LXX Concordance for κύριον

But Cain answered the LORD, “My punishment[fn] is too great to bear!

Then Abraham answered, “Since I have ventured to speak to my lord ​— ​even though I am dust and ashes ​— ​

Then he said, “Since I have ventured to speak to my lord, suppose twenty are found there? ”

He replied, “I will not destroy it on account of twenty.”

But he hesitated. Because of the LORD's compassion for him, the men grabbed his hand, his wife's hand, and the hands of his two daughters. They brought him out and left him outside the city.

So it was, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham and brought Lot out of the middle of the upheaval when he demolished the cities where Lot had lived.

“and I will have you swear by the LORD, God of heaven and God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live,

“Then I knelt low, worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who guided me on the right way to take the granddaughter of my master's brother for his son.

But Isaac answered Esau, “Look, I have made him a master over you, have given him all of his relatives as his servants, and have sustained him with grain and new wine. What then can I do for you, my son? ”

The warden did not bother with anything under Joseph's authority,[fn] because the LORD was with him, and the LORD made everything that he did successful.

“Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

When that year was over, they came the next year and said to him, “We cannot hide from our lord that the silver is gone and that all our livestock belongs to our lord. There is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land.

But Moses replied to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent ​— ​either in the past or recently or since you have been speaking to your servant ​— ​because my mouth and my tongue are sluggish.”[fn]

But Pharaoh responded, “Who is the LORD that I should obey him by letting Israel go? I don't know[fn] the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go.”

So Moses went back to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have you caused trouble for this people? And why did you ever send me?

Seven days passed after the LORD struck the Nile.

Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Appeal to the LORD to remove the frogs from me and my people. Then I will let the people go and they can sacrifice to the LORD.”

After Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh, Moses cried out to the LORD for help concerning the frogs that he had brought against Pharaoh.

Pharaoh responded, “I will let you go and sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness, but don't go very far. Make an appeal for me.”

“Make an appeal to the LORD. There has been enough of God's thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don't need to stay any longer.”

Moses left Pharaoh and the city, and spread out his hands to the LORD. Then the thunder and hail ceased, and rain no longer poured down on the land.

“Please forgive my sin once more and make an appeal to the LORD your God, so that he will just take this death away from me.”

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and there were the Egyptians coming after them! The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the LORD for help.

When Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses.

So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he threw it into the water, the water became drinkable.

The LORD made a statute and ordinance for them at Marah, and he tested them there.

Moses continued, “The LORD will give you meat to eat this evening and all the bread you want in the morning, for he has heard the complaints that you are raising against him. Who are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD.”

So the people complained to Moses, “Give us water to drink.”

“Why are you complaining to me? ” Moses replied to them. “Why are you testing the LORD? ”

Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What should I do with these people? In a little while they will stone me! ”

He named the place Massah[fn] and Meribah[fn] because the Israelites complained, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not? ”

The LORD said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will always believe you.” Moses reported the people's words to the LORD,

Then he said to Moses, “Go up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of Israel's elders, and bow in worship at a distance.

And Moses stood at the camp's entrance and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.

So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, these people have committed a grave sin; they have made a god of gold for themselves.

Now Moses took a tent and pitched it outside the camp, at a distance from the camp; he called it the tent of meeting. Anyone who wanted to consult the LORD would go to the tent of meeting that was outside the camp.

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.'

“Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but you are to fear your God; I am the LORD.

“You are not to cheat one another, but fear your God, for I am the LORD your God.

“You are not to rule over them harshly but fear your God.

“at this point the priest will make the woman take the oath with the sworn curse, and he is to say to her ​— ​‘May the LORD make you into an object of your people's cursing and swearing when he makes your womb[fn] shrivel and your belly swell.

Then the people cried out to Moses, and he prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down.

So Moses asked the LORD, “Why have you brought such trouble on your servant? Why are you angry with me,[fn] and why do you burden me with all these people?

Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “God, please heal her! ”

But Moses replied to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear about it, for by your strength you brought up this people from them.

“‘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.'

Then Moses became angry and said to the LORD, “Don't respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”

“But if the LORD brings about something unprecedented, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them along with all that belongs to them so that they go down alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have despised the LORD.”

“When we cried out to the LORD, he heard our plea,[fn] and sent an angel,[fn] and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the border of your territory.

The people then came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so that he will take the snakes away from us.” And Moses interceded for the people.

So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak's officials, “Go back to your land, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

So Moses appealed to the LORD,

“You grumbled in your tents and said, ‘The LORD brought us out of the land of Egypt to hand us over to the Amorites in order to destroy us, because he hates us.

“except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land on which he has set foot, because he remained loyal to the LORD.'

“But from there, you will search for the LORD your God, and you will find him when you seek him with all your heart and all your soul.

“Do this so that you may fear the LORD your God all the days of your life by keeping all his statutes and commands I am giving you, your son, and your grandson, and so that you may have a long life.

