# verses

text:
\w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w then|strong="H1696"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w*, \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H0376"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*: \w Speak|strong="H1696"\w* ye \w truth|strong="H0571"\w* \w every|strong="H0376"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w his|strong="H0834"\w* neighbour: \w judge|strong="H8199"\w* ye \w truth|strong="H0571"\w* \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w judgment|strong="H4941"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w* \w in|strong="H0376"\w* \w your|strong="H0834"\w* \w gates|strong="H8179"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w let|strong="H0408"\w* \w none|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* imagine \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w hearts|strong="H3824"\w* \w against|strong="H8130"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w friend|strong="H7453"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w love|strong="H0157"\w* \w not|strong="H0408"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w false|strong="H8267"\w* \w oath|strong="H7621"\w*: \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H0428"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w hate|strong="H8130"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*.


text:
\w Thus|strong="H3541"\w* saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*: \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w fast|strong="H6685"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w fourth|strong="H7243"\w* month, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w fast|strong="H6685"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w fifth|strong="H2549"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w fast|strong="H6685"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7637"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w fast|strong="H6685"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w tenth|strong="H6224"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Juda, \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w gladness|strong="H8057"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H2896"\w* solemnities: \w only|strong="H7965"\w* \w love|strong="H0157"\w* ye \w truth|strong="H0571"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w*.


text:
\w Thus|strong="H3541"\w* saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*, until \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w dwell|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w*,


text:
\w And|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w another|strong="H0259"\w*, \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*: \w Let|strong="H1980"\w* \w us|strong="H0413"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w entreat|strong="H2470"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w let|strong="H1980"\w* \w us|strong="H0413"\w* \w seek|strong="H1245"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*: \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w strong|strong="H6099"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w seek|strong="H1245"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w entreat|strong="H2470"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*.


text:
\w Thus|strong="H3541"\w* saith \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*: \w In|strong="H0430"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, \w wherein|strong="H0834"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w languages|strong="H3956"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="H1471"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w take|strong="H2388"\w* \w hold|strong="H2388"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w hold|strong="H2388"\w* \w fast|strong="H2388"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* shirt \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*, \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*: \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* go \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*: \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*.<pb/>


text:
\w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w burden|strong="H4853"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w word|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w Hadrach|strong="H2317"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w Damascus|strong="H1834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w rest|strong="H4496"\w* thereof: \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w eye|strong="H5869"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w man|strong="H0120"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord’s|strong="H3068"\w*.


text:
Emath \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w in|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w borders|strong="H1379"\w* thereof, \w and|strong="H3966"\w* \w Tyre|strong="H6865"\w*, \w and|strong="H3966"\w* \w Sidon|strong="H6721"\w*: \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* taken \w to|strong="H1571"\w* themselves \w to|strong="H1571"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w exceeding|strong="H3966"\w* \w wise|strong="H2449"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3701"\w* \w Tyre|strong="H6865"\w* hath \w built|strong="H1129"\w* herself \w a|strong="H1129"\w* strong hold, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* heaped together \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w as|strong="H3701"\w* \w earth|strong="H6083"\w*, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w gold|strong="H2742"\w* \w as|strong="H3701"\w* \w the|strong="H1129"\w* \w mire|strong="H2916"\w* \w of|strong="H2351"\w* \w the|strong="H1129"\w* \w streets|strong="H2351"\w*.


text:
\w Behold|strong="H2009"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Lord|strong="H0136"\w* \w shall|strong="H1931"\w* \w possess|strong="H3423"\w* \w her|strong="H0398"\w*, \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w shall|strong="H1931"\w* \w strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w her|strong="H0398"\w* \w strength|strong="H2428"\w* \w in|strong="H0784"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w*, \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w shall|strong="H1931"\w* \w be|strong="H0136"\w* \w devoured|strong="H0398"\w* \w with|strong="H0398"\w* \w fire|strong="H0784"\w*.


text:
Ascalon \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w fear|strong="H3372"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Gaza|strong="H5804"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* sorrowful: \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Accaron, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w* \w hope|strong="H4007"\w* \w is|strong="H4428"\w* \w confounded|strong="H0954"\w*: \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w perish|strong="H0006"\w* \w from|strong="H0006"\w* \w Gaza|strong="H5804"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Ascalon \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w inhabited|strong="H3427"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H6430"\w* \w the|strong="H3772"\w* divider \w shall|strong="H3427"\w* \w sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* Azotus, \w and|strong="H6430"\w* \w I|strong="H3772"\w* \w will|strong="H6430"\w* \w destroy|strong="H3772"\w* \w the|strong="H3772"\w* \w pride|strong="H1347"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3772"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3063"\w* \w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w take|strong="H5493"\w* \w away|strong="H5493"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w blood|strong="H1818"\w* \w out|strong="H7604"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w mouth|strong="H6310"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w abominations|strong="H8251"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w between|strong="H0996"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w teeth|strong="H8127"\w*: \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w shall|strong="H1931"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w left|strong="H7604"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w our|strong="H0430"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w shall|strong="H1931"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* governor \w in|strong="H0430"\w* Juda, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* Accaron \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w Jebusite|strong="H2983"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H7725"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* encompass \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* serve \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* war, \w going|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w returning|strong="H7725"\w*, \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w oppressor|strong="H5065"\w* \w shall|strong="H1004"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w pass|strong="H5674"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*: \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w*.


text:
\w Rejoice|strong="H1523"\w* \w greatly|strong="H3966"\w*, O \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Sion, \w shout|strong="H7321"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w joy|strong="H7321"\w*, O \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*: \w BEHOLD|strong="H2009"\w* THY \w KING|strong="H4428"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* thee, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w just|strong="H6662"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* saviour: \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w poor|strong="H6041"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w riding|strong="H7392"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w an|strong="H0935"\w* ass, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* \w colt|strong="H5895"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w foal|strong="H5895"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w an|strong="H0935"\w* ass.


text:
\w And|strong="H0776"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* \w destroy|strong="H3772"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w chariot|strong="H7393"\w* \w out|strong="H1471"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w out|strong="H1471"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w bow|strong="H7198"\w* \w for|strong="H0776"\w* \w war|strong="H4421"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w be|strong="H0776"\w* broken: \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="H1471"\w*, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w his|strong="H5704"\w* power \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w be|strong="H0776"\w* \w from|strong="H3772"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w*, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w from|strong="H3772"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w rivers|strong="H5104"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* end \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w*.


text:
Thou \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w by|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w blood|strong="H1818"\w* \w of|strong="H4325"\w* thy testament hast \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w forth|strong="H7971"\w* thy \w prisoners|strong="H0615"\w* \w out|strong="H7971"\w* \w of|strong="H4325"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w pit|strong="H0953"\w*, wherein \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w*.


text:
\w Return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* strong hold, ye \w prisoners|strong="H0615"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w hope|strong="H8615"\w*, \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w render|strong="H7725"\w* thee \w double|strong="H4932"\w* \w at|strong="H3117"\w*, \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w declare|strong="H5046"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*.


text:
\w Because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w bent|strong="H1869"\w* Juda \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w as|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w bow|strong="H7198"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w filled|strong="H4390"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*: \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H2719"\w* \w raise|strong="H5782"\w* \w up|strong="H5921"\w* thy \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, O Sion, \w above|strong="H5921"\w* thy \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, O \w Greece|strong="H3120"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H2719"\w* \w make|strong="H7760"\w* thee \w as|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w mighty|strong="H1368"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* dart \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w forth|strong="H3318"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w lightning|strong="H1300"\w*: \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w sound|strong="H8628"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w trumpet|strong="H7782"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* whirlwind \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w south|strong="H8486"\w*.


text:
\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w protect|strong="H1598"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w devour|strong="H0398"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w subdue|strong="H3533"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w stones|strong="H0068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* sling: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w drinking|strong="H8354"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* inebriated \w as|strong="H3644"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H0068"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w filled|strong="H4390"\w* \w as|strong="H3644"\w* \w bowls|strong="H4219"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w as|strong="H3644"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* horns \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w save|strong="H3467"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* dock \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*: \w for|strong="H3588"\w* holy \w stones|strong="H0068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* lifted \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w land|strong="H0127"\w*.


text:
\w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w good|strong="H2898"\w* \w thing|strong="H2898"\w* \w of|strong="H1330"\w* \w him|strong="H3588"\w*, \w and|strong="H1715"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H3308"\w* \w thing|strong="H2898"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* corn \w of|strong="H1330"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* elect, \w and|strong="H1715"\w* \w wine|strong="H8492"\w* springing forth \w virgins|strong="H1330"\w*?<pb/>


text:
\w Ask|strong="H7592"\w* ye \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w rain|strong="H4306"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w latter|strong="H4456"\w* \w season|strong="H6256"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w make|strong="H5414"\w* snows, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w showers|strong="H1653"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w rain|strong="H4306"\w*, \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w every|strong="H0376"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w grass|strong="H6212"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*.


text:
\w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w idols|strong="H8655"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w spoken|strong="H1696"\w* \w what|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* unprofitable, \w and|strong="H6629"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w diviners|strong="H7080"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w seen|strong="H2372"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w lie|strong="H8267"\w*, \w and|strong="H6629"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w dreamers|strong="H2472"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w spoken|strong="H1696"\w* \w vanity|strong="H1892"\w*: \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w comforted|strong="H5162"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w vain|strong="H7723"\w*: \w therefore|strong="H3651"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H0369"\w* \w led|strong="H5265"\w* \w away|strong="H0369"\w* \w as|strong="H3644"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* dock: \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w shall|strong="H0369"\w* \w be|strong="H0369"\w* \w afflicted|strong="H5921"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w shepherd|strong="H7462"\w*.


text:
\w My|strong="H7760"\w* \w wrath|strong="H0639"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w kindled|strong="H2734"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w shepherds|strong="H7462"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w visit|strong="H6485"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* buck \w goats|strong="H6260"\w*: \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w* hath \w visited|strong="H6485"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w flock|strong="H5739"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Juda, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* hath \w made|strong="H7760"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w glory|strong="H1935"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*.


text:
\w Out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* shall \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w forth|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w corner|strong="H6438"\w*, \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w pin|strong="H3489"\w*, \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w bow|strong="H7198"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*, \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* exacter \w together|strong="H3162"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w mighty|strong="H1368"\w* \w men|strong="H1368"\w*, \w treading|strong="H0947"\w* under foot \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w mire|strong="H2916"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* ways \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H1961"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w riders|strong="H7392"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w horses|strong="H5483"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* confounded.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w strengthen|strong="H1396"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Juda, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w save|strong="H3467"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Joseph|strong="H3130"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w bring|strong="H7725"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w mercy|strong="H7355"\w* \w on|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* cast \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w off|strong="H0853"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w am|strong="H0589"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* hear \w them|strong="H0853"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w valiant|strong="H1368"\w* \w men|strong="H1368"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w rejoice|strong="H8055"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w through|strong="H3820"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*: \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w rejoice|strong="H8055"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w joyful|strong="H8055"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*.


text:
\w I|strong="H3588"\w* will \w whistle|strong="H8319"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w them|strong="H6908"\w*, \w and|strong="H8319"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* will \w gather|strong="H6908"\w* \w them|strong="H6908"\w* \w together|strong="H6908"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3588"\w* \w redeemed|strong="H6299"\w* \w them|strong="H6908"\w*: \w and|strong="H8319"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* will \w multiply|strong="H7235"\w* \w them|strong="H6908"\w* \w as|strong="H3644"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* were \w multiplied|strong="H7235"\w* before.


text:
\w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H2142"\w* \w will|strong="H1121"\w* \w sow|strong="H2232"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w among|strong="H0854"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w*: \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w afar|strong="H4801"\w* \w they|strong="H5971"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w*: \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H5971"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w live|strong="H2421"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w their|strong="H7725"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w I|strong="H0776"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* \w bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w out|strong="H0413"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* \w gather|strong="H6908"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w among|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* Assyrians: \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* \w bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* Galaad, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* Libanus, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w place|strong="H0935"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H4714"\w* \w he|strong="H5221"\w* \w shall|strong="H4714"\w* \w pass|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* strait \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w*, \w and|strong="H4714"\w* \w shall|strong="H4714"\w* \w strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w waves|strong="H1530"\w* \w in|strong="H3220"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w*, \w and|strong="H4714"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w depths|strong="H4688"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w river|strong="H2975"\w* \w shall|strong="H4714"\w* \w be|strong="H3605"\w* confounded, \w and|strong="H4714"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w pride|strong="H1347"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Assyria|strong="H0804"\w* \w shall|strong="H4714"\w* \w be|strong="H3605"\w* humbled, \w and|strong="H4714"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* sceptre \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* \w shall|strong="H4714"\w* \w depart|strong="H5493"\w*.


text:
\w I|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w strengthen|strong="H1396"\w* \w them|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w walk|strong="H1980"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*.<pb/>


text:
\w Open|strong="H6605"\w* thy \w gates|strong="H1817"\w*, O Libanus, \w and|strong="H0398"\w* let \w fire|strong="H0784"\w* \w devour|strong="H0398"\w* thy \w cedars|strong="H0730"\w*.


text:
\w Howl|strong="H3213"\w*, thou \w fir|strong="H1265"\w* tree, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w cedar|strong="H0730"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w fallen|strong="H5307"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w mighty|strong="H0117"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* laid \w waste|strong="H5307"\w*: \w howl|strong="H3213"\w*, ye \w oaks|strong="H0437"\w* \w of|strong="H0730"\w* Basan, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* fenced \w forest|strong="H3293"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* cut \w down|strong="H3381"\w*.


text:
\w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w voice|strong="H6963"\w* \w of|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* howling \w of|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w shepherds|strong="H7462"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w their|strong="H3588"\w* \w glory|strong="H0155"\w* \w is|strong="H6963"\w* laid \w waste|strong="H7703"\w*: \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w voice|strong="H6963"\w* \w of|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w roaring|strong="H7581"\w* \w of|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w lions|strong="H3715"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w pride|strong="H1347"\w* \w of|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w is|strong="H6963"\w* spoiled.


text:
\w Thus|strong="H3541"\w* saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*: \w Feed|strong="H7462"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w flock|strong="H6629"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w slaughter|strong="H2028"\w*,


text:
\w Which|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w possessed|strong="H7069"\w*, \w slew|strong="H2026"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* repented \w not|strong="H3808"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w sold|strong="H4376"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*: \w Blessed|strong="H1288"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w we|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w become|strong="H6238"\w* \w rich|strong="H6238"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w shepherds|strong="H7462"\w* \w spared|strong="H2550"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w spare|strong="H2550"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*: \w behold|strong="H2009"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w deliver|strong="H5337"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w*, \w every|strong="H0376"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* neighbour’s \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* destroy \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w deliver|strong="H5337"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H6629"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w will|strong="H6629"\w* \w feed|strong="H7462"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* hock \w of|strong="H0259"\w* \w slaughter|strong="H2028"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w*, O ye \w poor|strong="H6041"\w* \w of|strong="H0259"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* dock. \w And|strong="H6629"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* unto \w me|strong="H7121"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w rods|strong="H4731"\w*, \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w Beauty|strong="H5278"\w*, \w and|strong="H6629"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w other|strong="H0259"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w a|strong="H3947"\w* \w Cord|strong="H2256"\w*, \w and|strong="H6629"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* fed \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w flock|strong="H6629"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H5315"\w* \w I|strong="H5315"\w* \w cut|strong="H3582"\w* \w off|strong="H3582"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w shepherds|strong="H7462"\w* \w in|strong="H5315"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w month|strong="H3391"\w*, \w and|strong="H5315"\w* \w my|strong="H1571"\w* \w soul|strong="H5315"\w* \w was|strong="H0259"\w* straitened \w in|strong="H5315"\w* \w their|strong="H1571"\w* regard: \w for|strong="H0259"\w* \w their|strong="H1571"\w* \w soul|strong="H5315"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* varied \w in|strong="H5315"\w* \w my|strong="H1571"\w* regard.


text:
\w And|strong="H0398"\w* \w I|strong="H0559"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*: \w I|strong="H0559"\w* \w will|strong="H1320"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w feed|strong="H0398"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*: \w that|strong="H0559"\w* \w which|strong="H0802"\w* dieth, \w let|strong="H3808"\w* \w it|strong="H0398"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*: \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w that|strong="H0559"\w* \w which|strong="H0802"\w* \w is|strong="H1320"\w* \w cut|strong="H3582"\w* \w off|strong="H3582"\w*, \w let|strong="H3808"\w* \w it|strong="H0398"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w cut|strong="H3582"\w* \w off|strong="H3582"\w*: \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w let|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w rest|strong="H7604"\w* \w devour|strong="H0398"\w* \w every|strong="H0802"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w flesh|strong="H1320"\w* \w of|strong="H0802"\w* \w his|strong="H3808"\w* neighbour.


text:
\w And|strong="H1285"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w rod|strong="H4731"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* called \w Beauty|strong="H5278"\w*, \w and|strong="H1285"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w it|strong="H3947"\w* \w asunder|strong="H1438"\w* \w to|strong="H0854"\w* \w make|strong="H3772"\w* void \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w*, \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w made|strong="H3772"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w made|strong="H3045"\w* void \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w so|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w poor|strong="H6041"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w flock|strong="H6629"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w keep|strong="H8104"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w me|strong="H8104"\w*, \w understood|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w word|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3701"\w* \w I|strong="H0518"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*: \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w your|strong="H0518"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w*, \w bring|strong="H3051"\w* hither \w my|strong="H0518"\w* \w wages|strong="H7939"\w*: \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w*, \w be|strong="H3808"\w* quiet. \w And|strong="H3701"\w* \w they|strong="H0518"\w* \w weighed|strong="H8254"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w my|strong="H0518"\w* \w wages|strong="H7939"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* pieces \w of|strong="H5869"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*: \w Cast|strong="H7993"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* statuary, \w a|strong="H3947"\w* handsome \w price|strong="H3701"\w*, \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* prized \w at|strong="H0413"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*. \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* pieces \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w cast|strong="H7993"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w into|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* statuary.


text:
\w And|strong="H3063"\w* \w I|strong="H3478"\w* \w cut|strong="H1438"\w* \w off|strong="H1438"\w* \w my|strong="H0996"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w rod|strong="H4731"\w* \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* called \w a|strong="H0996"\w* \w Cord|strong="H2256"\w*, \w that|strong="H3478"\w* \w I|strong="H3478"\w* \w might|strong="H3478"\w* \w break|strong="H6565"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w brotherhood|strong="H0264"\w* \w between|strong="H0996"\w* Juda \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*: \w Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* thee \w yet|strong="H5750"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w instruments|strong="H3627"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3947"\w* \w foolish|strong="H0196"\w* \w shepherd|strong="H7462"\w*.


text:
\w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w behold|strong="H2009"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* \w raise|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w shepherd|strong="H7462"\w* \w in|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*, \w who|strong="H0776"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w visit|strong="H6485"\w* \w what|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* forsaken, \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w seek|strong="H1245"\w* \w what|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* \w scattered|strong="H5289"\w*, \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w heal|strong="H7495"\w* \w what|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* \w broken|strong="H7665"\w*, \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w nourish|strong="H3557"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* which standeth, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w flesh|strong="H1320"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w fat|strong="H1277"\w* ones, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w break|strong="H7665"\w* \w their|strong="H3588"\w* \w hoofs|strong="H6541"\w*.


text:
O \w shepherd|strong="H7473"\w*, \w and|strong="H5869"\w* idol, \w that|strong="H5869"\w* forsaketh \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w flock|strong="H6629"\w*: \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w arm|strong="H2220"\w* \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w eye|strong="H5869"\w*: \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w arm|strong="H2220"\w* \w shall|strong="H2719"\w* quite \w wither|strong="H3001"\w* away, \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w eye|strong="H5869"\w* \w shall|strong="H2719"\w* \w be|strong="H5869"\w* utterly darkened.<pb/>


text:
\w The|strong="H5002"\w* \w burden|strong="H4853"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w word|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. Thus saith \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w who|strong="H3068"\w* stretcheth forth \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w heavens|strong="H8064"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* layeth \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w foundations|strong="H3245"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* formeth \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w man|strong="H0120"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*:


text:
\w Behold|strong="H2009"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w make|strong="H7760"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* lintel \w of|strong="H5921"\w* surfeiting \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w round|strong="H5439"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w*: \w and|strong="H3063"\w* Juda \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w shall|strong="H1571"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w siege|strong="H4692"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H0776"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w pass|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w make|strong="H7760"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w burdensome|strong="H6006"\w* \w stone|strong="H0068"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*: \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w lift|strong="H6006"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* rent \w and|strong="H0776"\w* torn, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* kingdoms \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w gathered|strong="H0622"\w* \w together|strong="H0622"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*.


text:
\w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* astonishment, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w rider|strong="H7392"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w madness|strong="H7697"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w open|strong="H6491"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Juda, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w nations|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w blindness|strong="H5788"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* governors \w of|strong="H0430"\w* Juda \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*: Let \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w be|strong="H3820"\w* strengthened \w for|strong="H6635"\w* \w me|strong="H3389"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*, \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*.


text:
\w In|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3063"\w* \w make|strong="H7760"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* governors \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Juda \w like|strong="H8478"\w* \w a|strong="H7760"\w* furnace \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w fire|strong="H0784"\w* amongst \w wood|strong="H6086"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H7760"\w* firebrand amongst hay: \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w shall|strong="H3117"\w* \w devour|strong="H0398"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w round|strong="H5439"\w* \w about|strong="H5439"\w*, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w hand|strong="H3225"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w left|strong="H8040"\w*: \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w shall|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H5750"\w* \w inhabited|strong="H3427"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* own \w place|strong="H8478"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w save|strong="H3467"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* tabernacles \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Juda, \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w beginning|strong="H7223"\w*: \w that|strong="H4616"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w glory|strong="H8597"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w may|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w boast|strong="H8597"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w magnify|strong="H1431"\w* \w themselves|strong="H1431"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* Juda.


text:
\w In|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w protect|strong="H1598"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* hath offended \w among|strong="H3427"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w an|strong="H1961"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w sight|strong="H6440"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w shall|strong="H1471"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w pass|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w seek|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H1004"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w pour|strong="H8210"\w* \w out|strong="H8210"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w grace|strong="H2580"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* prayers: \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H1004"\w* \w look|strong="H5027"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*, \w whom|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w pierced|strong="H1856"\w*: \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H1004"\w* \w mourn|strong="H5594"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w one|strong="H0834"\w* mourneth \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w an|strong="H7307"\w* \w only|strong="H3173"\w* \w son|strong="H3173"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H1004"\w* grieve \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*, \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* manner \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* grieve \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* death \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w firstborn|strong="H1060"\w*.


text:
\w In|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* there \w shall|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3389"\w* \w great|strong="H1431"\w* \w lamentation|strong="H4553"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* like \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w lamentation|strong="H4553"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Adadremmon \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w plain|strong="H1237"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Mageddon.


text:
\w And|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H0776"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w mourn|strong="H5594"\w*: \w families|strong="H4940"\w* \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w families|strong="H4940"\w* \w apart|strong="H0905"\w*: \w the|strong="H0776"\w* \w families|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H0776"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w apart|strong="H0905"\w*, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w their|strong="H1732"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w apart|strong="H0905"\w*:


text:
\w The|strong="H1004"\w* \w families|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H1004"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Nathan \w apart|strong="H0905"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w their|strong="H0802"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w apart|strong="H0905"\w*: \w the|strong="H1004"\w* \w families|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H1004"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Levi|strong="H3878"\w* \w apart|strong="H0905"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w their|strong="H0802"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w apart|strong="H0905"\w*: \w the|strong="H1004"\w* \w families|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Semei \w apart|strong="H0905"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w their|strong="H0802"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w apart|strong="H0905"\w*.


text:
\w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w rest|strong="H7604"\w* \w of|strong="H0802"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w families|strong="H4940"\w*, \w families|strong="H4940"\w* \w and|strong="H0802"\w* \w families|strong="H4940"\w* \w apart|strong="H0905"\w*, \w and|strong="H0802"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w apart|strong="H0905"\w*.<pb/>


text:
\w In|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w shall|strong="H1004"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w fountain|strong="H4726"\w* \w open|strong="H6605"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*: \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* washing \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* sinner, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w unclean|strong="H5079"\w* \w woman|strong="H1004"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w pass|strong="H5674"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*, \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w destroy|strong="H3772"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w names|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w idols|strong="H6091"\w* \w out|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w remembered|strong="H2142"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w more|strong="H4480"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w take|strong="H1961"\w* \w away|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* false \w prophets|strong="H5030"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w unclean|strong="H2932"\w* \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w out|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w pass|strong="H1961"\w*, \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w any|strong="H0376"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w prophesy|strong="H5012"\w* \w any|strong="H0376"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w*, \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w mother|strong="H0517"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w brought|strong="H3205"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w into|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* world, \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*: Thou shalt \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w live|strong="H2421"\w*: \w because|strong="H3588"\w* thou best \w spoken|strong="H1696"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w lie|strong="H8267"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*. \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w mother|strong="H0517"\w*, \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w parents|strong="H0001"\w*, \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w thrust|strong="H1856"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w through|strong="H1856"\w*, \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w prophesy|strong="H5012"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3117"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w shall|strong="H0376"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w pass|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H3847"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w prophets|strong="H5030"\w* \w shall|strong="H0376"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w confounded|strong="H0954"\w*, \w every|strong="H0376"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w by|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w vision|strong="H2384"\w*, \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w shall|strong="H0376"\w* \w prophesy|strong="H5012"\w*, \w neither|strong="H3808"\w* \w shall|strong="H0376"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* clad \w with|strong="H3847"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w garment|strong="H0155"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* sackcloth, \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w deceive|strong="H3584"\w*:


text:
\w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w shall|strong="H0376"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*: \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5030"\w*, \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* husbandman: \w for|strong="H3588"\w* Adam \w is|strong="H0376"\w* \w my|strong="H3588"\w* example \w from|strong="H0376"\w* \w my|strong="H3588"\w* \w youth|strong="H5271"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3027"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H1004"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*: \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w wounds|strong="H4347"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w midst|strong="H0996"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* thy \w hands|strong="H3027"\w*? \w And|strong="H3027"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H1004"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*: \w With|strong="H0413"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w wounded|strong="H5221"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w loved|strong="H0157"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*.


text:
\w Awake|strong="H5782"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w*, \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w shepherd|strong="H7462"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w man|strong="H1397"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* cleaveth \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*: \w strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w shepherd|strong="H7462"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w sheep|strong="H6629"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w scattered|strong="H6327"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w turn|strong="H7725"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w little|strong="H6819"\w* ones.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w parts|strong="H6310"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H1961"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* scattered, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w perish|strong="H1478"\w*: \w but|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w part|strong="H7992"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w left|strong="H3498"\w* therein.


text:
\w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w part|strong="H7992"\w* \w through|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w fire|strong="H0784"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w refine|strong="H6884"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w as|strong="H0935"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w refined|strong="H6884"\w*: \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w try|strong="H0974"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w as|strong="H0935"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w tried|strong="H0974"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w call|strong="H7121"\w* \w on|strong="H0935"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* hear \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*: Thou art \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*: \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*: \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*.<pb/>


text:
\w Behold|strong="H2009"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* thy \w spoils|strong="H7998"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w divided|strong="H2505"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w midst|strong="H7130"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* thee.


text:
\w And|strong="H1004"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1471"\w* \w gather|strong="H0622"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w shall|strong="H1004"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w taken|strong="H3920"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w houses|strong="H1004"\w* \w shall|strong="H1004"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* rifled, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w shall|strong="H1004"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* defiled: \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w shall|strong="H1004"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w forth|strong="H3318"\w* \w into|strong="H0413"\w* captivity, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w rest|strong="H3499"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w shall|strong="H1004"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w taken|strong="H3920"\w* \w away|strong="H0622"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.


text:
\w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w forth|strong="H3318"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w*, \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w battle|strong="H7128"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w shall|strong="H3117"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Olives|strong="H2132"\w*, \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w toward|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w east|strong="H4217"\w*: \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Olives|strong="H2132"\w* \w shall|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* \w divided|strong="H1234"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w midst|strong="H2677"\w* thereof \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w east|strong="H4217"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w west|strong="H3220"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* opening, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w mountain|strong="H2022"\w* \w shall|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* separated \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w north|strong="H6828"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* thereof \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w south|strong="H5045"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w flee|strong="H5127"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w valley|strong="H1516"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w mountains|strong="H2022"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w valley|strong="H1516"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w mountains|strong="H2022"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w joined|strong="H0935"\w* \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w next|strong="H0413"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w flee|strong="H5127"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w fled|strong="H5127"\w* \w from|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w earthquake|strong="H7494"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Ozias \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Juda: \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w saints|strong="H6918"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3117"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w pass|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w light|strong="H0216"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* cold \w and|strong="H3117"\w* frost.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w known|strong="H3045"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w light|strong="H0216"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3117"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w shall|strong="H3117"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w pass|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w living|strong="H2416"\w* \w waters|strong="H4325"\w* \w shall|strong="H3117"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*: \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w east|strong="H6931"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w last|strong="H0314"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w*: \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w shall|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w summer|strong="H7019"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w winter|strong="H2779"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w*: \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H0776"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w return|strong="H8478"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w desert|strong="H6160"\w*, \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* hill \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Remmon \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w south|strong="H5045"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*: \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w she|strong="H5704"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w be|strong="H0776"\w* exalted, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w shall|strong="H0776"\w* \w dwell|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* own \w place|strong="H4725"\w*, \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w former|strong="H7223"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* corners: \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Hananeel \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* wine-presses.


text:
\w And|strong="H3389"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w dwell|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w it|strong="H1961"\w*, \w and|strong="H3389"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w an|strong="H1961"\w* anathema: \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w secure|strong="H0983"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w plague|strong="H4046"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w strike|strong="H5062"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w nations|strong="H5971"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w fought|strong="H6633"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*: \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w flesh|strong="H1320"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* consume \w away|strong="H4743"\w* \w while|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* consume \w away|strong="H4743"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w holes|strong="H2356"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w tongue|strong="H3956"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* consume \w away|strong="H4743"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w mouth|strong="H6310"\w*.


