LXX Concordance for παρὰ

So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.

“Is anything impossible for the LORD? At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year she will have a son.”

The two angels entered Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in Sodom's gateway. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them. He bowed with his face to the ground

Then out of the sky the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah burning sulfur from the LORD.

“I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the city gates of their[fn] enemies.

“Listen to us, my lord. You are a prince of God[fn] among us. Bury your dead in our finest burial place.[fn] None of us will withhold from you his burial place for burying your dead.”

The field with its cave passed from the Hethites to Abraham as burial property.

At evening, the time when women went out to draw water, he made the camels kneel beside a well outside the town.

“Whose daughter are you? ” he asked. “Please tell me, is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night? ”

Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter.[fn]

This was the field that Abraham bought from the Hethites. Abraham was buried there with his wife Sarah.

But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me? ”[fn] So she went to inquire of the LORD.

So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

When morning came, there was Leah! So he said to Laban, “What have you done to me? Wasn't it for Rachel that I worked for you? Why have you deceived me? ”

He purchased a section of the field where he had pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of silver.[fn]

When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates River reigned in his place.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because Joseph was a son born to him in his old age, and he made a long-sleeved robe[fn] for him.

When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite in order to get back the items he had left with the woman, he could not find her.

The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving[fn] in the household of his Egyptian master.

and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guards in the prison where Joseph was confined.

So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were in custody with him in his master's house, “Why do you look so sad today? ”

After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside those cows along the bank of the Nile.

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,

“Since the dream was given twice to Pharaoh, it means that the matter has been determined by God, and he will carry it out soon.

Portions were served to them from Joseph's table, and Benjamin's portion was five times larger than any of theirs. They drank and became drunk with Joseph.

“Your servant became accountable to my father for the boy, saying, ‘If I do not return him to you, I will always bear the guilt for sinning against you, my father.'

“by the God of your father who helps you,

and by the Almighty who blesses you

with blessings of the heavens above,

blessings of the deep that lies below,

and blessings of the breasts and the womb.

“The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hethite as burial property.

“The field and the cave in it were purchased from the Hethites.”

They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased as burial property from Ephron the Hethite.

But when she could no longer hide him, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with asphalt and pitch. She placed the child in it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile.

Pharaoh's daughter went down to bathe at the Nile while her servant girls walked along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds, sent her slave girl, took it,

Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.

“Each woman will ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry, and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.”

So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took God's staff in his hand.

“Now announce to the people that both men and women should ask their neighbors for silver and gold items.”

“and every firstborn male in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the servant girl who is at the grindstones, as well as every firstborn of the livestock.

“Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and brush the lintel and the two doorposts with some of the blood in the basin. None of you may go out the door of his house until morning.

The Israelites acted on Moses's word and asked the Egyptians for silver and gold items and for clothing.

They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

The Egyptians ​— ​all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, his horsemen,[fn] and his army ​— ​chased after them and caught up with them as they camped by the sea beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?

But Moses said to the people, “Don't be afraid. Stand firm and see the LORD's salvation that he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.

That day the LORD saved Israel from the power of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy date palms, and they camped there by the water.

“Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because he did wonders when the Egyptians acted arrogantly against Israel.”[fn]

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

“When a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not there with it, the man must make full restitution.

“If you lend silver to my people, to the poor person among you, you must not be like a creditor to him; you must not charge him interest.

“Tell the Israelites to take an offering for me. You are to take my offering from everyone who is willing to give.

“In the tent of meeting outside the curtain that is in front of the testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamp from evening until morning before the LORD. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites throughout their generations.

“so that gold bells and pomegranates alternate around the lower hem of the robe.

“You are to bring the bull to the front of the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on the bull's head.

“This will belong to Aaron and his sons as a regular portion from the Israelites, for it is a contribution. It will be the Israelites' contribution from their fellowship sacrifices, their contribution to the LORD.

“Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread that is in the basket at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

“Take the atonement price[fn] from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will serve as a reminder for the Israelites before the LORD to atone for your lives.”

Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would stand up, each one at the door of his tent, and they would watch Moses until he entered the tent.

Moses said to the LORD, “Look, you have told me, ‘Lead this people up,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor with me.'

“How will it be known that I and your people have found favor with you unless you go with us? I and your people will be distinguished by this from all the other people on the face of the earth.”

Both men and women came; all who had willing hearts brought brooches, earrings, rings, necklaces, and all kinds of gold jewelry ​— ​everyone who presented a presentation offering of gold to the LORD.

They took from Moses's presence all the contributions that the Israelites had brought for the task of making the sanctuary. Meanwhile, the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning.

and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than is needed for the construction of the work the LORD commanded to be done.”

He made the bronze basin and its stand from the bronze mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

The silver from those of the community who were registered was 7,544 pounds,[fn] according to the sanctuary shekel ​— ​

“Position the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting.

He placed the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and offered the burnt offering and the grain offering on it, just as the LORD had commanded him.

“He will remove its digestive tract,[fn] cutting off the tail feathers, and throw it on the east side of the altar at the place for ashes.

“He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Then Aaron's sons the priests will splatter the blood on all sides of the altar.

