you? What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’

If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?

If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?

Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.

I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

He doesn’t preserve the life of the wicked, but gives justice to the afflicted.

He doesn’t withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted.

“But you are full of the judgement of the wicked. Judgement and justice take hold of you.

Don’t let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.

Take heed, don’t regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction.

Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, ‘You have committed unrighteousness’?

We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.

that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and shake the wicked out of it?

From the wicked, their light is withheld. The high arm is broken.

“Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

Will you even annul my judgement? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified?

Pour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low.

Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the wicked in their place.

Hide them in the dust together. Bind their faces in the hidden place.

It was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.

Now therefore, take to yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept him, that I not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.”

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;

Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.

For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm by David. Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonour? Will you love vanity and seek after falsehood? Selah.

But know that the LORD has set apart for himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to him.

Stand in awe, and don’t sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. Put your trust in the LORD.

For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can’t live with you.

The arrogant will not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity.

You will destroy those who speak lies. The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face.

For you will bless the righteous. LORD, you will surround him with favour as with a shield.

May all my enemies be ashamed and dismayed. They shall turn back, they shall be disgraced suddenly.

LORD, my God, if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands,

if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary),

The LORD administers judgement to the peoples. Judge me, LORD, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me.

Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.

My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.

God is a righteous judge, yes, a God who has indignation every day.

Behold, he travails with iniquity. Yes, he has conceived mischief, and brought out falsehood.

He has dug a hole, and has fallen into the pit which he made.

The trouble he causes shall return to his own head. His violence shall come down on the crown of his own head.

I will give thanks to the LORD according to his righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

For you have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously.

You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgement to the peoples in uprightness.

The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken.

The LORD has made himself known. He has executed judgement. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah.

The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God.

For the wicked boasts of his heart’s cravings. He blesses the greedy and condemns the LORD.

The wicked, in the pride of his face, has no room in his thoughts for God.

His ways are prosperous at all times. He is arrogant, and your laws are far from his sight. As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them.

He says in his heart, “I shall not be shaken. For generations I shall have no trouble.”

His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

Break the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none.

For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?

The LORD examines the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and him who loves violence.

For the LORD is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.

who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?”

“Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in safety from those who malign him.”

The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted amongst the sons of men.

For the Chief Musician. By David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt. They have done abominable deeds. There is no one who does good.

They have all gone aside. They have together become corrupt. There is no one who does good, no, not one.

There they were in great fear, for God is in the generation of the righteous.

A Psalm by David. LORD, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live on your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart;

he who doesn’t slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor casts slurs against his fellow man;

in whose eyes a vile man is despised, but who honours those who fear the LORD; he who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn’t change;

he who doesn’t lend out his money for usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be shaken.

As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.

A Prayer by David. Hear, LORD, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.

Let my sentence come out of your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.

You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.

As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.

The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands, he has recompensed me.

For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

For all his ordinances were before me. I didn’t put away his statutes from me.

I was also blameless with him. I kept myself from my iniquity.

Therefore the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man, you will show yourself perfect.

With the pure, you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.

The LORD’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. The LORD’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple.

The LORD’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. The LORD’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. The LORD’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.

They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my rock, and my redeemer.

For they intended evil against you. They plotted evil against you which cannot succeed.

But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel.

They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a people that shall be born, for he has done it.

He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Who may ascend to the LORD’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Good and upright is the LORD, therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.

Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.

By David. Judge me, LORD, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted also in the LORD without wavering.

Examine me, LORD, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.

I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.

I hate the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.

I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will go about your altar, LORD,

Don’t gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men

in whose hands is wickedness; their right hand is full of bribes.

But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Redeem me, and be merciful to me.

My foot stands in an even place. In the congregations I will bless the LORD.

Don’t draw me away with the wicked, with the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.

Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve.

Because they don’t respect the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he will break them down and not build them up.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. In you, LORD, I take refuge. Let me never be disappointed. Deliver me in your righteousness.

I hate those who regard lying vanities, but I trust in the LORD.

Let me not be disappointed, LORD, for I have called on you. Let the wicked be disappointed. Let them be silent in Sheol.

Let the lying lips be mute, which speak against the righteous insolently, with pride and contempt.

Blessed is the man to whom the LORD doesn’t impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart!

Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous! Praise is fitting for the upright.

For the LORD’s word is right. All his work is done in faithfulness.

He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the loving kindness of the LORD.

Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.

Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.

The LORD’s eyes are towards the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.

The LORD’s face is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.

Vindicate me, LORD my God, according to your righteousness. Don’t let them gloat over me.

Let them be disappointed and confounded together who rejoice at my calamity. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonour who magnify themselves against me.

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!”

My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long.

For the Chief Musician. By David, the servant of the LORD. A revelation is within my heart about the disobedience of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgements are like a great deep. LORD, you preserve man and animal.

Oh continue your loving kindness to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.

There the workers of iniquity are fallen. They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise.

he will make your righteousness shine out like light, and your justice as the noon day sun.

For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.

But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.

The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.

The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright on the path.

Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.

Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked.

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

The LORD knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever.

They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of the LORD shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish— vanish like smoke.

The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.

For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.

Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.

The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.

The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.

The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.

The wicked watch the righteous, and seek to kill him.

Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

They who render evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.

When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, you consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” Selah.

I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, LORD, you know.

I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart. I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great assembly.

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.

As for me, you uphold me in my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.

In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand display awesome deeds.

Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A sceptre of equity is the sceptre of your kingdom.

You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

As is your name, God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is full of righteousness.

But man, despite his riches, doesn’t endure. He is like the animals that perish.

This is the destiny of those who are foolish, and of those who approve their sayings. Selah.

They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, far from their mansion.

The heavens shall declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah.

But to the wicked God says, “What right do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips,

since you hate instruction, and throw my words behind you?

When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have participated with adulterers.

“You give your mouth to evil. Your tongue frames deceit.

You sit and speak against your brother. You slander your own mother’s son.

You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes.

Against you, and you only, I have sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge.

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.

You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking the truth. Selah.

The righteous also will see it, and fear, and laugh at him, saying,

For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Mahalath.” A contemplation by David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity. There is no one who does good.

God looks down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there are any who understood, who seek after God.

Every one of them has gone back. They have become filthy together. There is no one who does good, no, not one.

He will repay the evil to my enemies. Destroy them in your truth.

God, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. Selah. They never change and don’t fear God.

Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.

For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David. Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones? Do you judge blamelessly, you sons of men?

No, in your heart you plot injustice. You measure out the violence of your hands in the earth.

The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.

Their poison is like the poison of a snake, like a deaf cobra that stops its ear,

which doesn’t listen to the voice of charmers, no matter how skilful the charmer may be.

The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked,

so that men shall say, “Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth.”

I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Rise up, behold, and help me!

For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride, for the curses and lies which they utter.

Also to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, for you reward every man according to his work.

Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads.

The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him!

By awesome deeds of righteousness, you answer us, God of our salvation. You who are the hope of all the ends of the earth, of those who are far away on the sea.

If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn’t have listened.

Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth. Selah.

As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.

But God will strike through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of such a one as still continues in his guiltiness.

Don’t let those who wait for you be shamed through me, Lord GOD of Armies. Don’t let those who seek you be brought to dishonour through me, God of Israel.

Charge them with crime upon crime. Don’t let them come into your righteousness.

Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous.

Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me. Turn your ear to me, and save me.

My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure.

I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord GOD. I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone.

God, your righteousness also reaches to the heavens. You have done great things. God, who is like you?

My tongue will also talk about your righteousness all day long, for they are disappointed, and they are confounded, who want to harm me.

By Solomon. God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.

He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.

The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people. The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.

In his days, the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.

A Psalm by Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence,

As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.

For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.

When I choose the appointed time, I will judge blamelessly.

I said to the arrogant, “Don’t boast!” I said to the wicked, “Don’t lift up the horn.

Don’t lift up your horn on high. Don’t speak with a stiff neck.”

But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another.

For in the LORD’s hand there is a cup, full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours it out. Indeed the wicked of the earth drink and drink it to its very dregs.

I will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.

Your way, God, is in the sanctuary. What god is great like God?

So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

The haters of the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.

A Psalm by Asaph. God presides in the great assembly. He judges amongst the gods.

“How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?” Selah.

They don’t know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

I said, “You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High.

Arise, God, judge the earth, for you inherit all of the nations.

that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

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.

Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven.

Righteousness goes before him, and prepares the way for his steps.

Are your wonders made known in the dark? Or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.

In your name they rejoice all day. In your righteousness, they are exalted.

If his children forsake my law, and don’t walk in my ordinances;

if they break my statutes, and don’t keep my commandments;

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

You will only look with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked.

though the wicked spring up as the grass, and all the evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.

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.

to show that the LORD is upright. He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Your statutes stand firm. Holiness adorns your house, LORD, forever more.

LORD, you God to whom vengeance belongs, you God to whom vengeance belongs, shine out.

Rise up, you judge of the earth. Pay back the proud what they deserve.

For judgement will return to righteousness. All the upright in heart shall follow it.

Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with you, which brings about mischief by statute?

They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.

He has brought on them their own iniquity, and will cut them off in their own wickedness. The LORD, our God, will cut them off.