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

“Fear the LORD your God, worship him, and take your oaths in his name.

“Do not test the LORD your God as you tested him at Massah.

“The LORD commanded us to follow all these statutes and to fear the LORD our God for our prosperity always and for our preservation, as it is today.

“But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors, he brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the place of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

“When you eat and are full, you will bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.

“When the LORD your God drives them out before you, do not say to yourself, ‘The LORD brought me in to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.' Instead, the LORD will drive out these nations before you because of their wickedness.

“Remember and do not forget how you provoked the LORD your God in the wilderness. You have been rebelling against the LORD from the day you left the land of Egypt until you reached this place.

“You continued to provoke the LORD at Taberah, Massah, and Kibroth-hattaavah.

“You have been rebelling against the LORD ever since I have[fn] known you.

“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?

“You are to fear the LORD your God and worship him. Remain faithful[fn] to him and take oaths in his name.

“Therefore, love the LORD your God and always keep his mandate and his statutes, ordinances, and commands.

“If you carefully obey my commands I am giving you today, to love the LORD your God and worship him with all your heart and all your soul,

“For if you carefully observe every one of these commands I am giving you to follow ​— ​to love the LORD your God, walk in all his ways, and remain faithful[fn] to him ​— ​

“do not listen to that prophet's words or to that dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul.

“You are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and fresh oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, in the presence of the LORD your God at the place where he chooses to have his name dwell, so that you will always learn to fear the LORD your God.

“Be careful that there isn't this wicked thought in your heart, ‘The seventh year, the year of canceling debts, is near,' and you are stingy toward your poor brother and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty.

“It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to observe all the words of this instruction, and to do these statutes.

“provided you keep every one of these commands I am giving you today and follow them, loving the LORD your God and walking in his ways at all times ​— ​you are to add three more cities to these three.

“You are to pay him his wages each day before the sun sets, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be held guilty.

“So we called out to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, and the LORD heard our cry and saw our misery, hardship, and oppression.

“If you are not careful to obey all the words of this law, which are written in this scroll, by fearing this glorious and awe-inspiring name ​— ​the LORD, your God ​— ​

“and you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and all your soul by doing[fn] everything I am commanding you today,

“The LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love him with all your heart and all your soul so that you will live.

“when you obey the LORD your God by keeping his commands and statutes that are written in this book of the law and return to him with all your heart and all your soul.

“For[fn] I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live[fn] and multiply, and the LORD your God may bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

“love the LORD your God, obey him, and remain faithful[fn] to him. For he is your life, and he will prolong your days as you live in the land the LORD swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

“Gather the people ​— ​men, women, dependents, and the resident aliens within your city gates ​— ​so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and be careful to follow all the words of this law.

“Now please swear to me by the LORD that you will also show kindness to my father's family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign[fn]

“This is so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD's hand is strong, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.”

Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions, but did not seek the LORD's decision.

But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the community had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Then the whole community grumbled against the leaders.

On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel:

“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,

and moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”

“Only carefully obey the command and instruction that Moses the LORD's servant gave you: to love the LORD your God, walk in all his ways, keep his commands, be loyal to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.”

“For the LORD has made the Jordan a border between us and you descendants of Reuben and Gad. You have no share in the LORD! ' So your descendants may cause our descendants to stop fearing the LORD.

A long time after the LORD had given Israel rest from all the enemies around them, Joshua was old, advanced in age.

“So diligently watch yourselves! Love the LORD your God!

“Your ancestors cried out to the LORD, so he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea over them, engulfing them. Your own eyes saw what I did to Egypt. After that, you lived in the wilderness a long time.

“Therefore, fear the LORD and worship him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and worship the LORD.

The people replied, “We will certainly not abandon the LORD to worship other gods!

“If you abandon the LORD and worship foreign gods, he will turn against you, harm you, and completely destroy you, after he has been good to you.”

Joshua then told the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you yourselves have chosen to worship the LORD.”

“We are witnesses,” they said.

That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works he had done for Israel.

and abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed other gods from the surrounding peoples and bowed down to them. They angered the LORD,

but they did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods, bowing down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the LORD's commands. They did not do as their ancestors did.

The Israelites cried out to the LORD. So the LORD raised up Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's youngest brother, as a deliverer to save the Israelites.

Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and he raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjaminite,[fn] as a deliverer for them. The Israelites sent him with the tribute for King Eglon of Moab.

Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, because Jabin had nine hundred iron chariots, and he harshly oppressed them twenty years.

When the leaders lead[fn] in Israel,

when the people volunteer,

blessed be the LORD.

My heart is with the leaders of Israel,

with the volunteers of the people.

Blessed be the LORD!

So Israel became poverty-stricken because of Midian, and the Israelites cried out to the LORD.

When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to Israel's camp and said, “Get up, for the LORD has handed the Midianite camp over to you.”