“He must lay his hand on the head of his offering, then slaughter it before the tent of meeting. Aaron's sons will splatter its blood on all sides of the altar.

“He must lay his hand on its head and slaughter it before the tent of meeting. Aaron's sons will splatter[fn] its blood on all sides of the altar.

“He is to bring the bull to the entrance to the tent of meeting before the LORD, lay his hand on the bull's head, and slaughter it before the LORD.

“The priest is to apply some of the blood to the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the tent of meeting. He must pour out the rest of the bull's blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering that is at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

“then the assembly must present a young bull as a sin offering. They are to bring it before the tent of meeting when the sin they have committed in regard to the command becomes known.

“Then the priest is to take some of the blood from the sin offering with his finger and apply it to the horns of the altar of burnt offering. The rest of its blood he is to pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering.

“Then the priest is to take some of its blood with his finger and apply it to the horns of the altar of burnt offering. He is to pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar.

“Then the priest is to take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and apply it to the horns of the altar of burnt offering. He is to pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar.

“I have taken from the Israelites the breast of the presentation offering and the thigh of the contribution from their fellowship sacrifices, and have assigned them to the priest Aaron and to his sons as a permanent portion[fn] from the Israelites.”

The LORD commanded this to be given to them by the Israelites on the day he anointed them. It is a permanent portion throughout their generations.

Fire came from the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell facedown.

Then fire came from the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.

“You must not go outside the entrance to the tent of meeting or you will die, for the LORD's anointing oil is on you.” So they did as Moses said.

Moses spoke to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar: “Take the grain offering that is left over from the food offerings to the LORD, and eat it prepared without yeast beside the altar, because it is especially holy.

“He is to take from the Israelite community two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering.

“Next he will take the two goats and place them before the LORD at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

“The priest will then splatter the blood on the LORD's altar at the entrance to the tent of meeting and burn the fat as a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

“Do not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages due a hired worker must not remain with you until morning.

“However, he must bring a ram as his guilt[fn] offering to the LORD at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

“If you make a sale to your neighbor or a purchase from him, do not cheat one another.

“Whatever property one of the Levites can redeem[fn] ​— ​a house sold in a city they possess ​— ​is to be released at the Jubilee, because the houses in the Levitical cities are their possession among the Israelites.

“If your brother becomes destitute and cannot sustain himself among[fn] you, you are to support him as an alien or temporary resident, so that he can continue to live among you.

“If your brother among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, you must not force him to do slave labor.

“If an alien or temporary resident living among you prospers, but your brother living near him becomes destitute and sells himself to the alien living among you, or to a member of the resident alien's clan,

“Ephraim's military divisions will camp on the west side under their banner. The leader of the Ephraimites is Elishama son of Ammihud.

“See, I have taken the Levites from the Israelites in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to me,

The Gershonite clans camped behind the tabernacle on the west side,

“As the redemption price for the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites,

He collected the silver from the firstborn Israelites: 1,365 shekels[fn] measured by the standard sanctuary shekel.

“This is the law of the Nazirite: On the day his time of consecration is completed, he is to be brought to the entrance to the tent of meeting.

“The Nazirite is to shave his consecrated head at the entrance to the tent of meeting, take the hair from his head, and put it on the fire under the fellowship sacrifice.

They brought as their offering before the LORD six covered carts and twelve oxen, a cart from every two leaders and an ox from each one, and presented them in front of the tabernacle.

This was the dedication gift from the leaders of Israel for the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver dishes, twelve silver basins, and twelve gold bowls.

“Aaron is to present the Levites before the LORD as a presentation offering from the Israelites, so that they may perform the LORD's work.

“When you sound short blasts a second time, the camps pitched on the south are to set out. Short blasts are to be sounded for them to set out.

Now the people began complaining openly before[fn] the LORD about hardship. When the LORD heard, his anger burned, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp.

So that place was named Taberah,[fn] because the LORD's fire had blazed among them.

“If you are going to treat me like this, please kill me right now if I have found favor with you, and don't let me see my misery[fn] anymore.”

A wind sent by the LORD came up and blew quail in from the sea; it dropped them all around the camp. They were flying three feet[fn] off[fn] the ground for about a day's journey in every direction.

Moses was a very humble man, more so than anyone on the face of the earth.

“The Amalekites are living in the land of the Negev; the Hethites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan.”

“‘Since the LORD wasn't able to bring this people into the land he swore to give them, he has slaughtered them in the wilderness.'

Each man took his firepan, placed fire in it, put incense on it, and stood at the entrance to the tent of meeting along with Moses and Aaron.

So they got away from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Meanwhile, Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the entrance of their tents with their wives, children, and infants.

Fire also came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were presenting the incense.

“Speak to the Israelites and take one staff from them for each ancestral tribe,[fn] twelve staffs from all the leaders of their tribes.[fn] Write each man's name on his staff.

Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, “Look, I have put you in charge of the contributions brought to me. As for all the holy offerings of the Israelites, I have given them to you and your sons as a portion and a permanent statute.

“Speak to the Levites and tell them: When you receive from the Israelites the tenth that I have given you as your inheritance, you are to present part of it as an offering to the LORD ​— ​a tenth of the tenth.