Say amongst the nations, “The LORD reigns.” The world is also established. It can’t be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.

before the LORD; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.

Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

The heavens declare his righteousness. All the peoples have seen his glory.

You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of his saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Be glad in the LORD, you righteous people! Give thanks to his holy Name.

The LORD has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

Let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

The King’s strength also loves justice. You establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.

I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless heart.

I will set no vile thing before my eyes. I hate the deeds of faithless men. They will not cling to me.

A perverse heart will be far from me. I will have nothing to do with evil.

I will silence whoever secretly slanders his neighbour. I won’t tolerate one who is arrogant and conceited.

My eyes will be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me. He who walks in a perfect way, he will serve me.

He who practices deceit won’t dwell within my house. He who speaks falsehood won’t be established before my eyes.

Morning by morning, I will destroy all the wicked of the land, to cut off all the workers of iniquity from the LORD’s city.

The LORD executes righteous acts, and justice for all who are oppressed.

But the LORD’s loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, his righteousness to children’s children,

Blessed are those who keep justice. Blessed is one who does what is right at all times.

They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron, the LORD’s saint.

That was credited to him for righteousness, for all generations to come.

Therefore the LORD burnt with anger against his people. He abhorred his inheritance.

because they rebelled against the words of God, and condemned the counsel of the Most High.

and a fruitful land into a salt waste, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it.

He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in a trackless waste.

The upright will see it, and be glad. All the wicked will shut their mouths.

Yes, he loved cursing, and it came to him. He didn’t delight in blessing, and it was far from him.

He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones.

His work is honour and majesty. His righteousness endures forever.

They are established forever and ever. They are done in truth and uprightness.

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.

Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous.

It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgement.

For he will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever.

He has dispersed, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honour.

The wicked will see it, and be grieved. He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away. The desire of the wicked will perish.

The LORD is gracious and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful.

The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.

Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to the LORD.

This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous will enter into it.

ALEPH Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the LORD’s law.

Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.

I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgements.

You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.

I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.

Turn my heart towards your statutes, not towards selfish gain.

Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.

Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.

Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.

At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.

You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.

Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.

LORD, I know that your judgements are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

Let my heart be blameless towards your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.

The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.

I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.

Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.

SAMEKH I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.

Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.

You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.

AYIN I have done what is just and righteous. Don’t leave me to my oppressors.

My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.

It is time to act, LORD, for they break your law.

Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.

TZADHE You are righteous, LORD. Your judgements are upright.

You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.

Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.

They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.

Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don’t seek your statutes.

I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don’t observe your word.

All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.

I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.

Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.

I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.

Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.

For there are set thrones for judgement, the thrones of David’s house.

For the sceptre of wickedness won’t remain over the allotment of the righteous, so that the righteous won’t use their hands to do evil.

Do good, LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in their hearts.

But as for those who turn away to their crooked ways, the LORD will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be on Israel.

Behold, this is how the man who fears the LORD is blessed.

The LORD is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked.

Let them be disappointed and turned backward, all those who hate Zion.

If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness. Let your saints shout for joy!

If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.

LORD, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?

I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.

See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

LORD, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.

An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.

Don’t incline my heart to any evil thing, to practise deeds of wickedness with men who work iniquity. Don’t let me eat of their delicacies.

Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; don’t let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds.

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.

A Psalm by David. Hear my prayer, LORD. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me.

Don’t enter into judgement with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous.

Revive me, LORD, for your name’s sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.

whose mouths speak deceit, whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

They will utter the memory of your great goodness, and will sing of your righteousness.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and gracious in all his works.

The LORD preserves all those who love him, but he will destroy all the wicked.

The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD raises up those who are bowed down. The LORD loves the righteous.

The LORD upholds the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground.

to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples;

to execute on them the written judgement. All his saints have this honour. Praise the LORD!

to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.

He lays up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

that he may guard the paths of justice, and preserve the way of his saints.

Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.

who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness,

who are crooked in their ways, and wayward in their paths,

Therefore walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

For the upright will dwell in the land. The perfect will remain in it.

But the wicked will be cut off from the land. The treacherous will be rooted out of it.

Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

Don’t say to your neighbour, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you.

Don’t devise evil against your neighbour, since he dwells securely by you.

Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.

Don’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.

For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD, but his friendship is with the upright.

The LORD’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.

Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.

Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,

Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.

The LORD will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.

The labour of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin.

The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth.

The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.

What the wicked fear will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever.

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish.

The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.

A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but accurate weights are his delight.

When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.

The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.

A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.

With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbour, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.

By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.

He who diligently seeks good seeks favour, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.

He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.

Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

A good man shall obtain favour from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.

A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.

A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.

He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.

Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.

No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who do the truth are his delight.

A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.

A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.

Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.

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.

He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.

Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but amongst the upright there is good will.

The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.

The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.

The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.

The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.

The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.

He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.

The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.

The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.

The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.

Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

Inspired judgements are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.

It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.

Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

Grey hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.

An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.

Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.

To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.

One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.

A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.

Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.

That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.

He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.

Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.

A king who sits on the throne of judgement scatters away all evil with his eyes.

Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?

Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.

The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.

A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.

Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays from them.

He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.

Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;

for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.

Don’t move the ancient boundary stone. Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

Yes, my heart will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

Don’t let your heart envy sinners, but rather fear the LORD all day long.

The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.

Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;

for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.

Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.

One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.

The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.

If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?

Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;

for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

for there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgement is not good.

He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—

but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.

Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.

Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

A man who gives false testimony against his neighbour is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honourable to seek one’s own honour.

Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not fitting for a fool.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honour to a fool.

is the man who deceives his neighbour and says, “Am I not joking?”

Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.

A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbours evil in his heart.

When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.

Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.

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.

The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.

When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

A tyrannical ruler lacks judgement. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.

Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.

A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favour than one who flatters with the tongue.

Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is a partner with a destroyer.

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.

An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.

The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.

The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.

If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.

The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.

When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.

A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honour.

Many seek the ruler’s favour, but a man’s justice comes from the LORD.

A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.

“Don’t slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.

There is a generation that curses their father, and doesn’t bless their mother.

There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness.

There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up.

There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from amongst men.

“So is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’

Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”

Moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.

I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”

If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t marvel at the matter, for one official is eyed by a higher one, and there are officials over them.

A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one’s birth.

All this I have seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.

Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions.”

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.

But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he lengthen days like a shadow, because he doesn’t fear God.

There is a vanity which is done on the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked. Again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.

For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it is love or hatred, man doesn’t know it; all is before them.

All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good, to the clean, to the unclean, to him who sacrifices, and to him who doesn’t sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; he who takes an oath, as he who fears an oath.

I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.

Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!

Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

For God will bring every work into judgement, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.

Ah sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They are estranged and backward.

Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me. New moons, Sabbaths, and convocations— I can’t stand evil assemblies.

Wash yourselves. Make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil.

Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless. Plead for the widow.”

but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for the LORD’s mouth has spoken it.”

How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She was full of justice. Righteousness lodged in her, but now there are murderers.

Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water.

Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards. They don’t defend the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.

I will turn my hand on you, thoroughly purge away your dross, and will take away all your tin.

I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counsellors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called ‘The city of righteousness, a faithful town.’

Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness.

But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together, and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.

The lofty looks of man will be brought low, the arrogance of men will be bowed down, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

For there will be a day of the LORD of Armies for all that is proud and arrogant, and for all that is lifted up, and it shall be brought low—

The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the arrogance of men shall be brought low; and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen; because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.

The look of their faces testify against them. They parade their sin like Sodom. They don’t hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought disaster upon themselves.

Tell the righteous that it will be well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds.

Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them, for the deeds of their hands will be paid back to them.

The LORD stands up to contend, and stands to judge the peoples.

The LORD will enter into judgement with the elders of his people and their leaders: “It is you who have eaten up the vineyard. The plunder of the poor is in your houses.

What do you mean that you crush my people, and grind the face of the poor?” says the Lord, the LORD of Armies.

Moreover the LORD said, “Because the daughters of Zion are arrogant, and walk with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, walking daintily as they go, jingling ornaments on their feet;

therefore the Lord brings sores on the crown of the head of the women of Zion, and the LORD will make their scalps bald.”

In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, the headbands, the crescent necklaces,

the earrings, the bracelets, the veils,

the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume containers, the charms,

the signet rings, the nose rings,

the fine robes, the capes, the cloaks, the purses,

It will happen that he who is left in Zion and he who remains in Jerusalem shall be called holy, even everyone who is written amongst the living in Jerusalem,

For the vineyard of the LORD of Armies is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression, for righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.

The harp, lyre, tambourine, and flute, with wine, are at their feasts; but they don’t respect the work of the LORD, neither have they considered the operation of his hands.

So man is brought low, mankind is humbled, and the eyes of the arrogant ones are humbled;

but the LORD of Armies is exalted in justice, and God the Holy One is sanctified in righteousness.

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice for the innocent!

Therefore as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as the dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust, because they have rejected the law of the LORD of Armies, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

One called to another, and said, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!”

Then I said, “Woe is me! For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips and I live amongst a people of unclean lips, for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Armies!”

He shall eat butter and honey when he knows to refuse the evil and choose the good.

For before the child knows to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you abhor shall be forsaken.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will perform this.

The elder and the honourable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.

Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers who write oppressive decrees

to deprive the needy of justice, and to rob the poor amongst my people of their rights, that widows may be their plunder, and that they may make the fatherless their prey!

Therefore it will happen that when the Lord has performed his whole work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the wilful proud heart of the king of Assyria, and the insolence of his arrogant looks.

Should an axe brag against him who chops with it? Should a saw exalt itself above him who saws with it? As if a rod should lift those who lift it up, or as if a staff should lift up someone who is not wood.

The light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.

For though your people, Israel, are like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness.

but he will judge the poor with righteousness, and decide with equity for the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked.

Righteousness will be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his waist.

I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity. I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will humble the arrogance of the terrible.

A throne will be established in loving kindness. One will sit on it in truth, in the tent of David, judging, seeking justice, and swift to do righteousness.

The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish. The counsel of the wisest counsellors of Pharaoh has become stupid. How do you say to Pharaoh, “I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings”?

The princes of Zoan have become fools. The princes of Memphis are deceived. They have caused Egypt to go astray, those who are the cornerstone of her tribes.

The LORD has mixed a spirit of perverseness in the middle of her; and they have caused Egypt to go astray in all of its works, like a drunken man staggers in his vomit.

Behold, here comes a troop of men, horsemen in pairs.” He answered, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the engraved images of her gods are broken to the ground.

Her merchandise and her wages will be holiness to the LORD. It will not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise will be for those who dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

The earth also is polluted under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant.

From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs. Glory to the righteous! But I said, “I pine away! I pine away! woe is me!” The treacherous have dealt treacherously. Yes, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously.

Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter: the one which keeps faith.

The way of the just is uprightness. You who are upright make the path of the righteous level.

With my soul I have desired you in the night. Yes, with my spirit within me I will seek you earnestly; for when your judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Let favour be shown to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness. In the land of uprightness he will deal wrongfully, and will not see the LORD’s majesty.

I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line. The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place.

For the ruthless is brought to nothing, and the scoffer ceases, and all those who are alert to do evil are cut off—

who cause a person to be indicted by a word, and lay a snare for one who reproves in the gate, and who deprive the innocent of justice with false testimony.

For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the LORD’s law;

who tell the seers, “Don’t see!” and the prophets, “Don’t prophesy to us right things. Tell us pleasant things. Prophesy deceits.

Get out of the way. Turn away from the path. Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.”

Therefore the Holy One of Israel says, “Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and rely on it,

You shall defile the overlaying of your engraved images of silver, and the plating of your molten images of gold. You shall cast them away as an unclean thing. You shall tell it, “Go away!”

For in that day everyone shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold—sin which your own hands have made for you.

Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.

The fool will no longer be called noble, nor the scoundrel be highly respected.

But the noble devises noble things, and he will continue in noble things.

Then justice will dwell in the wilderness; and righteousness will remain in the fruitful field.

The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.

The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high. He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.

The sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the godless ones. Who amongst us can live with the devouring fire? Who amongst us can live with everlasting burning?

He who walks righteously and speaks blamelessly, he who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from looking at evil—

For the LORD is our judge. The LORD is our lawgiver. The LORD is our king. He will save us.

For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.

A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called “The Holy Way”. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools shall not go there.

Whom have you defied and blasphemed? Against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel.

But I know your sitting down, your going out, your coming in, and your raging against me.

Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance has come up into my ears, therefore I will put my hook in your nose and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.

and said, “Remember now, the LORD, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” Then Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Who has raised up one from the east? Who called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands over nations to him and makes him rule over kings. He gives them like the dust to his sword, like the driven stubble to his bow.

Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

Behold, you are nothing, and your work is nothing. He who chooses you is an abomination.

Who has declared it from the beginning, that we may know? and before, that we may say, ‘He is right’? Surely, there is no one who declares. Surely, there is no one who shows. Surely, there is no one who hears your words.

“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.

“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness. I will hold your hand. I will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations,

It pleased the LORD, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify the law and make it honourable.

Who gave Jacob as plunder, and Israel to the robbers? Didn’t the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? For they would not walk in his ways, and they disobeyed his law.

Put me in remembrance. Let us plead together. Declare your case, that you may be justified.

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 have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward,” says the LORD of Armies.

I have not spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness. I didn’t say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak righteousness. I declare things that are right.

Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, the LORD? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Saviour. There is no one besides me.

I have sworn by myself. The word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not be revoked, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.

They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in the LORD.’” Even to him will men come. All those who raged against him will be disappointed.

All the offspring of Israel will be justified in the LORD, and will rejoice!

Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness!

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.

“Hear this, house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, and have come out of the waters of Judah. You swear by the LORD’s name, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness—

Yes, you didn’t hear. Yes, you didn’t know. Yes, from of old your ear was not opened, for I knew that you dealt very treacherously, and were called a transgressor from the womb.

For my own sake, for my own sake, I will do it; for how would my name be profaned? I will not give my glory to another.

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.

“There is no peace”, says the LORD, “for the wicked.”

The LORD says, “Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away? Or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Behold, you were sold for your iniquities, and your mother was put away for your transgressions.

He who justifies me is near. Who will bring charges against me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.

“Listen to me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD. Look to the rock you were cut from, and to the quarry you were dug from.

“Listen to me, my people; and hear me, my nation, for a law will go out from me, and I will establish my justice for a light to the peoples.

My righteousness is near. My salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples. The islands will wait for me, and they will trust my arm.

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish away like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a garment. Its inhabitants will die in the same way, but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will not be abolished.

“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law. Don’t fear the reproach of men, and don’t be dismayed at their insults.

For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.”

so he will cleanse many nations. Kings will shut their mouths at him; for they will see that which had not been told them, and they will understand that which they had not heard.

But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was taken away by oppression and judgement. As for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living and stricken for the disobedience of my people?

They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light and be satisfied. My righteous servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself; and he will bear their iniquities.

You will be established in righteousness. You will be far from oppression, for you will not be afraid, and far from terror, for it shall not come near you.

No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgement. This is the heritage of the LORD’s servants, and their righteousness is of me,” says the LORD.

The LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is near and my righteousness will soon be revealed.

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.”

The righteous perish, and no one lays it to heart. Merciful men are taken away, and no one considers that the righteous is taken away from the evil.

He enters into peace. They rest in their beds, each one who walks in his uprightness.

Whom do you mock? Against whom do you make a wide mouth and stick out your tongue? Aren’t you children of disobedience and offspring of falsehood,

you who inflame yourselves amongst the oaks, under every green tree; who kill the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?

On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed. You also went up there to offer sacrifice.

You have set up your memorial behind the doors and the posts, for you have exposed yourself to someone besides me, and have gone up. You have enlarged your bed and made you a covenant with them. You loved what you saw on their bed.

You went to the king with oil, increased your perfumes, sent your ambassadors far off, and degraded yourself even to Sheol.

You were wearied with the length of your ways; yet you didn’t say, ‘It is in vain.’ You found a reviving of your strength; therefore you weren’t faint.

“Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lie, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Haven’t I held my peace for a long time, and you don’t fear me?

I will declare your righteousness; and as for your works, they will not benefit you.

I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness and struck him. I hid myself and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.

“Cry aloud! Don’t spare! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Declare to my people their disobedience, and to the house of Jacob their sins.

Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways. As a nation that did righteousness, and didn’t forsake the ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous judgements. They delight to draw near to God.

Then your light will break out as the morning, and your healing will appear quickly; then your righteousness shall go before you, and the LORD’s glory will be your rear guard.

For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity. Your lips have spoken lies. Your tongue mutters wickedness.

No one sues in righteousness, and no one pleads in truth. They trust in vanity and speak lies. They conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.

Their webs won’t become garments. They won’t cover themselves with their works. Their works are works of iniquity, and acts of violence are in their hands.

Their feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity. Desolation and destruction are in their paths.

They don’t know the way of peace; and there is no justice in their ways. They have made crooked paths for themselves; whoever goes in them doesn’t know peace.

Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness doesn’t overtake us. We look for light, but see darkness; for brightness, but we walk in obscurity.

Justice is turned away backward, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has fallen in the street, and uprightness can’t enter.

He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor. Therefore his own arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness sustained him.

He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head. He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a mantle.

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.

to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

“For I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and iniquity. I will give them their reward in truth and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD! My soul will be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth produces its bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning lamp.

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.

They will call them “The Holy People, The LORD’s Redeemed”. You will be called “Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken”.

Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? Who is this who is glorious in his clothing, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”

You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned. We have been in sin for a long time. Shall we be saved?

For we have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

who say, ‘Stay by yourself, don’t come near to me, for I am holier than you.’ These are smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all day.

He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog’s neck; he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig’s blood; he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations.

“Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens, following one in the middle, eating pig’s meat, abominable things, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together,” says the LORD.

“They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against me; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

Israel was holiness to the LORD, the first fruits of his increase. All who devour him will be held guilty. Evil will come on them,”’ says the LORD.”

The LORD says, “What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after worthless vanity, and have become worthless?

For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before me,” says the Lord GOD.

“Yet you said, ‘I am innocent. Surely his anger has turned away from me.’ “Behold, I will judge you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’

“‘Will he retain his anger forever? Will he keep it to the end?’ Behold, you have spoken and have done evil things, and have had your way.”