Gideon replied, “Very well, when the LORD has handed Zebah and Zalmunna over to me, I will tear[fn] your flesh with thorns and briers from the wilderness! ”

Then the Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. They worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and the Philistines. They abandoned the LORD and did not worship him.

so they cried out to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against you. We have abandoned our God and worshiped the Baals.”

But the Israelites said, “We have sinned. Deal with us as you see fit; only rescue us today! ”

When he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “No! Not my daughter! You have devastated me! You have brought great misery on me.[fn] I have given my word to the LORD and cannot take it back.”

He became very thirsty and called out to the LORD, “You have accomplished this great victory through your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised? ”

He called out to the LORD, “Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, God, just once more. With one act of vengeance, let me pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.”

When they were near Jebus and the day was almost gone, the servant said to his master, “Please, why not let us stop at this Jebusite city and spend the night here? ”

While they were enjoying themselves, all of a sudden, wicked men of the city surrounded the house and beat on the door. They said to the old man who was the owner of the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him! ”

All the Israelites from Dan to Beer-sheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the community assembled as one body before the LORD at Mizpah.

The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.

The Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this evil act happen? ”

The Israelites asked, “Who of all the tribes of Israel didn't come to the LORD with the assembly? ” For a great oath had been taken that anyone who had not come to the LORD at Mizpah would certainly be put to death.

They asked, “Which city among the tribes of Israel didn't come to the LORD at Mizpah? ” It turned out that no one from Jabesh-gilead had come to the camp and the assembly.

Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears.

“Please, my lord,” she said, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD.

Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered;[fn]

he will thunder in the heavens against them.

The LORD will judge the ends of the earth.

He will give power to his king;

he will lift up the horn of his anointed.[fn]

Eli's sons were wicked men; they did not respect the LORD

“If one person sins against another, God can intercede for him, but if a person sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him? ” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to kill them.

Samuel told them, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths that are among you, set your hearts on the LORD, and worship only him. Then he will rescue you from the Philistines.”

Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD on your behalf.”

The Israelites said to Samuel, “Don't stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, so that he will save us from the Philistines.”

When they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” Samuel considered their demand wrong, so he prayed to the LORD.

Samuel summoned the people to the LORD at Mizpah

“When Jacob went to Egypt,[fn] your ancestors cried out to the LORD, and he sent them Moses and Aaron, who led your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this place.

“Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, for we abandoned the LORD and worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths. Now rescue us from the power of our enemies, and we will serve you.'

“If you fear the LORD, worship and obey him, and if you don't rebel against the LORD's command, then both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God.

“Isn't the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD, and he will send thunder and rain so that you will recognize what an immense evil you committed in the LORD's sight by requesting a king for yourselves.”

“Above all, fear the LORD and worship him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things he has done for you.

“I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned away from following me and has not carried out my instructions.” So Samuel became angry and cried out to the LORD all night.

“don't ever withdraw your kindness from my household ​— ​not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David's enemies from the face of the earth.”

Then Jonathan called to him, “Hurry up and don't stop! ” Jonathan's servant picked up the arrow and returned to his master.

One of Nabal's young men informed Abigail, Nabal's wife, “Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he screamed at them.

“Now consider carefully[fn] what you should do, because there is certain to be trouble for our master and his entire family. He is such a worthless fool nobody can talk to him! ”

“What you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, all of you deserve to die[fn] since you didn't protect your lord, the LORD's anointed. Now look around; where are the king's spear and water jug that were by his head? ”

But David said, “My brothers, you must not do this with what the LORD has given us. He protected us and handed over to us the raiders who came against us.

David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, “The LORD bless you because you have shown this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him.

David feared the LORD that day and said, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me? ”

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? ”

She replied, “Please, may the king invoke the LORD your God, so that the avenger of blood will not increase the loss, and they will not eliminate my son! ”

“As the LORD lives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son will fall to the ground.”

I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,

and I was saved from my enemies.

I called to the LORD in my distress;

I called to my God.

From his temple he heard my voice,

and my cry for help reached his ears.

They look, but there is no one to save them —

they look to the LORD, but he does not answer them.

David's conscience troubled him after he had taken a census of the troops. He said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I've done. Now, LORD, because I've been very foolish, please take away your servant's guilt.”

When David saw the angel striking the people, he said to the LORD, “Look, I am the one who has sinned; I am the one[fn] who has done wrong. But these sheep, what have they done? Please, let your hand be against me and my father's family.”

“The king's servants have also gone to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more well known than your name, and may he make his throne greater than your throne.' Then the king bowed in worship on his bed.

It was reported to King Solomon, “Joab has fled to the LORD's tabernacle and is now beside the altar.”

Then Solomon sent[fn] Benaiah son of Jehoiada and told him, “Go and strike him down! ”

Solomon loved the LORD by walking in the statutes of his father David, but he also sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

“You know my father David was not able to build a temple for the name of the LORD his God. This was because of the warfare all around him until the LORD put his enemies under his feet.