“You are to present an offering to the LORD from every tenth you receive from the Israelites. Give some of it to the priest Aaron as an offering to the LORD.

“We will go on the main road,” the Israelites replied to them, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay its price. There will be no problem; only let us travel through on foot.”

The Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan across from Jericho.

He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will give you the answer the LORD tells me.” So the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam.

the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God

and has knowledge from the Most High,

who sees a vision from the Almighty,

who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered:

An Israelite man came bringing a Midianite woman to his relatives in the sight of Moses and the whole Israelite community while they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

So Moses spoke to the people, “Equip some of your men for war. They will go against Midian to inflict the LORD's vengeance on them.

“Set aside a tribute for the LORD from what belongs to the fighting men who went out to war: one out of every five hundred people, cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats.

All the gold of the contribution they offered to the LORD, from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, was 420 pounds.[fn]

Moses and the priest Eleazar received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the tent of meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD.

They traveled from Marah and came to Elim. There were twelve springs and seventy date palms at Elim, so they camped there.

They camped by the Jordan from Beth-jeshimoth to the Acacia Meadow[fn] on the plains of Moab.

“This will be your northern border: From the Mediterranean Sea draw a line to Mount Hor;

The LORD again spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho:

“You are not to accept a ransom for the life of someone who is guilty of murder; he must be put to death.

“So we bypassed our brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We turned away from the Arabah road and from Elath and Ezion-geber. We traveled along the road to the Wilderness of Moab.

“There was no city that was inaccessible to[fn] us, from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the valley, even as far as Gilead. The LORD our God gave everything to us.

“For you are a holy people belonging to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be his own possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.

“You will be blessed above all peoples; there will be no infertile male or female among you or your livestock.

“Otherwise, those in the land you brought us from will say, ‘Because the LORD wasn't able to bring them into the land he had promised them, and because he hated them, he brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.'

“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you except to fear the LORD your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul?

“Yet the LORD had his heart set on your ancestors and loved them. He chose their descendants after them ​— ​he chose you out of all the peoples, as it is today.

“But if your slave says to you, ‘I don't want to leave you,' because he loves you and your family, and is well off with you,

“Do not set up an Asherah of any kind of wood next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God,

“When he is seated on his royal throne, he is to write a copy of this instruction for himself on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.

“This is the priests' share from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether it is an ox, a sheep, or a goat; the priests are to be given the shoulder, jaws, and stomach.

“This is what you requested from the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, ‘Let us not continue to hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire any longer, so that we will not die! '

“This is because they did not meet you with food and water on the journey after you came out of Egypt, and because Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim was hired to curse you.

“Do not return a slave to his master when he has escaped from his master to you.

“If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because he will require it of you, and it will be counted against you as sin.

The LORD said to Moses, “The time of your death is now approaching. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the tent of meeting so that I may commission him.” When Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the tent of meeting,

He said about Naphtali:

Naphtali, enjoying approval,

full of the LORD's blessing,

take[fn] possession to the west and the south.

When all the Amorite kings across the Jordan to the west and all the Canaanite kings near the sea heard how the LORD had dried up the water of the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, they lost heart and their courage failed because of the Israelites.

“Oh, Lord GOD,” Joshua said, “why did you ever bring these people across the Jordan to hand us over to the Amorites for our destruction? If only we had been content to remain on the other side of the Jordan!

Joshua and the Israelites struck down the following kings of the land beyond the Jordan to the west, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which ascends toward Seir (Joshua gave their land as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel according to their allotments:

all the cities of the plateau, and all the kingdom of King Sihon of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon. Moses had killed him and the chiefs of Midian ​— ​Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba ​— ​the princes of Sihon who lived in the land.

On the west side, from the hill facing Beth-horon on the south, the border curved, turning southward, and ended at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the descendants of Judah. This was the west side of their border.

These were the portions that the priest Eleazar, Joshua son of Nun, and the family heads distributed to the Israelite tribes by lot at Shiloh in the LORD's presence at the entrance to the tent of meeting. So they finished dividing up the land.

Ain with its pasturelands, Juttah with its pasturelands, and Beth-shemesh with its pasturelands ​— ​nine cities from these two tribes.

Moses had given territory to half the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, but Joshua had given territory to the other half,[fn] with their brothers, on the west side of the Jordan. When Joshua sent them to their homes and blessed them,

Joseph's bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the parcel of land Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of silver.[fn] It was an inheritance for Joseph's descendants.

When she arrived, she persuaded Othniel to ask her father for a field. As she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What do you want? ”

But the grapevine said to them,

“Should I stop giving my wine

that cheers both God and man,

and rule over trees? ”

Then Abimelech and the units that were with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two units rushed against all who were in the countryside and struck them down.

“While Israel lived three hundred years in Heshbon and Aroer and their surrounding villages, and in all the cities that are on the banks of the Arnon, why didn't you take them back at that time?

Now his father and mother did not know this was from the LORD, who wanted the Philistines to provide an opportunity for a confrontation.[fn] At that time, the Philistines were ruling Israel.

He tore them limb from limb[fn] and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.

and agreed to stay with the man, and the young man became like one of his sons.

While they were near Micah's home, they recognized the accent of the young Levite. So they went over to him and asked, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is keeping you here? ”

The six hundred Danite men were standing by the entrance of the city gate, armed with their weapons of war.