The LORD said to me, “Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.

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.”

“Run back and forth through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in its wide places, if you can find a man, if there is anyone who does justly, who seeks truth, then I will pardon her.

Though they say, ‘As the LORD lives,’ surely they swear falsely.”

O LORD, don’t your eyes look on truth? You have stricken them, but they were not grieved. You have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction. They have made their faces harder than a rock. They have refused to return.

Shouldn’t I punish them for these things?” says the LORD. “Shouldn’t my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

For wicked men are found amongst my people. They watch, as fowlers lie in wait. They set a trap. They catch men.

As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit. Therefore they have become great, and grew rich.

They have grown fat. They shine; yes, they excel in deeds of wickedness. They don’t plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and they don’t defend the rights of the needy.

“Shouldn’t I punish for these things?” says the LORD. “Shouldn’t my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and my people love to have it so. What will you do in the end of it?

“For from their least even to their greatest, everyone is given to covetousness. From the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely.

To what purpose does frankincense from Sheba come to me, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.”

They are all grievous rebels, going around to slander. They are bronze and iron. All of them deal corruptly.

The bellows blow fiercely. The lead is consumed in the fire. In vain they go on refining, for the wicked are not plucked away.

Men will call them rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them.”

Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it,” says the LORD.

Don’t you see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

Do they provoke me to anger?” says the LORD. “Don’t they provoke themselves, to the confusion of their own faces?”

“For the children of Judah have done that which is evil in my sight,” says the LORD. “They have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to defile it.

I listened and heard, but they didn’t say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, “What have I done?” Everyone turns to his course, as a horse that rushes headlong in the battle.

“‘How do you say, “We are wise, and the LORD’s law is with us”? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has made that a lie.

Therefore I will give their wives to others and their fields to those who will possess them. For everyone from the least even to the greatest is given to covetousness; from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely.

They have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace.

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed. They couldn’t blush. Therefore they will fall amongst those who fall. In the time of their visitation they will be cast down, says the LORD.

“They bend their tongue, as their bow, for falsehood. They have grown strong in the land, but not for truth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they don’t know me,” says the LORD.

Shouldn’t I punish them for these things?” says the LORD. “Shouldn’t my soul be avenged on a nation such as this?

But let him who glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for I delight in these things,” says the LORD.

Egypt, Judah, Edom, the children of Ammon, Moab, and all who have the corners of their hair cut off, who dwell in the wilderness, for all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”

What has my beloved to do in my house, since she has behaved lewdly with many, and the holy flesh has passed from you? When you do evil, then you rejoice.”

But, LORD of Armies, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, I will see your vengeance on them; for to you I have revealed my cause.

You are righteous, LORD, when I contend with you; yet I would like to plead a case with you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are they all at ease who deal very treacherously?

You have planted them. Yes, they have taken root. They grow. Yes, they produce fruit. You are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil.

Therefore the LORD says, “If you return, then I will bring you again, that you may stand before me; and if you take out the precious from the vile, you will be as my mouth. They will return to you, but you will not return to them.

You have done evil more than your fathers, for behold, you each walk after the stubbornness of his evil heart, so that you don’t listen to me.

For my eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from my face. Their iniquity isn’t concealed from my eyes.

“The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond. It is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of your altars.

“I, the LORD, search the mind. I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”

As the partridge that sits on eggs which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches, and not by right. In the middle of his days, they will leave him. At his end, he will be a fool.

Because they have forsaken me, and have defiled this place, and have burnt incense in it to other gods that they didn’t know—they, their fathers, and the kings of Judah—and have filled this place with the blood of innocents,

and have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire for burnt offerings to Baal, which I didn’t command, nor speak, which didn’t even enter into my mind.

The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah, which are defiled, will be as the place of Topheth, even all the houses on whose roofs they have burnt incense to all the army of the sky and have poured out drink offerings to other gods.”’”

“The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel says, ‘Behold, I will bring on this city and on all its towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have made their neck stiff, that they may not hear my words.’”

But the LORD of Armies, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for I have revealed my cause to you.

House of David, the LORD says, ‘Execute justice in the morning, and deliver him who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my wrath go out like fire, and burn so that no one can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

The LORD says: “Execute justice and righteousness, and deliver him who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong. Do no violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Don’t shed innocent blood in this place.

“Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his rooms by injustice; who uses his neighbour’s service without wages, and doesn’t give him his hire;

“Should you reign because you strive to excel in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him.

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; so then it was well. Wasn’t this to know me?” says the LORD.

But your eyes and your heart are only for your covetousness, for shedding innocent blood, for oppression, and for doing violence.”

I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, ‘I will not listen.’ This has been your way from your youth, that you didn’t obey my voice.

“As I live,” says the LORD, “though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet on my right hand, I would still pluck you from there.

“Behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that I will raise to David a righteous Branch; and he will reign as king and deal wisely, and will execute justice and righteousness in the land.

In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. This is his name by which he will be called: The LORD our righteousness.

for both prophet and priest are profane. Yes, in my house I have found their wickedness,” says the LORD.

In the prophets of Jerusalem I have also seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one returns from his wickedness. They have all become to me as Sodom, and its inhabitants as Gomorrah.”

They say continually to those who despise me, ‘The LORD has said, “You will have peace;”’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, ‘No evil will come on you.’

Behold, the LORD’s storm, his wrath, has gone out. Yes, a whirling storm! It will burst on the head of the wicked.

I didn’t send these prophets, yet they ran. I didn’t speak to them, yet they prophesied.

“I have heard what the prophets have said, who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’

How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, even the prophets of the deceit of their own heart?

“Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” says the LORD, “who each steal my words from his neighbour.

Behold, I am against the prophets,” says the LORD, “who use their tongues, and say, ‘He says.’

Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams,” says the LORD, “who tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting; yet I didn’t send them or command them. They don’t profit this people at all,” says the LORD.

“When this people, or the prophet, or a priest, asks you, saying, ‘What is the message from the LORD?’ Then you shall tell them, ‘“What message? I will cast you off,” says the LORD.’

As for the prophet, the priest, and the people, who say, ‘The message from the LORD,’ I will even punish that man and his household.

You will mention the message from the LORD no more, for every man’s own word has become his message; for you have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of Armies, our God.

“It will happen, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,” says the LORD, “for their iniquity. I will make the land of the Chaldeans desolate forever.

I will bring on that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations.

For many nations and great kings will make bondservants of them, even of them. I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the work of their hands.”

For, behold, I begin to work evil at the city which is called by my name; and should you be utterly unpunished? You will not be unpunished; for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth, says the LORD of Armies.”’

A noise will come even to the end of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with the nations. He will enter into judgement with all flesh. As for the wicked, he will give them to the sword,”’ says the LORD.”

But as for me, behold, I am in your hand. Do with me what is good and right in your eyes.

because they have done foolish things in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken words in my name falsely, which I didn’t command them. I am he who knows, and am witness,” 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.’

“In those days they will say no more, “‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’

But everyone will die for his own iniquity. Every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge.

great in counsel, and mighty in work; whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of men, to give everyone according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings;

“For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have done only that which was evil in my sight from their youth; for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, says the LORD.

because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger—they, their kings, their princes, their priests, their prophets, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

But they set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to defile it.

They built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through fire to Molech, which I didn’t command them. It didn’t even come into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.”

“In those days and at that time, I will cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up to David. He will execute justice and righteousness in the land.

In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely. This is the name by which she will be called: The LORD our righteousness.”

You had now turned, and had done that which is right in my eyes, in every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbour. You had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name;

Concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah you shall say, ‘The LORD says: “You have burnt this scroll, saying, ‘Why have you written therein, saying, “The king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, and will cause to cease from there man and animal”?’”

But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, “You shall not do this thing, for you speak falsely of Ishmael.”

Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, their confidence.

Moab will be destroyed from being a people, because he has magnified himself against the LORD.

Of the children of Ammon. The LORD says: “Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then does Malcam possess Gad, and his people dwell in its cities?

All who found them have devoured them. Their adversaries said, ‘We are not guilty, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of righteousness, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’

“Call together the archers against Babylon, all those who bend the bow. Encamp against her all around. Let none of it escape. Pay her back according to her work. According to all that she has done, do to her; for she has been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

‘The LORD has produced our righteousness. Come, and let’s declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.’

“I will render to Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight,” says the LORD.

He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.

“The LORD is righteous, for I have rebelled against his commandment. Please hear all you peoples, and see my sorrow. My virgins and my young men have gone into captivity.

to subvert a man in his cause, the Lord doesn’t approve.

You will pay them back, LORD, according to the work of their hands.

You will give them hardness of heart, your curse to them.

Her nobles were purer than snow. They were whiter than milk. They were more ruddy in body than rubies. Their polishing was like sapphire.

It is because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the middle of her.

When I tell the wicked, ‘You will surely die;’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity; but I will require his blood at your hand.

Yet if you warn the wicked, and he doesn’t turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.”

“Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he will die. Because you have not given him warning, he will die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered; but I will require his blood at your hand.

Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man, that the righteous not sin, and he does not sin, he will surely live, because he took warning; and you have delivered your soul.”