When Solomon finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up from kneeling before the altar of the LORD, with his hands spread out toward heaven,

“May my words with which I have made my petition before the LORD be near the LORD our God day and night. May he uphold his servant's cause and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires.

“Be wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD our God to walk in his statutes and to keep his commands, as it is today.”

Then they will say, “Because they abandoned the LORD their God who brought their ancestors out of the land of Egypt. They held on to other gods and bowed in worship to them and served them. Because of this, the LORD brought all this ruin on them.”

“Blessed be the LORD your God! He delighted in you and put you on the throne of Israel, because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel. He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.”

So the LORD raised up Hadad the Edomite as an enemy against Solomon. He was of the royal family in Edom.

“If these people regularly go to offer sacrifices in the LORD's temple in Jerusalem, the heart of these people will return to their lord, King Rehoboam of Judah. They will kill me and go back to the king of Judah.”

This was because Jeroboam had angered[fn] the LORD God of Israel by the sins he had committed and had caused Israel to commit.

This happened because of all the sins of Baasha and those of his son Elah, which they committed and caused Israel to commit, angering the LORD God of Israel with their worthless idols.

He walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat in every respect and continued in his sins that he caused Israel to commit, angering the LORD God of Israel with their worthless idols.

“for this is what the LORD God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the surface of the land.' ”

Then he stretched himself out over the boy three times. He cried out to the LORD and said, “LORD my God, please let this boy's life come into him again! ”

Ahab called for Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. Obadiah was a man who greatly feared the LORD

But when I leave you, the Spirit of the LORD may carry you off to some place I don't know. Then when I go report to Ahab and he doesn't find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared the LORD from my youth.

He replied, “I have not ruined Israel, but you and your father's family have, because you have abandoned the LORD's commands and followed the Baals.

But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “First, please ask what the LORD's will is.”

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Isn't there a prophet of the LORD here anymore? Let's ask him.”

Then Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and the whole heavenly army was standing by him at his right hand and at his left hand.

He served Baal and bowed in worship to him. He angered the LORD God of Israel just as his father had done.

The time had come for the LORD to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal,

But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn't there a prophet of the LORD here? Let's inquire of the LORD through him.”

One of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat, who used to pour water on Elijah's hands, is here.”

One of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, has died. You know that your servant feared the LORD. Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves.”

So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD.

Gehazi came and stood by his master. “Where did you go, Gehazi? ” Elisha asked him.

He replied, “Your servant didn't go anywhere.”

When the Arameans came against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike this nation with blindness.”[fn] So he struck them with blindness, according to Elisha's word.

Elisha replied, “Don't kill them. Do you kill those you have captured with your sword or your bow? Set food and water in front of them so they can eat and drink and go to their master.”

So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift with you and go meet the man of God. Inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this sickness? ' ”

Hazael left Elisha and went to his master, who asked him, “What did Elisha say to you? ”

He responded, “He told me you are sure to recover.”

They burned incense there on all the high places just like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them had done. They did evil things, angering the LORD.

So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel, punished them, and handed them over to plunderers until he had banished them from his presence.

When they first lived there, they did not fear the LORD. So the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

So one of the priests they had deported came and lived in Bethel, and he began to teach them how they should fear the LORD.

They feared the LORD, but they also made from their ranks priests for the high places, who were working for them at the shrines of the high places.

“but fear the LORD your God, and he will rescue you from all your enemies.”

They feared the LORD but also served their idols. Still today, their children and grandchildren continue doing as their ancestors did.

“Suppose you say to me, “We rely on the LORD our God.” Isn't he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, “You must worship at this altar in Jerusalem” ? '

“Don't let Hezekiah persuade you to rely on the LORD by saying, “Certainly the LORD will rescue us! This city will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.” '

who said to them, “Tell your master, ‘The LORD says this: Don't be afraid because of the words you have heard, with which the king of Assyria's attendants have blasphemed me.

“You have mocked the Lord[fn] through[fn] your messengers.

You have said, ‘With my many chariots

I have gone up to the heights of the mountains,

to the far recesses of Lebanon.

I cut down its tallest cedars,

its choice cypress trees.

I came to its farthest outpost,

its densest forest.

Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

So the prophet Isaiah called out to the LORD, and he brought the shadow[fn] back the ten steps it had descended on the stairway of Ahaz.[fn]

He abandoned the LORD God of his ancestors and did not walk in the ways of the LORD.

“Go and inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah about the words in this book that has been found. For great is the LORD's wrath that is kindled against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words of this book in order to do everything written about us.”

“Say this to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD: ‘This is what the LORD God of Israel says: As for the words that you heard,

Josiah also removed all the shrines of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to anger the LORD. Josiah did the same things to them that he had done at Bethel.

Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength according to all the law of Moses, and no one like him arose after him.

but he did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

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.”

David appointed some of the Levites to be ministers before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate the LORD God of Israel, and to give thanks and praise to him.