Early that morning, the woman made her way back, and as it was getting light, she collapsed at the doorway of the man's house where her master was.

“Citizens of Gibeah came to attack me and surrounded the house at night. They intended to kill me, but they raped my concubine, and she died.

“May the LORD reward you for what you have done, and may you receive a full reward from the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from Naomi, you will acquire[fn] Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the deceased man, to perpetuate the man's name on his property.”[fn]

After some time,[fn] Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,[fn] because she said, “I requested him from the LORD.”

or the priests' share of the sacrifices from the people. When anyone offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling

Even before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the one who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast, because he won't accept boiled meat from you ​— ​only raw.”

When he arrived, there was Eli sitting on his chair beside the road waiting, because he was anxious about the ark of God. When the man entered the city to give a report, the entire city cried out.

brought it into the temple of Dagon[fn] and placed it next to his statue.[fn]

The cities from Ekron to Gath, which they had taken from Israel, were restored; Israel even rescued their surrounding territories from Philistine control. There was also peace between Israel and the Amorites.

Then Samuel said to the cook, “Get the portion of meat that I gave you and told you to set aside.”

The Philistines also gathered to fight against Israel: three thousand[fn] chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.[fn]

Terror spread through the Philistine camp and the open fields to all the troops. Even the garrison and the raiding parties were terrified. The earth shook, and terror spread from God.[fn]

Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and an evil spirit sent from the LORD began to torment him,

“No! ” Jonathan responded. “If I ever find out my father has evil intentions against you, wouldn't I tell you about it? ”

“The following day hurry down and go to the place where you hid on the day this incident began and stay beside the rock Ezel.

He sat at his usual place on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat facing him[fn] and Abner took his place beside Saul, but David's place was empty.

Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him, so he knew that his father was determined to kill David.

From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I know what God will do for me.”

He said to his men, “As the LORD is my witness, I would never do such a thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed. I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD's anointed.”

“Someone is pursuing you and intends to take your life. My lord's life is tucked safely in the place[fn] where the LORD your God protects the living, but he is flinging away your enemies' lives like stones from a sling.

“However, as the LORD is my witness, I will never lift my hand against the LORD's anointed. Instead, take the spear and the water jug by his head, and let's go.”

David replied, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. However, there's one thing I require of you: You will not see my face unless you first bring Saul's daughter Michal when you come to see me.”

So Ish-bosheth sent someone to take her away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.

On that day all the troops and all Israel were convinced that the king had no part in the killing of Abner son of Ner.

Then the LORD's anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him dead on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there next to the ark of God.

the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun their lord, “Just because David has sent men with condolences for you, do you really believe he's showing respect for your father? Instead, hasn't David sent his emissaries in order to scout out the city, spy on it, and demolish it? ”

The Ammonites marched out and lined up in battle formation at the entrance to the city gate while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were in the field by themselves.

But Uriah slept at the door of the palace with all his master's servants; he did not go down to his house.

Absalom said to him, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you.”

“Please let your servant return so that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him what seems good to you.”[fn]

They were at the great stone in Gibeon when Amasa joined them. Joab was wearing his uniform and over it was a belt around his waist with a sword in its sheath. As he approached, the sword fell out.

he went and got the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh-gilead. They had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung the bodies the day the Philistines killed Saul at Gilboa.

Then the angel extended his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, but the LORD relented concerning the destruction and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough, withdraw your hand now! ” The angel of the LORD was then at the threshing floor of Araunah[fn] the Jebusite.

Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant? ”

David replied, “To buy the threshing floor from you in order to build an altar to the LORD, so the plague on the people may be halted.”

The king answered Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it from you for a price, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for twenty ounces[fn] of silver.

“You know the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected me to be king, but then the kingship was turned over to my brother, for the LORD gave it to him.

Then she said, “I have just one small request of you. Don't turn me down.”

“Go ahead and ask, mother,” the king replied, “for I won't turn you down.”

“The responsibility for their deaths will come back to Joab and to his descendants[fn] forever, but for David, his descendants, his dynasty, and his throne, there will be peace from the LORD forever.”

Baana son of Ahilud, in Taanach, Megiddo, and all Beth-shean which is beside Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, as far as the other side of Jokmeam;

God gave Solomon wisdom, very great insight, and understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore.

Emissaries of all peoples, sent by every king on earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to listen to Solomon's wisdom.

So Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for the king to explain to her.

The throne had six steps; there was a rounded top at the back of the throne, armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.

The king did not listen to the people, because this turn of events came from the LORD to carry out his word, which the LORD had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.

When he left,[fn] a lion attacked[fn] him along the way and killed him. His corpse was thrown on the road, and the donkey was standing beside it; the lion was standing beside the corpse too.

and he went and found the corpse thrown on the road with the donkey and the lion standing beside the corpse. The lion had not eaten the corpse or mauled the donkey.

After he had buried him, he said to his sons, “When I die, bury me in the grave where the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones,

then he bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for 150 pounds[fn] of silver, and he built up the hill. He named the city he built Samaria[fn] based on the name Shemer, the owner of the hill.

Then the LORD's fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.