text:
\w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w great|strong="H7227"\w* \w tumult|strong="H4103"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w among|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w take|strong="H2388"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* neighbour, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* clasped \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* neighbour’s \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3063"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* Juda \w shall|strong="H1471"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*: \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w riches|strong="H2428"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w round|strong="H5439"\w* \w about|strong="H5439"\w* \w shall|strong="H1471"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w gathered|strong="H0622"\w* \w together|strong="H0622"\w*, \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w garments|strong="H0899"\w* \w in|strong="H0622"\w* \w great|strong="H3966"\w* \w abundance|strong="H7230"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H0929"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* destruction \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w*, \w and|strong="H0929"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w mule|strong="H6505"\w*, \w and|strong="H0929"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w camel|strong="H1581"\w*, \w and|strong="H0929"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ass, \w and|strong="H0929"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w beasts|strong="H0929"\w*, \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H0929"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H1961"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* tents, \w shall|strong="H0929"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* destruction.


text:
\w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w left|strong="H3498"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H0935"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w*, \w to|strong="H0935"\w* adore \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w keep|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w feast|strong="H2282"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* tabernacles.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w pass|strong="H1961"\w*, \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w families|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w to|strong="H0413"\w* adore \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*, \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w rain|strong="H1653"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w family|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w*: \w neither|strong="H3808"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*, \w but|strong="H0518"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* destruction wherewith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w strike|strong="H5062"\w* \w all|strong="H5927"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w keep|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w feast|strong="H2282"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* tabernacles.


text:
\w This|strong="H2063"\w* \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sin|strong="H2403"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*, \w and|strong="H4714"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sin|strong="H2403"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w*, \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* keep \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w feast|strong="H2282"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* tabernacles.


text:
\w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* bridle \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w holy|strong="H6944"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* caldrons \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* phials \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* caldron \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* Juda \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* sanctified \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*: \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H2076"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w take|strong="H3947"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w seethe|strong="H1310"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*: \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* merchant \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.


text:
\w The|strong="H0413"\w* \w burden|strong="H4853"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w word|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Malachias.


text:
\w I|strong="H0559"\w* \w have|strong="H0251"\w* \w loved|strong="H0157"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H0251"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*: Wherein hast thou \w loved|strong="H0157"\w* \w us|strong="H0559"\w*? \w Was|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w Esau|strong="H6215"\w* \w brother|strong="H0251"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w Jacob|strong="H3290"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H0559"\w* \w have|strong="H0251"\w* \w loved|strong="H0157"\w* \w Jacob|strong="H3290"\w*,


text:
But \w have|strong="H8130"\w* \w hated|strong="H8130"\w* \w Esau|strong="H6215"\w*? \w and|strong="H2022"\w* \w I|strong="H7760"\w* \w have|strong="H8130"\w* \w made|strong="H7760"\w* \w his|strong="H7760"\w* \w mountains|strong="H2022"\w* \w a|strong="H7760"\w* \w wilderness|strong="H4057"\w*, \w and|strong="H2022"\w* given \w his|strong="H7760"\w* \w inheritance|strong="H5159"\w* \w to|strong="H5159"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* dragons \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w*.


text:
\w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w Edom|strong="H0123"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*: \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H2040"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w up|strong="H5704"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* hath \w been|strong="H5769"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H2040"\w*: \w thus|strong="H3541"\w* saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*: \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w up|strong="H5704"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* throw \w down|strong="H2040"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w borders|strong="H1366"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w wickedness|strong="H7564"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w whom|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w angry|strong="H2194"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w ever|strong="H5769"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*: \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3478"\w* \w magnified|strong="H1431"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w border|strong="H1366"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.


text:
\w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* honoureth \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w master|strong="H0113"\w*: \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w then|strong="H0853"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w be|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w*, \w where|strong="H0346"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* honour? \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w be|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* \w master|strong="H0113"\w*, \w where|strong="H0346"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w fear|strong="H4172"\w*? saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.


text:
\w To|strong="H0559"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* priests, \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w despise|strong="H0959"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w name|strong="H0559"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*: Wherein \w have|strong="H3068"\w* we \w despised|strong="H0959"\w* thy \w name|strong="H0559"\w*? \w You|strong="H5921"\w* offer polluted \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*: Wherein \w have|strong="H3068"\w* we polluted thee? \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*: \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w table|strong="H7979"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* contemptible.


text:
\w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w offer|strong="H7126"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w blind|strong="H5787"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H2076"\w*, \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H0369"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w*? \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w offer|strong="H7126"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w lame|strong="H6455"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w sick|strong="H2470"\w*, \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H0369"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w*? \w offer|strong="H7126"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* thy prince, \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w pleased|strong="H7521"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*, \w or|strong="H0176"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w regard|strong="H6440"\w* thy \w face|strong="H6440"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w beseech|strong="H4994"\w* ye \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0410"\w*, \w that|strong="H4480"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w may|strong="H1961"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w mercy|strong="H2603"\w* \w on|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*, (\w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* hath \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w done|strong="H1961"\w*,) \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w any|strong="H4480"\w* \w means|strong="H3027"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w receive|strong="H5375"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w faces|strong="H6440"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.


text:
\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w there|strong="H0369"\w* \w among|strong="H4310"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*, \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w shut|strong="H5462"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w kindle|strong="H0215"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w fire|strong="H0215"\w* \w on|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* gratis? \w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w pleasure|strong="H2656"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w receive|strong="H7521"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w gift|strong="H4503"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*.


text:
\w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w rising|strong="H4217"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* going \w down|strong="H3588"\w*, \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w among|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="H1471"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w there|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H4503"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w there|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w offered|strong="H6999"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w clean|strong="H2889"\w* oblation: \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w among|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="H1471"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H0853"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w profaned|strong="H2490"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w in|strong="H0559"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*: \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w table|strong="H7979"\w* \w of|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H0136"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w defiled|strong="H1351"\w*: \w and|strong="H0853"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* laid thereupon \w is|strong="H1931"\w* contemptible \w with|strong="H1351"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* fire \w that|strong="H1931"\w* devoureth \w it|strong="H1931"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H0935"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*: \w Behold|strong="H2009"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* labour, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H0935"\w* puffed \w it|strong="H5301"\w* \w away|strong="H1497"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H0935"\w* \w brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* rapine \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w lame|strong="H6455"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w sick|strong="H2470"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w an|strong="H0935"\w* \w offering|strong="H4503"\w*: \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w accept|strong="H7521"\w* \w it|strong="H5301"\w* \w at|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*?


text:
\w Cursed|strong="H0779"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* deceitful \w man|strong="H2145"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* hath \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w flock|strong="H5739"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w male|strong="H2145"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* making \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w vow|strong="H5087"\w* offereth \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H2076"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w which|strong="H1471"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* feeble \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*: \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w am|strong="H0589"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* dreadful \w among|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="H1471"\w*.<pb/>


text:
\w And|strong="H3548"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w*, O ye \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w commandment|strong="H4687"\w* \w is|strong="H3548"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H0413"\w*.


text:
\w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w hear|strong="H8085"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w lay|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*, \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w glory|strong="H3519"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*: \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w send|strong="H7971"\w* poverty \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w curse|strong="H0779"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w blessings|strong="H1293"\w*, \w yea|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w curse|strong="H0779"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w laid|strong="H7760"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*.


text:
\w Behold|strong="H2005"\w*, \w I|strong="H2005"\w* \w will|strong="H2233"\w* cast \w the|strong="H0853"\w* shoulder \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*, \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w I|strong="H2005"\w* \w will|strong="H2233"\w* \w scatter|strong="H2219"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w dung|strong="H6569"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* solemnities, \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w shall|strong="H2233"\w* \w take|strong="H5375"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w away|strong="H5375"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w commandment|strong="H4687"\w*, \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w* \w might|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w Levi|strong="H3878"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.


text:
\w My|strong="H5414"\w* \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w* \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w*: \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w fear|strong="H3372"\w*: \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w feared|strong="H3372"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*.


text:
\w The|strong="H7725"\w* \w law|strong="H8451"\w* \w of|strong="H6310"\w* \w truth|strong="H0571"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w mouth|strong="H6310"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w iniquity|strong="H5771"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w lips|strong="H8193"\w*: \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w walked|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* equity, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w turned|strong="H7725"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w away|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w iniquity|strong="H5771"\w*.


text:
\w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w lips|strong="H8193"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w shall|strong="H3548"\w* \w keep|strong="H8104"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w shall|strong="H3548"\w* \w seek|strong="H1245"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w law|strong="H8451"\w* \w at|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H8104"\w* \w mouth|strong="H6310"\w*: \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.


text:
\w But|strong="H0859"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w departed|strong="H5493"\w* \w out|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* caused \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w stumble|strong="H3782"\w* \w at|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w law|strong="H8451"\w*: \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* made void \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Levi|strong="H3878"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.


text:
\w Therefore|strong="H1571"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w made|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* contemptible, \w and|strong="H6440"\w* base \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H0369"\w* \w kept|strong="H8104"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w ways|strong="H1870"\w*, \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* accepted persons \w in|strong="H1870"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w law|strong="H8451"\w*.


text:
\w Have|strong="H0001"\w* \w we|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w*? hath \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w God|strong="H0410"\w* \w created|strong="H1254"\w* us? \w why|strong="H4069"\w* \w then|strong="H3605"\w* doth \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* us despise \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w brother|strong="H0251"\w*, violating \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w fathers|strong="H0001"\w*?


text:
Juda hath transgressed, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w abomination|strong="H8441"\w* hath \w been|strong="H0834"\w* \w committed|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*: \w for|strong="H3588"\w* Juda hath \w profaned|strong="H2490"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w holiness|strong="H6944"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w loved|strong="H0157"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* hath \w married|strong="H1166"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w strange|strong="H5236"\w* \w God|strong="H0410"\w*.


text:
\w The|strong="H0834"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w off|strong="H3772"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* hath \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H0834"\w*, both \w the|strong="H0834"\w* master, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* scholar, \w out|strong="H0376"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* tabernacles \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w Jacob|strong="H3290"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H3772"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* offereth \w an|strong="H3772"\w* \w offering|strong="H4503"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*, \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w covered|strong="H3680"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w tears|strong="H1832"\w*, \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w weeping|strong="H1065"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* bellowing, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w a|strong="H3947"\w* \w regard|strong="H6437"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H4503"\w*, \w neither|strong="H0369"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H3068"\w* \w accept|strong="H3947"\w* \w any|strong="H5750"\w* atonement \w at|strong="H0413"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*: \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* cause? \w Because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* hath \w been|strong="H0834"\w* witness \w between|strong="H0996"\w* thee, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* thy \w youth|strong="H5271"\w*, \w whom|strong="H0834"\w* thou hast despised: \w yet|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* thy partner, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* thy \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w*.


text:
\w Did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w her|strong="H0802"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w she|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* residue \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w his|strong="H8104"\w* \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w*? \w And|strong="H0430"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* doth \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w seek|strong="H1245"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w seed|strong="H2233"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*? \w Keep|strong="H8104"\w* \w then|strong="H6213"\w* \w your|strong="H8104"\w* \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* despise \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* thy \w youth|strong="H5271"\w*.


text:
\w When|strong="H3588"\w* thou shalt \w hate|strong="H8130"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w put|strong="H7971"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w away|strong="H7971"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*: \w but|strong="H3588"\w* iniquity \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w cover|strong="H3680"\w* \w his|strong="H8104"\w* \w garment|strong="H3830"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*, \w keep|strong="H8104"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w despise|strong="H8130"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w*.


text:
\w You|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w wearied|strong="H3021"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*: Wherein \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w we|strong="H3605"\w* \w wearied|strong="H3021"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w*? \w In|strong="H0430"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*: \w Every|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* doth \w evil|strong="H7451"\w*, \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w such|strong="H1931"\w* please \w him|strong="H3605"\w*: \w or|strong="H0176"\w* surely \w where|strong="H0346"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w judgment|strong="H4941"\w*?<pb/>


text:
\w Behold|strong="H2009"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w send|strong="H7971"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w prepare|strong="H6437"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w*. \w And|strong="H0935"\w* presently \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w whom|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w seek|strong="H1245"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* testament, \w whom|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w desire|strong="H1245"\w*, \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w temple|strong="H1964"\w*. \w Behold|strong="H2009"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* cometh, saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w shall|strong="H4310"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* able \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w think|strong="H7200"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H3526"\w* \w coming|strong="H0935"\w*? \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w shall|strong="H4310"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w*? \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w like|strong="H0784"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w refining|strong="H6884"\w* \w fire|strong="H0784"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w like|strong="H0784"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w fuller’s|strong="H3526"\w* herb:


text:
\w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w refining|strong="H6884"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w cleansing|strong="H2891"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w purify|strong="H2891"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Levi|strong="H3878"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w refine|strong="H6884"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* offer \w sacrifices|strong="H4503"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w justice|strong="H6666"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="H4503"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Juda \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w please|strong="H6149"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w old|strong="H5769"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w ancient|strong="H5769"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H0559"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w judgment|strong="H4941"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* speedy \w witness|strong="H5707"\w* \w against|strong="H0413"\w* \w sorcerers|strong="H3784"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w adulterers|strong="H5003"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w false|strong="H8267"\w* swearers, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w oppress|strong="H6231"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* hireling \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w wages|strong="H7939"\w*; \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w widows|strong="H0490"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w fatherless|strong="H3490"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w oppress|strong="H6231"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w stranger|strong="H1616"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w feared|strong="H3372"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.


text:
\w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w am|strong="H0589"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* change \w not|strong="H3808"\w*: \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jacob|strong="H3290"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w consumed|strong="H3615"\w*.


text:
\w For|strong="H0413"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w fathers|strong="H0001"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H0001"\w* \w departed|strong="H5493"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w my|strong="H8104"\w* ordinances, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H0001"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w kept|strong="H8104"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*: \w Return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*. \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H0001"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*: Wherein \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w we|strong="H3117"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w*?


text:
\w Shall|strong="H4100"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w man|strong="H0120"\w* afflict \w God|strong="H0430"\w*? \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* afflict \w me|strong="H0859"\w*. \w And|strong="H0430"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*: Wherein \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* afflict thee? \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w tithes|strong="H4643"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* firstfruits.


text:
\w And|strong="H1471"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are|strong="H1471"\w* \w cursed|strong="H0779"\w* \w with|strong="H3605"\w* want, \w and|strong="H1471"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* afflict \w me|strong="H3605"\w*, \w even|strong="H0853"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w nation|strong="H1471"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w*.


text:
\w Bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tithes|strong="H4643"\w* \w into|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w storehouse|strong="H0214"\w*, \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w may|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* meat \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w try|strong="H0974"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*: \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w I|strong="H0518"\w* \w open|strong="H6605"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* unto \w you|strong="H0518"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* flood-gates \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w heaven|strong="H8064"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* pour \w you|strong="H0518"\w* \w out|strong="H0413"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w blessing|strong="H1293"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* abundance.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H0559"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w rebuke|strong="H1605"\w* \w for|strong="H6635"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* sakes \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w devourer|strong="H0398"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* spoil \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w fruit|strong="H6529"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w land|strong="H0127"\w*: \w neither|strong="H3808"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w vine|strong="H1612"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* barren, saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w call|strong="H0833"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w blessed|strong="H0833"\w*: \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w shall|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w delightful|strong="H2656"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.


text:
\w Your|strong="H3068"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w been|strong="H2388"\w* unsufferable \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*: \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w spoken|strong="H0559"\w* \w against|strong="H6440"\w* thee? \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*: \w He|strong="H3588"\w* laboureth \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w vain|strong="H7723"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* serveth \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w profit|strong="H1215"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w kept|strong="H8104"\w* \w his|strong="H8104"\w* ordinances, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w walked|strong="H1980"\w* sorrowful \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*?


text:
Wherefore \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w call|strong="H0833"\w* \w the|strong="H1129"\w* \w proud|strong="H2086"\w* people \w happy|strong="H0833"\w*, \w for|strong="H0430"\w* \w they|strong="H1571"\w* \w that|strong="H1571"\w* work \w wickedness|strong="H7564"\w* \w are|strong="H0430"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w up|strong="H1129"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w they|strong="H1571"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* tempted \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w are|strong="H0430"\w* preserved.


text:
\w Then|strong="H0227"\w* \w they|strong="H0376"\w* \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w feared|strong="H3372"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w every|strong="H0376"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* neighbour: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w gave|strong="H8085"\w* ear, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w it|strong="H1696"\w*: \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H8085"\w* \w book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w remembrance|strong="H2146"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w fear|strong="H3372"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w think|strong="H2803"\w* \w on|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*.


text:
\w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* special \w possession|strong="H5459"\w*, saith \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*, \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w judgment|strong="H0834"\w*: \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w spare|strong="H2550"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*, \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* spareth \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* serveth \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.


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\w And|strong="H0430"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w shall|strong="H3808"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* difference \w between|strong="H0996"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7563"\w*: \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w between|strong="H0996"\w* \w him|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* serveth \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w him|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* serveth \w him|strong="H7200"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w*.<pb/>


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For behold the day shall come kindled as a furnace: and all the proud, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall set them on fire, saith the Lord of hosts, it shall not leave them root, nor branch.


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But unto you that fear my name, the Sun of justice shall arise, and health in his wings: and you shall go forth, and shall leap like calves of the herd.


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And you shall tread down the wicked when they shall be ashes under the sole of your feet in the day that I do this, saith the Lord of hosts.


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Remember the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, the precepts, and judgments.


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Behold I will send you Elias the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.


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And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers: lest I come, and strike the earth with anathema.


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Tobias of the tribe and city of Nephtali, (which is in the upper parts of Galilee above Naasson, beyond the way that leadeth to the west, having on the right hand the city of Sephet,)


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When he was made captive in the days of Salmanasar king of the Assyrians, even in his captivity, forsook not the way of truth,


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And when he was younger than any of the tribe of Nephtali, yet did he no childish thing in his work.


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Moreover when all went to the golden calves which Jeroboam king of Israel had made, he alone fled the company of all,


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And went to Jerusalem to the temple of the Lord, and there adored the Lord God of Israel, offering faithfully all his firstfruits, and his tithes,


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But when he was a man, he took to wife Anna of his own tribe, and had a son by her, whom he called after his own name,


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And when by the captivity he with his wife and his son and all his tribe was come to the city of Ninive,


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(When all ate of the meats of the Gentiles) he kept his soul and never was defiled with their meats.


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And because he was mindful of the Lord with all his heart, God gave him favour in the sight of Salmanasar the king.


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And when he was come to Rages a city of the Medes, and had ten talents of silver of that with which he had been honoured by the king:


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And when amongst a great multitude of his kindred, he saw Gabelus in want, who was one of his tribe, taking a note of his hand he gave him the aforesaid sum of money.


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But after a long time, Salmanasar the king being dead, when Sennacherib his son, who reigned in his place, had a hatred for the children of Israel:


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Tobias daily went among all his kindred, and comforted them, and distributed to every one as he was able, out of his goods:


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He fed the hungry, and gave clothes to the naked, and was careful to bury the dead, and they that were slain.


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And when king Sennacherib was come back, fleeing from Judea by reason of the slaughter that God had made about him for his blasphemy, and being angry slew many of the children of Israel, Tobias buried their bodies.


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But after this, when there was a festival of the Lord, and a good dinner was prepared in Tobias’s house,


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And when he had gone, returning he told him, that one of the children of Israel lay slain in the street. And he forthwith leaped up from his place at the table, and left his dinner, and came fasting to the body:


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And taking it up carried it privately to his house, that after the sun was down, he might bury him cautiously.


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Remembering the word which the Lord spoke by Amos the prophet: Your festival days shall be turned into lamentation and mourning.


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Now all his neighbours blamed him, saying: Once already commandment was given for thee to be slain because of this matter, and thou didst scarce escape the sentence of death, and dost thou again bury the dead?


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But Tobias fearing God more than the king, carried off the bodies of them that were slain, and hid them in his house, and at midnight buried them.


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Now it happened one day, that being wearied with burying, he came to his house, and cast himself down by the wall and slept,


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Now this trial the Lord therefore permitted to happen to him, that an example might be given to posterity of his patience, as also of holy Job.


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For whereas he had always feared God from his infancy, and kept his commandments, he repined not against God because the evil of blindness had befallen him,


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Saying: Thou art just, O Lord, and all thy judgments are just, and all thy ways mercy, and truth, and judgment:


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And now, O Lord, think of me, and take not revenge of my sins, neither remember my offenses, nor those of my parents.


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For we have not obeyed thy commandments, therefore are we delivered to spoil and to captivity, and death, and are made a fable, and a reproach to all nations, amongst which thou hast scattered us.


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And now, O Lord, great are thy judgments, because we have not done according to thy precepts, and have not walked sincerely before thee:


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And now, O Lord, do with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace: for it is better for me to die, than to live.


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Now it happened on the same day, that Sara daughter of Raguel, in Rages a city of the Medes, received a reproach from one of her father’s servant maids,


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Because she had been given to seven husbands, and a devil named Asmodeus had killed them, at their first going in unto her.


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So when she reproved the maid for her fault, she answered her, saying: May we never see son, or daughter of thee upon the earth, thou murderer of thy husbands.


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Wilt thou kill me also, as thou hast already killed seven husbands? At these words she went into an upper chamber of her house: and for three days and three nights did neither eat nor drink:


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She said: Blessed is thy name, O God of our fathers: who when thou hast been angry, wilt shew mercy, and in the time of tribulation forgivest the sins of them that call upon thee.


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I beg, O Lord, that thou loose me from the bond of this reproach, or else take me away from the earth.


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Never have I joined myself with them that play: neither have I made myself partaker with them that walk in lightness.<pb/>


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Therefore when Tobias thought that his prayer was heard that he might die, he called to him Tobias his son,


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When God shall take my soul, thou shalt bury my body: and thou shalt honour thy mother all the days of her life:


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And all the days of thy life have God in thy mind: and take heed thou never consent to sin, nor transgress the commandments of the Lord our God.


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Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not away thy face from any poor person: for so it shall come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be turned from thee.


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If thou have much give abundantly: if thou have a little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little.


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Take heed to keep thyself, my son, from all fornication, and beside thy wife never endure to know a crime.


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Never suffer pride to reign in thy mind, or in thy words: for from it all perdition took its beginning.


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If any man hath done any work for thee, immediately pay him his hire, and let not the wages of thy hired servant stay with thee at all.


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Lay out thy bread, and thy wine upon the burial of a just man, and do not eat and drink thereof with the wicked.


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Bless God at all times: and desire of him to direct thy ways, and that all thy counsels may abide in him.


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I tell thee also, my son, that I lent ten talents of silver, while thou wast yet a child, to Gabelus, in Rages a city of the Medes, and I have a note of his hand with me:<pb/>


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Then Tobias answered his father, and said: I will do all things, father, which thou hast commanded me.


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But how I shall get this money, I cannot tell; he knoweth me not, and I know not him: what token shall I give him? nor did I ever know the way which leadeth thither.


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Then his father answered him, and said: I have a note of his hand with me, which when thou shalt shew him, he will presently pay it.


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But go now, and seek thee out some faithful man, to go with thee for his hire: that thou mayst receive it, while I yet live.


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Then Tobias going forth, found a beautiful young man, standing girded, and as it were ready to walk.


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And not knowing that he was an angel of God, he saluted him, and said: From whence art thou, good young man?


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But he answered: Of the children of Israel. And Tobias said to him: Knowest thou the way that leadeth to the country of the Medes?


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And he answered: I know it: and I have often walked through all the ways thereof, and I have abode with Gabelus our brother, who dwelleth at Rages a city of the Medes, which is situate in the mount of Ecbatana.


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Then Tobias going in told all these things to his father. Upon which his father being in admiration, desired that he would come in unto him.


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And Tobias said: What manner of joy shall be to me, who sit in darkness, and see not the light of heaven?


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And Tobias said to him: Canst thou conduct my son to Gabelus at Rages, a city of the Medes? and when thou shalt return, I will pay thee thy hire.


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And Raphael the angel answered: Dost thou seek the family of him thou hirest, or the hired servant himself to go with thy son?


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And Tobias answered: Thou art of a great family. But I pray thee be not angry that I desired to know thy family.


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And Tobias answering, said: May you have a good journey, and God be with you in your way, and his angel accompany you.


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Then all things being ready, that were to be carried in their journey, Tobias bade his father and his mother farewell, and they set out both together.<pb/>


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And Tobias went forward, and the dog followed him, and he lodged the first night by the river of Tigris.


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And the angel said to him: Take him by the gill, and draw him to thee. And when he had done so, he drew him out upon the land, and he began to pant before his feet.


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Then the angel said to him: Take out the entrails of the fish, and lay up his heart, and his gall, and his liver for thee: for these are necessary for useful medicines.


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And when he had done so, he roasted the flesh thereof, and they took it with them in the way: the rest they salted as much as might serve them, till they came to Rages the city of the Medes.


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Then Tobias asked the angel, and said to him: I beseech thee, brother Azarias, tell me what remedies are these things good for, which thou hast bid me keep of the fish?


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And the angel, answering, said to him: If thou put a little piece of its heart upon coals, the smoke thereof driveth away all kind of devils, either from man or from woman, so that they come no more to them.


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And the gall is good for anointing the eyes, in which there is a white speck, and they shall be cured.


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And the angel answering, said: Here is one whose name is Raguel, a near kinsman of thy tribe, and he hath a daughter named Sara, but he hath no son nor any other daughter beside her.


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Then Tobias answered, and said: I hear that she hath been given to seven husbands, and they all died: moreover I have heard, that a devil killed them.


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Now I am afraid, lest the same thing should happen to me also: and whereas I am the only child of my parents, I should bring down their old age with sorrow to hell.


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Then the angel Raphael said to him: Hear me, and I will shew thee who they are, over whom the devil can prevail.


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For they who in such manner receive matrimony, as to shut out God from themselves, and from their mind, and to give themselves to their lust, as the horse and mule, which have not understanding, over them the devil hath power.<pb/>


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And when he was speaking many good things of him, the angel said to Raguel: Tobias concerning whom thou inquirest is this young man’s father.


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And Raguel went to him, and kissed him with tears, and weeping upon his neck, said: A blessing be upon thee, my son, because thou art the son of a good and most virtuous man.


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And after they had spoken, Raguel commanded a sheep to be killed, and a feast to be prepared. And when he desired them to sit down to dinner,


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Tobias said: I will not eat nor drink here this day, unless thou first grant me my petition, and promise to give me Sara thy daughter.


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Now when Raguel heard this he was afraid, knowing what had happened to those seven husbands, that went in unto her: and he began to fear lest it might happen to him also in like manner: and as he was in suspense, and gave no answer to his petition,


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The angel said to him: Be not afraid to give her to this man, for to him who feareth God is thy daughter due to be his wife: therefore another could not have her.


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And I believe he hath therefore made you come to me, that this maid might be married to one of her own kindred, according to the law of Moses: and now doubt not but I will give her to thee.


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And taking the right hand of his daughter, he gave it into the right hand of Tobias, saying: The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you, and may he join you together, and fulfill his blessing in you.


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And Tobias remembering the angel’s word, took out of his bag part of the liver, and laid it upon burning coals.


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Then Tobias exhorted the virgin, and said to her: Sara, arise, and let us pray to God today, and tomorrow, and the next day: because for these three nights we are joined to God: and when the third night is over, we will be in our own wedlock.


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For we are the children of saints, and we must not be joined together like heathens that know not God.


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And Tobias said: Lord God of our father, may the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains, and the rivers, and all thy creatures that are in them, bless thee.


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And now, Lord, thou knowest, that not for fleshly lust do I take my sister to wife, but only for the love of posterity, in which thy name may be blessed for ever and ever.


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Sara also said: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, and let us grow old both together in health.


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And it came to pass about the cockcrowing, Raguel ordered his servants to be called for, and they went with him together to dig a grave.


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For he said: Lest perhaps it may have happened to him, in like manner as it did to the other seven husbands, that went in unto her.


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So she sent one of her maidservants, who went into the chamber, and found them safe and sound, sleeping both together.


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And thou hast taken pity upon two only children. Make them, O Lord, bless thee more fully: and to offer up to thee a sacrifice of thy praise, and of their health, that all nations may know, that thou alone art God in all the earth.


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And he spoke to his wife to make ready a feast, and prepare all kind of provisions that are necessary for such as go a journey.<pb/>


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Then Tobias called the angel to him, whom he took to be a man, and said to him: Brother Azarias, I pray thee hearken to my words:


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However, I beseech thee, to take with thee beasts and servants, and to go to Gabelus to Rages the city of the Medes: and to restore to him his note of hand, and receive of him the money, and desire him to come to my wedding.


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For thou knowest that my father numbereth the days: and if I stay one day more, his soul will be afflicted.


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Then Raphael took four of Raguel’s servants, and two camels, and went to Rages the city of the Medes: and finding Gabelus, gave him his note of hand, and received of him all the money.<pb/>


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But as Tobias made longer stay upon occasion of the marriage, Tobias his father was solicitous, saying: Why thinkest thou doth my son tarry, or why is he detained there?


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And he began to be exceeding sad, both he and Anna his wife with him: and they began both to weep together: because their son did not return to them on the day appointed.


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But his mother wept and was quite disconsolate, and said: Woe, woe is me, my son; why did we send thee to go to a strange country, the light of our eyes, the staff of our old age, the comfort of our life, the hope of our posterity?


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And Tobias said to her: Hold thy peace, and be not troubled, our son is safe: that man with whom we sent him is very trusty.


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But she could by no means be comforted, but daily running out looked round about, and went into all the ways by which there seemed any hope he might return, that she might if possible see him coming afar off.


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But Raguel said to his son in law: Stay here, and I will send a messenger to Tobias thy father, that thou art in health.