Then I said, “Ah Lord GOD! Behold, my soul has not been polluted; for from my youth up even until now I have not eaten of that which dies of itself, or is torn of animals. No abominable meat has come into my mouth!”

She has rebelled against my ordinances in doing wickedness more than the nations, and against my statutes more than the countries that are around her; for they have rejected my ordinances, and as for my statutes, they have not walked in them.’

They will know that I am the LORD. I have not said in vain that I would do this evil to them.”’

You will know that I am the LORD when their slain men are amongst their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, under every green tree, and under every thick oak—the places where they offered pleasant aroma to all their idols.

I will stretch out my hand on them and make the land desolate and waste, from the wilderness towards Diblah, throughout all their habitations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”

As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty; but they made the images of their abominations and their detestable things therein. Therefore I have made it to them as an unclean thing.

He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they do? Even the great abominations that the house of Israel commit here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? But you will again see yet other great abominations.”

Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence, and have turned again to provoke me to anger. Behold, they put the branch to their nose.

The LORD said to him, “Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”

Then he said to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perversion; for they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD doesn’t see.’

He said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity, and who give wicked counsel in this city;

You will know that I am the LORD, for you have not walked in my statutes. You have not executed my ordinances, but have done after the ordinances of the nations that are around you.”’”

“‘They will come there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there.

that they may walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

But as for them whose heart walks after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their way on their own heads,’ says the Lord GOD.”

For there will be no more any false vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.

“‘Therefore the Lord GOD says: “Because you have spoken falsehood and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you,” says the Lord GOD.

“My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who utter lying divinations. They will not be in the council of my people, neither will they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither will they enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.”

“‘Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, “Peace;” and there is no peace. When one builds up a wall, behold, they plaster it with whitewash.

Tell those who plaster it with whitewash that it will fall. There will be an overflowing shower; and you, great hailstones, will fall. A stormy wind will tear it.

Because with lies you have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive.

They will bear their iniquity. The iniquity of the prophet will be even as the iniquity of him who seeks him,

that the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, neither defile themselves any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God,” says the Lord GOD.’”

though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only their own souls by their righteousness,” says the Lord GOD.

though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord GOD, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters. They only would be delivered, but the land would be desolate.

though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord GOD, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only would be delivered themselves.

though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live,” says the Lord GOD, “they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only their own souls by their righteousness.”

“‘“How weak is your heart,” says the Lord GOD, “since you do all these things, the work of an impudent prostitute;

‘The Lord GOD says, “Because your filthiness was poured out, and your nakedness uncovered through your prostitution with your lovers; and because of all the idols of your abominations, and for the blood of your children, that you gave to them;

Yet you have not walked in their ways, nor done their abominations; but soon you were more corrupt than they in all your ways.

As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “Sodom your sister has not done, she nor her daughters, as you have done, you and your daughters.

They were arrogant and committed abomination before me. Therefore I took them away when I saw it.

Samaria hasn’t committed half of your sins; but you have multiplied your abominations more than they, and have justified your sisters by all your abominations which you have done.

You also bear your own shame yourself, in that you have given judgement for your sisters; through your sins that you have committed more abominable than they, they are more righteous than you. Yes, be also confounded, and bear your shame, in that you have justified your sisters.

before your wickedness was uncovered, as at the time of the reproach of the daughters of Syria, and of all who are around her, the daughters of the Philistines, who despise you all around.

You have borne your lewdness and your abominations,” says the LORD.

“As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “you shall not use this proverb any more in Israel.

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine. The soul who sins, he shall die.

“But if a man is just, and does that which is lawful and right,

and has not eaten on the mountains, hasn’t lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hasn’t defiled his neighbour’s wife, hasn’t come near a woman in her impurity,

and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;

he who hasn’t lent to them with interest, hasn’t taken any increase from them, who has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true justice between man and man,

has walked in my statutes, and has kept my ordinances, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live,” says the Lord GOD.

“If he fathers a son who is a robber who sheds blood, and who does any one of these things,

has lent with interest, and has taken increase from the poor, shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominations. He shall surely die. His blood will be on him.

hasn’t wronged any, hasn’t taken anything to pledge, hasn’t taken by robbery, but has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;

who has withdrawn his hand from the poor, who hasn’t received interest or increase, has executed my ordinances, has walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father. He shall surely live.

As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, robbed his brother, and did that which is not good amongst his people, behold, he will die in his iniquity.

“Yet you say, ‘Why doesn’t the son bear the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes, and has done them, he will surely live.

The soul who sins, he shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him.

“But if the wicked turns from all his sins that he has committed, and keeps all my statutes, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die.

None of his transgressions that he has committed will be remembered against him. In his righteousness that he has done, he shall live.

“But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, should he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done will be remembered. In his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them he shall die.

“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not equal.’ Hear now, house of Israel: Is my way not equal? Aren’t your ways unequal?

When the righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and dies in it, then he dies in his iniquity that he has done.

Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he will save his soul alive.

Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ House of Israel, aren’t my ways fair? Aren’t your ways unfair?

“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Is it to enquire of me that you have come? As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I will not be enquired of by you.”’

“Will you judge them, son of man? Will you judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers.

I am the LORD your God. Walk in my statutes, keep my ordinances, and do them.

“Therefore tell the house of Israel, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Do you pollute yourselves in the way of your fathers? Do you play the prostitute after their abominations?

When you offer your gifts, when you make your sons pass through the fire, do you pollute yourselves with all your idols to this day? Should I be enquired of by you, house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you!

I will purge out from amongst you the rebels and those who disobey me. I will bring them out of the land where they live, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”

Tell the land of Israel, ‘The LORD says: “Behold, I am against you, and will draw my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.

Seeing then that I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore my sword will go out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north.

the Lord GOD says: “Remove the turban, and take off the crown. This will not be as it was. Exalt that which is low, and humble that which is high.

while they see for you false visions, while they divine lies to you, to lay you on the necks of the wicked who are deadly wounded, whose day has come in the time of the iniquity of the end.

“You, son of man, will you judge? Will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her abominations.

You shall say, ‘The Lord GOD says: “A city that sheds blood within herself, that her time may come, and that makes idols against herself to defile her!

You have become guilty in your blood that you have shed, and are defiled in your idols which you have made! You have caused your days to draw near, and have come to the end of your years. Therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mocking to all the countries.

“‘“Behold, the princes of Israel, everyone according to his power, have been in you to shed blood.

In you have they treated father and mother with contempt. Amongst you they have oppressed the foreigner. In you they have wronged the fatherless and the widow.

You have despised my holy things, and have profaned my Sabbaths.

Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood. In you they have eaten on the mountains. They have committed lewdness amongst you.

In you have they uncovered their fathers’ nakedness. In you have they humbled her who was unclean in her impurity.

One has committed abomination with his neighbour’s wife, and another has lewdly defiled his daughter-in-law. Another in you has humbled his sister, his father’s daughter.

In you have they taken bribes to shed blood. You have taken interest and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbours by oppression, and have forgotten me,” says the Lord GOD.

“‘“Behold, therefore I have struck my hand at your dishonest gain which you have made, and at the blood which has been shed within you.

I will scatter you amongst the nations, and disperse you through the countries. I will purge your filthiness out of you.

You will be profaned in yourself in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”’”

“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me. All of them are bronze, tin, iron, and lead in the middle of the furnace. They are the dross of silver.

Therefore the Lord GOD says: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore, behold, I will gather you into the middle of Jerusalem.

As they gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the middle of the furnace, to blow the fire on it, to melt it, so I will gather you in my anger and in my wrath, and I will lay you there and melt you.

Yes, I will gather you, and blow on you with the fire of my wrath, and you will be melted in the middle of it.

As silver is melted in the middle of the furnace, so you will be melted in the middle of it; and you will know that I, the LORD, have poured out my wrath on you.’”

“I sought for a man amongst them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.

Therefore I have poured out my indignation on them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have brought their own way on their heads,” says the Lord GOD.

I saw that she was defiled. They both went the same way.

“She increased her prostitution; for she saw men portrayed on the wall, the images of the Chaldeans portrayed with red,

The Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their prostitution. She was polluted with them, and her soul was alienated from them.

So she uncovered her prostitution and uncovered her nakedness. Then my soul was alienated from her, just like my soul was alienated from her sister.

Yet she multiplied her prostitution, remembering the days of her youth, in which she had played the prostitute in the land of Egypt.

She lusted after their lovers, whose flesh is as the flesh of donkeys, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.

Thus you called to memory the lewdness of your youth, in the caressing of your nipples by the Egyptians because of your youthful breasts.

“Therefore, Oholibah, the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I will raise up your lovers against you, from whom your soul is alienated, and I will bring them against you on every side:

These things will be done to you because you have played the prostitute after the nations, and because you are polluted with their idols.

Then I said of her who was old in adulteries, ‘Now they will play the prostitute with her, and she with them.’

They went in to her, as they go in to a prostitute. So they went in to Oholah and to Oholibah, the lewd women.

Righteous men will judge them with the judgement of adulteresses and with the judgement of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.

“‘Thus I will cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to be lewd like you.

“‘“I, the LORD, have spoken it. It will happen, and I will do it. I won’t go back. I won’t spare. I won’t repent. According to your ways and according to your doings, they will judge you,” says the Lord GOD.’”