Then Ben-hadad said to him, “I restore to you the cities that my father took from your father, and you may set up marketplaces for yourself in Damascus, like my father set up in Samaria.”

Ahab responded, “On the basis of this treaty, I release you.” So he made a treaty with him and released him.

Some time passed after these events. Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard; it was in Jezreel next to the palace of King Ahab of Samaria.

But Naboth said to Ahab, “As the LORD is my witness, I will never give my ancestors' inheritance to you.”

Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of his ancestor David. His son Jehoram became king in his place.

But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?

They replied, “A man came to meet us and said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and declare to him, “This is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you're sending these men to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore, you will not get up from your sickbed; you will certainly die.” ' ”

Then he said, “Go out and borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few.

“Call her,” Elisha said. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway.

Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Didn't I say, ‘Do not lie to me? ' ”

Then Naaman and his whole company went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “I know there's no God in the whole world except in Israel. Therefore, please accept a gift from your servant.”

While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger[fn] came down to him. Then he said, “This disaster is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer? ”

Now four men with a skin disease were at the entrance to the city gate. They said to each other, “Why just sit here until we die?

When the messenger came and told him, “They have brought the heads of the king's sons,” the king said, “Pile them in two heaps at the entrance of the city gate until morning.”

So the priests agreed that they would receive no silver from the people and would not be the ones to repair the temple's damage.

Isaiah said, “This is the sign to you from the LORD that he will do what he has promised: Should the shadow go ahead ten steps or go back ten steps? ”

“Go up to the high priest Hilkiah so that he may total up the silver brought into the LORD's temple ​— ​the silver the doorkeepers have collected from the people.

Then Josiah brought all the priests from the cities of Judah, and he defiled the high places from Geba to Beer-sheba, where the priests had burned incense. He tore down the high places of the city gates at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city (on the left at the city gate).

When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates River reigned in his place.

Many of the Hagrites were killed because it was God's battle. And they lived there in the Hagrites' place until the exile.

Some Manassites defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. However, they did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers sent David away after a discussion. They said, “It will be our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”

Then he said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if this is from the LORD our God, let's spread out and send the message to the rest of our relatives in all the districts of Israel, including the priests and Levites in their cities with pasturelands, that they should gather together with us.

The Ammonites marched out and lined up in battle formation at the entrance of the city while the kings who had come were in the field by themselves.

Since more leaders were found among Eleazar's descendants than Ithamar's, they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of ancestral families[fn] were from Eleazar's descendants, and eight heads of ancestral families were from Ithamar's.

Riches and honor come from you, and you are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all.

The temple that I am building will be great, for our God is greater than any of the gods.

The throne had six steps; there was a footstool covered in gold for the throne, armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.

The king did not listen to the people because the turn of events came from God, in order that the LORD might carry out his word that he had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.

Rehoboam also showed discernment by dispersing some of his sons to all the regions of Judah and Benjamin and to all the fortified cities. He gave them plenty of provisions and sought many wives for them.

Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God, “LORD, there is no one besides you to help the mighty and those without strength. Help us, LORD our God, for we depend on you, and in your name we have come against this large army. LORD, you are our God. Do not let a mere mortal hinder you.”

Then Jehu son of the seer Hanani went out to confront him[fn] and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Do you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the LORD's wrath is on you.

Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. His son Jehoram[fn] became king in his place.

Then a letter came to Jehoram from the prophet Elijah, saying:

This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David says: “Because you have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or in the ways of King Asa of Judah

Ahaziah's downfall came from God when he went to Joram. When Ahaziah arrived, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab.

“But if you go with them, do it! Be strong for battle! But God will make you stumble before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to make one stumble.”

But Amaziah would not listen, for this turn of events was from God in order to hand them over to their enemies because they went after the gods of Edom.

He took all the gold, silver, all the utensils that were found with Obed-edom in God's temple, the treasures of the king's palace, and the hostages. Then he returned to Samaria.

They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD ​— ​only the consecrated priests, the descendants of Aaron, have the right to offer incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully! You will not receive honor from the LORD God.”

However, since there were not enough priests, they weren't able to skin all the burnt offerings, so their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious[fn] to consecrate themselves than the priests were.

So the couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the hand of the king and his officials, and according to the king's command, saying, “Israelites, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel so that he may return to those of you who remain, who have escaped the grasp of the kings of Assyria.

A large number of the people ​— ​many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun ​— ​were ritually unclean, yet they had eaten the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah had interceded for them, saying, “May the good LORD provide atonement on behalf of

Then King Neco of Egypt made Jehoahaz's brother Eliakim king over Judah and Jerusalem and changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took his brother Jehoahaz and brought him to Egypt.

I did this because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek him, but his fierce anger is against all who abandon him.”

When all our enemies heard this, all the surrounding nations were intimidated and lost their confidence,[fn] for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God.

Then I put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah, commander of the fortress, because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.

While all this was happening, I was not in Jerusalem, because I had returned to King Artaxerxes of Babylon in the thirty-second year of his reign. It was only later that I asked the king for a leave of absence

Esther was the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai who had adopted her as his own daughter. When her turn came to go to the king, she did not ask for anything except what Hegai, the king's eunuch, keeper of the women, suggested. Esther gained favor in the eyes of everyone who saw her.

