Wisdom in the Bible: Seeking God's Understanding

God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs to mark seasons, days, and years;

God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars.

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

God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field, and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called every living creature became its name.

for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate. Then she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too.

Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves.

The LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”

God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

The LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand, and also take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever—”

His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe.

Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah.

He himself sent out a dove to see if the waters were abated from the surface of the ground,

Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know.”

Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs, which you have set by themselves, mean?”

He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water.

They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.”

She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” She took her veil, and covered herself.

The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.”

Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I didn’t know it.”

He said, “Behold, it is still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”

Jacob took to himself rods of fresh poplar, almond, and plane tree, peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.

He set the rods which he had peeled opposite the flocks in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink.

Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks towards the streaked and all the black in Laban’s flock. He put his own droves apart, and didn’t put them into Laban’s flock.

Whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, Jacob laid the rods in front of the eyes of the flock in the watering troughs, that they might conceive amongst the rods;

but when the flock were feeble, he didn’t put them in. So the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s.

During mating season, I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leapt on the flock were streaked, speckled, and grizzled.

God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Be careful that you don’t speak to Jacob either good or bad.”

Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. He divided the people who were with him, along with the flocks, the herds, and the camels, into two companies.

He said, “If Esau comes to the one company, and strikes it, then the company which is left will escape.”

He delivered them into the hands of his servants, every herd by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass over before me, and put a space between herd and herd.”

Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are tender, and that the flocks and herds with me have their young, and if they overdrive them one day, all the flocks will die.

Please let my lord pass over before his servant, and I will lead on gently, according to the pace of the livestock that are before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my lord to Seir.”

He told it to his father and to his brothers. His father rebuked him, and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamt? Will I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves down to the earth before you?”

His brothers envied him, but his father kept this saying in mind.

Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father.

Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?

They said to him, “We have dreamt a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.” Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me.”

Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days.

Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days.

but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.

At the end of two full years, Pharaoh dreamt, and behold, he stood by the river.

In the morning, his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all of Egypt’s magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

There was with us there a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard, and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams. He interpreted to each man according to his dream.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have dreamt a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It isn’t in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads of grain. I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dream of Pharaoh is one. What God is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh.

The seven good cattle are seven years; and the seven good heads of grain are seven years. The dream is one.

The seven thin and ugly cattle that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty heads of grain blasted with the east wind; they will be seven years of famine.

That is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.

“Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.

Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt’s produce in the seven plenteous years.

Let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and store grain under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it.

The food will be to supply the land against the seven years of famine, which will be in the land of Egypt; so that the land will not perish through the famine.”

The thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

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

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

He gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities. He stored food in each city from the fields around that city.

The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognised them, but acted like a stranger to them, and spoke roughly with them. He said to them, “Where did you come from?” They said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

Joseph recognised his brothers, but they didn’t recognise him.

Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamt about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land.”

They didn’t know that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.

Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;

and take double money in your hand, and take back the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight.

They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marvelled with one another.

Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Don’t you know that such a man as I can indeed do divination?”

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

that you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers:’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

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

Joseph said, “Give me your livestock; and I will give you food for your livestock, if your money is gone.”

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

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

Jacob called to his sons, and said: “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which will happen to you in the days to come.

When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s staff, saying, “If now I have found favour in your eyes, please speak in the ears of Pharaoh, saying,

Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for am I in the place of God?

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to save many people alive, as is happening today.

Come, let’s deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it happen that when any war breaks out, they also join themselves to our enemies and fight against us, and escape out of the land.”

The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women aren’t like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.”

Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Should I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”

God saw the children of Israel, and God understood.

Moses said, “I will go now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.”

Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?”

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and he said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

I know that the king of Egypt won’t give you permission to go, no, not by a mighty hand.

The LORD said to him, “Who made man’s mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn’t it I, the LORD?

You shall speak to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with your mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do.

The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand on Egypt, and bring the children of Israel out from amongst them.”

Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. They also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same thing with their enchantments.

The LORD says, “In this you shall know that I am the LORD. Behold: I will strike with the rod that is in my hand on the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.

Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God.

Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is God’s finger;” but Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, as the LORD had spoken.

I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, to the end you may know that I am the LORD on the earth.

Moses said, “It isn’t appropriate to do so; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God. Behold, if we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, won’t they stone us?

Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD. The thunders shall cease, and there will not be any more hail; that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.

But as for you and your servants, I know that you don’t yet fear the LORD God.”

The LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these my signs amongst them;

and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your son’s son, what things I have done to Egypt, and my signs which I have done amongst them; that you may know that I am the LORD.”

Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD, their God. Don’t you yet know that Egypt is destroyed?”

When Pharaoh had let the people go, God didn’t lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt”;

I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will follow after them; and I will get honour over Pharaoh, and over all his armies; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” They did so.

The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I have gotten myself honour over Pharaoh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.”

When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, “What is this thing that you do for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning to evening?”

Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to enquire of God.

When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbour, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.”

Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good.

You will surely wear away, both you, and this people that is with you; for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to perform it yourself alone.

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

You shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do.

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.

Let them judge the people at all times. It shall be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge themselves. So shall it be easier for you, and they shall share the load with you.

So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.

Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

God spoke all these words, saying,

If the thief isn’t found, then the master of the house shall come near to God, to find out whether or not he has put his hand on his neighbour’s goods.

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.

If it is torn in pieces, let him bring it for evidence. He shall not make good that which was torn.

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

I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate, and the animals of the field multiply against you.

The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and stay here, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commands that I have written, that you may teach them.”

“You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. It shall be the work of a skilful workman.

You shall speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office.

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.

They shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell amongst them: I am the LORD their God.

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

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

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

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

He said, “It isn’t the voice of those who shout for victory. It is not the voice of those who cry for being overcome; but the noise of those who sing that I hear.”

Now therefore, if I have found favour in your sight, please show me your way, now, that I may know you, so that I may find favour in your sight; and consider that this nation is your people.”

He said, “You cannot see my face, for man may not see me and live.”

Be careful, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be for a snare amongst you;

“‘Let every wise-hearted man amongst you come, and make all that the LORD has commanded:

All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen.

All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair.

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

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

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

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

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

“Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom the LORD has put wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD has commanded.”

Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it.

All the wise men, who performed all the work of the sanctuary, each came from his work which he did.

All the wise-hearted men amongst those who did the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet. They made them with cherubim, the work of a skilful workman.

He made the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. He made it the work of a skilful workman.

He made a screen for the door of the tent, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer;

Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits, and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height.

With him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skilful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen.

“‘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.

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

You are to teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them by Moses.”

When Moses heard that, it was pleasing in his sight.

to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be eaten.’”

The priest shall examine the plague in the skin of the body. If the hair in the plague has turned white, and the appearance of the plague is deeper than the body’s skin, it is the plague of leprosy; so the priest shall examine him and pronounce him unclean.

The priest shall examine him; and behold, if the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy.

and the priest shall examine him. Behold, if there is a white swelling in the skin, and it has turned the hair white, and there is raw flesh in the swelling,

it is a chronic leprosy in the skin of his body, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He shall not isolate him, for he is already unclean.

then the priest shall examine him. Behold, if the leprosy has covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean of the plague. It has all turned white: he is clean.

The priest shall examine the raw flesh, and pronounce him unclean: the raw flesh is unclean. It is leprosy.

The priest shall examine him. Behold, if the plague has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him clean of the plague. He is clean.

The priest shall examine it. Behold, if its appearance is deeper than the skin, and its hair has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy. It has broken out in the boil.

But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs in it, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall isolate him seven days.

then the priest shall examine it; and behold, if the hair in the bright spot has turned white, and its appearance is deeper than the skin, it is leprosy. It has broken out in the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy.

But if the priest examines it, and behold, there is no white hair in the bright spot, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, but has faded, then the priest shall isolate him seven days.

The priest shall examine him on the seventh day. If it has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy.

then the priest shall examine the plague; and behold, if its appearance is deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is yellow and thin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is an itch. It is leprosy of the head or of the beard.

then the priest shall examine him; and behold, if the itch has spread in the skin, the priest shall not look for the yellow hair; he is unclean.

then the priest shall examine them. Behold, if the bright spots on the skin of their body are a dull white, it is a harmless rash. It has broken out in the skin. He is clean.

Then the priest shall examine him. Behold, if the swelling of the plague is reddish-white in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, like the appearance of leprosy in the skin of the body,

This is the law of the plague of mildew in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp, or the woof, or in anything of skin, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.

and the priest shall go out of the camp. The priest shall examine him. Behold, if the plague of leprosy is healed in the leper,

He shall examine the plague; and behold, if the plague is in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, and it appears to be deeper than the wall,

The priest shall come again on the seventh day, and look. If the plague has spread in the walls of the house,

then the priest shall command that they take out the stones in which is the plague, and cast them into an unclean place outside of the city.

He shall cause the inside of the house to be scraped all over. They shall pour out the mortar that they scraped off outside of the city into an unclean place.

They shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other mortar, and shall plaster the house.

“If the plague comes again, and breaks out in the house after he has taken out the stones, and after he has scraped the house, and after it was plastered,

then the priest shall come in and look; and behold, if the plague has spread in the house, it is a destructive mildew in the house. It is unclean.

He shall break down the house, its stones, and its timber, and all the house’s mortar. He shall carry them out of the city into an unclean place.

“Moreover he who goes into the house while it is shut up shall be unclean until the evening.

He who lies down in the house shall wash his clothes; and he who eats in the house shall wash his clothes.

“If the priest shall come in, and examine it, and behold, the plague hasn’t spread in the house, after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed.

This is the law for any plague of leprosy, and for an itch,

and for the destructive mildew of a garment, and for a house,

and for a swelling, and for a scab, and for a bright spot;

to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy.

“‘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.

“‘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.

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

They put him in custody until the LORD’s will should be declared to them.

and the priest shall evaluate it, whether it is good or bad. As the priest evaluates it, so it shall be.

“‘When a man dedicates his house to be holy to the LORD, then the priest shall evaluate it, whether it is good or bad. As the priest evaluates it, so it shall stand.

But if he dedicates his field after the Jubilee, then the priest shall reckon to him the money according to the years that remain to the Year of Jubilee; and an abatement shall be made from your valuation.

Moses answered them, “Wait, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you.”

The LORD said to Moses, “Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you.

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

But two men remained in the camp. The name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad; and the Spirit rested on them. They were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp.

Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!”

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

He said, “Now hear my words. If there is a prophet amongst you, I, the LORD, will make myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream.

With him, I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see the LORD’s form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?”

See the land, what it is; and the people who dwell therein, whether they are strong or weak, whether they are few or many;

and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it is good or bad; and what cities they are that they dwell in, whether in camps, or in strongholds;

and what the land is, whether it is fertile or poor, whether there is wood therein, or not. Be courageous, and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the time of the first-ripe grapes.

The people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” Moses prayed for the people.

Therefore it is said in The Book of the Wars of the LORD, “Vaheb in Suphah, the valleys of the Arnon,

the slope of the valleys that incline towards the dwelling of Ar, leans on the border of Moab.”

God came to Balaam, and said, “Who are these men with you?”

The LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”

The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long until today? Was I ever in the habit of doing so to you?” He said, “No.”

Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the LORD’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.

He took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says;

he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:

‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond the LORD’s word, to do either good or bad from my own mind. I will say what the LORD says’?

He took up his parable, and said, “Balaam the son of Beor says, the man whose eyes are open says;

he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:

Moses brought their cause before the LORD.

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

Take wise men of understanding who are respected amongst your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.”

So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and respected men, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, captains of tens, and officers, according to your tribes.

I commanded you at that time all the things which you should do.

You came near to me, everyone of you, and said, “Let’s send men before us, that they may search the land for us, and bring back to us word of the way by which we must go up, and the cities to which we shall come.”

The thing pleased me well. I took twelve of your men, one man for every tribe.

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

Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do so in the middle of the land where you go in to possess it.

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.”

Only be careful, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes saw, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your children and your children’s children—

For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and from the one end of the sky to the other, whether there has been anything as great as this thing is, or has been heard like it?

It was shown to you so that you might know that the LORD is God. There is no one else besides him.

Out of heaven he made you to hear his voice, that he might instruct you. On earth he made you to see his great fire; and you heard his words out of the middle of the fire.

Know therefore today, and take it to heart, that the LORD himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath. There is no one else.

Moses called to all Israel, and said to them, “Hear, Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears today, that you may learn them, and observe to do them.”

These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart;

and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.

When your son asks you in time to come, saying, “What do the testimonies, the statutes, and the ordinances, which the LORD our God has commanded you mean?”

The LORD your God will cast out those nations before you little by little. You may not consume them at once, lest the animals of the field increase on you.

He humbled you, allowed you to be hungry, and fed you with manna, which you didn’t know, neither did your fathers know, that he might teach you that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the LORD’s mouth.

You shall consider in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.

Beware lest you forget the LORD your God, in not keeping his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I command you today;

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

and lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.”

Know this day—for I don’t speak with your children who have not known, and who have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, his outstretched arm,

Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul. You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes.