You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you.

By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your commerce, you have profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought out a fire from the middle of you. It has devoured you. I have turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all those who see you.

“Therefore thus said the Lord GOD: ‘Because he is exalted in stature, and he has set his top amongst the thick branches, and his heart is lifted up in his height,

I will deliver him into the hand of the mighty one of the nations. He will surely deal with him. I have driven him out for his wickedness.

to the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves in their stature, and don’t set their top amongst the thick boughs. Their mighty ones don’t stand up on their height, even all who drink water; for they are all delivered to death, to the lower parts of the earth, amongst the children of men, with those who go down to the pit.’

“‘To whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness amongst the trees of Eden? Yet you will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the lower parts of the earth. You will lie in the middle of the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. “‘This is Pharaoh and all his multitude,’ says the Lord GOD.”

“You, son of man, tell the children of your people, ‘The righteousness of the righteous will not deliver him in the day of his disobedience. And as for the wickedness of the wicked, he will not fall by it in the day that he turns from his wickedness; neither will he who is righteous be able to live by it in the day that he sins.

When I tell the righteous that he will surely live, if he trusts in his righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous deeds will be remembered; but he will die in his iniquity that he has committed.

Again, when I say to the wicked, “You will surely die,” if he turns from his sin and does that which is lawful and right,

if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that which he had taken by robbery, walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity, he will surely live. He will not die.

None of his sins that he has committed will be remembered against him. He has done that which is lawful and right. He will surely live.

“‘Yet the children of your people say, “The way of the Lord is not fair;” but as for them, their way is not fair.

When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he will even die therein.

When the wicked turns from his wickedness and does that which is lawful and right, he will live by it.

Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is not fair.” House of Israel, I will judge every one of you after his ways.’”

Therefore tell them, ‘The Lord GOD says: “You eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes to your idols, and shed blood. So should you possess the land?

You stand on your sword, you work abomination, and every one of you defiles his neighbour’s wife. So should you possess the land?”’

“You shall tell them, ‘The Lord GOD says: “As I live, surely those who are in the waste places will fall by the sword. I will give whoever is in the open field to the animals to be devoured, and those who are in the strongholds and in the caves will die of the pestilence.

I will make the land a desolation and an astonishment. The pride of her power will cease. The mountains of Israel will be desolate, so that no one will pass through.

Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have made the land a desolation and an astonishment because of all their abominations which they have committed.”’

Therefore the Lord GOD says: “I have sworn, ‘Surely the nations that are around you will bear their shame.’

But I had respect for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned amongst the nations where they went.

“Therefore tell the house of Israel, ‘The Lord GOD says: “I don’t do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned amongst the nations where you went.

I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned amongst the nations, which you have profaned amongst them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD,” says the Lord GOD, “when I am proven holy in you before their eyes.

I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. You will keep my ordinances and do them.

“‘“Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.

I don’t do this for your sake,” says the Lord GOD. “Let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, house of Israel.”

“‘“My servant David will be king over them. They all will have one shepherd. They will also walk in my ordinances and observe my statutes, and do them.

The nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is amongst them forever more.”’”

I will magnify myself and sanctify myself, and I will make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”’

“‘“I will make my holy name known amongst my people Israel. I won’t allow my holy name to be profaned any more. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.

“‘“The house of Israel will be burying them for seven months, that they may cleanse the land.

Yes, all the people of the land will bury them; and they will become famous in the day that I will be glorified,” says the Lord GOD.

“‘“They will set apart men of continual employment who will pass through the land. Those who pass through will go with those who bury those who remain on the surface of the land, to cleanse it. After the end of seven months they will search.

Those who search through the land will pass through; and when anyone sees a man’s bone, then he will set up a sign by it, until the undertakers have buried it in the valley of Hamon Gog.

Hamonah will also be the name of a city. Thus they will cleanse the land.”’

The nations will know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they trespassed against me, and I hid my face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword.

I did to them according to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions. I hid my face from them.

when I have brought them back from the peoples, gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am shown holy amongst them in the sight of many nations.

He measured it on the four sides. It had a wall around it, the length five hundred cubits, and the width five hundred cubits, to make a separation between that which was holy and that which was common.

He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell amongst the children of Israel forever. The house of Israel will no more defile my holy name, neither they nor their kings, by their prostitution and by the dead bodies of their kings in their high places;

in their setting of their threshold by my threshold and their door post beside my door post. There was a wall between me and them; and they have defiled my holy name by their abominations which they have committed. Therefore I have consumed them in my anger.

“This is the law of the house. On the top of the mountain the whole limit around it shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.

The LORD said to me, “This gate shall be shut. It shall not be opened, no man shall enter in by it; for the LORD, the God of Israel, has entered in by it. Therefore it shall be shut.

You shall tell the rebellious, even the house of Israel, ‘The Lord GOD says: “You house of Israel, let that be enough of all your abominations,

in that you have brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to profane it, even my house, when you offer my bread, the fat and the blood; and they have broken my covenant, to add to all your abominations.

You have not performed the duty of my holy things; but you have set performers of my duty in my sanctuary for yourselves.”

The Lord GOD says, “No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any foreigners who are amongst the children of Israel.

“‘“But the Levites who went far from me when Israel went astray, who went astray from me after their idols, they will bear their iniquity.

Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the house, and ministering in the house. They shall kill the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them.

They shall not come near to me, to execute the office of priest to me, nor to come near to any of my holy things, to the things that are most holy; but they will bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed.

“‘“But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who performed the duty of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, shall come near to me to minister to me. They shall stand before me to offer to me the fat and the blood,” says the Lord GOD.

“‘“It will be that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments. No wool shall come on them while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.

When they go out into the outer court, even into the outer court to the people, they shall put off their garments in which they minister and lay them in the holy rooms. They shall put on other garments, that they not sanctify the people with their garments.

None of the priests shall drink wine when they enter into the inner court.

They shall not take for their wives a widow, or her who is put away; but they shall take virgins of the offspring of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest.

They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

“‘“In a controversy they shall stand to judge. They shall judge it according to my ordinances. They shall keep my laws and my statutes in all my appointed feasts. They shall make my Sabbaths holy.

“‘“They shall go in to no dead person to defile themselves; but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister who has had no husband, they may defile themselves.

After he is cleansed, they shall reckon to him seven days.

In the day that he goes into the sanctuary, into the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering,” says the Lord GOD.

The priests shall not eat of anything that dies of itself or is torn, whether it is bird or animal.

“‘The Lord GOD says: “Enough you, princes of Israel! Remove violence and plunder, and execute justice and righteousness! Stop dispossessing my people!” says the Lord GOD.

“You shall have just balances, a just ephah, and a just bath.

The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain one tenth of a homer, and the ephah one tenth of a homer. Its measure shall be the same as the homer.

The shekel shall be twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels shall be your mina.

So you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who errs, and for him who is simple. So you shall make atonement for the house.

On that day the prince shall prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bull for a sin offering.

“‘The Lord GOD says: “The gate of the inner court that looks towards the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath day it shall be opened, and on the day of the new moon it shall be opened.

The burnt offering that the prince shall offer to the LORD shall be on the Sabbath day, six lambs without defect and a ram without defect;

Moreover the prince shall not take of the people’s inheritance, to thrust them out of their possession. He shall give inheritance to his sons out of his own possession, that my people not each be scattered from his possession.”’”

It shall be for the priests who are sanctified of the sons of Zadok, who have kept my instruction, who didn’t go astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.

All the offering shall be a square of twenty-five thousand by twenty-five thousand. You shall offer it as a holy offering, with the possession of the city.

“The remainder shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy offering and of the possession of the city; in front of the twenty-five thousand of the offering towards the east border, and westward in front of the twenty-five thousand towards the west border, alongside the portions, it shall be for the prince. The holy offering and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the middle of it.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

“‘The sentence is by the decree of the watchers and the demand by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.’

Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your tranquillity.”

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honour the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.

but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, or hear, or know; and you have not glorified the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways.

TEKEL: you are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting.

Then the presidents and the local governors sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion or fault, because he was faithful. There wasn’t any error or fault found in him.

Then these men said, “We won’t find any occasion against this Daniel, unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me, because innocence was found in me before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”

“I watched until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.

A fiery stream issued and came out from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgement was set. The books were opened.

“I watched at that time because of the voice of the arrogant words which the horn spoke. I watched even until the animal was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burnt with fire.

The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions will serve and obey him.’

“Lord, righteousness belongs to you, but to us confusion of face, as it is today; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, who are near and who are far off, through all the countries where you have driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against you.

Therefore the LORD has watched over the evil, and brought it on us; for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he does, and we have not obeyed his voice.

Lord, according to all your righteousness, please let your anger and your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because for our sins and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are around us.

My God, turn your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name; for we do not present our petitions before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies’ sake.

“Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.

“The king will do according to his will. He will exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and will speak marvellous things against the God of gods. He will prosper until the indignation is accomplished, for that which is determined will be done.

Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars forever and ever.

Many will purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined, but the wicked will do wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

I will betroth you to me forever. Yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness, in justice, in loving kindness, and in compassion.