On that day David decreed for the first time that thanks be given to the LORD by Asaph and his relatives:

Seek the LORD and his strength;

seek his face always.

With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD ​— ​for his faithful love endures forever.

He built an altar to the LORD there and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He called on the LORD, and he answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.

Then David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly. David said,

May you be blessed, LORD God of our father Israel, from eternity to eternity.

Then David said to the whole assembly, “Blessed be the LORD your God.” So the whole assembly praised the LORD God of their ancestors. They knelt low and paid homage to the LORD and the king.

Then King Hiram of Tyre wrote a letter[fn] and sent it to Solomon:

Because the LORD loves his people, he set you over them as king.

Then they will say, “Because they abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors who brought them out of the land of Egypt. They clung to other gods and bowed in worship to them and served them. Because of this, he brought all this ruin on them.”

“Blessed be the LORD your God! He delighted in you and put you on his throne as king for the LORD your God. Because your God loved Israel enough to establish them forever, he has set you over them as king to carry out justice and righteousness.”

Those from every tribe of Israel who had determined in their hearts to seek the LORD their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their ancestors.

When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, the LORD's message came to Shemaiah: “They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them but will grant them a little deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.

Rehoboam did what was evil, because he did not determine in his heart to seek the LORD.

“But as for us, the LORD is our God. We have not abandoned him; the priests ministering to the LORD are descendants of Aaron, and the Levites serve at their tasks.

“Look, God and his priests are with us at our head. The trumpets are ready to sound the charge against you. Israelites, don't fight against the LORD God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed.”

Judah turned and discovered that the battle was in front of them and behind them, so they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets,

The Israelites were subdued at that time. The Judahites succeeded because they depended on the LORD, the God of their ancestors.

He told the people of Judah to seek the LORD God of their ancestors and to carry out the instruction and the commands.

So he said to the people of Judah, “Let's build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the LORD our God. We sought him and he gave us rest on every side.” So they built and succeeded.

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.”

“but when they turned to the LORD God of Israel in their distress and sought him, he was found by them.

Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their ancestors with all their heart and all their soul.

At that time, the seer Hanani came to King Asa of Judah and said to him, “Because you depended on the king of Aram and have not depended on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from you.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a disease in his feet, and his disease became increasingly severe. Yet even in his disease he didn't seek the LORD but only the physicians.

but sought the God of his father and walked by his commands, not according to the practices of Israel.

But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “First, please ask what the LORD's will is.”

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man who can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”

“The king shouldn't say that,” Jehoshaphat replied.

Then Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and the whole heavenly army was standing at his right hand and at his left hand.

“However, some good is found in you, for you have eradicated the Asherah poles from the land and have determined in your heart to seek God.”

Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the LORD. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah,

They assembled in the Valley of Beracah[fn] on the fourth day, for there they blessed the LORD. Therefore, that place is still called the Valley of Beracah today.

However, the high places were not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.

And now Edom is still in rebellion against Judah's control today. Libnah also rebelled at that time against his control because he had abandoned the LORD, the God of his ancestors.

Then Jehu looked for Ahaziah, and Jehu's soldiers captured him (he was hiding in Samaria). So they brought Ahaziah to Jehu, and they killed him. The soldiers buried him, for they said, “He is the grandson of Jehoshaphat who sought the LORD with all his heart.” So no one from the house of Ahaziah had the strength to rule the kingdom.

and they abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and served the Asherah poles and the idols. So there was wrath against Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs.

Although the Aramean army came with only a few men, the LORD handed over a vast army to them because the people of Judah had abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors. So they executed judgment on Joash.

He sought God throughout the lifetime of Zechariah, the teacher of the fear[fn] of God. During the time that he sought the LORD, God gave him success.

Pekah son of Remaliah killed one hundred twenty thousand in Judah in one day ​— ​all brave men ​— ​because they had abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors.

He made high places in every city of Judah to offer incense to other gods, and he angered the LORD, the God of his ancestors.

Then King Hezekiah and the officials told the Levites to sing praise to the LORD in the words of David and of the seer Asaph. So they sang praises with rejoicing and knelt low and worshiped.

“for when you return to the LORD, your brothers and your sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful; he will not turn his face away from you if you return to him.”

“whoever sets his whole heart on seeking God, the LORD, the God of his ancestors, even though not according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.”

When Hezekiah and his officials came and viewed the piles, they blessed the LORD and his people Israel.

His servants said more against the LORD God and against his servant Hezekiah.

In those days Hezekiah became sick to the point of death, so he prayed to the LORD, who spoke to him and gave him a miraculous sign.

In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a youth, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved images, and the cast images.

“Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for those remaining in Israel and Judah, concerning the words of the book that was found. For great is the LORD's wrath that is poured out on us because our ancestors have not kept the word of the LORD in order to do everything written in this book.”

“Say this to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD: ‘This is what the LORD God of Israel says: As for the words that you heard,

In the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign, this Passover was observed.