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And Tobias said to him: I know that my father and mother now count the days, and their spirit is grievously afflicted within them.


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And when Raguel had pressed Tobias with many words, and he by no means would hearken to him, he delivered Sara unto him, and half of all his substance in menservants, and womenservants, in cattle, in camels, and in kine, and in much money, and sent him away safe and joyful from him.


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Saying: The holy angel of the Lord be with you in your journey, and bring you through safe, and that you may find all things well about your parents, and my eyes see your children before I die.


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If it please thee therefore, let us go before, and let the family follow softly after us, together with thy wife, and with the beasts.


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And as this their going pleased him, Raphael said to Tobias: Take with thee of the gall of the fish, for it will be necessary. So Tobias took some of that gall and departed.


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And while she watched his coming from that place, she saw him afar off, and presently perceived it was her son coming: and returning she told her husband, saying: Behold thy son cometh.


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And Raphael said to Tobias: As soon as thou shalt come into thy house, forthwith adore the Lord thy God: and giving thanks to him, go to thy father, and kiss him.


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And immediately anoint his eyes with this gall of the fish, which thou carriest with thee. For be assured that his eyes shall be presently opened, and thy father shall see the light of heaven, and shall rejoice in the sight of thee.


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Then the dog, which had been with them in the way, ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail.


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And his father that was blind, rising up, began to run stumbling with his feet: and giving a servant his hand, went to meet his son.


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And he stayed about half an hour: and a white skin began to come out of his eyes, like the skin of an egg.


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And Tobias said: I bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because thou hast chastised me, and thou hast saved me: and behold I see Tobias my son.


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And after seven days Sara his son’s wife, and all the family arrived safe, and the cattle, and the camels, and an abundance of money of his wife’s: and that money also which he had received of Gabelus:


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And he told his parents all the benefits of God, which he had done to him by the man that conducted him.<pb/>


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Then Tobias called to him his son, and said to him: What can we give to this holy man, that is come with thee?


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Tobias answering, said to his father: Father, what wages shall we give him? or what can be worthy of his benefits?


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He conducted me and brought me safe again, he received the money of Gabelus, he caused me to have my wife, and he chased from her the evil spirit, he gave joy to her parents, myself he delivered from being devoured by the fish, thee also he hath made to see the light of heaven, and we are filled with all good things through him. What can we give him sufficient for these things?


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But I beseech thee, my father, to desire him, that he would vouchsafe to accept one half of all things that have been brought.


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So the father and the son, calling him, took him aside: and began to desire him that he would vouchsafe to accept of half of all things that they had brought.


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Then he said to them secretly: Bless ye the God of heaven, give glory to him in the sight of all that live, because he hath shewn his mercy to you.


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For alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting.


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When thou didst pray with tears, and didst bury the dead, and didst leave thy dinner, and hide the dead by day in thy house, and bury them by night, I offered thy prayer to the Lord.


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And when they had heard these things, they were troubled, and being seized with fear they fell upon the ground on their face.


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I seemed indeed to eat and to drink with you: but I use an invisible meat and drink, which cannot be seen by men.


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It is time therefore that I return to him that sent me: but bless ye God, and publish all his wonderful works.


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Then they lying prostrate for three hours upon their face, blessed God: and rising up, they told all his wonderful works.<pb/>


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And Tobias the elder opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, and said: Thou art great, O Lord, for ever, and thy kingdom is unto all ages:


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For thou scourgest, and thou savest: thou leadest down to hell, and bringest up again: and there is none that can escape thy hand.


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Because he hath therefore scattered you among the Gentiles, who know not him, that you may declare his wonderful works, and make them know that there is no other almighty God besides him.


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See then what he hath done with us, and with fear and trembling give ye glory to him: and extol the eternal King of worlds in your works.


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As for me, I will praise him in the land of my captivity: because he hath shewn his majesty toward a sinful nation.


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Be converted therefore, ye sinners, and do justice before God, believing that he will shew his mercy to you.


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Give glory to the Lord for thy good things, and bless the God eternal, that he may rebuild his tabernacle in thee, and may call back all the captives to thee, and thou mayst rejoice for ever and ever.


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Nations from afar shall come to thee: and shall bring gifts, and shall adore the Lord in thee, and shall esteem thy land as holy.


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They shall be cursed that shall despise thee: and they shall be condemned that shall blaspheme thee: and blessed shall they be that shall build thee up.


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But thou shalt rejoice in thy children, because they shall all be blessed, and shall be gathered together to the Lord.


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And the words of Tobias were ended. And after Tobias was restored to his sight, he lived two and forty years, and saw the children of his grandchildren.


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For he was six and fifty years old when he lost the sight of his eyes, and sixty when he recovered it again.


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And the rest of his life was in joy, and with great increase of the fear of God he departed in peace.


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And at the hour of his death he called unto him his son Tobias and his children, seven young men, his grandsons, and said to them:


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The destruction of Ninive is at hand: for the word of the Lord must be fulfilled: and our brethren, that are scattered abroad from the land of Israel, shall return to it.


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And all the land thereof that is desert shall be filled with people, and the house of God which is burnt in it, shall again be rebuilt: and all that fear God shall return thither.


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Hearken therefore, my children, to your father: serve the Lord in truth, and seek to do the things that please him:


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And command your children that they do justice and almsdeeds, and that they be mindful of God, and bless him at all times in truth, and with all their power.


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And now, children, hear me, and do not stay here: but as soon as you shall bury your mother by me in one sepulchre, without delay direct your steps to depart hence:


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And it came to pass that after the death of his mother, Tobias departed out of Ninive with his wife, and children, and children’s children, and returned to his father and mother in law.


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And he found them in health in a good old age: and he took care of them, and he closed their eyes: and all the inheritance of Raguel’s house came to him: and he saw his children’s children to the fifth generation.


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Now Arphaxad king of the Medes had brought many nations under his dominions, and he built a very strong city, which he called Ecbatana,


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Of stones squared and hewed: he made the walls thereof seventy cubits broad, and thirty cubits high, and the towers thereof he made a hundred cubits high. But on the square of them, each side was extended the space of twenty feet.


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Now in the twelfth year of his reign, Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians, who reigned in Ninive the great city, fought against Arphaxad and overcame him,


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In the great plain which is called Ragua, about the Euphrates, and the Tigris, and the Jadason, in the plain of Erioch the king of the Elicians.


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Then was the kingdom of Nabuchodonosor exalted, and his heart was elevated: and he sent to all that dwelt in Cilicia and Damascus, and Libanus,


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And to the nations that are in Carmelus, and Cedar, and to the inhabitants of Galilee in the great plain of Asdrelon,


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And to all that were in Samaria, and beyond the river Jordan even to Jerusalem, and all the land of Jesse till you come to the borders of Ethiopia.


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In the thirteenth year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, the two and twentieth day of the first month, the word was given out in the house of Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians, that he would revenge himself.


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And he called all the ancients, and all the governors, and his officers of war, and communicated to them the secret of his counsel:


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And when this saying pleased them all, Nabuchodonosor, the king, called Holofernes the general of his armies,


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And said to him: Go out against all the kingdoms of the west, and against them especially that despised my commandment.


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Then Holofernes called the captains and officers of the power of the Assyrians: and he mustered men for the expedition, as the king commanded him, a hundred and twenty thousand fighting men on foot, and twelve thousand archers, horsemen.


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And he made all his warlike preparations to go before with a multitude of innumerable camels, with all provisions sufficient for the armies in abundance, and herds of oxen, and flocks of sheep, without number.


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And he went forth he and all the army, with the chariots, and horsemen, and archers, who covered the face of the earth, like locusts.


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And when he had passed through the borders of the Assyrians, he came to the great mountains of Ange, which are on the left of Cilicia: and he went up to all their castles, and took all the strong places.


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And he took by assault the renowned city of Melothus, and pillaged all the children of Tharsis, and the children of Ismahel, who were over against the face of the desert, and on the south of the land of Cellon.


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And he passed over the Euphrates and came into Mesopotamia: and he forced all the stately cities that were there, from the torrent of Mambre, till one comes to the sea:


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And he carried away all the children of Madian, and stripped them of all their riches, and all that resisted him he slew with the edge of the sword.


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And after these things he went down into the plains of Damascus in the days of the harvest, and he set all the corn on fire, and he caused all the trees and vineyards to be cut down.


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Then the kings and the princes of all the cities and provinces, of Syria, Mesopotamia, and Syria Sobal, and Libya, and Cilicia sent their ambassadors, who coming to Holofernes, said:


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Let thy indignation towards us cease: for it is better for us to live and serve Nabuchodonosor the great king, and be subject to thee, than to die and to perish, or suffer the miseries of slavery.


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All our cities and our possessions, all mountains and hills, and fields, and herds of oxen, and flocks of cheep, and goats, and horses, and camels, and all our goods, and families are in thy sight:


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Then he came down from the mountains with horsemen, in great power, and made himself master of every city, and all the inhabitants of the land.


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And so great a fear lay upon all those provinces, that the inhabitants of all the cities, both princes and nobles, as well as the people, went out to meet him at his coming.


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Then the children of Israel, who dwelt in the land of Juda, hearing these things, were exceedingly afraid of him.


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Dread and horror seized upon their minds, lest he should do the same to Jerusalem and to the temple of the Lord, that he had done to other cities and their temples.


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And they sent into all Samaria round about, as far as Jericho, and seized upon all the tops of the mountains:


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And Eliachim the priest wrote to all that were over against Esdrelon, which faceth the great plain near Dothain, and to all by whom there might be a passage of way, that they should take possession of the ascents of the mountains, by which there might be any way to Jerusalem, and should keep watch where the way was narrow between the mountains.


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And all the people cried to the Lord with great earnestness, and they humbled their souls in fastings, and prayers, both they and their wives.


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And the priests put on haircloths, and they caused the little children to lie prostrate before the temple of the Lord, and the altar of the Lord they covered with haircloth.


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And they cried to the Lord the God of Israel with one accord, that their children might not be made a prey, and their wives carried off, and their cities destroyed, and their holy things profaned, and that they might not be made a reproach to the Gentiles.


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Saying: Know ye that the Lord will hear your prayers, if you continue with perseverance in fastings and prayers in the sight of the Lord.


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Remember Moses the servant of the Lord, who overcame Amalec that trusted in his own strength, and in his power, and in his army, and in his shields, and in his chariots, and in his horsemen, not by fighting with the sword, but by holy prayers:


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So they being moved by this exhortation of his, prayed to the Lord, and continued in the sight of the Lord.


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So that even they who offered the holocausts to the Lord, offered the sacrifices to the Lord girded with haircloths, and with ashes upon their head.<pb/>


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And it was told Holofernes the general of the army of the Assyrians, that the children of Israel prepared themselves to resist, and had shut up the ways of the mountains.


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And he was transported with exceeding great fury and indignation, and he called all the princes of Moab and the leaders of Amman.


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And he said to them: Tell me what is this people that besetteth the mountains: or what are their cities, and of what sort, and how great: also what is their power, or what is their multitude: or who is the king over their warfare:


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And why they above all that dwell in the east, have despised us, and have not come out to meet us, that they might receive us with peace?


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Then Achior captain of all the children of Ammon answering, said: If thou vouch safe, my lord, to hear, I will tell the truth in thy sight concerning this people, that dwelleth in the mountains, and there shall not a false word come out of my mouth.


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They dwelt first in Mesopotamia, because they would not follow the gods of their fathers, who were in the land of the Chaldeans.


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They worshipped one God of heaven, who also commanded them to depart from thence, and to dwell in Charan. And when there was a famine over all the land, they went down into Egypt, and there for four hundred years were so multiplied, that the army of them could not be numbered.


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And when the king of Egypt oppressed them, and made slaves of them to labour in clay and brick, in the building of his cities, they cried to their Lord, and he struck the whole land of Egypt with divers plagues.


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And when the Egyptians had cast them out from them, and the plague had ceased from them, and they had a mind to take them again, and bring them back to their service,


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The God of heaven opened the sea to them in their flight, so that the waters were made to stand firm as a wall on either side, and they walked through the bottom of the sea and passed it dry foot.


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And when an innumerable army of the Egyptians pursued after them in that place, they were so overwhelmed with the waters, that there was not one left, to tell what had happened to posterity.


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And after they came out of the Red Sea, they abode in the deserts of mount Sina, in which never man could dwell, or son of man rested.


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There bitter fountains were made sweet for them to drink, and for forty years they received food from heaven.


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Wheresoever they went in without bow and arrow, and without shield and sword, their God fought for them and overcame.


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And there was no one that triumphed over this people, but when they departed from the worship of the Lord their God.


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But as often as beside their own God, they worshipped any other, they were given to spoil, and to the sword, and to reproach.


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And as often as they were penitent for having revolted from the worship of their God, the God of heaven gave them power to resist.


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So they overthrew the king of the Chanaanites, and of the Jebusites, and of the Pherezites, and of the Hethites, and of the Hevites, and of the Amorrhites, and all the mighty ones in Hesebon, and they possessed their lands, and their cities:


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And as long as they sinned not in the sight of their God, it was well with them: for their God hateth iniquity.


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And even some years ago when they had revolted from the way which God had given them to walk therein, they were destroyed in battles by many nations, and very many of them were led away captive into a strange land.


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But of late returning to the Lord their God, from the different places wherein they were scattered, they are come together and are gone up into all these mountains, and possess Jerusalem again, where their holies are.


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Now therefore, my lord, search if there be any iniquity of theirs in the sight of their God: let us go up to them, because their God will surely deliver them to thee, and they shall be brought under the yoke of thy power:<pb/>


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And it came to pass when they had left off speaking, that Holofernes being in a violent passion, said to Achior:


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Because thou hast prophesied unto us, saying: That the nation of Israel is defended by their God, to shew thee that there is no God, but Nabuchodonosor:


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When we shall slay them all as one man, then thou also shalt die with them by the sword of the Assyrians, and all Israel shall perish with thee:


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And thou shalt find that Nabuchodonosor is lord of the whole earth: and then the sword of my soldiers shall pass through thy sides, and thou shalt be stabbed and fall among the wounded of Israel, and thou shalt breathe no more till thou be destroyed with them.


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But if thou think thy prophecy true, let not thy countenance sink, and let the paleness that is in thy face, depart from thee, if thou imaginest these my words cannot be accomplished.


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And that thou mayst know that thou shalt experience these things together with them, behold from this hour thou shalt be associated to their people, that when they shall receive the punishment they deserve from my sword, thou mayst fall under the same vengeance.


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Then Holofernes commanded his servants to take Achior, and to lead him to Bethulia, and to deliver him into the hands of the children of Israel.


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And the servants of Holofernes taking him, went through the plains: but when they came near the mountains, the slingers came out against them.


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Then turning out of the way by the side of the mountain, they tied Achior to a tree hand and foot, and so left him bound with ropes, and returned to their master.


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And the children of Israel coming down from Bethulia, came to him, and loosing him they brought him to Bethulia, and setting him in the midst of the people, asked him what was the matter, that the Assyrians had left him bound.


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In those days the rulers there, were Ozias the son of Micha of the tribe of Simeon, and Charmi, called also Gothoniel.


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And Achior related in the midst of the ancients, and in the presence of all the people, all that he had said being asked by Holofernes: and how the people of Holofernes would have killed him for this word,


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And how Holofernes himself being angry had commanded him to be delivered for this cause to the Israelites: that when he should overcome the children of Israel, then he might command Achior also himself to be put to death by diverse torments, for having said: The God of heaven is their defender.


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And when Achior had declared all these things, all the people fell upon their faces, adoring the Lord, and all of them together mourning and weeping poured out their prayers with one accord to the Lord,


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Saying: O Lord God of heaven and earth, behold their pride, and look on our low condition, and have regard to the face of thy saints, and shew that thou forsakes not them that trust on thee, and that thou humblest them that presume of themselves, and glory in their own strength.


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So when their weeping was ended, and the peoples prayer, in which they continued all the day, was concluded, they comforted Achior,


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Saying: the God of our fathers, whose power thou hast set forth, will make this return to thee, that thou rather shalt see their destruction.


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And when the Lord our God shall give this liberty to his servants, let God be with thee also in the midst of us: that as it shall please thee, so thou with all thine mayst converse with us.


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Then Ozias, after the assembly was broken up, received him into his house, and made him a great supper.


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And all the ancients were invited, and they refreshed themselves together after their fast was over.


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And afterwards all the people were called together, and they prayed all the night long within the church, desiring help of the God of Israel.<pb/>


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Now there were in his troops a hundred and twenty thousand footmen, and two and twenty thousand horsemen, besides the preparations of those men who had been taken, and who had been brought away out of the provinces and cities of all the youth.


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All these prepared themselves together to fight against the children of Israel, and they came by the hillside to the top, which looketh toward Dothain, from the place which is called Behlma, unto Chelmon, which is over against Esdrelon.


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But the children of Israel, when they saw the multitude of them, prostrated themselves upon the ground, putting ashes upon their heads, praying with one accord, that the God of Israel would shew his mercy upon his people.


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And taking their arms of war, they posted themselves at the places, which by a narrow pathway lead directly between the mountains, and they guarded them all day and night.


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Now Holofernes, in going round about, found that the fountains which supplied them with water, ran through an aqueduct without the city on the south side: and he commanded their aqueduct to he cut off.


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Nevertheless there were springs not far from the walls, out of which they were seen secretly to draw water, to refresh themselves a little rather than to drink their fill.


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But the children of Ammon and Moab came to Holofernes, saying: The children of Israel trust not in their spears, nor in their arrows, but the mountains are their defense, and the steep hires and precipices guard them.


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Wherefore that thou mayst overcome them without joining battle, set guards at the springs that they may not draw water out of them, and thou shalt destroy them without sword, or at least being wearied out they will yield up their city, which they suppose, because it is situate in the mountains, to be impregnable.


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And these words pleased Holofernes, and his officers, and he placed all round about a hundred men at every spring.


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And when they had kept this watch for full twenty days, the cisterns, and the reserve of waters failed among all the inhabitants of Bethulia, so that there was not within the city, enough to satisfy them, no not for one day, for water was daily given out to the people by measure.


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Then all the men and women, young men, and children, gathering themselves together to Ozias, all together with one voice,


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Said: God be judge between us and thee, for thou hast done evil against us, in that thou wouldst not speak peaceably with the Assyrians, and for this cause God hath sold us into their hands.


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And therefore there is no one to help us, while we are cast down before their eyes in thirst, and sad destruction.


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And now assemble ye all that are in the city, that we may of our own accord yield ourselves all up to the people of Holofernes.


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For it is better, that being captives we should live and bless the Lord, than that we should die, and be a reproach to all flesh, after we have seen our wives and our infants die before our eyes.


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We call to witness this day heaven and earth, and the God of our fathers, who taketh vengeance upon us according to our sins, conjuring you to deliver now the city into the hand of the army of Holofernes, that our end may be short by the edge of the sword, which is made longer by the drought of thirst.


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And when they had said these things, there was great weeping and lamentation of all in the assembly, and for many hours with one voice they cried to God, saying:


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Have thou mercy on us, because thou art good, or punish our iniquities by chastising us thyself, and deliver not them that trust in thee to a people that knoweth not thee,


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Ozias rising up all in tears, said: Be of good courage, my brethren, and let us wait these five days for mercy from the Lord.


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Now it came to pass, when Judith a widow had heard these words, who was the daughter of Merari, the son of Idox, the son of Joseph, the son of Ozias, the son of Elai, the son of Jamnor, the son of Gedeon, the son of Raphaim, the son of Achitob, the son of Melehias, the son of Enan, the son of Nathanias, the son of Salathiel, the son of Simeon, the son of Ruben:


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For he was standing over them that bound sheaves in the field; and the heat came upon his head, and he died in Bethulia his own city, and was buried there with his fathers.


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And she made herself a private chamber in the upper part of her house, in which she abode shut up with her maids.


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And she wore haircloth upon her loins, and fasted all the days of her life, except the sabbaths, and new moons, and the feasts of the house of Israel.


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And she was exceedingly beautiful, and her husband left her great riches, and very many servants, and large possessions of herds of oxen, and flocks of sheep.


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And she was greatly renowned among all, because she feared the Lord very much, neither was there any one that spoke an ill word of her.


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When therefore she had heard that Ozias had promised that he would deliver up the city after the fifth day, she sent to the ancients Chabri and Charmi.


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And they came to her, and she said to them: What is this word, by which Ozias hath consented to give up the city to the Assyrians, if within five days there come no aid to us?


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This is not a word that may draw down mercy, but rather that may stir up wrath, and enkindle indignation.


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You have set a time for the mercy of the Lord, and you have appointed him a day, according to your pleasure.


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But forasmuch as the Lord is patient, let us be penitent for this same thing, and with many tears let us beg his pardon:


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And therefore let us humble our souls before him, and continuing in an humble spirit, in his service:


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Let us ask the Lord with tears, that according to his will so he would shew his mercy to us: that as our heart is troubled by their pride, so also we may glorify in our humility.


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For we have not followed the sins of our fathers, who forsook their God, and worshipped strange gods.


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For which crime they were given up to their enemies, to the sword, and to pillage, and to confusion: but we know no other God but him.


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Let us humbly wait for his consolation, and the Lord our God will require our blood of the afflictions of our enemies, and he will humble all the nations that shall rise up against us, and bring them to disgrace.


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And now, brethren, as you are the ancients among the people of God, and their very soul resteth upon you: comfort their hearts by your speech, that they may be mindful how our fathers were tempted that they might be proved, whether they worshipped their God truly.


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They must remember how our father Abraham was tempted, and being proved by many tribulations, was made the friend of God.


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So Isaac, so Jacob, so Moses, and all that have pleased God, passed through many tribulations, remaining faithful.


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But they that did not receive the trials with the fear of the Lord, but uttered their impatience and the reproach of their murmuring against the Lord,


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But esteeming these very punishments to be less than our sins deserve, let us believe that these scourges of the Lord, with which like servants we are chastised, have happened for our amendment, and not for our destruction.


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And Ozias and the ancients said to her: All things which thou hast spoken are true, and there is nothing to be reprehended in thy words.


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You shall stand at the gate this night, and I will go out with my maidservant: and pray ye, that as you have said, in five days the Lord may look down upon his people Israel.


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But I desire that you search not into what I am doing, and till I bring you word let nothing else be done but to pray for me to the Lord our God.


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And when they were gone, Judith went into her oratory: and putting on haircloth, laid ashes on her head: and falling down prostrate before the Lord, she cried to the Lord, saying:


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O Lord God of my father Simeon, who gavest him a sword to execute vengeance against strangers, who had defiled by their uncleanness, and uncovered the virgin unto confusion:


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And who gavest their wives to he made a prey, and their daughters into captivity: and all their spoils to be divided to thy servants, who were zealous with thy zeal: assist, I beseech thee, O Lord God, me a widow.


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For thou hast done the things of old, and hast devised one thing after another: and what thou hast designed hath been done.


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Look upon the camp of the Assyrians now, as thou wast pleased to look upon the camp of the Egyptians, when they pursued armed after thy servants, trusting in their chariots, and in their horsemen, and in a multitude of warriors.


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So may it be with these also, O Lord, who trust in their multitude, and in their chariots, and in their pikes, and in their shields, and in their arrows, and glory in their spears,


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And know not that thou art our God, who destroyest wars from the beginning, and the Lord is thy name.


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Lift up thy arm as from the beginning, and crush their power with thy power: let their power fall in their wrath, who promise themselves to violate thy sanctuary, and defile the dwelling place of thy name, and to beat down with their sword the horn of thy altar.


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Let him be caught in the net of his own eyes in my regard, and do thou strike him by the graces of the words of my lips.


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And it came to pass, when she had ceased to cry to the Lord, that she rose from the place wherein she lay prostrate before the Lord.


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And she called her maid, and going down into her house she took off her haircloth, and put away the garments of her widowhood,


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And she washed her body, and anointed herself with the best ointment, and plaited the hair of her head, and put a bonnet upon her head, and clothed herself with the garments of her gladness, and put sandals on her feet, and took her bracelets, and lilies, and earlets, and rings, and adorned herself with all her ornaments.


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And the Lord also gave her more beauty: because all this dressing up did not proceed from sensuality, lent from virtue: and therefore the Lord increased this her beauty, so that she appeared to all men’s eyes incomparably lovely.


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And she gave to her maid a bottle of wine to carry, and a vessel of oil, and parched corn, and dry figs, and bread and cheese, and went out.


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But they asked her no question, only they let her pass, saying: The God of our fathers give thee grace, and may he strengthen all the counsel of thy heart with his power, that Jerusalem may glory in thee, and thy name may be in the number of the holy and just.


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And it came to pass, when she went down the hill, about break of day, that the watchmen of the Assyrians met her and stopped her, saying: Whence comest thou? or whither goest thou?


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And she answered: I am a daughter of the Hebrews, and I am fled from them, because I knew they would be made a prey to you, because they despised you, and would not of their own accord yield themselves, that they might find mercy in your sight.


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For this reason I thought with myself, saying: I will go to the presence of the prince Holofernes, that I may tell him their secrets, and shew him by what way he may take them, without the loss of one man of his army.


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And when the men had heard her words, they beheld her face, and their eyes were amazed, for they wondered exceedingly at her beauty.


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And be assured of this, that when thou shalt stand before him, he will treat thee well, and thou wilt be most acceptable to his heart. And they brought her to the tent of Holofernes, telling him of her.


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And his officers said to him: Who can despise the people of the Hebrews who have such beautiful women, that we should not think it worth our while for their sakes to fight against them?


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And Judith seeing Holofernes sitting under a canopy, which was woven of purple and gold, with emeralds and precious stones:


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Then Holofernes said to her: Be of good comfort, and fear not in thy heart: for I have never hurt a man that was willing to serve Nabuchodonosor the king.


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And Judith said to him: Receive the words of thy handmaid, for if thou wilt follow the words of thy handmaid, the Lord will do with thee a perfect thing.


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For as Nabuchodonosor the king of the earth liveth, and his power liveth which is in thee for chastising of all straying souls: not only men serve him through thee, but also the beasts of the field obey him.


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For the industry of thy mind is spoken of among all nations, and it is told through the whole world, that thou only art excellent, and mighty in all his kingdom, and thy discipline is cried up in all provinces.


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It is known also what Achior said, nor are we ignorant of what thou hast commanded to be done to him.


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For it is certain that our God is so offended with sins, that he hath sent word by his prophets to the people, that he will deliver them up for their sins.


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Moreover also a famine hath come upon them, and for drought of water they are already to be counted among the dead.


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And the consecrated things of the Lord their God which God forbade them to touch, in corn, wine, and oil, these have they purposed to make use of, and they design to consume the things which they ought not to touch with their hands: therefore because they do these things, it is certain they will be given up to destruction.


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And I thy handmaid knowing this, am fled from them, and the Lord hath sent me to tell thee these very things.


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For I thy handmaid worship God even now that I am with thee, and thy handmaid will go out, and I will pray to God,


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And he will tell me when he will repay them for their sins, and I will come and tell thee, so that I may bring thee through the midst of Jerusalem, and thou shalt have all the people of Israel, as sheep that have no shepherd, and there shall not so much as one dog bark against thee:


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And all these words pleased Holofernes, and his servants, and they admired her wisdom, and they said one to another:


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And Holofernes said to her: God hath done well who sent thee before the people, that thou mightest give them into our hands:


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Then he ordered that she should go in where his treasures were laid up, and bade her tarry there, and he appointed what should be given her from his own table.


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And Judith answered him and said: Now I cannot eat of these things which thou commandest to be given me, lest sin come upon me: but I will eat of the things which I have brought.


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And Holofernes said to her: If these things which thou hast brought with thee fail thee, what shall we do for thee?


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And Judith said: As thy soul liveth, my lord, thy handmaid shall not spend all these things till God do by my hand that which I have purposed. And his servants brought her into the tent which he had commanded.


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And when she was going in, she desired that she might have liberty to go out at night and before day to prayer, and to beseech the Lord.


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And he commanded his chamberlains, that she might go out and in, to adore her God as she pleased, for three days.


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And she went out in the nights into the valley of Bethulia, and washed herself in a fountain of water.


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And as she came up, she prayed to the Lord the God of Israel, that he would direct her way to the deliverance of his people.


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And it came to pass on the fourth day, that Holofernes made a supper for his servants, and said to Vagao his eunuch: Go, and persuade that Hebrew woman, to consent of her own accord to dwell with me.


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For it is looked upon as shameful among the Assyrians, if a woman mock a man, by doing so as to pass free from him.


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Then Vagao went in to Judith, and said: Let not my good maid be afraid to go in to my lord, that she may be honoured before his face, that she may eat with him and drink wine and be merry.


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All that shall be good and best before his eyes, I will do. And whatsoever shall please him, that shall be best to me all the days of my life.


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And Holofernes said to her: Drink now, and sit down and be merry for thou hast found favour before me.


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And Holofernes was made merry on her occasion, and drank exceeding much wine, so much as he had never drunk in his life.<pb/>


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And when it was grown late, his servants made haste to their lodgings, and Vagao shut the chamber doors, and went his way.


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Saying: Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, and in this hour look on the works of my hands, that as thou hast promised, thou mayst raise up Jerusalem thy city: and that I may bring to pass that which I have purposed, having a belief that it might be done by thee.


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And when she had said this, she went to the pillar that was at his bed’s head, and loosed his sword that hung tied upon it.


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And when she had drawn it out, she took him by the hair of his head, and said: Strengthen me, O Lord God, at this hour.


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And she struck twice upon his neck, and out off his head, and took off his canopy from the pillars, and rolled away his headless body.


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And after a while she went out, and delivered the head of Holofernes to her maid, and bade her put it into her wallet.


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And they two went out according to their custom, as it were to prayer, and they passed the camp, and having compassed the valley, they came to the gate of the city.


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And Judith from afar off cried to the watchmen upon the walls: Open the gates for God is with us, who hath shewn his power in Israel.