There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break boundaries, and bloodshed causes bloodshed.

“Yet let no man bring a charge, neither let any man accuse; for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.

As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me. I will change their glory into shame.

Their drink has become sour. They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love their shameful way.

The wind has wrapped her up in its wings; and they shall be disappointed because of their sacrifices.

“Listen to this, you priests! Listen, house of Israel, and give ear, house of the king! For the judgement is against you; for you have been a snare at Mizpah, and a net spread on Tabor.

The rebels are deep in slaughter, but I discipline all of them.

I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me; for now, Ephraim, you have played the prostitute. Israel is defiled.

Their deeds won’t allow them to turn to their God, for the spirit of prostitution is within them, and they don’t know the LORD.

The pride of Israel testifies to his face. Therefore Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their iniquity. Judah also will stumble with them.

They will go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD, but they won’t find him. He has withdrawn himself from them.

They are unfaithful to the LORD; for they have borne illegitimate children. Now the new moon will devour them with their fields.

The princes of Judah are like those who remove a landmark. I will pour out my wrath on them like water.

Therefore I have cut them to pieces with the prophets; I killed them with the words of my mouth. Your judgements are like a flash of lightning.

Gilead is a city of those who work iniquity; it is stained with blood.

As gangs of robbers wait to ambush a man, so the company of priests murder on the path towards Shechem, committing shameful crimes.

In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing. There is prostitution in Ephraim. Israel is defiled.

When I would heal Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered, also the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief enters in, and the gang of robbers ravages outside.

They don’t consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their own deeds have engulfed them. They are before my face.

They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.

Israel has cast off that which is good. The enemy will pursue him.

Let Samaria throw out his calf idol! My anger burns against them! How long will it be until they are capable of purity?

“All their wickedness is in Gilgal; for there I hated them. Because of the wickedness of their deeds, I will drive them out of my house! I will love them no more. All their princes are rebels.

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.

Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.

The LORD also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.

A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.

You are destroyed, Israel, because you are against me, against your helper.

I have given you a king in my anger, and have taken him away in my wrath.

The guilt of Ephraim is stored up. His sin is stored up.

Samaria will bear her guilt, for she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women will be ripped open.”

Israel, return to the LORD your God; for you have fallen because of your sin.

Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

“Let the nations arouse themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.

Put in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the wine press is full, the vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.”

Egypt will be a desolation and Edom will be a desolate wilderness, for the violence done to the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.

The LORD says: “For three transgressions of Damascus, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron;

but I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, and it will devour the palaces of Ben Hadad.

I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, and him who holds the sceptre from the house of Eden; and the people of Syria shall go into captivity to Kir,” says the LORD.

The LORD says: “For three transgressions of Judah, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have rejected the LORD’s law, and have not kept his statutes, and their lies have led them astray, after which their fathers walked;

The LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals;

They trample the heads of the poor into the dust of the earth and deny justice to the oppressed. A man and his father use the same maiden, to profane my holy name.

They lay themselves down beside every altar on clothes taken in pledge. In the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.

“But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘Don’t prophesy!’

“I have only chosen you of all the families of the earth. Therefore I will punish you for all of your sins.”

“Indeed they don’t know to do right,” says the LORD, “Who hoard plunder and loot in their palaces.”

You who turn justice to wormwood, and cast down righteousness to the earth!

They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks blamelessly.

For I know how many are your offences, and how great are your sins— you who afflict the just, who take a bribe, and who turn away the needy in the courts.

Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of Armies, will be with you, as you say.

Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the courts. It may be that the LORD, the God of Armies, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”

But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream.

Do horses run on the rocky crags? Does one plough there with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison, and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness,

The LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold, I will set a plumb line in the middle of my people Israel. I will not again pass by them any more.

saying, ‘When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel large, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit;

The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob, “Surely I will never forget any of their works.

Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the surface of the earth, except that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,” says the LORD.

All the sinners of my people will die by the sword, who say, ‘Evil won’t overtake nor meet us.’

For the day of the LORD is near all the nations! As you have done, it will be done to you. Your deeds will return upon your own head.

Saviours will go up on Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom will be the LORD’s.

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.”

Woe to those who devise iniquity and work evil on their beds! When the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.

They covet fields and seize them, and houses, then take them away. They oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

Shall it be said, O house of Jacob, “Is the LORD’s Spirit angry? Are these his doings? Don’t my words do good to him who walks blamelessly?”

Please listen to this, you heads of the house of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor justice, and pervert all equity,

Her leaders judge for bribes, and her priests teach for a price, and her prophets of it tell fortunes for money; yet they lean on the LORD, and say, “Isn’t the LORD amongst us? No disaster will come on us.”

I will destroy witchcraft from your hand. You shall have no soothsayers.

I will cut off your engraved images and your pillars from amongst you; and you shall no more worship the work of your hands.

I will uproot your Asherah poles from amongst you; and I will destroy your cities.

My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and a short ephah that is accursed?

Shall I tolerate dishonest scales, and a bag of deceitful weights?

Her rich men are full of violence, her inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their speech.

The godly man has perished out of the earth, and there is no one upright amongst men. They all lie in wait for blood; every man hunts his brother with a net.

Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe. The powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together.

The best of them is like a brier. The most upright is worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen, even your visitation, has come; now is the time of their confusion.

I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my case and executes judgement for me. He will bring me out to the light. I will see his righteousness.

Then my enemy will see it, and shame will cover her who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her. Now she will be trodden down like the mire of the streets.

The LORD is a jealous God and avenges. The LORD avenges and is full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his enemies.

“Behold, I am against you,” says the LORD of Armies, “and I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show the nations your nakedness, and the kingdoms your shame.

Therefore the law is paralysed, and justice never prevails; for the wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice comes out perverted.

You who have purer eyes than to see evil, and who cannot look on perversity, why do you tolerate those who deal treacherously and keep silent when the wicked swallows up the man who is more righteous than he,

Behold, his soul is puffed up. It is not upright in him, but the righteous will live by his faith.

You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the land of wickedness. You stripped them head to foot. Selah.

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who have kept his ordinances. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD’s anger.

Her prophets are arrogant and treacherous people. Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.

The LORD, within her, is righteous. He will do no wrong. Every morning he brings his justice to light. He doesn’t fail, but the unjust know no shame.

In that day you will not be disappointed for all your doings in which you have transgressed against me; for then I will take away out from amongst you your proudly exulting ones, and you will no more be arrogant in my holy mountain.

The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity nor speak lies, neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.”

‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?’” The priests answered, “No.”

Then Haggai said, “If one who is unclean by reason of a dead body touch any of these, will it be unclean?” The priests answered, “It will be unclean.”

Then Haggai answered, “‘So is this people, and so is this nation before me,’ says the LORD; ‘and so is every work of their hands. That which they offer there is unclean.

“The LORD was very displeased with your fathers.

Don’t you be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying: The LORD of Armies says, ‘Return now from your evil ways and from your evil doings;’ but they didn’t hear nor listen to me, says the LORD.

But my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, didn’t they overtake your fathers? “Then they repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Armies determined to do to us, according to our ways and according to our practices, so he has dealt with us.’”

I said, “Let them set a clean turban on his head.” So they set a clean turban on his head, and clothed him; and the LORD’s angel was standing by.

Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the surface of the whole land, for everyone who steals shall be cut off according to it on the one side; and everyone who swears falsely shall be cut off according to it on the other side.

He will build the LORD’s temple. He will bear the glory, and will sit and rule on his throne. He will be a priest on his throne. The counsel of peace will be between them both.

“Thus has the LORD of Armies spoken, saying, ‘Execute true judgement, and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother.

I will bring them, and they will dwell within Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.”

Foreigners will dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The battle bow will be cut off; and he will speak peace to the nations. His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

It will come to pass in that day, says the LORD of Armies, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they will be remembered no more. I will also cause the prophets and the spirit of impurity to pass out of the land.

It will happen that when anyone still prophesies, then his father and his mother who bore him will tell him, ‘You must die, because you speak lies in the LORD’s name;’ and his father and his mother who bore him will stab him when he prophesies.

It will happen in that day that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies; they won’t wear a hairy mantle to deceive,

In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “HOLY TO THE LORD”; and the pots in the LORD’s house will be like the bowls before the altar.

Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the LORD of Armies; and all those who sacrifice will come and take of them, and cook in them. In that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of Armies.

When you offer the blind for sacrifice, isn’t that evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, isn’t that evil? Present it now to your governor! Will he be pleased with you? Or will he accept your person?” says the LORD of Armies.

For from the rising of the sun even to its going down, my name is great amongst the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great amongst the nations,” says the LORD of Armies.

“But you profane it when you say, ‘The LORD’s table is polluted, and its fruit, even its food, is contemptible.’

You say also, ‘Behold, what a weariness it is!’ And you have sniffed at it”, says the LORD of Armies; “and you have brought that which was taken by violence, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring the offering. Should I accept this at your hand?” says the LORD.

“But the deceiver is cursed who has in his flock a male, and vows and sacrifices to the Lord a defective thing; for I am a great King,” says the LORD of Armies, “and my name is awesome amongst the nations.”

The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity.

But you have turned away from the path. You have caused many to stumble in the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Armies.