The king loved Esther more than all the other women. She won more favor and approval from him than did any of the other virgins. He placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.

Then Haman informed King Ahasuerus, “There is one ethnic group, scattered throughout the peoples in every province of your kingdom, keeping themselves separate. Their laws are different from everyone else's and they do not obey the king's laws. It is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them.

Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs who attended her, and dispatched him to Mordecai to learn what he was doing and why.[fn]

Mordecai told the messenger to reply to Esther, “Don't think that you will escape the fate of all the Jews because you are in the king's palace.

“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don't eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.”

“Very well,” the LORD told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, do not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the LORD's presence.

He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house.

The strong lion dies if it catches no prey,

and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

They are smashed to pieces from dawn to dusk;

they perish forever while no one notices.

Yes, I know what you've said is true,

but how can a person be justified before God?

Since a person's days are determined

and the number of his months depends on you,

and since you have set[fn] limits he cannot pass,

Even after my skin has been destroyed,[fn]

yet I will see God in[fn] my flesh.

This is the wicked person's lot from God,

the inheritance God ordained for him.

Their homes are secure and free of fear;

no rod from God strikes them.

Drenched by mountain rains,

they huddle against[fn] the rocks, shelterless.

I will teach you about God's power.

I will not conceal what the Almighty has planned.[fn]

This is a wicked man's lot from God,

the inheritance the ruthless receive from the Almighty.

I would give him an account of all my steps;

I would approach him like a prince.

For he has said, “A man gains nothing

when he becomes God's friend.”

Should God repay you on your terms

when you have rejected his?

You must choose, not I!

So declare what you know.

But if they do not listen,

they will cross the river of death[fn]

and die without knowledge.

Look at Behemoth,

which I made along with you.

He eats grass like cattle.

He lies under the lotus plants,

hiding in the protection[fn] of marshy reeds.

He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams[fn]

that bears its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

My shield is with God,

who saves the upright in heart.

I will give praise in the great assembly

because of you;

I will fulfill my vows

before those who fear you.[fn]

He will receive blessing from the LORD,

and righteousness[fn] from the God of his salvation.

I have asked one thing from the LORD;

it is what I desire:

to dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

gazing on the beauty of the LORD

and seeking him in his temple.

I am ridiculed by all my adversaries

and even by my neighbors.

I am dreaded by my acquaintances;

those who see me in the street run from me.

For the wellspring of life is with you.

By means of your light we see light.

A person's steps are established by the LORD,

and he takes pleasure in his way.

The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD,

their refuge in a time of distress.

“Now, Lord, what do I wait for?

My hope is in you.

“Hear my prayer, LORD,

and listen to my cry for help;

do not be silent at my tears.

For I am here with you as an alien,

a temporary resident like all my ancestors.

You make us retreat from the foe,

and those who hate us

have taken plunder for themselves.

You are the most handsome of men;[fn]

grace flows from your lips.

Therefore God has blessed you forever.

You love righteousness and hate wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy

more than your companions.

that does not listen to the sound of the charmers

who skillfully weave spells.

But as for me, my feet almost slipped;

my steps nearly went astray.

I was stupid and didn't understand;

I was an unthinking animal toward you.

Who do I have in heaven but you?

And I desire nothing on earth but you.

He humbles the spirit of leaders;

he is feared by the kings of the earth.

Happy are the people whose strength is in you,

whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

“I will also make him my firstborn,

greatest of the kings of the earth.

If the LORD had not been my helper,

I would soon rest in the silence of death.

The young lions roar for their prey

and seek their food from God.

Let this be the LORD's payment to my accusers,

to those who speak evil against me.

This came from the LORD;

it is wondrous in our sight.

They almost ended my life on earth,

but I did not abandon your precepts.

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

But with you there is forgiveness,

so that you may be revered.

Israel, put your hope in the LORD.

For there is faithful love with the LORD,

and with him is redemption in abundance.

For I know that the LORD is great;

our Lord is greater than all gods.

As when one plows and breaks up the soil,

turning up rocks,

so our[fn] bones have been scattered

at the mouth of Sheol.

My son, if you accept my words

and store up my commands within you,

for her house sinks down to death

and her ways to the land of the departed spirits.

Don't be wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

My son, obey my words,

and treasure my commands.

Crossing the street near her corner,

he strolled down the road to her house

Now in the street, now in the squares,

she lurks at every corner.

Beside the gates leading into the city,

at the main entrance, she cries out:

“For the one who finds me finds life

and obtains favor from the LORD,

One who is good obtains favor from the LORD,

but he condemns a person who schemes.

A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn't find it,

but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

There is a way that seems right to a person,

but its end is the way to death.

Don't those who plan evil go astray?

But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD — 

how much more, human hearts.

The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,

but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.

All a person's ways seem right to him,

but the LORD weighs motives.[fn]

Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD;

be assured,[fn] he will not go unpunished.

When a person's ways please the LORD,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Honest balances and scales are the LORD's;

all the weights in the bag are his concern.

The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the LORD.

A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold,

and the LORD is the tester of hearts.

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just —

both are detestable to the LORD.