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And all ran to meet her from the least to the greatest: for they now had no hopes that she would come.


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And lighting up lights they all gathered round about her: and she went up to a higher place, and commanded silence to be made. And when all had held their peace,


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And by me his handmaid he hath fulfilled his mercy, which he promised to the house of Israel: and he hath killed the enemy of his people by my hand this night.


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Then she brought forth the head of Holofernes out of the wallet, and shewed it them, saying: Behold the head of Holofernes the general of the army of the Assyrians, and behold his canopy, wherein he lay in his drunkenness, where the Lord our God slew him by the hand of a woman.


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But as the same Lord liveth, his angel hath been my keeper both going hence, and abiding there, and returning from thence hither: and the Lord hath not suffered me his handmaid to be defiled, but hath brought me back to you without pollution of sin, rejoicing for his victory, for my escape, and for your deliverance.<pb/>


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And as soon as the sun shall rise, let every man take his arms, and rush ye out, not as going down beneath, but as making an assault.


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And when the captains of them shall run to the tent of Holofernes, and shall find him without his head wallowing in his blood, fear shall fall upon them.


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And when you shall know that they are fleeing, go after them securely, for the Lord will destroy them under your feet.


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Then Achior seeing the power that the God of Israel had wrought, leaving the religion of the gentiles, he believed God, and circumcised the flesh of his foreskin, and was joined to the people of Israel, with all the succession of his kindred until this present day.


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And immediately at break of day, they hung up the head of Holofernes upon the walls, and every man took his arms, and they sent out with a great noise and shouting.


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And they that were in the tent came, and made a noise before the door of the chamber to awake him, endeavouring by art to break his rest, that Holofernes might awake, not by their calling him, but by their noise.


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But when his captains and tribunes were come, and all the chiefs of the army of the king of the Assyrians, they said to the chamberlains:


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Go in, and awake him, for the mice coming out of their holes, have presumed to challenge us to fight.


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Then Vagao going into his chamber, stood before the curtain, and made a clapping with his hands: for he thought that he was sleeping with Judith.


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But when with hearkening, he perceived no motion of one lying, he came near to the curtain, and lifting it up, and seeing the body of Holofernes, lying upon the ground, without the head, sweltering in his blood, he cried out with a loud voice, with weeping, and rent his garments.


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And said: One Hebrew woman hath made confusion in the house of king Nabuchodonosor: for behold Holofernes lieth upon the ground, and his head is not upon him.


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Now when the chiefs of the army of the Assyrians had heard this, they all rent their garments, and an intolerable fear and dread fell upon them, and their minds were troubled exceedingly.


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And when all the army heard that Holofernes was beheaded, courage and counsel fled from them, and being seized with trembling and fear they thought only to save themselves by flight:


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So that no one spoke to his neighbor, but hanging down the head, leaving all things behind, they made haste to escape from the Hebrews, who, as they heard, were coming armed upon them, and fled by the ways of the fields, and the paths of the hills.


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So the children of Israel seeing them fleeing, followed after them. And they went down sounding with trumpets and shouting after them.


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And because the Assyrians were not united together, they went without order in their flight; but the children of Israel pursuing in one body, defeated all that they could find.


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And every country, and every city, sent their chosen young men armed after them, and they pursued them with the edge of the sword until they came to the extremities of their confines.


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And the rest that were in Bethulia went into the camp of the Assyrians, and took away the spoils, which the Assyrians in their flight had left behind them, and they were laden exceedingly.


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But they that returned conquerors to Bethulia, brought with them all things that were theirs, so that there was no numbering of their cattle, and beasts, and all their moveables, insomuch that from the least to the greatest all were made rich by their spoils.


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And when she was come out to him, they all blessed her with one voice, saying: Thou art the glory of Jerusalem, thou art the joy of Israel, thou art the honour of our people:


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For thou hast done manfully, and thy heart has been strengthened, because thou hast loved chastity, and after thy husband hast not known any other: therefore also the hand of the Lord hath strengthened thee, and therefore thou shalt be blessed for ever.


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And thirty days were scarce sufficient for the people of Israel to gather up the spoils of the Assyrians.<pb/>


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Begin ye to the Lord with timbrels, sing ye to the Lord with cymbals, tune unto him a new psalm, extol and call upon his name.


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The Assyrians came out of the mountains from the north in the multitude of his strength: his multitude stopped up the torrents, and their horses covered the valleys.


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He bragged that he would set my borders on fire, and kill my young men with the sword, to make my infants a prey, and my virgins captives.


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But the almighty Lord hath struck him, and hath delivered him into the hands of a woman, and hath slain him.


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For their mighty one did not fall by young men, neither did the sons of Titan strike him, nor tall giants oppose themselves to him, but Judith the daughter of Merari weakened him with the beauty of her face.


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For she put off her the garments of widowhood, and put on her the garments of joy, to give joy to the children of Israel.


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She anointed her face with ointment, and bound up her locks with a crown, she took a new robe to deceive him.


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Her sandals ravished his eyes, her beauty made his soul her captive, with a sword she cut off his head.


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The sons of the damsels have pierced them through, and they have killed them like children fleeing away: they perished in battle before the face of the Lord my God.


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Let all thy creatures serve thee: because thou hast spoken, and they were made: thou didst send forth thy spirit, and they were created, and there is no one that can resist thy voice.


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The mountains shall be moved from the foundations with the waters: the rooks shall melt as wax before thy face.


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Woe be to the nation that riseth up against my people: for the Lord almighty will take revenge on them, in the day of judgment he will visit them.


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And it came to pass after these things, that all the people, after the victory, came to Jerusalem to adore the Lord: and as soon as they were purified, they all offered holocausts, and vows, and their promises.


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And Judith offered for an anathema of oblivion all the arms of Holofernes, which the people gave her, and the canopy that she had taken away out of his chamber.


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And the people were joyful in the sight of the sanctuary, and for three months the joy of this victory was celebrated with Judith.


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And after those days every man returned to his house, and Judith was made great in Bethulia, and she was most renowned in all the land of Israel.


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Love justice, you that are the judges of the earth. Think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in simplicity of heart.


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For the Holy Spirit of discipline will flee from the deceitful, and will withdraw himself from thoughts that are without understanding, and he shall not abide when iniquity cometh in.


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For the spirit of wisdom is benevolent, and will not acquit the evil speaker from his lips: for God is witness of his reins, and he is a true searcher of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.


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For the spirit of the Lord hath filled the whole world: and that, which containeth all things, hath knowledge of the voice.


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Therefore he that speaketh unjust things cannot be hid, neither shall the chastising judgment pass him by.


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For inquisition shall be made into the thoughts of the ungodly: and the hearing of his words shall come to God, to the chastising of his iniquities.


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Keep yourselves therefore from murmuring, which profiteth nothing, and refrain your tongue from detraction, for an obscure speech shall not go for nought: and the mouth that belieth, killeth the soul.


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Seek not death in the error of your life, neither procure ye destruction by the works of your hands.


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For he created all things that they might be: and he made the nations of the earth for health: and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor kingdom of hell upon the earth.


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But the wicked with works and words have called it to them: and esteeming it a friend have fallen away, and have made a covenant with it: because they are worthy to be of the part thereof.<pb/>


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For they have said, reasoning with themselves, but not right: The time of our life is short and tedious, and in the end of a man there is no remedy, and no man hath been known to have returned from hell:


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For we are born of nothing, and after this we shall be as if we had not been: for the breath in our nostrils is smoke: and speech a spark to move our heart,


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Which being put out, our body shall be ashes, and our spirit shall be poured abroad as soft air, and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, which is driven away by the beams of the sun, and overpowered with the heat thereof:


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For our time is as the passing of a shadow, and there is no going back of our end: for it is fast sealed, and no man returneth.


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Come therefore, and let us enjoy the good things that are present, and let us speedily use the creatures as in youth.


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Let us fill ourselves with costly wine, and ointments: and let not the flower of the time pass by us.


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Let none of us go without his part in luxury: let us everywhere leave tokens of joy: for this is our portion, and this our lot.


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Let us oppress the poor just man, and not spare the widow, nor honour the ancient grey hairs of the aged.


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Let us therefore lie in wait for the just, because he is not for our turn, and he is contrary to our doings, and upbraideth us with transgressions of the law, and divulgeth against us the sins of our way of life.


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He is grievous unto us, even to behold: for his life is not like other men’s, and his ways are very different.


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We are esteemed by him as triflers, and he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness, and he preferreth the latter end of the just, and glorieth that he hath God for his father.


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Let us see then if his words be true, and let us prove what shall happen to him, and we shall know what his end shall be.


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For if he be the true son of God, he will defend him, and will deliver him from the hands of his enemies.


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And they knew not the secrets of God, nor hoped for the wages of justice, nor esteemed the honour of holy souls.


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Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.


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As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them.


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They that trust in him, shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love shall rest in him: for grace and peace is to his elect.


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But the wicked shall be punished according to their own devices: who have neglected the just, and have revolted from the Lord.


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For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain, and their labours without fruit, and their works unprofitable.


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Their offspring is cursed: for happy is the barren: and the undefiled, that hath not known bed in sin: she shall have fruit in the visitation of holy souls.


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And the eunuch, that hath not wrought iniquity with his hands, nor thought wicked things against God: for the precious gift of faith shall be given to him, and a most acceptable lot in the temple of God.


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But the children of adulterers shall not come to perfection, and the seed of the unlawful bed shall be rooted out.


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And if they live long, they shall be nothing regarded, and their last old age shall be without honour.


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O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory: for the memory thereof is immortal: because it is known both with God and with men.


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When it is present, they imitate it: and they desire it when it hath withdrawn itself, and it triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts.


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But the multiplied brood of the wicked shall not thrive, and bastard slips shall not take deep root, nor any fast foundation.


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And if they flourish in branches for a time, yet standing not fast, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out.


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For the branches not being perfect, shall be broken, and their fruits shall be unprofitable, and sour to eat, and fit for nothing.


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For the children that are born of unlawful beds, are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial.


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For venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years: but the understanding of a man is grey hairs.


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For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind.


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For his soul pleased God: therefore he hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities: but the people see this, and understand not, nor lay up such things in their hearts:


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But the just that is dead, condemneth the wicked that are living, and youth soon ended, the long life of the unjust.


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For they shall see the end of the wise man, and shall not understand what God hath designed for him, and why the Lord hath set him in safety.


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And they shall fall after this without honour, and be a reproach among the dead for ever: for he shall burst them puffed up and speechless, and shall shake them from the foundations, and they shall be utterly laid waste: they shall be in sorrow, and their memory shall perish.


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They shall come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them.<pb/>


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Then shall the just stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted them, and taken away their labours.


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These seeing it, shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected salvation.


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Saying within themselves, repenting, and groaning for anguish of spirit: These are they, whom we had some time in derision, and for a parable of reproach.


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Therefore we have erred from the way of truth, and the light of justice hath not shined unto us, and the sun of understanding hath not risen upon us.


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We wearied ourselves in the way of iniquity and destruction, and have walked through hard ways, but the way of the Lord we have not known.


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And as a ship that passeth through the waves: whereof when it is gone by, the trace cannot be found, nor the path of its keel in the waters:


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Or as when a bird flieth through the air, of the passage of which no mark can be found, but only the sound of the wings beating the light air, and parting it by the force of her flight; she moved her wings, and hath flown through, and there is no mark found afterwards of her way:


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Or as when an arrow is shot at a mark, the divided air presently cometh together again, so that the passage thereof is not known:


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So we also being born, forthwith ceased to be: and have been able to shew no mark of virtue: but are consumed in our wickedness.


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For the hope of the wicked is as dust, which is blown away with the wind, and as a thin froth which is dispersed by the storm: and a smoke that is scattered abroad by the wind: and as the remembrance of a guest of one day that passeth by.


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But the just shall live for evermore: and their reward is with the Lord, and the care of them with the most High.


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Therefore shall they receive a kingdom of glory, and a crown of beauty at the hand of the Lord: for with his right hand he will cover them, and with his holy arm he will defend them.


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And he will sharpen his severe wrath for a spear, and the whole world shall fight with him against the unwise.


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Then shafts of lightning shall go directly from the clouds, as from a bow well bent, they shall be shot out, and shall fly to the mark.


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And thick hail shall be cast upon them from the stone casting wrath: the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the rivers shall run together in a terrible manner.<pb/>


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For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works, and search out your thoughts:


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Because being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor walked according to the will of God.


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Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule.


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For God will not except any man’s person, neither will he stand in awe of any man’s greatness: for he made the little and the great, and he hath equally care of all.


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For they that have kept just things justly, shall be justified: and they that have learned these things, shall find what to answer.


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Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek her.


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To think therefore upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.


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For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, and she sheweth herself to them cheerfully in the ways, and meeteth them with all providence.


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And the care of discipline is love: and love is the keeping of her laws: and the keeping of her laws is the firm foundation of incorruption:


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If then your delight be in thrones, and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign for ever.


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Now what wisdom is, and what was her origin, I will declare: and I will not hide from you the mysteries of God, but will seek her out from the beginning of her birth, and bring the knowledge of her to light, and will not pass over the truth:


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I myself also am a mortal man, like all others, and of the race of him, that was first made of the earth, and in the womb of my mother I was fashioned to be flesh.


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In the time of ten months I was compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure of sleep concurring.


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And being born I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, that is made alike, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do.


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Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me:


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Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold in comparison of her, is as a little sand, and silver in respect to her shall be counted as clay.


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I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out.


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And I rejoiced in all these: for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not that she was the mother of them all.


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For she is an infinite treasure to men! which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gift of discipline.


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And God hath given to me to speak as I would, and to conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given me: because he is the guide of wisdom, and the director of the wise:


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For he hath given me the true knowledge of the things that are: to know the disposition of the whole world, and the virtues of the elements,


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The beginning, and ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons,


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The natures of living creatures, and rage of wild beasts, the force of winds, and reasonings of men, the diversities of plants, and the virtues of roots,


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And all such things as are hid and not foreseen, I have learned: for wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me.


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For in her is the spirit of understanding: holy, one, manifold, subtile, eloquent, active, undefiled, sure, sweet, loving that which is good, quick, which nothing hindereth, beneficent,


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Gentle, kind, steadfast, assured, secure, having all power, overseeing all things, and containing all spirits, intelligible, pure, subtile.


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For she is a vapour of the power of God, and a certain pure emanation of the glory of the almighty God: and therefore no defiled thing cometh into her.


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For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God’s majesty, and the image of his goodness.


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And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself the same, she reneweth all things, and through nations conveyeth herself into holy souls, she maketh the friends of God and prophets.


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For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of the stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it.


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Her have I loved, and have sought her out from my youth, and have desired to take her for my spouse, and I became a lover of her beauty.


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She glorifieth her nobility by being conversant with God: yea and the Lord of all things hath loved her.


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And if a man love justice: her labours have great virtues; for she teacheth temperance, and prudence, and justice, and fortitude, which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in life.


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And if a man desire much knowledge: she knoweth things past, and judgeth of things to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and the solutions of arguments: she knoweth signs and wonders before they be done, and the events of times and ages.


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I purposed therefore to take her to me to live with me: knowing that she will communicate to me of her good things, and will be a comfort in my cares and grief.


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For her sake I shall have glory among the multitude, and honour with the ancients, though I be young:


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And I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of the mighty, and the faces of princes shall wonder at me.


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They shall wait for me when I hold my peace, and they shall look upon me when I speak, and if I talk much they shall lay their hands on their mouths.


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Moreover by the means of her I shall have immortality: and shall leave behind me an everlasting memory to them that come after me.


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Terrible kings hearing shall be afraid of me: among the multitude I shall be found good, and valiant in war.


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When I go into my house, I shall repose myself with her: for her conversation hath no bitterness, nor her company any tediousness, but joy and gladness.


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Thinking these things with myself, and pondering them in my heart, that to be allied to wisdom is immortality,


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And that there is great delight in her friendship, and inexhaustible riches in the works of her hands, and in the exercise of conference with her, wisdom, and glory in the communication of her words: I went about seeking, that I might take her to myself.


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And as I knew that I could not otherwise be continent, except God gave it, and this also was a point of wisdom, to know whose gift it was: I went to the Lord, and besought him, and said with my whole heart:<pb/>


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And by thy wisdom hast appointed man, that he should have dominion over the creature that was made by thee,


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That he should order the world according to equity and justice, and execute justice with an upright heart:


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For I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid, a weak man, and of short time, and falling short of the understanding of judgment and laws.


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For if one be perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.


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And hast commanded me to build a temple on thy holy mount, and an altar in the city of thy dwelling place, a resemblance of thy holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning:


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And thy wisdom with thee, which knoweth thy works, which then also was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was agreeable to thy eyes, and what was right in thy commandments.


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Send her out of thy holy heaven, and from the throne of thy majesty, that she may be with me, and may labour with me, that I may know what is acceptable with thee:


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For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and shall lead me soberly in my works, and shall preserve me by her power.


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So shall my works be acceptable, and I shall govern thy people justly, and shall be worthy of the throne of my father.


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For the corruptible body is a load upon the soul, and the earthly habitation presseth down the mind that museth upon many things.


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And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth: and with labour do we find the things that are before us. But the things that are in heaven, who shall search out?


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And so the ways of them that are upon earth may be corrected, and men may learn the things that please thee?<pb/>


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But when the unjust went away from her in his anger, he perished by the fury wherewith he murdered his brother.


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For whose cause, when water destroyed the earth, wisdom healed it again, directing the course of the just by contemptible wood.


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Moreover when the nations had conspired together to consent to wickedness, she knew the just, and preserved him without blame to God, and kept him strong against the compassion for his son.


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She delivered the just man who fled from the wicked that were perishing, when the fire came down upon Pentapolis:


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Whose land for a testimony of their wickedness is desolate, and smoketh to this day, and the trees bear fruits that ripen not, and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an incredulous soul.


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For regarding not wisdom, they did not only slip in this, that they were ignorant of good things, but they left also unto men a memorial of their folly, so that in the things in which they sinned, they could not so much as lie hid.


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She conducted the just, when he fled from his brother’s wrath, through the right ways, and shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things, made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours.


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She kept him safe from his enemies, and she defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all.


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She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: she went down with him into the pit.


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And in bands she left him not, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and shewed them to be liars that had accused him, and gave him everlasting glory.


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She entered into the soul of the servant of God, and stood against dreadful kings in wonders and signs.


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And she rendered to the just the wages of their labours, and conducted them in a wonderful way: and she was to them for a covert by day, and for the light of stars by night:


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But their enemies she drowned in the sea, and from the depth of hell she brought them out. Therefore the just took the spoils of the wicked.


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They went through wildernesses that were not inhabited, and in desert places they pitched their tents.


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They were thirsty, and they called upon thee, and water was given them out of the high rock, and a refreshment of their thirst out of the hard stone.


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For by what things their enemies were punished, when their drink failed them, while the children of Israel abounded therewith and rejoiced:


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And whilst they were diminished for a manifest reproof of their murdering the infants, thou gavest to thine abundant water unlooked for:


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For when they were tried, and chastised with mercy, they knew how the wicked were judged with wrath and tormented.


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For thou didst admonish and try them as a father: but the others, as a severe king, thou didst examine and condemn.


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For when they heard that by their punishments the others were benefited, they remembered the Lord, wondering at the end of what was come to pass.


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For whom they scorned before, when he was thrown out at the time of his being wickedly exposed to perish, him they admired in the end, when they saw the event: their thirsting being unlike to that of the just.


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But for the foolish devices of their iniquity, because some being deceived worshipped dumb serpents and worthless beasts, thou didst send upon them a multitude of dumb beasts for vengeance.


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For thy almighty hand, which made the world of matter without form, was not unable to send upon them a multitude of bears, or fierce lions,


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Or unknown beasts of a new kind, full of rage: either breathing out a fiery vapour, or sending forth a stinking smoke, or shooting horrible sparks out of their eyes:


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Whereof not only the hurt might be able to destroy them, but also the very sight might kill them through fear.


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Yea and without these, they might have been slain with one blast, persecuted by their own deeds, and scattered by the breath of thy power: but thou hast ordered all things in measure, and number, and weight.


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For the whole world before thee is as the least grain of the balance, and as a drop of the morning dew, that falleth down upon the earth:


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But thou hast mercy upon all, because thou canst do all things, and overlookest the sins of men for the sake of repentance.


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For thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of the things which thou hast made: for thou didst not appoint, or make any thing hating it.


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And therefore thou chastisest them that err, by little and little: and admonishest them, and speakest to them, concerning the things wherein they offend: that leaving their wickedness, they may believe in thee, O Lord.


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And those merciless murderers of their own children, and eaters of men’s bowels, and devourers of blood from the midst of thy consecration,


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And those parents sacrificing with their own hands helpless souls, it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our parents,


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That the land which of all is most dear to thee might receive a worthy colony of the children of God.


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Yet even those thou sparedst as men, and didst send wasps, forerunners of thy host, to destroy them by little and little.


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Not that thou wast unable to bring the wicked under the just by war, or by cruel beasts, or with one rough word to destroy them at once:


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But executing thy judgments by degrees thou gavest them place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a wicked generation, and their malice natural, and that their thought could never be changed.


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For it was a cursed seed from the beginning: neither didst thou for fear of any one give pardon to their sins.


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For who shall say to thee: What hast thou done? or who shall withstand thy judgment? or who shall come before thee to be a revenger of wicked men? or who shall accuse thee, if the nations perish, which thou hast made?


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For there is no other God but thou, who hast care of all, that thou shouldst shew that thou dost not give judgment unjustly.


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For so much then as thou art just, thou orderest all things justly: thinking it not agreeable to thy power, to condemn him who deserveth not to be punished.


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For thy power is the beginning of justice: and because thou art Lord of all, thou makest thyself gracious to all.


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For thou shewest thy power, when men will not believe thee to be absolute in power, and thou convincest the boldness of them that know thee not.


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But thou being master of power, judgest with tranquillity; and with great favour disposest of us: for thy power is at hand when thou wilt.


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But thou hast taught thy people by such works, that they must be just and humane, and hast made thy children to be of a good hope: because in judging thou givest place for repentance for sins.


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For if thou didst punish the enemies of thy servants, and that deserved to die, with so great deliberation, giving them time and place whereby they might be changed from their wickedness:


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With what circumspection hast thou judged thy own children, to whose parents thou hast sworn and made covenants of good promises?


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Therefore whereas thou chastisest us, thou scourgest our enemies very many ways, to the end that when we judge we may think on thy goodness: and when we are judged, we may hope for thy mercy.


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Wherefore thou hast also greatly tormented them who in their life have lived foolishly and unjustly, by the same things which they worshipped.


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For they went astray for a long time in the ways of error, holding those things for gods which are the most worthless among beasts, living after the manner of children without understanding.


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But they that were not amended by mockeries and reprehensions, experienced the worthy judgment of God.


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For seeing with indignation that they suffered by those very things which they took for gods, when they were destroyed by the same, they acknowledged him the true God, whom in time past they denied that they knew: for which cause the end also of their condemnation came upon them.<pb/>


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But all men are vain, in whom there is not the knowledge of God: and who by these good things that are seen, could not understand him that is, neither by attending to the works have acknowledged who was the workman:


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But have imagined either the fire, or the wind, or the swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the great water, or the sun and moon, to be the gods that rule the world.


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With whose beauty, if they, being delighted, took them to be gods: let them know how much the Lord of them is more beautiful than they: for the first author of beauty made all those things.


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Or if they admired their power and their effects, let them understand by them, that he that made them, is mightier than they:


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For by the greatness of the beauty, and of the creature, the creator of them may be seen, so as to be known thereby.


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But yet as to these they are less to be blamed. For they perhaps err, seeking God, and desirous to find him.


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For being conversant among his works, they search: and they are persuaded that the things are good which are seen.


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For if they were able to know so much as to make a judgment of the world: how did they not more easily find out the Lord thereof?


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But unhappy are they, and their hope is among the dead, who have called gods the works of the hands of men, gold and silver, the inventions of art, and the resemblances of beasts, or an unprofitable stone the work of an ancient hand.


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Or if an artist, a carpenter, hath cut down a tree proper for his use in the wood, and skillfully taken off all the bark thereof, and with his art, diligently formeth a vessel profitable for the common uses of life,


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And taking what was left thereof, which is good for nothing, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, carveth it diligently when he hath nothing else to do, and by the skill of his art fashioneth it and maketh it like the image of a man:


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Or the resemblance of some beast, laying it over with vermilion, and painting it red, and covering every spot that is in it:


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And maketh a convenient dwelling place for it, and setting it in a wall, and fastening it with iron,


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Providing for it, lest it should fall, knowing that it is unable to help itself: for it is an image, and hath need of help.


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And then maketh prayer to it, inquiring concerning his substance, and his children, or his marriage. And he is not ashamed to speak to that which hath no life:


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And for health he maketh supplication to the weak, and for life prayeth to that which is dead, and for help calleth upon that which is unprofitable:


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And for a good journey he petitioneth him that cannot walk: and for getting, and for working, and for the event of all things he asketh him that is unable to do any thing.<pb/>


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Again, another designing to sail, and beginning to make his voyage through the raging waves, calleth upon a piece of wood more frail than the wood that carrieth him.


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But thy providence, O Father, governeth it: for thou hast made a way even in the sea, and a most sure path among the waves,


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But that the works of thy wisdom might not be idle: therefore men also trust their lives even to a little wood, and passing over the sea by ship are saved.


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And from the beginning also when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world fleeing to a vessel, which was governed by thy hand, left to the world seed of generation.


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But the idol that is made by hands, is cursed, as well it, as he that made it: he because he made it; and it because being frail it is called a god.


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Therefore there shall be no respect had even to the idols of the Gentiles: because the creatures of God are turned to an abomination, and a temptation to the souls of men, and a snare to the feet of the unwise.


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For the beginning of fornication is the devising of idols: and the invention of them is the corruption of life.


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For by the vanity of men they came into the world: and therefore they shall be found to come shortly to an end.


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For a father being afflicted with bitter grief, made to himself the image of his son who was quickly taken away: and him who then had died as a man, he began now to worship as a god, and appointed him rites and sacrifices among his servants.


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Then in process of time, wicked custom prevailing, this error was kept as a law, and statues were worshipped by the commandment of tyrants.


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And those whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt far off, they brought their resemblance from afar, and made an express image of the king whom they had a mind to honour: that by this their diligence, they might honour as present, him that was absent.


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And to worshipping of these, the singular diligence also of the artificer helped to set forward the ignorant.


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For he being willing to please him that employed him, laboured with all his art to make the resemblance in the best manner.


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And the multitude of men, carried away by the beauty of the work, took him now for a god that a little before was but honoured as a man.


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And this was the occasion of deceiving human life: for men serving either their affection, or their kings, gave the incommunicable name to stones and wood.


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And it was not enough for them to err about the knowledge of God, but whereas they lived in a great war of ignorance, they call so many and so great evils peace.


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For either they sacrifice their own children, or use hidden sacrifices, or keep watches full of madness,


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So that now they neither keep life, nor marriage undefiled, but one killeth another through envy, or grieveth him by adultery:


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And all things are mingled together, blood, murder, theft and dissimulation, corruption and unfaithfulness, tumults and perjury, disquieting of the good,


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Forgetfulness of God, defiling of souls, changing of nature, disorder in marriage, and the irregularity of adultery and uncleanness.


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For either they are mad when they are merry: or they prophesy lies, or they live unjustly, or easily forswear themselves.


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For whilst they trust in idols, which are without life, though they swear amiss, they look not to be hurt.


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But for two things they shall be justly punished, because they have thought not well of God, giving heed to idols, and have sworn unjustly, in guile despising justice.


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For it is not the power of them, by whom they swear, but the just vengeance of sinners always punisheth the transgression of the unjust.<pb/>


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For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy greatness: and if we sin not, we know that we are counted with thee.


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For to know thee is perfect justice: and to know thy justice, and thy power, is the root of immortality.


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For the invention of mischievous men hath not deceived us, nor the shadow of a picture, a fruitless labour, a graven figure with divers colours,


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The sight whereof enticeth the fool to lust after it, and he loveth the lifeless figure of a dead image.


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The lovers of evil things deserve to have no better things to trust in, both they that make them, and they that love them, and they that worship them.


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The potter also tempering soft earth, with labour fashioneth every vessel for our service, and of the same clay he maketh both vessels that are for clean uses, and likewise such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of these vessels, the potter is the judge.


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And of the same clay by a vain labour he maketh a god: he who a little before was made of earth himself, and a little after returneth to the same out of which he was taken, when his life which was lent him shall be called for again.


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But his care is, not that he shall labour, nor that his life is short, but he striveth with the goldsmiths and silversmiths: and he endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass, and counteth it a glory to make vain things.


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Forasmuch as he knew not his maker and him that inspired into him the soul that worketh, and that breathed into him a living spirit.


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Yea and they have counted our life a pastime, and the business of life to be gain, and that we must be getting every way, even out of evil.


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For that man knoweth that he offendeth above all others, who of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels, and graven gods.


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But all the enemies of thy people that hold them in subjection, are foolish, and unhappy, and proud beyond measure:


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For they have esteemed all the idols of the heathens for gods, which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle, and as for their feet, they are slow to walk.


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For man made them: and he that borroweth his own breath, fashioned them. For no man can make a god like to himself.


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For being mortal himself, he formeth a dead thing with his wicked hands. For he is better than they whom he worshippeth, because he indeed hath lived, though he were mortal, but they never.


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Moreover they worship also the vilest creatures: but things without sense compared to these, are worse than they.


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Yea, neither by sight can any man see good of these beasts. But they have fled from the praise of God, and from his blessing.<pb/>


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For these things, and by the like things to these, they were worthily punished, and were destroyed by a multitude of beasts.


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Instead of which punishment, dealing well with thy people, thou gavest them their desire of delicious food, of a new taste, preparing for them quails for their meat:


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To the end that they indeed desiring food, by means of those things that were shewn and sent among them, might loathe even that which was necessary to satisfy their desire. But these, after suffering want for a short time, tasted a new meat.