“Therefore I have also made you contemptible and wicked before all the people, according to the way you have not kept my ways, but have had respect for persons in the law.

and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer to the LORD offerings in righteousness.

Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the LORD as in the days of old and as in ancient years.

Then you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who doesn’t serve him.

“For behold, the day comes, burning like a furnace, when all the proud and all who work wickedness will be stubble. The day that comes will burn them up,” says the LORD of Armies, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.

But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out and leap like calves of the stall.

You shall tread down the wicked; for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make,” says the LORD of Armies.

Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly.

Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.

His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”

But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptised by you, and you come to me?”

But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgement.’

But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgement. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’

but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.

If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.

but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.

“Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’

but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;

nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?

If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

“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.

But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does,

so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward.

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.

In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.

“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.

“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal;

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.

But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.

For with whatever judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?

Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?

You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?

Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.

A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.

Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’

When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement than for that city.

But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

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.

But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.

But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”

Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?

But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.

Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.”

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations.

If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.

You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things.

I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement.

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet.

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.

the field is the world, the good seeds are the children of the Kingdom, and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one.

The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and those who do iniquity,

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

which, when it was filled, fishermen drew up on the beach. They sat down and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away.

So it will be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from amongst the righteous,

For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,

‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

And they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’”

That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”

But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted.

Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man.

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.

These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”

In the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can’t discern the signs of the times!

An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” He left them and departed.

I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.”

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.”

For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.

Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.

I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.”

Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”

He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’

‘Honour your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’”

The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”

Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

But many will be last who are first, and first who are last.

“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius?

Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’

“Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Jesus entered into the temple of God and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves.

He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you.

For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.

They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers who will give him the fruit in its season.”

“Therefore I tell you, God’s Kingdom will be taken away from you and will be given to a nation producing its fruit.

“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren’t worthy.

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing,

For many are called, but few chosen.”

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?

They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.

But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments,

and love the place of honour at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,

the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.

But he who is greatest amongst you will be your servant.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretence you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you don’t enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves.

“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.’

You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?

And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated.’

You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?

He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it.

He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who has been living in it.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness.

You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness.

Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous,

Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.

that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar.

“But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter.

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;

“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink?

“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

“Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me.

The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.”

While he was sitting on the judgement seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.”

So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”

The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

The Pharisees said to him, “Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?”

He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Therefore the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do harm? To save a life or to kill?” But they were silent.

For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.

Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is unwashed, hands, they found fault.

(For the Pharisees and all the Jews don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders.

They don’t eat when they come from the marketplace unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.)

The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why don’t your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?”

He answered them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

“For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.”

He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

For Moses said, ‘Honour your father and your mother;’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’

making void the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down. You do many things like this.”

There is nothing from outside of the man that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.

His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.

He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.

Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honour your father and mother.’”

He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.”

He taught, saying to them, “Isn’t it written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers!”

What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.

and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts,

those who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.

He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.

in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.

Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”

Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

He commanded him to tell no one, “But go your way and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.”

Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?”

how he entered into God’s house, and took and ate the show bread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?”

He said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?”

Woe, when men speak well of you, for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.

“As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

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.

Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?

Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye.

“For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit.

For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptised with John’s baptism.

But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbour?”

The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgement with the men of this generation and will condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, one greater than Solomon is here.

The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgement with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, one greater than Jonah is here.

The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness.

The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.

But give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and behold, all things will be clean to you.

But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and God’s love. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.

Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like hidden graves, and the men who walk over them don’t know it.”

Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

So you testify and consent to the works of your fathers. For they killed them, and you build their tombs.

Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.”

“I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled.

“Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?

Jesus answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things?

I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.

Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the men who dwell in Jerusalem?

I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”

He said to the vine dresser, ‘Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down! Why does it waste the soil?’

He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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.”

He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted amongst men is an abomination in the sight of God.

The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.

He also spoke this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others:

The Pharisee stood and prayed by himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men: extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one: God.

You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honour your father and your mother.’”

He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.”

“He said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant! You knew that I am an exacting man, taking up that which I didn’t lay down and reaping that which I didn’t sow.

But bring those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.’”

He entered into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it,

saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of robbers’!”

They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God.

He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.

who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?

And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.”

Behold, there was a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man

(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for God’s Kingdom.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”

He made a whip of cords and drove all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money and overthrew their tables.

To those who sold the doves, he said, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace!”

This is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil.

For everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.

But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”

For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgement to the Son,

He also gave him authority to execute judgement, because he is a son of man.

and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgement.

I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgement is righteous, because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.

I don’t receive glory from men.

But I know you, that you don’t have God’s love in yourselves.

I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.

How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?

“Don’t think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, even Moses, on whom you have set your hope.

For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote about me.

The world can’t hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil.

He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

If a boy receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I made a man completely healthy on the Sabbath?

Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgement.”

But this multitude that doesn’t know the law is cursed.”

But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, “He who is without sin amongst you, let him throw the first stone at her.”

Even if I do judge, my judgement is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.

They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.

You do the works of your father.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”

You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.

Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges.

Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God.

Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” So there was division amongst them.

So they called the man who was blind a second time, and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.”

We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God and does his will, he listens to him.

They answered him, “You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?” Then they threw him out.

Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.

“Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn’t enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber.

But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.

He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke will judge him in the last day.

When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgement;

about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more;

about judgement, because the prince of this world has been judged.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.

For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.

For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

With many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.

But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land?

While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”

Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things.

Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” She said, “Yes, for so much.”

Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.

Therefore, select from amongst you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

who found favour in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.

Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.

But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!

You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God.

They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.”

but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.

But I said, ‘Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.’

But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, don’t you call unclean.’

For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.

Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn’t give God the glory. Then he was eaten by worms and died.

and said, “You son of the devil, full of all deceit and all cunning, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’

and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

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.”

But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come themselves and bring us out!”

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.

because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.”

for he powerfully refuted the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another.

Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men,

I coveted no one’s silver, gold, or clothing.

He said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.

Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”

Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?”

Paul said, “I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

A great clamour arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”

having hope towards God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

In this I also practise always having a conscience void of offence towards God and men.

amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.

They ought to have been here before you and to make accusation if they had anything against me.

Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,

As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”

while he said in his defence, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.”

But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgement seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.

For if I have done wrong and have committed anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction before the accused has met the accusers face to face and has had opportunity to make his defence concerning the matter laid against him.

having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”

For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.”

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,

Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practise the same things.

We know that the judgement of God is according to truth against those who practise such things.

Do you think this, O man who judges those who practise such things, and do the same, that you will escape the judgement of God?

But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgement of God,

who “will pay back to everyone according to their works:”

but to those who are self-seeking and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath, indignation,

oppression, and anguish on every soul of man who does evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

But glory, honour, and peace go to every man who does good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For there is no partiality with God.

For as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without the law. As many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.

For it isn’t the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified

(for when Gentiles who don’t have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves,

in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts amongst themselves accusing or else excusing them)

You therefore who teach another, don’t you teach yourself? You who preach that a man shouldn’t steal, do you steal?

You who glory in the law, do you dishonour God by disobeying the law?

For “the name of God is blasphemed amongst the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.

For circumcision indeed profits, if you are a doer of the law, but if you are a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

If therefore the uncircumcised keep the ordinances of the law, won’t his uncircumcision be accounted as circumcision?

Won’t those who are physically uncircumcised, but fulfil the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law?

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh;

but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.

May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, “that you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgement.”

But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do.

As it is written, “There is no one righteous; no, not one.

Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;

even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,

for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance;

to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time, that he might himself be just and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,

since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.

What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh?

For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not towards God.

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed.

But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

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.

How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

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.

Therefore it also was “credited to him for righteousness.”

Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone,

but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.

Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;

For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a good person someone would even dare to die.

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God’s wrath through him.

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.

For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.

So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.

For as through the one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.

that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God.

Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Therefore don’t let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

Also, do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!

Don’t you know that when you present yourselves as servants and obey someone, you are the servants of whomever you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?

But thanks be to God that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were delivered.

Being made free from sin, you became bondservants of righteousness.

I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh; for as you presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to wickedness upon wickedness, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness for sanctification.

For when you were servants of sin, you were free from righteousness.

So then if, while the husband lives, she is joined to another man, she would be called an adulteress. But if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man.

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, righteous, and good.

Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, was producing death in me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful.

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.

For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.

For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practise.

I find then the law that, while I desire to do good, evil is present.

For I delight in God’s law after the inward person,

that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God, for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be.

Those who are in the flesh can’t please God.

If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.

Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies.

For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls,

Even as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be!

For he said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.

for he will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.”

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who didn’t follow after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith;

but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, didn’t arrive at the law of righteousness.

Why? Because they didn’t seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,

For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn’t subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

For Christ is the fulfilment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, “The one who does them will live by them.”

But the righteousness which is of faith says this, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down);

For with the heart one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation.

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.

According as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.”

David says, “Let their table be made a snare, a trap, a stumbling block, and a retribution to them.

Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see. Always keep their backs bent.”

If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.

Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honourable in the sight of all men.

If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.

Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.

Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgement.

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,

for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing.

Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law.

For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

Love doesn’t harm a neighbour. Love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.

The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armour of light.

Let’s walk properly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.

Then don’t let your good be slandered,

for God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

For those who are such don’t serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.