He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear allegiance by God. He became obstinate[fn] and hardened his heart against returning to the LORD, the God of Israel.

When the builders had laid the foundation of the LORD's temple, the priests, dressed in their robes and holding trumpets, and the Levites descended from Asaph, holding cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as King David of Israel had instructed.

The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land[fn] in order to worship the LORD, the God of Israel.

At the evening offering, I got up from my time of humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God.

I also shook the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake from his house and property everyone who doesn't keep this promise. May he be shaken out and have nothing! ”

The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the LORD. Then the people did as they had promised.

Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted all the people said, “Amen, Amen! ” Then they knelt low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the raised platform built for the Levites and cried out loudly to the LORD their God.

Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa ordering their destruction, so that Hathach might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and command her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead with him personally for her people.

His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die! ”

Both small and great are there,

and the slave is set free from his master.

However, if I were you, I would appeal to God

and would present my case to him.

Like a slave he longs for shade;

like a hired worker he waits for his pay.

But if you earnestly seek God

and ask the Almighty for mercy,

I will say to God,

“Do not declare me guilty!

Let me know why you prosecute me.

The tents of robbers are safe,

and those who trouble God are secure;

God holds them in his hands.[fn]

Yet I prefer to speak to the Almighty

and argue my case before God.

My friends scoff at me

as I weep before God.

Indeed, such is the dwelling of the unjust man,

and this is the place of the one who does not know God.

Why does the Almighty not reserve times for judgment?

Why do those who know him never see his days?

For what hope does the godless person have when he is cut off,

when God takes away his life?

If there is an angel on his side,

one mediator out of a thousand,

to tell a person what is right for him[fn]

He will pray to God, and God will delight in him.

That person will see his face with a shout of joy,

and God will restore his righteousness to him.

Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly

and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

But if they do not listen,

they will cross the river of death[fn]

and die without knowledge.

Who provides the raven's food

when its young cry out to God

and wander about for lack of food?

I am so insignificant. How can I answer you?

I place my hand over my mouth.

After the LORD had finished speaking[fn] to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.

I cry aloud to the LORD,

and he answers me from his holy mountain.Selah

Offer sacrifices in righteousness[fn]

and trust in the LORD.

In all his scheming,

the wicked person arrogantly thinks,[fn]

“There's no accountability,

since there's no God.”

Will evildoers never understand?

They consume my people as they consume bread;

they do not call on the LORD.

Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come from Zion!

When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,[fn]

let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

who despises the one rejected by the LORD[fn]

but honors those who fear the LORD,

who keeps his word whatever the cost,

I will bless the LORD who counsels me —

even at night when my thoughts trouble me.[fn]

I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,

and I was saved from my enemies.

I called to the LORD in my distress,

and I cried to my God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice,

and my cry to him reached his ears.

They cry for help, but there is no one to save them —

they cry to the LORD, but he does not answer them.

For the king relies on the LORD;

through the faithful love of the Most High

he is not shaken.

“He relies on[fn] the LORD;

let him save him;

let the LORD[fn] rescue him,

since he takes pleasure in him.”

You who fear the LORD, praise him!

All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!

All you descendants of Israel, revere him!

The humble will eat and be satisfied;

those who seek the LORD will praise him.

May your hearts live forever!

Who is this person who fears the LORD?

He will show him the way he should choose.

My eyes are always on the LORD,

for he will pull my feet out of the net.

Wait for the LORD;

be strong, and let your heart be courageous.

Wait for the LORD.

Love the LORD, all his faithful ones.

The LORD protects the loyal,

but fully repays the arrogant.

Many pains come to the wicked,

but the one who trusts in the LORD

will have faithful love surrounding him.

Let the whole earth fear the LORD;

let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.

Proclaim the LORD's greatness with me;

let us exalt his name together.

You who are his holy ones, fear the LORD,

for those who fear him lack nothing.

Trust in the LORD and do what is good;

dwell in the land and live securely.[fn]

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him, and he will act,

For evildoers will be destroyed,

but those who put their hope in the LORD

will inherit the land.

Wait for the LORD and keep his way,

and he will exalt you to inherit the land.

You will watch when the wicked are destroyed.

I waited patiently for the LORD,

and he turned to me and heard my cry for help.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

and they will trust in the LORD.

Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come from Zion!

When God restores the fortunes of his people,[fn]

let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Cast your burden on the LORD,

and he will sustain you;

he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Bless God in the assemblies;

bless the LORD from the fountain of Israel.

God, hurry to rescue me.

LORD, hurry to help me!

Remember this: the enemy has mocked the LORD,

and a foolish people has insulted your name.

I cry aloud to God,

aloud to God, and he will hear me.

You who love the LORD, hate evil!

He protects the lives of his faithful ones;

he rescues them from the power of the wicked.

Exalt the LORD our God;

bow in worship at his footstool.

He is holy.

Exalt the LORD our God;

bow in worship at his holy mountain,

for the LORD our God is holy.