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For it was requisite that inevitable destruction should come upon them that exercised tyranny: but to these it should only be shewn how their enemies were destroyed.


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For when the fierce rage of beasts came upon these, they were destroyed with the bitings of crooked serpents.


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But thy wrath endured not for ever, but they were troubled for a short time for their correction, having a sign of salvation to put them in remembrance of the commandment of thy law.


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For the bitings of locusts, and of flies killed them, and there was found no remedy for their life: because they were worthy to be destroyed by such things.


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But not even the teeth of venomous serpents overcame thy children: for thy mercy came and healed them.


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For they were examined for the remembrance of thy words, and were quickly healed, lest falling into deep forgetfulness, they might not be able to use thy help.


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For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaster that healed them, but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things.


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For it is thou, O Lord, that hast power of life and death, and leadest down to the gates of death, and bringest back again:


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A man indeed killeth through malice, and when the spirit is gone forth, it shall not return, neither shall he call back the soul that is received:


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For the wicked that denied to know thee, were scourged by the strength of thy arm, being persecuted by strange waters, and hail, and rain, and consumed by fire.


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And which was wonderful, in water, which extinguisheth all things, the fire had more force: for the world fighteth for the just.


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For at one time, the fire was mitigated, that the beasts which were sent against the wicked might not be burned, but that they might see and perceive that they were persecuted by the judgment of God.


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And at another time the fire, above its own power, burned in the midst of water, to destroy the fruits of a wicked land.


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Instead of which things thou didst feed thy people with the food of angels, and gavest them bread from heaven prepared without labour; having in it all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste.


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For thy sustenance shewed thy sweetness to thy children, and serving every man’s will, it was turned to what every man liked.


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But snow and ice endured the force of fire, and melted not: that they might know that fire burning in the hail and flashing in the rain destroyed the fruits of the enemies.


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For the creature serving thee the Creator, is made fierce against the unjust for their punishment; and abateth its strength for the benefit of them that trust in thee.


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Therefore even then it was transformed into all things, and was obedient to thy grace that nourisheth all, according to the will of them that desired it of thee.


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That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovedst, might know that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth men, but thy word preserveth them that believe in thee:


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For that which could not be destroyed by fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam presently melted away:


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That it might be known to all, that we ought to prevent the sun to bless thee, and adore thee at the dawning of the light.


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For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter’s ice, and shall run off as unprofitable water.<pb/>


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For thy judgments, O Lord, are great, and thy words cannot be expressed: therefore undisciplined souls have erred.


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For while the wicked thought to be able to have dominion over the holy nation, they themselves being fettered with the bonds of darkness, and a long night, shut up in their houses, lay there exiled from the eternal providence.


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And while they thought to lie hid in their obscure sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfulness, being horribly afraid and troubled with exceeding great astonishment.


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For neither did the den that held them, keep them from fear: for noises coming down troubled them, and sad visions appearing to them, affrighted them.


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And no power of fire could give them light, neither could the bright flames of the stars enlighten that horrible night.


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But there appeared to them a sudden fire, very dreadful: and being struck with the fear of that face, which was not seen, they thought the things which they saw to be worse:


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And the delusions of their magic art were put down, and their boasting of wisdom was reproachfully rebuked.


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For they who promised to drive away fears and troubles from a sick soul, were sick themselves of a fear worthy to be laughed at.


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For though no terrible thing disturbed them: yet being scared with the passing by of beasts, and hissing of serpents, they died for fear: and denying that they saw the air, which could by no means be avoided.


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For whereas wickedness is fearful, it beareth witness of its condemnation: for a troubled conscience always forecasteth grievous things.


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And while there is less expectation from within, the greater doth it count the ignorance of that cause which bringeth the torment.


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But they that during that night, in which nothing could be done, and which came upon them from the lowest and deepest hell, slept the same sleep.


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Were sometimes molested with the fear of monsters, sometimes fainted away, their soul failing them: for a sudden and unlooked for fear was come upon them.


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For if any one were a husbandman, or a shepherd, or a labourer in the field, and was suddenly overtaken, he endured a necessity from which he could not fly.


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For they were all bound together with one chain of darkness. Whether it were a whistling wind, or the melodious voice of birds, among the spreading branches of trees, or a fall of water running down with violence,


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Or the mighty noise of stones tumbling down, or the running that could not be seen of beasts playing together, or the roaring voice of wild beasts, or a rebounding echo from the highest mountains: these things made them to swoon for fear.


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But thy saints had a very great light, and they heard their voice indeed, but did not see their shape. And because they also did not suffer the same things, they glorified thee:


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And they that before had been wronged, gave thanks, because they were not hurt now: and asked this gift, that there might be a difference.


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Therefore they received a burning pillar of fire for a guide of the way which they knew not, and thou gavest them a harmless sun of a good entertainment.


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The others indeed were worthy to be deprived of light, and imprisoned in darkness, who kept thy children shut up, by whom the pure light of the law was to be given to the world.


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And whereas they thought to kill the babes of the just, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou tookest away a multitude of their children, and destroyedst them all together in a mighty water.


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For that night was known before by our fathers, that assuredly knowing what oaths they had trusted to, they might be of better courage.


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For the just children of good men were offering sacrifice secretly, and they unanimously ordered a law of justice: that the just should receive both good and evil alike, singing now the praises of the fathers.


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But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable mourning was heard for the children that were bewailed.


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And the servant suffered the same punishment as the master, and a common man suffered in like manner as the king.


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So all alike had innumerable dead, with one kind of death. Neither were the living sufficient to bury them; for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed.


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For whereas they would not believe any thing before by reason of the enchantments, then first upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged the people to be of God.


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Thy almighty word leapt down from heaven from thy royal throne, as a fierce conqueror into the midst of the land of destruction.


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With a sharp sword carrying thy unfeigned commandment, and he stood and filled all things with death, and standing on the earth reached even to heaven.


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For the visions that troubled them foreshewed these things, lest they should perish and not know why they suffered these evils.


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But the just also were afterwards touched by an assault of death, and there was a disturbance of the multitude in the wilderness: but thy wrath did not long continue.


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For a blameless man made haste to pray for the people, bringing forth the shield of his ministry, prayer, and by incense making supplication, withstood the wrath, and put an end to the calamity, shewing that he was thy servant.


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And he overcame the disturbance, not by strength of body nor with force of arms, but with a word he subdued him that punished them, alleging the oaths and covenant made with the fathers.


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For when they were now fallen down dead by heaps one upon another, he stood between and stayed the assault, and cut off the way to the living.


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For in the priestly robe which he wore, was the whole world: and in the four rows of the stones the glory of the fathers was graven, and thy majesty was written upon the diadem of his head.


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And to these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for the proof only of wrath was enough.<pb/>


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But as to the wicked, even to the end there came upon them wrath without mercy. For he knew before also what they would do:


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For when they had given them leave to depart, and had sent them away with great care, they repented, and pursued after them.


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For whilst they were yet mourning, and lamenting at the graves of the dead, they took up another foolish device: and pursued them as fugitives whom they had pressed to be gone:


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For a necessity, of which they were worthy, brought them to this end: and they lost the remembrance of those things which had happened, that their punishment might fill up what was wanting to their torments:


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For every creature according to its kind was fashioned again as from the beginning, obeying thy commandments, that thy children might be kept without hurt.


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For a cloud overshadowed their camp, and where water was before, dry land appeared, and in the Red Sea a way without hinderance, and out of the great deep a springing field:


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Through which all the nation passed which was protected with thy hand, seeing thy miracles and wonders.


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For they fed on their food like horses, and they skipped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who hadst delivered them.


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For they were yet mindful of those things which had been done in the time of their sojourning, how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the river cast up a multitude of frogs instead of fishes.


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And at length they saw a new generation of birds, when being led by their appetite they asked for delicate meats.


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For to satisfy their desire, the quail came up to them from the sea: and punishments came upon the sinners, not without foregoing signs by the force of thunders: for they suffered justly according to their own wickedness.


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For they exercised a more detestable inhospitality than any: others indeed received not strangers unknown to them, but these brought their guests into bondage that had deserved well of them.


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And not only so, but in another respect also they were worse: for the others against their will received the strangers.


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But these grievously afflicted them whom they had received with joy, and who lived under the same laws.


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But they were struck with blindness: as those others were at the doors of the just man, when they were covered with sudden darkness, and every one sought the passage of his own door.


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For while the elements are changed in themselves, as in an instrument the sound of the quality is changed, yet all keep their sound: which may clearly be perceived by the very sight.


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For the things of the land were turned into things of the water: and the things before swam in the water passed upon the land.


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Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?


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To whom hath the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? and who hath understood the multiplicity of her steps?


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There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of dominion.


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And he poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh according to his gift, and hath given her to them that love him.


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With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed.


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Ana they to whom she shall shew herself love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works.


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The fear of the Lord Is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful.


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Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of prudence: and exalteth the glory of them that hold her.


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In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and religiousness of knowledge: but to sinners wisdom is an abomination.


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A good understanding will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.<pb/>


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Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.


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Humble thy heart, and endure: incline thy ear, and receive the words of understanding: and make not haste in the time of clouds.


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Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God, and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end.


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Take all that shall be brought upon thee: and in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience.


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Believe God, and he will recover thee: and direct thy way, and trust in him. Keep his fear, and grow old therein.


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My children behold the generations of men: and know ye that no one hath hoped in the Lord, and hath been confounded.


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For who hath continued in his commandment, and hath been forsaken? or who hath called upon him, and he despised him?


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For God is compassionate and merciful, and will forgive sins in the day of tribulation: and he is a protector to all that seek him in truth.


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Woe to them that are of a double heart and to wicked lips, and to the hands that do evil, and to the sinner that goeth on the earth two ways.


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Woe to them that are fainthearted, who believe not God: and therefore they shall not be protected by him.


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Woe to them that have lost patience, and that have forsaken the right ways, and have gone aside into crooked ways.


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They that fear the Lord, will not be incredulous to his word: and they that love him, will keep his way.<pb/>


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For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children.


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He that loveth God, shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days.


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He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.


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He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeyeth the father, shall be a comfort to his mother.


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He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his parents, and will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world.


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The father’s blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother’s curse rooteth up the foundation.


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For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father, and a father without honour is the disgrace of the son.


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And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be forgotten.


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And in justice thou shalt be built up, and in the day of affliction thou shalt be remembered: and thy sins shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather.


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Of what an evil fame is he that forsaketh his father: and he is cursed of God that angereth his mother.


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Seek not the things that are too high for thee, and search not into things above thy ability: but the things that God hath commanded thee, think on them always, and in many of his works be not curious.


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A heart that goeth two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein.


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The congregation of the proud shall not be healed: for the plant of wickedness shall take root in them, and it shall not be perceived.


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The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all desire.<pb/>


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Turn not away thy eyes from the poor for fear of anger: and leave not to them that ask of thee to curse thee behind thy back.


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For the prayer of him that curseth thee in the bitterness of his soul, shall be heard, for he that made him will hear him.


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Make thyself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble thy soul to the ancient, and bow thy head to a great man.


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Bow down thy ear cheerfully to the poor, and pay what thou owest, and answer him peaceable words with mildness.


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And thou shalt be as the obedient son of the most High, and he will have mercy on thee more than a mother.


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Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice.


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They that hold her fast, shall inherit life: and whithersoever she entereth, God will give a blessing.


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She will bring upon him fear and dread and trial: and she will scourge him with the affliction of her discipline, till she try him by her laws, and trust his soul.


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And will disclose her secrets to him, and will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and understanding of justice.


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For by the tongue wisdom is discerned: and understanding, and knowledge, and learning by the word of the wise, and steadfastness in the works of justice.


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Set not thy heart upon unjust possessions, and say not: I have enough to live on: for it shall be of no service in the time of vengeance and darkness.


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And say not: How mighty am I? and who shall bring me under for my deeds? for God will surely take revenge.


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Be not anxious for goods unjustly gotten: for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity and revenge.


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Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so is every sinner proved by a double tongue.


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Be steadfast in the way of the Lord, and in the truth of thy judgment, and in knowledge, and let the word of peace and justice keep with thee.


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If thou have understanding, answer thy neighbour: but if not, let thy hand be upon thy mouth, lest thou be surprised in an unskillful word, and be confounded.


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Instead of a friend become not an enemy to thy neighbour: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued.


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For a wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and maketh him to be a joy to his enemies, and shall lead him into the lot of the wicked.


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A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth.


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And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches.


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A friend if he continue steadfast, shall be to thee as thyself, and shall act with confidence among them of thy household.


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If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good.


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Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity.


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A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him.


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He that feareth God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be.


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She shall be to them as a mighty stone of trial, and they will cast her from them before it be long.


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For the wisdom of doctrine is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many, but with them to whom she is known, she continueth even to the sight of God.


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Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and a firm foundation, and her chain a robe of glory:


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My son, if thou wilt attend to me, thou shalt learn: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be wise.


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If thou wilt incline thy ear, thou shalt receive instruction: and if thou love to hear, thou shalt be wise.


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Stand in the multitude of ancients that are wise, and join thyself from thy heart to their wisdom, that thou mayst hear every discourse of God, and the sayings of praise may not escape thee.


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And if thou see a man of understanding, go to him early in the morning, and let thy foot wear the steps of his doors.


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Let thy thoughts be upon the precepts of God, and meditate continually on his commandments: and he will give thee a heart, and the desire of wisdom shall be given thee.<pb/>


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Justify not thyself before God, for he knoweth the heart: and desire not to appear wise before the king.


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Seek not to be made a judge, unless thou have strength enough to extirpate iniquities: lest thou fear the person of the powerful, and lay a stumblingblock for thy integrity.


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Say not: God will have respect to the multitude of my gifts, and when I offer to the most high God, he will accept my offerings.


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Laugh no man to scorn in the bitterness of his soul: for there is one that humbleth and exalteth, God who seeth all.


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Do not transgress against thy friend deferring money, nor despise thy dear brother for the sake of gold.


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Depart not from a wise and good wife, whom thou best gotten in the fear of the Lord: for the grace of her modesty is above gold.


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Let a wise servant be dear to thee as thy own soul, defraud him not of liberty, nor leave him needy.


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If thou hast a wife according to thy soul, cast her not off: and to her that is hateful, trust not thyself. With thy whole heart,


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Remember that thou hadst not been born but through them: and make a return to them as they have done for thee.


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Give them their portion, as it is commanded thee, of the firstfruits and of purifications: and for thy negligences purify thyself with a few.


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Offer to the Lord the gift of thy shoulders, and the sacrifice of sanctification, and the firstfruits of the holy things:


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For gold and silver hath destroyed many, and hath reached even to the heart of kings, and perverted them.


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Despise not a man that turneth away from sin, nor reproach him therewith: remember that we are all worthy of reproof.


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Rejoice not at the death of thy enemy; knowing that we all die, and are not willing that others should rejoice at our death.


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Despise not the discourse of them that are ancient and wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs.


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For of them thou shalt learn wisdom, and instruction of understanding, and to serve great men without blame.


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Kindle not the coals of sinners by rebuking them, lest thou be burnt with the flame of the fire of their sins.


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Stand not against the face of an injurious person, lest he sit as a spy to entrap thee in thy words.


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Go not on the way with a bold man, lest he burden thee with his evils: for he goeth according to his own will, and thou shalt perish together with his folly.


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Quarrel not with a passionate man, and go not into the desert with a bold man: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help he will overthrow thee.<pb/>


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Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, lest she shew in thy regard the malice of a wicked lesson.


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Give not the power of thy soul to a woman, lest she enter upon thy strength, and thou be confounded.


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Use not much the company of her that is a dancer, and hearken not to her, lest thou perish by the force of her charms.


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Many by admiring the beauty of another man’s wife, have become reprobate, for her conversation burneth as fire.


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And strive not with her over wine, lest thy heart decline towards her, and by thy blood thou fall into destruction.


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Be not pleased with the wrong done by the unjust, knowing that even to hell the wicked shall not please.


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Keep thee far from the man that hath power to kill, so thou shalt not suspect the fear of death.<pb/>


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As the judge of the people is himself, so also are his ministers: and what manner of man the ruler of a city is, such also are they that dwell therein.


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An unwise king shall be the ruin of his people: and cities shall be inhabited through the prudence of the rulers.


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The power of the earth is in the hand of God, and in his time he will raise up a profitable ruler over it.


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The prosperity of man is in the hand of God, and upon the person of the scribe he shall lay his honour.


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A kingdom is translated from one people to another, because of injustices, and wrongs, and injuries, and divers deceits.


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There is not a more wicked thing than to love money: for such a one setteth even his own soul to sale: because while he liveth he hath cast away his bowels.


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Because his heart is departed from him that made him: for pride is the beginning of all sin: be that holdeth it, shall be filled with maledictions, and it shall ruin him in the end.


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He hath made some of them to wither away, and hath destroyed them, and hath made the memory of them to cease from the earth.


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God hath abolished the memory of the proud, and hath preserved the memory of them that are humble in mind.


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That seed of men shall be honoured, which feareth God: but that seed shall be dishonoured, which transgresseth the commandments of the Lord.


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In the midst of brethren their chief is honourable: so shall they that fear the Lord, be in his eyes.


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The great man, and the judge, and the mighty is in honour: and there is none greater than he that feareth God.


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They that are free shall serve a servant that is wise: and a man that is prudent and well instructed will not murmur when he is reproved; and he that is ignorant, shall not be honoured.


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Better is he that laboureth, and aboundeth in all things, than he that boasteth himself and wanteth bread.


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Glory not in apparel at any time, and be not exalted in the day of thy honour: for the works of the Highest only are wonderful, and his works are glorious, and secret, and hidden.


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Many mighty men have been greatly brought down, and the glorious have been delivered into the hand of others.


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My son, meddle not with many matters: and if thou be rich, thou shalt not be free from sin: for if thou pursue after thou shalt not overtake: and if thou run before thou shalt not escape.


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There is an ungodly man that laboureth, and maketh haste, and is in sorrow, and is so much the more in want.


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Yet the eye of God hath looked upon him for good, and hath lifted him up from his low estate, and hath exalted his head: and many have wondered at him, and have glorified God.


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Wisdom and discipline, and the knowledge of the law are with God. Love and the ways of good things are with him.


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And he knoweth not what time shall pass, and that death approacheth, and that he must leave all to others, and shall die.


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Be steadfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and grow old in the work of thy commandments.


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The blessing of God maketh haste to reward the just, and in a swift hour his blessing beareth fruit.


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In the day of good things be not unmindful of evils: and in the day of evils be not unmindful of good things:


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The affliction of an hour maketh one forget great delights, and in the end of a man is the disclosing of his works.


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For as corrupted bowels send forth stinking breath, and as the partridge is brought into the cage, and as the roe into the snare: so also is the heart of the proud, and as a spy that looketh on the fall of his neighbour.


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Of one spark cometh a great fire, and of one deceitful man much blood: and a sinful man lieth in wait for blood.<pb/>


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Do good to the just, and thou shalt find great recompense: and if not of him, assuredly of the Lord.


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For there is no good for him that is always occupied in evil, and that giveth no alms: for the Highest hateth sinners, and hath mercy on the penitent.


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Give to the merciful and uphold not the sinner: God will repay vengeance to the ungodly and to sinners, and keep them against the day of vengeance.


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Do good to the humble, and give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not to him, lest thereby he overmaster thee.


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For thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done to him: for the Highest also hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance to the ungodly.


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Set him not by thee, neither let him sit on thy right hand, lest he turn into thy place, and seek to take thy seat: and at the last thou acknowledge my words, and be pricked with my sayings.


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Who will pity an enchanter struck by a serpent, or any that come near wild beasts? so is it with him that keepeth company with a wicked man, and is involved in his sins.


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An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he lieth in wait, to throw thee into a pit.


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An enemy hath tears in his eyes, and while he pretendeth to help thee, will undermine thy feet.<pb/>


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He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: and he that hath fellowship with the proud, shall put on pride.


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He shall take a burden upon him that hath fellowship with one more honourable than himself. And have no fellowship with one that is richer than thyself.


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What agreement shall the earthen pot have with the kettle? for if they knock one against the other, it shall be broken.


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The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he will fume: but the poor is wronged and must hold his peace.


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If thou have any thing, he will live with thee, and will make thee bare, and he will not be sorry for thee.


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If he have need of thee he will deceive thee, and smiling upon thee will put thee in hope; he will speak thee fair, and will say: What wantest thou?


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And he will shame thee by his meats, till he have drawn thee dry twice or thrice, and at last he will laugh at thee: and afterward when he seeth thee, he will forsake thee, and shake his head at thee.


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Be not troublesome to him, lest thou be put back: and keep not far from him, lest thou be forgotten.


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Affect not to speak with him as an equal: and believe not his many words: for by much talk he will sift thee, and smiling will examine thee concerning thy secrets.


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His cruel mind will lay up thy words: and he will not spare to do thee hurt, and to cast thee into prison.


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Take heed to thyself, and attend diligently to what thou hearest: for thou walkest in danger of thy ruin.


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When a rich man is shaken, he is kept up by his friends: but when a poor man is fallen down, he is thrust away even by his acquaintance.


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When a rich man hath been deceived, he hath many helpers: he hath spoken proud things, and they have justified him.<pb/>


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Blessed is the man that hath not slipped by a word out of his mouth, and is not pricked with the remorse of sin.


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Riches are not comely for a covetous man and a niggard, and what should an envious man do with gold?


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He that gathereth together by wronging his own soul, gathereth for others, and another will squander away his goods in rioting.


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And if he do good, he doth it ignorantly, and unwillingly: and at the last he discovereth his wickedness.


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The eye of the covetous man is insatiable in his portion of iniquity: he will not be satisfied till he consume his own soul, drying it up.


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An evil eye is towards evil things: and he shall not have his fill of bread, but shall be needy and pensive at his own table.


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Remember that death is not slow, and that the covenant of hell hath been shewn to thee: for the covenant of this world shall surely die.


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Do good to thy friend before thou die, and according to thy ability, stretching out thy hand give to the poor.


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Some grow, and some fall off: so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born.


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Blessed is the man that shall continue in wisdom, and that shall meditate in his justice, and in his mind shall think of the all seeing eye of God.


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He that considereth her ways in his heart, and hath understanding in her secrets, who goeth after her as one that traceth, and stayeth in her ways:


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He that lodgeth near her house, and fastening a pin in her walls shall set up his tent nigh unto her, where good things shall rest in his lodging for ever.


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With the bread of life and understanding, she shall feed him, and give him the water of wholesome wisdom to drink: and she shall be made strong in him, and he shall not be moved:


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And she shall hold him fast, and he shall not be confounded: and she shall exalt him among his neighbours.


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And in the midst of the church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory.


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She shall heap upon him a treasure of joy and gladness, and shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.


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But foolish men shall not obtain her, and wise men shall meet her, foolish men shall not see her: for she is far from pride and deceit.


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Lying men shall not be mindful of her: but men that speak truth shall be found with her, and shall advance, even till they come to the sight of God.


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For wisdom came forth from God: for praise shall be with the wisdom of God, and shall abound in a faithful mouth, and the sovereign Lord will give praise unto it.


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If thou wilt keep the commandments and perform acceptable fidelity for ever, they shall preserve thee.


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Rejoice not in ungodly children, if they be multiplied: neither be delighted in them, if the fear of God be not with them.


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In the congregation of sinners a fire shall be kindled, and in an unbelieving nation wrath shall dame out.


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The ancient giants did not obtain pardon for their sins, who were destroyed trusting to their own strength:


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So did he with the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their heart: and if one had been stiffnecked, it is a wonder if he had escaped unpunished:


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The sinner shall not escape in his rapines, and the patience of him that sheweth mercy shall not be put off.


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All mercy shall make a place for every man according to the merit of his works, and according to the wisdom of his sojournment.


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Behold the heaven, and the heavens of heavens, the deep, and all the earth, and the things that are in them, shall be moved in his sight,


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The mountains also, and the hills, and the foundations of the earth: when God shall look upon them, they shall be shaken with trembling.


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For many of his works are hidden: hut the works of his justice who shall declare? or who shall endure? for the testament is far from some, and the examination of all is in the end.


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He that wanteth understanding thinketh vain things: and the foolish, and erring man, thinketh foolish things.


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Hearken to me, my son, and learn the discipline of understanding, and attend to my words in thy heart.


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And I will shew forth good doctrine in equity, and will seek to declare wisdom: and attend to my words in thy heart, whilst with equity of spirit I tell thee the virtues that God hath put upon his works from the beginning, and I shew forth in truth his knowledge.


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The works of God are done in judgment from the beginning, and from the making of them he distinguished their parts, and their beginnings in their generations.


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He beautified their works for ever, they have neither hungered, nor laboured, and they have not ceased from their works.


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He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth.


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He created of him a helpmate like to himself: he gave them counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, and ears, and a heart to devise: and he filled them with the knowledge of understanding.


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He created in them the science of the spirit, he filled their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil.


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That they might praise the name which he hath sanctified: and glory in his wondrous acts, that they might declare the glorious things of his works.


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And their eye saw the majesty of his glory. and their ears heard his glorious voice, and he said to them: Beware of all iniquity.


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And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways.


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The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and shall preserve the grace of a man as the apple of the eye:


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And afterward he shall rise up, and shall render them their reward, to every one upon their own head, and shall turn them down into the bowels of the earth.


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But to the penitent he hath given the way of justice, and he hath strengthened them that were fainting in patience, and hath appointed to them the lot of truth.


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And know the justices and judgments of God, and stand firm in the lot set before thee, and in prayer to the most high God.


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Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing.


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Give thanks whilst thou art living, whilst thou art alive and in health thou shalt give thanks, and shalt praise God, and shalt glory in his mercies.


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For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and they are delighted with the vanity of evil.


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What is brighter than the sun; yet it shall be eclipsed. Or what is more wicked than that which flesh and blood hath invented? and this shall be reproved.


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He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.


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The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity.


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He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.


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He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.


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My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.


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Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.


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Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever.


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Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.


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From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.


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They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments.


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Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.<pb/>


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A workman that is a drunkard shall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things, shall fall by little and little.


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And he that joineth himself to harlots, will be wicked. Rottenness and worms shall inherit him, and he shall be lifted up for a greater example, and his soul shall be taken away out of the number.


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He that is hasty to give credit, is light of heart, and shall be lessened: and he that sinneth against his own soul, shall be despised.


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He that rejoiceth in iniquity, shall be censured, and he that hateth chastisement, shall have less life: and he that hateth babbling, extinguisheth evil.


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He that sinneth against his own soul, shall repent: and he that is delighted with wickedness, shall be condemned.


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For he will hearken to thee, and will watch thee, and as it were defending thy sin he will hate thee, and so will he be with thee always.


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Hast thou heard a word against thy neighbour? let it die within thee, trusting that it will not burst thee.


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At the hearing of a word the fool is in travail, as a woman groaning. in the bringing forth a child.


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Reprove a friend, lest he may not have understood, and say: I did it not: or if he did it, that he may do it no more.


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Reprove thy neighbour, for it may be he hath not said it: and if he hath said it, that he may not say it again.


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For who is there that hath not offended with his tongue? Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him.


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And give place to the fear of the most High: for the fear of God is all wisdom, and therein is to fear God, and the disposition of the law is in all wisdom.


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There is a subtle wickedness, and the same is detestable: and there is a man that is foolish, wanting in wisdom.


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Better is a man that hath less wisdom, and wanteth understanding, with the fear of God, than he that aboundeth in understanding, and transgresseth the law of the most High.


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And there is one that uttereth an exact word telling the truth. There is one that humbleth himself wickedly, and his interior is full of deceit:


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And there is one that submitteth himself exceedingly with a great lowliness: and there is one that casteth down his countenance, and maketh as if he did not see that which is unknown:


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And if he be hindered from sinning for want of power, if he shall find opportunity to do evil, he will do it.


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How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer.


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There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.


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There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time.


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A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.


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He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated.


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There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there is a finding that turneth to loss.


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There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall lift up his head from a low estate.


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He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire.


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For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn!


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For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had.


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The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.


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There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness, and by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect of person he will destroy himself.


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A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline.


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He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he that worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men shall escape iniquity.


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Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct.


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My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be forgiven thee.


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Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee.


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Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very rich shall be brought to nothing by pride: so the substance of the proud shall be rooted out.


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The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of God, and judgment shall come for him speedily.


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He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart.


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He that buildeth his house at other men’s charges, is as he that gathereth himself stones to build in the winter.


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But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil: and there is no understanding where there is bitterness.


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The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life.


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A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall displease him, and he will cast it behind his back.


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The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the lips of the wise, grace shall be found.


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The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they will think upon his words in their hearts.


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As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense.


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The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour’s house: but a man of experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty.


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The lips of the unwise will be telling foolish things but the words of the wise shall be weighed in a balance.<pb/>


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A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that confoundeth, becometh a disgrace to her father.


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She that is bold shameth both her father and husband, and will not be inferior to the ungodly: and shall be disgraced by them both.


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A tale out of time is like music in mourning: but the stripes and instruction of wisdom are never out of time.


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He speaketh with one that is asleep, who uttereth wisdom to a fool: and in the end of the discourse he saith: Who is this?


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The mourning for the dead is seven days: but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of their life.


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Keep thyself from him, that thou mayst not have trouble, and thou shalt not be defiled with his sin.


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Sand and salt, and a mass of iron is easier to bear, than a man without sense, that is both foolish and wicked.


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A frame of wood bound together in the foundation of a building, shall not be loosed: so neither shall the heart that is established by advised counsel.


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As pales set in high places, and plasterings made without cost, will not stand against the face of the wind:


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As a fearful heart in the thought of a fool at all times will not fear, so neither shall he that continueth always in the commandments of God.


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He that pricketh the eye, bringeth out tears: and he that pricketh the heart, bringeth forth resentment.