A person's gift opens doors[fn] for him

and brings him before the great.

A man who finds a wife finds a good thing

and obtains favor from the LORD.

A house and wealth are inherited from fathers,

but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Even a courageous person's steps are determined by the LORD,

so how can anyone understand his own way?

Doing what is righteous and just

is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Justice executed is a joy to the righteous

but a terror to evildoers.

A horse is prepared for the day of battle,

but victory comes from the LORD.

Many desire a ruler's favor,

but a person receives justice from the LORD.

Two things I ask of you;

don't deny them to me before I die:

So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me.

For the fate of the children of Adam and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; they all have the same breath. People have no advantage over animals since everything is futile.

The sayings of the wise are like cattle prods, and those from masters of collections are like firmly embedded nails. The sayings are given by one Shepherd.[fn]

The vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

Then I said, “Until when, Lord? ” And he replied:

Until cities lie in ruins without inhabitants,

houses are without people,

the land is ruined and desolate,

“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God ​— ​it can be as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven.”

Here I am with the children the LORD has given me to be signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of Armies who dwells on Mount Zion.

Wail! For the day of the LORD is near.

It will come as destruction from the Almighty.

The water of the sea will dry up,

and the river will be parched and dry.

My people who have been crushed

on the threshing floor,

I have declared to you

what I have heard from the LORD of Armies,

the God of Israel.

For the Lord GOD of Armies

had a day of tumult, trampling, and confusion

in the Valley of Vision —

people shouting[fn] and crying to the mountains;

Your dead will live; their bodies[fn] will rise.

Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust!

For you will be covered with the morning dew,[fn]

and the earth will bring out the departed spirits.

So now, do not scoff,

or your shackles will become stronger.

Indeed, I have heard from the Lord GOD of Armies

a decree of destruction for the whole land.

This also comes from the LORD of Armies.

He gives wondrous advice;

he gives great wisdom.

you will be punished by the LORD of Armies

with thunder, earthquake, and loud noise,

storm, tempest, and a flame of consuming fire.

Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers' hands, read it, then went up to the LORD's temple and spread it out before the LORD.

“This is the sign to you from the LORD that he will do what he has promised:

But I myself said: I have labored in vain,

I have spent my strength for nothing and futility;

yet my vindication is with the LORD,

and my reward is with my God.

Can the prey be taken from a mighty man,

or the captives of a tyrant[fn] be delivered?

The LORD has displayed his holy arm

in the sight of all the nations;

all the ends of the earth will see

the salvation of our God.

He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.

He was like someone people turned away from;[fn]

he was despised, and we didn't value him.

They will fear the name of the LORD in the west

and his glory in the east;[fn]

for he will come like a rushing stream

driven by the wind of the LORD.

Like cattle that go down into the valley,

the Spirit of the LORD gave them[fn] rest.

You led your people this way

to make a glorious name for yourself.

The young lions have roared at him;

they have roared loudly.

They have laid waste his land.

His cities are in ruins, without inhabitants.

A lion has gone up from his thicket;

a destroyer of nations has set out.

He has left his lair

to make your land a waste.

Your cities will be reduced to uninhabited ruins.

I will raise weeping and a lament

over the mountains,

a dirge over the wilderness grazing land,

for they have been so scorched

that no one passes through.

The sound of cattle is no longer heard.

From the birds of the sky to the animals,

everything has fled ​— ​they have gone away.

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:

But, LORD of Armies, who judges righteously,

who tests heart[fn] and mind,

let me see your vengeance on them,

for I have presented my case to you.

The heart is more deceitful than anything else,

and incurable ​— ​who can understand it?

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:

LORD of Armies, testing the righteous

and seeing the heart[fn] and mind,

let me see your vengeance on them,

for I have presented my case to you.

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah, asking,

Woe for the one who builds his palace

through unrighteousness,

his upstairs rooms through injustice,

who makes his neighbor serve without pay

and will not give him his wages,

Look, a storm from the LORD!

Wrath has gone out,

a whirling storm.

It will whirl about the heads of the wicked.

“Therefore, take note! I am against the prophets” ​— ​the LORD's declaration ​— ​“who steal my words from each other.

At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the LORD:

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD.

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of King Zedekiah of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.

“This is what the LORD says: In this place, which you say is a ruin, without people or animals ​— ​that is, in Judah's cities and Jerusalem's streets that are a desolation without people, without inhabitants, and without animals ​— ​there will be heard again

“This is what the LORD of Armies says: In this desolate place ​— ​without people or animals ​— ​and in all its cities there will once more be a grazing land where shepherds may rest flocks.

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, his whole army, all the kingdoms of the lands under his control, and all other peoples were fighting against Jerusalem and all its surrounding cities:

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom to them.

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah:

King Zedekiah later sent for him and received him, and in his house privately asked him, “Is there a word from the LORD? ”

“There is,” Jeremiah responded. He continued, “You will be handed over to the king of Babylon.”

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Nebuzaradan, captain of the guards, released him at Ramah. When he found him, he was bound in chains with all the exiles of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon.

The swift cannot flee,

and the warrior cannot escape!

In the north by the bank of the Euphrates River,

they stumble and fall.