This will be written for a later generation,

and a people who have not yet been created will praise the LORD:

My soul, bless the LORD,

and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD,

all his angels of great strength,

who do his word,

obedient to his command.

My soul, bless the LORD!

LORD my God, you are very great;

you are clothed with majesty and splendor.

May sinners vanish from the earth

and wicked people be no more.

My soul, bless the LORD!

Hallelujah!

Boast in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

He made him master of his household,

ruler over all his possessions —

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble;

he rescued them from their distress.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble;

he saved them from their distress.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble;

he saved them from their distress.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,

and he brought them out of their distress.

Hallelujah![fn]

Happy is the person who fears the LORD,

taking great delight in his commands.

He will not fear bad news;

his heart is confident, trusting in the LORD.

Hallelujah!

Give praise, servants of the LORD;

praise the name of the LORD.

Israel,[fn] trust in the LORD!

He is their help and shield.

he will bless those who fear the LORD —

small and great alike.

But we will bless the LORD,

both now and forever.

Hallelujah!

Praise the LORD, all nations!

Glorify him, all peoples!

Let those who fear the LORD say,

“His faithful love endures forever.”

It is better to take refuge in the LORD

than to trust in humanity.

In my distress I called to the LORD,

and he answered me.

Like a servant's eyes on his master's hand,

like a servant girl's eyes on her mistress's hand,

so our eyes are on the LORD our God

until he shows us favor.

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion.

It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,[fn]

we were like those who dream.

How happy is everyone who fears the LORD,

who walks in his ways!

In this very way

the man who fears the LORD

will be blessed.

I wait for the Lord

more than watchmen for the morning —

more than watchmen for the morning.

Israel, put your hope in the LORD,

both now and forever.

Now bless the LORD,

all you servants of the LORD

who stand in the LORD's house at night!

Hallelujah!

Praise the name of the LORD.

Give praise, you servants of the LORD

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;

sing praise to his name, for it is delightful.

House of Israel, bless the LORD!

House of Aaron, bless the LORD!

I cry aloud to the LORD;

I plead aloud to the LORD for mercy.

Hallelujah!

My soul, praise the LORD.

Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the LORD his God,

Hallelujah!

How good it is to sing to our God,

for praise is pleasant and lovely.

Exalt the LORD, Jerusalem;

praise your God, Zion!

Hallelujah!

Praise the LORD from the heavens;

praise him in the heights.

Praise the LORD from the earth,

all sea monsters and ocean depths,

Let everything that breathes praise the LORD.

Hallelujah!

Honor the LORD with your possessions

and with the first produce of your entire harvest;

She is a tree of life to those who embrace her,

and those who hold on to her are happy.

My son, obey my words,

and treasure my commands.

Whoever lives with integrity fears the LORD,

but the one who is devious in his ways despises him.

Better a little with righteousness

than great income with injustice.

Don't say, “I will avenge this evil! ”

Wait on the LORD, and he will rescue you.

I have instructed you today ​— ​even you —

so that your confidence may be in the LORD.

Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,

and whoever looks after his master will be honored.

The evil do not understand justice,

but those who seek the LORD understand everything.

A greedy person stirs up conflict,

but whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper.

The fear of mankind is a snare,

but the one who trusts in the LORD is protected.[fn]

Oh sinful nation,

people weighed down with iniquity,

brood of evildoers,

depraved children!

They have abandoned the LORD;

they have despised the Holy One of Israel;

they have turned their backs on him.

At the same time both rebels and sinners will be broken,

and those who abandon the LORD will perish.

For Jerusalem has stumbled

and Judah has fallen

because they have spoken and acted against the LORD,

defying his glorious presence.

Therefore my people will go into exile

because they lack knowledge;

her[fn] dignitaries are starving,

and her masses are parched with thirst.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and the hem of his robe filled the temple.

Then I said:

Woe is me for I am ruined[fn]

because I am a man of unclean lips

and live among a people of unclean lips,

and because my eyes have seen the King,

the LORD of Armies.

But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask. I will not test the LORD.”

You are to regard only the LORD of Armies as holy.

Only he should be feared;

only he should be held in awe.

The people did not turn to him who struck them;

they did not seek the LORD of Armies.

They will not harm or destroy each other

on my entire holy mountain,

for the land will be as full

of the knowledge of the LORD

as the sea is filled with water.

and on that day you will say,

“Give thanks to the LORD; proclaim his name!

Make his works known among the peoples.

Declare that his name is exalted.

It will be a sign and witness to the LORD of Armies in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and leader, and he will rescue them.

The humble will have joy

after joy in the LORD,

and the poor people will rejoice

in the Holy One of Israel.

For a fool speaks foolishness

and his mind plots iniquity.

He lives in a godless way

and speaks falsely about the LORD.

He leaves the hungry empty

and deprives the thirsty of drink.

There will be times of security for you —

a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.