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He that flingeth a stone at birds, shall drive them away: so he that upbraideth his friend, breaketh friendship.


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Although thou hast drawn a sword at a friend, despair not: for there may be a returning. To a friend,


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If thou hast opened a sad mouth, fear not, for there may be a reconciliation: except upbraiding, and reproach, and pride, and disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for in all these cases a friend will flee away.<pb/>


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O Lord, father, and sovereign ruler of my life, leave me not to their counsel: nor suffer me to fall by them.


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Who will set scourges over my thoughts, and the discipline of wisdom over my heart, that they spare me not in their ignorances, and that their sins may not appear:


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Lest my ignorance increase, and my offences be multiplied, and my sins abound, and I fall before my adversaries, and my enemy rejoice over me?


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Take from me the greediness of the belly, and let not the lusts of the flesh take hold of me, and give me not over to a shameless and foolish mind.


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Hear, O ye children, the discipline of the mouth: and he that will keep it shall not perish by his lips, nor be brought to fall into most wicked works.


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And let not the naming of God be usual in thy mouth, and meddle not with the names of saints, for thou shalt not escape free from them.


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For as a slave daily put to the question, is never without a blue mark: so every one that sweareth, and nameth, shall not be wholly pure from sin.


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A man that sweareth much, shall be filled with iniquity, and a scourge shall not depart from his house.


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And if he swear in vain, he shall not be justified: for his house shall be filled with his punishment.


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Lest God forget thee in their sight, and thou, by thy daily custom, be infatuated and suffer reproach: and wish that thou hadst not been born, and curse the day of thy nativity.


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Darkness compasseth me about, and the walls cover me, and no man seeth me: whom do I fear? the most High will not remember my sins.


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And he understandeth not that his eye seeth all things, for such a man’s fear driveth from him the fear of God, and the eyes of men fearing him:


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And he knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are far brighter than the sun, beholding round about all the ways of men, and the bottom of the deep, and looking into the hearts of men, into the most hidden parts.<pb/>


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Wisdom shall praise her own self, and shall be honoured in God, and shall glory in the midst of her people,


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And shall open her mouth in the churches of the most High, and shall glorify herself in the sight of his power,


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And in the multitude of the elect she shall have praise, and among the blessed she shall be blessed, saying:


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I made that in the heavens there should rise light that never faileth, and as a cloud I covered all the earth:


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I alone have compassed the circuit of heaven, and have penetrated into the bottom of the deep, and have walked in the waves of the sea,


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And by my power I have trodden under my feet the hearts of all the high and low: and in all these I sought rest, and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord.


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Then the creator of all things commanded, and said to me: and he that made me, rested in my tabernacle,


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And he said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy inheritance in Israel, and take root in my elect.


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From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him.


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And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem.


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And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints.


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I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon. and aromatical balm: I yielded a sweet odour like the best myrrh:


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And I perfumed my dwelling as storax, and galbanum, and onyx, and aloes, and as the frankincense not cut, and my odour is as the purest balm.


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As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour: and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches.


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All these things are the book of life, and the covenant of the most High, and the knowledge of truth.


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Moses commanded a law in the precepts of justices, and an inheritance to the house of Jacob, and the promises to Israel.


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He appointed to David his servant to raise up of him a most mighty king, and sitting on the throne of glory for ever.<pb/>


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Nine things that are not to be imagined by the heart have I magnified, and the tenth I will utter to men with my tongue.


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Blessed is he. that dwelleth with a wise woman, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served such as are unworthy of him.


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How great is he that findeth wisdom and knowledge! but there is none above him that feareth the Lord.


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Blessed is the man, to whom it is given to have the fear of God: he that holdeth it, to whom shall he be likened?


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The fear of God is the beginning of his love: and the beginning of faith is to be fast joined unto it.


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And there is no anger above the anger of a woman. It will be more agreeable to abide with a lion and a dragon, than to dwell with a wicked woman.


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The wickedness of a woman changeth her face: and she darkeneth her countenance as a bear: and sheweth it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbours,


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A good wife is a good portion, she shall be given in the portion of them that fear God, to a man for his good deeds.


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As a yoke of oxen that is moved to and fro, so also is a wicked woman: he that hath hold of her, is as he that taketh hold of a scorpion.


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On a daughter that turneth not away herself, set a strict watch: lest finding an opportunity she abuse herself.


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She will open her mouth as a thirsty traveller to the fountain, and will drink of every water near her, and will sit down by every hedge, and open her quiver against every arrow, until she fail.


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As the sun when it riseth to the world in the high places of God, so is the beauty of a good wife for the ornament of her house.


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As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God In the heart of a holy woman.


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As a stake sticketh fast in the midst of the joining of stones, so also in the midst of selling and buying, sin shall stick fast.


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As when one sifteth with a sieve, the dust will remain: so will the perplexity of a man in his thoughts.


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Be the dressing of a tree sheweth the fruit thereof, so a word out of the thought of the heart of man.


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If thou followest justice, thou shalt obtain her: and shalt put her on as a long robe of honour, and thou shalt dwell with her: and she shall protect thee for ever, and in the day of acknowledgment thou shalt find a strong foundation.


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The speech that sweareth much shall make the hair of the head stand upright: and its irreverence shall make one stop his ears.


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He that discloseth the secret of a friend loseth his credit, and shall never find a friend to his mind.


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For as a man that destroyeth his friend, so also is he that destroyeth the friendship of his neighbour.


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And as one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and thou shalt not get him again.


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Follow after him no more, for he is gone afar off, he is fled, as a roe escaped out of the snare: because his soul is wounded.


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In the sight of thy eyes he will sweeten his mouth, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and on thy words he will lay a stumblingblock.


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If one cast a stone on high, it will fall upon his own head: and the deceitful stroke will wound the deceitful.


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He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that setteth a stone for his neighbour, shall stumble upon it: and he that layeth a snare for another, shall perish in it.


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A mischievous counsel shall be rolled back upon the author, and he shall not know from whence it cometh to him.<pb/>


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He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.


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Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurl thee: and then shall thy sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest.


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He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins?


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For a passionate man kindleth strife, and a sinful man will trouble his friends, and bring in debate in the midst of them that are at peace.


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For as the wood of the forest is, so the fire burneth: and as a man’s strength is, so shall his anger be, and according to his riches he shall increase his anger.


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A hasty contention kindleth a fire: and a hasty quarrel sheddeth blood: and a tongue that beareth witness bringeth death.


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If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire: and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: both come out of the mouth.


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He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have rest, neither shall he have a friend in whom he may repose.


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Blessed is he that is defended from a wicked tongue, that hath not passed into the wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands.


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Its continuance shall not be for a long time, but it shall possess the ways of the unjust: and the just shall not be burnt with its flame.<pb/>


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He that sheweth mercy, lendeth to his neighbour: and he that is stronger in hand, keepeth the commandments.


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Reap thy word, and deal faithfully with him: and thou shalt always find that which is necessary for thee.


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Many have looked upon a thing lent as a thing found, and have given trouble to them that helped them.


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But when they should repay, they will ask time, and will return tedious and murmuring words, and will complain of the time:


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And if he be able to pay, he will stand off, he will scarce pay one half, and will count it as if he had found it:


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And he will pay him with reproaches and curses, and instead of honour and good turn will repay him injuries.


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Many have refused to lend, not out of wickedness, but they were afraid to be defrauded without cause.


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Help the poor because of the commandment: and send him not away empty handed because of his poverty.


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Place thy treasure in the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold.


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A sinner attributeth to himself the goods of his surety: and he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him that delivered him.


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It hath made powerful men to go from place to place round about, and they have wandered in strange countries.


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A sinner that transgresseth the commandment of the Lord, shall fall into an evil suretyship: and he that undertaketh many things, shall fall into judgment.


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Better is the poor man’s fare under a roof of boards, than sumptuous cheer abroad in another man’s house.<pb/>


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He that loveth his son, frequently chastiseth him, that he may rejoice in his latter end, and not grope after the doors of his neighbours.


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He that instructeth his son shall be praised in him, and shall glory in him in the midst of them of his household.


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He that teacheth his son, maketh his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends he shall glory in him.


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His father is dead, and he is as if he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself.


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While he lived he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died he was not sorrowful, neither was he confounded before his enemies.


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For he left behind him a defender of his house against his enemies, and one that will requite kindness to his friends.


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For the souls of his sons he shall bind up his wounds, and at every cry his bowels shall be troubled.


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Give thy son his way, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he shall make thee sorrowful.


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Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of heart to thee.


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Better is a poor man who is sound, and strong of constitution, than a rich man who is weak and afflicted with evils.


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Health of the soul in holiness of justice, is better then all gold and silver: and a sound body, than immense revenues.


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There is no riches above the riches of the health of the body: and there is no pleasure above the joy of the heart.


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The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life.


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Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee.


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The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.


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The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.


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He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.


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Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.


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Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.


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Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:


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Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.


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What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.


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And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all: and be not the first to ask for drink.


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How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain.


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Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.


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And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness upon thy body.


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The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.


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Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.


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Have care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place:


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That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution.


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As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine.


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Before a storm goeth lightning: and before shamefacedness goeth favour: and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.


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And at the time of rising be not slack: but be first to run home to thy house, and there withdraw thyself, and there take thy pastime.


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And for all these things bless the Lord, that made thee, and that replenisheth thee with all his good things.


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He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing.


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He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein.


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Even after he hath done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking.


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No evils shall happen to him that feareth the Lord, but in temptation God will keep him, and deliver him from evils.


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A wise man hateth not the commandments and justices, and he shall not be dashed in pieces as a ship in a storm.


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He that cleareth up a question, shall prepare what to say, and so having prayed he shall be heard, and shall keep discipline, and then he shall answer.


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A friend that is a mocker, is like a stallion horse: he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.


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Why doth one day excel another, and one light another, and one year another year, when all come of the sun?


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By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished, the sun being made, and keeping his commandment.


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Some of them God made high and great days, and some of them he put in the number of ordinary days. And all men are from the ground, and out of the earth, from whence Adam was created.


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Some of them hath he blessed, and exalted: and some of them hath he sanctified, and set near himself: and some of them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned them from their station.


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All his ways are according to his ordering: so man is in the hand of him that made him, and he will render to him according to his judgment.


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Good is set against evil, and life against death: so also is the sinner against a just man. And so look upon all the works of the most High. Two and two, and one against another.


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In the blessing of God I also have hoped: and as one that gathereth grapes, have I filled the winepress.


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Give not to son or wife, brother or friend, power over thee while thou livest; and give not thy estate to another, lest then repent, and thou entreat for the same.


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For it is better that thy children should ask of thee, than that thou look toward the hands of thy children.


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Let no stain sully thy glory. In the time when thou shalt end the days of thy life, and in the time of thy decease, distribute thy inheritance.


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Set him to work: for so it is fit for him. And if he be not obedient, bring him down with fetters, but be not excessive towards any one: and do no grievous thing without judgment.


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If thou have a faithful servant, let him be to thee as thy own soul: treat him as a brother: because in the blood of thy soul thou hast gotten him.<pb/>


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The man that giveth heed to lying visions, is like to him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.


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The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another: as when a man’s likeness is before the face of a man.


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And the heart fancieth as that of a woman in travail: except it be a vision sent forth from the most High, set no thy heart upon them.


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The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful.


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What doth he know, that hath not been tried? A man that hath much experience, shall think of many things: and he that hath learned many things, shall shew forth understanding.


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He that hath no experience, knoweth little: and he that hath been experienced in many things, multiplieth prudence.


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He that hath not been tried, what manner of things doth he know? he that hath been surprised, shall abound with subtlety.


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Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I have been delivered by the grace of God.


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The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, he is their powerful protector, and strong stay, a defence from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon,


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A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling; he raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth health, and life, and blessing.


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The offering of him that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable.


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The most High approveth not the gifts of the wicked: neither hath he respect to the oblations of the unjust, nor will he be pacified for sins by the multitude of their sacrifices.


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He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor, is as one that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father.


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The bread of the needy, is the life of the poor: he that defraudeth them thereof, is a man of blood.


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And to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins.


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To depart from iniquity is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins.


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The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the most High.


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Give to the most High according to what he hath given to thee, and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands:


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And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and there is not with him respect of person.


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The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged.


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He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.


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For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them.


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He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds.<pb/>


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And send thy fear upon the nations, that have not sought after thee: that they may know that there is no God beside thee, and that they may shew forth thy wonders.


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For as thou hast been sanctified in us in their sight, so thou shalt be magnified among them in our presence,


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Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of the fire: and let them perish that oppress thy people.


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Gather together all the tribes of Jacob: that they may know that there is no God besides thee, and may declare thy great works: and thou shalt inherit them as from the beginning.


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Have mercy on thy people, upon whom thy name is invoked: and upon Israel, whom thou hast raised up to be thy firstborn.


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Give testimony to them that are thy creatures from the beginning, and raise up the prophecies which the former prophets spoke in thy name.


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Reward them that patiently wait for thee, that thy prophets may be found faithful: and hear the prayers of thy servants,


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According to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, and direct us into the way of justice, and let all know that dwell upon the earth, that thou art God the beholder of all ages.


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If she have a tongue that can cure, and likewise mitigate and shew mercy: her husband is not like other men.


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He that possesseth a good wife, beginneth a possession: she is a help like to himself, and a pillar of rest.<pb/>


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Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death?


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There is a companion who rejoiceth with his friend in his joys, but in the time of trouble, he will be against him.


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There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his belly’s sake, and he will take up a shield against enemy.


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Treat not with a man without religion concerning holiness, nor with an unjust man concerning justice, nor with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous, nor with a coward concerning war, nor with a merchant about traffic, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an envious man of giving thanks,


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Nor with the ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of honesty, nor with the held labourer of every work,


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Nor with him that worketh by the year of the finishing of the year, nor with an idle servant of much business: give no heed to these in any matter of counsel.


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Whose soul is according to thy own soul: and who, when thou shalt stumble in the dark, will be sorry for thee.


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And establish within thyself a heart of good counsel: for there is no other thing of more worth to thee than it.


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The soul of a holy man discovereth sometimes true things, more than seven watchmen that sit in a high piece to watch.


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A wicked word shall change the beast: out of which four manner of things arise, good and evil, life and death: and the tongue is continually the ruler of them. There is a man that is subtle and a teacher of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.


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There is a wise man that is wise to his own soul: and the fruit of his understanding is commendable.


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The skill of the physician shall lift up his head, and in the sight of great men he shall be praised.


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The virtue of these things is come to the knowledge of men, and the meet High hath given knowledge to men, that he may be honoured in his wonders.


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By these he shall cure and shall allay their pains, and of these the apothecary shall make sweet confections, and shall make up ointments of health, and of his works there shall be no end.


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Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour, and make a fat offering, and then give place to the physician.


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And they shall beseech the Lord, that he would prosper what they give for ease and remedy, for their conversation.


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My son, shed tears over the dead, and begin to lament as if thou hadst suffered some great harm, and according to judgment cover his body, and neglect not his burial.


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And for fear of being ill spoken of weep bitterly for a, day, and then comfort thyself in thy sadness.


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For of sadness cometh death, and it overwhelmeth the strength, and the sorrow of the heart boweth down the neck.


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The wisdom of a scribe cometh by his time of leisure: and he that is less in action, shall receive wisdom.


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With what wisdom shall he be furnished that holdeth the plough, and that glorieth in the goad, that driveth the oxen therewith, and is occupied in their labours, and his whole talk is about the offspring of bulls?


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So every craftsman and workmaster that laboureth night and day, he who maketh graven seals, and by his continual diligence varieth the figure: he shall give his mind to the resemblance of the picture, and by his watching shall finish the work.


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So doth the smith sitting by the anvil and considering the iron work. The vapour of the fire wasteth his flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace.


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The noise of the hammer is always in his ears, and his eye is upon the pattern of the vessel he maketh.


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So doth the potter sitting at his work, turning the wheel about with his feet, who is always carefully set to his work, and maketh all his work by number:


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He will search out the hidden meanings of proverbs, and will be conversant in the secrets of parables.


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He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the most High.


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And he will pour forth the words of his wisdom as showers, and in his prayer he will confess to the Lord.


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He shall shew forth the discipline he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.


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The memory of him shall not depart away, and his name shall be in request from generation to generation.


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If he continue, he shall leave a name above a thousand: and if he rest, it shall be to his advantage.


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By a voice he saith: Hear me, ye divine offspring, and bud forth as the rose planted by the brooks of waters.


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Send forth flowers, as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in his works.


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Magnify his name, and give glory to him with the voice of your lips, and with the canticles of your mouths, and with harps, and in praising him, you shall say in this manner:


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And as a flood hath watered the earth; so shall his wrath inherit the nations, that have not sought after him:


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Even as he turned the waters into a dry land, and the earth was made dry: and his ways were made plain for their journey: so to sinners they are stumblingblocks in his wrath.


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The principal things necessary for the life of men, are water, fire, and iron, salt, milk, and bread of flour, and honey, and the cluster of the grape, and oil, and clothing.


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All these things shall be for good to the holy, so to the sinners and the ungodly they shall be turned into evil.


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In the time of destruction they shall pour out their force: and they shall appease the wrath of him that made them.


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Great labour is created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the children of Adam, from the day of their coming out of their mother’s womb, until the day of their burial into the mother of all.


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Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end:


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From him that weareth purple, and beareth the crown, even to him that is covered with rough linen: wrath, envy, trouble, unquietness, and the fear of death, continual anger, and strife,


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He is troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in the day of battle. In the time of his safety he rose up, and wondereth that there is no fear:


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Moreover, death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction, and scourges:


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All things that are of the earth, shall return to the earth again, and all waters shall return to the sea.


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The riches of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall pass sway a noise like a great thunder in rain.


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The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, and make a noise as unclean roots upon the top of a rock.


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The weed growing over every water, and at the bank of the river, shall be pulled up before all grass.


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The life of a labourer that is content with what he hath, shall be sweet, and in it thou shalt find a treasure.


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Children, and the building of a city shall establish a name, but a blameless wife shall be counted above them both.


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The life of him that looketh toward another man’s table is not to be counted a life: for he feedeth his soul with another man’s meat.<pb/>


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To a man that is at rest, and whose ways are prosperous in all things, and that is yet able to take meat!


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Who is in a decrepit age, and that is in care about all things, and to the distrustful that loseth patience!


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Fear not the sentence of death. Remember what things have been before thee, and what shall come after thee: this sentence is from the Lord upon all flesh.


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And what shall come upon thee by the good pleasure of the most High? Whether ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years.


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The children of sinners become children of abominations, and they that converse near the houses of the ungodly.


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The inheritance of the children of sinners shall perish, and with their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach.


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And if you be born, you shall be born in malediction: and if you die, in malediction shall be your portion.


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All things that are of the earth, shall return into the earth: so the ungodly shall from malediction to destruction.


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Take care of a good name: for this shall continue with thee, more than a thousand treasures precious and great.


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My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is there in them both?


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Be ashamed of fornication before father and mother: and of a lie before a governor and a man in power:


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Of theft, and of the truth of God, and the covenant: of leaning with thy elbow over meat, and of deceit in giving and taking:<pb/>


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Repeat not the word which thou hast heard, and disclose not the thing that is secret; so shalt thou be truly without confusion, and shall find favour before all men: be not ashamed of any of these things, and accept no person to sin thereby:


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Of the corruption of buying, and of merchants, and of much correction of children, and to make the side of a wicked slave to bleed.


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Where there are many hands, shut up, and deliver all things in number, and weight: and put all in writing that thou givest out or receivest in.


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Be not ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish, and the aged, that are judged I by young men: and thou shalt be well instructed in all things, and well approved in the sight of all men living.


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The father waketh for the daughter when no man knoweth, and the care for her taketh away his sleep, when she is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age, and when she is married, lest she should be hateful:


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In her virginity, lest she should be corrupted, and be found with child in her father’s house: and having a husband, lest she should misbehave herself, or at the least become barren.


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Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter: lest at any time she make thee become a laughingstock to thy enemies, and a byword in the city, and a reproach among the people, and she make thee ashamed before all the multitude.


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For better is the iniquity of a man, than a woman doing a good turn, and a woman bringing shame and reproach.


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I will now remember the works of the Lord, and I will declare the things I have seen. By the words of the Lord are his works.


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Hath not the Lord made the saints to declare all his wonderful works, which the Lord Almighty hath firmly settled to be established for his glory?


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For the Lord knoweth all knowledge, and hath beheld the signs of the world, he declareth the things that are past, and the things that are to come, and revealeth the traces of hidden things.


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He hath beautified the glorious works of his wisdom: and he Is from eternity to eternity, and to him nothing may be added,


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The sun when he appeareth shewing forth at his rising, an admirable instrument, the work of the most High.


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At noon he burneth the earth, and who can abide his burning heat? As one keeping a furnace in the works of heat:


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The sun three times as much, burneth the mountains, breathing out fiery vapours, and shining with his beams, he blindeth the eyes.


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It encompasseth the heaven about with the circle of its glory, the hands of the most High have displayed it.


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By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall apace, and sendeth forth swiftly the lightnings of his judgment.


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And as the birds lighting upon the earth, he scattereth snow, and the falling thereof, is as the coming down of locusts.


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The eye admireth at the beauty of the whiteness thereof, and the heart is astonished at the shower thereof.


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He shall pour frost as salt upon the earth: and when it freezeth, it shall become like the tops of thistles.


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The cold north wind bloweth, and the water is congealed into crystal; upon every gathering together of waters it shall rest, and shall clothe the waters as a breastplate.


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And it shall devour the mountains, and burn the wilderness, and consume all that is green as with fire.


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A present remedy of all is the speedy coming of a cloud, and a dew that meeteth it, by the heat that cometh, shall overpower it.


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At his word the wind is still, and with his thought he appeaseth the deep, and the Lord hath planted islands therein.


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Let them that sail on the sea, tell the dangers thereof: and when we hear with our ears, we shall admire.


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There are great and wonderful works: a variety of beasts, and of all living things, and the monstrous creatures of whales.


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Glorify the Lord as much as ever you can, for he will yet far exceed, and his magnificence is wonderful.


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Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets,


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And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.


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And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them.


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And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.


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The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood.


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Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and there was not found the like to him in glory, who kept the law of the most High, and was in covenant with him.


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Therefore by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth,<pb/>


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He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease.


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He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory.


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And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction, that he might teach Jacob his covenant, and Israel his judgments.


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He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the nation, and made him blessed in glory,


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And he girded him about with a glorious girdle, and clothed him with a robe of glory, and crowned him with majestic attire.


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He put upon him a garment to the feet, and breeches, and as ephod, and he compassed him with many little bells of gold all round about,


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That as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people.


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He gave him a holy robe of gold, and blue, and purple, a woven work of a wise man, endued with judgment and truth:


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Of twisted scarlet the work of an artist, with precious stones cut and set in gold, and graven by the work of a lapidary for a memorial, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.


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And a crown of gold upon his mitre wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour: a work of power, and delightful to the eyes for its beauty.


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No stranger was ever clothed with them, but only his children alone, and his grandchildren for ever.


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This was made to him for an everlasting testament, and to his seed as the days of heaven, to execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise, and to glorify his people in his name.


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He chose him out of all men living, to offer sacrifice to God, incense, and a good savour, for a memorial to make reconciliation for his people:


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And he gave him power in his commandments, in the covenants of his judgments, that he should teach Jacob his testimonies, and give light to Israel in his law.


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And strangers stood up against him, and through envy the men that were with Dathan and Abiron, compassed him about in the wilderness, and the congregation of Core in their wrath.


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And he added glory to Aaron, and gave him an inheritance, and divided unto him the firstfruits of the increase of the earth.


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He prepared them bread in the first place unto fulness: for the sacrifices also of the Lord they shall eat, which he gave to him, and to his seed.<pb/>


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Valiant in war was Jesus the son of Nave, who was successor of Moses among the prophets, who was great according to his name,


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Very great for the saving the elect of God, to overthrow the enemies that rose up against them, that he might get the inheritance for Israel.


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How great glory did he gain when he lifted up his hands, and stretched out swords against the cities?


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He called upon the most high Sovereign when the enemies assaulted him on every side, and the great and holy God heard him by hailstones of exceeding great force.


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He made a violent assault against the nation of his enemies, and in the descent he destroyed the adversaries.


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That the nations might know his power, that it is not easy to fight against God. And he followed the mighty one:


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And in the days of Moses he did a work of mercy, he and Caleb the son of Jephone, in standing against the enemy, and withholding the people from sins, and appeasing the wicked murmuring.


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And they two being appointed, were delivered out of the danger from among the number of six hundred thousand men on foot, to bring them into their inheritance, into the land that floweth with milk and honey.


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And the Lord gave strength also to Caleb, and his strength continued even to his old age, so that he went up to the high places of the land, and his seed obtained it for an inheritance:


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Then all the judges, every one by name, whose heart was not corrupted: who turned not away from the Lord,


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Samuel the prophet of the Lord, the beloved of the Lord his God, established a new government, and anointed princes over his people.


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By the law of the Lord he judged the congregation, and the God of Jacob beheld, and by his fidelity he was proved a prophet.


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And called upon the name of the Lord Almighty, in fighting against the enemies who beset him on every side, when he offered a lamb without blemish.


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He played with lions as with lambs: and with bears he did in like manner as with the lambs of the flock, in his youth.


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For he called upon the Lord the Almighty, and he gave strength in his right hand, to take away the mighty warrior, and to set up the horn of his nation.


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So in ten thousand did he glorify him, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in offering to him a crown of glory:


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For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and extirpated the Philistines the adversaries unto this day: he broke their horn for ever.


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With his whole heart he praised the Lord, and loved God that made him: and he gave him power against his enemies:


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And to the festivals he added beauty, and set in order the solemn times even to the end of his life, that they should praise the holy name of the Lord, and magnify the holiness of God in the morning.


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The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn for ever: and he gave him a covenant of the kingdom, and a throne of glory in Israel.


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Solomon reigned in days of peace, and God brought all his enemies under him, that he might build a house in his name, and prepare a sanctuary for ever: O how wise wast thou in thy youth!


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And thou didst multiply riddles in parables: thy name went abroad to the islands far off, and thou wast beloved in thy peace.


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Thou hast stained thy glory, and defiled thy seed so as to bring wrath upon thy children, and to have thy folly kindled,


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But God will not leave off his mercy, and he will not destroy, nor abolish his own works, neither will he out up by the roots the offspring of his elect: and he will not utterly take away the seed of him that loveth the Lord.


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He brought a famine upon them, and they that provoked him in their envy, were reduced to a small number, for they could not endure the commandments of the Lord.


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Who broughtest down kings to destruction, and brokest easily their power in pieces, and the glorious from their bed.


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Who art registered in the judgments of times to appease the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.


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Elias was indeed covered with the whirlwind, and his spirit was filled up in Eliseus: in his days he feared not the prince, and no man was more powerful than he.


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For all this the people repented not, neither did they depart from their sins till they were cast out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth.


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Ezechias fortified his city, and brought in water into the midst thereof, and he digged a rock with iron, and made a well for water.


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In his days Sennacherib came up, and sent Rabsaces, and lifted up his hand against them, and he stretched out his hand against Sion, and became proud through his power.


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And they called upon the Lord who is merciful, and spreading their hands, they lifted them up to heaven: and the holy Lord God quickly heard their voice.


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He was not mindful of their sins, neither did he deliver them up to their enemies, but he purified them by the hand of Isaias, the holy prophet.


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For Ezechias did that which pleased God, and walked valiantly in the way of David his father, which Isaias, the great prophet, and faithful in the sight of God, had commanded him.<pb/>


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He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness.


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They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremias.


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For they treated him evil, who was consecrated a prophet from his mother’s womb, to overthrow, and pluck up, and destroy, and to build again, and renew.


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For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of rain, and of doing good to them that shewed right ways.


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And may the bones of the twelve prophets spring up out of their place: for they strengthened Jacob, and redeemed themselves by strong faith.


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In like manner Jesus the son of Josedec? who in their days built the house, and set up a holy temple to the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory.


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And let Nehemias be a long time remembered, who raised up for us our walls that were cast down, and set up the gates and the bars, who rebuilt our houses.


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Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple.


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By him also the height of the temple was founded, the double building and the high walls of the temple.


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He prevailed to enlarge the city, and obtained glory in his conversation with the people: and enlarged the entrance of the house and the court.


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And as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of the spring, and as the lilies that are on the brink of the water, and as the sweet smelling frankincense in the time of summer.


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As an olive tree budding forth, and a cypress tree rearing itself on high, when he put on the robe of glory, and was clothed with the perfection of power.


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And when he took the portions out of the hands of the priests, he himself stood by the altar. And about him was the ring of his brethren: and as the cedar planted in mount Libanus,


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And as branches of palm trees, they stood round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.


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And the oblation of the Lord was in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel: and finishing his service, on the altar, to honour the offering of the most high Ring,


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Then the sons of Aaron shouted, they sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard for a remembrance before God.


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Then all the people together made haste, and fell down to the earth upon their faces, to adore the Lord their God, and to pray to the Almighty God the most High.


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And the singers lifted up their voices. and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased.


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And the people in prayer besought the Lord the most High, until the worship of the Lord was perfected, and they had finished their office.


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Then coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the congregation of the children of Israel, to give glory to God with his lips, and to glory in his name:


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And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in all the earth, who hath increased our days from our mother’s womb, and hath done with us according to his mercy.


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Jesus the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, hath written in this book the doctrine of wisdom and instruction, who renewed wisdom from his heart.<pb/>


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A prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach. I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour.


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And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper.


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And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour.


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Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about:


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From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue:


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They compassed me on every side, and there was no one that would help me. I looked for the succour of men, and there was none.


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How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.


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I called upon the Lord, the father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help.


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I prayed for her before the temple, and unto the very end I will seek after her, and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.


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And these are the words of the book, which Baruch the son of Nerias, the son of Maasias, the son of Sedecias, the son of Sedei, the son of Helcias, wrote in Babylonia.