Only be sure that you don’t eat the blood; for the blood is the life. You shall not eat the life with the meat.

be careful that you are not ensnared to follow them after they are destroyed from before you, and that you not enquire after their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.”

If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises amongst you, and he gives you a sign or a wonder,

then you shall enquire, investigate, and ask diligently. Behold, if it is true, and the thing certain, that such abomination was done amongst you,

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.

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,

If there arises a matter too hard for you in judgement, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within your gates, then you shall arise, and go up to the place which the LORD your God chooses.

You shall come to the priests who are Levites and to the judge who shall be in those days. You shall enquire, and they shall give you the verdict.

You shall do according to the decisions of the verdict which they shall give you from that place which the LORD chooses. You shall observe to do according to all that they shall teach you.

According to the decisions of the law which they shall teach you, and according to the judgement which they shall tell you, you shall do. You shall not turn away from the sentence which they announce to you, to the right hand, nor to the left.

It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the Levitical priests.

It shall be with him, and he shall read from it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them;

The LORD said to me, “They have well said that which they have spoken.

You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?”

When a prophet speaks in the LORD’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him.

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.

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,

When you shall besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them; for you may eat of them. You shall not cut them down, for is the tree of the field man, that it should be besieged by you?

Only the trees that you know are not trees for food, you shall destroy and cut them down. You shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you, until it falls.

then your elders and your judges shall come out, and they shall measure to the cities which are around him who is slain.

You shall not plough with an ox and a donkey together.

You shall not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.

Be careful in the plague of leprosy, that you observe diligently and do according to all that the Levitical priests teach you. As I commanded them, so you shall observe to do.

Remember what the LORD your God did to Miriam, by the way as you came out of Egypt.

You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”

But the LORD has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see, and ears to hear, to this day.

The secret things belong to the LORD our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up for us to heaven, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?”

Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will go over the sea for us, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?”

But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

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

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

Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and the foreigners who are within your gates, that they may hear, learn, fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law,

and that their children, who have not known, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land where you go over the Jordan to possess it.”

“Now therefore write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.

It will happen, when many evils and troubles have come on them, that this song will testify before them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten out of the mouths of their descendants; for I know their ways and what they are doing today, before I have brought them into the land which I promised them.”

My doctrine will drop as the rain. My speech will condense as the dew, as the misty rain on the tender grass, as the showers on the herb.

Is this the way you repay the LORD, foolish and unwise people? Isn’t he your father who has bought you? He has made you and established you.

Remember the days of old. Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you.

For they are a nation void of counsel. There is no understanding in them.

Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

He said to them, “Set your heart to all the words which I testify to you today, which you shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

About Levi he said, “Your Thummim and your Urim are with your godly one, whom you proved at Massah, with whom you contended at the waters of Meribah.

Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. The children of Israel listened to him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

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

She said to them, “Go to the mountain, lest the pursuers find you. Hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward, you may go your way.”

Yet there shall be a space between you and it of about two thousand cubits by measure—don’t come closer to it—that you may know the way by which you must go; for you have not passed this way before.”

Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the land.” The men went up and spied out Ai.

They returned to Joshua, and said to him, “Don’t let all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and strike Ai. Don’t make all the people to toil there, for there are only a few of them.”

He took about five thousand men, and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.

So they set the people, even all the army who was on the north of the city, and their ambush on the west of the city; and Joshua went that night into the middle of the valley.

Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.

All the people who were in the city were called together to pursue after them. They pursued Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.

There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who didn’t go out after Israel. They left the city open, and pursued Israel.

But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,

The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “What if you live amongst us? How could we make a covenant with you?”

The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from the LORD’s mouth.

Joshua said, “Roll large stones to cover the cave’s entrance, and set men by it to guard them;

“The Mighty One, God, the LORD, the Mighty One, God, the LORD, he knows; and Israel shall know: if it was in rebellion, or if in trespass against the LORD (don’t save us today),

Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and for their heads, and for their judges and for their officers, and said to them, “I am old and well advanced in years.

The house of Joseph sent to spy out Bethel. (The name of the city before that was Luz.)

The watchers saw a man come out of the city, and they said to him, “Please show us the entrance into the city, and we will deal kindly with you.”

Then Ehud went out onto the porch, and shut the doors of the upper room on him, and locked them.

Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time.

She lived under Deborah’s palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel came up to her for judgement.

Her wise ladies answered her, Yes, she returned answer to herself,

Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? He who will contend for him, let him be put to death by morning! If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because someone has broken down his altar!”

He said to them, “What have I now done in comparison with you? Isn’t the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

He caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired of him; and he described for him the princes of Succoth, and its elders, seventy-seven men.

Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you. The LORD shall rule over you.”

He took the people and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field; and he looked, and behold, the people came out of the city. So, he rose up against them and struck them.

Then Manoah entreated the LORD, and said, “Oh, Lord, please let the man of God whom you sent come again to us, and teach us what we should do to the child who shall be born.”

Manoah said, “Now let your words happen. What shall the child’s way of life and mission be?”

The LORD’s angel said to him, “Why do you ask about my name, since it is incomprehensible?”

But the LORD’s angel didn’t appear to Manoah or to his wife any more. Then Manoah knew that he was the LORD’s angel.

But his wife said to him, “If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he wouldn’t have received a burnt offering and a meal offering at our hand, and he wouldn’t have shown us all these things, nor would he have told us such things as these at this time.”

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

but if you can’t tell me the answer, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing.” They said to him, “Tell us your riddle, that we may hear it.”

He said to them, “Out of the eater came out food. Out of the strong came out sweetness.” They couldn’t in three days declare the riddle.

The men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down, “What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?” He said to them, “If you hadn’t ploughed with my heifer, you wouldn’t have found out my riddle.”

They said to him, “Please ask counsel of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.”

Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Laish answered and said to their brothers, “Do you know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a carved image, and a molten image? Now therefore consider what you have to do.”

His master said to him, “We won’t enter into the city of a foreigner that is not of the children of Israel; but we will pass over to Gibeah.”

Behold, you children of Israel, all of you, give here your advice and counsel.”

Then the elders of the congregation said, “How shall we provide wives for those who remain, since the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?”

Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidens, and that they not meet you in any other field.”

Therefore wash yourself, anoint yourself, get dressed, and go down to the threshing floor; but don’t make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.

Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here,” and they sat down.

“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.

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

Now Samuel didn’t yet know the LORD, neither was the LORD’s word yet revealed to him.

The LORD called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down. It shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD; for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

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

The Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, “What shall we do with the LORD’s ark? Show us how we should send it to its place.”

They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, don’t send it empty; but by all means return a trespass offering to him. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.”

Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When he had worked wonderfully amongst them, didn’t they let the people go, and they departed?

Behold, if it goes up by the way of its own border to Beth Shemesh, then he has done us this great evil; but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us. It was a chance that happened to us.”

The servant said to him, “Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honour. All that he says surely happens. Now let’s go there. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.”

Then Saul said to his servant, “But behold, if we go, what should we bring the man? For the bread is spent in our sacks, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”

Now the LORD had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying,

When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! He will have authority over my people.”

Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you are to eat with me today. In the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart.

When they had come down from the high place into the city, he talked with Saul on the housetop.

As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us.” He went ahead, then Samuel said, “But stand still first, that I may cause you to hear God’s message.”

One from the same place answered, “Who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also amongst the prophets?”

Saul’s uncle said, “Please tell me what Samuel said to you.”

Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.

Now, behold, the king walks before you. I am old and grey-headed. Behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth to this day.

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.”

Don’t turn away to go after vain things which can’t profit or deliver, for they are vain.

Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Please look how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.

How much more, if perhaps the people had eaten freely today of the plunder of their enemies which they found? For now there has been no great slaughter amongst the Philistines.”

Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines by night, and take plunder amongst them until the morning light. Let’s not leave a man of them.” They said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” Then the priest said, “Let’s draw near here to God.”

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.”

Let our lord now command your servants who are in front of you to seek out a man who is a skilful player on the harp. Then when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.”

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

David strapped his sword on his clothing and he tried to move, for he had not tested it. David said to Saul, “I can’t go with these, for I have not tested them.” Then David took them off.

David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely; and Saul set him over the men of war. It was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

When Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he stood in awe of him.

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

When Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, “He is sick.”

When the messengers came in, behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the pillow of goats’ hair at its head.

Saul said to Michal, “Why have you deceived me like this and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?” Michal answered Saul, “He said to me, ‘Let me go! Why should I kill you?’”

David said to Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to dine with the king; but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field to the third day at evening.

He changed his behaviour before them and pretended to be insane in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down on his beard.

Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why then have you brought him to me?

David knew that Saul was devising mischief against him. He said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”

Please go make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there; for I have been told that he is very cunning.

See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides himself; and come again to me with certainty, and I will go with you. It shall happen, if he is in the land, that I will search him out amongst all the thousands of Judah.”

David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you’?

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

But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, “Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master; and he insulted them.

Now therefore know and consider what you will do; for evil is determined against our master and against all his house, for he is such a worthless fellow that one can’t speak to him.”

Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two containers of wine, five sheep ready dressed, five seahs of parched grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys.

Please don’t let my lord pay attention to this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; but I, your servant, didn’t see my lord’s young men whom you sent.

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.

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 therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had certainly come.

Then David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his army. Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped around him.

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.”

So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul’s head, and they went away. No man saw it, or knew it, nor did any awake; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.

Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain far away, a great space being between them;

and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Don’t you answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who calls to the king?”

David said to Achish, “If now I have found favour in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?”

But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; and the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make the man return, that he may go back to his place where you have appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For with what should this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Should it not be with the heads of these men?

Therefore now return, and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.”

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.’

David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?”

(and he commanded them to teach the children of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):

Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn away from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I look Joab your brother in the face?”

Then Abner called to Joab, and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Don’t you know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long will it be then, before you ask the people to return from following their brothers?”

Joab said, “As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely then in the morning the people would have gone away, and not each followed his brother.”

David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

When David enquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry trees.

the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but God’s ark dwells within curtains.”

What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Lord GOD.

For your word’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make your servant know it.

When they told David this, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, “Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.”

Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel and put them in array against the Syrians.

it shall be that, if the king’s wrath arise, and he asks you, ‘Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Didn’t you know that they would shoot from the wall?

Who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Didn’t a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.’”

The LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, “There were two men in one city: the one rich, and the other poor.

Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.”

Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was towards Absalom.

Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, “Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don’t anoint yourself with oil; but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead.

Go in to the king and speak like this to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.

Then the woman said, “Please let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.” He said, “Say on.”

Then your servant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. May the LORD, your God, be with you.’”

Your servant Joab has done this thing to change the face of the matter. My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.”

The king said also to Zadok the priest, “Aren’t you a seer? Return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

David said to him, “If you pass on with me, then you will be a burden to me;

but if you return to the city, and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king. As I have been your father’s servant in time past, so I will now be your servant; then will you defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.’

Don’t you have Zadok and Abiathar the priests there with you? Therefore whatever you hear out of the king’s house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”

Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines that he has left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.”

The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man enquired at the inner sanctuary of God. All the counsel of Ahithophel was like this both with David and with Absalom.

The saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let’s hear likewise what he says.”

When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, “Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? If not, speak up.”

Hushai said to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”

Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil on Absalom.

Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “Ahithophel counselled Absalom and the elders of Israel that way; and I have counselled this way.

The woman took and spread the covering over the well’s mouth, and spread out crushed grain on it; and nothing was known.

After they had departed, they came up out of the well and went and told King David; and they said to David, “Arise and pass quickly over the water; for thus has Ahithophel counselled against you.”

David counted the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.

But the people said, “You shall not go out, for if we flee away, they will not care for us, neither if half of us die, will they care for us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore now it is better that you are ready to help us out of the city.”

The king said to them, “I will do what seems best to you.” The king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.

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.”

Joab said to him, “You must not be the bearer of news today, but you must carry news another day. But today you must carry no news, because the king’s son is dead.”

He has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is as an angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.

The king said to him, “Why do you speak any more of your matters? I say, you and Ziba divide the land.”

Barzillai said to the king, “How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

I am eighty years old, today. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear the voice of singing men and singing women any more? Why then should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?

Your servant will just go over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?

Then a wise woman cried out of the city, “Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, ‘Come near here, that I may speak with you.’”

He came near to her; and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your servant.” He answered, “I’m listening.”

Then she spoke, saying, “They used to say in old times, ‘They shall surely ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter.

Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

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

As for God, his way is perfect. The LORD’s word is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.

He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.

“The LORD’s Spirit spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.

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,

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.

Wasn’t he most honourable of the three? Therefore he was made their captain. However he wasn’t included as one of the three.

He was more honourable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three. David set him over his guard.

Joab said to the king, “Now may the LORD your God add to the people, however many they may be, one hundred times; and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king delight in this thing?”

Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?

Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and your son Solomon’s life.

Behold, while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”

Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it.

You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.

Solomon said, “If he shows himself a worthy man, not a hair of his shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.”

Now the days of David came near that he should die; and he commanded Solomon his son, saying,

and keep the instruction of the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn yourself.

Do therefore according to your wisdom, and don’t let his grey head go down to Sheol in peace.

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.”