I have heard an envoy from the LORD;

a messenger has been sent among the nations:

Assemble yourselves to come against her.

Rise up for war!

Raise a war cry against her on every side!

She has thrown up her hands in surrender;

her defense towers have fallen;

her walls are demolished.

Since this is the LORD's vengeance,

take your vengeance on her;

as she has done, do the same to her.

There is a voice of fugitives and refugees

from the land of Babylon.

The voice announces in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God,

the vengeance for his temple.

Leave Babylon;

save your lives, each of you!

Don't perish because of her guilt.

For this is the time of the LORD's vengeance —

he will pay her what she deserves.

This is what the prophet Jeremiah commanded Seraiah son of Neriah son of Mahseiah, the quartermaster, when he went to Babylon with King Zedekiah of Judah in the fourth year of Zedekiah's reign.

As for his allowance, a regular allowance was given to him by the king of Babylon, a portion for each day until the day of his death, for the rest of his life.

The roads to Zion mourn,

for no one comes to the appointed festivals.

All her gates are deserted;

her priests groan,

her young women grieve,

and she herself is bitter.

Zion's gates have fallen to the ground;

he has destroyed and shattered the bars on her gates.

Her king and her leaders live among the nations,

instruction[fn] is no more,

and even her prophets receive

no vision from the LORD.

My eyes bring me grief

because of the fate of all the women in my city.

“In all your detestable practices and acts of prostitution, you did not remember the days of your youth when you were stark naked and thrashing around in your blood.

“You adulterous wife, who receives strangers instead of her husband!

“So you were the opposite of other women in your acts of prostitution; no one solicited you. When you paid a fee instead of one being paid to you, you were the opposite.

Didn't you walk in their ways and do their detestable practices? It was only a short time before all your ways were more corrupt than theirs.

On that day I swore[fn] to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.

“However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land I had given them ​— ​the most beautiful of all lands, flowing with milk and honey ​— ​

“Egypt will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself over the nations. I will make them so small they cannot rule over the nations.

“Therefore the cedar became greater in height

than all the trees of the field.

Its branches multiplied,

and its boughs grew long

as it spread them out

because of the abundant water.

“As for you, son of man, your people are talking about you near the city walls and in the doorways of their houses. One person speaks to another, each saying to his brother, ‘Come and hear what the message is that comes from the LORD! '

“As I live ​— ​this is the declaration of the Lord GOD ​— ​because my flock, lacking a shepherd, has become prey and food for every wild animal, and because my shepherds do not search for my flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than my flock,

yet he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and drink. What if he sees your faces looking thinner than the other young men your age? You would endanger my life[fn] with the king.”

In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times[fn] better than all the magicians and mediums in his entire kingdom.

urging them to ask the God of the heavens for mercy concerning this mystery, so Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of Babylon's wise men.

I offer thanks and praise to you,

God of my ancestors,

because you have given me

wisdom and power.

And now you have let me know

what we asked of you,

for you have let us know

the king's mystery.[fn]

“As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.

At Daniel's request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court.

“All the administrators of the kingdom ​— ​the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors ​— ​have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that, for thirty days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions' den.

So they approached the king and asked about his edict: “Didn't you sign an edict that for thirty days any person who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions' den? ”

The king answered, “As a law of the Medes and Persians, the order stands[fn] and is irrevocable.”

“After this, while I was watching in the night visions, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, frightening and dreadful, and incredibly strong, with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and it trampled with its feet whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns.

“Then I wanted to be clear about the fourth beast, the one different from all the others, extremely terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, devouring, crushing, and trampling with its feet whatever was left.

Now I will tell you the truth.

“Three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth will be far richer than the others. By the power he gains through his riches, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.

A close relative[fn] and burner[fn] will remove his corpse[fn] from the house. He will call to someone in the inner recesses of the house, “Any more with you? ”

That person will reply, “None.”

Then he will say, “Silence, because the LORD's name must not be invoked.”

The vision of Obadiah.

This is what the Lord GOD has said about Edom:

We have heard a message from the LORD;

an envoy has been sent among the nations:

“Rise up, and let's go to war against her.”[fn]

Then he issued a decree in Nineveh:

By order of the king and his nobles: No person or animal, herd or flock, is to taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink water.

Though the residents of Maroth

anxiously wait for something good,

disaster has come from the LORD

to the gate of Jerusalem.

Then the remnant of Jacob

will be among many peoples

like dew from the LORD,

like showers on the grass,

which do not wait for anyone

or linger for mankind.

Mankind, he has told each of you what is good

and what it is the LORD requires of you:

to act justly,

to love faithfulness,

and to walk humbly with your God.

Is it not from the LORD of Armies

that the peoples labor only to fuel the fire

and countries exhaust themselves for nothing?

I have cut off nations;

their corner towers are destroyed.

I have laid waste their streets,

with no one to pass through.

Their cities lie devastated,

without a person, without an inhabitant.

“Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon, and go that same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah.

“They made their hearts like a rock so as not to obey the law or the words that the LORD of Armies had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore intense anger came from the LORD of Armies.

Ask the LORD for rain

in the season of spring rain.

The LORD makes the rain clouds,

and he will give them showers of rain

and crops in the field for everyone.