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In the fifth year, in the seventh day of the month, at the time that the Chaldeans took Jerusalem, and burnt it with fire.


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And Baruch read the words of this book in the hearing of Jechonias the son of Joakim king of Juda, and in the hearing of all the people that came to hear the book.


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And in the hearing of the nobles, the sons of the kings, and in the hearing of the ancients, and in the hearing of the people, from the least even to the greatest of them that dwelt in Babylonia, by the river Sedi.


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And they sent it to Jerusulem to Joakim the priest, the son of Helcias, the son of Salom, and to the priests, and to all the people, that were found with him in Jerusalem:


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At the time when he received the vessels of the temple of the Lord, which had been taken away out of the temple, to return them into the land of Juda the tenth day of the month Sivan, the silver vessels, which Sedecias the son of Josias king of Juda had made,


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After that Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had carried away Jechonias, and the princes, and all the powerful men, and the people of the land from Jerusalem, and brought them bound to Babylon.


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And they said: Behold we have sent you money, buy with it holocausts, and frankincense, and make meat offerings, and offerings for sin at the altar of the Lord our God:


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And pray ye for the life of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon, and for the life of Balthasar his son, that their days may be upon earth as the days of heaven:


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And that the Lord may give us strength, and enlighten our eyes, that we may live under the shadow of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon, and under the shadow of Balthasar his son, and may serve them many days, and may find favour in their sight.


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And pray ye for us to the Lord our God: for we have sinned against the Lord our God, and his wrath is not turned away from us even to this day.


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And read ye this book, which we have sent to you to be read in the temple of the Lord, on feasts, and proper days.


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And you shall say: To the Lord our God belongeth justice, but to us confusion of our face: as it is come to pass at this day to all Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,


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And we were not obedient to him, and we have not harkened to the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his commandments, which he hath given us.


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From the day that he brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, even to this day, we were disobedient to the Lord our God: and going astray we turned away from hearing his voice.


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And many evils have cleaved to us, and the curses which the Lord foretold by Moses his servant: who brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, to give us a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day.


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And we have not hearkened to the voice of the Lord our God according to all the words of the prophets whom he sent to us:


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And we have gone away every man after the inclinations of his own wicked heart, to serve strange gods, and to do evil in the sight of the Lord our God.<pb/>


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Wherefore the Lord our God hath made good his word, that he spoke to us, and to our judges that have judged Israel, and to our kings, and to our princes, and to all Israel and Juda:


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That the Lord would bring upon us great evils, such as never happened under heaven, as they have come to pass in Jerusalem, according to the things that are written in the law of Moses:


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And he hath delivered them up to be under the hand of all the kings that are round about us, to be a reproach, and desolation among all the people, among whom the Lord hath scattered us.


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And we are brought under, and are not uppermost: because we have sinned against the Lord our God, by not obeying his voice.


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To the Lord our God belongeth justice: but to us, and to our fathers confusion of face, as at this day.


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And we have not entreated the face of the Lord our God, that we might return every one of us from our most wicked ways.


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And the Lord hath watched over us for evil, and hath brought it upon us: for the Lord is just in all his works which he hath commanded us:


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And we have not hearkened to his voice to walk in the commandments of the Lord which he hath set before us.


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And now, O Lord God of Israel, who hast brought thy people out of the land of Egypt with a strong hand, and with signs, and with wonders, and with thy great power, and with a mighty arm, and hast made thee a name as at this day,


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We have sinned, we have done wickedly, we have acted unjustly, O Lord our God, against all thy justices.


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Let thy wrath be turned away from us: for we are left a few among the nations where thou hast scattered us.


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Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and our petitions, and deliver us for thy own sake: and grant that we may find favour in the sight of them that have led us away:


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That all the earth may know that thou art the Lord our God, and that thy name is called upon Israel, and upon his posterity.


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Open thy eyes, and behold: for the dead that are in hell, whose spirit is taken away from their bowels, shall not give glory and justice to the Lord:


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But the soul that is sorrowful for the greatness of evil she hath done, and goeth bowed down, and feeble, and the eyes that fail, and the hungry soul giveth glory and justice to thee the Lord.


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For it is not for the justices of our fathers that we pour out our prayers, and beg mercy in thy sight, O Lord our God:


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But because thou hast sent out thy wrath, and thy indignation upon us, as thou hast spoken by the hand of thy servants the prophets, saying:


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Thus saith the Lord: Bow down your shoulder, and your neck, and serve the king of Babylon: and you shall remain in the land which I have given to your fathers.


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But if you will not hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, to serve the king of Babylon: I will cause you to depart out of the cities of Juda, and from without Jerusalem.


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And I will take away from you the voice of mirth, and the voice of joy, and the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, and all the land shall be without any footstep of inhabitants.


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And they hearkened not to thy voice, to serve the king of Babylon: and thou hast made good thy words, which thou spokest by the hands of thy servants the prophets, that the bones of our kings, and the bones of our fathers should be removed out of their place:


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And behold they are cast out to the heat of the sun, and to the frost of the night: and they have died in grievous pains, by famine, and by the sword, and in banishment.


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And thou hast made the temple, in which thy name was called upon, as it is at this day, for the iniquity of the house of Israel, and the house of Juda.


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And thou hast dealt with us, O Lord our God, according to all thy goodness, and according to all that great mercy of thine:


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As thou spokest by the hand of thy servant Moses, in the day when thou didst command him to write thy law before the children of Israel,


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Saying: If you will not hear my voice, this great multitude shall be turned into a very small number among the nations, where I will scatter them:


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For I know that the people will not hear me, for they are a people of a stiff neck: but they shall turn to their heart in the land of their captivity:


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And they shall know that I am the Lord their God: and I will give them a heart, and they shall understand: and ears, and they shall hear.


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And they shall turn away themselves from their stiff neck, and from their wicked deeds: for they shall remember the way of their fathers, that sinned against me.


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And I will bring them back again into the land which I promised with an oath to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and they shall be masters thereof: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be diminished.


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And I will make with them another covenant that shall be everlasting, to be their God, and they shall be my people: and I will no more remove my people, the children of Israel, out of the land that I have given them.<pb/>


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And now, O Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, the soul in anguish, and the troubled spirit crieth to thee:


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Hear, O Lord, and have mercy, for thou art a merciful God, and have pity on us: for we have sinned before thee.


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O Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, hear now the prayer of the dead of Israel, and of their children, that have sinned before thee, and have not hearkened to the voice of the Lord their God, wherefore evils have cleaved fast to us.


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Remember not the iniquities of our fathers, but think upon thy hand, and upon thy name at this time:


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Because for this end thou hast put thy fear in our hearts, to the intent that we should call upon thy name, and praise thee in our captivity, for we are converted from the iniquity of our fathers, who sinned before thee.


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And behold we are at this day in our captivity, whereby thou hast scattered us to be a reproach, and a curse, and an offence, according to all the iniquities of our fathers, who departed from thee, O Lord our God.


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Thou art grown old in a strange country, thou art defiled with the dead: thou art counted with them that go down into hell.


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Learn where is wisdom, where is strength, where is understanding: that thou mayst know also where is length of days and life, where is the light of the eyes, and peace.


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That hoard up silver and gold, wherein men trust, and there is no end of their getting? who work in silver and are solicitous, and their works are unsearchable.


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Young men have seen the light, and dwelt upon the earth: but the way of knowledge they have not known,


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Nor have they understood the paths thereof, neither have their children received it, it is far from their face.


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The children of Agar also, that search after the wisdom that is of the earth, the merchants of Merrha, and of Theman, and the tellers of fables, and searchers of prudence and understanding: but the way of wisdom they have not known, neither have they remembered her paths.


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There were the giants, those renowned men that were from the beginning, of great stature, expert in war.


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But he that knoweth all things, knoweth her, and hath found her out with his understanding: he that prepared the earth for evermore, and filled it with cattle and fourfooted beasts:


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They were called, and they said: Here we are: and with cheerfu Iness they have shined forth to him that made them.


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He found out all the way of knowledge, and gave it to Jacob his servant, and to Israel his beloved.<pb/>


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This is the book of the commandments of God, and the law, that is for ever: all they that keep it, shall come to life: but they that have forsaken it, to death.


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Return, O Jacob, and take hold of it, walk in the way by its brightness, in the presence of the light thereof.


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You have been sold to the Gentiles, not for your destruction: but because you provoked God to wrath, you are delivered to your adversaries.


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For you have provoked him who made you, the eternal God, offering sacrifice to devils, and not to God.


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For she saw the wrath of God coming upon you, and she said: Give ear, all you that dwell near Sion, for God hath brought upon me great mourning:


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For I have seen the captivity of my people, of my sons, and my daughters, which the Eternal hath brought upon them.


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Let no man rejoice over me, a widow, and desolate: I am forsaken of many for the sins of my children, because they departed from the law of God.


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And they have not known his justices, nor walked by the ways of God’s commandments, neither have they entered by the paths of his truth and justice.


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Let them that dwell about Sion come, and remember the captivity of my sons and daughters, which the Eternal hath brought upon them.


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Who have neither reverenced the ancient, nor pitied children, and have carried away the beloved of the widow, and have left me all alone without children.


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I have put off the robe of peace, and have put upon me the sackcloth of supplication, and I will cry to the most High in my days.


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Be of good comfort, my children, cry to the Lord, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the princes your enemies.


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For my hope is in the Eternal that he will save you: and joy is come upon me from the Holy One, because of the mercy which shall come to you from our everlasting Saviour.


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For I sent you forth with mourning and weeping: but the Lord will bring you back to me with joy and gladness for ever.


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For as the neighbours of Sion have now seen your captivity from God: so shall they also shortly see your salvation from God, which shall come upon you with great honour, and everlasting glory.


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My children, suffer patiently the wrath that is come upon you: for thy enemy hath persecuted thee, but thou shalt quickly see his destruction: and thou shalt get up upon his neck.


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My delicate ones have walked rough ways, for they were taken away as a flock made a prey by the enemies.


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Be of good comfort, my children, and cry to the Lord: for you shall be remembered by him that hath led you away.


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For as it was your mind to go astray from God; so when you return again you shall seek him ten times as much.


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The wicked that have afflicted thee, shall perish: and they that have rejoiced at thy ruin, shall be punished.


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For as she rejoiced at thy ruin, and was glad of thy fall: so shall she be grieved for her own desolation.


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For fire shall come upon her from the Eternal, long to endure, and she shall be inhabited by devils for a great time.


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For behold thy children come, whom thou sentest away scattered, they come gathered together from the east even to the west, at the word of the Holy One rejoicing for the honour of God.<pb/>


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Put off, O Jerusalem, the garment of thy mourning, and affliction: and put on the beauty, and honour of that everlasting glory which thou hast from God.


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God will clothe thee with the double garment of justice, and will set a crown on thy head of everlasting honour.


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Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high: and look about towards the east, and behold thy children gathered together from the rising to the setting sun, by the word of the Holy One rejoicing in the remembrance of God.


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For they went out from thee on foot, led by the enemies: but the Lord will bring them to thee exalted with honour as children of the kingdom.


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For God hath appointed to bring down every high mountain, and the everlasting rocks, and to fill up the valleys to make them even with the ground: that Israel may walk diligently to the honour of God.


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Moreover the woods, and every sweet-smelling tree have overshadowed Israel by the commandment of God.


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For God will bring Israel with joy in the light of his majesty, with mercy, and justice, that cometh from him.<pb/>


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For the sins that you have committed before God, you shall be carried away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon.


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And when you are come into Babylon, you shall be there many years, and for a long time, even to seven generations: and after that I will bring you away from thence with peace.


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But now, you shall see in Babylon gods of gold, and of silver, and of stone, and of wood borne upon shoulders, causing fear to the Gentiles.


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Beware therefore that you imitate not the doings of others, and be afraid, and the fear of them should seize upon you.


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But when you see the multitude behind, and before, adoring them, say you in your hearts: Thou oughtest to be adored, O Lord.


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For their tongue that is polished by the craftsman, and themselves laid over with gold and silver, are false things, and they cannot speak.


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Their gods have golden crowns upon their heads: whereof the priests secretly convey away from them gold, and silver, and bestow it on themselves.


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Yea and they give thereof to prostitutes, and they dress out harlots: and again when they receive it of the harlots, they adorn their gods.


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But when they have covered them with a purple garment, they wipe their face because of the dust of the house, which is very much among them.


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This holdeth a sceptre as a man, as a judge of the country, but cannot put to death one that offendeth him.


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And this hath in his hand a sword, or an axe, but cannot save himself from war, or from robbers, whereby be it known to you, that they are not gods.


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Therefore fear them not. For as a vessel that a man uses when it is broken becometh useless, even so are their gods:


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And as the gates are made sure on every side upon one that hath offended the king, or like a dead man carried to the grave, so do the priests secure the doors with bars and locks, lest they be stripped by thieves.


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They light candles to them, and in great number, of which they cannot see one: but they are like beams in the house.


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And they say that the creeping things which are of the earth, gnaw their hearts, while they eat them and their garments, and they feel it not.


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Owls, and swallows, and other birds fly upon their bodies, and upon their heads, and cats in like manner.


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The gold also which they have, is for shew, but except a man wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten, did they feel it.


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And having not the use of feet they are carried upon shoulders, declaring to men how vile they are. Be they confounded also that worship them.


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Therefore if they fall to the ground, they rise not up again of themselves, nor if a man set them upright, will they stand by themselves, but their gifts shall be set before them, as to the dead.


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The things that are sacrificed to them, their priests sell and abuse: in like manner also their wives take part of them, but give nothing of it either to the sick, or to the poor.


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The childbearing and menstruous women touch their sacrifices: knowing therefore by these things that they are not gods, fear them not.


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For how can they be called gods? because women set offerings before the gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood:


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And priests sit in their temples, having their garments rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.


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And whether it be evil that one doth unto them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: neither can they set up a king nor put him down:


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In like manner they can neither give riches, nor requite evil. If a man make a vow to them, and perform it not, they cannot require it.


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Their gods, of wood, and of stone, and of gold, and of silver, are like the stones that are hewn out of the mountains: and they that worship them shall be confounded.


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Even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them: who when they hear of one dumb that cannot speak, they present him to Bel, entreating him, that he may speak,


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As though they could be sensible that have no motion themselves: and they, when they shall perceive this, will leave them: for their gods themselves have no sense.


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And when any one of them, drawn away by some passenger, lieth with him, she upbraideth her neighbour, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.


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But all things that are done about them, are false: how is it then to be thought, or to be said, that they are gods?


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And they are made by workmen, and by goldsmiths. They shall be nothing else but what the priests will have them to be.


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For the artificers themselves that make them, are of no long continuance. Can those things then that are made by them be gods?


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For when war cometh upon them, or evils, the priests consult with themselves where they may hide themselves with them.


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How then can they be thought to be gods, that can neither deliver themselves from war, nor save themselves from evils?


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For seeing they are but of wood, and laid over with gold, and with silver, it shall be known hereafter that they are false things, by all nations and kings: and it shall be manifest that they are no gods, but the work of men’s hands, and that there is no work of God in them.


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Whence therefore is it known that they are not gods, but the work of men’s hands, and no work of God is in them?


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They determine no causes, nor deliver countries from oppression; because they can do nothing, and are as daws between heaven and earth.


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For when fire shall fall upon the house of these gods of wood, and of silver, and of gold, their priests indeed will flee away, and be saved: but they themselves shall be burnt in the midst like beams.


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And they cannot withstand a king and war. How then can it be supposed, or admitted that they are gods?


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Neither are these gods of wood, and of stone, and laid over with gold, and with silver, able to deliver themselves from thieves or robbers: they that are stronger than them,


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Shall take from them the gold, and silver, and the raiment wherewith they are clothed, and shall go their way, neither shall they help themselves.


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Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his power: or else a profitable vessel in the house, with which the owner thereof will be well satisfied: or a door in the house, to keep things safe that are therein, than such false gods.


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The sun, and the moon, and the stars being bright, and sent forth for profitable uses, are obedient.


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In like manner the lightning, when it breaketh forth, is easy to be seen: and after the same manner the wind bloweth in every country.


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And the clouds when God commandeth them to go over the whole world, do that which is commanded them.


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The fire also being sent from above to consume mountains and woods, doth as it is commanded. But these neither in shew, nor in power are like to any one of them.


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Wherefore it is neither to be thought, nor to be said, that they are gods: since they are neither able to judge causes, nor to do any good to men.


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Neither do they shew signs in the heaven to the nations, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.


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For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing, so are their gods of wood, and of silver, and laid over with gold.


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They are no better than a white thorn in a garden, upon which every bird sitteth. In like manner also their gods of wood, and laid over with gold, and with silver, are like to a dead body cast forth in the dark.


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By the purple also and the scarlet which are motheaten upon them, you shall know that they are not gods. And they themselves at last are consumed, and shall be a reproach in the country.


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Now it came to pass, after that Alexander the son of Philip the Macedonian, who first reigned in Greece, coming out of the land of Cethim, had overthrown Darius king of the Persians and Medes:


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And he went through even to the ends of the earth, and took the spoils of many nations: and the earth was quiet before him.


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And he called his servants the nobles that were brought up with him from his youth: and he divided his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.


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And they all put crowns upon themselves after his death, and their sons after them many years, and evils were multiplied in the earth.


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And there came out of them a wicked root, Antiochus the Illustrious, the son of king Antiochus, who had been a hostage at Rome: and he reigned in the hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.


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In those days there went out of Israel wicked men, and they persuaded many, saying: Let us go, and make a covenant with the heathens that are round about us: for since we departed from them, many evils have befallen us.


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And some of the people determined to do this, and went to the king: and he gave them license to do after the ordinances of the heathens.


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And they made themselves prepuces, and departed from the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathens, and were sold to do evil.


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And the kingdom was established before Antiochus, and he had a mind to reign over the land of Egypt, that he might reign over two kingdoms.


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And he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots and elephants, and horsemen, and a great number of ships:


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And he made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt, but Ptolemee was afraid at his presence, and fled, and many were wounded unto death.


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And after Antiochus had ravaged Egypt in the hundred and forty-third year, he returned and went up against Israel.


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And he proudly entered into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, and the table of proposition, and the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the little mortars of gold, and the veil, and the crowns, and the golden ornament that was before the temple: and he broke them all in pieces.


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And he took the silver and gold, and the precious vessels: and he took the hidden treasures which he found: and when he had taken all away he departed into his own country.


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And the princes, and the ancients mourned, and the virgins and the young men were made feeble, and the beauty of the women was changed.


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And the land was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion.


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And after two full years the king sent the chief collector of his tributes to the cities of Juda, and he came to Jerusalem with a great multitude.


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And he fell upon the city suddenly, and struck it with a great slaughter, and destroyed much people in Israel.


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And he took the spoils of the city, and burnt it with fire, and threw down the houses thereof, and the walls thereof round about:


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And they built the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with strong towers, and made it a fortress for them:


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And they placed there a sinful nation, wicked men, and they fortified themselves therein: and they stored up armour, and victuals, and gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem;


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And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled away by reason of them, and the city was made the habitation to strangers, and she became a stranger to her own seed, and her children forsook her.


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Her sanctuary was desolate like a wilderness, her festival days were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach, her honours were brought to nothing.


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And king Antiochus wrote to all his kingdom, that all the people should be one: and every one should leave his own law.


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And many of Israel consented to his service, and they sacrificed to idols, and profaned the sabbath.


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And the king sent letters by the hands of messengers to Jerusalem, and to all the cities of Juda: that they should follow the law of the nations of the earth,


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And he commanded altars to be built, and temples, and idols, and swine’s flesh to be immolated, and unclean beasts.


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And that they should leave their children uncircumcised, and let their souls be defiled with all uncleannesses, and abominations, to the end that they should forget the law, and should change all the justifications of God.


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According to all these words he wrote to his whole kingdom, and he appointed rulers over the people that should force them to do these things.


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Then many of the people were gathered to them that had forsaken the law of the Lord: and they committed evils in the land:


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And they drove away the people of Israel into lurking holes, and into the secret places of fugitives.


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On the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred and forty-fifth year, king Antiochus set up the abominable idol of desolation upon the altar of God, and they built altars throughout all the cities of Juda round about:


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And every one with whom the books of the testament of the Lord were found, and whosoever observed the law of the Lord, they put to death, according to the edict of the king.


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Thus by their power did they deal with the people of Israel, that were found in the cities month after month.


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And on the five and twentieth day of the month they sacrificed upon the altar of the idol that was over against the altar of God.


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Now the women that circumcised their children, were slain according to the commandment of king Antiochus.


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And they hanged the children about their necks in all their houses: and those that had circumcised them, they put to death.<pb/>


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In those days arose Mathathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and he abode in the mountain of Modin.


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And Mathathias said: Woe is me, wherefore was I born to see the ruin of my people, and the ruin of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it is given into the hands of the enemies?


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The vessels of her glory are carried away captive: her old men are murdered in the streets, and her young men are fallen by the sword of the enemies.


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And behold our sanctuary, and our beauty, and our glory is laid waste, and the Gentiles have defiled them.


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And Mathathias and his sons rent their garments, and they covered themselves with haircloth, and made great lamentation.


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And they that were sent from king Antiochus came thither, to compel them that were fled into the city of Modin, to sacrifice, and to burn incense, and to depart from the law of God.


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And many of the people of Israel consented, and came to them: but Mathathias and his sons stood firm.


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And they that were sent from Antiochus, answering, said to Mathathias: Thou art a ruler, and an honourable, and great man in this city, and adorned with sons, and brethren.


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Therefore come thou first, and obey the king’s commandment, as all nations have done, and the men of Juda, and they that remain in Jerusalem: and thou, and thy sons, shall be in the number of the king’s friends, and enriched with gold, and silver, and many presents.


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Then Mathathias answered, and said with a loud voice: Although all nations obey king Antiochus, so as to depart every man from the service of the law of his fathers, and consent to his commandments:


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We will not hearken to the words of king Antiochus, neither will we sacrifice, and transgress the commandments of our law, to go another way.


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Now as he left off speaking these words, there came a certain Jew in the sight of all to sacrifice to the idols upon the altar in the city of Modin, according to the king’s commandment.


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And Mathathias saw and was grieved, and his reins trembled, and his wrath was kindled according to the judgment of the law, and running upon him he slew him upon the altar:


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Moreover the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who compelled them to sacrifice, he slew at the same time, and pulled down the altar.


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And Mathathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: Every one that hath zeal for the law, and maintaineth the testament, let him follow me.


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And they abode there, they and their children, and their wives, and their cattle: because afflictions increased upon them.


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And it was told to the king’s men, and to the army that was in Jerusalem in the city of David, that certain men who had broken the king’s commandment, were gone away into the secret places in the wilderness, and that many were gone after them.


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And they said to them: Do you still resist? come forth, and do according to the edict of king Antiochus, and you shall live.


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And they said: We will not come forth, neither will we obey the king’s edict, to profane the sabbath day.


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But they answered them not, neither did they cast a stone at them, nor stopped up the secret places,


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Saying: Let us all die in our innocency: and heaven and earth shall be witnesses for us, that you put us to death wrongfully.


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So they gave them battle on the sabbath: and they were slain with their wives, and their children, and their cattle, to the number of a thousand persons.


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And every man said to his neighbour: If we shall all do as our brethren have done, and not fight against the heathens for our lives, and our justifications: they will now quickly root us out of the earth.


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And they determined in that day, saying: Whosoever shall come up against us to fight on the sabbath day, we will fight against him: and we will not all die, as our brethren that were slain in the secret places.


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Then was assembled to them the congregation of the Assideans, the stoutest of Israel, every one that had a good will for the law.


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And they gathered an army, and slew the sinners in their wrath, and the wicked men in their indignation: and the rest fled to the nations for safety.


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And they circumcised all the children whom they found in the confines of Israel that were uncircumcised: and they did valiantly.


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And they recovered the law out of the hands of the nations, and out of the hands of the kings: and they yielded not the horn to the sinner.


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Now the days drew near that Mathathias should die, and he said to his sons: Now hath pride and chastisement gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:


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Now therefore, O my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.


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And call to remembrance the works of the fathers, which they have done in their generations: and you shall receive great glory, and an everlasting name.


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Phinees our father, by being fervent in the zeal of God, received the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.


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Today he is lifted up, and tomorrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his earth; and his thought is come to nothing.


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You therefore, my sons, take courage, and behave manfully in the law: for by it you shall be glorious.


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And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel: give ear to him always, and he shall be a father to you.


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And Judas Machabeus who is valiant and strong from his youth up, let him be the leader of your army, and he shall manage the war of the people.


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And he died in the hundred and forty-sixth year: and he was buried by his sons in the sepulchres of his fathers in Modin, and all Israel mourned for him with great mourning.<pb/>


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And all his brethren helped him, and all they that had joined themselves to his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel.


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And he got his people great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike armour about him in battles, and protected the camp with his sword.


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And he pursued the wicked and sought them out, and them that troubled his people he burnt with fire:


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And his enemies were driven away for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled: and salvation prospered in his hand.


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And he went through the cities of Juda, and destroyed the wicked out of them, and turned away wrath from Israel.


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And Apollonius gathered together the Gentiles, and a numerous and great army from Samaria, to make war against Israel.


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And Judas understood it, and went forth to meet him: and he overthrew him, and killed him: and many fell down slain, the rest fled away.


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And he took their spoils, and Judas took the sword of Apollonius, and fought with it all his lifetime.


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And Seron captain of the army of Syria heard that Judas had assembled a company of the faithful, and a congregation with him,


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And he said: I will get me a name, and will be glorified in the kingdom, and will overthrow Judas, and those that are with him, that have despised the edict of the king.


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And he made himself ready: and the host of the wicked went up with him, strong succours, to be revenged of the children of Israel.


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And they approached even as far as Bethoron: and Judas went forth to meet him, with a small company.


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But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said to Judas: How shall we, being few, be able to fight against so great a multitude and so strong, and we are ready to faint with fasting today?


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And Judas said: It is an easy matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few: and there is no difference in the sight of the God of heaven to deliver with a great multitude, or with a small company:


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They come against us with an insolent multitude, and with pride, to destroy us, and our wives, and our children, and to take our spoils.


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And as soon as he had made an end of speaking, he rushed suddenly upon them: and Seron and his host were overthrown before him:


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And he pursued him by the descent of Bethoron even to the plain, and there fell of them eight hundred men, and the rest fled into the land of the Philistines.


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And the fear of Judas and of his brethren, and the dread of them fell upon all the nations round about them.


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Now when king Antiochus heard these words, he was angry in his mind: and he sent and gathered the forces of all his kingdom, an exceeding strong army.


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And he opened his treasury, and gave out pay to the army for a year: and he commanded them, that they should be ready for all things.


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And he perceived that the money of his treasures failed, and that the tributes of the country were small because of the dissension, and the evil that he had brought upon the land, that he might take away the laws of old times:


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And he feared that he should not have as formerly enough, for charges and gifts, which he had given before with a liberal hand: for he had abounded more than the kings that had been before him.


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And he was greatly perplexed in mind, and purposed to go into Persia, and to take tributes of the countries, and to gather much money.


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And he left Lysias, a nobleman of the blood royal, to oversee the affairs of the kingdom, from the river Euphrates even to the river of Egypt:


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And he delivered to him half the army, and the elephants: and he gave him charge concerning all that he would have done, and concerning the inhabitants of Judea, and Jerusalem:


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And that he should send an army against them, to destroy and root out the strength of Israel, and the remnant of Jerusalem, and to take away the memory of them from that place:


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So the king took the half of the army that remained, and went forth from Antioch the chief city of his kingdom, in the hundred and forty-seventh year: and he passed over the river Euphrates, and went through the higher countries.


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Then Lysias chose Ptolemee the son of Dorymenus, and Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king’s friends.


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And he sent with them forty thousand men, and seven thousand horsemen: to go into the land of Juda, and to destroy it according to the king’s orders.


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And the merchants of the countries heard the fame of them: and they took silver and gold in abundance, and servants: and they came into the camp, to buy the children of Israel for slaves: and there were joined to them the forces of Syria, and of the land of the strangers.


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And Judas and his brethren saw that evils were multiplied, and that the armies approached to their borders: and they knew the orders the king had given to destroy the people and utterly abolish them.


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And they said every man to his neighbour: Let us raise up the low condition of our people, and let us fight for our people, and our sanctuary.


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And the assembly was gathered that they might be ready for battle: and that they might pray, and ask mercy and compassion.


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Now Jerusalem was not inhabited, but was like a desert: there was none of her children that went in or out: and the sanctuary was trodden down: and the children of strangers were in the castle, there was the habitation of the Gentiles: and joy was taken away from Jacob, and the pipe and harp ceased there.


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And they assembled together, and came to Maspha over against Jerusalem: for in Maspha was a place of prayer heretofore in Israel.


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And they fasted that day, and put on haircloth, and put ashes upon their heads: and they rent their garments:


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And they laid open the books of the law, in which the Gentiles searched for the likeness of their idols:


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And they brought the priestly ornaments, and the firstfruits and tithes, and stirred up the Nazarites that had fulfilled their days:


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And they cried with a loud voice toward heaven, saying: What shall we do with these, and whither shall we carry them?


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For thy holies are trodden down, and are profaned, and thy priests are in mourning, and are brought low.


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And behold the nations are come together against us to destroy us: thou knowest what they intend against us.


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And after this Judas appointed captains over the people, over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens.


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And he said to them that were building houses, or had betrothed wives, or were planting vineyards, or were fearful, that they should return every man to his house, according to the law.


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And Judas said: Gird yourselves, and be valiant men, and be ready against the morning, that you may fight with these nations that are assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary.


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Then Gorgias took five thousand men, and a thousand of the best horsemen: and they removed out of the camp by night.


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That they might come upon the camp of the Jews, and strike them suddenly: and the men that were of the castle were their guides.


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And Judas heard of it, and rose up, he and the valiant men, to attack the king’s forces that were in Emmaus.