King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.”

Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and had come again.

The king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, “Didn’t I adjure you by the LORD and warn you, saying, ‘Know for certain that on the day you go out and walk anywhere else, you shall surely die’? You said to me, ‘The saying that I have heard is good.’

In Gibeon, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask for what I should give you.”

Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. I am just a little child. I don’t know how to go out or come in.

Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?”

This request pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,

behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you.

Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king, and stood before him.

Then the king said, “One says, ‘This is my son who lives, and your son is the dead;’ and the other says, ‘No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’”

The king said, “Get me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king.

The king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.”

Then the king answered, “Give the first woman the living child, and definitely do not kill him. She is his mother.”

All Israel heard of the judgement which the king had judged; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.

God gave Solomon abundant wisdom, understanding, and breadth of mind like the sand that is on the seashore.

Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.

For he was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the nations all around.

He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered one thousand and five.

He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows out of the wall; he also spoke of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish.

People of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, sent by all kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.

Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,

Now therefore command that cedar trees be cut for me out of Lebanon. My servants will be with your servants; and I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you say. For you know that there is nobody amongst us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”

When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly, and said, “Blessed is the LORD today, who has given to David a wise son to rule over this great people.”

The LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty together.

He built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar; from the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood. He covered the floor of the house with cypress boards.

He made the porch of the throne where he was to judge, even the porch of judgement; and it was covered with cedar from floor to floor.

He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze; and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill to work all works in bronze. He came to King Solomon and performed all his work.

It was a hand width thick. Its brim was worked like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held two thousand baths.

He made the ten bases of bronze. The length of one base was four cubits, four cubits its width, and three cubits its height.

The work of the bases was like this: they had panels; and there were panels between the ledges;

and on the panels that were between the ledges were lions, oxen, and cherubim; and on the ledges there was a pedestal above; and beneath the lions and oxen were wreaths of hanging work.

Every base had four bronze wheels and axles of bronze; and its four feet had supports. The supports were cast beneath the basin, with wreaths at the side of each.

Its opening within the capital and above was a cubit. Its opening was round like the work of a pedestal, a cubit and a half; and also on its opening were engravings, and their panels were square, not round.

The four wheels were underneath the panels; and the axles of the wheels were in the base. The height of a wheel was a cubit and half a cubit.

The work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel. Their axles, their rims, their spokes, and their hubs were all of cast metal.

There were four supports at the four corners of each base. Its supports were of the base itself.

In the top of the base there was a round band half a cubit high; and on the top of the base its supports and its panels were the same.

But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house that I have built!

then hear in heaven, your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know (for you, even you only, know the hearts of all the children of men);

that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD himself is God. There is no one else.

(now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and cypress trees, and with gold, according to all his desire), King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

Solomon built in the land Gezer, Beth Horon the lower,

When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the LORD’s name, she came to test him with hard questions.

She came to Jerusalem with a very great caravan, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she had come to Solomon, she talked with him about all that was in her heart.

Solomon answered all her questions. There wasn’t anything hidden from the king which he didn’t tell her.

When the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,

She said to the king, “It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom.

However, I didn’t believe the words until I came and my eyes had seen it. Behold, not even half was told me! Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.

Happy are your men, happy are these your servants who stand continually before you, who hear your wisdom.

All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver, because it was considered of little value in the days of Solomon.

So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

All the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart.

At that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the way. Now Ahijah had clad himself with a new garment; and the two of them were alone in the field.

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, aren’t they written in the book of the acts of Solomon?

He said to them, “Depart for three days, then come back to me.” So the people departed.

King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, “What counsel do you give me to answer these people?”

They replied, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them, and answer them with good words, then they will be your servants forever.”

But he abandoned the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.

He said to them, “What counsel do you give, that we may answer these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Make the yoke that your father put on us lighter’?”

The young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Tell these people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but make it lighter to us’— tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist.

The king answered the people roughly, and abandoned the counsel of the old men which they had given him,

The LORD said to Ahijah, “Behold, Jeroboam’s wife is coming to enquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. Tell her such and such; for it will be, when she comes in, that she will pretend to be another woman.”

So when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came in at the door, he said, “Come in, Jeroboam’s wife! Why do you pretend to be another? For I am sent to you with heavy news.

He bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.

The woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the LORD’s word in your mouth is truth.”

Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, “Please notice how this man seeks mischief; for he sent to me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I didn’t deny him.”

All the elders and all the people said to him, “Don’t listen, and don’t consent.”

The king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Don’t let him who puts on his armour brag like he who takes it off.’”

The prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself, and plan what you must do, for at the return of the year, the king of Syria will come up against you.”

Do this thing: take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their place.

A man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “The LORD says, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The LORD is a god of the hills, but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’”

So the prophet departed and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes.

He hurried, and took the headband away from his eyes; and the king of Israel recognised that he was one of the prophets.

Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please enquire first for the LORD’s word.”

But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of him?”

They answered him, “He was a hairy man, and wearing a leather belt around his waist.” He said, “It’s Elijah the Tishbite.”

Again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. The third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, and said to him, “Man of God, please let my life and the life of these fifty of your servants be precious in your sight.

The sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” He said, “Yes, I know it. Hold your peace.”

The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” He answered, “Yes, I know it. Hold your peace.”

When they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.”

They said to him, “See now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. Perhaps the LORD’s Spirit has taken him up, and put him on some mountain or into some valley.” He said, “Don’t send them.”

They came back to him while he stayed at Jericho; and he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t go’?”

But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of the LORD here, that we may enquire of the LORD by him?” One of the king of Israel’s servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah, is here.”

Jehoshaphat said, “The LORD’s word is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

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

When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and the LORD has hidden it from me, and has not told me.”

It was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

His servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”

But he went in, and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you come from, Gehazi?” He said, “Your servant went nowhere.”

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?

The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” He showed him the place. He cut down a stick, threw it in there, and made the iron float.

Now the king of Syria was at war against Israel; and he took counsel with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.”

The man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.”

The king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of; and he saved himself there, not once or twice.

The king of Syria’s heart was very troubled about this. He called his servants, and said to them, “Won’t you show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”

One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”

He said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” He was told, “Behold, he is in Dothan.”

Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, please open his eyes, that he may see.” the LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.

Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” He led them to Samaria.

When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “LORD, open these men’s eyes, that they may see.” The LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the middle of Samaria.

The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, “My father, shall I strike them? Shall I strike them?”

But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. Then the king sent a man from before him; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, “Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Behold, when the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold the door shut against him. Isn’t the sound of his master’s feet behind him?”

The king arose in the night, and said to his servants, “I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we are hungry. Therefore they have gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, ‘When they come out of the city, we shall take them alive, and get into the city.’”

One of his servants answered, “Please let some people take five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city. Behold, they are like all the multitude of Israel who are left in it. Behold, they are like all the multitude of Israel who are consumed. Let’s send and see.”

Now Elisha had spoken to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, “Arise, and go, you and your household, and stay for a while wherever you can; for the LORD has called for a famine. It will also come on the land for seven years.”

The woman arose, and did according to the man of God’s word. She went with her household, and lived in the land of the Philistines for seven years.

Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son as wife.’ Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by, and trampled down the thistle.

You have indeed struck Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Enjoy the glory of it, and stay at home; for why should you meddle to your harm, that you fall, even you, and Judah with you?”

Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

Now the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

Now the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

Therefore they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The nations which you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria don’t know the law of the god of the land. Therefore he has sent lions amongst them; and behold, they kill them, because they don’t know the law of the god of the land.”

But the people stayed quiet, and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”

Haven’t you heard how I have done it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? Now I have brought it to pass, that it should be yours to lay waste fortified cities into ruinous heaps.

But I know your sitting down, your going out, your coming in, and your raging against me.

Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, even from Babylon.”

Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the LORD’s word.

Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the LORD’s house.” Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me.” Then Shaphan read it before the king.

So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and they talked with her.

Then he said, “What monument is that which I see?” The men of the city told him, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done against the altar of Bethel.”

He said, “Let him be! Let no one move his bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.

Some of Manasseh also joined David when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle, but they didn’t help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away after consultation, saying, “He will desert to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.”

Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their heads were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their command.

David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader.

David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring God’s ark home to me?”

So David didn’t move the ark with him into David’s city, but carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house.

David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted, for his people Israel’s sake.

Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the singing. He taught the singers, because he was skilful.

This was a small thing in your eyes, O God, but you have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the standard of a man of high degree, LORD God.

What can David say yet more to you concerning the honour which is done to your servant? For you know your servant.

Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose some of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.

Joab said, “May the LORD make his people a hundred times as many as they are. But, my lord the king, aren’t they all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israel?”

The LORD spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying,

So Gad came to David and said to him, “The LORD says, ‘Take your choice:

May the LORD give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.

The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counsellor, a man of understanding, and a scribe. Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons.

Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.

You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

Then David gave to Solomon his son the plans for the porch of the temple, for its houses, for its treasuries, for its upper rooms, for its inner rooms, for the place of the mercy seat;

and the plans of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of the LORD’s house, for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of God’s house, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things;

“All this”, David said, “I have been made to understand in writing from the LORD’s hand, even all the works of this pattern.”

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.

and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision.”

Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of yours?”

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,

therefore wisdom and knowledge is granted to you. I will give you riches, wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you, and none after you will have.”

The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt and from Kue. The king’s merchants purchased them from Kue.

They imported from Egypt then exported a chariot for six hundred pieces of silver and a horse for one hundred and fifty. They also exported them to the Hittite kings and the Syrian kings.

Now Solomon decided to build a house for the LORD’s name, and a house for his kingdom.

Solomon counted out seventy thousand men to bear burdens, eighty thousand men who were stone cutters in the mountains, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.

Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, “As you dealt with David my father, and sent him cedars to build him a house in which to dwell, so deal with me.

But who is able to build him a house, since heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him a house, except just to burn incense before him?

“Now therefore send me a man skilful to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue, and who knows how to engrave engravings, to be with the skilful men who are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.

Huram continued, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, endowed with discretion and understanding, who would build a house for the LORD and a house for his kingdom.

Now I have sent a skilful man, endowed with understanding, Huram-abi,

the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan; and his father was a man of Tyre. He is skilful to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in iron, in stone, in timber, in purple, in blue, in fine linen, and in crimson, also to engrave any kind of engraving and to devise any device, that there may be a place appointed to him with your skilful men, and with the skilful men of my lord David your father.

But the LORD said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart;

then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive, and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know (for you, even you only, know the hearts of the children of men),

When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great caravan, including camels that bore spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. When she had come to Solomon, she talked with him about all that was in her heart.

Solomon answered all her questions. There wasn’t anything hidden from Solomon which he didn’t tell her.

When the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,

the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers, their clothing, his cup bearers and their clothing, and his ascent by which he went up to the LORD’s house, there was no more spirit in her.

She said to the king, “It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom.

However I didn’t believe their words until I came, and my eyes had seen it; and behold half of the greatness of your wisdom wasn’t told me. You exceed the fame that I heard!

Happy are your men, and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom.

So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, aren’t they written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?

King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, “What counsel do you give me about how to answer these people?”

They spoke to him, saying, “If you are kind to these people, please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”

But he abandoned the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.

He said to them, “What counsel do you give, that we may give an answer to these people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Make the yoke that your father put on us lighter’?”

The king answered them roughly; and King Rehoboam abandoned the counsel of the old men,

He dealt wisely, and dispersed some of his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city. He gave them food in abundance; and he sought many wives for them.

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

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

The Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded.

Now for a long time Israel was without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law.

Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the LORD’s house and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben Hadad king of Syria, who lived at Damascus, saying,

“Let there be a treaty between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you silver and gold. Go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.”

For the LORD’s eyes run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him. You have done foolishly in this; for from now on you will have wars.”

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;

and with them Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.

They taught in Judah, having the book of the LORD’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught amongst the people.

Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please enquire first for the LORD’s word.”

But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we may enquire of him?”

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may enquire of the LORD; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.” Jehoshaphat said, “Don’t let the king say so.”

Then the LORD’s Spirit came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly;

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is included in the book of the kings of Israel.

The Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said to them, “God says, ‘Why do you disobey the LORD’s commandments, so that you can’t prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has also forsaken you.’”

A man of God came to him, saying, “O king, don’t let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel, with all the children of Ephraim.

Therefore the LORD’s anger burnt against Amaziah, and he sent to him a prophet who said to him, “Why have you sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of your hand?”

Then Amaziah king of Judah consulted his advisers, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come! Let’s look one another in the face.”

Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son as his wife. Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled down the thistle.

You say to yourself that you have struck Edom; and your heart lifts you up to boast. Now stay at home. Why should you meddle with trouble, that you should fall, even you and Judah with you?’”

He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.

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

In Jerusalem, he made devices, invented by skilful men, to be on the towers and on the battlements, with which to shoot arrows and great stones. His name spread far abroad, because he was marvellously helped until he was strong.

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

The thing was right in the eyes of the king and of all the assembly.

Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps.

he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the springs which were outside of the city, and they helped him.

Then many people gathered together and they stopped all the springs and the brook that flowed through the middle of the land, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find abundant water?”