The fear of the LORD is Zion's treasure.

and the ransomed of the LORD will return

and come to Zion with singing,

crowned with unending joy.

Joy and gladness will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee.

“Suppose you say to me, ‘We rely on the LORD our God.' Isn't he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You are to worship at this altar'?

But the royal spokesman replied, “Has my master sent me to speak these words to your master and to you, and not to the men who are sitting on the wall, who are destined with you to eat their own excrement and drink their own urine? ”

“Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of the royal spokesman, whom his master the king of Assyria sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore offer a prayer for the surviving remnant.' ”

who said to them, “Tell your master, ‘The LORD says this: Don't be afraid because of the words you have heard, with which the king of Assyria's attendants have blasphemed me.

Then Hezekiah prayed to the LORD:

“You have mocked the Lord through your servants.

You have said, “With my many chariots

I have gone up to the heights of the mountains,

to the far recesses of Lebanon.

I cut down its tallest cedars,

its choice cypress trees.

I came to its distant heights,

its densest forest.

Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD.

I chirp like a swallow or a crane;

I moan like a dove.

My eyes grow weak looking upward.

Lord, I am oppressed; support me.

With whom will you compare God?

What likeness will you set up for comparison with him?

Who among you fears the LORD

and listens to his servant?

Who among you walks in darkness,

and has no light?

Let him trust in the name of the LORD;

let him lean on his God.

Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,

you who seek the LORD:

Look to the rock from which you were cut,

and to the quarry from which you were dug.

“No weapon formed against you will succeed,

and you will refute any accusation[fn]

raised against you in court.

This is the heritage of the LORD's servants,

and their vindication is from me.”

This is the LORD's declaration.

Let the wicked one abandon his way

and the sinful one his thoughts;

let him return to the LORD,

so he may have compassion on him,

and to our God, for he will freely forgive.

No foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD

should say,

“The LORD will exclude me from his people,”

and the eunuch should not say,

“Look, I am a dried-up tree.”

“then you will delight in the LORD,

and I will make you ride over the heights of the land,

and let you enjoy the heritage of your father Jacob.”

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

I rejoice greatly in the LORD,

I exult in my God;

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation

and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness,

as a groom wears a turban

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For those who gather grain will eat it

and praise the LORD,

and those who harvest the grapes will drink the wine

in my holy courts.

“Only acknowledge your guilt —

you have rebelled against the LORD your God.

You have scattered your favors to strangers

under every green tree

and have not obeyed me.

This is the LORD's declaration.

“They have not said to themselves,

‘Let's fear the LORD our God,

who gives the seasonal rains, both autumn and spring,

who guarantees to us the fixed weeks of the harvest.'

For the shepherds are stupid:

They don't seek the LORD.

Therefore they have not prospered,

and their whole flock is scattered.

LORD, the hope of Israel,

all who abandon you

will be put to shame.

All who turn away from me

will be written in the dirt,

for they have abandoned

the LORD, the fountain of living water.

“Inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since King Nebuchadnezzar[fn] of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all his past wondrous works so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”

“Did King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah put him to death? Did not the king fear the LORD and plead for the LORD's favor,[fn] and did not the LORD relent concerning the disaster he had pronounced against them? We are about to bring a terrible disaster on ourselves! ”

“Pursue the well-being[fn] of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.”

For there will be a day when watchmen will call out

in the hill country of Ephraim,

“Come, let's go up to Zion,

to the LORD our God! ”

“No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,' for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them” ​— ​this is the LORD's declaration. “For I will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin.

“After I had given the purchase agreement to Baruch, son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD:

Nevertheless, King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, requesting, “Please pray to the LORD our God on our behalf! ”

the prophet Jeremiah and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on our behalf, on behalf of this entire remnant (for few of us remain out of the many, as you can see with your own eyes),

So the prophet Jeremiah said to them, “I have heard. I will now pray to the LORD your God according to your words, and I will tell you every word that the LORD answers you; I won't withhold a word from you.”

“You have gone astray at the cost of your lives[fn] because you are the ones who sent me to the LORD your God, saying, ‘Pray to the LORD our God on our behalf, and as for all that the LORD our God says, tell it to us, and we'll act accordingly.'

“Make him drunk, because he has exalted himself against the LORD. Moab will wallow in his own vomit, and he will also become a laughingstock.

Moab will be destroyed as a people

because he has exalted himself against the LORD.

In those days and at that time —

this is the LORD's declaration —

the Israelites and Judeans will come together,

weeping as they come,

and will seek the LORD their God.

Summon the archers to Babylon,

all who string the bow;

camp all around her; let none escape.

Repay her according to her deeds;

just as she has done, do the same to her,

for she has acted arrogantly against the LORD,

against the Holy One of Israel.

The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord.

Wall of Daughter Zion,

let your tears run down like a river

day and night.

Give yourself no relief

and your[fn] eyes no rest.

In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, some of Israel's elders came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat down in front of me.