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And Gorgias came by night into the camp of Judas, and found no man, and he sought them in the mountains: for he said: These men flee from us.


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And when it was day, Judas shewed himself in the plain with three thousand men only, who neither had armour nor swords.


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And they saw the camp of the Gentiles that it was strong, and the men in breastplates, and the horsemen round about them, and these were trained up to war.


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And Judas said to the men that were with him: Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault.


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Remember in what manner our fathers were saved in the Red Sea, when Pharao pursued them with a great army.


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And now let us cry to heaven: and the Lord will have mercy on us, and will remember the covenant of our fathers, and will destroy this army before our face this day:


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But all the hindmost of them fell by the sword, and they pursued them as far as Gezeron, and even to the plains of Idumea, and of Azotus, and of Jamnia: and there fell of them to the number of three thousand men.


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And Gorgias and his army are near us in the mountain: but stand ye now against our enemies, and overthrow them, and you shall take the spoils afterwards with safety.


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And as Judas was speaking these words, behold part of them appeared looking forth from the mountain.


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And Gorgias saw that his men were put to flight, and that they had set fire to the camp: for the smoke that was seen declared what was done.


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And when they had seen this, they were seized with great fear, seeing at the same time Judas and his army in the plain ready to fight.


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And Judas returned to take the spoils of the camp, and they got much gold, and silver, and blue silk, and purple of the sea, and great riches.


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And returning home they sung a hymn, and blessed God in heaven, because he is good, because his mercy endureth for ever.


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And when he heard these things, he was amazed and discouraged: because things had not succeeded in Israel according to his mind, and as the king had commanded.


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So the year following Lysias gathered together threescore thousand chosen men, and five thousand horsemen, that he might subdue them.


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And they came into Judea, and pitched their tents in Bethoron, and Judas met them with ten thousand men.


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And they saw that the army was strong, and he prayed, and said: Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst break the violence of the mighty by the hand of thy servant David, and didst deliver up the camp of the strangers into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul and of his armourbearer.


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Shut up this army in the hands of thy people Israel, and let them be confounded in their host and their horsemen.


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Strike them with fear, and cause the boldness of their strength to languish, and let them quake at their own destruction.


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Cast them down with the sword of them that love thee: and let all that know thy name, praise thee with hymns.


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And when Lysias saw that his men were put to flight, and how bold the Jews were, and that they were ready either to live, or to die manfully, he went to Antioch, and chose soldiers, that they might come again into Judea with greater numbers.


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Then Judas, and his brethren said: Behold our enemies are discomfited: let us go up now to cleanse the holy places and to repair them.


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And they saw the sanctuary desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burnt, and shrubs growing up in the courts as in a forest, or on the mountains, and the chambers joining to the temple thrown down.


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And they fell face down to the ground on their faces, and they sounded with the trumpets of alarm, and they cried towards heaven.


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Then Judas appointed men to fight against them that were in the castle, till they had cleansed the holy places.


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And they cleansed the holy places, and took away the stones that had been defiled into an unclean place.


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And a good counsel came into their minds, to pull it down: lest it should be a reproach to them, because the Gentiles had defiled it; so they threw it down.


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And they laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place, till there should come a prophet, and give answer concerning them.


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And they built up the holy places, and the things that were within the temple: and they sanctified the temple, and the courts.


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And they made new holy vessels, and brought in the candlestick, and the altar of incense, and the table into the temple.


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And they put incense upon the altar, and lighted up the lamps that were upon the candlestick, and they gave light in the temple.


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And they set the loaves upon the table, and hung up the veils, and finished all the works that they had begun to make.


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And they arose before the morning on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month (which is the month of Casleu) in the hundred and forty-eighth year.


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And they offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of holocausts which they had made.


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According to the time, and according to the day wherein the heathens had defiled it, in the same was it dedicated anew with canticles, and harps, and lutes, and cymbals.


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And all the people fell upon their faces, and adored, and blessed up to heaven, him that had prospered them.


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And they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and they offered holocausts with joy, and sacrifices of salvation, and of praise.


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And they adorned the front of the temple with crowns of gold, and escutcheons, and they renewed the gates, and the chambers, and hanged doors upon them.


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And there was exceeding great joy among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was turned away.


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And Judas, and his brethren, and all the church of Israel decreed, that the day of the dedication of the altar should be kept in its season from year to year for eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu, with joy and gladness.


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They built up also at that time mount Sion, with high walls, and strong towers round about, lest the Gentiles should at any time come, and tread it down as they did before.


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And he placed a garrison there to keep it, and he fortified it to secure Bethsura, that the people might have a defence against Idumea.<pb/>


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Now it came to pass, when the nations round about heard that the altar and the sanctuary were built up as before, that they were exceeding angry.


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And they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob that were among them, and they began to kill some of the people, and to persecute them.


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Then Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumea, and them that were in Acrabathane: because they beset the Israelites around about, and he made a great slaughter of them.


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And he remembered the malice of the children of Bean: who were a snare and a stumblingblock to the people, by lying in wait for them in the way.


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And they were shut up by him in towers, and he set upon them, and devoted them to utter destruction, and burnt their towers with fire, and all that were in them.


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Then he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, and much people, and Timotheus was their captain:


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And the Gentiles that were in Galaad, assembled themselves together against the Israelites that were in their quarters to destroy them: and they fled into the fortress of Datheman.


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And they sent letters to Judas and his brethren, saying, The heathens that are round about are gathered together against us, to destroy us:


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And they are preparing to come, and to take the fortress into which we are fled: and Timotheus is the captain of their host.


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And all our brethren that were in the places of Tubin, are killed: and they have carried away their wives, and their children, captives, and taken their spoils, and they have slain there almost a thousand men.


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And while they were yet reading these letters, behold there came other messengers out Galilee with their garments rent, who related according to these words:


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Saying, that they of Ptolemais, and of Tyre, and of Sidon, were assembled against them, and all Galilee is filled with strangers, in order to consume us.


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Now when Judas and all the people heard these words, a great assembly met together to consider what they should do for their brethren that were in trouble, and were assaulted by them.


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And Judas said to Simon his brother: Choose thee men, and go, and deliver they brethren in Galilee: and I, and my brother Jonathan will go into the country of Galaad.


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And he left Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias captains of the people with the remnant of the army in Judea to keep it:


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And he commanded them, saying: Take ye the charge of this people: but make no war against the heathens, till we return.


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Now three thousand men were alloted to Simon, to go into Galilee: and eight thousand to Judas to go into the land of Galaad.


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And Simon went into Galilee, and fought many battles with the heathens: and the heathens were discomfited before his face, and he pursued them even to the gate of Ptolemais.


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And he took with him those that were in Galilee and in Arbatis with their wives, and children, and all that they had, and he brought them into Judea with great joy.


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And Judas Machabeus, and Jonathan his brother passed over the Jordan, and went three days’ journey through the desert.


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And the Nabutheans met them, and received them in a peaceable manner, and told them all that happened to their brethren in the land of Galaad,


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And that many of them were shut up in Barasa, and in Bosor, and in Alima, and in Casphor, and in Mageth, and in Carnaim: all these strong and great cities.


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Yea, and that they were kept shut up in the rest of the cities of Galaad, and that they had appointed to bring their army on the morrow near to these cities, and to take them and to destroy them all in one day.


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Then Judas and his army suddenly turned their march into the desert, to Bosor, and took the city: and he slew every male by the edge of the sword, and took all their spoils, and burnt it with fire.


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And it came to pass that early in the morning, when they lifted up their eyes, behold there were people without number, carrying ladders and engines to take the fortress, and assault them.


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And Judas saw that the fight was begun, and the cry of the battle went up to heaven like a trumpet, and a great cry out of the city:


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And he came with three companies behind them, and they sounded their trumpets, and cried out in prayer.


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And the host of Timotheus understood that it was Machabeus, and they fled away before his face: and they made a great slaughter of them: and there fell of them in that day almost eight thousand men.


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And Judas turned aside to Maspha, and assaulted, and took it, and he slew every male thereof, and took the spoils thereof, and burnt it with fire.


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From thence he marched, and took Casbon, and Mageth, and Bosor, and the rest of the cities of Galaad.


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And Judas sent men to view the army: and they brought him word, saying: All the nations, that are round about us, are assembled unto him an army exceeding great:


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And they have hired the Arabians to help them, and they have pitched their tents beyond the torrent, ready to come to fight against thee. And Judas went to meet them.


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And Timotheus said to the captains of his army: When Judas and his army come near the torrent of water, if he pass over unto us first, we shall not be able to withstand him: for he will certainly prevail over us.


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But if he be afraid to pass over, and camp on the other side of the river, we will pass over to them and shall prevail against him.


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Now when Judas came near the torrent of water, he set the scribes of the people by the torrent, and commanded them, saying: Suffer no man to stay behind: but let all come to the battle.


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And he passed over to them first, and all the people after him, and all the heathens were discomfited before them, and they threw away their weapons, and fled to the temple that was in Carnaim.


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And he took that city, and the temple he burnt with fire, with all things that were therein: and Carnaim was subdued, and could not stand against the face of Judas.


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And Judas gathered together all the Israelites that were in the land of Galaad, from the least even to the greatest, and their wives, and children, and an army exceeding great, to come into the land of Juda.


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And they came as far as Ephron: now this was a great city situate in the way, strongly fortified, and there was no means to turn from it on the right hand or on the left, but the way was through the midst of it.


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And they that were in the city, shut themselves in, and stopped up the gates with stones: and Judas sent to them with peaceable words,


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Saying: Let us pass through your land, to go into our country: and no man shall hurt you: we will only pass through on foot. But they would not open to them.


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Then Judas commanded proclamation to be made in the camp, that they should make an assault every man in the place where he was.


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And the men of the army drew near, and he assaulted that city all the day, and all the night, and the city was delivered into his hands:


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And they slew every male with the edge of the sword, and he razed the city, and took the spoils thereof, and passed through all the city over them that were slain.


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And Judas gathered together the hindmost, and he exhorted the people all the way through, till they came into the land of Juda.


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And they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness, and offered holocausts, because not one of them was slain, till they had returned in peace.


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Now in the days that Judas and Jonathan were in the land of Galaad, and Simon his brother in Galilee before Ptolemais,


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Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias captain of the soldiers, heard of the good success, and the battles that were fought.


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And he said: Let us also get us a name, and let us go fight against the Gentiles that are round about us.


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And Joseph and Azarias were put to flight, and were pursued unto the borders of Judea: and there fell, on that day, of the people of Israel about two thousand men, and there was a great overthrow of the people:


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And the men of Juda were magnified exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and of all the nations where their name was heard.


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Then Judas and his brethren went forth and attacked the children of Esau, in the land toward the south, and he took Chebron, and her towns: and he burnt the walls thereof and the towers all round it.


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In that day some priests fell in battle, while desiring to do manfully they went out unadvisedly to fight.


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And Judas turned to Azotus into the land of the strangers, and he threw down their altars, and he burnt the statues of their gods with fire: and he took the spoils of the cities, and returned into the land of Juda.<pb/>


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Now king Antiochus was going through the higher countries, and he heard that the city of Elymais in Persia was greatly renowned, and abounding in silver and gold.


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And that there was in it a temple, exceeding rich: and coverings of gold, and breastplates, and shields which king Alexander, son of Philip the Macedonian that reigned first in Greece, had left there.


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Lo, he came, and sought to take the city and to pillage it: But he was not able, because the design was known to them that were in the city.


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And they rose up against him in battle, and he fled away from thence, and departed with great sadness, and returned towards Babylonia.


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And whilst he was in Persia, there came one that told him, how the armies that were in the land of Juda were put to flight:


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And that Lysias went with a very great power, and was put to flight before the face of the Jews, and that thy were grown strong by the armour, and power, and store of spoils, which they had gotten out of the camps which they had destroyed:


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And that they had thrown down the abomination which he had set up upon the altar in Jerusalem, and that they had compassed about the sanctuary with high walls as before, and Bethsura also his city.


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And it came to pass when the king heard these words, that he was struck with fear, and exceedingly moved: and he laid himself down upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not fallen out to him as he imagined.


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And he remained there many days: for great grief came more and more and more upon him, and he made account that he should die.


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And he called for all his friends, and said to them: Sleep is gone from my eyes, and I am fallen away, and my heart is cast down for anxiety.


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And I said in my heart: Into how much tribulation am I come, and into what floods of sorrow, wherein now I am: I that was pleasant and beloved in my power!


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But now I remember the evils that I have done in Jerusalem, from whence also I took away all the spoils of gold, and of silver that were in it, and I sent to destroy the inhabitants of Juda without cause.


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I know therefore that for this cause these evils have found me: and behold I perish with great grief in a strange land.


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And he gave him the crown, and his robe, and his ring, that he should go to Antiochus his son, and should bring him up for the kingdom.


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And Lysias understood that the king was dead, and he set up Antiochus his son to reign, whom he brought up young: and he called his name Eupator.


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Now they that were in the castle, had shut up the Israelites round about the holy places: and they were continually seeking their hurt, and to strengthen the Gentiles.


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And they came together, and besieged them in the year one hundred and fifty, and they made battering slings and engines.


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And they went to the king, and said: How long dost thou delay to execute the judgment, and to revenge our brethren?


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And for this they of our nation are alienated from us, and have slain as many of us as they could find, and have spoiled our inheritances.


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And behold they have approached this day to the castle of Jerusalem to take it, and they have fortified the stronghold of Bethsura:


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And unless thou speedily prevent them, they will do greater things than these, and thou shalt not be able to subdue them.


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Now when the king heard this, he was angry: and he called together all his friends, and the captains of his army, and them that were over the horsemen.


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And the number of his army was an hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and thirty-two elephants, trained to battle.


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And they went through Idumea, and approached to Bethsura, and fought many days, and they made engines: but they sallied forth and burnt them with fire, and fought manfully.


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And Judas departed from the castle, and removed the camp to Bethzacharam, over against the king’s camp.


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And the king rose before it was light, and made his troops march on fiercely towards the way of Bethzacharam: and the armies made themselves ready for the battle, and they sounded the trumpets:


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And they distributed the beasts by the legions: and there stood by every elephant a thousand men in coats of mail, and with helmets of brass on their heads: and five hundred horsemen set in order were chosen for every beast.


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These before the time wheresoever the beast was, the were there: and withersoever it went, they went, and they departed not from it.


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And upon the beast, there were strong wooden towers, which covered every one of them: and engines upon them: and upon every one thirty-two valiant men, who fought from above; and an Indian to rule the beast.


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And the rest of the horsemen he placed on this side and on that side at the two wings, with trumpets to stir up the army, and to hasten them forward that stood thick together in the legions thereof.


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Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold, and of brass, the mountains glittered therewith, and they shone like lamps of fire.


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And part of the king’s army was distinguished by the high mountains, and the other part by the low places: and they marched on warily and orderly.


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And all the inhabitants of the land were moved at the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the company, and the rattling of the armour, for the army was exceeding great and strong.


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And Eleazar the son of Saura saw one of the beasts harnessed with the king’s harness: and it was higher than the other beasts: and it seemed to him that the king was on it:


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And he ran up to it boldly in the midst of the legion, killing on the right hand, and on the left, and they fell by him on this side and that side.


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And he went between the feet of the elephant, and put himself under it: and slew it, and it fell to the ground upon him, and he died there.


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But the king’s army went up against them to Jerusalem: and the king’s army pitched their tents against Judea and mount Sion.


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And he made peace with them that were in Bethsura: and they came forth out of the city, because they had no victuals, being shut up there, for it was the year of rest to the land.


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And he turned his army against the sanctuary for many days: and he set up there battering slings, and engines and instruments to cast fire, and engines to cast stones and javelins, and pieces to shoot arrows, and slings.


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But there were no victuals in the city, because it was the seventh year: and such as had stayed in Judea of them that came from among the nations, had eaten the residue of all that which had been stored up.


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And there remained in the holy places but a few, for the famine had prevailed over them: and they were dispersed every man to his own place.


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Now Lysias heard that Philip, whom king Antiochus while he lived had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus, and to reign, to be king,


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Was returned from Persia, and Media, with the army that went with him, and that he sought to take upon him the affairs of the kingdom:


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Wherefore he made haste to go, and say to the king and to the captains of the army: We decay daily, and our provision of victuals is small, and the place that we lay siege to is strong, and it lieth upon us to take order for the affairs of the kingdom.


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Now therefore let us come to an agreement with these men, and make peace with them and with all their nation.


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And let us covenant with them, that they may live according to their own laws as before. For because of our despising their laws, they have been provoked, and have done all these things.


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And the proposal was acceptable in the sight of the king, and of the princes: and he sent to them to make peace: and they accepted of it.


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Then the king entered into mount Sion, and saw the strength of the place: and he quickly broke the oath that he had taken, and gave commandment to throw down the wall round about.


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And he departed in haste, and returned to Antioch, where he found Philip master of the city: and he fought against him, and took the city.<pb/>


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In the hundred and fifty-first year Demetrius the son of Seleucus departed from the city of Rome, and came up with a few men into a city of the sea coast, and reigned there.


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And it came to pass, as he entered into the house of the kingdom of his fathers, that the army seized upon Antiochus, and Lysias, to bring them unto him.


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And there came to him the wicked and ungodly men of Israel: And Alcimus was at the head of them, who desired to be made high priest.


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And they accused the people to the king, saying: Judas and his brethren have destroyed all thy friends, and he hath driven us out of our land.


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Now therefore send some man whom thou trustest, and let him go, and see all the havock he hath made amongst us, and in the king’s lands: and let him punish all his friends and their helpers.


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Then the king chose Bacchides, one of his friends that ruled beyond the great river in the kingdom, and was faithful to the king: and he sent him,


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To see the havock that Judas had made: and the wicked Alcimus he made high priest, and commanded him to take revenge upon the children of Israel.


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And they arose, and came with a great army into the land of Juda: and they sent messengers, and spoke to Judas and his brethren with peaceable words deceitfully.


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Then there assembled to Alcimus and Bacchides a company of the scribes to require things that are just:


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And he spoke to them peaceably: and he swore to them, saying: We will do you no harm nor your friends.


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And they believed him. And he took threescore of them, and slew them in one day, according to the word that is written:


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The flesh of thy saints, and the blood of them they have shed round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.


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Then fear and trembling fell upon all the people: for they said: There is no truth, nor justice among them: for they have broken the covenant, and the oath which they made.


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And Bacchides removed the camp from Jerusalem, and pitched in Bethzecha: and he sent, and took many of them that were fled away from him, and some of the people he killed, and threw them into a great pit.


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Then he committed the country to Alcimus, and left with him troops to help him. So Bacchides went away to the king:


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And they that disturbed the people resorted to him, and they got the land of Juda into their power, and did much hurt in Israel.


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And Judas saw all the evils that Alcimus, and they that were with him, did to the children of Israel, much more than the Gentiles.


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And he went out into all the coasts of Juda round about, and took vengeance upon the men that had revolted, and they ceased to go forth any more into the country.


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And Alcimus saw that Judas, and they that were with him prevailed: and he knew that he could not stand against them, and he went back to the king, and accused them of many crimes.


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And the king sent Nicanor one of his principal lords, who was a great enemy to Israel: and he commanded him to destroy the people.


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And Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great army, and he sent to Judas and to his brethren deceitfully with friendly words,


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Saying: Let there be no fighting between me and you: I will come with a few men to see your faces with peace.


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And he came to Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably: and the enemies were prepared to take away Judas by force.


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And the thing was known to Judas that he was come to him with deceit: and he was much afraid of him, and would not see his face any more.


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And Nicanor knew that his counsel was discovered: and he went out to fight against Judas near Capharsalama.


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And after this Nicanor went up into mount Sion: and some of the priests and the people came out to salute him peaceably, and to shew him the holocausts that were offered for the king.


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And swore in anger, saying: Unless Judas and his army be delivered into my hands, as soon as ever I return in peace, I will burn this house. And he went out in a great rage.


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And the priests went in, and stood before the face of the altar and the temple: and weeping, they said:


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Thou, O Lord, hast chosen this house for thy name to be called upon therein, that it might be a house of prayer and supplication for thy people.


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Be avenged of this man, and his army, and let them fall by the sword: remember their blasphemies, and suffer them not to continue any longer.


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Then Nicanor went out from Jerusalem, and encamped near to Bethoron: and an army of Syria joined him.


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O Lord, when they that were sent by king Sennacherib blasphemed thee, an angel went out, and slew of them a hundred and eighty-five thousand:


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Even so destroy this army in our sight today, and let the rest know that he hath spoken ill against thy sanctuary: and judge thou him according to his wickedness.


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And the armies joined battle on the thirteenth day of the month Adar: and the army of Nicanor was defeated, and he himself was first slain in the battle.


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And they pursued after them one day’s journey from Adazer, even till ye come to Gazara, and they sounded the trumpets after them with signals.


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And they went forth out of all the towns of Judea round about, and they pushed them with the horns, and they turned again to them, and they were all slain with the sword, and there was not left of them so much as one.


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And they took the spoils of them for a booty, and they cut off Nicanor’s head, and his right hand, which he had proudly stretched out, and they brought it, and hung it up over against Jerusalem.


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Now Judas heard of the fame of the Romans, that they are powerful and strong, and willingly agree to all things that are requested of them: and that whosoever have come to them, they have made amity with them, and that they are mighty in power.


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And they heard of their battles, and their noble acts, which they had done in Galatia, how they conquered them, and brought them under tribute:


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And how great things they had done in the land of Spain, and that they had brought under their power the mines of silver and of gold that are there, and had gotten possession of all the place by their counsel and patience:


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And had conquered places that were very far off from them, and kings that came against them from the ends of the earth, and had overthrown them with great slaughter: and the rest pay them tribute every year.


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And that they had defeated in battle Philip, and Perses the king of the Ceteans, and the rest that had borne arms against them, and had conquered them:


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And how Antiochus the great king of Asia, who went to fight against them, having a hundred and twenty elephants, with horsemen, and chariots, and a very great army, was routed by them:


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And how they took him alive, and appointed to him, that both he and they that should reign after him, should pay a great tribute, and that he should give hostages, and that which was agreed upon,


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And the country of the Indians, and of the Medes, and of the Lydians, some of their best provinces: and those which they had taken from them they gave to king Eumenes.


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And that they who were in Greece had a mind to go and to destroy them: and they had knowledge thereof,


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And they sent a general against them, and fought with them, and many of them were slain, and they carried away their wives and their children captives, and spoiled them, and took possession of their land, and threw down their walls, and brought them to be their servants unto this day.


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And the other kingdoms, and islands, that at any time had resisted them, they had destroyed and brought under their power.


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But with their friends, and such as relied upon them, they kept amity, and had conquered kingdoms that were near, and that were far off: for all that heard their name, were afraid of them.


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That whom they had a mind to help to a kingdom, those reigned: and whom they would, they deposed from a kingdom: and they were greatly exalted.


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And that they made themselves a senate house, and consulted daily three hundred and twenty men, that sat in council always for the people, that they might do the things that were right.


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And that they committed their government to one man every year, to rule over all their country, and they all obey one, and there is no envy, nor jealousy amongst them.


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So Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John, the son of Jacob, and Jason the son of Eleazar, and he sent them to Rome to make a league of amity and confederacy with them.


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And that they might take off from them the yoke of the Grecians, for they saw that they oppressed the kingdom of Israel with servitude.


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Judas Machabeus, and his brethren, and the people of the Jews have sent us to you, to make alliance and peace with you, and that we may be registered your confederates and friends.


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And this is the copy of the writing that they wrote back again, graven in tables of brass, and sent to Jerusalem, that it might be with them there for a memorial of the peace and alliance.


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GOOD SUCCESS BE TO THE ROMANS, and to the people of the Jews, by sea and by land for ever: and far be the sword and enemy from them.


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But if there come first any war upon the Romans, or any of their confederates, in all their dominions:


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Neither shall they give them, whilst they are fighting, or furnish them with wheat, or arms, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good to the Romans: and they shall obey their orders, without taking any thing of them.


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In like manner also if war shall come first upon the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall help them with all their heart, according as the time shall permit them.


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And there shall not be given to them that come to their aid, either wheat, or arms, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good to the Romans: and they shall observe their orders without deceit.


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And if after this one party or the other shall have a mind to add to these articles, or take away anything, they may do it at their pleasure: and whatsoever they shall add, or take away, shall be ratified.


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Moreover concerning the evils that Demetrius the king hath done against them, we have written to him, saying: Why hast thou made thy yoke heavy upon our friends, and allies, the Jews?


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If therefore they come again to us complaining of thee, we will do them justice, and will make war against thee by sea and land.<pb/>


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In the mean time when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army were fallen in battle, he sent again Bacchides and Alcimus into Judea; and the right wing of his army with them.


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And they took the road that leadeth to Galgal, and they camped in Masaloth, which is in Arabella: and they made themselves masters of it, and slew many people.


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And they saw the multitude of the army that they were many, and they were seized with great fear: and many withdrew themselves out of the camp, and there remained of them no more than eight hundred men.


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And Judas saw that his army slipped away, and the battle pressed upon him, and his heart was cast down: because he had not time to gather them together, and he was discouraged.


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Then he said to them that remained: Let us arise, and go against our enemies, if we may be able to fight against them.


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But they dissuaded him, saying: We shall not be able, but let us save our lives now, and return to our brethren, and then we will fight against them: for we are but few.


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Then Judas said: God forbid we should do this thing, and flee away from them: but if our time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our glory.


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And the army removed out of the camp, and they stood over against them: and the horsemen were divided into two troops, and the slingers, and the archers went before the army, and they that were in the front were all men of valour.


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And Bacchides was in the right wing, and the legion drew near on two sides, and they sounded the trumpets:


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And they also were on Judas’ side, even they also cried out, and the earth shook at the noise of the armies: and the battle was fought from morning even unto the evening.


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And Judas perceived that the stronger part of the army of Bacchides was on the right side, and all the stout of heart came together with him:


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And they that were in the left wing saw that the right wing was discomfited, and they followed after Judas, and them that were with him, at their back:


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And Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of their fathers in the city of Modin.


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And all the people of Israel bewailed him with great lamentation, and they mourned for him many days.


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But the rest of the words of the wars of Judas, and of the noble acts that he did, and of his greatness, are not written: for they were very many.


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And it came to pass after the death of Judas, that the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the confines of Israel, and all the workers of iniquity rose up.


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And they sought out, and made diligent search after the friends of Judas, and brought them to Bacchides, and he took vengeance of them, and abused them.


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And there was a great tribulation in Israel, such as was not since the day, that there was no prophet seen in Israel.


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Since thy brother Judas died, there is not a man like him to go forth against our enemies, Bacchides, and them that are the enemies of our nation.


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Now therefore we have chosen thee this day to be our prince, and captain in his stead to fight our battles.


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So Jonathan took upon him the government at that time, and rose up in the place of Judas his brother.


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And Jonathan and Simon his brother, knew it, and all that were with them: and they fled into the desert of Thecua, and they pitched by the water of the lake of Asphar,


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And Bacchides understood it, and he came himself with all his army over the Jordan on the sabbath day.


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And Jonathan sent his brother a captain of the people, to desire the Nabutheans his friends, that they would lend them their equipage, which was copious.


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And the children of Jambri came forth out of Madaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went away with them.


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After this it was told Jonathan, and Simon his brother, that the children of Jambri made a great marriage, and were bringing the bride out of Madaba, the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan, with great pomp.


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And the remembered the blood of John their brother: and they went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain.


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And they lifted up their eyes, and saw: and behold a tumult, and great preparation: and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends, and his brethren to meet them with timbrels, and musical instruments, and many weapons.


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And they rose up against them from the place where they lay in ambush, and slew them, and there fell many wounded, and the rest fled into the mountains, and they took all their spoils:


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And the marriage was turned into mourning, and the noise of their musical instruments into lamentation.


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And Bacchides heard it, and he came on the sabbath day even to the bank of the Jordan with a great power.


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And Jonathan said to his company: Let us arise, and fight against our enemies: for it is not now as yesterday, and the day before.


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And behold the battle is before us, and the water of the Jordan on this side and on that side, and banks, and marshes, and woods: and there is no place for us to turn aside.


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Now therefore cry ye to heaven, that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies. And they joined battle.


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And they built strong cities in Judea, the fortress that was in Jericho, and in Ammaus, and in Bethoron, and in Bethel, and Thamnata, and Phara, and Thopo, with high walls, and gates, and bars.


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And he fortified the city of Bethsura, and Gazara, and the castle, and set garrisons in them, and provisions of victuals:


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And he took the sons of the chief men of the country for hostages, and put them in the castle in Jerusalem in custody.


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Now in the year one hundred and fifty-three, the second month, Alcimus commanded the walls of the inner court of the sanctuary to be thrown down, and the works of the prophets to be destroyed: and he began to be destroyed: and he began to destroy.


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At that time Alcimus was struck: and his works were hindered, and his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak a word, nor give order concerning his house.


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And Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead: and he returned to the king, and the land was quiet for two years.


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And all the wicked held a council, saying: Behold Jonathan, and they that are with him, dwell at ease, and without fear: now therefore let us bring Bacchides hither, and he shall take them all in one night.


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And he arose to come with a great army: and he sent secretly letters to his adherents that were in Judea, to seize upon Jonathan, and them that were with him: but they could not, for their design was known to them.


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And he apprehended of the men of the country, that were the principal authors of the mischief, fifty men, and slew them.


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And Jonathan, and Simon, and they that were with him retired into Bethbessen, which is in the desert: and he repaired the breaches thereof, and they fortified it.


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And when Bacchides knew it, he gathered together all his multitude: and sent word to them that were of Judea.


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But Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city, and went forth into the country: and came with a number of men.


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And struck Odares, and his brethren, and the children of Phaseron in their tents, and he began to slay, and to increase in forces.


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And they fought against Bacchides, and he was discomfited by them: and they afflicted him exceedingly, for his counsel, and his enterprise was in vain.