However, concerning the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him to test him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered me a book.” Shaphan read from it to the king.

He said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to the LORD, “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built. It will no longer be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and his people Israel.

But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, you king of Judah? I come not against you today, but against the house with which I have war. God has commanded me to make haste. Beware that it is God who is with me, that he not destroy you.”

that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past. That is why this city was destroyed.

I decreed, and search has been made, and it was found that this city has made insurrection against kings in the past, and that rebellion and revolts have been made in it.

Be careful that you not be slack doing so. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

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

this Ezra went up from Babylon. He was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the LORD his God’s hand on him.

For Ezra had set his heart to seek the LORD’s law, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Now this is the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the LORD’s commandments, and of his statutes to Israel:

Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the perfect God of heaven. Now

Because you are sent by the king and his seven counsellors to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which is in your hand,

Whatever seems good to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, do that according to the will of your God.

You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people who are beyond the River, who all know the laws of your God; and teach him who doesn’t know them.

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

According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen;

The rulers didn’t know where I went, or what I did. I had not as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work.

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

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

Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, “You exact usury, everyone of his brother.” I held a great assembly against them.

I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I can’t come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?”

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

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

I said to them, “Don’t let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut the doors, and you bar them; and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch, with everyone near his house.”

My God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be listed by genealogy. I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found this written in it:

The governor told them not to eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to minister with Urim and Thummim.

He read from it before the wide place that was in front of the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand. The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.

Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law; and the people stayed in their place.

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

All the people went their way to eat, to drink, to send portions, and to celebrate, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

On the second day, the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered together to Ezra the scribe, to study the words of the law.

Also day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. They kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance.

They stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God a fourth part of the day; and a fourth part they confessed and worshipped the LORD their God.

“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,

You gave also your good Spirit to instruct them, and didn’t withhold your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst.

The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters—everyone who had knowledge and understanding—

On that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and it was found written in it that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God forever,

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.

Didn’t Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet amongst many nations there was no king like him, and he was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless foreign women caused even him to sin.

In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.

Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for it was the king’s custom to consult those who knew law and judgement;

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

This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

Then the king’s servants who served him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

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

Esther had not made known her people nor her relatives, because Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known.

Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the keeper of the women, advised. Esther obtained favour in the sight of all those who looked at her.

Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request is this.

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

Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honour,

Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall before him.”

But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job didn’t sin with his lips.

“Now a thing was secretly brought to me. My ear received a whisper of it.

In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men,

It stood still, but I couldn’t discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes. Silence, then I heard a voice, saying,

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

Behold, he puts no trust in his servants. He charges his angels with error.

How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!

Isn’t their tent cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.’

For resentment kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the simple.

I have seen the foolish taking root, but suddenly I cursed his habitation.

For affliction doesn’t come out of the dust, neither does trouble spring out of the ground;

but man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

who does great things that can’t be fathomed, marvellous things without number;

He frustrates the plans of the crafty, so that their hands can’t perform their enterprise.

He takes the wise in their own craftiness; the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong.

They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope at noonday as in the night.

“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

You will know that your tent is in peace. You will visit your fold, and will miss nothing.

Behold, we have researched it. It is so. Hear it, and know it for your good.”

Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

Can that which has no flavour be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?

“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.

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

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

What is man, that you should magnify him, that you should set your mind on him,

“Please enquire of past generations. Find out about the learning of their fathers.

(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days on earth are a shadow.)

Shall they not teach you, tell you, and utter words out of their heart?

“Can the papyrus grow up without mire? Can the rushes grow without water?

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

If he is pleased to contend with him, he can’t answer him one time in a thousand.

God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against him and prospered?

He makes the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the rooms of the south.

He does great things past finding out; yes, marvellous things without number.

Behold, he goes by me, and I don’t see him. He passes on also, but I don’t perceive him.

Behold, he snatches away. Who can hinder him? Who will ask him, ‘What are you doing?’

How much less will I answer him, and choose my words to argue with him?

Do you have eyes of flesh? Or do you see as man sees?

Are your days as the days of mortals, or your years as man’s years,

Yet you hid these things in your heart. I know that this is with you:

“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

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

But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,

that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?

Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

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

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

“No doubt, but you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Yes, who doesn’t know such things as these?

“But ask the animals now, and they will teach you; the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.

Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you. The fish of the sea will declare to you.

Who doesn’t know that in all these, the LORD’s hand has done this,

Doesn’t the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food?

With aged men is wisdom, in length of days understanding.

“With God is wisdom and might. He has counsel and understanding.

With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his.

He leads counsellors away stripped. He makes judges fools.

He removes the speech of those who are trusted, and takes away the understanding of the elders.

He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death.

He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

They grope in the dark without light. He makes them stagger like a drunken man.

“Behold, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it.

What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.

“Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.

Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.

Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.

Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?

Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes. Your defences are defences of clay.

Listen carefully to my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.

How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.

“Should a wise man answer with vain knowledge, and fill himself with the east wind?

Should he reason with unprofitable talk, or with speeches with which he can do no good?

“Are you the first man who was born? Or were you brought out before the hills?

Have you heard the secret counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?

What do you know that we don’t know? What do you understand which is not in us?

With us are both the grey-headed and the very aged men, much older than your father.

“I will show you, listen to me; that which I have seen I will declare

(which wise men have told by their fathers, and have not hidden it;

Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself, for emptiness will be his reward.

For you have hidden their heart from understanding, therefore you will not exalt them.

But as for you all, come back. I will not find a wise man amongst you.

“How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.

If it is true that I have erred, my error remains with myself.

I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame. The spirit of my understanding answers me.

Don’t you know this from old time, since man was placed on earth,

“Listen diligently to my speech. Let this be your consolation.

Allow me, and I also will speak. After I have spoken, mock on.

They tell God, ‘Depart from us, for we don’t want to know about your ways.

Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked is far from me.

“Shall any teach God knowledge, since he judges those who are high?

“Behold, I know your thoughts, the plans with which you would wrong me.

Haven’t you asked wayfaring men? Don’t you know their evidences,

“Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself.

“Isn’t God in the heights of heaven? See the height of the stars, how high they are!

You say, ‘What does God know? Can he judge through the thick darkness?

Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he doesn’t see. He walks on the vault of the sky.’

“Acquaint yourself with him now, and be at peace. By it, good will come to you.

Please receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.

Lay your treasure in the dust, the gold of Ophir amongst the stones of the brooks.

You will also decree a thing, and it will be established to you. Light will shine on your ways.

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold.

I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.

For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.

How have you counselled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!

To whom have you uttered words? Whose spirit came out of you?

Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.

He has described a boundary on the surface of the waters, and to the confines of light and darkness.

He stirs up the sea with his power, and by his understanding he strikes through Rahab.

By his Spirit the heavens are garnished. His hand has pierced the swift serpent.

Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways. How small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?”

Job again took up his parable, and said,

I will teach you about the hand of God. I will not conceal that which is with the Almighty.

Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?

Man sets an end to darkness, and searches out, to the furthest bound, the stones of obscurity and of thick darkness.

That path no bird of prey knows, neither has the falcon’s eye seen it.

He cuts out channels amongst the rocks. His eye sees every precious thing.

He binds the streams that they don’t trickle. The thing that is hidden he brings out to light.

“But where will wisdom be found? Where is the place of understanding?

Man doesn’t know its price, and it isn’t found in the land of the living.

The deep says, ‘It isn’t in me.’ The sea says, ‘It isn’t with me.’

It can’t be gotten for gold, neither will silver be weighed for its price.

It can’t be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

Gold and glass can’t equal it, neither will it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.

No mention will be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of wisdom is above rubies.

The topaz of Ethiopia will not equal it. It won’t be valued with pure gold.

Where then does wisdom come from? Where is the place of understanding?

Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the birds of the sky.

Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumour of it with our ears.’

“God understands its way, and he knows its place.

For he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole sky.

He establishes the force of the wind. Yes, he measures out the waters by measure.

When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder,

then he saw it, and declared it. He established it, yes, and searched it out.

To man he said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.’”

The young men saw me and hid themselves. The aged rose up and stood.

The princes refrained from talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.

The voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.

For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me, and when the eye saw me, it commended me,

“Men listened to me, waited, and kept silence for my counsel.

After my words they didn’t speak again. My speech fell on them.

They waited for me as for the rain. Their mouths drank as with the spring rain.

I chose out their way, and sat as chief. I lived as a king in the army, as one who comforts the mourners.

Doesn’t he see my ways, and count all my steps?

(let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity);

For calamity from God is a terror to me. Because of his majesty, I can do nothing.

Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old. Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.

I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding.

It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’

“Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, amongst you.

Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom. God may refute him, not man;’

for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

“They are amazed. They answer no more. They don’t have a word to say.

I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.

For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.

Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.

I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

For I don’t know how to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would soon take me away.

“However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.

My words will utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.

If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.

“Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,

“Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.

Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?

For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.

In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed,

then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,

that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

“If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one amongst a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,

Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.

If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”

“Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.

Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know amongst ourselves what is good.

“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.

Who put him in charge of the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world?

“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

Should even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,

“For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.

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.

Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.

Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:

‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’

Moreover Elihu answered,

that you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you? What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’

I will answer you, and your companions with you.

Look to the skies, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.

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?

who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’

therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge.”

I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

“Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.

then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.

He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.

But if they don’t listen, they will perish by the sword; they will die without knowledge.

Don’t let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.

Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength?

Don’t desire the night, when people are cut off in their place.

Take heed, don’t regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction.

Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?

Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, ‘You have committed unrighteousness’?

Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.

Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunderings of his pavilion?

God thunders marvellously with his voice. He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.

He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.

“Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?

Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?

Teach us what we will tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.

Will it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

Now men don’t see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.

We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.

Therefore men revere him. He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.”

“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me!

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measures, if you know? Or who stretched the line on it?

What were its foundations fastened on? Or who laid its cornerstone,

“Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke out of the womb,

when I made clouds its garment, and wrapped it in thick darkness,

marked out for it my bound, set bars and doors,

and said, ‘You may come here, but no further. Your proud waves shall be stopped here’?

“Have you commanded the morning in your days, and caused the dawn to know its place,

It is changed as clay under the seal, and presented as a garment.

“Have you entered into the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep?

Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?

Have you comprehended the earth in its width? Declare, if you know it all.

“What is the way to the dwelling of light? As for darkness, where is its place,

that you should take it to its bound, that you should discern the paths to its house?

Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!

Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,

which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

By what way is the lightning distributed, or the east wind scattered on the earth?

Who has cut a channel for the flood water, or the path for the thunderstorm,

to cause it to rain on a land where there is no man, on the wilderness, in which there is no man,

to satisfy the waste and desolate ground, to cause the tender grass to grow?

Does the rain have a father? Or who fathers the drops of dew?

Whose womb did the ice come out of? Who has given birth to the grey frost of the sky?

“Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loosen the cords of Orion?

Can you lead the constellations out in their season? Or can you guide the Bear with her cubs?

Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you establish its dominion over the earth?

“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover you?

Can you send out lightnings, that they may go? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?

Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind?

Who can count the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the containers of the sky,

“Do you know the time when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears fawns?

Can you count the months that they fulfil? Or do you know the time when they give birth?

whose home I have made the wilderness, and the salt land his dwelling place?

He scorns the tumult of the city, neither does he hear the shouting of the driver.

The range of the mountains is his pasture. He searches after every green thing.

“Will the wild ox be content to serve you? Or will he stay by your feeding trough?

Can you hold the wild ox in the furrow with his harness? Or will he till the valleys after you?

Will you trust him, because his strength is great? Or will you leave to him your labour?

Will you confide in him, that he will bring home your seed, and gather the grain of your threshing floor?

“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are they the feathers and plumage of love?

For she leaves her eggs on the earth, warms them in the dust,

and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild animal may trample them.

She deals harshly with her young ones, as if they were not hers. Though her labour is in vain, she is without fear,

because God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has he imparted to her understanding.

“Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings towards the south?

Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up, and makes his nest on high?

From there he spies out the prey. His eyes see it afar off.

“Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

“Behold, I am of small account. What will I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.

I have spoken once, and I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:

“Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me.

Will you even annul my judgement? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified?

Or do you have an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like him?

“Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity. Array yourself with honour and majesty.

Then I will also admit to you that your own right hand can save you.

“See now behemoth, which I made as well as you. He eats grass as an ox.

He is the chief of the ways of God. He who made him gives him his sword.

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be restrained.

You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ therefore I have uttered that which I didn’t understand, things too wonderful for me, which I didn’t know.

You said, ‘Listen, now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.

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;

Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonour? Will you love vanity and seek after falsehood? Selah.

Stand in awe, and don’t sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.

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.

Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

The LORD has made himself known. He has executed judgement. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah.

Put them in fear, LORD. Let the nations know that they are only men. Selah.

The wicked, in the pride of his face, has no room in his thoughts for God.

The LORD is in his holy temple. The LORD is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men.

The LORD’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.

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.

The LORD looked down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who understood, who sought after God.

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart;

I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.

As for the deeds of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

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

Day after day they pour out speech, and night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.

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.

They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.

Moreover your servant is warned by them. In keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors.

Show me your ways, LORD. Teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. I wait for you all day long.

Good and upright is the LORD, therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.

He will guide the humble in justice. He will teach the humble his way.

What man is he who fears the LORD? He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose.

The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him. He will show them his covenant.

Examine me, LORD, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.

Teach me your way, LORD. Lead me in a straight path, because of my enemies.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.

Don’t be like the horse, or like the mule, which have no understanding, who are controlled by bit and bridle, or else they will not come near to you.

By the LORD’s word, the heavens were made: all their army by the breath of his mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap. He lays up the deeps in storehouses.

The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect.

The counsel of the LORD stands fast forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

The LORD looks from heaven. He sees all the sons of men.

From the place of his habitation he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,

he who fashions all of their hearts; and he considers all of their works.

Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.

Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.

The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.

By David. Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.

The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.

For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”

“LORD, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.

Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” Selah.

“Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather.

I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.”

won’t God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart.

Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also your father’s house.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted amongst the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”

For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples. Listen, all you inhabitants of the world,

My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart will utter understanding.

I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will solve my riddle on the harp.

For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless perish, and leave their wealth to others.

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.

Don’t be afraid when a man is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

for when he dies he will carry nothing away. His glory won’t descend after him.

Though while he lived he blessed his soul— and men praise you when you do well for yourself—

he shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light.

A man who has riches without understanding, is like the animals that perish.

I know all the birds of the mountains. The wild animals of the field are mine.

If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

Will I eat the meat of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

since you hate instruction, and throw my words behind you?

Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

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.

Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and don’t call on God?

Surely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath.

Don’t trust in oppression. Don’t become vain in robbery. If riches increase, don’t set your heart on them.

God has spoken once; twice I have heard this, that power belongs to God.

All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done.

That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation amongst all nations,

God, you know my foolishness. My sins aren’t hidden from you.

You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonour. My adversaries are all before you.

God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.

They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”

If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me—

until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.

I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.

You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

You have set all the boundaries of the earth. You have made summer and winter.

For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from the south, comes exaltation.

I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.

I remember my song in the night. I consider in my own heart; my spirit diligently enquires:

I will also meditate on all your work, and consider your doings.

A contemplation by Asaph. Hear my teaching, my people. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old,

which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

For he established a covenant in Jacob, and appointed a teaching in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children;

that the generation to come might know, even the children who should be born; who should arise and tell their children,

He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes away, and doesn’t come again.

So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

They don’t know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.

I will hear what God, the LORD, will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, his saints; but let them not turn again to folly.

Teach me your way, LORD. I will walk in your truth. Make my heart undivided to fear your name.

For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past, like a watch in the night.

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

Who knows the power of your anger, your wrath according to the fear that is due to you?

So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

How great are your works, LORD! Your thoughts are very deep.

A senseless man doesn’t know, neither does a fool understand this:

Consider, you senseless amongst the people; you fools, when will you be wise?

He who implanted the ear, won’t he hear? He who formed the eye, won’t he see?

He who disciplines the nations, won’t he punish? He who teaches man knows.

The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.

Blessed is the man whom you discipline, LORD, and teach out of your law,

Know that the LORD, he is God. It is he who has made us, and we are his. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

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.

A perverse heart will be far from me. I will have nothing to do with evil.

for he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, the LORD saw the earth,

For he knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust.

You have set a boundary that they may not pass over, that they don’t turn again to cover the earth.

He appointed the moon for seasons. The sun knows when to set.

LORD, how many are your works! In wisdom, you have made them all. The earth is full of your riches.

to discipline his princes at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom.

Our fathers didn’t understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn’t remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.

because they rebelled against the words of God, and condemned the counsel of the Most High.

Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things. They will consider the loving kindnesses of the LORD.

that they may know that this is your hand; that you, LORD, have done it.

The LORD’s works are great, pondered by all those who delight in them.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

They have mouths, but they don’t speak. They have eyes, but they don’t see.

They have ears, but they don’t hear. They have noses, but they don’t smell.

They have hands, but they don’t feel. They have feet, but they don’t walk, neither do they speak through their throat.

Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them.

It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in man.

It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in princes.

I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgements.

BETH How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.

Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.

Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counsellors.

Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.

HE Teach me, LORD, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.

I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.

Teach me good judgement and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.

The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

YODH Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.

I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.

Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.

I have not turned away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.

Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

NUN Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.

Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.

The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.

Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.

Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.

Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.

I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.

TAV Let my cry come before you, LORD. Give me understanding according to your word.

Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.

A Song of Ascents. By David. LORD, my heart isn’t arrogant, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me.

They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see.

They have ears, but they can’t hear, neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them.

to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his loving kindness endures forever;

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. LORD, you have searched me, and you know me.

You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar.

You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, LORD, you know it altogether.

This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.

even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.

My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum!

If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.

Set a watch, LORD, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips.

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.

Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock. They will hear my words, for they are well spoken.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, you knew my route. On the path in which I walk, they have hidden a snare for me.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

Man is like a breath. His days are like a shadow that passes away.

Don’t put your trust in princes, in a son of man in whom there is no help.

His spirit departs, and he returns to the earth. In that very day, his thoughts perish.

He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names.

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite.

who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass grow on the mountains.

He doesn’t delight in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

He sends out his commandment to the earth. His word runs very swiftly.

He shows his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.

The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;

to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—

that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;

to understand a proverb and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;

for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.

my son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,

For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;

but these lay in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.

So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.

Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.

She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:

“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?

Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.

Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;

but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;

I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you,

Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,

because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of the LORD.

They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.

For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”

My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you,

so as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;

yes, if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding;

if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;

then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

He lays up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.

For wisdom will enter into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Discretion will watch over you. Understanding will keep you,

to deliver you from the way of evil, from the men who speak perverse things,

to deliver you from the strange woman, even from the foreigner who flatters with her words,

My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

So you will find favour, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.

Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

My son, don’t despise the LORD’s discipline, neither be weary of his correction;

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.

For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honour.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

By wisdom the LORD founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.

By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.

My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.

Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble.

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.

He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.

My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbour, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger,

you are trapped by the words of your mouth; you are ensnared with the words of your mouth.

Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, since you have come into the hand of your neighbour. Go, humble yourself. Press your plea with your neighbour.

Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.

Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise;

which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,

provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.

How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?

Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?

On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.

Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:

“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.

You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!

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.

They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.

Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.

For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.

“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.

With me are riches, honour, enduring wealth, and prosperity.

My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.

I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,

that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.

I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.

When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.

Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;

while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,

when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,

when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,

“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.

Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favour from the LORD.

But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”

Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.

She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!

Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”

One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.

Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.

Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.

He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.

In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.

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.

It is a fool’s pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding’s pleasure.

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.

When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.

With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbour, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.

Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

He who diligently seeks good seeks favour, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.

He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.

Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.

Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honours himself and lacks bread.

He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.

A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who do the truth are his delight.

A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.

By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.

He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.

Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.

The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.

Good understanding wins favour, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.

Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honoured.

One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.

Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.

A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.

He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.

In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.

The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.

In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly.

The LORD’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.

A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.

There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die.

Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.

Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counsellors they are established.

Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!

The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.

The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home amongst the wise.

He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.

The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honour is humility.

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.

A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.

Inspired judgements are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.

The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Grey hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance amongst the brothers.

The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.

An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.

Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarrelling breaks out.

Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?

A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbour.

One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgement.

A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.

The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honour is humility.

He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.

The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.

A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.

The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against the LORD.

Many will entreat the favour of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.

Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offence.

House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.

Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

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.

Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarrelling.

The sluggard will not plough by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them.

Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.

Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.

Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.

Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!

He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.

The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.

A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?

It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.

A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.

The spirit of man is the LORD’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.

The glory of young men is their strength. The splendour of old men is their grey hair.

The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.

A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays from them.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.

He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.

The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.

For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.

Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,

To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?

Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbours anger,

lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.

Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.

If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.

When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;

put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite.

Don’t be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food.

Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.

Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.

Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, and don’t crave his delicacies,

for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

You will vomit up the morsel which you have eaten and waste your pleasant words.

Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge.

My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine.

Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path!

Don’t be amongst ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat;

for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.

The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.

My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways.

For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine.

Don’t look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.

In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper.

Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things.

Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the middle of the sea, or as he who lies on top of the rigging:

“They hit me, and I was not hurt! They beat me, and I don’t feel it! When will I wake up? I can do it again. I will look for more.”

Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;

for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.

Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;

by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.

A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,

for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors.

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?

My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;

so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off.

My son, fear the LORD and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious,

for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?

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—

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.

Don’t be a witness against your neighbour without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.

Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.

Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:

a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,

so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.

These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

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.

Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place amongst great men;

for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.

Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbour shames you?

Debate your case with your neighbour, and don’t betray the confidence of another,

lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.

As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.

Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.

Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.

A man who gives false testimony against his neighbour is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.

As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.

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.

A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honour to a fool.

Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.

As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”

As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

is the man who deceives his neighbour and says, “Am I not joking?”

For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.

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.

Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring.

Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.

As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.

Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend. Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster. A neighbour who is near is better than a distant brother.

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!

He who blesses his neighbour with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him.

restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.

Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.

Like water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.

Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man’s eyes are never satisfied.

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.

Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.

Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds,

for riches are not forever, nor does the crown endure to all generations.

The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.

In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.

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 keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.

A tyrannical ruler lacks judgement. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.

A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.

One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favour than one who flatters with the tongue.

One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

A man who flatters his neighbour spreads a net for his feet.

The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.

Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.

If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.

A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.

The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.

A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.

A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honour.

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the revelation: the man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:

“Surely I am the most ignorant man, and don’t have a man’s understanding.

I have not learnt wisdom, neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.

Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if you know?

Don’t you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.

“Don’t slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.

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.

“The leech has two daughters: ‘Give, give.’ “There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don’t say, ‘Enough!’:

Sheol, the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that doesn’t say, ‘Enough!’

“There are three things which are too amazing for me, four which I don’t understand:

The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the middle of the sea, and the way of a man with a maiden.

“For three things the earth trembles, and under four, it can’t bear up:

For a servant when he is king, a fool when he is filled with food,

for an unloved woman when she is married, and a servant who is heir to her mistress.

“There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:

The ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer.

The hyraxes are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.

The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks.

You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.

“If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth.

For as the churning of milk produces butter, and the wringing of the nose produces blood, so the forcing of wrath produces strife.”

The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:

Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’

lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.

She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits amongst the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.

She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

What does man gain from all his labour in which he labours under the sun?

One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.

I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

That which is crooked can’t be made straight; and that which is lacking can’t be counted.

I said to myself, “Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”

I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.

For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.

I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly; for what can the king’s successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.

Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.

The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness—and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.

Then I said in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?” Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity.

For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no memory forever, since in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. Indeed, the wise man must die just like the fool!

Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labour in which I have laboured, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

For there is a man whose labour is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skilfulness; yet he shall leave it for his portion to a man who has not laboured for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

What profit has he who works in that in which he labours?

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.

That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago. God seeks again that which is passed away.

I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.

Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”

Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion; for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

Then I saw all the labour and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and chasing after wind.

Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then do I labour and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

Guard your steps when you go to God’s house; for to draw near to listen is better than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they don’t know that they do evil.

Don’t be rash with your mouth, and don’t let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool’s speech with a multitude of words.

It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words; but you must fear God.

He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?

For what advantage has the wise more than the fool? What has the poor man, that knows how to walk before the living?

Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.

For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man?

For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one’s birth.

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men, and the living should take this to heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.

Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not ask wisely about this.

Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he has made crooked?

In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

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.

“Behold, I have found this,” says the Preacher, “to one another, to find an explanation

which my soul still seeks, but I have not found. I have found one man amongst a thousand, but I have not found a woman amongst all those.

Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

Don’t be hasty to go out of his presence. Don’t persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,

for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.

For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.

For he doesn’t know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practise it.

All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.

When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth (even though eyes see no sleep day or night),

then I saw all the work of God, that man can’t find out the work that is done under the sun, because however much a man labours to seek it out, yet he won’t find it. Yes even though a wise man thinks he can comprehend it, he won’t be able to find it.

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.

For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.

I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.

I have also seen wisdom under the sun in this way, and it seemed great to me.

Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

Then I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules amongst fools.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.

Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odour; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.

A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.

Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.

If the axe is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.

The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?

The labour of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.

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!

By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.

Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.

Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days.

Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you don’t know what evil will be on the earth.

If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls towards the south, or towards the north, in the place where the tree falls, there shall it be.

He who observes the wind won’t sow; and he who regards the clouds won’t reap.

As you don’t know what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child; even so you don’t know the work of God who does all.

In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening don’t withhold your hand; for you don’t know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be equally good.

Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.

The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.

I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up nor awaken love, until it so desires.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib; but Israel doesn’t know. My people don’t consider.”

Hear the LORD’s word, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

Many peoples shall go and say, “Come, let’s go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the law shall go out of Zion, and the LORD’s word from Jerusalem.

Stop trusting in man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for of what account is he?

the mighty man, the man of war, the judge, the prophet, the diviner, the elder,

the captain of fifty, the honourable man, the counsellor, the skilled craftsman, and the clever enchanter.

“Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, please judge between me and my vineyard.

Therefore my people go into captivity for lack of knowledge. Their honourable men are famished, and their multitudes are parched with thirst.

who say, “Let him make haste, let him hasten his work, that we may see it; let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know it!”

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!

He said, “Go, and tell this people, ‘You hear indeed, but don’t understand. You see indeed, but don’t perceive.’

Make the heart of this people fat. Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed.”

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.

When they tell you, “Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter,” shouldn’t a people consult with their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?

For he has said, “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding. I have removed the boundaries of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures. Like a valiant man I have brought down their rulers.

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 LORD’s Spirit will rest on him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

His delight will be in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by the sight of his eyes, neither decide by the hearing of his ears;

They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

For the LORD said to me, “I will be still, and I will see in my dwelling place, like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”

For before the harvest, when the blossom is over, and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and he will cut down and take away the spreading branches.

The spirit of the Egyptians will fail within them. I will destroy their counsel. They will seek the idols, the charmers, those who have familiar spirits, and the wizards.

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”?

Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you now; and let them know what the LORD of Armies has purposed concerning Egypt.

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.

When he sees a troop, horsemen in pairs, a troop of donkeys, a troop of camels, he shall listen diligently with great attentiveness.”

You also made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you didn’t look to him who had done this, neither did you have respect for him who planned it long ago.

I will lay the key of David’s house on his shoulder. He will open, and no one will shut. He will shut, and no one will open.

Who has planned this against Tyre, the giver of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are the honourable of the earth?

The LORD of Armies has planned it, to stain the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.

When its boughs are withered, they will be broken off. The women will come and set them on fire, for they are a people of no understanding. Therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them, and he who formed them will show them no favour.

Whom will he teach knowledge? To whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts?

For it is precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little.

Does he who ploughs to sow plough continually? Does he keep turning the soil and breaking the clods?

When he has levelled its surface, doesn’t he plant the dill, and scatter the cumin seed, and put in the wheat in rows, the barley in the appointed place, and the spelt in its place?

For his God instructs him in right judgement and teaches him.

For the dill isn’t threshed with a sharp instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned over the cumin; but the dill is beaten out with a stick, and the cumin with a rod.

Bread flour must be ground; so he will not always be threshing it. Although he drives the wheel of his threshing cart over it, his horses don’t grind it.

This also comes out from the LORD of Armies, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom.

Pause and wonder! Blind yourselves and be blind! They are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, the prophets; and he has covered your heads, the seers.

All vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is educated, saying, “Read this, please;” and he says, “I can’t, for it is sealed;”

and the book is delivered to one who is not educated, saying, “Read this, please;” and he says, “I can’t read.”

therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work amongst this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the understanding of their prudent men will be hidden.”

Woe to those who deeply hide their counsel from the LORD, and whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us?” and “Who knows us?”

You turn things upside down! Should the potter be thought to be like clay, that the thing made should say about him who made it, “He didn’t make me;” or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?

They also who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who grumble will receive instruction.”

Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come forever and ever.

and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.”

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they don’t look to the Holy One of Israel, and they don’t seek the LORD!

Yet he also is wise, and will bring disaster, and will not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of those who work iniquity.

The eyes of those who see will not be dim, and the ears of those who hear will listen.

The heart of the rash will understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly.

There will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is your treasure.

Search in the book of the LORD, and read: not one of these will be missing. None will lack her mate. For my mouth has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them.

Then Eliakim, Shebna and Joah said to Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Don’t speak to us in the Jews’ language in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.”

But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply, for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”

and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone; therefore they have destroyed them.

“‘Have you not heard how I have done it long ago, and formed it in ancient times? Now I have brought it to pass, that it should be yours to destroy fortified cities, turning them into ruinous heaps.

But I know your sitting down, your going out, your coming in, and your raging against me.

The voice of one saying, “Cry out!” One said, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field.

The grass withers, the flower fades, because the LORD’s breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass.

The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever.”

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and marked off the sky with his span, and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring basket, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

Who has directed the LORD’s Spirit, or has taught him as his counsellor?

Who did he take counsel with, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?

Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? Haven’t you been told from the beginning? Haven’t you understood from the foundations of the earth?

It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in,

who brings princes to nothing, who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.

“To whom then will you liken me? Who is my equal?” says the Holy One.

Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these, who brings out their army by number. He calls them all by name. By the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one is lacking.

Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

that they may see, know, consider, and understand together, that the LORD’s hand has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Produce your cause,” says the LORD. “Bring out your strong reasons!” says the King of Jacob.

“Let them announce and declare to us what will happen! Declare the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or show us things to come.

Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and see it together.

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.

When I look, there is no man, even amongst them there is no counsellor who, when I ask, can answer a word.

You see many things, but don’t observe. His ears are open, but he doesn’t listen.

Who is there amongst you who will give ear to this? Who will listen and hear for the time to come?

Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled. Who amongst them can declare this, and show us former things? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified, or let them hear, and say, “That is true.”

“You are my witnesses,” says the LORD, “With my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he. Before me there was no God formed, neither will there be after me.

Who is like me? Who will call, and will declare it, and set it in order for me, since I established the ancient people? Let them declare the things that are coming, and that will happen.

Don’t fear, neither be afraid. Haven’t I declared it to you long ago, and shown it? You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? Indeed, there is not. I don’t know any other Rock.”

They don’t know, neither do they consider, for he has shut their eyes, that they can’t see, and their hearts, that they can’t understand.

No one thinks, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, “I have burnt part of it in the fire. Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals. I have roasted meat and eaten it. Shall I make the rest of it into an abomination? Shall I bow down to a tree trunk?”

who frustrates the signs of the liars, and makes diviners mad; who turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolish;

I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, who calls you by your name, even the God of Israel.

I am the LORD, and there is no one else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me,

that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is no one besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no one else.

I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create calamity. I am the LORD, who does all these things.

Woe to him who strives with his Maker— a clay pot amongst the clay pots of the earth! Shall the clay ask him who fashions it, ‘What are you making?’ or your work, ‘He has no hands’?

Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What have you become the father of?’ or to a mother, ‘What have you given birth to?’”

The LORD, the Holy One of Israel and his Maker says: “You ask me about the things that are to come, concerning my sons, and you command me concerning the work of my hands!

I have made the earth, and created man on it. I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens. I have commanded all their army.

Most certainly you are a God who has hidden yourself, God of Israel, the Saviour.’”

For the LORD who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn’t create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited says: “I am the LORD. There is no other.

“Assemble yourselves and come. Draw near together, you who have escaped from the nations. Those have no knowledge who carry the wood of their engraved image, and pray to a god that can’t save.

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.

Bel bows down. Nebo stoops. Their idols are carried by animals, and on the livestock. The things that you carried around are heavy loads, a burden for the weary.

“To whom will you compare me, and consider my equal, and compare me, as if we were the same?

“Remember this, and show yourselves men. Bring it to mind again, you transgressors.

Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is none like me.

I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. I say: My counsel will stand, and I will do all that I please.

I call a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. Yes, I have spoken. I will also bring it to pass. I have planned. I will also do it.

You said, ‘I will be a princess forever,’ so that you didn’t lay these things to your heart, nor did you remember the results.

For you have trusted in your wickedness. You have said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and your knowledge has perverted you. You have said in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one else besides me.’

You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels. Now let the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from the things that will happen to you.

I have declared the former things from of old. Yes, they went out of my mouth, and I revealed them. I did them suddenly, and they happened.

therefore I have declared it to you from of old; before it came to pass I showed it to you; lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them. My engraved image and my molten image has commanded them.’

You have heard it. Now see all this. And you, won’t you declare it? “I have shown you new things from this time, even hidden things, which you have not known.

They are created now, and not from of old. Before today, you didn’t hear them, lest you should say, ‘Behold, I knew them.’

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.

“Come near to me and hear this: “From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it happened, I was there.” Now the Lord GOD has sent me with his Spirit.

The LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way that you should go.

The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary. He awakens morning by morning, he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.

Behold, my servant will deal wisely. He will be exalted and lifted up, and will be very high.

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.

All your children will be taught by the LORD, and your children’s peace will be great.

Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which doesn’t satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in richness.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says the LORD.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.

His watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs. They can’t bark— dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.

Yes, the dogs are greedy. They can never have enough. They are shepherds who can’t understand. They have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.

For my hand has made all these things, and so all these things came to be,” says the LORD: “but I will look to this man, even to he who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.

Moreover the LORD’s word came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”

Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well; for I watch over my word to perform it.”

The LORD’s word came to me the second time, saying, “What do you see?” I said, “I see a boiling cauldron; and it is tipping away from the north.”

The priests didn’t say, ‘Where is the LORD?’ and those who handle the law didn’t know me. The rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal and followed things that do not profit.

For pass over to the islands of Kittim, and see. Send to Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there has been such a thing.

Now what do you gain by going to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shihor? Or why do you go on the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?

a wild donkey used to the wilderness, that sniffs the wind in her craving. When she is in heat, who can turn her away? All those who seek her will not weary themselves. In her month, they will find her.

I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Then I said, “Surely these are poor. They are foolish; for they don’t know the LORD’s way, nor the law of their God.

I will go to the great men and will speak to them, for they know the way of the LORD, and the law of their God.” But these with one accord have broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.

‘Hear this now, foolish people without understanding, who have eyes, and don’t see, who have ears, and don’t hear:

The LORD says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Therefore hear, you nations, and know, congregation, what is amongst them.

“I have made you a tester of metals and a fortress amongst my people, that you may know and try their way.

Yes, the stork in the sky knows her appointed times. The turtledove, the swallow, and the crane observe the time of their coming; but my people don’t know the LORD’s law.

“‘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.

The wise men are disappointed. They are dismayed and trapped. Behold, they have rejected the LORD’s word. What kind of wisdom is in them?

“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.

Your habitation is in the middle of deceit. Through deceit, they refuse to know me,” says the LORD.

Who is wise enough to understand this? Who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why has the land perished and burnt up like a wilderness, so that no one passes through?

The LORD says, “Don’t let the wise man glory in his wisdom. Don’t let the mighty man glory in his might. Don’t let the rich man glory in his riches.

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.

The LORD says, “Don’t learn the way of the nations, and don’t be dismayed at the signs of the sky; for the nations are dismayed at them.

For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

They deck it with silver and with gold. They fasten it with nails and with hammers, so that it can’t move.

They are like a palm tree, of turned work, and don’t speak. They must be carried, because they can’t move. Don’t be afraid of them; for they can’t do evil, neither is it in them to do good.”

Who shouldn’t fear you, King of the nations? For it belongs to you. Because amongst all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is no one like you.

But they are together brutish and foolish, instructed by idols! It is just wood.

There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the engraver and of the hands of the goldsmith. Their clothing is blue and purple. They are all the work of skilful men.

God has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding has he stretched out the heavens.

Every man has become brutish and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is disappointed by his engraved image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.

For the shepherds have become brutish, and have not enquired of the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks have scattered.

LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

The LORD gave me knowledge of it, and I knew it. Then you showed me their doings.

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.

But you, LORD, know me. You see me, and test my heart towards you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

“Therefore you shall speak to them this word: ‘The LORD, the God of Israel says, “Every container should be filled with wine.”’ They will tell you, ‘Do we not certainly know that every container should be filled with wine?’

Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in my name. I didn’t send them. I didn’t command them. I didn’t speak to them. They prophesy to you a lying vision, divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their own heart.

For my eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from my face. Their iniquity isn’t concealed from my eyes.

Should a man make to himself gods which yet are no gods?”

“Therefore behold, I will cause them to know, this once I will cause them to know my hand and my might. Then they will know that my name is the LORD.”

The heart is deceitful above all things and it is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it?

“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.

As for me, I have not hurried from being a shepherd after you. I haven’t desired the woeful day. You know. That which came out of my lips was before your face.

Tell them, ‘Hear the LORD’s word, you kings of Judah, all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:

The LORD says, “Be careful, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem.

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.

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; so then it was well. Wasn’t this to know me?” says the LORD.

The LORD of Armies says, “Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They teach you vanity. They speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.

For who has stood in the council of the LORD, that he should perceive and hear his word? Who has listened to my word, and heard it?

The LORD’s anger will not return until he has executed and performed the intents of his heart. In the latter days, you will understand it perfectly.

“Am I a God at hand,” says the LORD, “and not a God afar off?

Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I can’t see him?” says the LORD. “Don’t I fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.

The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat?” says the LORD.

“Isn’t my word like fire?” says the LORD; “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

You will say everyone to his neighbour, and everyone to his brother, ‘What has the LORD answered?’ and, ‘What has the LORD said?’

You will say to the prophet, ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and, ‘What has the LORD spoken?’

One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first-ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.

Then the LORD asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said, “Figs. The good figs are very good, and the bad are very bad, so bad that they can’t be eaten.”

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God; for they will return to me with their whole heart.

When the princes of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to the LORD’s house; and they sat in the entry of the new gate of the LORD’s house.

Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and to the prophets: “This man is not worthy of death; for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.”

Then certain of the elders of the land rose up, and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying,

‘I have made the earth, the men, and the animals that are on the surface of the earth by my great power and by my outstretched arm. I give it to whom it seems right to me.

But as for you, don’t listen to your prophets, to your diviners, to your dreams, to your soothsayers, or to your sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, “You shall not serve the king of Babylon;”

I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, “Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.

Why will you die, you and your people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD has spoken concerning the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?

Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who speak to you, saying, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon;’ for they prophesy a lie to you.

Also I spoke to the priests and to all this people, saying, the LORD says, “Don’t listen to the words of your prophets who prophesy to you, saying, ‘Behold, the vessels of the LORD’s house will now shortly be brought again from Babylon;’ for they prophesy a lie to you.

Don’t listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon, and live. Why should this city become a desolation?

Nevertheless listen now to this word that I speak in your ears, and in the ears of all the people:

As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet happens, then the prophet will be known, that the LORD has truly sent him.”

For the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel says: “Don’t let your prophets who are amongst you and your diviners deceive you. Don’t listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamt.

For they prophesy falsely to you in my name. I have not sent them,” says the LORD.

For I know the thoughts that I think towards you,” says the LORD, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.

You shall seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.

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 fierce anger of the LORD will not return until he has accomplished, and until he has performed the intentions of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it.”

“But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” says the LORD: “I will put my law in their inward parts, and I will write it in their heart. I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

They will no longer each teach his neighbour, and every man teach his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD;’ for they will all know me, from their least to their greatest,” says the LORD, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

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;

They have turned their backs to me, and not their faces. Although I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not listened to receive instruction.

‘Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great and difficult things, which you don’t know.’

For the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the houses of this city and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are broken down to make a defence against the mounds and against the sword:

“The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “Will you not receive instruction to listen to my words?” says the LORD.

Moreover Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the scroll; but he would not listen to them.

Then all the princes came to Jeremiah, and asked him; and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they stopped speaking with him, for the matter was not perceived.

and said to him, “Do you know that Baalis the king of the children of Ammon has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam didn’t believe them.

Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, “Please let me go, and I will kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man will know it. Why should he take your life, that all the Jews who are gathered to you should be scattered, and the remnant of Judah perish?”

that the LORD your God may show us the way in which we should walk, and the things that we should do.”

“The LORD has spoken concerning you, remnant of Judah, ‘Don’t go into Egypt!’ Know certainly that I have testified to you today.

Those who escape the sword will return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah few in number. All the remnant of Judah, who have gone into the land of Egypt to live there, will know whose word will stand, mine or theirs.

Of Edom, the LORD of Armies says: “Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished?

“A sword is on the Chaldeans,” says the LORD, “and on the inhabitants of Babylon, on her princes, and on her wise men.

Behold, the enemy will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan against the strong habitation; for I will suddenly make them run away from it. Whoever is chosen, I will appoint him over it, for who is like me? Who will appoint me a time? Who is the shepherd who can stand before me?”

Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD that he has taken against Babylon; and his purposes that he has purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely they will drag them away, even the little ones of the flock. Surely he will make their habitation desolate over them.

“He has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom. By his understanding he has stretched out the heavens.

“Every man has become stupid and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is disappointed by his image, for his molten images are falsehood, and there is no breath in them.

Who is he who says, and it comes to pass, when the Lord doesn’t command it?

Doesn’t evil and good come out of the mouth of the Most High?

Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone. On the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above.

I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.

As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the LORD’s glory. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.

They, whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that there has been a prophet amongst them.

But you, son of man, hear what I tell you. Don’t be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth, and eat that which I give you.”

When I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it.

He spread it before me. It was written within and without; and lamentations, mourning, and woe were written in it.

He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”

He said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your belly and your bowels with it.” Then I ate it. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth.

He said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel, and speak my words to them.

not to many peoples of a strange speech and of a hard language, whose words you can’t understand. Surely, if I sent you to them, they would listen to you.

Moreover he said to me, “Son of man, receive in your heart and hear with your ears all my words that I speak to you.

My eye will not spare you, neither will I have pity; but I will bring your ways on you, and your abominations will be amongst you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’

My eye won’t spare, neither will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways. Your abominations will be amongst you. Then you will know that I, the LORD, strike.

Mischief will come on mischief, and rumour will be on rumour. They will seek a vision of the prophet; but the law will perish from the priest, and counsel from the elders.

Then he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in his rooms of imagery? For they say, ‘The LORD doesn’t see us. The LORD has forsaken the land.’”

I looked, and behold, there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside one cherub, and another wheel beside another cherub. The appearance of the wheels was like a beryl stone.

Their whole body, including their backs, their hands, their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes all around, even the wheels that the four of them had.

This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river Chebar; and I knew that they were cherubim.

The LORD’s Spirit fell on me, and he said to me, “Speak, ‘The LORD says: “Thus you have said, house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.

You will fall by the sword. I will judge you in the border of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

This will not be your cauldron, neither will you be the meat in the middle of it. I will judge you in the border of Israel.

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 know that I am the LORD when I disperse them amongst the nations and scatter them through the countries.

The cities that are inhabited will be laid waste, and the land will be a desolation. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”’”

Tell them therefore, ‘The Lord GOD says: “I will make this proverb to cease, and they will no more use it as a proverb in Israel;”’ but tell them, ‘“The days are at hand, and the fulfilment of every vision.

“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear the LORD’s word:

The Lord GOD says, “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

Haven’t you seen a false vision, and haven’t you spoken a lying divination, in that you say, ‘The LORD says;’ but I have not spoken?”

“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.”

Behold, when the wall has fallen, won’t it be said to you, “Where is the plaster with which you have plastered it?”

So I will break down the wall that you have plastered with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered. It will fall, and you will be consumed in the middle of it. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

I will also tear your veils and deliver my people out of your hand; and they will no longer be in your hand to be ensnared. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Therefore you shall no more see false visions nor practise divination. I will deliver my people out of your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”

The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

They will comfort you, when you see their way and their doings; then you will know that I have not done all that I have done in it without cause,” says the Lord GOD.

The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

“Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree, the vine branch which is amongst the trees of the forest?

Will wood be taken of it to make anything? Will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel on it?

“‘“Behold, everyone who uses proverbs will use this proverb against you, saying, ‘As is the mother, so is her daughter.’

I will establish my covenant with you. Then you will know that I am the LORD;

“Son of man, tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel;

“Say now to the rebellious house, ‘Don’t you know what these things mean?’ Tell them, ‘Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and took its king, and its princes, and brought them to him to Babylon.

The LORD’s word came to me again, saying,

“What do you mean, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

“Now, behold, if he fathers a son who sees all his father’s sins which he has done, and fears, and doesn’t do likewise,

The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

I gave them my statutes and showed them my ordinances, which if a man does, he will live in them.

The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

You will be profaned in yourself in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”’”

The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

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.’”

The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

Her prophets have plastered for them with whitewash, seeing false visions, and divining lies to them, saying, ‘The Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

“‘Thus I will cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to be lewd like you.

They will recompense your lewdness on you, and you will bear the sins of your idols. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’”

Again, in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the LORD’s word came to me, saying,

“Son of man, write the name of the day, this same day. The king of Babylon drew close to Jerusalem this same day.

Utter a parable to the rebellious house, and tell them, ‘The Lord GOD says, “Put the cauldron on the fire. Put it on, and also pour water into it.

The people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things mean to us, that you act like this?”

Thus Ezekiel will be a sign to you; according to all that he has done, you will do. When this comes, then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’”’”

that in that day he who escapes will come to you, to cause you to hear it with your ears?

In that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped, and you will speak and be no more mute. So you will be a sign to them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

I will make Rabbah a stable for camels and the children of Ammon a resting place for flocks. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”

The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers. Your wise men, Tyre, were in you. They were your pilots.

The old men of Gebal and its wise men were your repairers of ship seams in you. All the ships of the sea with their mariners were in you to deal in your merchandise.

“Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the middle of the seas;’ yet you are man, and no god, though you set your heart as the heart of a god—

behold, you are wiser than Daniel. There is no secret that is hidden from you.

By your wisdom and by your understanding you have gotten yourself riches, and have gotten gold and silver into your treasuries.

By your great wisdom and by your trading you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches—”

therefore, behold, I will bring strangers on you, the terrible of the nations. They will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom. They will defile your brightness.

“Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and tell him, ‘The Lord GOD says: “You were the seal of full measure, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and beryl. Gold work of tambourines and of pipes was in you. They were prepared in the day that you were created.

Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty. You have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendour. I have cast you to the ground. I have laid you before kings, that they may see you.

The land of Egypt will be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the LORD. “‘“Because he has said, ‘The river is mine, and I have made it,’

It will no longer be the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing iniquity to memory, when they turn to look after them. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.”’”

They will know that I am the LORD when I have set a fire in Egypt, and all her helpers are destroyed.

Thus I will execute judgements on Egypt. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”’”

I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh will fall down. Then they will know that I am the LORD when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he stretches it out on the land of Egypt.

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.’

“When I make the land of Egypt desolate and waste, a land destitute of that of which it was full, when I strike all those who dwell therein, then they will know that I am the LORD.

“When this comes to pass—behold, it comes—then they will know that a prophet has been amongst them.”

I will make you a perpetual desolation, and your cities will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

You will know that I, the LORD, have heard all your insults which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, ‘They have been laid desolate. They have been given to us to devour.’

You have magnified yourselves against me with your mouth, and have multiplied your words against me. I have heard it.”

As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel because it was desolate, so I will do to you. You will be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, even all of it. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”

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.

Then the nations that are left around you will know that I, the LORD, have built the ruined places and planted that which was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it.”

As the flock for sacrifice, as the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so the waste cities will be filled with flocks of men. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”

He caused me to pass by them all around; and behold, there were very many in the open valley, and behold, they were very dry.

He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I answered, “Lord GOD, you know.”

I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you will live. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”’”

“When the children of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Won’t you show us what you mean by these?’

The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

“Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and tell Gog, ‘The Lord GOD says: “In that day when my people Israel dwells securely, will you not know it?

“‘The Lord GOD says: “Are you he of whom I spoke in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for years that I would bring you against them?

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 send a fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the islands. 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.

So the house of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God, from that day and forward.

They will know that I am the LORD their God, in that I caused them to go into captivity amongst the nations, and have gathered them to their own land. Then I will leave none of them captive any more.

In the visions of God he brought me into the land of Israel, and set me down on a very high mountain, on which was something like the frame of a city to the south.

The man said to me, “Son of man, see with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart on all that I will show you; for you have been brought here so that I may show them to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.”

“You, son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.

If they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the form of the house, its fashion, its exits, its entrances, its structure, all its ordinances, all its forms, and all its laws; and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form of it, and all its ordinances, and do them.

The LORD said to me, “Son of man, mark well, and see with your eyes, and hear with your ears all that I tell you concerning all the ordinances of the LORD’s house and all its laws; and mark well the entrance of the house, with every exit of the sanctuary.

They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and caused me to return to the bank of the river.

youths in whom was no defect, but well-favoured, skilful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding science, and who had the ability to stand in the king’s palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the language of the Chaldeans.

Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

The king talked with them; and amongst them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the king.

In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm.

Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be called to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king.

Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in the Syrian language, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”

But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honour. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.”

They answered the second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”

The king answered, “I know of a certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see the thing has gone from me.

But if you don’t make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, until the situation changes. Therefore tell me the dream, and I will know that you can show me its interpretation.”

The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on the earth who can show the king’s matter, because no king, lord, or ruler has asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or Chaldean.

It is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is no other who can show it before the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”

Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon.

He answered Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree so urgent from the king?” Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

Daniel answered, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are his.

He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding.

He reveals the deep and secret things. He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.

I thank you and praise you, O God of my fathers, who have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we desired of you; for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

The king answered Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?”

Daniel answered before the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded can’t be shown to the king by wise men, enchanters, magicians, or soothsayers;

but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head on your bed are these:

“As for you, O king, your thoughts came on your bed, what should happen hereafter; and he who reveals secrets has made known to you what will happen.

But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.

As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze,

its legs of iron, its feet part of iron and part of clay.

You saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.

Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors. The wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them. The stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

“This is the dream; and we will tell its interpretation before the king.

“After you, another kingdom will arise that is inferior to you; and another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule over all the earth.

The fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, it will break in pieces and crush.

Whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay and part of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but there will be in it of the strength of the iron, because you saw the iron mixed with miry clay.

Because you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what will happen hereafter. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”

The king answered to Daniel, and said, “Of a truth your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealler of secrets, since you have been able to reveal this secret.”

Therefore I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.

Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in; and I told them the dream, but they didn’t make known to me its interpretation.

But at last, Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. I told the dream before him, saying,

“Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.

“I saw in the visions of my head on my bed, and behold, a holy watcher came down from the sky.

“‘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.’

“This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or the interpretation, trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries.

“This is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king:

You will be driven from men and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You will be made to eat grass as oxen, and will be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.

Whereas it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be sure to you after you know that Heavens rules.

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.”

You shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen. Seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.’”

All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and amongst the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can stop his hand, or ask him, “What are you doing?”

The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and shows me its interpretation shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

Then all the king’s wise men came in; but they could not read the writing, and couldn’t make known to the king the interpretation.

There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him. The king, Nebuchadnezzar, your father—yes, the king, your father—made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers,

because an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting of dreams, showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”

Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah?

I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you and that light, understanding, and excellent wisdom are found in you.

Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me its interpretation; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing.

But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and dissolve doubts. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

Then Daniel answered before the king, “Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

“You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,

“This is the writing that was inscribed: ‘MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.’

Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty local governors, who should be throughout the whole kingdom;

and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, that these local governors might give account to them, and that the king should suffer no loss.

Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the local governors, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

“I considered the horns, and behold, there came up amongst them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots; and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking arrogantly.

I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. “So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.

‘These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who will arise out of the earth.

“Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was different from all of them, exceedingly terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of bronze; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet;

and concerning the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even that horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, whose look was more stout than its fellows.

As for the ten horns, ten kings will arise out of this kingdom. Another will arise after them; and he will be different from the former, and he will put down three kings.

“Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face was changed in me; but I kept the matter in my heart.”

In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar, a vision appeared to me, even to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first.

I saw the vision. Now it was so, that when I saw, I was in the citadel of Susa, which is in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision, and I was by the river Ulai.

Then I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram which had two horns stood before the river. The two horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west over the surface of the whole earth, and didn’t touch the ground. The goat had a notable horn between his eyes.

When I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. Then behold, there stood before me someone with the appearance of a man.

I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, which called and said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.”

So he came near where I stood; and when he came, I was frightened, and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, for the vision belongs to the time of the end.”

He said, “Behold, I will make you know what will be in the latter time of the indignation, for it belongs to the appointed time of the end.

The ram which you saw, that had the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia.

The rough male goat is the king of Greece. The great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

As for that which was broken, in the place where four stood up, four kingdoms will stand up out of the nation, but not with his power.

“In the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have come to the full, a king of fierce face, and understanding riddles, will stand up.

“The vision of the evenings and mornings which has been told is true; but seal up the vision, for it belongs to many days to come.”

in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years about which the LORD’s word came to Jeremiah the prophet for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy years.

As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil has come on us. Yet we have not entreated the favour of the LORD our God, that we should turn from our iniquities and have discernment in your truth.

He instructed me and talked with me, and said, “Daniel, I have now come to give you wisdom and understanding.

At the beginning of your petitions the commandment went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved. Therefore consider the matter and understand the vision.

“Know therefore and discern that from the going out of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem to the Anointed One, the prince, will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be built again, with street and moat, even in troubled times.

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the message was true, even a great warfare. He understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.

I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man clothed in linen, whose waist was adorned with pure gold of Uphaz.

I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me didn’t see the vision, but a great quaking fell on them, and they fled to hide themselves.

Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision is yet for many days.”

He will corrupt those who do wickedly against the covenant by flatteries; but the people who know their God will be strong and take action.

“Those who are wise amongst the people will instruct many; yet they will fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, many days.

Some of those who are wise will fall—to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end, because it is yet for the time appointed.

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.

But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many will run back and forth, and knowledge will be increased.”

I heard, but I didn’t understand. Then I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?”

He said, “Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.

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.

For she didn’t know that I gave her the grain, the new wine, and the oil, and multiplied to her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.

I will even betroth you to me in faithfulness; and you shall know the LORD.

Hear the LORD’s word, you children of Israel, for the LORD has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “Indeed there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no priest to me. Because you have forgotten your God’s law, I will also forget your children.

Prostitution, wine, and new wine take away understanding.

I will not punish your daughters when they play the prostitute, nor your brides when they commit adultery; because the men consort with prostitutes, and they sacrifice with the shrine prostitutes; so the people without understanding will come to ruin.

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.

For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Strangers have devoured his strength, and he doesn’t realise it. Indeed, grey hairs are here and there on him, and he doesn’t realise it.

“Ephraim is like an easily deceived dove, without understanding. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria.

I wrote for him the many things of my law, but they were regarded as a strange thing.

I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.

The sorrows of a travailing woman will come on him. He is an unwise son, for when it is time, he doesn’t come to the opening of the womb.

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.

Hear this, you elders, and listen, all you inhabitants of the land! Has this ever happened in your days, or in the days of your fathers?

Tell your children about it, and have your children tell their children, and their children, another generation.

You will know that I am amongst Israel, and that I am the LORD, your God, and there is no one else; and my people will never again be disappointed.

“It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.

Do two walk together, unless they have agreed?

Will a lion roar in the thicket, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing?

Can a bird fall in a trap on the earth, where no snare is set for him? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when there is nothing to catch?

For, behold, he who forms the mountains, creates the wind, declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the high places of the earth: The LORD, the God of Armies, is his name.”

Therefore a prudent person keeps silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.

Thus he showed me: behold, the Lord stood beside a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand.

Thus the Lord GOD showed me: behold, a basket of summer fruit.

He said, “Amos, what do you see?” I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then the LORD said to me, “The end has come on my people Israel. I will not again pass by them any more.

All the men of your alliance have brought you on your way, even to the border. The men who were at peace with you have deceived you, and prevailed against you. Friends who eat your bread lay a snare under you. There is no understanding in him.”

“Won’t I in that day”, says the LORD, “destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mountain of Esau?

He said to them, “Take me up, and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will be calm for you; for I know that because of me this great storm is on you.”

The LORD said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the vine?” He said, “I am right to be angry, even to death.”

The LORD said, “You have been concerned for the vine, for which you have not laboured, neither made it grow; which came up in a night and perished in a night.

Shouldn’t I be concerned for Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who can’t discern between their right hand and their left hand, and also many animals?”

I said, “Please listen, you heads of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel: Isn’t it for you to know justice?

“Therefore night is over you, with no vision, and it is dark to you, that you may not divine; and the sun will go down on the prophets, and the day will be black over them.

The seers shall be disappointed, and the diviners confounded. Yes, they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God.”

Many nations will go and say, “Come! Let’s go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the law will go out of Zion, and the LORD’s word from Jerusalem;

But they don’t know the thoughts of the LORD, neither do they understand his counsel; for he has gathered them like the sheaves to the threshing floor.

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?

The LORD’s voice calls to the city— and wisdom fears your name— “Listen to the rod, and he who appointed it.

The revelation which Habakkuk the prophet saw.

The LORD answered me, “Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who runs may read it.

Now therefore this is what the LORD of Armies says: ‘Consider your ways.

“This is what the LORD of Armies says: ‘Consider your ways.

“The LORD of Armies says: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

‘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.”

Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?

“I had a vision in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and he stood amongst the myrtle trees that were in a ravine; and behind him there were red, brown, and white horses.

Then I asked, ‘My lord, what are these?’” The angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what these are.”

I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Then I asked, “Where are you going?” He said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.”

He said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I have seen, and behold, a lamp stand all of gold, with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps which are on the top of it;

I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?”

Then the angel who talked with me answered me, “Don’t you know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.”

Indeed, who despises the day of small things? For these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These are the LORD’s eyes, which run back and forth through the whole earth.”

Then I asked him, “What are these two olive trees on the right side of the lamp stand and on the left side of it?”

I asked him the second time, “What are these two olive branches, which are beside the two golden spouts that pour the golden oil out of themselves?”

He answered me, “Don’t you know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.”

Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

He said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.”

Then I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”

The LORD’s word came to Zechariah, saying,

and Hamath, also, which borders on it, Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.

It was broken in that day; and thus the poor of the flock that listened to me knew that it was the LORD’s word.

A revelation of the LORD’s word concerning Israel: The LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him says:

It will be a unique day which is known to the LORD—not day, and not night; but it will come to pass that at evening time there will be light.

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.

For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of Armies.

Then you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who doesn’t serve him.

Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,

Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learnt from them exactly what time the star appeared.

Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee,

But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”

Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee.

Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

Agree with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.

Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.

“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;

for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“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!

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.

“Which of you by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan?

yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.

For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

“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.

“Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.

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.

Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock.

Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,

for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made.

Neither do people put new wine into old wine skins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved.”

Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on.

Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.

“Behold, I send you out as sheep amongst wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man has come.

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.

Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

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.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”

At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.

All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.

But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him:

But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.

He said to them, “What man is there amongst you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it and lift it out?

Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all,

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.

“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.

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, someone greater than Jonah is here.

The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgement with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.

He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow.

As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.

Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.

When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away.

Others fell amongst thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.

Others fell on good soil and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”

He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.

Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand.

In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, ‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive;

for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, and I would heal them.’

“But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.

“Hear, then, the parable of the farmer.

When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.

What was sown amongst the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”

But when the blade sprang up and produced grain, then the darnel weeds appeared also.

The servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where did these darnel weeds come from?’

“He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’

“But he said, ‘No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them.

Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn’t speak to them,

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.”

Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.”

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls,

who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered him, “Yes, Lord.”

He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things.”

When Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there.

Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?

When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.”

You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,

He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand.

That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.”

So Jesus said, “Do you also still not understand?

Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly and then out of the body?

But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man.

These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”

But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

But he answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’

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!

Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Don’t you yet perceive or remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up,

How is it that you don’t perceive that I didn’t speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Then they understood that he didn’t tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

They said, “Some say John the Baptiser, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

Then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.

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 whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?

His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

Jesus answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things;

but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognise him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.”

Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptiser.

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”

He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”

Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt.

But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”

“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.

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.

His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”

But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.

For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.”

and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise’?”

When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?”

Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvellous in our eyes’?

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them.

Jesus answered and spoke to them again in parables, saying,

They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter whom you teach; for you aren’t partial to anyone.

Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?

He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?”

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.”

When they heard it, they marvelled, and left him and went away.

But Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.

When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,

saying, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “Of David.”

He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,

“If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”

No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward.

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

“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.

You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!

Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,

But he answered them, “You see all of these things, don’t you? Most certainly I tell you, there will not be left here one stone on another, that will not be thrown down.”

Jesus answered them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.

“Then if any man tells you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There!’ don’t believe it.

“Behold, I have told you beforehand.

“If therefore they tell you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ don’t go out; or ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ don’t believe it.

For wherever the carcass is, that is where the vultures gather together.

“Now from the fig tree learn this parable: When its branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near.

Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors.

“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.

But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season?

Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,

but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’

To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.

You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.

When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples,

However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me.

For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.

Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.

In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me.

They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught.

They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

They were all amazed, so that they questioned amongst themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!”

He healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. He didn’t allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your hearts?

No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old, and a worse hole is made.

No one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins.”

He said to them, “Did you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry—he, and those who were with him?

He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for 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.

Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples; and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea,

He spoke to his disciples that a little boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they wouldn’t press on him.

He summoned them and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can’t stand, but has an end.

But no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder unless he first binds the strong man; then he will plunder his house.

He taught them many things in parables, and told them in his teaching,

“Listen! Behold, the farmer went out to sow.

As he sowed, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and devoured it.

Others fell on the rocky ground, where it had little soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil.

When the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

He said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”

When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

He said to them, “To you is given the mystery of God’s Kingdom, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables,

that ‘seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.’”

He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How will you understand all of the parables?

The farmer sows the word.

He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it put on a stand?

For there is nothing hidden except that it should be made known, neither was anything made secret but that it should come to light.

If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.”

He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you; and more will be given to you who hear.

He said, “How will we liken God’s Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it?

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

Without a parable he didn’t speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

He looked around to see her who had done this thing.

When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands?

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and amongst his own relatives, and in his own house.”

Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem.

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.

He called all the multitude to himself and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand.

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.

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable.

He said to them, “Are you also without understanding? Don’t you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can’t defile him,

because it doesn’t go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, making all foods clean?”

He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man.

All these evil things come from within and defile the man.”

But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

But she answered him, “Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

He warned them, saying, “Take heed: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.”

Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, “Why do you reason that it’s because you have no bread? Don’t you perceive yet or understand? Is your heart still hardened?

Having eyes, don’t you see? Having ears, don’t you hear? Don’t you remember?

He asked them, “Don’t you understand yet?”

Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?”

But he, turning around and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men.”

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?

For what will a man give in exchange for his life?

He asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?”

He sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”

But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name and be able quickly to speak evil of me.

For whoever is not against us is on our side.

He answered, “What did Moses command you?”

In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!

It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with?”

but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.”

Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that they who are recognised as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

But it shall not be so amongst you, but whoever wants to become great amongst you shall be your servant.

Whoever of you wants to become first amongst you shall be bondservant of all.

and they began saying to him, “By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?”

Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

If we should say, ‘From men’”—they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.

They answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Haven’t you even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner.

This was from the Lord. It is marvellous in our eyes’?”

They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him and went away.

When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.”

They brought it. He said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”

Jesus answered them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marvelled greatly at him.

Jesus answered them, “Isn’t this because you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God?

He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are therefore badly mistaken.”

One of the scribes came and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”

The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he;

When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that.

Jesus responded, as he taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?

Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?” The common people heard him gladly.

In his teaching he said to them, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces,

and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts,

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much.

He called his disciples to himself and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury,

Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.”

As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,

“Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?”

Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.

For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and will lead many astray.

“But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,

and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house.